Yes yes i know. Its been forever, but this is the last chapter i've pre written, it's been like two months since i sat down and wrote so ive been trying to hold it out.

This is only half the chapter i thought i would split it in two.

Sorry guys.

Oh i realised i haven't done a disclaimer yet so for this chap and previous chapter "yes none of these characters are mine sadly all belong to Mrs Meyer."

Chapter Seven (apparently):

Meeting the Family

For the first time in months Bella actually had somebody walking home with her, it was strange, she had forgotten what it was like to have someone to talk to. Bella hadn't realised how cut off she was until that moment, it honestly scared her, she had become use to it, used to being alone but now with Edward in her life, the idea wasn't so appealing. Bella didn't know what she would do if he decided she wasn't worth his time, she had had a lot of people deciding this fact during the previous year, she knew the feeling of rejection wouldn't be new, he'd just be like everyone else she loved, but the idea of Edward doing it was incomprehensible, the idea actually physically hurt her.

After English class Bella couldn't stop contemplating about what they could do, if they could do anything that is. She was honestly worried about Edward, what would happen now? Lunch was quiet, today Bella actually invited Edward to sit with her instead of his own lonesome table but it had made no difference to any other day, the silence was deafening. If she closed her eyes she almost wouldn't be able to tell he was there, the only evidence was their entwined hands under the table, the warmth he transferred to her. While they didn't talk for the entire hour, both tense with nerves the simple gesture was enough for them, it reflected what wasn't been spoken, that they cared for each other, they would be there when nobody else was.

Throughout the day Edward's warm gentle hands had become Bella's life line, her sanctuary, she couldn't comprehend parting with him again oh how things had changed in a few irrelevant weeks. Now walking home along the snow ridden footpath, layers of white encasing the buildings Bella physically shook with nerves, what would he think of her family? Of her home? And most importantly what would he think of her? This visit would close the last gap between them, reveal who she really was to him and she wouldn't have any walls left to hide behind, he would see her soul.

Edward could sense Bella's reluctance to move any further, the way she had stiffened within an instance, her body becoming tense and with the way her hand was crushing his, something was wrong, he knew it.

Tugging Bella's hand to halt her movements Edward turned Bella around making her face him; he would be able to tell what was wrong, as long as he could look into those unique brown eyes.

"Love, what's wrong?" Bella tries to hide her eyes from him, to look anywhere but his beautiful face, but he was having none of that.

"Do you regret your decision? Do you want me to leave?" Edward contemplated this idea, he didn't like it, not at all. He believed he was finally getting close to her, that she was finally seeing him for who he was. But it appeared he was wrong. She didn't trust him, maybe she never would.

Bella could see the hurt in Edward's expression, the way his eyes became darker with his confession. How could he think that? She never wanted to leave his side.

Edward took the unbroken silence as an unsaid yes, and breaking his contact with her, the warmth from her skin he slowly began to turn around, to retrace his steps.

"Wait, no Edward that's not it." She was lying, a small voice told him from the back of his head; she's trying to spare you the pain, leave.

"Then what is it?" Turning around to face her Edward could see the indecision in her eyes, she wasn't sure if she should tell him the truth. I will earn her trust. The conviction in his thought spoke undeniable truth.

"Don't you trust me Bella?" She was just hurting him, no matter what she said, Bella always ended up hurting him.

"No I do," It was said with little conviction even Bella heard the uncertainty in her voice. "I do trust you"

"Then what is it? Please just tell me the truth?" the silence was thick between them, full of undeniable tension.

"Well what if you don't like me after this? What happens if after going to my house you change your mind?" The idea was comical to Edward he knew it could never happen. He couldn't stop the laughter that escaped his lips.

The returning glance from Bella told him it was exactly the wrong time for it, she took it the wrong way, the laugh confirming her absurd beliefs.

"Oh no, Bella don't take it that way please." He quickly grabs hers arms halting her escape. "I laughed because the idea was so idiotic to me, not the reason you believed. Nothing could change my mind on about how I feel about you, I promise."

She still seemed unsure, not quite believing Edward's words. Well we'll have to change that now won't we? The kiss he applied to her forehead was the most delicate of touches, his lips feeling like butterfly wings upon her skin, so gentle Bella thought, like his soul so kind and loving.

"Are you sure?" Bella couldn't help but asking him, she could still feel the imprint of his lips on her forehead, the tingling they left behind. It actually made Bella dizzy.

"Nothing could change my mind." The tension between them quickly dissipated; along as they had each other they knew everything would be okay.

The rest of the walk home was somewhat peaceful there was still an unbroken silence between them but it wasn't awkward, it was just that nothing seemed to need to be said. Walking in her front door Bella could hear the clanging of pots in the kitchen, the voices of her family loud and clear, her dad's laughter easily recognizable down the hall. I guess this is it. She knew it was now or never if she waited any longer she would chicken out.

Pulling a lingering Edward behind her Bella heads toward the kitchen, towards her family, Edward was too busy admiring the house, the family portraits hanging on the walls. She was always beautiful, the fact didn't surprise him, he couldn't imagine Bella with anything that would blemish her beauty, everything was striking on her, even the freckles on her noise; hinting at too much time in the sun were beautiful to him, it just added to her exquisiteness he believed.

Walking into the kitchen Bella could tell the family was attempting to cook tea yet again together, even Esme was there, pushed into the corner of the stove. It truly was a mess. Bella knew these family cooking nights weren't a good idea when her father had first mention them, she knew they would end in disaster. The usual white cream walls of the kitchen appeared to be powdered with flour, even the opening balcony doors located to the left behind the long oak dining table had homemade pasta hanging off them at irregular points, and the middle countertop which her family surround was covered in unrecognizable objects she was guessing were suppose to be ingredients.

Everything was a mess, even the members of her family, were covered in flour from head to toe. Bella guessed she missed the food fight, to tell the truth she didn't really mind. Flour was one of the worst things to wash out of hair, coming behind the Trios lunch special, it was pretty close though.

"Oh so our favourite prodigal returns from her daily escapades hey? Oh and she's brought a friend with her?" a typical welcoming from her father, always so hospitable.

"Mmmm Dad I can see you've been up to no good again, seriously Spaghetti? What were you thinking?" Bella knew how to push his buttons, at the moment though she was just dipping her foot into the water.

"Bella you know my Bolognese sauce is amazing, I'm surprise no agents have come and kidnapped me to find out its secrets."

"Alright that's enough out of you two, besides you're been rude we obviously have a guest. What's your name sweetie?" Mrs Vermeer always the polite socialite.

"Umm I'm Edward." Bella could tell he was nervous, well after all he was meeting her family.

"Oh so you're Edward I've heard so much about you, welcome to the family kid!" The clap on the back from Jasper was absolutely unnecessary to Bella, she didn't even want to acknowledge the comment that had come out of his mouth.

"Talk to Alice much lately brother?" the returning blush from Jasper was far worth whatever Jasper's revenge would be. She knew how much he fancied the new girl in his class. The way he would talk about her with a glint in his eye, Bella thought it was adorable. She hoped he would ask her out, from what she had heard the feeling was mutual.

Mr Vermeer went from laid back, joking man to a strict father in about two seconds. The smile on his face disappeared as soon as he eyes landed upon Edward and a frown formed when he noticed there entwined hands, making his face void of emotion he started walking towards Bella and Edward like he was a king in his castle, a lion attacking his prey.

"Edward right? So what are you plans with my daughter?" Bella flushed with embarrassment at her father's harassment, she wouldn't blame Edward if he was making an escape plan while they spoke but he held his ground.

"Well Sir we're friends, but I hadn't kept my feelings towards your daughter a secret, she knows how I feel." Always the confident boy, it was part of his charms.

"Do you do drugs Edward?" Bella couldn't believe her father! He had just met Edward, what was with the interrogation technique, he never used it on Jacob but then again it would be a bit unfair on the five year old Jacob who had asked her out, he would have probably ended up crying.

"No Sir,"

"Ever been in Jail?"

"No Sir, clean record."

Bella was bursting with anger she swore smoke would be escaping out of her ears any minute. Her dad didn't help her mood at all with his face showing that he was obviously in thought like he might actually kick Edward out if he didn't approve. They would be having a "lovely" father daughter chat when Edward left.

"Hmm okay, you seem okay to me. I'm Mr Vermeer but you can call me Charlie" The shaking of their hand was a masculinity show. Bella knew it was another test, to see if Edward would flinch, but no emotion past his face.

"One more question if you don't mind Edward?"

"Off cause Sir, what is it?" For heaven sake couldn't her father leave the poor boy alone, if she hadn't scared him off yet, this meeting would.

"How did you get that bruiser? It sure is a good one if I do say so myself." Bella could feel the tightening of Edward fingers around her hand, he was nervous and didn't know what to say. Enough was enough.

"Well dad that's what we're here to talk about actually." Yet again, her father's posture changed into the business man he had been most his life, his former self. Bella didn't like it but she knew it was necessary for the talk they were about to have.

"Okay well you two follow me into the study; we'll talk privately in there" Edward and she followed her father down the hall. Bella didn't know how they would explain what was happening, she didn't even know much about the situation herself, but it had to be sorted. They had to stop it before it went too far, the colonel had no right. Everything would be okay if Bella kept repeating it to herself she hoped it might be true.

Please, please review, i dying down here.

I hope you guys like it.

Jazz xo.