Chapter 12:

Disclaimer: If I owned any of this I would be amazingly talented and famous…since I am neither amazingly talented nor famous I am fairly certain that you have already deduced that I own nothing! However Stephenie Meyer is both amazingly talented as well as famous so in short, once again as I am sure you know, everything belongs to her!! =D

The drive home was silent, each of us absorbed in our own thoughts. The dark night pressed down on us, transforming the world into new and vivid colours, as Edward raced through the small town. I thought back to our meeting, going over every detail in my mind. After we had listened to Caterina's heartbreaking story, Carlisle told of his own beginning and then of how he had created Edward, Esme and later Rose. We all told our own stories, although mine was the one that Caterina and Alessondro found the most fascinating. They were amazed and even shocked that I had been able not only to interact with the Cullens, knowing full well what they were, but that I had also fallen in love with Edward, and through him become a member of their family.

They had asked endless questions, completely absorbed with each insignificant detail of my previous life. I answered each of their questions patiently, while trying to decide whether or not to tell them of Renesme, although I knew it was altogether hopeless that her secret could stay private, since Alessondro was bound to meet her sometime in school. Still, I worried whether it was better to forewarn them first, or get to know them better and allow them more time to learn to trust us. In the end Edward had made the decision for me, he obviously had deduced by their thoughts that we had nothing to fear from them. Together we told them about our daughter, and although it took some convincing, Edward assured me that they believed us. I smiled to myself as I thought of their reactions. Once they were convinced that Renesme was indeed half-vampire and half-human, they were excited and even more fascinated by her than they had been by me-which personally, I felt was the way it should be. I chuckled softly, thinking of how they had practically begged to meet her at that precise moment.

I glanced at the dashboard, relieved to see that it was only one in the morning. The little green numbers were somehow calming, almost as useful as Jasper's gift, when I thought about the fact that I still had the better part of the night to check on my daughter and to spend with Edward. I sighed letting myself rove over the possibilities. My spacious mind was suddenly occupied with the very thought of Edward. His lips against mine, the smooth, soft texture of his skin…

"What are you thinking about?" he murmured. His soft voice pulled me from my thoughts, as I turned my head to face him. He was staring at me, his topaz eyes suddenly intense, his whole body turned towards me; only his left hand resting on the steering wheel kept the car in the exact middle of the lane. I smiled softly, taking his hand, but instead of telling him, I pushed my shield away, concentrating on him, only him. I heard his quick intake of breath, and I knew it was working. I squeezed his hand once while I let the images of him flood my mind.

"Bella," he breathed, his soft lips pressing fervently against mine, breaking my concentration. I reached up to entwine my hand in his hair, giddy with anticipation.

"Uhhh, I am still in the car you know!" Emmett's booming voice called from the backseat. I broke away from Edward, sighing regretfully.

"As soon as we're home," he promised, his golden eyes smoldering. I clutched his hand, nodding. Peering out the window I realized that we were not far at all, another minute and we'd be back at our house.

"Thank goodness you guys don't share the same house." Emmett muttered from the backseat, "Because then I'd be forced to listen to you two discussing the national debt all night long." I growled softly at him, the sound deep and menacing. He just chuckled.

"Oooo scary. You know you aren't stronger than I am anymore little sis!

"Yes, lucky for you." I grumbled. Edward pulled smoothly into our driveway, cutting the engine off abruptly. I hopped out of the car at once, eager to get away from Emmett before he really hit a nerve.

"Have fun you two! Don't get too excited, but a re-run of the Simpsons is on tonight, so at least you'll have some entertainment!" Emmett called as he raced towards the big house.

"Yeah you better run," I muttered. His deep, booming laugh filled the night. Of course I hadn't factored Edward into the equation. With a loud thump Emmett keeled over into the grass, Edward perched on top of him, growling menacingly.

"Ow! Yeesh I was just kidding Ed. Aw come on let me up. Rose will be mad!" Edward just laughed softly.

"Apologize to Bella," Edward taunted, his voice amused.

"Fine! I'm sorry Bells! There, is that better? Come on, let me go!" Emmett growled, clearly getting annoyed. I snickered; too bad Nessie wasn't awake to see this.

"Let him go Edward!" I said, "I can think of something more worthwhile for you to be doing." Edward was immediately at my side, his movement so fast not even my perceptive eyes could see him. I heard the wind blow past him and the grass bend beneath his feet, but my eyes couldn't follow him. His arms wrapped around my waist pulling me tightly to his chest. I heard Emmett run towards the house, no doubt off to complain to Rose.

"Shall we?" Edward whispered in my ear. I nodded against his chest, turning to press my lips to the hollow at the base of his throat. The ground whooshed out from under me, as Edward swept me up in his arms, carrying me into the house. Before I could protest, he bent his head to whisper softly once more in my ear.

"Thresholds are still part of my job description."

I sighed, every part of my body filled with longing, as I stretched in his arms to press my lips against his. My hands twined in his hair, pulling his face closer as our kiss deepened. We both heard the unmistakable sound of the fridge door opening at the same time. I sighed, staring into his burning eyes, trying to prolong our moment.

"It's just Jake." Edward murmured, his soft lips against my ear. "I can go tell him to leave." Although the offer was definitely tempting, I sighed once more before springing down from Edward's arms. I wasn't going to kick Jake out. I grabbed Edward's hand as we walked towards the kitchen.

"You know we're almost out of food Bells." Jake said as we entered the room. He was stooped over, his back towards us, as he reached into the back of the emerged quickly, cramming half a sandwich into his mouth as he straightened.

"Yeah I know," I sighed, feeling bad. "I'll go tomorrow before school, the store opens early. But why are you up so late Jake, don't you have work tomorrow?"

"I was sleeping on the couch when Emmett's whining woke me up." He grumbled, reaching for a two liter bottle of Coke. I frowned disapprovingly but didn't comment on his late night-or I guess early morning-drink. He took a swig from the bottle, draining it completely before tossing the empty container in the recycling bag.

"Ok well I am off to bed." He announced, walking towards the door.

"Hold on one moment Jacob." Edward said his voice suddenly hostile. Jake turned around surprised, before walking slowly back to us. He leaned against the counter crossing his arms. Instead of continuing to speak, Edward turned around and headed towards the stairs. Jake and I looked at each other perplexed. Edward was back in a matter of seconds, his face livid. Jacob raised his eyebrows, obviously confused as to what was upsetting Edward.

"Why is there a fresh trail of your scent all the way up the stairs leading to Nessie's room?" Edward demanded, his voice threatening.

I sighed once, reaching up to rub Edward's shoulder, attempting to soothe him. Although I wasn't completely thrilled that my daughter had such a serious boyfriend when she was really only seven years old, I was resigned to the fact that no matter what, she would end up with Jacob. I had even lately become very tolerant of their relationship. Edward however was not.

"Oh that." Jake muttered, "She just was lonely that's all?"

I cringed slightly at the nonchalant tone in his voice, and tried not to picture what the two of them had been doing while we were gone. I peeked up at Edward's face, anticipating his reaction. Edward's expression was different though then what I would have thought. His features softened, becoming a mask of pain instead of anger.

"She was really that scared?" Edward whispered. I looked quickly at Jake's face and then back to Edward's. He had obviously heard more in Jake's thoughts then what Jake had said.

"I swear I didn't tell her," Jake murmured, "But she is smart. She figured out herself that your meeting with the other bloodsuckers could have been a trap laid out by the Volturi. I have never seen her so scared."

My breath caught in my throat as I pictured my daughter curled up in her bed, wondering when or if we'd come home. I had tried to protect her by not telling her all of the potential dangers this meeting had posed but like Jake said she was smart enough to figure them out for herself. My own silent heart ached at the pain my daughter must have suffered tonight. I too knew how hard it was to sit at home and wait, wondering if the ones you loved were going to come back. I was suddenly very grateful for Jacob's presence in her life.

"Thank you Jacob for comforting her." I murmured.

"Of course I would comfort her." Jake answered, his husky voice tender. He stepped closer to me, putting his burning hand under my chin. "I'd do anything for her."

I nodded, blinking hard against the tears that would never come.

"I am going to go sleep now." He said, dropping his hand.

"See you in the morning Jake." I whispered, leaning into Edward's side.

"Actually you won't! I took the early morning shift at work tomorrow. I'll be long gone by the time you guys are ready in the morning."

"Oh!" I bit my lip thoughtfully. "I'll bring you some food then at work once I am done grocery shopping."

"Sweet! Thanks Bells!" He said looking genuinely pleased. He mock punched Edward's arm, before bending to kiss my forehead.

" 'Night guys!" he said turning around for the door.

"Good night Jacob." I whispered.

So this is officially the last time I will ever update in the year 2008! I am so sorry for taking this long to update but like I had predicted December was chaotic, and unfortunately with exams January doesn't look much better. However, maybe, just maybe if I get enough reviews I may update before the break is over! So please review! Lol =D Thank you though to everyone who has kept reading this! I hope you all have a great and safe night. Happy New Year Everyone!!!!

Princess Ly