Title: You Found Me

Full Summary: Edward Masen has lived the life of a nomadic vampire, travelling with James and Victoria since he awoke as an immortal. His ability to read minds has had the unusual side effect of making him a vampire with a conscience. Despite the ridicule from his coven mates, he's confident he's making the best of his existence and doing what's morally right... until he stumbles upon a brown-eyed girl reading in a meadow in Forks. As he attempts to befriend her and learns more about the sleepy town of Forks, Edward finds there's a lot more to being a vampire than he ever thought possible.

Pairings: Canon

Rating: M, for language and sexing.

Chapter: Twenty-one; Apprehension

POV: Bella

AN: So… yet another long chapter here. You're welcome (or I'm sorry) depending on how you feel about extreme wordage. Hopefully the supersized word count negates having to wait so long for it ;)

All the usual thanks. Jana who betaed all gazillion words of this, and you, yes you, for reading this. Most of you seem to be a little shy, but it makes me happy to know (hope?) that there are people out there enjoying taking this little journey with me.

xx

"Her name was Maggie…" he trailed off, looking at me doubtfully, probably knowing as well as I did that I didn't want to hear this. Or maybe he didn't want to talk about it either.

I mentally added Maggie to my list of least favourite names ever. I knew I was crazy to be jealous of this faceless vampire, someone who was clearly in Edward's past, but I couldn't help myself. All the female vampires I'd met – all three of them – were unspeakably beautiful. It wasn't doing anything for my confidence knowing Edward could have had one of them but was stuck with plain, human me.

"Okay," I grumbled, irrationally irritated. "Now I know her name. Anything else you'd like to share with the class?"

He sighed. "What do you want to know?"

I shrugged nonchalantly. It was only a very flimsy façade because I could not stop the slew of verbal diarrhea that followed. "How did you meet her? How did it happen? Was it only once? Are you still in contact with her? Was she pretty?"

He crossed his long legs, picking at a loose thread on the 900-thread count sheets nervously. He wisely ignored the last question, opting to start at the beginning.

"She was visiting from Ireland. She and her coven mates, Siobhan and Liam, decided they wanted to see the Americas. Siobhan and Liam are a bonded pair like James and Victoria. Maggie and I were the third wheels in our respective covens, each of us tagging along with a mated couple. We both worried about spending eternity alone and I suppose we were desperate." He couldn't have faked the melancholy tone. I felt guilty for being petty and jealous.

"It must have been lonely," I sympathized, though I was sure I'd never be able to understand the depth of despair he had felt. Here I was, barely eighteen, positive I'd found someone I could see myself with for the rest of my life.

"It was," he agreed. "But to be completely truthful, being with Maggie wasn't much better. We tried so hard to be what the other needed but there was always an invisible barrier between us. We never fit together. There wasn't a magnetic spark. Our gifts were further complication."

"I know you can read minds but what was she able to do?"

"She's an infallible lie detector. She knows when you're lying, even to yourself. That combined with my ability to see her every thought… we just knew too much about one another's every thought to maintain any sort of healthy relationship. It was intrusive rather than a bonding experience."

A lump formed in my throat at the familiar way he described their mutual ability to read one another, as if it happened often. "So you were together for a while?" I managed to say around the constricting lump.

My stomach dropped as I considered how long he could have been involved with her. He'd been an adult for decades upon decades, almost five times as long as I'd even been alive. How could I ever hope to compete if they had years worth of history together?

I averted my eyes from his; the bald earnestness in them was too much.

"About a month, before we decided, mutually, that it wasn't working for us," he said gently. His knee nudged gently against mine, as if desperate to maintain some contact now that I refused to look at him. "Despite the time we spent together, we never progressed beyond chaste kissing. It seemed wrong."

"I still can't get that image out of my head," I admitted reluctantly, wishing I could will it away. "The one of you in a passionate embrace with an inhumanly gorgeous, leggy blonde. Someone worthy of standing next to you."

Edward laughed. "Maggie is many things, but blonde and long-legged are not among them. Imagine Alice with freckles and red ringlets, and you've got almost a dead ringer for Maggie."

"Alice is gorgeous," I whispered, my eyes flicking to his briefly. They softened slightly as my discontent registered.

"Bella… please don't blow this out of proportion," he begged, winding one of his hands around mine in a sweet, consoling gesture. "You have to know how I feel about you. How I'll only ever feel about you. Maggie could never be what I needed. You already are."

That melted my irritation embarrassingly quickly. I had to hand it to Edward, he knew exactly what to say to allay my fears, not all the way, but just enough. As if that wasn't enough, he continued, more sickeningly sweet words dripping from his lips. I gobbled them up greedily.

"And, just so we're clear, you're gorgeous, too. Only you refuse to acknowledge it as a fact. I have no doubt that should you one day decide you want to be a vampire, you'll be beyond majestic. More so than you already are. But none of that matters. It all pales in comparison to how I feel when I'm with you. You make me feel like a complete person again."

I squeezed his hand. "I feel the same way," I whispered. "It's like you fill this empty space in me that I didn't know needed filled until I met you. But knowing that there might be someone else better for you in your past… it scares me. The thought of losing you, when we've just begun… it sucks."

"Bella, I'm going to say something, and I want you to listen." He held my face between his hands, tilting it up to his so our eyes met. I stared into the warm gold – lighter than before thanks to his early morning hunting activities – silently encouraging him to continue. "You are it for me. I know in the realm of human affairs making such a promise would be impossible. But I'm not human. I'm a vampire, and vampires are in it for life once they find someone they want to be with. I've chosen you."

I gaped at him, not sure what to say. Speechlessness was far from an ideal response but he'd basically told me he would want me forever, unconditionally. My entire vocabulary seemed inadequate.

Edward mistook my silence for disbelief. "I know it might seem soon to you, for me to be making such a vast declaration–"

"No," I choked out, my voice slightly strangled with the effort of forming coherent words. "It's sweet." I scoffed internally at the gross understatement. "Amazing. Would it be trite – if I, lowly human – said I thought I felt the same way?"

His lips quirked into the crooked grin I loved, his brow furrowing slightly at the same time. His expression took on a strange combination of jubilance and irritation.

"Not at all. Though I'd prefer if you refrained from referring to yourself as a lowly human," he grumbled. "It's bad enough I have to be exposed to the thoughts of a houseful of vampires who are in constant awe over the fact you're human and never spare an opportunity to think about it."

"I was just teasing," I nudged my knee against his playfully. "And you know everyone else is only excited. We're not exactly the most conventional couple, so you can't really blame them. Alice nearly talked my ear off last night with her endless questions. She asked me if I ever thought about what my wedding would be like," I admitted, a shot of adrenaline running through me at Edward's shocked expression. Whether he was surprised at Alice's intrusion or the thought that we might be married, someday, I wasn't sure.

"And have you?" he asked tentatively, as if worried he was stepping into a conversational landmine.

"No," I confessed. "I could never really picture myself getting married. It's not something I need to be complete. I want someone to share my life with but marriage seems like an excuse for an extravagant social gathering and copious amounts of unnecessary paperwork. If two people want to be together forever, they will, regardless of what a piece of paper says."

Edward laughed, twirling a lock of my hair around his finger. "When did you become such a cynic about the lovely institution of marriage? Scrooge wants his outlook on life back."

"You've got it all wrong," I protested. "I'm not a cynic. I'm a romantic. Don't you think it's romantic for two people to choose to stay together, knowing there's nothing but love holding them together?"

He nodded. "But it's also romantic for two people to want to tie themselves together in absolutely every way possible. Physically, emotionally and, of course, legally. It's a sacred vow of responsibility for the other's happiness in every regard."

"Pragmatist."

He grinned. "You know it."

"I do," I agreed, returning the smile. I loved that I knew him that well.

He pulled me into his side, kissing the top of my head. He tugged playfully at the hem of my shirt. "You should get dressed. It's already nine. Esme, Carlisle and Alice have formed a culinary brigade downstairs. They've attempted to cook you breakfast. More flour has ended up on them than in the pancakes but they tried."

"I'm sure it's better than anything Charlie could cook," I laughed, scooting off the bed. On the dresser, Alice had laid out fresh clothes – brand new and designer, I suspected – for me to wear. I peeked at a label, sighing in relief when I recognized The Gap logo.

When I reached for the hem of my shirt to lift it over my head, I heard Edward gasp softly somewhere behind me. I laughed upon looking over my shoulder. He was sitting stiffly on the edge of the bed, his posture rigid, as if he really were made of stone. He stared at the small sliver of exposed skin on my back with wide gold eyes.

"Perhaps I should give you some privacy?" he suggested softly, half-inquiring, half-stating. If he had the ability to blush, he would have been as pink as my pajamas.

I shrugged coyly, feeling bold. "Edward, you practically felt it all last night, I don't think it's a big secret what's under here. Besides I'm still wearing a bra. But if it makes you uncomfortable… I'll meet you downstairs."

He hesitated a moment, warring with himself. When he did speak, his voice was rougher than usual, crushed velvet rather than its usual silk. "I… I don't want to be away from you."

I bit my lip, understanding his response for what it was: his way of telling me he wanted to stay.

Slowly, fully aware that Edward was watching my every move, I lifted the tank over my head. I removed the shorts as well, stepping out of them and discarding them, leaving me standing only in my plain white cotton undergarments. Though I was half naked and the autumn air was cool, all I could feel was the heat of his gaze. I fought the urge to peek over my shoulder, knowing the moment I did so, Edward would turn away.

I let the warm tingly feeling linger for a moment before pulling on the soft sweater Alice had left for me over my head. Immediately I missed the warmth of Edward's eyes on my bare skin.

I quickly threaded my legs through the pair of jeans that accompanied the sweater, suddenly aware of the space between us. The moment I had the button fastened, I turned to him with a smile, inviting myself into his arms.

"Enjoy the show?" I teased.

He wrapped his arms around my loosely around my waist, and kissed my shoulder. "You're gorgeous."

I laughed. "Sure. Says my boyfriend."

He paused, hope written all over his face. "Your boyfriend?"

I nodded shyly. "That's what you are, aren't you? …If you want?"

"I want. More than anything. It's just… we never set any boundaries. I thought maybe you weren't sure. Or maybe you didn't want to put a label on it so soon."

I ran a hand through his messy hair affectionately; his insecurity was endearing. As beautiful as he was, it was hard to believe he had the same apprehensive teenage feelings I did.

"I'm sure. More than anything. I want everyone to know we belong to each other."

"Me too," he agreed. We stood locked together in silence for a moment. Too soon he unwound himself from me.

"Your breakfast is getting cold," he explained. "And trust me, you don't want to force your trio of personal chefs to attempt to use their as-of-yet untouched microwave. Technology invented for the sole purpose of reheating food didn't exist when they were human."

I giggled. "Do you even know how to use a microwave?"

He nodded. "Of course. I spent a lot of time in large cities. You'd be surprised how many people think of random things like how to use the microwave. I'm being honest when I say I'm pretty sure I've heard it all."

xx

"This is amazing," I mumbled around a mouthful of pancake. "I don't know what Edward was talking about."

The moment I'd sat down at the Cullens' kitchen table a mountainous plate had been set down in front of me. There was no way I could finish even a quarter of them. I'd already made my way through two. I was pretty sure I'd burst if I managed to cram another one in.

Alice shot Edward a dirty look. "Of course it is. Psychics always know when their cooking isn't going to be enthusiastically received."

Edward rolled his eyes. "How many attempts before you created something edible again?" Alice ignored him.

"We're glad you're enjoying it, dear," Esme interjected to put an end to Alice and Edward's squabble I suspected. "You'll have to come by more often so we can hone our cooking skills."

I nodded, unable to say no to the hopeful note. "That would be great."

I peeked at Edward, to see his reaction, but his attention seemed to be focused inward.

"You okay?" I asked carefully, nudging him.

He nodded. "I'm fine. Carmen and Eleazar are impatient to meet you. I promised them I would ask you."

My brow furrowed in confusion at the names I'd never heard before and Edward's apparent familiarity with them. "Who are Carmen and Eleazar?"

Edward shifted in his seat. "Two vampire relatives of the Cullens. A married couple. They want to meet you. They're fascinated by my relationship with you," he explained. "But if you aren't comfortable meeting them, that's perfectly acceptable," he was quick to qualify. "They'll understand."

"Are they… I mean do they live like the Cullens?"

While I wasn't uncomfortable around vampires, knowing that vampires like Edward and the Cullens existed, I wasn't sure I wanted to be around human-drinkers. Not that I thought Edward would place me in a position where I could be hurt.

He nodded tightly.

"You don't seem very happy about this?" I guessed.

He shrugged. "I promised I would let you decide if you were comfortable meeting them. I don't know them very well," he admitted, "and that makes me nervous. However, they seem honourable."

I touched his hand gently. "If it makes you nervous for me to meet them, I won't."

He pursed his lips. "I don't want you to say no for my sake. Please know that no matter what, I will ensure you are safe."

"Okay, then," I agreed. "I want to meet them." Edward scooted his chair closer to mine, protectively.

They must have been listening from the next room because no sooner had I said so than a beautiful couple with dark skin and the signature golden eyes of animal-drinking vampires floated into the room. They made a beeline for the table, settling themselves across from Edward and me. All the others filed to the peripheries of the room, giving us privacy while remaining close enough to interfere if necessary.

"Good morning, my dear," the man, Eleazar I presumed, greeted, in a smooth Spanish lilt. "I'm Eleazar, and this is my wife Carmen. It's a pleasure to meet you. You're quite the extraordinary young woman, I hear."

"I don't know about that," I laughed, "but thanks."

Carmen nudged her husband surreptitiously, though her voice was loud enough for everyone to hear. It was a feminine version of her husband's. "Extraordinary hardly does her justice, Amorcito. I can see why she caught Edward's attention. She has a spark about her."

I flushed at the compliment. Eleazar chuckled; it was a soothing rich sound. "I think you've embarrassed her, darling. I apologize for my wife, Isabella, her mouth often runs without permission."

Carmen chuckled also, not offended by her husband's observation. Her mouth getting away from her was a common occurrence it seemed. "It's true. I'm sorry to have flustered you. Though you are quite lovely with your cheeks stained that way. You'll make a gorgeous vampire one day, I'm sure."

"We've made no immediate plans for Bella to be changed," Edward interjected quickly, his tone hard. "There are a few human experiences she has left yet."

I wondered if the speed of his answered was tied to reluctance. He'd never said anything against me becoming a vampire before. If anything, he'd seemed open to the possibility. I wasn't sure how I felt about the possibility, but it didn't seem quite so monstrous as it might have only a few weeks ago.

"I'd like to go to college at the very least," I added, supporting Edward's statement. "That's one experience everyone says is essential, right? By the time I graduate I'll be 21. I think I might be ready to consider what I want to do for the rest of eternity by then."

Under the table, Edward threaded his fingers through mine, the small display of affection showing his support. In my peripherals I could see his pleased expression. It seemed he was more than comfortable waiting a few years to make such an irreversible change.

Eleazar nodded sagely. "You're lucky to have time to plan and adjust. Most of us aren't afforded that luxury. We suddenly wake up in a different body than we remembered."

"If I may offer a piece of advice, little one?" Carmen asked.

"Sure," I agreed easily. Her warm expression made it impossible to say no.

"Hold on to your human memories. I can feel how attached you are to the people you love. It will sadden you greatly to lose your memories of them. Focus on those that are important to you often and with fondness and you will recollect them better in your second life. We carry our most cherished memories into our next life."

"You're right," I agreed. "Losing my memories isn't something I'm looking forward to. I can't imagine not remembering my own life, not remembering who I am, or was, I guess."

Edward squeezed my hand gently. "You won't lose that much, I promise. I'll remind you of every moment we've spent together if necessary. You'll have your journals, also."

I gaped at him. "How would you know what's in my journals?"

He stared at me innocently. "I might have read a tiny little section of it once when you were writing in the meadow."

I laughed, unable to stay mad at him. "You're always in my business," I teased, fondly remembering the times I'd scribbled my thoughts of Edward in that journal, wondering what he might think of me if he could read them. Now that I knew he had, I couldn't find it in me to care. I knew Edward adored me and nothing – not even the embarrassing ramblings in my journal – would deter him.

"You love it," he suggested, correctly, though I wasn't about to tell him that. No doubt he'd take it as permission to retrieve and memorize my government records as well as any other information about me that existed out in cyberspace.

"Eh. Sometimes some space would be nice," I said with as straight a face as I could manage.

Edward pouted. "It's been one day and already you're complaining that I'm stifling you? I think we're going to have some issues if eternity does become a possibility."

Carmen and Eleazar chuckled. "The two of you are absolutely adorable," Carmen gushed. "You're perfectly matched. The way your emotions bounce off of one another… it's like watching a world-class game of tennis."

Eleazar fondly wrapped an arm around Carmen but tilted his head to me speculatively. "Your gift will be well paired with his, also. It's a defensive talent," he said, his face a mask of concentration, his focus on me intent. "You've got very strong potential for a human. That makes it difficult for me to read; your gift is protecting itself from me, in a way. Given that Edward's gift is offensive in nature, it's natural for him to be drawn to someone with a talent opposite his. If you're able to match his capabilities, the two of you will be a fearsome duo indeed."

"You can see what gifts a vampire has or might have?" I gawked. "That's so cool."

Eleazar chuckled heartily. "In some ways. It makes me very helpful to others, for instance. I'm glad to share my knowledge. However it's a gift with very little practical use beyond that."

"What did you mean when you said Edward's gift is offensive?" I asked, looking between Eleazar and Edward curiously. "He can read minds, right? Isn't that kind of neither offensive nor defensive?"

"He didn't tell you?" Eleazar asked in surprise, his eyes flicking to Edward. "I suppose he needs time to let it sink in. When I informed him of the extent of his talent earlier this morning, it was a slight shock, I imagine. Perhaps we should let him tell you in his own time?"

Edward shook his head. "No. It's okay," he said softly. "I want her to know."

"You don't have to tell me if it makes you uncomfortable."

He shrugged, looking down at the wooden tabletop. "It's not really important. Eleazar thinks my ability to read minds is linked to a gift for controlling situations. Information for blackmail, you know?"

Eleazar pursed his lips. "That's a vast oversimplification. Don't twist your talent into something negative. Control is not blackmail if you don't abuse your ability." He paused. "You didn't mention self-control either. That can't be construed as a bad thing."

"He thinks this is why I'm able to stand being around you while you remain human," Edward added reluctantly, clearly not wanting to talk about it. "Vampires aren't usually able to spend so much time in close proximity with a human, not without dire consequences. Especially not when they have diets like mine used to be."

"Then I'm glad you have it," I squeezed his hand. "Missing out of getting to know you because there was some invisible restraining order between us would suck."

Edward cracked a wooden smile. "Yeah, it would. I suppose it's not all bad."

"Or bad at all," I countered, leaning my shoulder against his playfully, hoping to lighten his mood. "It sounds really kind of cool. You can get away with anything. You and Alice in the same room will be a force to be reckoned with."

Edward responded with a tight smile and an abrupt subject change. "We should be going. Bella needs to get home soon. Her father will be expecting her."

I wasn't sure why he was so eager to leave – Carmen and Eleazar seemed perfectly friendly to me – but I wasn't going to demand he stay if he was uncomfortable. I was kind of looking forward to the two of us spending time alone together. The last twenty-four hours had been crammed with new meetings, experiences and an overload of information. Some quiet time walking home with Edward would be nice.

"It was nice to meet you," I told the couple sincerely. "If you're staying with the Cullens, I'm sure we'll see you around."

They nodded politely, exchanging similar goodbyes with Edward.

"You take care of that boy, okay?" Carmen insisted slyly as though Edward wasn't standing right next to me. He took my hand, his face neutral. "It's clear your support means the world to him."

"I will," I promised over my shoulder, allowing Edward to pull me to the door.

Edward breathed a sigh of relief when we stepped out into the fresh morning air.

"You were eager to get out of there," I observed once we were a good distance away from the Cullen home. I wasn't sure how far they'd be able to hear but the silence that had enveloped us wasn't sitting right. I knew Edward was feeling off-kilter about something and I intended to find out what.

Edward shrugged his slumped shoulders. Even drooping under the weight of his mood, his posture was hardly sloppy. Vampires were incapable of slouching, it seemed.

"It was starting to feel stifling, being pummeled with all of their thoughts, most of them about me and my supposed control. I just need some space and time with my own thoughts."

"Okay," I whispered, trying not to let his words sting, since I knew exactly how he felt.

As introverted as I was, I knew how draining it could be to be in intensely social situations for long periods of time, especially when you were the centre of attention. I couldn't imagine the pressure that came with hearing absolutely every thought everyone within shouting distance had. Unfiltered as most thoughts were, a lot of them had to be unpleasant.

"Not from you," he amended quickly. "I don't feel like I can be away from you right now. You're the one person I can just be with, without worrying about what you're thinking. Is that okay?"

The part of me that had clenched when he'd declared he wanted space released. "More than okay. I don't have any particular time I have to be back, so we've got time. Did you have anything in mind?"

He grinned for the first time in what felt like an eon, though it had probably only been a matter of minutes. "How do you feel about trees?"

"Trees?" I laughed, slightly confused by the randomness of the question. "Generally, I feel pretty good about them. They create oxygen so I can breathe, so yeah, I'd say I like them."

"Good." The lightness returning to his voice. He kneeled slightly, gesturing for me to climb onto his back. "It'll be faster," he persuaded. "I can run at least as fast a car's top speed, probably faster." I did as he asked, scrambling so my limbs were wrapped around his torso tightly, my chin resting on his shoulder. He took off the moment I was secured.

"We're going tree climbing," he told me as we whirred past a blur of green and brown with motley hints of colour. Trees that were starting to show their autumn colours, I managed to deduce, before closing my eyes became necessary in the fight against motion sickness.

"Tree climbing!" I couldn't have kept the note of terror out of my voice if I'd tried. "I don't know if that's such a good idea. The last time I tried to climb a tree, I fell out. I've already got one broken arm."

"I saw it happen," he admitted. "I wanted so badly to catch you. I hated that I couldn't. I won't let you fall this time or ever again."

"I know." And I was positive he wouldn't. Despite the instinctive fear of falling to my death, I felt more confident taking the risk with Edward and his lightening reflexes there to counteract my clumsiness.

"This is something you should see," he promised, as he lifted himself into an ancient coniferous tree effortlessly, even with me clinging onto him like deadweight. I didn't get hit with a branch once.

It wasn't until Edward made a move to detangle me from his back and settle me next to him that I realized we'd stopped moving. He'd been moving so fluidly, it had hardly felt like we were moving at all. Opening my scrunched eyes, I allowed Edward to guide me onto the branch beside to him. It appeared I did have some survival instincts after all. Their call to duty was apparently me hanging off a stick of wood a hundred feet above the earth.

Once I'd settled with Edward's arm hovering protectively around me, I finally glimpsed at what lay before me. My mouth dropped open at the sight. The magnificence of mother nature was spread out bare before me. From our skyward vantage we could see across Lake Pleasant and to the mountains beyond. It was stunning. Warm fall colours surrounded the stillness of the crystalline lake, backed by majestic mountain tops.

"Wow."

"I know," Edward echoed my awe. "It's amazing isn't it? I don't like much about the Pacific Northwest but sights like this make it worth the trip. Makes you realize that there is beauty out there in the world."

"You don't like the Pacific Northwest?" I hedged quietly. I wasn't in love with the tiny town of Forks but it surprised me that Edward wasn't either. He had admitted to disliking travelling with James and Victoria but had never expressed any qualms about living here before.

"No," he admitted. "I'll stay because you're here. It wouldn't be my first choice, however. For all the noise in large cities, I prefer them. It becomes white noise when there are so many voices blending together. There's anonymity amongst the chaos. And it's alive at all hours of the night. I don't feel like such an anomaly there."

"I think, when I move for college I'd like to move the east coast," I stated. "My mom says everyone has to try living in New York City at least once in their lifetime. If she hadn't met Phil, I think we might be living there now."

He laughed, the movement jiggling a few multicolored leaves hovering over his head. "New York is an interesting city. A great one, though, don't get me wrong. James and Victoria actually don't mind it, so we've lived there a few times. They preferred Jersey, though."

"So…" I drawled, "if I was to move to New York when I graduated, you wouldn't mind?"

He shook his head. "Not at all. Though I think you already know I'd follow you wherever you want to go. I want you to chase your hopes and dreams. I will support you, no matter what you choose."

"As sweet as that is, I wouldn't pick somewhere you'd be miserable." I carefully loosened my white-knuckled hand from the branch to clasp it with his, paranoid I might drop out of the sky at any moment. Though I knew Edward would catch me, it would be embarrassing nonetheless.

"As long as I'm with you, I won't be," he said, playing with my fingers, seemingly completely unaware of the fact we were hovering tenuously a hundred feet off the ground. "You make life exciting enough for both of us. I want what you want. I want to experience your life with you."

"That's sweet." I pecked his cheek.

He shrugged, staring at me with sincere golden eyes. "I mean it. I want you to be happy, first and foremost. I know you have this thing about your independence, but… never be afraid to ask me about anything you want or need. Together we can make it happen. Okay?"

I cuddled into his shoulder. "Okay," I agreed softly. "Though this doesn't mean I'm letting you pay for college. If I can't earn a scholarship or work a part-time job at some crappy little diner through college to pay for it, I haven't earned the right to go."

He chuckled. "So stubborn. Though if you think I'm going to let you work at some diner when I have the funds to cover your education sitting in a bank gathering dust, you're sadly mistaken. It won't matter, though," he continued, "because you're going to get a scholarship. You work hard and you're smarter than you think you are."

"This is nice… Talking about the future, I mean. Since school started, I haven't really thought much about what I wanted to do. I wasn't really looking forward to it much. Getting a degree was just another thing on my to-do list, on the path to being a productive member of society. But now… I want to see what's out there. I can picture us living in a cozy little apartment in the city, me going to college and you…" I trailed off, unsure what Edward planned to do. The extent of his plans, or so he'd said, all revolved around doing whatever was necessary to make me happy.

"I'd go to college, too," he smirked. "It's been a while, but I think I could catch up with the times."

"Awhile?" I questioned, brow furrowed.

"The sixties," he explained. "I was enrolled in a string of language programs. I resolved to learn to speak another language and attending university was as easy as learning any other way."

"So you're bilingual? What other language do you speak?"

It seemed kind of exotic that Edward knew another language. In Forks, beyond Spanish class, bilingualism was non-existent. Even in Phoenix, kids who knew a second language knew it because their parents spoke it, not because they'd made the conscious choice to adopt a second language.

He chuckled. "Not exactly. Currently I speak seven languages fluently. Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Mandarin and English. A few others I've heard often enough in the minds of humans to be able to glean some understanding but have never studied them in a strict sense."

I kind of gaped at him for a moment, unable to say anything intelligent. "So you're a sept-linguist?" was my eventual, supremely clever response. My cheeks flushed in preemptive embarrassment.

He chuckled again. "I believe the preferred terminology is polyglot, but yes, I suppose I am. When you have endless time on your hands, you have to find something to fill it. Learning a new language is something to do. I like reading so it made sense for me to want to learn a few languages. Some of the best texts in the world were originally written in the great romantic languages."

"Still unable to form a coherent thought, here," I stuttered. "I can't believe you speak seven languages. That's amazing. I'd ask you to say something to me on one of them but I'd probably fall out of the tree."

"Well we wouldn't want that, now would we?" he whispered teasingly, his eyes dancing with silent amusement. "Something to save for later, I suppose."

"Definitely," I agreed, squeezing his hand. "You said I make life exciting for you, but I think you've got it backwards. You're going to make every day an adventure for me. I mean… look at this," I waved daintily to the vast open scenery in front of me, not wanting to upset my carefully crafted balance. "I would have never experienced this if not for you. Now you're going to speak all these beautiful exotic languages to me? What's next?"

His answering grin was equal parts mysterious and angelic. "I guess you'll have to wait and find out."

xx

I laid my head against Edward's back as we sped through the forest towards the outskirts of the Quileute reservation where I'd left my truck. It would look suspicious if we arrived on foot. Forks was a small town, but not so small that it was possible to get to one end from the other without a vehicle.

We'd spent a couple hours talking and laughing, getting to know new parts of one another, enjoying the scenery, but Edward, ever pragmatic, had cut it short – or so it had felt – by bringing up Charlie, who would be heading to the station soon. He always spent Saturday afternoons sorting through paperwork. My dad would want to see me and know I was safe, Edward had pointed out. Last he'd heard I broke up arm, and opted to stay the night with the Cullens.

Edward was also eager to introduce himself to my father properly. As much as he liked to pretend he'd made a smooth transition into the twenty-first century, thanks to years of enduring modern thoughts and values, a part of him was still engrained with the beliefs he'd been raised to have, and that included introducing himself to my father and ensuring his blessing before dating me.

I refrained from telling him that Charlie probably wouldn't be very receptive to the idea of a manly heart to heart, especially one involving discussing my romantic life. As far as Charlie was concerned, the less he knew about my personal life the better. Unless I was being put in harms' way, he simply preferred not to know. Getting my father's blessing was important to Edward, though he pretended indifference, so I said nothing.

Edward was a model teenager in every way – blood guzzling aside – so my father would probably awkwardly dismiss his introductions and shoo the two of us to the opposite end of the house so he didn't have to witness anything potentially mortifying.

My contemplations were disrupted by the sight of my rusty red truck. Edward gently set me down next to it.

"You okay?" he asked. "You were kind of quiet for a while, there. It wasn't uncomfortable, was it?"

I nodded. "No. I'm fine, I was just thinking about some things. You. My dad. You two meeting. Nothing exciting."

I turned to walk towards the driver's side of my truck but Edward stopped me, hooking a forearm around my waist and pulling me back into his chest.

"Where do you think you're going?" he asked. The question ghosted coolly along my neck, sending a shiver down my spine.

"To my truck," I stated, though I thought it was pretty obvious.

"Now what kind of gentleman would I be if I let the woman with the broken arm drive?"

I giggled. "I'm a better driver than you, even with a broken arm. There's no way I'm enduring your driving right now. You drive like your ass and maybe a few other body parts are on fire. My legs are still shaking from the whole sitting in a tree a bazillion miles off the ground experience. And let's not forget the running through the forest at mach 2 speeds thing."

He pouted, wrapping his arms more tightly around me. "My reflexes are impeccable. I've never been in an accident. Nor have I ever been ticketed."

"Probably because you can hear the cops coming a mile away. If everyone could do that, no one would be ticketed. Besides there's only two cops in Forks and we're on our way to see one. I think I'm fairly safe from ticketing."

"But what about getting into an accident?" he questioned, looking at me with wide, deceptively innocent eyes. "Are you telling me that you think that, even with a broken arm, you can drive safely? I just want to make sure you're safe." He jutted out his bottom lip in a perfect pout, the big cheater.

My need to win warred with my need to give him what he wanted. Of course the cheating pouty face won. That face was potent. He could end wars with that thing.

"Ugh. Okay fine," I grumbled, though a smile was quick to break through my irritation at the way his face lit up.

"Okay," he gloated smugly, kissing the top of my head and dragging me to the passenger side door. "Hop in, milady. This will be the smoothest ride of this truck's life. I won't even crack sixty. Though I highly doubt this truck could reach sixty anyway."

He buckled me into the seat and kissed me quickly once more. In a flash he was sitting next to me with his seatbelt already strapped around him.

I laughed. "Are you actually wearing a seatbelt? If we crash, my truck is probably in more danger than you are."

He eyed me sideways. "There's nothing wrong with promoting vehicular safety," he said, affronted, though his eyes shone with humour.

He started the car, and aside from making a U-turn with the skill and flourish of a stunt driver, he kept to his promise of keeping his driving tame.

"I guess we should be thankful you're pretty much impervious to damage," I said innocuously once we were cruising down the highway toward my house, biting my lip to hide the smile that would give my teasing away. "My dad does love his guns."

He turned to me, eyes slightly terror filled. "You don't think he'll actually shoot me, do you? Because if a bullet ricochets it might seem a little suspicious."

"Taking your eyes off the road, Cullen? Not very safe," I couldn't help but tease.

"Bella," he whined, his tone urgent. "I'm serious. If you think your dad–"

I put an end to his worrying with a finger to his lips. He pursed them and eyed me warily.

"Sometimes you're too easy," I laughed. "Of course he won't shoot you. He's the chief of police. He likes to stay on the right side of the law. He's going to love you. As much as Charlie'll love anyone I bring home to meet him, anyway."

Edward relaxed slightly, his hands loosening on the steering wheel he has been griping almost to the point of distortion. "I know you don't think it's a big deal, but I want this to go well. I only get one chance to make a first impression."

"I know, I know," I conceded, repentant. "I'm sorry I've been teasing you about it. I know it means a lot to you. I promise I won't do anything to make it harder. But, for the record, my dad is just like any other dad. He likes to put up face but he's just a guy who wants what's best for his kid."

Edward smiled tightly but refused to look away from the road. "Then I guess we have that in common. We both want what's best for you."

We traveled in silence for several minutes, Edward steadfastly keeping his eyes on the road and his hands in the ten and two position.

"Hey," I said timidly, when I could take the quiet no longer. Usually I didn't mind silence, but this one was making me feel uneasy. "I didn't upset you did I? I was just teasing. When you get all riled up you get all anxious and it's kind of adorable."

"I'm just nervous," he explained softly. The truth of that statement was in his voice; it wasn't quite as smooth as usual.

I scooted across the bench seat of my truck and leaned into him, offering what comfort I could while he was driving.

He shot me a feeble smile. "This is something I've never done before. Not that I remember. Perhaps when I was human. But if I did, those memories are long vanished. I have no experience with parents."

"Charlie's a pretty simple guy," I offered reassuringly. "He won't ask much. As long as you don't mention that you subsist on blood, I think we'll be fine."

Edward rolled his eyes. "Will you stop joking about this, please? I know you couldn't care less what your father thinks of me but I do. If he doesn't like me, then maybe..."

"Then maybe?" I prodded.

"Then maybe you'll realize he's right, and that I'm not really worth your time," he huffed out in a breath, his words nearly running together.

"Edward…" I attempted, but he continued, his voice rising above mine before I could say anything else.

"I know you think it's funny to joke about me meeting your Dad because I'm a vampire," he said dryly, "but do you realize what the two of us being a couple sounds like to an outsider? Any normal person would tell you you're crazy – certifiable, straitjacket-necessary type crazy – simply for talking to me, much less anything else. If your dad doesn't like me… if he gives you a reason to think about how much you and I don't really belon–"

"Okay," I interrupted, "I'm going to stop you there, before you say we don't belong together, because that might make me a little upset. Let's not go there. Because we do belong. We might have our differences physically, but we're the same in the ways that matter. We like a lot of the same things, we connect emotionally, we share the same sense of humour. It's like you told me this morning. Maybe we're not the same, but we're compatible."

Edward sighed. "You've understood and accepted my world with such grace. You fit so effortlessly into my life. I never considered the reverse… how I might fit into yours. There are so many things that could go wrong. I don't want this to be what changes your mind."

I leaned my head on his shoulder, slightly amused that I was now the one trying to soothe his unruly concerns, when he was usually the one doing it for me. I was more than glad to return the favour.

"You're overthinking this. My dad isn't going to meet you as Edward, vampire. He's going to meet you as Edward, person Bella cares about very much. That's all he needs to know. That other thing doesn't matter."

"Okay," he said simply.

"Are you sure you're ready to do this?" I asked, as he pulled my truck into the drive of the little two-story Charlie and I called home. "Because if you're not, there's no rush."

He smiled wryly. "Nothing's going to change."

I waited for Edward to open the door on his side and followed him out of it, keeping close to his side, knowing it would put him at ease, even if he'd never say so. I held his hand and led him up the front steps. I took my keys from him and opened the door one-handed.

"Dad?" I called, ushering Edward inside. "I'm home."