"You just don't know how much I've dreamed of this," he whispered remorsefully to my ears. "I don't know why I put you through all this. I should have listened to them."

"You think you're the only one? Double what you felt and you got mine," I confessed to him, shoving my pride down the drain. Pride was for sadists. I was just a masochistic lamb.

"You just have no idea." He gave me another long kiss before helping me up. His hands were still possessively holding my waist like he was not letting me walk on my own. Gently, he cradled me in his arms.

"Close your eyes." I knew he was going to carry me all the way to my house.

I shook my head gently. Things needed to change from now on.

"Put me down, Edward," I asked him. I expected his alarmed face when he spoke next.

"Don't you want me to carry you?" He asked in a surprised tone. "Are you still afraid I might hit a tree? Bella, love, nothing's too obscure for me to handle." He chuckled.

I smiled at his arrogance. "Showing off again?" But I said seriously, "Put me down first."

He didn't want to but he didn't want to argue either so he finally relented.

"I know I'm careless and I can't walk steadily to save my life but," I reasoned, "I'm my own person, Edward. I have my legs so I can walk."

He frowned. I knew he would react that way.

"Come on. I need you to lead the path." I smiled encouragingly. "You'll be my flashlight – without the batteries."

He sighed shakily and offered his hand. "At least take my hand as we walk in human slowness?"

I laughed and kissed him on the lips. "You're funny when you're sarcastic. Did you know that?" I took his hand gladly. "Now, let's walk together."

I believed he felt happy about hearing the word "together". I sighed to myself. I didn't know how long this would last. I was happy that he could be with me, to comfort me for my loss, but when he grew tired of my boring human life, who would be there for me now that Charlie was already gone?

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"Ouch!" I cried as a jagged rock that wasn't there earlier caused me to fall over.

Edward hissed loudly. His temper was fast beginning to return.

"Why are you so stubborn? You could already be sleeping now if you had just let me carry you," he complained exasperatedly.

I threw him a wide grin. "Didn't you miss this side of me? If I wasn't a trouble magnet, do you think we'd have a chance to talk? I bet you'd still be stalking me and watching me sleep at night."

He sighed and kissed the back of my hand. "I would have still found a way to talk to you, Bella. Perhaps ask for a copy of Mr. Banner's homework." He winked at me to be rewarded by a blush.

I curled my lip and said under my breath, "As if you couldn't just read the answers straight from Mr. Banner himself."

He gave out a loud laugh. "I don't trust the man with his answers to his own questions."

I shook my head at him. "You know, I'm surprised you didn't work as a teacher. I bet you could have made many schoolgirls swoon and chase you around the campus."

"I'm sure they wouldn't if they knew I had a wife." Then he turned to me and looked at me seriously.

Nervousness sprang up and clutched my throat so I couldn't speak.

"Well?" He was still waiting for a response.

"Well, I don't think you'll be a good teacher when you consider school as a purgatory," I said in one breath.

I noticed him wince. Maybe he was disappointed in my indifferent response, or hopefully, he thought I was this dense.

My house came into full view and suddenly, I stopped at my tracks. I realized that I would be alone there from now on. I chastised myself silently. Maybe if I hadn't come here to Forks, Charlie would still be alive. I wouldn't have met Edward and I would have just lived my simple, monotonous life. There wouldn't be any loss on both parties because there wasn't anything to be lost in the first place. You couldn't lose what you didn't have.

"You don't need to come home so soon, love," Edward invaded my thoughts. "It's still dangerous out there and we don't know where Victoria is right now. I need to meet with Jasper and plan. It will be better if you're just right within our reach."

"Again, Edward, I told you already," I replied. "I want to learn to handle things on my own. Go and hunt. Meet with Jasper. And soon, Alice. I'll see you tomorrow."

We stopped at the entryway to my house. He kissed me full on the lips and gave a lopsided grin. "I'll be with you in an hour."

I bit my lip. "Edward..."

He growled. "I know, I know. I'll stay away. I'll meet with Jasper and Alice later."

"Thank you," I said to him. "Good night now." I gave him a peck on the cheek.

He turned around, ready to run back to his home.

"Edward, wait," I called.

"What is it, love? You want me to stay?" His face lit up.

"No, it's not that." I was surprised that he was still expecting that. "I just want to tell you that I'm happy you're here."

He shrugged. "I was already wrong to leave. I don't want to make the same mistake again." He turned away. "I'll leave now before it becomes unbearably hard to." And he dashed across the road and disappeared into the thick woods.

I wondered if I was making the right decision. I fell to pieces when he left and said he didn't want me. I groped my way forward and I was already beginning to move back up, and now, Charlie was gone. Pain could either dull you or sharpen you. At this moment, I was ready to be independent. To be free of too much emotional shackles.

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This time I knew I was dreaming. I knew because I could see Charlie in his room, sitting in his bed. His back was turned to me so I couldn't see his face.

"Dad?"

He sat there motionless. Like a statue. Not even breathing.

"Dad!" I came closer and touched his shoulder.

In an instant, he held me tight.

"Dad! I was so worried!"

He inched away from me and finally, I saw his face. He was as white as chalk and his eyes were bloody red.

"No! Not you!" I screamed.

I ran as fast as I could. Out the house. Into the woods. I didn't know if he was still following me.

Then I heard a melody... like a sweet lullaby.

My savior was whispering to me. "Sssh...Bella, I'm here now. I won't leave you. I'm here."

"No you won't. Everybody leaves."

Then I heard him sob. It was the saddest voice I'd ever heard.

No. Don't be sad. Stay. I wanted to say but sleep took away my lucidness and finally blackness.

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"Are you awake?" A loving voice asked me.

"Edward?!" I gasped.

He smiled lopsidedly. "I watched you sleep. Sorry. Couldn't help it."

"I told you to stay away for a while!"

"Are you sure that's what you want?" He said smugly.

I blushed horribly.

"I need my human time." It was funny saying this again after so long.

"Take your time, dear."

I didn't know what he was up to. But it was still rude of him not to respect my decision to be alone.

When I returned, he wasn't in my room but I could smell bacon wafting from downstairs. Edward was cooking?

"What's this about?" I crinkled my nose.

"You need to gain back your weight, Bella. People would think I'm not feeding you."

I rolled my eyes.

"People don't even know you're back already. And besides, we don't live together," I grumbled.

"They'll find out soon. There's no secrets in Forks, you said that before remember?"

I searched my memory for that instance.

"Silly Bella, it was the first time I drove you home. After you fainted from the smell of blood," he said then winked at me.

Stupid vampire memory.

"Now eat." He shoved the plate of bacon sandwich to me.

I sighed and sat on the stool. I really got no appetite. Especially knowing what I had to do this morning.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"It's just that I need to call Renee and tell her about Charlie," I said sadly. "I don't like being the bearer of the bad news. And I don't know how she can take it."

"Don't tell her yet. Wait until she's back from her second honeymoon with Phil."

My mouth fell open. "Alice is back?"

"Yes." He smiled. "But I asked her to stay away from you so we can have more time."

He stepped closer to me and wedged himself between my legs. Again, his boldness surprised me.

"Don't you want more time with me?" He murmured to my ear. He inched himself even closer to my body that I could already feel the hardness of his...belt.

"Yes," I breathed.

He took my lips in his and all my thoughts were gone. I melted. I sucked his bottom lip and opened his lips with my tongue.

Then the ice broke.

He moved so fast I was already kissing air. There went the seducer.

I raised my eyebrow.

"So who's the seductress now?" I asked sarcastically.

"Damn it. Don't test my self-control," he said gruffly.

"Then don't test mine!" I retorted. He probably thought he was the only one frustrated.

Then the doorbell rang. I shot an angry look at him and ran to the door.

It was Jacob.

"Jacob! Is there any news?"

He shook his head. "I wish I had. But I came here for another reason."

Edward suddenly appeared beside me. "Why don't you come in for a while?" His voice sounded irritated.

Jacob went in and I offered him a seat on the couch. He looked at me and Edward and was probably wondering why my long-lost boyfriend was back.

"He's just visiting," I said as I sat on the couch.

"Actually, I'm staying for good," he said to Jacob. I didn't like how they were sizing up each other with their exchanging looks.

I chose to ignore Edward.

"So what brings you here?" I asked.

"Well, I want to invite you to La Push. Sam wants to have a word with you."

"What about? I barely know him."

Jacob looked down at his hands and didn't say anything. Then from the corner of my eye, I saw Edward flinch and clench his fists. He remained quiet though.

I finally remembered. It was Sam who found me in the forest.

"Well, he said it was really important," Jacob replied. "I kinda don't like him myself but he's well-respected in the tribe and people rely on his leadership." He looked like he wanted to scoff.

"Okay. I'll go. It's for Charlie's sake," I answered. "Can you wait for me here? I need to bathe and get ready. I'll be down in a few."

Jacob nodded but he looked uncomfortable knowing that he'd be alone with Edward.

I eyed Edward furtively and silently told him to be good. He acted like he didn't see it.

When I was done, I went down and heard the two of them talking about cars. I raised my eyebrow suspiciously.

"Hey, Bella. I didn't know Edward here has a Vanquish! Can't wait to see it!" Jacob said gleefully.

"Yeah. I own a classic too, you know."

Edward snorted. "I'll drive you there." Then he said lowly so only I would hear, "Up to the border."

But Jacob probably had bionic ears. He heard it and said, "Sorry about that. Stupid folk legends."

"Edward, let Jacob take me. I think we can manage. And besides, you didn't bring your car."

We were on the driveway and Edward probably just ran going to my house last night so the Volvo wasn't in sight.

Edward looked like he wanted to punch himself.

"Umm.. Don't worry. She'll be safe with me," Jacob promised him.

I thought it was the worst statement he could ever make.

Edward's eyes blazed and for a moment, Jacob was taken aback. But he didn't show he was scared and stared back.

"Hey! I'm still here!" I said putting myself between them. "I thought you two were getting along! Edward, I'll see you after okay? I'll meet you after the talk."

That seemed to pacify him for a while. He kissed me like how he had at the kitchen and I felt myself redden all over. I hoped I didn't melt again in front of Jacob.

But he coughed and made his presence felt. He got in the car and waited.

"I'll wait for you here," Edward said.

"Okay. See you."

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Jacob took me to their house and there I saw Billy, Sam and two other men who were as huge as him. Quilute boys seemed to be on steroids.

"I'll let myself out so you can talk," Jacob said and walked out.

"What's this meeting about? Do you have any news about Charlie?" I began.

"Bella, please meet my two other friends – Paul and Jared. They're with me in search of your father," Sam's deep voice dominated the whole house. I could now see why Jacob said he was the leader.

"Sorry. I was rude. It's nice to meet you. I'm just dying to hear if anything came up since yesterday," I said.

"That's the thing, Bella." He sighed deeply, his face was smoothly calm. "We have a feeling what might have happened to him."

"What?" I choked.

"We can't find or trace his body. Nothing at all. As if he's not in Forks any more."

"How would you know that? It's only been hours of search!"

"We'll tell you how we can confirm this. But later. Don't you want to know what we think could have happened?"

I nodded.

"We think he's been changed."

"What...do you...mean?"

"You know what I mean, Bella," he said firmly. "We think he's been turned into a vampire."