Disclaimer: All characters, plots, and settings related to Twilight are the property of Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended by the author.

Chapter 12

In a Moment's Decision

I was completely clueless how to react, and I was hoping she'd go back to sleep. The warmth of her breath on my chest tickled, but the panic inside me loomed. What do I say? I decided not to open my mouth, afraid I'd just sputter nonsense shit that would make me look like an asshole.

I was saved when a knock came from the door. Bella's arm was still around me when my mother peeked in, her eyes taking in the two of us on my bed. I finally looked down at Bella, and was surprised to see that she was asleep. Confused, I gently nudged her arm to wake her up. She slowly blinked away the sleep from her eyes, though she suddenly was on alert as soon as she saw how she was draped all over me.

Shit, this is awkward. My mother faked a cough, and Bella hurriedly moved away from me, murmuring something about being an idiot when she's asleep.

"Bella, dear, your mom is waiting for you downstairs. She says it's time for you to go home." My mother smiled, but stayed rooted near the doorway.

From the corner of my eye, I could see Bella nod. She silently got herself off of the bed, and out of my room.

I sat up. "Mom?"

"Hmm?"

"Will they be okay?" I asked.

She knew what I was referring to. "It's not something that could not be talked about. Renee is struggling, but she's strong."

I nodded. It may not be as bad as it seems. I hope. I still haven't met Chief Swan, and Bella seldom talked about him, but I could sense her genuine sadness whenever she does.

We were both silent for a while, my mother and I, our minds drifting to the two women on their way back to their empty house on the other side of town.

"First time you get her into your room, and it's straight to bed, huh?"

Apparently, I was the only one thinking of the Swan's. It felt like my eyeballs were out of its sockets as I turned to my mom in surprise. "What?"

She giggled, like it was some silly joke.

"You know we didn't do anything!" I wanted to make that clear, and it was the truth.

"I know." She giggled again. "Of course I know, Edward. You're smart enough not to get into that with me and Renee just downstairs. Although, now that I think about it, here is more preferable compared to the Swans'. You know never know when Charlie might check on her daughter…"

Now I knew this was not a silly joke, it's a sick one. I was speechless. Get into that. Huh.

Mom patted my arm before she stood up to leave the room mumbling, "I must talk to Renee about Bella's birth control, maybe set-up an appointment…"

"Mom!"

"And don't forget; wrap your bait before you mate. I'm sure Carlisle can supply you with…"

"Mom, please! Just…" I sighed. This conversation needed to end here, now. "Close the door after you, please." I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard the click of the knob. I plopped into bed and stared at the ceiling, wondering if all Bella said was just an unconscious mumble.

Barbeque at First Beach was always a highlight of my few summers in Forks. The guys from the tribe are laid-back easy to deal with, unlike the locals of Forks who worships the likes of Mike Newton. We were on our third bottle of beer when the girls came. The guys cheered, knowing they were bringing more food out on the shore.

I found myself studying Leah, and watched when she sat next to Jake. Throughout the few times I have been here, I have always seen them together. I might have even though they were impressive, lasting so long while others seem to be fucking around in circles. And though they get into fights now and then, they always get back to each other.

But now that I have known Bella, it all seems so unfair. If Jake was her best friend, why did he betray her trust and ruined their friendship just like that?

"Dude, you're staring," Seth pointed out beside me, and I was glad. I quickly turned away from the pair before anyone else notices. I knew I was caught in the middle of whatever shit going on.

I shrugged. "It's nothing."

Seth didn't give up though. He leaned towards me and whispered, "Are you into her?"

The look of horror on my face must have been enough of an answer for him as he leaned back and relaxed.

"Shut up, Seth. It's nothing like that."

"Sorry. It would have been scandalous if that was the case, though."

I frowned; a bit insulted he thought I would cheat. "I was just wondering why Jake did it."

"Yeah, he was a jerk, but things weren't easy between them, you know? Bella just never get along with any of the guys, and Jake will always have the tribe behind him. My sister was just the easier choice."

"But they were friends! Why did he have to insult her like that?" Fuck, I was getting mad.

"I don't know. Jake did like Bella, and we were all aware of that. Leah happened, and I guess Jake took the easy way out." Seth stood up, brushed the sand off of the seat of his pants, all the while talking to me. "Look, Edward, let it go. It's done. You and Jake are cool, right?"

I took another glance at Jacob, and nodded at Seth. "Yeah."

He smiled before he left to get another beer. I turned back to Jake, who was still canoodling with Leah. He's chicken shit.

I was about to leave Newton's after driving Bella to work when Mike came in. I decided to stay, leaning back against the counter. Jake was busy inside the stockroom, but that didn't bother me as much as seeing Mike walking inside the store. His eyes were automatically on Bella, and I hated it. I could see his face crumple when he turned his gaze on me, though, which was good. "Hey, Cullen, no loitering inside my store! You can't just parade yourself in here like you're the boss."

I rolled my eyes, grabbed a pack of nearby AA batteries and slid it across the counter. "I'm a customer."

Mike glared, and I could almost see smoke coming off of his nose. I took out my wallet and turned towards Bella. She shook her head at me.

"What? I need those," I said, as I fished out a 20 dollar bill and handed it to her.

She pushed my hand away. "No, you don't."

"I do!" I insisted.

"What do need batteries for?"

"Um… for flashlights… and stuff."

She was still pushing my hand away when she sighed. "No, you don't, Edward, and I know very well what you're doing. He's not worth it." She looked at Mike with disgust.

I look at the bill in my hand. I nodded. Yup, Mike isn't even worth 20 bucks. She smiled as I took the money back.

"See you later, Edward. 5 PM. Don't forget, okay?" She said it in the sweetest way I could imagine Bella being that I smiled back and nodded like a little kid. And because she was still smiling at me like that, I leaned in and kiss her cheek.

After making a few calls to Emmett and some people from Stanford, I went back home. I was surprised to see my mother outside, carrying what seemed to be like an old greasy grass cutter. Shit.

"Mom!" I hurried over to her.

She merely waved at him. "Oh, you're back! Look what I found! I used to cut the grass back in Chicago with this…"

I took the heavy tool away from her, eying it with offense. "Well, you're not doing it now."

I knew it pains her when I get like this, but I shrugged it off. I was dumb when I was a kid, not knowing anything. My parents chose to keep things from me, and I get it, but for many years I lived in bliss ignorance while they struggled to manage whatever the hell that went wrong. Now I knew better.

"Edward, you know I'm doing fine."

"That's not enough, Mom. You know there's still a lot of researches and tests…"

"No," she interrupted. I groaned. This was happening again. "Your father and I already discussed this, and we told you. We're staying here, and I will take care of my heart as much as I can…"

I shook my head. "You don't have to always be careful if we find a way to make you better!" Forks was not the cure. She could move into a small town and eat all the fish in the Pacific Northwest, but she couldn't pretend she isn't sick, damn it!

She ignored how I just raised my voice at her, and I knew she already forgave me. We had this argument thousands of times before, and it always ends up like this. She patted my arm. "It's going to be alright, Edward. You'll see." She turned away and walked back inside the house.

I dumped the old grass cutter on the wet grass.

I stared at the blank text box. Stanford will only take 20 participants. If I talk to Dr. Wang, I'm sure he could give me a sure slot, and with time running out, I'm tempted to do it, with or without my mother agreeing. Maybe then she would do it.

I wanted this. I wanted this so much, for her.

My father wanted it too, he has told me, but he was being complacent now. He said taking things easy is the right way to go, but why not take the tougher road for a while then live without the risks for the rest of your life?

I typed in a greeting, and in a moment's decision, I finished the whole thing and sent the email. Done.

I returned to Newton's right as they were closing. Leaning against my car, I waited for Bella to come out, but was met with Jake instead.

"Hey," he smiled my way.

I nodded.

"Bella is still with Mike inside."

I frowned as he kept his eyes on me. What is his deal?

"You better keep an eye on that," he continued.

I snorted. Right. Bella and Newton, that's just hilarious. "Only you could be threatened by someone like Newton, Black."

He laughed, though it sounded forced. "Fuck you, Cullen."

Just then Bella came out of the store, almost rushing towards me. I raised a brow as she made a face. "Mike thought it was a good idea to make me watch him carry coolers inside the stock room." She faked a disgusted shiver before she leaned in and whispered, "I had wished he would drop one on his toes, but that wasn't necessary when he stopped after the second one. He pulled a muscle, I think."

I chuckled, but caught Newton's eyes as he came out towards his car. I gave him a glare. Watch yourself, asshole!

Without taking my eyes off the dipshit, I told Bella to get inside the car. It was only when I felt soft lips against my cheek that I was able to lose my focus on Newton.

"Thanks," Bella whispered before she moved away from me to get into the other side of the Volvo. I blinked back the surprise, gave Newton another glare before getting into the car myself. That was when I realized Jake was still there, silently watching. It was uncomfortable, being watched, but I shrugged it off. Something is up his ass, but I won't let it get to me. I know my girl.

AN. I know, it's been a couple of years. I totally went out of the loop for a long while, and hopefully I'm back for good. This is a short chapter, but I'm going to try writing more frequently. I will update as soon as I get the next chapter done.

Thanks to those who left me reviews and messages. I'm truly grateful.

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