Sorry for the delay. My cousin died a few weeks ago, last week were the calling hours/funeral and now guess what. I'm sick and Emily has bronchitis. Lovely, isn't it? I'm going out for a bit soon. When I get home I will start on the next chapter and attempt to post it.

Enjoy and review!

Chapter Twenty-Four

Reality

EPOV

I glanced around Bella's bedroom. Her clothing was scattered everywhere and it looked like a tornado had struck.

Why didn't she wait for me?

"Damn it!"

"Doctor Fang gave me strict orders to get you to Vancouver."

I swerved around at the sound of the deep voice. How had I not known he was here all along? I should have smelled his pungent stench. Heard his damned thoughts!

"You seem upset, leech," he taunted. He walked circles around me, never breaking his gaze from mine. "I assume it's because you can't smell me or hear my thoughts."

A deep growl escaped from my chest.

"I assume correctly then. When you're a werewolf, like I am, you learn to disguise yourself. The pack has finally perfected the art. You see, you're not the only one who is a mind reader. When transformed, the pack hears each others every thought. Do you know how many times I've had to hear Leah whine over the loss of Sam? How many times my brothers heard my desires? You get used to hiding what you're thinking and how you feel."

He enjoyed torturing me. It was evident in the smirk he was wearing.

"Jacob, we don't have time for this."

"Oh, right," he continued. "Bella. Vancouver. I remember. Tell me something, Cullen." The mutt crossed his arms over his chest and continued to circle me. He was so transfixed that How does it feel to know that you're the one who is always putting Bella in danger? Does it make you feel good to know that she could die because of you?"

"Listen here, Mongrel," I hissed. Before he knew it, I had him pushed up against the wall of Bella's bedroom and I could hear the wall crack underneath the pressure. "I love Isabella Swan. More than you are ever capable of understanding. What we have is beautiful. Don't you get it? Until Bella and I end up together, side by side as vampires, we will keep finding our way back to one another. I have another chance. This time I'm not going to screw it up. Bella will become my mate."

"The treaty --"

"You really think I give a damn about the treaty, Jacob? To hell with the treaty! I would break that treaty a thousand times and over if it would keep me from experiencing the pain that I have over the last ninety years."

BPOV

"Oh, he would have found a chance to ask you without me -- I just really wanted to watch your face." Edward chuckled. If I'd asked you, would you have turned me down?"

"If this is how you're going to react, I'll freak out more often." Jacob… My Jacob.

"They had such pale skin, I remember marveling at it. Even the little black-haired girl, whose features were clearly Mexican, was porcelain in the moonlight. They seemed young, all of them, still young enough to be called girls. I knew they were not lost members of our party. I would have remembered seeing these three."

"Bella?"

I snapped out of my trance and glanced at Rosalie. She was eyeing at me with her topaz eyes. She looked concerned. It was the first time I had ever seen Rosalie truly worried about me.

"Change me. Whenever we get to where we're going, change me, Rosalie. I can't do this anymore. I can't sit back and watch everyone take a bullet for me. I can't keep wondering about my past. I remember things. I remember that I love Edward and that I was so close to being a part of the Cullen family. I remember Jacob and Forks but I'm still missing things from my life. I can't keep wondering about who I am. Please, Rose. Make me a vampire."

"Bella, I can't do that," Rosalie said. "I can't go against Edward's wishes right now. He'll want to change you himself."

"But you said that if he wouldn't, you would."

"Yes, I did that say that. But, sweetie, you haven't given Edward the opportunity or the chance."

"I've given him plenty of chances!" I shrieked. All eyes were on me at the airport. I was causing a scene and I didn't care. "Time and time again he backs out. I can't do this anymore!"

"What's going on?"

Rosalie glanced behind her at Emmett. From behind the two, I could see Jasper talking to Alice, Carlisle and Esme. Still no Edward.

"She wants me to change her," Rosalie explained. "Please, Emmett. Tell her she's crazy."

"Alright. You're crazy."

I rolled my eyes.

"Rosie, I think you should do it. It's obvious that Edward won't."

"Emmett, now isn't the time."

"Then I'll do it. Come on, Bella. We'll do this little shindig in the bathroom."

"Emmett!" I laughed. "It's not a hookup at a club."

"We could make it into that."

"You're a pig," Rosalie told her husband but it was obvious that she was trying not to laugh too.

"Rosalie!" Alice's high pitched voice shrieked. "Don't you dare!"

EPOV

Even in my mind he was taunting me. Urging me to kill him just so Bella would leave me.

It would be simple really. I could easily break his neck and leave his body near La Push. His pack would find him and wonder if it was one of us, or a random nomad.

Only one thing was stopping me.

Bella.

Jacob was right. If I killed him, she would be disgusted with me. She wouldn't want anything to do with me or my family. Bella would then be alone in the world. I couldn't allow that to happen. She needed me just as much as I needed her.

Reluctantly, I let go of the scoundrel and took a few steps back. My hands went to my hair and pulled the unruly mess.

"As much as I'd like to kill you and dispose of your body, I can't. Bella means the world to me and I can't let our rivalry get in the way of her happiness. She chose me, Jacob. I don't know why but she did. I am grateful for that but in reality, you're the better choice for her. You can give her a real chance at humanity. She could have children if that's what she truly wants. I would leave today if she told me that she could be fully happy with you."

"But she won't say that."

"She's wiser than even the oldest vampire. Bella knows what she wants, Jacob, and she'll do whatever it takes to make sure she gets it."