AN: Sorry, I know I promised some of you happy this chapter and although I tried my best there was still just a few things that needed to be worked through first. Please no throwing poisoned darts, I swear it gets fluffier again.

All notable characters belong to the fabulous Stephenie Meyer.

Promises

BPOV

The charred remains of the Quiluete Reservation School scar the beautiful landscape before me. The fire has been officially declared arson. The Forks police department have no leads as to who may have started the fire, or why they targeted the school. What a waste, it will take over a year for the reservation to rebuild the school. A year of children being shepherded around to schools they do not wish to attend. A year of overburdened teachers, overfilled classrooms, and a year of dealing with the behavior problems that arise from such an environment.

The loud roar of heavy machinery approaches slowly. Today the few remaining walls will be knocked down and the debris will be loaded into large dump trucks and hauled away. Mr. Cruz has asked myself and the principals of the three other schools that will be taking in the reservation's students next year to be here for the clearing ceremony. He feels this will be a good time to begin to form a bond with our new students. The tribal elders have planned a festival of healing for the students, complete with tribal dances and music. Mr. Cruz has convinced everyone that such a celebration will encourage the children during the transition. He believes this festival will show the children that out of the fires new strength will come. The festival is scheduled to last all day ending with a bon fire tonight. He has requested we stay and meet as many of our new students as possible in an environment comfortable for them. The new semester is only a few weeks away now, and many of the student's parents have called with their concerns. I hope Mr. Cruz is right about today.

The dancing and music is beautiful. The younger children run around squealing with delight. Many of the high school age students are gathered around the tribal elders listening to their ancestral legends. Hearing the tales of the Quiluete tribe bring back many memories of my happier times with Jacob. Thinking of Jacob reminds me that several of my new students are living anything but normal lives. I leave the bon fire to search out Mr. Cruz. I need to meet with the current pack members and make sure they remember my school is neutral ground.

Mr. Cruz is leaning against a sleeping front loader watching four young boys wrestle, his pride visible in his intense stare. "Mr. Cruz, I was hoping to have a word with you and your group of young men."

"Yes, of course. They have been eagerly waiting to meet you." He responds with a sly smile and a biting edge to his voice. "Boys, someone would like to meet you."

The two of the four boys pick themselves up off the ground brushing dirt off their clothes as they come my way. The two left standing shoot sneers of superiority in their direction before following them. The four boys circle around Mr. Cruz and I.

"Samuel, that was not a request." Mr. Cruz shouts to a lone boy sitting facing away from the celebration.

"Yah yah, I figured." A familiar voice calls back as the large boy pushes up from his seated position. He drags his feet kicking up clouds of dust as he walks toward us never lifting his gaze from his sneakers. Grabbing his loose hair behind his neck he secures it in an elastic band before coming to a stop between two of his peers.

"Boys, this is Ms. Swan. She is the principal at Forks High; she has come here tonight to get to know you a little before school starts." Mr. Cruz explains.

An unpleasant chill races down my spine as Samuel raises his gaze to mine. The amount of anger and resentment in his eyes causes my heart to skip a beat. "Jacob." The name leaves my mouth on the slightest of breaths.

His lips curl into a small snarl as a low growl resonates from him. "NO, but it's amazing how much we look alike isn't it." he says acidly before turning toward Mr. Cruz. "I've met her, I'm leaving now."

Silence hangs over the group for a moment as we turn to watch Samuel race away into the dense forest.

Five pairs of angry black eyes turn toward me expectantly. Speech fails me as I stare dumbstruck toward the tree-line. I had expected to meet Jacob's son; I knew it would not be easy. I had not expected the amount of anger and blame I had seen in his eyes, but what left me speechless was the fact that I had not expected to look at him and see Jacob.

Mr. Cruz smacks the smallest of the boys in the back with his bent elbow sending him forward a little into the center of the circle. He hesitantly steps toward me. "Ms. Swan, I'm Tommy, Tommy Ateara." he says in a deep yet quiet voice.

"Hello Tommy. How has your summer been so far?" I ask forcing a friendly smile.

"Good, real good." he answers his face lighting up gleefully.

Tommy is quickly shoved aside by another boy who extends his hand in greeting. "Hey Ms. Swan, how ya doin, I'm Phillip." I smile and shake his hand feeling the ice breaking between me and the new members of the pack.

One by one the boys introduce themselves. I learn how old each of them are. They are eager to tell me how long they have been members of the pack, although when I ask questions of the other members I am met with silent stares. Obviously they have been told to tell me nothing more than I need to know about them.

They share stories of their summer and I share with them stories of my days hanging around with their fathers. As the night draws to a close I feel better about having them join us at the school next year. Even Mr. Cruz has relaxed some and is trading playful banter with the boys.

The bon fire is burning low, it's time for me to go. "Boys, there is one rule you need to know above all others. I know you are aware of the Cullen's return to Forks." I receive a round of low pitched growls.

"I don't expect you to be friends." I laugh slightly as looks of outrage stare back at me. "Mr. Cruz and I have worked diligently this summer to make sure that none of you share classes with any of the Cullens."

"Filthy Bloodsuckers." Tommy growls out.

I shake my head slightly in amusement, some things never change. I force myself to finish what I came over to say. "The school is in the neutral zone. There will be NO confrontations on or around school property." The sarcastic expressions as they nod are not reassuring. "Is that understood?" I ask more firmly.

"Yah, we get it." Phillip answers for his friends.

"Good because I'd hate to be involved in disputes between mythical creatures, but if you mess with my school there will be hell to pay." I say sternly, giving them a wink before bidding them a good night.

The drive home is quiet. I pass a familiar deep blue volvo idling on the side of the road as I exit the reservation. Headlights flash three times in my rear view mirror. I tap my brakes sending the message that I see him. I let myself laugh out loud. Silly vampires, they are still as overprotective as ever. I could not be happier about their return to Forks. Even if their return paired with the unfortunate demise of the reservation school does create a plethora of problems for me next year.

I have enjoyed getting to know Carlisle and Esme at an adult level. It's strange to remember how I used to feel like one of their kids. Now even knowing they are hundreds of years older than myself, I feel as if they are my children. I love them as deeply as I love my own son. Lenai has become very attached to Alice and Jasper. I barely see her without them at her sides. Edward still comes over frequently but he seems detached. I enjoy our quiet walks. I'm glad to see that he does not seem to be holding any unfounded regrets or guilt over leaving so long ago. I have tried to share how happy I have been with him. He seemed upset for a while that I had never tried to find another to love. He seemed to understand eventually that I did not need that type of relationship to be happy. I tried to convince him that the life I made for myself is perfect and I have no regrets. I don' know if he believes this or not, but I have done my best to convince him. He is still such a sweet boy, he deserves such happiness. Happiness that can not be attained holding onto things from a distant past.

I pull into the drive leading to my house. The volvo pulls in behind me. As I shut off the ignition and reach to grab my purse my door opens. Edward waits impatiently beside my door with an expression of frustration and anger.

"Why were you on the reservation?" he growls.

Silly sweet boy. "I had a work related meeting I had to attend." I reply calmly. His concern is definitely misplaced.

"Till after eleven at night?" he questions impatiently.

"Edward, you need to calm down." Aggravation at being treated as if I am still a young girl flows to the surface. "I have managed to keep myself alive or over forty years without a personal body guard. I don't need you to keep me out of trouble or tell me what I can or can not do. Your questioning of where I have been and why is extremely inappropriate."

He hangs his head slightly, looking up at me from under his lashes, chagrin in his eyes. "I'm sorry Bella, it's just that when Lenai told us where you were all I could think about was you being so close to werewolves. I don't like that. They are not safe."

"I'm afraid that is something you are going to have to get used to." I reply softly.

"What does that mean?" He questions in a nervous voice.

"I'll tell all of you in the morning. Right now I need to go to bed, it's been a very long day." Edward walks me to the porch. I open the unlocked door and turn to face him. "Goodnight, Edward."

"Goodnight Bella." He says with quiet resignation.

EPOV

"You don't understand she has no sense of self preservation still, after all these years she is still prancing off toward danger without a second thought!" I almost yell at Carlisle. We have been arguing for over an hour. He had called me into his office as soon as I stepped out of my car wanting to know where I had gone as soon as I heard where Bella was spending her day.

"It is not your place to be her guardian, Edward. She is a mature woman who can live her life the way she chooses. She does not need you questioning her choices, and I dare say it was quite disrespectful of you to do so." He reprimands. You have to let her go Edward, she is no longer yours.

He doesn't understand. How can I just let go. I have thought of nothing but her. "I need to hunt." I say bluntly as I walk out of the room.

Giggling comes from Alice's room as I head down the stairs. Jasper is sitting in the living room reading. He glances up at me crinkling his brow. A flood of serenity surrounds me.

"Thanks Jasper." I say quietly as I sit beside him.

You okay?

"Yah, I'm fine. It's just so frustrating that no one understands. I can't just stop caring for her."

Patience engulfs me. You've been gone a long time Edward. She's moved forward. You need to move forward too. You can't live in the past any more. You'll loose her for good if you don't let her go. She doesn't belong to you anymore Edward. She's let you go.

"I'm going up to my room." I head back up the stairs. Why can no one see what I see. I pause as I approach Alice's room. The door opens suddenly and Alice pokes her head out.

"No Edward I can't talk right now." she states simply.

Lenai walks over to the door. "Oh hey Edward. Did Gran make it back home okay?" she asks.

"How'd you" I start to ask only to be cut off by Lenai.

"You took off as soon as I told all of you where Gran was for the day. I figured you went to go stalk her." she said teasingly. "You know that really bugs her right?" Lenai adds more seriously.

Can no one give me a break!

She's right Edward. Bella has told me how frustrating it is for her when you treat her as if she is still a child. She wants to be your friend but she doesn't know if that's possible with the way you've been behaving. If you want to be a part of her life again you need to figure out what part she wants you to be. She's not the same naïve little girl we left behind, Edward, but in her eyes you are still the same boy. She's grown up Edward; you never will.

Alice is right. All of them are right, but I still can not just let go. I turn to walk away.

"Edward?" Lenai says as she grabs my hand. I turn to see what other unwanted advice is waiting for me.

Instead of another lecture about letting go of the best part of my life her arms wrap around me tightly. It will be okay. Gran still loves you, she just loves you differently. I promise, it'll be okay. If you need to talk I'm always willing to listen. She gently squeezed me one time before letting me go returning to Alice's room and shutting the door behind her.

"I feel so bad for him." she tells Alice, forgetting that I can still hear her. Great, just what I need, pity.

Heading out through the kitchen I slip outside without running into anyone else. The wind rushes through my hair and clothing as I run. I feed well, but it does nothing to settle my emotions. I lay in the moonlight on a high cliff alone with my own thoughts, and the memories of words that cut at my still heart. You've got to let her go, she's not yours anymore, she still loves you just differently, I've lived for over forty years without a personal body guard...

I'm losing her.

The sun rises hidden by a thick layer of clouds. Standing I brush the leaves off of my clothes and head back home. Bella said she would be there this morning.

Bella's car sits in our driveway, happy voices greet me as I walk in the house. Bella and Lenai sit in the love seat surrounded by my family lounging around the living room. I take my place leaning up against the wall. Simply being in the same room as Bella is difficult this morning. My battle of where I should fit in her life bars me from enjoying this morning.

"Well, since we are all here now I guess it is time I share the news with you all." Bella starts.

Every eye in the room is attentively turned to her. What news could Bella possibly have that pertains to the entire family.

"Six weeks ago I received a very disturbing phone call. Someone burned down the reservation school. Rebuilding has just began. I was at the reservation for the clearing ceremony yesterday; it will be almost a year before the school is ready for students. The students will be dispersed to the Forks schools till their school building is ready. Forks High will be getting twenty-two new students, including as of last night five young werewolves." She ends abruptly, nervously glancing around the room.

Dead silence fills the room for a brief moment. "How can you let this happen!" I yell, I can't believe she would put the children of Forks at risk like this. I know she never thinks of her own safety in situations like this but how could she not see this puts her own granddaughter in danger. "Young werewolves are unstable! All it will take is angering one of them and people will be hurt. This is not a good idea!"

Anger fills her voice as she answers me. "They are children. They belong in school. Are you suggesting I tell them they are not allowed to come to my school." she raises her eyebrows in challenge. "Even if this decision were mine I would never turn away students. As it is I have very little say in the situation, this has been a school board decision. I will ask you," she pauses looking at each of us individually, "to abide by the same rule I ask of them. My school is neutral ground. Forks is neutral ground. Can you control yourselves around them?"

"There will not be any problems Bella." Carlisle assures her. There will be no problems right Edward?

I nod my head slightly acknowledging him. "Bella can I speak with you for a minute." I ask, the doubtful angry look she had given me moments ago burning my memory. I need to let her know I will not be causing any problems for her.

"Sure, excuse us for a moment please." she says to the others as she stands to follow me outside.

We walk side by side for a good distance without speaking. The sounds of the others fades behind us as our distance increases. Turning I hold out my hand letting her know we have gone far enough. She leans her head to the side slightly giving me an impatient look letting me know she is waiting for me to start.

"I need to apologize to you Bella. My behavior has been disgraceful. It's just that I don't know what my place is in your life anymore. I've been feeling a bit frustrated." I say sadly.

Bella's expression softens as she takes a step forward cup her hands on both sides of my face. I fight not to become lost in her deep brown eyes.

"Edward," she sighs. "I love having you in my life again. A part of me that has been missing for far to long has been returned, and for the first time since you left I feel complete. You will always have a place in my life."

My soul soars at these words. Maybe there is a chance. Maybe the differences I though to large to be overcome are not insurmountable. Maybe,

Bella cuts me off mid thought with words that crush any hope I may have of moving past our age barrier. "You will always hold a part of my heart, we will always be friends. We can't get back what was lost though Edward. That can never be again. I've moved on with my life Edward, you need to move on with yours."

I nod but can not force myself to say anything. My mind swirls with every memory of her. I love you, I want to be yours forever, if only you knew how you make me feel. You don't want me? That can never be again.

"Can I ask you to do something for me?" she asks

"Yes of course you can." Why does she even have to ask, I will do anything for her.

"Please watch after Lenai. I can't turn the Quiluete boys away, but I still don't think it will go smoothly.

I just don't want her to end up hurt. Jacob's son seems to hold something against me and I don't want anything coming against her."

"Jacob," I growl the name. "Is he the one that left you for dead?" I would kill him.

"Yes, but he is also the one who saved me from Victoria, and died doing it." She says defensively. Bella takes a deep breath obviously trying to calm herself. "I didn't even know he had a child until I saw Samuel's name on the list. He must have just been a baby when his father died." she whispers.

I bow my head to look into Bella's eyes. "I promise, I will not let anything hurt Lenai." This is one promise I will keep, or die trying to.

"Edward," she pauses staring intently into my eyes, "she's lost everything she has ever loved, she can't loose anyone else. She loves your family. Don't let anyone hurt her again."

I look at Bella questioningly, not sure of the meaning behind her words. No one in my family would ever hurt Lenai. Jasper has not had a struggle in decades. Rosalie has not met her yet, but she has come to recognize how nasty she had been to Bella all those years ago, and has changed a lot since then. I know Emmett is going to love Lenai; why does Bella seem so intent on me understanding she is not only referencing the dogs but my family as well?

"Edward, don't hurt her." Bella says forcefully before turning and walking back toward the house.

You don't want me. She whispers as the light in her eyes dies. Edward, don't... she had reached out trying to hold me to her, trying to make me stay. Didn't she realize that I was no good for her. I have to go, for her own good. Bella stay... promise me you'll be safe, don't do anything dangerous or reckless, please promise me. I had hurt her. The day I left I had hurt her more severely than I thought possible at the time. Alice has told me the story of how Bella was after I left. I had nearly killed her . That dog may have left her for dead but she never would have been jumping off a cliff in the first place had it not been for the pain I caused her. Suddenly without any questions I understand exactly what Bella has said. I've moved on with my life Edward, you need to move on with yours. Please watch after Lenai... Edward don't hurt her.

I sit on the damp forest floor my face buried in my hands as my body is wracked with silent sobs. I've made a promise, I will not break my promise to Bella again. I will not let anything happen to Lenai. She is all Bella has left, this promise is all I have left to offer Bella.

Sneak peak at the next chapter for all who review. Little blue button right down there... so easy.