Promises

I was afraid to let go of Edward, almost as if I would let go, he would disappear.

"I don't think you should see Jacob tonight."

"It's already late. He's probably waiting for me right now."

"Bella those were rebels that attacked us."

"You don't know that."

"But I do. They were wearing red armbands."

"Did you look for a symbol?"

"Neutrals don't attack anyone Bella."

"It could've been followers-"

"Followers are gold, and they don't have a symbol."

I sighed.

"Jacob isn't involved in that. He's just very upfront about what he thinks of the government."

"Still, they could be his friends."

"Jacob told them about our car, they wouldn't attack it."

"Bella, you know that can't always work."

I sighed again.

"Do you really want to see him?"

"He's my friend Edward."

"I guess you can see him tonight... but I would feel better if I was with you."

"Alright."

"You're not going to argue?"

"No, I'm not completely stubborn. Besides, you two really need to talk more often. I think you'd get along better that way."

"Hmph."

Alice was silent in the front seat and we pulled into my driveway, the world quiet, just like before a storm.

"Thank you for the ride Alice."

"I'm going to come back to get you in an hour Edward."

"Alright, love you."

"You too, bye."

She drove away slowly and I walked inside my house. I was barely through the door when I got tackled against the now-shut door.

"Ahh!"

"Bella!!!"

"Jacob, I can't- breathe."

He released me from his bear hug and grinned at me.

"Sorry. I've missed you."

Edward clearned his throat and I smiled softly.

"I missed you too. Edward's going to hang out tonight too, that's okay isn't it?"

"Um.. yeah sure."

"Great."

Jacob reached out and hugged me again, pulling me toward the couch.

"How was your day? I wanna hear all about it."

Edward came over and moved between us, standing to the side of me, but still in front of me.

"Bella needs to sit down, if you don't mind."

"Why? Bella what happened?"

Edward sat on the couch and pulled me down next to him, staring up at Jacob with almost a menacing look.

"Our car was attacked, by a group wearing all black and red armbands. Friends of yours?"

Jacob's face darkened.

"No."

"That's funny. I thought you were a rebel."

"I am, but I don't consider myself friends with the rebels who attack neutrals."

"Just followers."

"Edward!"

I was sick of this.

"Both of you stop it. It was just a bunch of kids who wanted to give us a scare."

Was it a lie? Probably. Did I care? Not right now I didn't.

I laid on my head on Edward's shoulder and sighed softly. I felt his arm move across the small of my back and he squeezed my side gently.

"I'm sorry Bella. I love you."

"I love you too, and it's fine."

"Yeah I'm sorry too."

I smiled.

"You're forgiven Jacob."

It was quiet for a while, awkwardly so.

"So Jacob what did you do today?"

"Attack innocents?" Edward mumbled.

I glared at him and he shrugged.

"Just protested. Me and some friends stood outside the recruitment building and yelled at whatever military offical was closest."

"Well that's... interesting."

"Yeah I was wondering if you wanted to come with us to burn the Utopia rulebook. We found a bunch of copies-"

"Bella won't do any book burning, sorry."

He glared at Edward, but I agreed with him. I might not agree with everything in the book, but someone put hard work into it. I couldn't burn something someone had put their heart and soul into.

"I'm sorry Jacob, but I couldn't."

"It's okay."

Edward cleared his throat and I smiled at him, letting him know that I was still paying attention to him. Then he spoke.

"Well you know I'm drafted and my inspection is coming up soon."

"Yeah?"

"Well, in the chance I do leave for the war, I want you to keep an eye on Bella when I'm gone."

"Huh?"

"She'll need someone to protect her," his voice was strained and I reached for his hand, "and Alice can't do it alone. I know I can trust you to make sure she stays safe.I just ask one thing."

"Yeah, what?."

"I don't want her involved in any kind of rebel activity. I want her to be as safe as possible and that includes it."

"I can promise you she'll be safe."

"No rebel activity Jacob, please."

I cut in.

"I won't get involved in anything Edward, I promise."

"Thank you Bella. Jacob, can I trust you to help me?"

"Yeah. Sure. No problem."

"Thank you."

I squeezed his hand again and kept my eyes on him. I was so happy he could be kind to someone he didn't like just so that he could be sure I would be safe. I did truly love him.

"Hey Jacob? I'm really tired. Can I call you tomorrow?"

"Sure. Bye Bella."

He leaned down and kissed my forehead lightly. I could feel Edward glaring and I gently pushed Jacob away.

"Bye Jacob."

He walked slowly out the door and Edward looked at me for a moment before speaking.

"Does he always do that?"

"Sometimes. It doesn't bother me, it doesn't mean anything."

"To you maybe, but to him since you're letting him, you're leaving the opportunity open."

"Do you want me to tell him to stop?"

"Yes. I do."

"Then I will."

I crossed my arms and picked up his T-shirt off the floor.

"You should go home Edward, I'm really tired."

Disappointment flickered through his eyes.

"Um, alright. I'm going to have Carlisle look at that cut tomorrow."

"Okay."

"Hey Bella? Where's Charlie?"

"Um, asleep I think. Want me to check?"

"Please."

I stood up and crept to Charlie's bedroom. He was laying on the bed, his eyes closed and a magazine was over his chest. He rolled over and opened his eyes, his snore turning into a startled gasp.

"Bella?"

"Sorry. I just wanted to let you know I was home and that I'm going to bed."

"Alright, night."

"Night dad."

I closed his door and walked back to where Edward was standing, his T-shirt in his hands.

"He's in bed."

"Great."

He reached out when I was close enough and pulled me to him. I could hear his breath shaking and one of his hands slid to my stomach, sliding under my shirt just slightly.

"I want to put this on you."

I smiled as I blushed, biting my lip.

"I'm trying to be mad at you."

"Think of this as my apology then."

"Mm I don't know."

"Please?"

He looked at me, pleading. I sighed, exasperated and smiled, nodding to him.

"Go ahead."

He put both hands on my hips and slowly wiggled my shirt up my waist, over my breasts, then over my head. He reached behind me and unhooked my bra, practically tearing it off my arms. I smiled at him and blushed as I felt the cold air on my chest. I put my hands on opposite shoulders, hiding my breasts from view.

"Don't hide yourself Bella, you're beautiful."

"Edward don't lie to me."

"He put his hands over mine and rubbed the tops, smiling.

"Bella I promise to you I'm not lying. You're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen and will ever see. I love you."

"I love you too."

He pulled my hands off my shoulders and moved them to my side, gently kissing down my neck. I giggled and leaned my head back, blushing furiously when I felt his lips around my nipple.

"Ed-Edward, what are you doing?"

"Do you want me to stop?"

"No," I said with a squeak, "I'm just surprised."

He laughed and sucked gently, drawing another quiet spueak from me.

"Mm soon."

"Oh why not now?"

"Because I left them in the car."

I laughed nervously and he joined in, gently kissing up my sternum to my collarbone, and then to my lips.

"Arms up."

I lifted them, grinning. He slowly pulled his shirt over my head and pulled my hair out from under the collar, putting it over my shoulders. He pressed his lips to mine and held me in a passionate kiss.

"God I love you."

"Mm love you too."

A car horn honked outside and he groaned, wrapping his arms around my waist. His hands locked behind my back and he pressed me tight against him. I touched his cheek and kissed it smiling sadly.

"Alice is waiting."

"She can wait a little longer."

"Mm why's that?"

"Too excited. Your fault."

"Well it's not like you didn't make me excited you know," I said sticking my tongue out.

He laughed and kissed me again, gently flicking his tongue along my lower lip.

"Soon isn't soon enough."

"I'll say."

The car horn honked again and he sighed, suddenly squeezing my ass and pushing my hips against him.

"Tomorrow," he said in a husky voice, "I'll find some way."

"Mm how? Everyone will be home."

"Let me worry about it," he answered hoarsely.

The car horn honked one more time, so impatient, and interrupting.

"Don't go."

"I have to. I'll come early again tomorrow and get you. I promise, tomorrow I will do nothing but tease you and give you all the love you deserve. I swear it."

"I love you so much Edward."

"I love you too Bella."

He kissed me gently, slowly backing away. I watched him sadly at we went out the door. I hugged myself and slowly took off my jeans, huddling under the covers and closing my eyes. Tomorrow, there would be nothing but love, but somehow I was still sad. I knew tomorrow was the start of our good-byes. It was the start because he might not pass his exam. It was the beginning because no matter what, he would pass inspection. It was the start because he may not ever come back. A tear slid down my cheek and I wiped it away, thinking of his words.

"Bella, Bella please don't cry. I'll come back I promise. No matter what, I'll always come back."

Next week would be hell, his exam Monday, and his inspection Thursday. They would have his exam results and that would be it. He would have two days to pack and then he would leave me. I breathed in the scent again and refused to believe it. He wouldn't leave. He couldn't.