I'd like to give a special thanks to everyone who reviewed! If you were signed in, I tried to give you a preview… but some I forgot… Any who to Love and Joy, and popxxprincess28 thanks for reviewing, sorry I couldn't give you previews.

This chapter (or at least the beginning) is pretty dark. Just a warning.

Prophecy

I was running and running. I didn't know where I was, or whether I was running to or from something. All I knew was that I was running. Fast.

Suddenly the pitch-black room I had been in before changed into a dense forest. The ground squished underneath my feet and dew dripped from the leaves on the trees as I tore my way through it quickly. A house came into view then; a white one—Cullen Manor. Once it was in my line of sight, I sped up.

I flew past the withering garden out front and up the porch of the old house. I wretched the door open.

Red. So much red. Blood flowed down the staircase like a waterfall. Red footprints led towards the door on the other side of the room.

And Edward lay in the middle of the floor, a puddle of blood forming from beneath him and rapidly spilling out towards the two small, unidentified bodies that lay next to him. One had Edward's hair, matted down to her skull with blood, and a dress that would have been adorable had it not been also drenched in blood. The second one was slightly larger. His brown hair was messy, like Edward's.

I screamed out in horror as I realized who the bodies belonged to.

My kids.

I heard footsteps coming from the room where the footprints led. They kept getting louder and louder and louder.

I saw something shiny out of the corner of my eye. I looked towards it. It was a dagger covered in blood, and the dark, menacing figure that held it stalked towards me. I was so scared that I couldn't even run. He kept getting closer until he was standing right in front of me. He held the dagger up, as though he were going to strike, and then…

I woke up.

I gasped in a huge breath as I flew up in the bed. I wrapped my arms around myself and let the tears pour down my cheeks. I tried to breathe in deeply and strategically as I thought about what just happened – again.

This had been going on for the past week. The nightmares have always been the same—ever since I began having them the night we came back from our honeymoon thirteen years ago. It was the first night we were back, and the last. Edward basically saved my life by waking me up that night. The doctors told him that if he hadn't, I could have died. Alice was convinced that the dreams were precognitions of the future and whatnot. Edward didn't believe any of that but him, being the overprotective one –especially when he learned that I was pregnant—had us move out and we never went back to Cullen Manor again. And I didn't have the dream again… until last week, every night up to now.

Of course, the first time I had the dream I didn't know I would come to have two beautiful children that looked exactly like the two kids in the dream—just without the blood everywhere. But, now that these dreams were coming to me again, they frightened me even more.

Of course I would never have told Edward. He didn't need to be sucked into that mess, nor did my children need to watch as their mother slowly spun out into insaneness.

I glanced over at my husband once my breathing went back to normal and my tears dried.

How ironic, I thought to myself, the half-immortal one, who hadn't been able to sleep for, who knows how many years, is getting more sleep than his fully-human wife. Edward was partially human –meaning he could die—yes, but since he had already died once, he had a few "extra" abilities. Over time, he was able to get his mind reading back… but he still couldn't read me, and this frustrated him to no end.

I sighed, contemplating whether or not I should wake him up and tell him. I went to do so, but stopped when I saw how peaceful he was in his sleep. He was so different from when we first met –in more ways than one—and the sudden change from no sleep at all to sleeping 9 hours a day was enough to mystify me –how his lips were always slightly parted, how his bonze locks fell into his face, how natural it all looks for him to sleep—and keep me mystified, even after thirteen years.

Thirteen years… I peeked over at the Darth Vader clock –Jacob had convinced the kids that their dad would love it for his birthday—that sat on his side's bedside table. 10:43. In exactly one hour and 17 minutes, Edward Cullen and I would have been married for thirteen years.

I got up out of bed and went to my dresser. I pulled out an old tee-shirt and an even older pair of jeans, and got ready to put them on. I knew what I needed to do to have some peace of mind.

As I was slipping the shirt on via over my head, there was a loud CRASH! that came from down the hall, from one of the kids' rooms. I shrunk back and grimaced as I looked over at Edward, to make sure the sound didn't wake him. He was still sleeping like the dead. I finished getting dressed and went to my door.

I tiptoed down the hall, and peeked into Carlie's room first. She was sound asleep, so I didn't bother her.

I continued down the hall, and right before I reached Junior's door, I was greeted with the all-too familiar sound of Obi-Wan Kenobi's voice from Star Wars.

I shook my head as I opened the door to his room.

Star Wars Episode 4 blasted from his television set as Junior swung his blue lightsaber through the air, mimicking what was happening on screen.

"Come on, R2!" he yelled to his motorized replica of R2D2 that he had received from his uncle and aunt last Christmas. The robot beeped, and Junior laughed. "No, R2, you can't play with my lightsaber. Lightsabers are only used by people that have the Force. You know, like me, and Luke Skywalker, and Uncle Jake!"

I decided to let him know then that I was watching the entire show. "Ahem."

He gasped and spun around, the lightsaber hitting his R2D2 LED lights and making them fall on top of him (A/N: pic of all of his cute little Star Wars things are on profile in case you're interested!) "Mom!" he gasped in surprise.

I laughed, and tried not to think about my nightmare.

"So this is what you do when Daddy and I go to sleep?" I asked, motioning towards the television set.

He looked down and shuffled his feet. "Yeah, kinda."

"'Kinda'?" I asked. I wasn't angry at him –I kind of was, but only because he had school in the morning.

"Okay, yes."

I smirked. "Hmm, that's what I thought." I walked further into the room and put my hand on his shoulder, leading him to his bed, and helping him pull the Star Wars bedding back so he could get in.

As soon as he was settled and I had opened his R2D2 night light, he asked, "You're still gonna be Princess Leia for Halloween next year, right?"

I nodded, though I really didn't want to be. I had to do that once already.

Jacob had never grown out of his Star Wars obsession from his childhood, and convinced not only his kids, but mine as well, that the original Star Wars movies were "The awesomest movies known to Mankind", and that the Prequils were only made because George Lucas was money-hungry. Last year we made the mistake of putting him in charge of the entire family's Halloween plans and, while he did a pretty good job –he was able to get everyone tickets to an exclusive "Mickey's Trick-Or-Treat Party" at Disneyland—Edward was a bit too close to kicking his butt. Imagine this: Charlie in a Darth Vader suit (mask and all), Jake in a "Jedi" robe with a lightsaber attached to his belt, Jake's kids and Junior in little Jedi costumes with lightsabers as well, me in a white dress and Princess Leia buns –courtesy of Jake's wife—and Edward in a Han Solo costume, holding Carlie who was dressed up as the most adorable Chewbacca ever, walking through Disneyland and trick-or-treating at all the different rides.

"And Daddy's gonna be Han Solo again?" Now there was something I didn't mind. I remember my reaction to my sexy husband being dressed up as my childhood crush, and I remember it well. I blush beet-red just thinking about the after-math of that night. That was, without a doubt, the best Halloween ever. (A/N: I was sooo sniggering while I was writing that… do with that what you will…)

So of course I blushed when he asked me that. "Oh, yes," I replied, kissing him on the forehead. "Goodnight, baby," I said as I headed for the door.

"Night, Mom."

"Love you."

"Love you too." I smiled and turned the lights off, leaving his room.

When I was finally free, I all but rushed out the door, to our car. Edward was convinced that a Volvo would be the best car for our family –Heaven help me I don't know why—so that is exactly what we have. I jammed the keys into the ignition and drove away.

I went to the first place I knew would calm me down: the college where I worked as a professor.

I glided into the parking lot, and chose one that was closest to the back of the building. The college had a special "Nature Center", which was kind of like an outside classroom. Pathways wound up past a calming waterfall and many unique and exotic plants to a secluded area with a log on its side, and many tree stumps, placed into a careful circle around the log, and smoothed off so that they were comfortable for sitting.

I took the keys out and grabbed my book and reading light, and stepped out into the chilly night air. Already the soothing sound of running water relaxed me, and I sauntered over to the waterfall.

I perched myself atop one of the rocks at the top, and began to read, letting it do its job.

A shrill ringing interrupted me. I realized it to be the college's clock, striking the hour. It was now midnight of Friday, September 13, which just happened to be my thirteenth anniversary. Ironic, don't you think?

Then, I heard something in the bushes. Thinking nothing of it, I continued to read. The night suddenly got colder, and I zipped up my jacket in an attempt at keeping warm.

"Isabella…"

I jumped at the sound of my name. "Now you really are going crazy, Bella," I chastised myself, trying to ignore the tingling in my spine and my instincts telling me to run.

"Isabella…"

My mind became flooded with memories of my nightmare. I realized then that not only was something actually calling my name, but I couldn't just ignore it.

Against my better judgment, I answered the voice, "Y-y-yes?"

The voice chuckled darkly, and I turned to see a face that I never thought I'd see again.

"Mother?" I asked in astonishment. "Mother, is that you?"

"Indeed, my darling," she replied. She hadn't turned to look at me. "How have you been?"

I blinked a few times to make sure this was real. "G-good, I guess," I replied, trying to sound indifferent.

"You have two beautiful children, Bella," she complimented. I had heard people say that before, but when it comes from your deceased mother, that's something.

"Thank you, mother." The answer was almost robotic, I'd said thank you to so many people in my life that now it was just instinct.

Now was when she turned to look at me. She was dressed in the same outfit that we had buried her in, and she was even more beautiful than I remembered. "And that husband of yours, well, he's something else entirely."

I froze up. Did she know about Edward and Alice?

"Yes, I do," she answered my unspoken question.

"How?" I asked.

She laughed. "Bella, darling. Don't you remember? I'm a ghost as well." Well, that made sense.

I hadn't moved from my place on the rock. She glided over to me with such grace, and sat down next to me.

"Bella," she began, "I really don't know how to tell you this, but you and your family, you're in danger."

Memories from my dream once again came to me, and I shuddered. "What kind of danger?" I couldn't help but ask. I'd do anything to keep my family safe.

"Grave danger. As soon as I leave you tonight, this becomes a life or death situation, and in the literal meaning.

"Someone is tracking you and your family. An assassin, of sorts. Unfortunately I can't tell you the name, but I can tell you that unless you brush up on our family history, you're in trouble."

"What does that mean, though, mom?"

"Find the book, Bella. Find the book, and all of your questions and more shall be answered. Goodbye." She stood up from the rock and began to walk away.

"No, wait! Mother!" I called, shooting up as well and running over to her. I tried to grab her wrist, but my hand went right through.

"Give my love to your brother and father," were her last words. And then she was gone.

All sorts of questions began running through my head all at once. What book? Where did I find it? How long did I have?

I gathered up my things and ran to the car. I started it up, and drove, as fast as I could, home.

- -

It was pouring by the time I pulled up into the driveway, getting out and shutting the door loudly. I took out my Blackberry to check the time. It was 1:55 in the morning. I pushed my phone back into my pocket and jogged up the steps.

I closed the door behind me and went back up to my bedroom, not bothering to put my clothes in the hamper; just throwing them on the ground and putting my nightgown back on. I'd pick them up tomorrow. Now, I just needed my husband's love and comfort.

I slid into the bed next to him. I got as close as I could, reveling in the warmth radiating from his body. Knowing that I'd get a response, I laid my head on his outstretched arm and put my hand on his chest. Automatically he shifted onto his side, grabbing my hand from his chest and wrapping it around his waist, and wrapping the arm that I had my head on around my shoulders, pulling me close to him. He put his extra hand on the small of my back and pushed me closer to him. I buried my nose into his warm chest and sighed with contentment—glad to be in the one place I knew that I was safe. For a second, I nearly forgot about my little run-in with my dead mother. Nearly.

He chuckled above me sleepily. "What's wrong—" he yawned "—Honey?" he asked, voice thick and quiet with sleep. You could tell he was still half asleep, but was trying so hard –and was failing so miserably—to keep from slipping back into a deep slumber.

I sighed. "Edward, if you're tired, and don't want to talk, just tell me."

He chuckled sleepily again. "Alright, Bella, I'm tired."

"Then I'll let you—" He took the hand from my back away and grabbed my chin –not roughly, but enough to get his point across. He wasn't violent—and tilted my head to look at him. He sure was awake now.

"I said I'm tired, not that I didn't want to talk," he said. I tried to turn my head away, but he kept his grip not tight enough to hurt me, but enough to keep me in place. "Bella, listen to me. You are much more important to me than sleep, okay? Now talk to me; what's wrong?" His deep emerald eyes, even in our nearly pitch-black room at 2 o'clock in the morning, were smoldering, burning through my soul and taking my breath away.

"W-what makes you think that something's on my m-mind?" I stuttered. He obviously caught my lie.

He chuckled. I noticed that he still hadn't let go of my chin. "Well, you're obviously restless." He released my chin, only to begin stroking it, though it didn't hurt. "Did I hurt you?" he asked, voice no longer hard. I shook my head, and he kissed my forehead. His voice was even softer than before as he continued. "Plus, you're shaking like a leaf—and I can see the fear in your eyes. Something happened."

I burst into tears. I wept so hard that my tears wracked my tiny frame, my body heaved up and down.

"I don't want you to die!" I sobbed. "I love you" –heaving breath- "too much! Please don't" –heaving breath- "die on me!"

"Bella, honey, calm down," he ordered, swinging a leg over my hip to straddle me. Once he was above me, he bent down and began to place sweet kisses up and down along my neck and shoulder blade. "I'm not going to die, you'll be fine—we'll be fine."

"But what about the kids?" I sobbed. "She said they're going to die too!" That brought on another wave of emotional tears.

He stopped in mid-kiss. "Who told you the kids were going to die?" he demanded.

"My mother!" I cried in a hushed tone. "I went to the college a few hours ago, to read—and she was there—she told me someone was going to hurt us—and a book—and-"

He silenced my babbling by pressing his lips to mine. After a while, he pulled away.

"No one is going to hurt us, Bella. No one, do you understand me? I wouldn't let them; you know that." And for once, I knew he was wrong. But I didn't say anything; I decided that I'd tell him later.

I nodded. "I know, Edward. You'll always keep me safe." And it was true; he would. That was just the way he was.

"I love you, Bella."

"I love you too, Edward."

He moaned. "I'll never get tired of hearing you say those words to me," he sighed.

I chuckled, and wrapped my arms around his neck, holding him to me. "I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you."

He growled and attacked my lips with his.

"Happy anniversary, Mrs. Cullen," he whispered against my mouth.

No, not happy. Depressing was a better word. But I didn't say anything; I didn't want to ruin the mood.

I swung a leg over his hip and held him that much closer to my body. Understanding what I was getting at, he growled again as he began to kiss down my neck again.

I tried as hard as I could to push all thoughts of my nightmare and mother from my mind and focus on what Edward was doing to me, but to no avail. This was turning out to be one suckish thirteenth anniversary.

- - -

*Shudders* That was THE darkest, fluffiest thing I have ever written in MY LIFE! Not only that, but that was a bit close to a lemon, and that wouldn't be good. But before you say ANYTHING, I only knew all of that stuff right above because I watch Desperate Housewives. Alright, go ahead and laugh. Yes, yes, the thirteen-year-old girl that hates all things girly watched Desperate Housewives. Ha, ha.

But anyways, Just to get a couple things straight: Bella is 33, Jake is 24, it depends on how technical you want to get with Edward, Junior is 7, Carlie is 3, and I'm still deciding on ages for Jake's kids. Go ahead and take your guess on who the wife is. Not that it's hard or anything. Also, Bella's college's Nature Center's waterfall pic is up n my profile as well, if that made any sense to anyone at all, LOL!

Hmm… there was something else… oh well, I'll tell you next time ;D

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