CHAPTER 22

Lazily, I stretched and headed into the bathroom to clean my teeth and splash some water on my face. We had had a lovely day, hiking with the rest of Edward's family. They brought a picnic, which only Rosalie and I touched, though I noticed her appetite seemed to be waning. I knew why; I could see the gleam in Emmett's eyes and the answering smile in Rosalie's; with or without Jasper's help it seemed that she was gradually changing. Edward had been very attentive all day, holding my hand and helping me over the smallest branches. If the others hadn't been so wrapped up in one another, perhaps they would have noticed too, but I was glad they didn't.

Once I had changed into a cami and shorts, I went through to the bedroom. Edward had gone to hunt with Jasper and Alice, leaving me alone, but I was so relaxed in the Cullen's house that I wasn't worried. In fact, part of me almost revelled in the couple of hours I would be alone. Edward had left Wuthering Heights on the bed for me and I was looking forward to diving into a classic and then getting an early night.

I glanced over at the window and lifted the curtain, to see Sam, in wolf-form down below. Jacob had needed to return to his ranch and so Sam had taken over for the last two nights we would stay there. Sam bowed his head and then resumed pacing in front of the house, his ears and nose alert. It made me feel safe knowing he was there; I had surprised myself with how quickly I had got over the fact that Jacob was a wolf. But then I supposed that having a vampire as the love of my life possibly made other supernatural beings slightly easier to accept.

As if on cue, my phone beeped, alerting me to the fact I had a text. I opened the message and smiled, it was from Edward.

Enjoy your book, my love. I will try not to wake you when I come in.

My lips curved into a smile as I typed a reply. Before it had sent, my phone beeped again and I laughed. The smile froze on my lips; I didn't recognise the number.

You think I am cornered by your dogs in Forks. I am not. Look out of your window again, Isabella.

My hand flew to my mouth; no he could not be there. I had just looked; Sam was there. If James was anywhere near he would have caught his scent, driven him away. Hesitantly, I went to the window and searched the ground below. There was no one there. With a sigh of relief, I went to turn back into the room when my gaze was caught by a movement in the tree outside my window. Red eyes stared at me from the branches, lips curled into a smile that revealed razor sharp teeth.

"No... no..."

My heart seemed to stop beating for a moment and then suddenly Rosalie was in the room, her arms round me. I couldn't work out why she was screaming or why she had come into me. But then I realised, the screams piercing the night were mine, not Rosalie's.

"No, Jacob, don't rush back here. You need to check the house in Forks. We have Bella covered. I called in a favour from Alec; he's sent some of his own pack down here. They are on patrol now; at least they know the area. No, she's ok... in shock, but ok."

I half heard Sam's voice, as I gripped the glass of brandy Esme had poured me tightly in my hands. Rosalie had brought a blanket through and dropped it over my shoulders, keeping her arms round me. She had touched my hands and feeling the chill in them grabbed the blanket and wrapped me in it. Carlisle and Emmett were by the door, speaking in voices so low I couldn't hear them.

"Edward is on his way back," said Emmett, suddenly. I didn't ask how he knew, just heard the name of the one person I wanted. Suddenly, Rosalie was standing to the side and the glass was gone from my hands. Bronze hair fell over my lap and cold hands gripped mine tightly. Suddenly piercing eyes that phased from gold to black and back again met mine forcibly.

"Bella, are you ok?" he murmured, his velvet voice a balm to me. I started to nod and then shook my head as sobs welled in my throat and I threw myself into his arms.

"Edward," said Alice, softly, as he held me. He lifted his head and looked at her, keeping me pinned to his chest.

"No," he said.

"Son, it might be the only way to keep her safe," said Carlisle, quietly.

"No," he repeated, a little more vehemently.

"Edward..."

"No! I will not have her make such an enormous decision on the basis of that... that bastard's threats!" I flinched; I had never heard Edward swear before.

"Edward," I murmured, leaning back from him. He looked down at me and I saw the sorrow in his eyes; he might not be able to read my mind but he knew what I was going to say. "He... he was right outside my room, even with Sam down there, watching. He was proving a point; he can get me any time he wants. Change me, or he will kill me."

"She is right, Edward," said Alice, softly. Esme looked across at Carlisle, her eyes wide with sorrow and somehow I knew Alice wasn't just backing me up; she had seen it, seen my death at James' hands.

"Even if I change her right this second, she will need time to adjust. She will be a danger to herself and anyone else who goes near her..."

"Apart from you, Edward. You will be her maker. She will be unable to harm you," said Carlisle, thoughtfully. "You are strong enough to hold a newborn down anyway, particularly one who is completely devoted to you."

Edward was silent, looking deep into my eyes, before he stepped back, running agitated hands through his hair.

"Bella, you need to know exactly what this will entail. It is not a quick thing, the change and it can be extremely... painful."

"If James gets hold of me that will be extremely painful," I countered. Edward glanced round at his family and then sighed deeply.

"Jasper, you should finish Rosalie's change as well," said Esme, suddenly. Jasper looked at his sister through hooded eyes and then gave a tight nod.

"If James is coming, he won't be coming alone," said Jasper, quietly. "Rosalie?" Emmett suddenly placed a large hand on Jasper's arm.

"I think I should do it," he said, quietly. Jasper looked up at him and then glanced at his sister. "Please, Jasper. I want to do it. You know how I feel about the little she-cat."

He looked across at Rosalie warmly and she smiled back, a little nervously I thought, surprised.

"Jazz, I love him. Let him do it," she said.

"Fine," said Jasper. "Just be careful you don't take too much. And don't use too much venom, or it might kill her."

Emmett held out a hand to Rosalie and then led her from the room. Edward looked down at me, his eyes dark with emotion and then held his hand out to me.