Bella POV

A half hour later, Edward and I were lying on his couch talking. My back was pressed against his cool, muscular chest, and he was playing with my hair. We were talking to each other, asking each other questions.

So far I had learned that Emmett hunts like a bear, and Edward hunted like a lion. In my mind, however, I still couldn't imagine it. I also found out that Edward's favorite animal was mountain lion, and Emmett's was bear. Edward that perhaps their preferences were indicative. I also learned that Carlisle was over 300 years old and was from England. He had also lived in Italy with the Volturi, the vampire royal family.

Edward had asked me the strangest questions. He wanted to know about my former teachers, my favorite books and foods and movies. He wanted to know my favorite color, now topaz because of his eyes, and my favorite colors and activities. Most of the time I was sure I must be boring him. His string of questions was relentless, so I continued self-consciously.

I heard a soft knock on the door and tried to sit up a bit, but Edward's strong arms kept me against his chest.

"Come in Alice," he said quietly, but we both knew she would hear it.

Alice flounced into the room in such a grace that she was almost dancing. Jasper walked in behind her, but he stayed against the wall instead of sitting Indian style on the floor by the couch like Alice.

"Hey Alice, hi Jasper," I welcomed them.

"Hey Bella!" Alice responded happily, but Jasper just nodded. Jasper's strange manner made me feel a bit ill at ease, but after a second, calm washed through me. I remembered Jasper's gift then; he could control emotions. I turned my face around to see Edward lifting an eyebrow. As I turned back around, Jasper shrugged.

"So Bella," Alice began, "would you like to watch us play baseball tonight? There's going to be a big storm, and it will be very cool."

"Storm?" I asked.

"I'll explain it to you later Bella," Edward whispered into my ear. His cool breath sent shivers down my spine and my heart beat faster. It was even more embarrassing to know that Jasper and Alice heard it too.

"Umm... sure?" I told Alice.

"Yay! I'm going to go see if Carlisle can come!" She shouted back; she was already at the door.

"Like you don't already know," I heard Edward mutter under his breath as Jasper closed the door behind him.

We lay there for a few more moments. I thought about how young I was compared to Carlisle, even though it only appeared to be five or so years.

"How old are you, Edward?" I whispered, unsure.

"Seventeen," he replied quickly. It reminded me of a machine; his voice was mechanical and practiced.

I wasn't sure if I really wanted the answer, but I asked anyway.

"How long have you been seventeen?"

His answer was less composed, and didn't come out quite so quickly. "A while."

"God, Edward! You're not being very specific!" I vented shifting on my side, so that if I turned my neck I could see his face.

He sat up on the couch. He spun me so that our faces were half a foot apart, our bodies pressed together. He searched my eyes.

"I wonder if it might bother you?" he asked uncertainly.

I looked into his deep golden eyes and hoped that what he saw in mine encouraged him.

"I was born on June 20 in Chicago..." I swear, if he thought he could just stop there and get away with it... "In 1901," he finished.

I continued to stare into his eyes, unafraid of his age. It didn't mean a thing to me.

"You really don't care, do you?" he asked earnestly.

"No, I don't," I whispered leaning in to lay my face in the crook of his neck. "Please continue; I want to know everything."

He laughed deeply; I could feel it in his chest. His laughter was the music of angels.

"My father, Edward Masen Senior, was lawyer, and my mother stayed at home to watch after me. Even though all I wanted was to fight in the Great War- I was seventeen, and in another year I could be drafted- that was her biggest fear. In 1918, the flu epidemic hit. The Spanish influenza killed my father quickly, and my mother, Elizabeth, took care of me as well as she could. So did our doctor, a mysterious, golden eyed Dr. Cullen." He paused then, but I smiled in encouragement and pressed my lips into his cold neck.

"He cared for us until my mother was very nearly dead. She pulled him to her and told him that he had to save me. She said that he had to do all that he could do; what the other doctors couldn't. I didn't know about this until after though, I was unconscious.

"After my mother died, just hours later, Carlisle brought me and her to the morgue. He knew I was alone, that I was dying so he thought he could... save me. He took me from the hospital and ran across the rooftops.

"I woke up when we got to his house. I woke up to... the pain. Three days later I woke up, fresh, young... and thirsty. " He paused, and turned his head to see if he had frightened me. "I stayed with Carlisle for almost 10 years, before I... went off on my own. The depression got to me though, and I began to regret the human life I had taken." He paused again at my small intake of breathe. "I returned to Carlisle and his vision a few years later. Did I frighten you?" he asked, perhaps concerned that I would run from his room screaming.

I shook my head into his neck and kiss it again.

Edward POV

Her lips felt amazing against my neck. They were warm and soft, and they molded to my skin. I was very surprised to see how calmly she took in my history, all 107 years of it. It took all of my control not to purr with satisfaction; she felt so wonderful.

"Would you like to go home now, Bella?" I asked her, playing with the soft curls in her hair.

"Will you be coming home with me?" she questioned back.

"If you would like me to, then of course."

"Why wouldn't I want you to come with me?" she asked, as though it was obvious.

I contemplated lying to her, telling her that she might be tired of me after all the time we had spent together. That maybe she'd like a break before I picked her up for baseball, but I decided against it.

"Because I'm a monster." I answered, trying to make it sound much simpler that it was.

Her heart rate increased and she shifted nervously. I immediately regretted telling her. Even though she had the right to leave, I couldn't imagine how I could go back to life without her.

"How could you say that?" she asked with disgust, standing up. Usually in the movies this is when the girl slapped the guy and walked out, never turning back... Bella, however, continued to elude my predictions. "You are the best thing in my life. You are not a monster, I won't believe it."

"You should believe it, you'd be a lot safer without me. You'd be much better off" I told her truthfully.

At this her eyes started to water and she took a step back. Her face looked very pale, not blush sprung to her cheeks now. Her lower lip quivered a bit before she bit down on it. The only looks in her deep brown eyes were betrayal and regret.

I wished I could erase them or at least the betrayal at least. She should regret me, as much as I loved her. And that was exactly why she should. I loved her enough to know what was best for her. A small argument started in my head, only lasting a few seconds.

No, you love her and she loves you, this will only hurt her more.

More than killing her? She thinks you're a monster.

You already made your decision, follow through.

Follow through with what? Stealing her soul from her? Her pure, innocent soul?

If she's willing to give it up for the love you share for each other, yes. Imagine what you could do with her, once she is changed...

I was beginning to think I had a multiple personality disorder.

"Bella, I didn't mean it," I told her in the most controlled voice I could muster.

"Oh, didn't you?" she asked, a tear rolling down her cheek. Before I could stop myself, I was in front of her, wiping her tear away. She flinched away and stumbled a step backwards.

"I did mean it," I sighed in defeat, "but not in the way you took it," I lied flawlessly.

"I'm sorry, Edward." She said, the hurt not quite leaving her eyes yet. She stepped forward and pressed her face warm face into my chest. I wrapped my arms around her in comfort.

"I'm sorry, too, love," I lied again, except for the last part.

"Let's go home than," she suggested, her musical voice slightly muted by my sweater.

"Your wish is my command," I told her.

We walked to her truck in silence, and she didn't even argue about getting into the passenger's side seat instead of driving. I was worried though; the pain hadn't quite left her eyes yet. She was also very quite, and her face still pale.

"You don't have to come tonight if you don't want to," I suggested.

"Umm... I don't know."

I told you that she thinks that you're a monster.

This is bad; you cannot live without her. This is so very, very bad.

Alice POV

Oh no! They can't be that angry at him! I thought as Edward pulled her old red truck away.

I quickly searched her future for forgiveness, but I couldn't find anything. I quickly dismissed this by the fact that Edward couldn't read her mind.

Next, I searched my brother's future. All I found was a blank wall, also known as: nothing. His future didn't exist.

"Jasper, HELP!"

Edward POV

As I pulled up to Bella's house, a scent burnt my nose. I recognized it immediately.

Werewolf.

I could tell that he was fazed and waiting for me; I could hear his thoughts.

Finally, it took them long enough. Oh! She's still human. That's a surprise. I wonder if I can't trick him out alone.

I whispered too softly for Bella to hear, "That isn't going to happen, dog."

Oh, shit! How does he know I'm here?

"Bella?" I asked. She looked at me with her same blank eyes. "I'll be back around six to pick you up, but I understand if you don't want to come."

She merely nodded and walked into the house. I heard the click of the deadbolt as she locked it.

"What do you want, mutt?" I asked the werewolf that was outside Bella's house, scampering through the forest. I got out of the car and followed the disgusting scent until I found him. The wolf had black fur and black eyes. "I can read minds, so just think what you would say if you were human."

Why are you associating with the human, Isabella Swan?

"Why can't I? The treaty is only against biting or killing a human, not associating with them."

So you expect us to just wait and give you ample time to attack her when she is so unsuspecting?

I laughed at him, the wolf, before answering, "Stupid dog, she knows."

No human would be in the same car with you if he or she knew.

"Yes they would and she just was, so leave. I believe that you are currently breaking the treaty, but I will let it slide. Next time I won't be so lenient." I growled.

Edward, what's wrong?

These thoughts were not the dogs, but Alice's.

I couldn't see your future.

"Leave, now!' I ordered the mutt, before turning around and running towards Alice. "It's fine. One of the dogs got a little territorial," I explained.

Ok. It's currently 5:39, so you have to go get ready for Bella. Trust me, she's forgiven you.

Whatever you say, Alice, I thought sarcastically.