Things I own: Twilight Scene It for Wii and a New Moon Calendar.

Things I don't own: Twilight, its characters, and the songs I make reference to.

A/N: Okay, here is the chapter! Truth be told, this was easy to write but very tedious to work through. I can't bring myself to add what's going on inside the school with the rest of the family. Edward will shine some light but I think it takes away from Bella and Edward. Be warned, it's not terribly long, but it's what most of you have been waiting for.

With that, Enjoy!

Give me a word you can keep
Cause I'm halfway gone and I'm on way
And I'm feeling, feelin feelin this way
Cause you're halfway in but don't take too long
Cause I'm halfway gone, I'm halfway gone

Halfway Gone by Lifehouse

BPOV (Bella)

"Do you love me?" He had said.

"Do. You. Love. Me? Are you in love with me, Bella? Like I'm in love with you?" He meant it, I saw his eyes; he truly meant it.

But, as much as I wanted to smile and tell him 'yes', I just couldn't. I panicked. I can't explain why. I lost my nerve and began looking for an escape.

As much as I don't need oxygen, I couldn't seem to remember that fact when he touched me and said those words.

Then… then I saw them. All of them. Alice and Renesmee, I could understand. But Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie? I thought they were on my side. They had let me talk about my issues; at least in my vague ways. But, there they were watching as he bombarded me with those beautiful words that I pray are true.

Confusion was first. I didn't understand anything for a brief moment. Then anger; how could they set me up?

Yet, it was the third emotion that set me in motion.

Wonder.

Was he a part of this? Did he use them to set me up? Was I just a pawn; a pitiful Bella being manipulated?

That's when I ran. I ripped myself from his grip and ran as fast as I could. There were too many people and too much pressure. Did they really think that would sway me to taking that chance then? To admit my fears and feelings and hope that everything goes smoothly? I may not be human, but I'm still susceptible to those insecurities.

Besides… he can't love me anymore. I'm not the same Bella.

Once I was out of the gym, I turned right. I planned to head to the opposite side and then just keep going. Hell, I could run to Canada… hell, I could swim to China. I didn't have a plan; but I had no desire to stay there. I needed a true escape; from all of them.

But then, the rational side decided to speak and I thought about Renesmee. My beautiful, thoughtful, manipulating, meddling, inconsiderate daughter that will be grounded for the next twenty years because of her involvement.

As angry as I was, I couldn't leave her. What kind of impression would that leave?

I'd be like him. Just when things get too hard, I leave; just like him.

I ended up stopping about a mile away; straight in front of my exit. The trees were huddled together and, at the very least, made me feel like I was escaping everything.

I bent my knees slowly, slower than humanly possible, and sunk to the ground. I leaned against a large oak which was as wide as two Emmetts. I nestled my hands in my lap. My dress; a mess with tattered seams lining the forest floor. I couldn't seem to care as my hair fell from the up-do when my head rested upon the trunk. I couldn't place who I was angrier at. I couldn't place who I felt did the least damage to my trust. I couldn't decide how to even attempt to repair the damage. Were Esme and Carlisle in on it, as well?

My head fell into my hands as the thoughts clouded my mind. Then I heard it; one voice calling for me. "Bella! Bella?" It was him and although he would find my easily since I was not moving, I called back after his, painfully, mumbled 'please.'

"Over here." Short. Simple. To the point. But what else do I say?

"Oh thank God; I thought you'd be in another state by now…" He ran to my side before bending down to my level. I held my hand out to him; a signal for him to stop. I couldn't allow him to touch me.

"Bella, please, just let me explain-" I shook my head, cutting his thoughts off. I looked into his eyes and saw the regret, but I couldn't decipher where it was stemming from.

After a breath, I asked, "Were you a part of it? Was it your plan?"

He sighed, as he scooted to my side. "No. I had no idea that this all was just a scheme of theirs. I didn't even realize till you saw them. I wasn't focusing on their thoughts at the time and they've been very good about shutting me out lately." I chanced a look into his eyes again, and saw the hope; hoping that I believed, that I understood. "Bella, please believe me. I wouldn't have pursued you like that, if I had known; I would have…"

He didn't finish, and although I had a fairly good idea what he was alluding to, I had to know. "You would have what?" I whispered.

"I wouldn't have allowed it. I would have told you some other time and been honest with you about all of this." He words rang in my ears. He would have been honest. Honesty… He was being honest about his feelings…

I took his hand in mine. It felt so different from the last time that I remember; although those memories were fuzzy. He squeezed my hand and I knew that he wouldn't let me go this time. He would sooner rip off his own hand then release it.

And truth be told, I'd rather he tear mine from me than let it go from his warm, loving grasp.

"You didn't answer me back there. I know you got distracted, but…" He whispered softly. His head getting closer to my face all the while. I put my other hand on his cheek and he leaned into it, closing his eyes.

"I don't…" His eyes snapped open, fearful for my answer. I smiled, hoping to reassure him. "I don't know how to give you an easy answer. And I don't want to explain myself halfway. We have to be honest, about everything this time. Listen?" He nodded, and smiled at me words. The nervousness was still there, but was lessened.

"I love you. I've always loved you; there isn't anyone else for me. There never was." He smiled, moving closer to me; our lips only inches apart. I moved my hand from his cheek to his chest, halting his movement; which only made him look to me in confusion.

"You have to listen to everything." I smiled, and ran my hand over his furrowed brow. "I forgive you for lying to me. I forgave you a long time ago, but I'm scared."

"I won't leave again, ever." He hissed, like he couldn't believe that I was still unclear on that fact.

"I know you don't want to and that you truly believe that you won't. But I'm not scared because of that. I know you aren't lying to placate me." I ran my hand from his cheek to his neck and into his hair, nearly forgetting the fact that I was speaking. "But, when you left, you left human Bella. And I'm not her anymore. I'm not naïve or ignorant or weak. I'm a mom and I'm scared that you won't see me the same anymore."

He opened his mouth to deter me, but I stopped him by placing my hand over his supple lips. "You promised to listen and you've interrupted me three times now. Stop it!" I removed my hand, only to receive his beautiful, dazzling smirk. He nodded and I continued.

"You're the same person, Edward. You're exactly who I feel in love with. But I'm not." I took a deep breath. "What if you don't love me as much anymore? All I can think of is what will happen if that is true. What am I supposed to do when you tell me one morning that it's not the same? I can't just stay with you all for Renesmee's sake. I can't watch as you find another mate. I can't go through that heartbreak again. I can't survive that again, and I can't lose Renesmee. I'm scared that you won't want me now; now that I'm not who you fell in love with so long ago."

The tears were burning my eyes, seeking the impossible release. I looked into his eyes and saw the question. He wanted to talk, but wasn't about to interrupt me again. I look a deep breath again, willing the tears to dissipate. "I can't lose you again, Edward." I leaned into his chest, tucking my head under his chin.

"Oh, Bella." He sighed. "Can I talk now?" I chuckled, holding on to dear life, and nodded my head.

"Bella, you're not getting rid of me. I'm not leaving you, ever. I'm glad you told me why you're afraid. It makes sense now, but honestly that is the worst theory you have ever come up with. I think radioactive spiders were better." I laughed into his chest, praying that he wouldn't let me go.

"You don't realize how much I love you, do you? Bella, it's not whether you're a human or a vampire, or if you're a young eighteen year old or a nearly forty year old, trapped in an eighteen year old's body. It's your heart, your soul, that I love. And honestly, you haven't changed as much as you think you have."

"I thought we didn't have souls…" I mumbled. While I still believed as I did when I was human, I was anxious for him to yield to my point of view.

"Should have seen that coming…" he mumbled right back. "How could I question whether we have souls when we created our daughter? Bella you're still you; you're just… more durable and a little more… independent." He kissed my hair and began to rub my back.

I attempted to pull back. There was one thing left I needed to do. My explanation was incomplete. But he refused to let me budge. "Edward, could you let me move?"

"No. I'm not letting you go, Bella. You're not getting away from me this time." He whispered into my hair, laughing all the while.

"Okay, that's fine. But I was really hoping to kiss you; is that not allowed?" He jerked at my words and suddenly I was released. I smiled at his reaction and leaned into his lips. They weren't hard stone anymore; but soft, like mine used to be. There wasn't such a contrast now. His lips parted; never in my time with him had his lips done that. I tasted him; his honey, Edward taste. His tongue touched mine and the electricity that I felt on the dance floor increased ten-fold.

And then, I reacted the same way that I had all those years ago. I attacked him. I flipped my body onto his lap and secured my hands into his hair. This time, though, he didn't stop me. This time, his hands found my waist, only to have him encircling my waist in his arms after a brief moment.

With neither of us needing air, we continued for… well I'm not sure how long, but a while.

After several short pecks, he began to laugh. "What's so funny?" I encouraged as I pulled his face to look at me, a move that wouldn't have been possible so long ago.

"Nothing, just… they'll all wondering where we are and what happened, but they're all too scared to come find out. They are terrified of you and apparently Alice has seen at least one vision of me verbally and physically assaulting the lot of them." He chuckled once more as I relaxed.

"Do they know?" I didn't need to expand, not with him. He knew me well enough to guess at what I was thinking.

"Not at all. Renesmee is screwing up her ability. Every time Renesmee makes a different decision, all the visions alter. And because Renesmee wants to find us, she has no clue in what state we'll be found." I raised my eyebrow. "Relationship-wise," he laughed again, kissing my lips lightly.

"Do we have to tell them?" I uttered the words before thinking it out; without a proper explanation formed.

Edward looked at me curiously. "What do you mean? They're bound to emerge eventually and then they'll know. No second thoughts?" He hands held on to my sides just a bit tighter as the words left his lips.

I leaned into him, whispering in his ear. "Not at all." I pulled back and cradled his face in my hands. "But, I want this to ourselves; for a while. And… I kind of want to teach them a lesson. I don't like the fact that they think they can manipulate us."

"Technically, they did." He stated.

I hit his chest; and for once, I felt no pain from the action. "They don't need to know that. At least, not yet. I say we let them think it blew up in their faces."

"Bella, I don't know." He looked to be in pain as he spoke the words, so I stroked his face, hoping to calm him. "I don't want to be away from you. And we'd have to be, to keep Alice's visions blocked."

"It'll just be for a little while. I don't want to be away from you for too long either. My heart couldn't take it." I whispered, knowing the truth in the statement.

"You're not that good of an actress…" He mumbled, trying, uselessly, to deter me from my plan.

I pulled myself back. I gripped his hands and pulled us both up effortlessly. "Excuse me? I have been acting like an emancipated minor and sister for nearly fourteen years now."

"And I follow a story similar to that as well. You observed the technique. I'm sure many found some of your lies less than believable. How often do you actually eat the food that you're pretending to consume?" He smirked, holding onto my hands like they were a lifeline.

"No fair… turn my anger towards you and you won't be nearly as happy, Edward." I warned.

"I'm just saying that you'd probably unearth your own plan while lying." He smiled, dazzling me momentarily before I regained my determination.

"You wanna bet? I bet that I'll keep the secret better than you; in fact, I bet that you'll blow it before I do." I smiled, knowing how he was just as much a sucker for bets as Emmett.

The glare was proof enough that he was on board, but he still tried to speak to me as if it wasn't an option. "Is this a punishment for them or me?"

I stepped closer, tracing his lapels and tie as I spoke. "It's a point that I'm trying to make to them and favor that I want you to help me with."

"What are your terms?"

He relented. Knew it! "If you lose, we take this slow. I need slow, Edward. I can't jump back into us too quickly; hence the bet…" I admitted.

Edward sighed, knowing he was playing this game whether he liked it or not. "Okay, deal. But if you lose, then we go to Isle Esme and take it slow there, alone." I lifted my eyebrow. "We'll take it slow, I promise. But we'll stay there for the duration; even if it takes years." He winked.

"Deal." I kissed his lips. So soft and sweet. "Alright, I'm off… and you didn't catch me." I said before running off into the woods.

A/N: 1360 review… *squeals like a twelve year old* By, the way... next chapter is my newest baby and has been half written for two months :) I expect many more reviews for that kind of delivery... My one request; tell me what you liked in your review… those kinds of reviews really make me happy and I reply to any questions… which by the way:

How much did Edward really know about the scheme?

He knew exactly what he told Bella; he's not going to lie to her anymore. He won't risk it.

Was Rosalie, Emmett, and Jasper really in on everything? What was their motivation?

They want Bella, Edward, and Renesmee to be happy. Jasper, as I've had him admit, just does what Alice wants to at a certain point. Rosalie will do anything for Nes and does hope that Bella is happy. And Emmett, well as much as he cares for Bella and Edward; he's just terrified of Nes ;)

Keep up the comments and reviews; you know I love them :)

I hope to have a new chapter out soon but I do have the promised "extra/alternate ending" to do first… and I'm hoping that will be done within the week (School is starting again, sorry real life awaits… at least no cliffs to hold you over this time)

~kmwhyte