DISCLAIMER: Still Stephanie Meyer's

AUTHOR'S NOTE: thank you to everyone that reviews. Especially to those who ALWAYS review. I probably wouldn't update without you guys. I'd still write it but I'm updating to see what others think so this story is up here because of your wonderful reviewing skills. You know who you are! Thanks.

(I listened to the world spins madly on by the weepies and Lullaby by the Spill Canvas on repeat while I wrote this. Lol. EVERYONE SHOULD DEFINITLY LISTEN TO LULLABY!! It's the theme song for this story. Let me know what you guys think of the song? Much appreciated!

-BPOV-

I had pulled myself together by the time Edward arrived. I had also slipped on the flats Alice provided, pulled the chicken out of the oven, and was just about to start the salad when the doorbell rang. I glanced at the clock; 6:00 on the dot. Of course he was right on time.

Charlie beat me to the door and I bit my lip as I watched him open it from the doorway to the living room.

"Hello." Charlie said stiffly. "You must be Edwin."

I felt the blood rush to my cheeks. He knew Edward's name!

"Hello Sir." replied Edward politely, not correcting him and Charlie frowned at his failed attempt to rile him up.

"His name is Edward, dad." I corrected with a look at Charlie as I made my way to the door.

Charlie showed no sign of shame.

"oh." he said as if just realizing his mistake. "well come in Edward."

I rolled my eyes as he overemphasized his name. I could tell Edward was trying to contain a chuckle as he shook hands with my dad.

"Thank you for allowing me to join you for dinner Chief Swan."

I smirked at his formal tone. Charlie shrugged and walked back to the couch. The game was just ending. I looked to Edward, highly amused, and corked an eyebrow at him.

Edward looked completely unashamed and gave me a quick kiss while Charlie's back was turned. I looped my fingers through his and led him into the kitchen.

"Is there anything I can help with?" he asked.

"I just need to make the salad and set the table." I told him, throwing a smile over my shoulder as I chopped a tomato.

Edward grinned.

"I am fully capable of preparing a salad. Let me help."

"So am I." I countered stubbornly.

He smirked.

"I do not doubt your ability to put lettuce in a bowl. But you have made the rest of the dinner if I am not mistaken?"

I shrugged.

"So it will need harm me to help with this one thing." he finished.

I rolled my eyes.

"Fine." I allowed and handed him the knife.

As he took the knife from me he looked at my face closely with his brows furrowed.

"Have you been crying?" he finally asked, sounding appalled.

I looked at him in disbelief. Edward's calculating eyes missed nothing! I ducked my head down so there was a curtain of hair between is but he gently tilted my chin so that I had to look at him. His face was the epitome of worry.

"What is wrong Love?" he asked, tucking my hair behind my ears. "Please tell me." he begged, his voice grieved.

I reluctantly pulled my eyes from his because if I hadn't I would have ended up telling him everything and this was not the time nor the place for that conversation. Besides I wanted a little more time pretending that there was nothing in existence that could tare us apart before I started the conversation that would hurtle us into the unknown.

"Can we talk about this later?" I asked quietly.

Edward didn't respond and I looked up to see him studying my face intently. I don't know what he saw there but he nodded grudgingly. I knew he wasn't going to let this go though.

---

Dinner started out a little shaky but Edward mentioned that he was a fan of baseball and that his family enjoyed playing. He said they had even found an empty clearing not far from here while they were hiking and made it into a baseball field. They spent the rest of the dinner discussing the rules and regulations and rookie of the year possibilities. Edward even invited Charlie to play with his family at the clearing sometime. Charlie was thrilled for the invitation but said he enjoyed watching more.

Edward mentioned me going with them sometime and they both got a good laugh out of that one. I scowled at both of them but I was elated they were getting along.

"Have a good night Edward." Charlie called as he made his way up the stairs, leaving Edward and I in front of the front door.

"Good night Charlie." Edward called back.

I smirked. Leave it to Edward to be able to charm Charlie.

"I believe that went well." Edward noted.

I smiled.

"It did." I agreed. "Are you a bit smug now?"

"Perhaps a bit." he admitted with a sly grin.

"Well you have the right to be I suppose. I can't believe you and my dad are on a first name basis now. Before you got here I thought he was going to shoot you!"

Edward chuckled.

"That may have hindered our wonderful dinner." He sighed. "I should be getting home now. Esme will be waiting up for a play by play of our evening." He grinned. "She is simply ecstatic that I have found you."

I smiled but it didn't reach my eyes. It just served as a reminder that I may have to give everything up; sacrifice my happiness for his. But that was something I was more than willing to do if it came to that.

Edward gently grasped my shoulders and kissed my forehead, letting his lips linger for a moment. I closed my eyes and leaned into him as a reflex. When he pulled back he kept his hands gripping my shoulders and there was a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"I will see you soon." he smirked.

I nodded slowly. What was he up to now?

"I love you." He whispered before kissing my softly on the lips and then he walked out, shutting the front door behind him.

"I love you too." I whispered to the closed door. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to keep the tears from falling.

---

Charlie had just started snoring lightly from the other room when there was a tap on my window. I jerked up in bed and looked to my window just in time to see a small pebble bounced off my window. I curiously got out of bed and made my way to the window. I considered grabbing the pepper spray Charlie made me carry but instead I just peeked out around the curtain. I could just make out a tall, lanky figure standing below. I chewed on my lip, debating, before opening the window the smallest of fractions.

"Who's there?" I whispered.

Edward chuckled.

"It's only me. I'm sorry for frightening you Love. May I come up?"

I looked at the figure more closely and could definitely make out the top of Edward's bronze head. I struggled with the window, finally getting it all the way up, after looking at the door nervously every time it groaned or squeaked. That would be the end of Edward and Charlie's chummy relationship.

Edward crawled up the tree and leapt through the window. I held my breath as I awaited the loud thump that would no doubt resound when he landed but he sprang through the window with grace and the only sound when he landed lightly on his feet was an almost inaudible thud.

"How did you do that?" I asked in awe.

Edward simply shrugged.

"I really did not mean to frighten you. I apologize my love."

I looked down at my feet.

"You didn't scare me."

Edward chuckled and I scowled, more frustrated with my horrible lying skills than with Edward.

"We need to talk about whatever was upsetting you earlier." he finally said, sounding very determined but there was a note of tenderness in his voice and when I looked up I saw nothing but worry and adoration marking his features.

I sat down on the edge of my bed and took a deep breath. I hadn't wanted this moment to come so soon but I should have known Edward wouldn't stop until he knew what was bothering me. He evidently hadn't stopped thinking about this since dinner.

I felt the bed give and I looked up to see Edward sitting a safe distance from me, giving me space but still close enough that he was there if I needed him.

"Please tell me." He implored.

I wiped one angry tear away as I realized this was a crossing. I was going to give him the option to leave, no, I was going to try to convince him to leave and if he listened to me and went back out of that window my reason for living would leave with him.

"Alaska." I squeaked out.

Edward looked at me quizzically but still pained. I had meant to say more than that, but that one word, the one that may be the end of me, was the only thing I could get out before hot tears were spilling from my eyes and leaving wet trails down my cheeks.

Edward moved closer and scooped me into his arms. He rubbed comforting circles on my back and kissed my hair as he gently rocked me back and forth in mollifying motions.

-EPOV-

I felt my heart tare into tiny pieces as I rocked Bella, trying to calm her. I had no idea what was troubling my angel so much but I was taxing my brain, trying to come up with any plausible reason for something in Alaska to upset her like this.

Bella sniffled and sat up to look at my face, rubbing her puffy red eyes.

"I can't let you give up your plans for me."

She was crying again by the end of the statement and I pulled her back against my chest protectively. The only thing that mattered at that moment was that Bella was in pain and I needed to sooth her somehow.

And then I realized what she was trying to say and shear panic swept through me.

"Bella."

She looked up at me through her tears and I swept them away from her cheeks.

"I had only planned to move back to Alaska because when we moved here I was… well I suppose you could say I was miserable. You remember what it's like to leave your family and all your friends and start over. I was not happy here."

She nodded sullenly and bit her bottom lip.

"And know. I understand and that's why you have to go." she took in a shaky breath. "I want you to go to Alaska Edward."

I shook my head furiously.

"NO." I said a bit louder than I had intended but the thought of leaving her was unbearable. "Absolutely not. I am not leaving you." I promised passionately.

"But you can't give up everything for me." She argued defiantly and I pulled her closer. I had to make her understand!

"I can." I contradicted. "I would give up anything for you. You are my life now."

Bella shuttered with another deep sob and I rubbed her back.

"But you deserve happiness." she whispered miserably.

"I can not be happy without you." I stated truthfully.

She looked up at me and I knew there was sincerity shinning through my eyes. There was no way she could contradict me.

"Are you sure?" she asked and a little hope slipped into her voice at the end.

"I can not live without you." I answered plainly. I had to be certain I left her with absolutely no doubts. "I will be here for as long as you want me."

She sighed and buried her head in my chest.

"Forever." She whispered.

I smiled, my relief palpable. Forever sounded good to me.

Bella was asleep within minutes and instead of moving I pulled the blanket around us and rocked her back and forth, just reveling in the way she fit in my arms. I knew I never wanted to leave Bella's side for as long as I lived. I kissed her forehead tenderly and she sighed in her sleep.

I hummed her lullaby until I too found sleep.

IF YOU NEED ANYTHING, JUST SAY

THE WORD

I MEAN ANYTHING. I REALLY DO.

REST ASSURED. IF YOU START TO DOZE,

THEN I'LL TUCK YOU IN,

AND PLANT MY LIPS WHERE YOUR

NECKLACES CLOSE.~ Lullaby- The Spill Canvas.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: What did I tell you? Stronger than ever. Lol. But they really needed to have that discussion. Please check out my new story if you are enjoying this one. Read and review. Thanks guys!

-PREVIEW OF NEXT CHAPTER-

"I was thinking." he began, making me look over curiously.

He kept his eyes focused intently on the road, a stark contrast to his playful, flirtatious, tone from before.

"… about your nightmares." he continued, peeking out of the corner of his eye to gage my reaction.

I stiffened a little and nodded once, my eyes trained purposefully forward.

"why don't you tell me something about Zach?" he prompted.

I looked down at my hands and swallowed around the lump that had suddenly appeared in my throat as the memories of my brother flooded over me.

"I already told you what happened." I whispered.

"I was actually thinking you could tell me something good you remember about him."

I looked up, tears already forming in my eyes.