Author's Note: Oh my, the reviews were really great to read this past chapter, so thanks!! You guys did such an amazing job reviewing that I got this out earlier than I expected to. By the way, many of you guessed the voice correctly. I'll shut up now and let you read, and I'll go back to actively babysitting my nephew instead of letting the television do it for me.

DISCLAIMER: Stephenie Meyer, along with Little, Brown and Company, owns all the rights to the Twilight Saga. I own nothing and profit nothing from this story.

"Get your filthy, dead hands off of her, leech." My eyes snapped up to see a shirtless, shaking Sam at the front door.

"Sam?" I didn't know why he was here.

"Bella, can you please tell me why you're bleeding right now?"

"There was an accident. I fell on some plates."

"Everything is being taken care of, dog," Edward hissed walking into the living room.

"Really, that's why she's hurt and bleeding in a house full of bloodsuckers."

"She'll be fine. Carlisle will take care of her."

"I'll take her to the hospital," Sam growled.

"That's not needed, Sam. I can take care of her here," Carlisle said.

"Hand her over, or I'll have my brothers help me take her."

"She is with her family, and we will care for her."

"Family? Let me guess, her family tried to attack her."

"It was an accident," Edward hissed at Sam.

"She'll be killed around you. She doesn't belong here with your family."

"And what, she belongs with you and a pack of mutant wolves." Sam's eyes flickered to mine. "She already knows what you are," Edward answered Sam's unspoken worries.

"Bella," Sam said wearily.

"I know, Sam, and I don't care. It doesn't matter to me what any of you are."

"So, if you don't mind, we'll take care of her and you can go," Edward said coldly.

"I'm not going anywhere without Bella."

"She doesn't belong with you, mutt! Just leave."

"Over my dead body," Sam growled.

"That can be arranged," Edward hissed back.

"Edward!" I yelled.

"He has been a nuisance for way too long," was Edward's response. Sam growled back at Edward. "Let's go outside then." Sam took another look at me and went outside.

"What's happening? Edward, don't do this. Please," I begged.

"Sorry, Love, this needs to be done," he said before disappearing out the door. I struggled against Carlisle to get down but he held tight.

"Bella, I need to attend to your wound."

"But they're going to kill each other. I can't let that happen. Put me down." He reluctantly let me down and I ran for the front yard. My eyes widened as I took in the sight before me. Edward was crouching in front of a horse sized wolf. And not just any wolf, a black as night wolf just like in my painting.

"Sam?" I asked mystified. The wolf turned to look at me and nodded his head.

"Let's get this over with, mongrel," Edward ridiculed.

"No, don't! Edward, why are you doing this?"

"He can't have you, Bella. You're mine."

"I belong to no one, Edward. I'm not a piece of property you can own."

"That's not what I meant, Bella. Of course I don't own you, love," he said smoothly in his velvet voice. Sam growled some more. "Shut up, mutt! This is none of your concern." I saw Sam look at me, but I could see Edward focused on Sam with furious eyes. I could only assume Sam was speaking to Edward through his thoughts, though I had no idea what he could possibly be saying. "That's not true, you're lying. She wouldn't do that…" I wouldn't do what? I hated not know what was being said. "I'm her future, she fits in with us," Edward growled. Sam continued to silently, at least on the outside, stare at me. "She wants this life, she wants this family...... I don't know..... That's not it. She doesn't feel anything." What? I am so confused. "No!" Edward roared before lunging at Sam. Sam moved just in time to escape Edward's grips. They started to circle one another, both growling.

"Stop, please," I begged, neither acknowledged my cry. Edward went for Sam's shoulder and ripped into his fur. Sam yelped before snapping at Edward's leg. I heard two deep growls behind me. I whipped around to see two more wolves, one grey and one brown. Sam growled louder. I turned back to see them Sam and Edward still circling on another. The two wolves held there position behind me. From the corner of my eye I saw Emmett step forward.

"No, this is solely between him and me. Stay back, Emmett," Edward called out.

"No fair. We never get to have any of the fun," Emmett whined.

"Shut up, you buffoon," Rosalie said slapping Emmett's arm.

"Someone stop them!" I yelled, not believing that everyone was just watching like the fight was on television. If they ate food, I wouldn't have been surprised if the popcorn was pulled out.

"Edward, this is childish. We should resolve whatever issues there are more civilly," Carlisle spoke.

"I won't let him take her from me."

"Don't you think it's Bella's choice?" Carlisle asked.

"He'll poison her mind with lies," Edward said glaring at Sam. "Me? I only tell her the truth. And that is more than you can say, dog. " Sam barred his teeth at Edward. "You may have never directly lied, but you have left out many important things. If I do that, it is only to protect her. You only protect yourself."

"I don't need protecting! I am not a child," I yelled. When would he get that?

"Yes, you do, love." I went to refute, but Edward spoke again before I got the chance. "What? No, that's not possible. Stop thinking that! You're wrong, you don't- Argh," Edward yelled as he sprung at Sam.

I screamed as the made contact. The noise was awful. I could hear the boom followed quickly by a crunch. Sam was limping, one of his front legs hurt. Edward took the opportunity to claw at Sam's side, leaving a trail of blood. Sam latched onto Edward's leg, but left only bite marks after Edward dug his hand into Sam's underbelly. I heard the black wolf whimper for only second before he snapped at Edward's arm, ripping it from the shoulder socket. I gasped as Edward roared in pain.

Sam threw the arm behind him like it was yesterday's trash. Edward crouched down before launching himself back at Sam, teeth bared. I couldn't take much more. Edward was missing an arm, and Sam was dripping with blood. I collapsed to the ground, hiding my face in my hands. I couldn't hold in the sobs that racked my body. One, if not both of them were going to die, I just knew it. I wouldn't be able to live if one of them died. Cold arms wrapped around me. I looked through my fingers to see Alice looking at me with sadness and concern.

"Edward, stop. It's useless. You're only making matters worse," she said calmly.

"No, Alice, I won't give her up."

"She's not yours to give up, Edward. Not anymore."

"I refuse to believe that, Alice. You're wrong. Your visions can change."

"Not this one. It's set. Anyway I look at things, it ends the same. I can't see Bella anymore. She's gone." Gone? I'm right here. Does that mean I die?

"No," Edward cried before falling to his knees. He looked so broken, both physically and mentally. Sam sat on his back legs. His eyes stayed trained on Edward in case the fight resumed. Edward slowly turned to look at me, "What happened, love, why?" I didn't understand the question. I shook my head to upset and confused to find words. "Why am I not enough?"

"What? Edward, I don't-" I started to say and it hit me. Alice couldn't see me when I was with Sam, or in La Push. If I'm gone, as in gone from her visions permanently, does that mean I'm in La Push or with Sam permanently? I added that thought with Edward's questions. I'm leaving him. I'm leaving Edward for Sam.

I should have seen it weeks if not months ago, that that was where my life was heading. I'd felt the deep attraction to Sam from the first moment I saw him. Over the past months, I'd grown to value my time with him above any other. Edward had become a habit, a routine, a way of life. Being with him was familiar and seemed right, even if I wasn't completely happy and content. I had made my mind up that he was my future and ignored any other possibility. When I met Sam, I automatically put him in the friend only category, because the boyfriend role was already filled. I never thought about the fact that Sam may have indeed been the better choice for that position. I almost completely missed the path where my life should have gone. Was that what I really wanted?

"I'm sorry, Edward. I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I just- It all happened without me ever acknowledging it. I mean-" What do I mean? I wasn't sure what to say to him. At one point I was convinced that I wanted to spend forever with him and now I didn't want him at all. Or maybe I did, but just as a friend. I wanted to reverse Sam and Edward's roles. I knew that it wasn't that easy. That was the selfish thing to wish for. It would hurt Edward even more. Is Sam really what I want? I think he is. Or do I just not want Edward. I'm so confused. I just need time to think to myself, with only myself. "I need to go. I need time to think. Time to process things. I can't be here anymore. I'm sorry," I said heading for my truck. I reached for the handle and gasped in pain. I had forgotten about my arm. I heard a whine behind me. I turned to see Sam looking at me with pleading eyes.

"He doesn't think you should drive alone," Edward said without emotion, not even taking his hands from his face. "And neither do I. Please, let someone drive you to the hospital, if you aren't going to let Carlisle take care of your arm here." I knew the easy thing would be for Carlisle to fix my arm up, but I didn't want to there anymore. I needed space to think and being surrounded by the entire Cullen family, minus Jasper, who was probably moping or hitting things somewhere, and three horse sized wolves, was not ideal thinking space. So I was leaving for the hospital, now only to decide who was driving me.

"Could you please drive me to the emergency room, Rosalie?"

"Me?" She asked seriously confused. Everyone looked confused. I had my reasons and I wasn't sharing them. She took a second to recover. "I mean, sure, Bella."

She walked over to the truck and opened the door; I climbed in with my good arm and slid over to the passenger side. She glided behind the wheel and started the truck up. We pulled down the drive, not saying any good byes. I would have to face both Edward and Sam eventually. I just wanted to know exactly what I was going to say before I did so.

"May I inquire why you asked me to chauffer you?"

"You won't sugar coat things for me. You're honest and blunt. You don't baby me like Alice or Edward. You don't soft the blow of things like Carlisle or Esme. And you won't make an inappropriate joke as Emmett would. The choice would be between you and Jasper, and obviously he isn't a good option at the moment what with me bleeding over here."

"All makes sense. So does this mean you want my opinion on things?" I took second to think. I did want to know what she was thinking. But I wasn't sure if my brain could currently handle it, whatever it was at the present time.

"Why not?" I answered. At least then I would have more to consider before I spoke with Edward or Sam.

"I think that the dog stinks like nothing else I've ever smelled before," I looked at her questioningly. I wasn't sure how that would help me. "But I also think that he would be a slightly, and I do mean slightly better choice for you than my brother. I know that Edward loves you and that he always will. But this is about you, not him. Therefore I have to say the best option for you is to stay human and be with this Sam."

"Why? Why would you pick a 'dog' over a vampire?"

"Bella, you don't know my story. It's probably best that you don't, it's not a happy story, not at all. I didn't choose this life, none of us did. Short story, I was left for dead by my fiancé, Carlisle changed me after he found me on the street. I'll never get the life I dreamed of since I was a little girl. I longed to have a family and raise children. As much as I love Emmett, I would trade this existence to know the feeling of carrying a life inside of me. I'm sorry for always coming off so cold to you, but I hated and detested you for wanting to actually choose this life. You get the chance at life and family and children and growing old, and you were going to choose wrong."

"So for you it isn't about Edward or Sam, it's about life or whatever it is that vampires have?"

"I guess, yes, that is what it boils down to. Obviously this Sam has strong feelings for you to go against Edward and to break the treaty."

"Wait, what? The treaty?"

"Well, yes, coming onto our land, breaks the treaty technically."

"What does that mean?"

"Knowing Carlisle, it means absolutely nothing. He'll refrain from further fighting if able to. Anyway, either man would cherish you and love you. So it comes down to two things: life and death, and then who makes you happier. I know you love Edward, and it seems that you have something more with the dog. So who are you most happy with? Who do you think about all the time, even when you are with the other? Who do you see your future with?"

I knew the answer. It was easy. It was Sam. It had always been Sam. I was just too blinded by Edward to see it before. Or maybe subconsciously I knew Sam would stay a friend and I could keep him and La Push, even if I was with Edward as long as I stayed human. But if I made more with Sam, I knew that Edward would not turn into only a friend, therefore making me lose him and the rest of the Cullen family for good. It was easier to ignore the painstakingly obvious answer so I could keep everyone in my life.

"I don't want to lose the family."

"Do you really think Alice would go easily? I can already hear Emmett moping if we were to leave his favorite human without further contact. I'm not sure how things would work out, Bella. I'm not sure if Edward would still come around and be friends with you. I can tell you that if every other member of the family has any say, you won't be losing us, not permanently. Don't make that your deciding factor. This could be the most important decision of your life, don't make it about anyone other than yourself."

"I want Sam, but I still want Edward in my life as well. I'm selfish and awful. I don't deserve either one of them."

"Everyone is selfish. There's no such thing as selflessness. There are always underlying reasons behind every little thing that we do. Edward is probably at home strategizing in his head ways to convince you to stay with him. Not because it is what's best for you, but because it's what he wants. Bella, being with Edward would force you to lose so much."

"But I don't know that I want children."

"You may not now, but what about in years to come when the option is no longer there."

"Maybe," I said still not sold on the children idea. I certainly wasn't going to make having them my deciding factor. At this point, most would have concluded that Sam was the only real choice, but I was more stubborn than that. It seemed like an impossible thing to leave Edward. I was so sure he was my future that I already started planning my life with him and the Cullen family. Letting go of that was just so hard after everything I'd been through with them.

"Bella, we're at the hospital," Rosalie said softly. I got out and went inside. The admitting nurse wasn't very shocked to see me. It wasn't long after sitting down that I was called back. Dr. Gerandy fixed up my arm with eleven stitches. It was ten o'clock when I was all done, but I wasn't ready to go home. I walked aimlessly around the hospital for awhile before finding not only myself, but Rosalie in front of the nursery.

"I come by when I visit Carlisle. I feel almost human looking at them. More peaceful. Cute, aren't they?" she asked. I nodded looking at the tiny beings of new life. We stood quietly, lost in both of our own thoughts.

I was right Rosalie was honest in her opinions. And she was right in everything she had to say. I did want to grow old and I had never really put too much stock in children, but I also knew that they weren't an option with Edward. So knowing that I happily traded children for Edward, but what about now that my options have grown?

I tried to imagine children with Sam, and it was almost too easy. Me standing on a back porch, watching two raven-haired children running around the yard, strong, bronze arms wrapping around my swollen belly. I looked so happy, and my children were beautiful. I wanted the picture in my head, I wanted that life. Children seemed like the right thing, like the wonderful path if Sam was by my side.

Alice's visions were right. I would disappear from her radar, because I couldn't ignore my heart any longer. I knew who I meant to be with, or at least I thought I did. I wanted a life with Sam, though much would need to be discussed. I knew next to nothing about his wolf ways and what Sam being one would mean for us as a couple. There would be a lot to figure out, but I wanted to make the effort to be with him. Now I just had to figure out what to say to everyone. I pulled my eyes away from the clear glass and started back to the truck. Before I turned the corner I paused and called back to Rose.

"Thanks, for everything."

"Happy to help. I'll keep my thoughts to myself until after you've spoken to Edward." I nodded, grateful for the gesture. I don't really remember the drive home; I mechanically let myself into the house and walked up the stairs. I was grateful that Charlie was already in bed. I collapsed on my bed and quickly fell asleep.

Author's Note: So there are still many things unresolved or answered. Why was Sam there? Well at this point only him, the pack, Edward, and of course me, know. No worries, you will be included in on the secret next chapter. I do want to know what you all thought of using Rosalie like I did. It was a gamble, but I thought she would be the most neutral person for Bella to talk to.