Surprise, surprise. Guess whose back? I took a year off from writing to focus on other things but truth be told I missed the shit out of these two. I don't know how long the rest of the story is going to be. But I'm going to tie it up for you guys, that way we aren't left hanging.

I do really apologize for just dropping this story. I had things going on and I couldn't focus on everything. I appreciate all of you and your love for this story. I am so grateful for you. And with being said, lets recap shall we?

We left off with Bella and Edward is Cebu. Before Bella was living with Rosalie in Jackson, Wyoming and Edward and Bella had no contact with each other because of the attack back in Hilo. An intruder in the home forced Rosalie to fly Bella across the globe to Cebu, Philippines at Edward's request. Edward is keeping Bella hidden from Victoria and Riley and is getting ready to leave to catch them. I am fast forwarding this four months just to keep the pace. I hope you all enjoy.

There was a tropical storm brewing out in the West. Even with the sun still shining, not a cloud in sight, I could sense it a miles away. I guess that's what happens when you live on an Island for a certain period of time, you know when a storm is looming in the distance, clinging onto anything it can before it makes an appearance.

It has been four months since I arrived in Cebu. Four blissful, warm, intoxicating months that I wouldn't trade for anything. This Island was my home, more so then the house back in Jackson. One thing I never did when I moved to a new place was fully get settled in. After leaving the Cullen's, I felt there was no use. I would be moved eventually. Half my room in Jackson was in boxes due to the fact that I didn't see the point in unpacking. Even if I had been there for as long as I did. But here in Cebu, everything had it's own place. Pictures on the walls, utensils in the kitchen, clothes in my dressers. For the first time since Deer Isle, it truly felt like home.

I found myself nearly everyday standing in my closet, smiling subtly at my dresses and pants that hung next to larger suits and jackets. My stomach would knot into tingles as I reached out to touch the fabric, just a constant reminder that I was not here alone.

My relationship with Edward had grown to impossible lengths - I didn't know that it was possible to love someone so much. I had figured the worst was behind us, those six months apart were the most loneliest months of my life. But I found out quickly, because we had become so close, if Edward would have to leave for a week it would be twice as hard. He did that from time to time, for reasons I cannot fathom. I was never told much about his trips and only knew it had something to do with Victoria and Riley. I would always be left in the dark, under the protection of Carlisle and Esme who would stay with in Edward's absence.

The first time he left, it was to capture Victoria in Canada but once Edward and Alec had gotten there, she knew what was going on and her and Riley fled. Edward thought that perhaps there was a rat among them, someone who was feeding Victoria information considering she is very well known in the Vampire community. She knew Edward was after her because of her stunt to kill me. So she ran with Riley and every time I saw the black duffle bag by the front door, I knew he was leaving. And every time he would come back frustrated, fingers digging in his colorful bronze hair and his eyes as black as an Eclipse. He would hold off eating, and was always short with me those first days, but would always apologize afterwards while laying me down and taking my blood.

I just want to keep you safe. And I can't even seem to do that.

It's what he would say, but I always forgave, Because Victoria wasn't here, she didn't know my whereabouts and I was only happy that he was home.

I watched from the porch as the storm clouds in the west brewed closer, the wind picking up and rushing my hair back as the waves began crashing violently onto the beach. I pressed my lips against my mug of tea as I thought of Victoria. Her plan to kill me had almost worked, if it wasn't for Sam to intervene and take on my attacker, Riley. She was a spiteful woman, one who Edward regrettably everyday reminded me that he should have just ended her and if he had, our lives would be so much easier. The turmoil in my life was all orchestrated by her and she knew exactly what she was doing.

The thought of her caused me to grip my tea mug a little tighter, the handle cracking under the pressure and it crumbled to the ground. "Crap." I groaned inwardly, knelling down to begin picking up shards of glass. This new found strength was something I was still getting used to. It started a month ago when I woke up from a night from Edward feeding. It was expected to happen when I woke up, his venom still lingering in my body. But usually, it fades within the hour and pulls me back to a fragile human.

Not this time.

Days afterwards my vision was still clear, my senses on overdrive and my strength that could challenge a wrestler. It was nothing compared to a vampire's abilities, but I was definitely stronger. And even more so - tiny specks of red dotted the color of my brown eyes. No human could notice it, but Edward did. He had called Carlisle, more concerned that I was.

"You have been feeding on her for so long, your venom is sticking to her tissue. It's transforming her little by little." Carlisle told us over the phone. Edward was nervous - I could tell just by his face. When he asked Carlisle why this never happened to Victoria since he fed on her for quite sometime, Carlisle did not have an answer but one. "It is conceivable that because the nature of your relationship, the venom prefers Bella's blood."

For two weeks afterwards Edward did not feed. I thought he was being ridiculous for he had been feeding on me for almost a year and I have only transformed this small amount. I begged him to take my blood, enticed him with my body, tried anything I could. He finally succumbed.

He wasn't too keen on the idea of me entering the eternal damned life he lives. Something about my soul being too pure to taint. He admitted he was selfish, that he wants me forever, but would hold it off as long as possible. But with this new strength I have, Edward had found it deep inside of himself to not be as... Gentle. I could take harder grips, stronger kissing and more vigorous activities. He never fully took me - but we were working towards it. It was another one of his ideas, to keep me innocent for as long as he could, even though I had lost my virginity a long time ago.

Another thing that was being held off was him marking me as his mate. His hero complex to save me from Victoria was the reason it was taking so long. He wanted her out of the picture. He reminded me countless of times of when we do mate - when he gives me that mark and I give him his - we will not want to leave our room for months. And that, with the threat outside of our home, would be too much of a distraction.

I didn't mind waiting, but the nights when we would be together, when he would touch me and kiss me and my mark would burn with desire - those were hard to handle. I could see the fight in his eyes. He wanted it too. But he was too set on making sure that our enemies were taken care of. It was frustrating, but Edward never let me go to bed with a knot in my stomach. He would take care of my needs and touch me right where I wanted him so desperately. He was attentive but wild. He set me on fire.

"What are you thinking about?" The smooth voice asked behind me as I leaned down picking up the pieces of my mug. Very swiftly red eyes were before me, boring into my soul as his smirk brightened. "Your blush is running all the way down to your toes. You only do that when you are thinking of something entirely inappropriate."

"It's not my fault." I challenged. "You made me this way."

"I made you this way?" He blanched as I held shards of glass in one hand, side stepping him.

"Yes." I stated, waving my hand in his direction. "If you didn't entice me with your sexual advances, I would still be at least somewhat innocent."

"Peter broke that innocence the first moment he got." Edward glowered at me, following me into the house. No matter how many times I told him I didn't see Peter like that, Edward would always be jealous of that part of me that Peter would always have.

"Well, if I'm not innocent then you should have no problem having sex with me." I eyed him up and down as I turned to throw the destroyed mug into the trash can. Cold arms encircled me around my waist, a hard chest pressing against my back and Edward in all his glory pressing into my bottom. A soft guff of air left my lips as his hands began traveling south.

"It's one thing to have sex with a human. It's another to have sex with a damned monster." He whispered huskily behind me.

"You're not a monster." It left as a moan, my resolve breaking ever so slightly. Edward smiled as his fingers traced along the edge of my shorts.

"You know why we can't do that yet." He whispered, kissing the back of my head. "Must you bring it up?"

"You started it." I challenged with a huff.

"I'll end it." He said, his hand laying flat against my stomach and pushing me back against him. I cried out softly, biting onto my lip to keep quiet. "You drive me mad. Sometimes I wonder how I lasted this long." I couldn't speak. This made him smirk. "I've rendered you speechless." He was gloating.

I spun in his arms, pushing him back and to the counter. He was surprised, my surge of strength always heightening when we were intimate. I could never dominate him, I just wasn't that strong yet. But I had a idea that Edward enjoyed me being in control sometimes. Not all the time - but on rare occasions he would let me take the lead.

I kissed him hard, opening my mouth to allow him inside. He gripped my sides, pressing harder than usual - something I could stand. He out a breathy moan as I grinded myself into him, his eyes flickering open as a warning growl emitted from his chest, rumbling against my lips.

"You are breaking me." He warned.

I pulled away with a smile, turning around and walking out of the kitchen. "Good."

The wind had blown the storm just above our home, the rain pelting at the roof but the sound blending in unison with the droplets of water from the shower that hit the tile beneath my feet. I had rinsed out all the soap from my hair, my arm reaching out of the waterfall shower to grip the towel and wrap it around my body. In front of the mirror I brushed my teeth, one hand on the counter as my eyes flicked up to my reflection. I was paler, something else that had changed. My skin was still warm, my blood pumping through my veins every ticking second. But I couldn't deny the changes in my body.

A crash of thunder had rumbled above me, a noise from the kitchen gaining my attention. I stepped towards the door, hearing Edward speaking on the phone. Like my eyesight, my hearing had become significantly better. I couldn't hear far, but from the bathroom nearly across our home I could hear Edward pacing in the kitchen.

"I am already trying to protect her from a rogue and you want to bring her here? A newborn, no less? Are you insane?" Newborn? Alice. My fingers skimmed my lips ever so slightly, my feet creaking above to the floor as Edward immediately quieted. He knew I was listening.

I stepped out of the room, the glow of lightening splattering the walls. "I'll call you back." He said, slamming his phone which cracked under pressure. His back was turned towards me, the muscles underneath his black v-neck rippling with every movement. He was stressed, his fingers running angrily in his hair. He let out a heavy sigh, shaking his head.

"If you are in nothing but a towel, I don't know if I will be able to control myself." He warned.

"Was that Jasper?" I asked. Edward chuckled and shook his head, turning around swiftly as his eyes glowered.

"What did I just say to you?" His chest rumbled with a pointed look at the towel which he could shred within seconds. My body and my mark was responding, but my mind was wavering, forcing me to keep my focus.

"Was that Jasper?" I said, my voice never faltering.

"Yes." He answered simply.

"Is he coming here?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"You know why, Bella." Edward said, his body a blur and within a millisecond he was front of me. "Why don't you take that towel off for me?" He purred, his red eyes burning with desire. He gripped the plush towel in his fingers but I brushed it away. The fire blazing now - he hated being denied. Such a man.

"Stop distracting me." I bit. "Is she ready?"

"Ready? Of course not. She doesn't even have a year under her belt, Isabella." He laughed humorlessly, stalking away with a brooding face.

"But Jasper thinks she will be okay?" I asked.

"Jasper is an idiot. He has too much faith in her. Just because she made it into town once without an incident. Do you know how many times I went into town without an incident? Everyday. But the moment a human wandered to close to me at home..." His eyes were menacing against the crack of the lightening. "She isn't ready. Three years. Tops."

"Three years?!" I choked out. "That's... That's too long." I shook my head.

"It's necessary. To keep you safe." He nodded.

"She is my best friend, Edward. She won't hurt me." My hands were against my upper chest - feeling my heart rate fly. God, I missed Alice. Nearly as much as I missed Alec. Her transformation was a success, Edward kept tabs because of my constant questions. She only had one accident, coincidently enough that accident had been because someone was walking too close to their home in Japan. Alice shut out for weeks after that. Jasper had to drag her out to the woods to make her hunt.

The two of them were on a vegan diet. Only animals, mainly deer. They would never have human donors and Edward had once told me that when I was changed, if I was changed, we would do the same. Nothing will ever be as sweet as you. No one can compare. So it is useless.

Emmett was changed as well and he had been doing far better than anyone had expected. His strength was overwhelming, Rose had wrote to me, but he hadn't slipped up. But they were deep in the forest of Africa, hunting big cats and antelopes. I had asked Rosalie when she thought he could be around me, but her response was vague. I will know when it is time. More than likely, she didn't want to hurt me feelings by telling me she didn't want him around me for years. But I hoped it wouldn't have to come to that - and maybe within a few years I could be changed so this would not be an issue.

"It's too dangerous. I'm already protecting you from others. I don't need to babysit Alice." He said, gripping underneath the bed and pulling out a duffle bag. My stomach dropped.

"You're leaving." I said.

"Esme and Carlisle are gone in Brazil visiting some friends. That's why Jasper called me. Alice has been pestering him to visit you." He said, folding clothes neatly into his bag.

"You know where Victoria is?" I whispered, her name forcing Edward to stiffen.

"Alec has an idea where they will be going. We are going to try and cut them off. They are heading to Russia." He said, zipping up his bag. I stayed silent, chewing on my lip as I sat at the edge of the bed, clutching the towel around me.

"So what? You leave me here unprotected?" I challenged. I could handle myself. I knew I could. But Edward had issues with leaving me alone without a vampire guardian. This forced him to clench his jaw. He knew what I was up to.

"I know what you are doing." He answered my suspicions. "It's too dangerous, Bella. Leaving you here with Jasper and Alice is careless! One wrong move... One drop of blood and that will be it. Don't you understand I would never forgive myself? And I would rip Alice to shreds no less."

"Edward!"

"It's true." He huffed. "I... I will think of something."

"When are you leaving?" I asked, pressing my lips together as I kept my back to him. The bed barely moved but I knew he was behind me.

"In two days." He whispered against my bare shoulder. "I do these things to protect you."

"If you changed me, I wouldn't need protecting." I challenged. He growled with the thunder, our home rumbling beneath us.

"You know why I can't." He said.

"Yes, I know. You're sad excuse on saving my soul." I waved him off. I stood from the bed, swinging around and facing him. He was on his knees watching me with dark eyes. "You say you want to protect me but you won't change me. You leave me like this and I'm vulnerable. They are bound to find me, Edward. And I know they will kill me. So before they do just indulge me and let me see my best friend."

If looks could kill...

I could hear the fabric of our comforter ripping under his fingers and very quickly, very eagerly he was in front of me with a low snarl emitting between his teeth.

"They will not kill you." He hissed, gripping onto my shoulders. "Don't you dare say that. I will always be here to protect you, Isabella. They won't touch you."

I searched his eyes my fingers allowing the plush towel to fall, the sound whooshing until it hit the floor with the faintest thud. He straightened, his eyes never wandering from my own but I knew his resolve was breaking. He wanted to look so badly.

"You can't do this to me." He said sadly. But I didn't regret it. I used his arousal against him. I didn't do it often - and it was never out of spite. Always out of love.

"Please, Edward." I begged and he let out a sound that almost sounded like a whimper. I wrapped my arms around his neck, bringing him closer. "I love you. So much. But I miss her. And if Jasper thinks she's ready... Then she must be. You can't leave me here alone."

"You're not being fair." He protested weakly, his fingers sliding down my bare breasts.

"I know." I said honestly. "This is the only way to calm you down. To make you think rationally." I gasped as one cold hand gripped my breast in his palm. Plan backfiring...

"I can play too." He smirked, his thumb going over my nipple forcing it to pebble.

"You can't... You can't leave me alone..." I grounded out, his free hand running south of my body.

"What was that?" He grinned, my eyes glowering up to him. I was putty in his hands. But his grin had dissipated and his eyes were serious. "You mean so much to me. And I couldn't..." He stopped himself, as if to gather a thought. "My terms, Bella. They will come tomorrow and I make the judgement call. If I think she is ready I will leave them here. But if not there is no way in hell..."

"Okay." I smiled, containing the urge to jump for joy. Edward slipped his hand down, groaning at the feel of my heat against his fingers.

"Shit. You are so warm and ready..." He growled. He didn't curse much. Only when he was extremely turned on. I took pride in making him say such dirty things. It made me moan with approval.

"Thank you, Edward... You don't know how much...Oh, God..." He worked those long and powerful fingers against me, circling around my most sensitive points. "Alice will be so... happy."

"Shut up about Alice and just fucking kiss me." His mouth was over mine within seconds, my back hitting the back of the bed.