Author Notes: I've been thinking of naming my chapters. What do you think? I have a few titles in mind for some of the chapters. Think I should name them? Oh and here's another difficult chapter. Should get easier now that I started a important part of it. :D Enjoy.

Chapter Thirteen

Since the visit with the Volturi, nightmares came back and plagued Bella's dreams, causing her to cry out, screaming in the middle of the night and not getting the sleep she needed. Though she wouldn't admit it out loud, the visit had scared her and the red eyes were something she wouldn't forget.

She was the first one to arrive at their table during lunch and plopped down, laying her head on her arms, closing her eyes. She was exhausted, but insisted on attending school. The rest of her family joined her and sat down. All worried about her as they heard her deep, even breaths. She was asleep.

"Should we wake her?" Rosalie asked, "So she could eat?"

"No, let her sleep." Edward said, "We'll wake her if we notice a change when she starts to dream." The others nodded and Edward picked up the thoughts of the people around him.

That Edward Cullen, what a hunk. I wish I could run my hands down his chest…into his pants… Edward made a face of disgust when he heard the thought of a 15-year-old sophomore named Jessica Stanley. I hate that Bella girl, but if being her friend means getting close to Edward…

Edward growled softly, lowly so only his siblings could hear. "Jessica Stanley is thinking impure thoughts about me." He muttered. Emmett laughed.

I wonder what's wrong with Bella? She's been out of it lately. I hope she's not getting sick. Angela Webber thought, clearly worried about her new friend. I want to go over and ask what's wrong, I'm too shy though. Maybe I'll get Jessica to do it. Though I would hate to do that to Edward, he doesn't seem to like the attention girls give him. Hope he'll forgive me if he found out I sent Jessica.

Edward smiled a bit, and then looked at his family, "Start eating guys, Angela is going to send Jessica over to find out how Bella is. She's too shy to do it herself." He murmured and his family picked at their food and Emmett tossed a fry at Jasper who caught it in his mouth, hiding a look of disgust.

If only you could dip it in blood it would taste better. He thought and Edward laughed, causing Jasper to smile.

Jessica went up to the table, "Hi…" she stammered, "Angela wanted to know if Bella was okay." She forced the words out of her mouth and couldn't keep her eyes off of Edward. Jasper and Emmett were trying not to burst into fits of uncontrollable laughter as Jessica ogled Edward.

Alice spoke up, "She's just tired. We were up late." She said kindly, "Tell Angela there's no need to worry." Jessica nodded and left and went back to her friends. "I just didn't want to worry that poor girl anymore." She murmured. "I think Bella should go home."

"No…I'm fine." Bella said, opening her eyes and smiled at her family. "See all better, not tired anymore. I should get ready for my next class. I'll see you all later." she jumped up and went to her locker, where she just wanted to crawl inside, curl up and sleep for a year.

She opened her locker and it was slammed shut, causing her to jump. Standing there was Jasper. "Jasper, why did you do that?"

"Because you need to go home. You can barely walk straight and I can feel the exhaustion rolling off of you." He said, concerned. "You're about to pass out Bella. Carlisle is on his way to pick you up and we'll get your homework. He'll be here when I get you to the office" He left no room for arguments and dragged to the office where Edward was talking to Carlisle.

Bella felt embarrassed, she just wanted to go to school, get the day over… oh wait, this could work to her advantage. She could get to sleep earlier. Carlisle signed Bella and Edward out for the rest of the day and sent Jasper on his way.

Bella climbed in the front seat of Carlisle's car, making Edward sit in the back. She knew Edward hated sitting in the back. A faint smile played on her lip as she buckled up and fought the sleep that tried to claim her as the car started going. Bella scowled, forcing her eyes to stay open.

"You can't fight sleep forever, sweetheart." Carlisle said. "Sooner or later, it'll win and when you wake up you'll feel better. Besides, it's not healthy." Bella sighed. Her family was worried, and she knew that. Maybe just a few moments of sleep. Her eyes drifted shut and a few moments later she was snoring ever so softly.

Bella woke up in her bed and glanced at the clock. It said 3:40am. She wondered how long she was asleep and got up. She headed to the bathroom first, then downstairs for food. She was starving. In the living room, Jasper and Emmett were playing a video game. Alice and Rosalie were on the computer designing clothes. Edward was sprawled out on the couch with his eyes closed, though he wasn't asleep and Esme and Carlisle were cuddled up on the loveseat reading.

"Hey…" She greeted them and continued on her way to the kitchen and did her own version of hunting.

"Hello darling." Esme said, "You look much more refreshed. I'd make you some food but Carlisle doesn't seem to want to let me go." Carlisle smiled and kissed the top of Esme's head.

"Its fine, I can make my own food." Bella said and proceeded to make bacon, eggs, hash browns and toast. She peeked around the kitchen and notice that not one of them was breathing now. She knew they hated the smell of human food. She cackled. "And I'll have some ketchup and maybe make some brownies… and some cookies… oh these pickles look nice…" She peeked around the corner and laughed at their faces that held a look of disgust. Emmett and Jasper both put their controllers down and hurriedly left the house, Edward was right behind them with Rosalie and Alice.

"Victory." Bella said and sat down to eat her late night breakfast of eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast. Carlisle and Esme exchanged amused glances. "How long was I asleep?" She asked after a few moments. Carlisle got up and poured Bella some milk, handing it to her when he saw she failed to get something liquid to go with her food.

"A few days actually. You were extremely tired." He told her. "You actually did wake up once to use the bathroom, but you uh…fell asleep on the toilet." Bella's face turned red. "But you had no nightmares." He saw Bella's face lighten up and notice a look on her face when she gets an idea. "However, I do not want you to do this again. The Volturi will not hurt you. If they try, well yes, I don't want to think of the outcome. While Aro might be my friend, my family is important." He kissed the top of her head.

"I'm gonna go up to my room. You think, when Edward gets home you can send him there? I want to talk to him." Carlisle nodded and watched as his daughter finished eating and drinking her milk. He told her that they'll take care of the dishes and Bella trotted up to her room.

Bella didn't have any nightmares because her dreams were filled with Edward. She crawled in bed and waited for Edward's return and ended up falling asleep.

She woke up at dawn when she felt someone touch her and she opened her eyes seeing Edward there. She smiled. "I fell asleep." She murmured and Edward laughed.

"You did and I stayed here until you woke up." He told her and crawled on the bed, pulling her close. Bella laid her head on his chest, listening to his breathing since he didn't have a heartbeat. "Carlisle said you wanted to talk to me."

"Mmhmm." Bella agreed. "Edward, if I was any other girl…" Edward seemed to understand where this was going and looked at her.

"If you were any other girl, I would push you away and tell you to leave me alone." He said, agreeing with her thoughts he's unable to read. "However, you are not any other girl and I'm used to your lovely, beautiful, floral scent… Isabella, are you trying to tell me you're in love with me?"

A blush made her whole face turn red and heat up. "Yeah, I guess I am. If you don't mind…"

"Bella, I would never not mind." He kissed her softly and held her as she drifted back to sleep. Carlisle had said she would be sleeping on and off for a while and he would stay with her. Edward kissed Bella's forehead. "Sleep well."

To Be Continued…

Endnotes: Review or I'll send the Giddy, excitable Aro after you. :D