I am aware I am two days late with both this chapter, and Dealing with Bullies, but my phone line's been out for the past four days - so it wasn't my fault. I just got back on the internet about half an hour ago, and I have business-related emails to take care of. So I'm posting this, and the Bullies chapter will be up tonight.

I know some of you will feel this is a bit abrupt, but this story's going to go in an entirely different direction than I intended, so bear with me, please! This is the next-to-last chapter, and then the sequel!

The door shut behind us with a soft snick. I shoved my hands deep into my pockets, dreading what was about to happen. I hated checkups of any kind, even when my doctor was Carlisle.

"It's not going to hurt," he promised, and I remembered with chagrin that he could hear my elevated heartbeat.

I sat down on the couch, and with a concentrated effort forced myself to relax. Instead of pulling out the various medical instruments I was accustomed to, he sat down beside me.

It was the compassion and unconditional love in his steady gaze that completely undid me, for some reason. I felt tears prick at my eyes for the first time in days.

"Bella," he said gently, reaching out to take my hands. "This is deeper than what happened at the bank, isn't it?"

He already knew, but I nodded anyway. "Yes," I whispered, so softly I was sure a human wouldn't be able to catch it.

"When we left," he said quietly, "all of us were lost. Esme and I hurt so badly for you, and I missed you every single day. There was not one minute that went by that I didn't think about you. But to some extent, I understood why. You didn't."

He looked down. "And knowing that, I can only imagine what it must have done to you."

I couldn't have spoken if I'd wanted to, but Carlisle went on. "We damaged you, Bella, and there's not a day that goes by that I regret that. Anyone would have abandonment issues and insecurities about that, sweetheart, and it's not good for you suppress them. Let us help you, Bella. Please, just let it out and we can work through them together."

A deep, shaking sob ripped from my chest, and I clapped my hands over my mouth.

But Carlisle pulled them away, gently but firmly. "Don't hold it back anymore," he said. "Tell me, Bella. Tell me everything that frightens you."

The dam broke and a river of tears gushed out. He pulled me on his lap as I sobbed out everything. "I-I'm afraid you'll see that I'm weak and broken," I babbled. "What if you leave again? What if you get tired of me? What if you get tired of keeping me safe? What if you decide I'm not worth it?"

Esme was suddenly there, too, stroking my hair, and I found myself being transferred from Carlisle's lap to hers. "Oh, Bella," she crooned, bright venom tears slipping down her cheeks. "No, no, no. We love you so much, sweetheart! You are the light of our lives and Edward's whole world. Everything he told you before was a lie! All lies, darling. We need you."

I could not stop crying, but her words settled into my heart and found a home.

My healing began that day, and it would be a long process, but I began to feel I could finally push aside the past – along with my insecurities and fears – and look to the future.

Two weeks later:

"Bella, can you get the mail?" Esme called.

I set aside my book, the idea of the walk appealing to me. "Sure," I called back, knowing she had the stove on and didn't want to leave the kitchen.

Outside, I took in a deep breath of the clean air, focusing on not tripping as I walked.

Life was so much better now, I reflected. In no hurry, I meandered down the long drive, lost in thought. After crying my eyes out in Carlisle's study, I had indeed began to get better. My fears were almost non-existent now, and I had accepted my new family as whole-heartedly as they accepted me. In fact, I spent more time at their house than I did mine anymore, I realized with a twinge of guilt. But even Rosalie had begun to warm up to me a little, and I was closer to Jasper than I ever had been, so it was worth it.

Arriving at the mailbox, I hummed to myself as I dropped the lid.

I found it kind of funny – what kind of mail would a family of vampires get? But the Cullens are so normal, I mused to myself. I think half the time I forget they are vampires.

Pulling out a large stack, I juggled it as I closed the mailbox lid. But something fluttered to the ground despite my efforts. Stooping, I picked it up, only to notice the return address.

Italy.

My heart stopped. I knew I shouldn't be doing this, but if the Volturi had the Cullens in their radar, it was probably because of me. So against everything I'd ever had drilled into me, I opened the flap.

My dear friend Carlisle,

You've caused quite a stir in Forks, old friend. I've had reports brought back to me by a third party who would rather remain anonymous. Your human pet's heroic rescue has reached far and wide. Notice, I said human. This fact displeases me greatly, Carlisle. I distinctly remember our agreement. Have you forgotten so soon?

Fix the problem. Now. Or I will forced to investigate, and I won't come alone.

Aro

I gasped, sliding the letter back into the envelope. Trying to align my scattered thoughts, I shoved it deep into the pocket of my jeans and started back to the house, fighting to look as if nothing were wrong.

Laying the mail on the counter, I called up a smile for Esme. "Here you go," I said. "Mmm, that smells delicious."

"Thank you, dear," she said, dishing me up a plate. She flipped through the stack while I ate.

"I appreciate it," I said, having long since given up the fight to wash my own dishes. "Hey, Esme? I need to go home – I promised Charlie fried fish tonight."

She gave me a warm smile and a hug. "Goodbye, sweetheart. I'm sure Edward will be over tonight."

I blushed automatically, and Esme laughed as I headed outside. The letter was burning my skin through my jeans, and I had no idea what I was going to do about it.

But I was absolutely certain about one thing – I would never allow the Volturi to get anywhere near Forks. No matter what I had to do.

"Edward," I said.

It was past midnight, and he was lying next to me, his fingers trapped in my hair.

"You should be asleep, love," he whispered.

"I have to ask you something."

"All right…"

"Will you change me?"

He blew out a breath, no doubt preparing for a fight and tired of the old argument. "No."

"Okay."

He was surprised at my easy acceptance. "Okay?"

"I won't argue anymore."

His surprise morphed into happy, and I relaxed and pretended to sleep. But inside, I was dying. I had my answer. Nothing I did was ever going to change his mind, and if I showed him the letter, he would only change me because he had to. And then he would resent me for eternity. Despite their constant assurances they loved me and wanted me as a permanent part of the family, a tiny piece of my heart still doubted.

I knew what I had to do then.