I apologize to you guys way too much for making you wait but I really am sorry.

So I lied last time too. I said you'd get what you were waiting for but it isn't in here. NEXT CHAPTER!! I promise. But there is a little treat in here for you. I had to set up for the next chapter so... yah.

Bella.

"Hey guys." I waved pathetically to my family who stood on the other side of the room. All I could hear was their breathing, shallow breaths, which would normally be inconsequential except for I wasn't (breathing, that is).

It was uncomfortable, similar to the sensation of holding your breath, however instead of running out it just... was. I decided to try and take a pull of the air and my sense of smell was bombarded. I could smell the comforter on the bed, that reeked of my sweat. I could smell the fresh rain outside, through the open window. I could smell my family's scent, all individual but I smelled them simultaneously. It was disconcerting for it to all happen at the same time until I singled out his scent, Edwards.

He smelled like the grass, if it were dry and earthy, with a hint of... I closed my eyes to try and figure out what the other scent was. "Cinnamon." I whispered.

"Huh?" Emmett's voice sounded, confused.

There was a moments silence before Esme broke it. "Edward... she's getting a feel for her heightened senses."

"Edward smells, very faintly, of cinnamon." Alice added for Emmett's benefit.

"There's plenty of things I'd say he smells like but none of them--OW" Rose smacked her husband mid-sentence, "What was that for?"

Rose shushed him and smile sincerely at me. "It's nice to have you back sis, you had us worried there." She took a tentative step toward me and opened her arms. I dashed into them, considerably faster than expected, hugging her tightly. When she released me, she ushered Emmett out of the room with her. I watched them leave before he stuck his head back around the corner.

"Oh. By the way Bells, you look hawt -OW-- stop hitting me."

"You, my dear, are a vision." Esme stepped out of line and tugged me into her arms. Carlisle joined us in our embrace. "We're so glad you're..." Esme let out a dry sob into my hair. "I don't know what we would have done if anything happened to you."

"I love you guys, so much." I sobbed too, maneuvering my arm around Carlisle's waist as well as Esme's.

"We love you too, Sweetheart." Carlisle concluded before prying Esme away from me. "Let me know if you need anything," he finished in 'doctor' voice. I smiled at the formality of it.

Alice was vibrating with excitement. If I had been human I might not even have been able to see it, she was so fast. "Oh my god, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT look in a mirror without me." She caught me in a quick bone-crushing hug. "We are going to have so much fun. You have no idea. I bet you'll even beat Emmett in an arm wrestle." Alice winked over her shoulder at Jasper who laughed. She spoke in such a rush and grabbed

Jasper so fast I barely was able to see him nod to me before leaving, nor was I able to get one word in.

Then I turned to Edward. He watched me with a pained expression. I couldn't figure out why that look would be coloring his face. He saved me (AGAIN!!) and all I wanted to do was express how thankful I was.

"What's wrong?" I asked, worried. I took a small step toward him and he collapsed the to floor with one loud sob of defeat. My heart broke at the sight of him.

"Edward?! What happened? Are you okay?" Please be okay.

Edward.

It was excruciating watching Bella hug everyone. Not only did I want nothing more than to snatch her away and have her all to myself but they all noted her differences in their minds. Each change they pointed out, she smells... she not as soft.... she's cold... her eyes..., was a lash on my subconscious.

I didn't notice Alice filing out of the room last until she was already gone.

She looked at me. My beautiful Bella looked at me. Her hair, the same shade of mahogany brown. Her heart shaped face having more definition. Every feature exactly the same and completely different all at the same time. Unnaturally beautiful. Inhumanly gorgeous.

Those eyes. Her eyes, usually a deep chocolate brown that I could easily get lost in were red. Blood red.

The sight of them… "What's wrong?" She asked. Her voice velvety smooth. The sound of it brought me to my knees.

I failed her. I was suppose to protect her and keep her safe. I promised her as a child I wouldn't allow them to hurt her.

I did.

Bella was what she was because I couldn't protect her. I couldn't keep her out of harms way.

"Edward?!" her voice was colored with worry, "What happened? Are you okay?"

She was at my side in a flash. The speed and grace with which she moved was unsettling. Her hands were on my shoulders, trying to force me in a position she could examine me from. The strength or her overwhelmed me, causing me to sprawl backwards.

The concern emanating from Bella was nearly tangible. I started to laugh hysterically.

"Am…I… okay?!" I laughed without humor. I was a monster, who cared if I was okay. "ME!?!"

Bella sat back on her heels looking annoyed. "Stop laughing and tell me if you're okay or not." She started to stand. "I'm going to get Carlisle."

"No!!" I said fast pinning her arms to her side and not allowing her to move. She could have easily gotten away from me. However, didn't try to move more. My laughter came to an abrupt halt. "Don't go. I have so much to tell you."

I've been in love you as long as I can remember, for one.

"I have so much to apologize for."

"Apologize?" She asked. "What could you possibly have to apologize for?"

"I failed you." I lamented, thinking it was the most obvious thing in the world. I pulled her down so we were both kneeling, facing each other. "I failed you and I'm so sorry."

I closed my eyes against the disappointment I had in myself. The sorrow I felt hurt like a physical pain.

"Failed me…" I opened my eyes to see her forehead creased with confusion. "You never failed me. You've saved me time and time again."

Releasing my hold on her arms, I sat back and turned my eyes away. "But I was too late. I never wanted this for you."

"This?" she asked.

"I DIDN'T WANT FOR YOU TO BE A VAMPIRE."

Bella.

He didn't... want me. Forever was just too long...

When I was human, he knew I was fragile. I had an expiration date. Now that forever loomed, maybe he didn't want me around anymore. My heart broke a little at the thought. I thought he was my best friend. I thought he was my...soul mate.

That pained look on his face was because I was a vampire. How could I have been so stupid. To think I might have a chance with a god like creature such as him.

"Oh," was all I could manage. I tried to force my emotions away so they wouldn't show on my face. "Right, well... it's a little late for that."

"And it's all my fault," he finished, his shoulders sagging further.

Ha. "Well, I'm sorry this is so hard for you." I spat sarcastically, unable to hold in the malice. The doorbell rang in the background, though I barely notice as I rose to my feet in a huff. "I'll try to keep out of your way."

"Bella, I--"

"Don't worry, Edward. I wouldn't want to be..." A heavenly scent assaulted my nostrils. I felt drawn towards it, my instincts taking over. The back of my throat burned with a persistent thirst. I started to move towards the smell, abandoning all the rational thoughts I had. The sensation didn't totally overshadow (but did help) with the pain of rejection I was currently feeling.

"BELLA!!" I ignored the loud tenor of his voice and moved down the stair in a blur. There was a lot of commotion going on around me but I was intent on finding the source of the smell.

"Do something?!" Someone screamed. I was having troubles moving my limbs.

I stopped looking for the source of that other scent when another, equally appealing, filled my senses; his taste, smell and touch satisfying and distracting.

Edward.

The doorbell rang just as Bella was getting up to leave. Here I was trying to apologize and she looked furious as she had every right to be.

A shrill scream echoed through the house. "Emmett, DON'T!!" Alice yelled as he opened the door. I was to busy talking with Bella to hear the thoughts of the human outside.

I didn't think anybody lived out here. Good thing dude tipped well.

Bella's eyes glazed over the same time the scent hit me. Blood. She moved blurrily fast, not bothering to finish her sentence. "BELLA!!" I chased after her, only able to catch up by vaulting over the banister and tackling her to the floor. Her head cracked fairly hard against the marble floor of the foyer. The sound of it made me cringe. She started to thrashed and pull under me.

"CLOSE THE DOOR." I screamed for Emmett who stood there, open mouthed. The human (a delivery man) also watched openly at the sight before him.

'I don't know if any tip is worth this,' he thought. Emmett grabbed the envelope from the mans hand and slammed the door, though his scent still hung heavy in the air. I sat on top of Bella's torso, one knee on either side of her. She hissed and bucked underneath me. I grabbed and pinned her arms against the floor above her head.

"Bella, honey..." Esme cooed from the bottom of the stairs.

Bella's eyes were unfocused, feral growls escaped from her chest. Her arms came up and it took all my weight to push them back down. My face hovered an inch above hers. The familiar smell of freesia and strawberries wafted in my face. Her blood may not call to me anymore but the irresistible temptation she held for me was still there.

"Do something?!" Anything. Rosalie shrieked. There wasn't much I could actually do in this position and none of the family seemed to be coming to my aid. I did the only thing I could. I kissed her.

I pressed my lips to hers, gently at first, hoping that it might serve as a distraction. Maybe my smell would overpower that of the humans. The way her lips felt under mine was no different than the first time I kissed her. I felt this sudden rush of adrenaline, passion and uncontrollable lust. When I kissed her a little deeper she stilled underneath me. I was just about to pull away when she opened her mouth for me.

The way she smelled was nothing compared to how she tasted. There was no way I was pulling away now, even though she was very obviously under control now. I moved my hands from her wrists, instead supporting my weight on the floor beside her head while she wrapped her arms around my neck.

Bella was kissing me back... again. I swiped my tongue over hers harder to test the sweetness once more. She released a small groan in my mouth.

A throat cleared in the background, pulling me out of my trance. I lift myself above her and looked around the room where everyone lingered in different corners watching us. Alice lifted her hand to her mouth to hold in her giggles.

Get a room. Rosalie rolled her eyes at me.

Esme smiled widely with Carlisle at her side.

I looked back down to the angel beneath me. Her eyes were half lidded and her hair was haphazard on the floor around her face. My breathing caught at the sight of her. She had never been more sexy than she was in that moment.

Bella looked back up at me and then looked startled by my position. She slid out from under my body gracefully and then stumbled into Jasper as she tried to stand.

"Thanks," she directed toward me as Jasper caught her. She locked her gaze with mine and then diverted it quickly. "I needed that."

Thanks?! Was the only thing that went through mine and my families minds.

Bella.

Thanks?! Who says 'thank you' after a kiss like that? ...You.

Edward kissed me... I almost killed someone... EDWARD KISSED ME!!

I didn't know what to make of it, then that burning hit the back of my throat again. "I think I might be hungry." I stated.

"Hungry for what exactly?" Alice laughed. I shot her the meanest glare I could.

"Alice." Esme scolded. "Who would you like to teach you to hunt, dear?" she asked me.

I looked around the room into the many eager face. Each wanting me to choose them. I knew I wanted Edward to take me, nearly as much as I didn't.

I wanted him to be there for me but I didn't know how uncomfortable it would be after... whatever that was or if I was ready to talk about it.

"Umm... guys?" Emmett interrupted my internal struggle to decide. "I think we have a problem."

"WHAT?!" Edward bellowed. I looked over to where Emmett was reading from the opened envelope.

"What's going on?" I asked hesitantly.

"Hunting will have to wait," Edward sighed angrily, "You have visitors."

Okay... keep your stones and pitchforks in the closet, please. What you wanted next chapter and then the epilogue... maybe another chapter in there somewhere if it continues to write itself because I obviously have little control over what the characters are doing! I really didn't know that the story wanted to tie up loose ends but I'm just the author. I don't actually have any say in the matter.

If you want the next chapter fast you should review. Just saying...

Loverz you all muchly!!! Especailly you, yeah, you know who you are.