(JPOV)

Aw hell.

"Jacob! You mind keeping the car on the road?"

My eyes snapped up from the steering wheel in time to see the turn in the road but the speed that I hit it with almost sent us flying off anyways. Carefully, I pulled the car to the side of the road and glanced at Sam. He wasn't looking at me but I could tell he was worried. His brow was creased and his eyes scanned the forest on either side of the road. After a couple minutes of silence he looked up at me with concern on his face.

"Jake, are you sure you're okay?"

I couldn't take the pity in his voice. He felt bad for me. I could tell from his expression that he wished it didn't happen, wished that I wouldn't have to eventually leave the pack, and, for a moment, I felt the same way. Then I remembered the way Garrett had looked at her before jumping. Instantly I felt the tremors start from my core. He had wanted to kill her. Wanted to rip her limb from limb and burn everything to be sure that she wouldn't survive. I couldn't let that happen.

"I know Jake," Sam said with a soothing voice, his hand on my arm, trying to calm me down. It took me a minute to realize that I had spoken my last thought out loud. I looked down at my shaking arms and tried to think of something calming but all I could think about was her being in danger and the look on her face when she opened her eyes and looked straight at me; those eyes, her eyes. I had expected them to be scarlet, like Sam had said they usually are, but they weren't. They weren't even topaz like the color of the Cullens' eyes; they were a perfect deep green. Almost instantaneously my body calmed down, but I continued to think of her eyes. Those startling, green eyes. That's when it hit me.

"Sam…"

(EPOV)

After dropping Alice and Adia off at the end of the driveway, the drive into forks was considerably more comfortable. Bella was relaxed and the wave of worry that had hit me was gone. Maybe Adia would be right. Maybe Gabriel wouldn't come. I drove the thought out of my mind by looking at Bella. She was looking straight ahead, a thoughtful, adorable looked on her face, only because I had decided to keep her happy and drive the speed limit. Bella glanced over at me obviously hoping I was too busy looking at the road to notice her marvelling at my beauty. Again.

Rather surprisingly she didn't comment about my driving, but kept looking at me, a smile growing steadily on her face. Undoubtedly she was revelling in our time alone, hoping for another chance to talk me into having sex with her. Still, the sight of her smile filled me up with joy. Not seconds later, as we turned onto the main road in Forks, my joy faltered slightly.

Soon enough her smile would be faltering. Sure, Alice may argue that she'll accept it and be happy for him, but I knew her better. As much as she didn't like it and denied it, she loved him and was used to the constant, if not faltering, devotion he showed her. She wouldn't really want it to change.

Hopefully Billy got the message I left at their house for Jacob and Seth. I knew that sooner or later they would want to talk to Adia and Carlisle about what they were going to do. Knowing them, they'd most likely call Bella or Charlie and hope that somebody, namely Alice or I, would be there.

Pulling to a stop in front of the Swans' house I knew that I needed to notify Carlisle and the rest of the family about this new update but I also needed to tell Bella. God knows how much trouble he would cause if he tried to tell her himself. I looked over at Bella again who appeared to be waiting patiently for me.

"Bella, I think you need to know something," I started.

"Alright," she said slowly, obviously bracing herself for the worst.

Well, at least she would be prepared.

(BPOV)

Now what?

Before Edward could get a word out, a loud ringing issued from his pocket. I looked down at it and could easily identify the rectangular bulge of his cell phone. It continued to ring, almost insistently and I wondered if Edward was going to answer it.

With a frustrated, impatient look that I saw so infrequently, he moved too fast for me to see. When I blinked I saw the phone in his hand, answered.

"Hello? … I know…if you think that's best for her…no, I really don't think it will make it easier to accept…fine, but I'm giving you a fair warning that neither of them will like this…I have a hunch, alright? …yes, I'll ask her…bye Jacob."

I knew that Edward wouldn't need to ask to know about my curiosity. It was probably written all over my face. Jacob never liked talking to Edward in person so I could hardly imagine him calling Edward on his cell phone, or that Edward would sound so … polite. Usually the two were at each other's throats, more so since Jacob got his wedding invitation. My stomach clenched at the thought of it.

"Jacob?"

Edward looked out towards my house through the dense fog that had settled since we left the clearing. Not for the first time, I wish I could know what he was thinking.

"What did he want?" I tried again.

"He wants you to stay out of La Push for a while. At least until the other wolves are gone," Edward finally explained after a moments pause.

I looked closely at Edward, trying to find hints that we was lying. No, Edward didn't want to hurt me by keeping me away from Jacob, but I wouldn't put it past him to use this afternoon as an excuse to keep me out of the wolves' territory. Sadly, as I looked and almost forgot to breathe, Edward kept his face a blank mask.

"Am I allowed to call him? I'd much rather hear it from him. Speaking of which, why didn't he just tell me himself?"

"He was in a bit of a hurry, but I wouldn't call him. He said he'll call you once he gets the time," Edward answered. His voice was melodic and velvety as usual but there was some underlying emotion that I just couldn't identify.

"You better go in, Charlie's getting a bit impatient," Edward said while reaching across me to open my door.

"You aren't coming in?" I asked without moving, although my door was open and I could see Charlie looking out the window.

"I need to talk to Carlisle about what happened this afternoon. I'll be back here tonight Bella."

With a sigh I got out of the car and closed the door quietly. As I walked up to the front door I heard the engine rev and turned in time to see the Volvo speeding around the corner. As much as I wanted to talk to Edward and find out what was going on with Jacob, I knew that I had to deal with Charlie first. Sure enough, when I got inside he was waiting there for me, wondering what I had done that afternoon.
"Nothing, Dad. I just spent the afternoon with Edward, Alice and Jake," I said truthfully enough before heading to the kitchen. Already I could feel a small knot of insecurity and worry forming in my stomach and I knew it was going to be a long couple of hours before Edward came back.

"Hello?"

"Hey Bells, it's Jake."

"Jacob!"

My heart rate sped up as I heard Jacob's voice on the other end of the line. Since Edward had given me that cryptic message from Jacob's phone call I had been waiting impatiently by the phone in the kitchen, waiting for Jacob to call me.

"It's about time! What's all this about – "

"Bella, do you mind meeting me in Port Angeles for lunch tomorrow?" he said quickly, cutting me off.

"I hardly think this is the time to take me on a date Jake."

"It's not a date. I need to talk to you and it needs to be somewhere public."

"Why does it need to be somewhere public?"

"You'll see when I tell you tomorrow. Thanks Bella."

"Bye Jake."

I hung up the phone and stood against the wall, more than a bit stunned. What the hell would he need to tell me in a 'public' place? Why couldn't we just stay in forks?

Shaking my head I made my way to the kitchen and started preparing supper for Charlie and I. Edward probably wouldn't like the idea of me being with Jake in Port Angeles, a place where it would be harder for the rest of the Cullens and the pack to keep an eye on me.

"God Jake," I mumbled under my breath as I rinsed the lettuce with cold water in the sink.

"What'd he do now?"

I turned around to see Charlie pouring himself a glass of pop, looking a bit amused. Might as well tell him before Edward, I thought.

"He's taking me out for lunch in Port Angeles tomorrow," I said without looking at Charlie. I didn't want to see the amusement I knew I would find there.

"Is he really?" Charlie paused, taking a sip of his pop. "What about Edward?"

"What about Edward?"

"Is he going too?"

I fell silent as I set the table and returned to the stove to get the spaghetti. Charlie sat down in his chair and looked almost triumphant at my silence. Sitting down across from him I knew I didn't want him to have the satisfaction of doubting my relationship with Edward.

"Yes. He's going to go shopping with Alice while Jake and I have lunch," I improvised, praying for a chance to let Edward know about his new plans before Charlie could question him about it.

Sure enough, Charlie's smug look vanished and he grumpily dished some spaghetti onto his plate. We ate in silence for some time; Charlie staring moodily at his plate, pushing his food around with unnecessary force while I mulled over how best to let Edward know about my lunch plans. Of course, that was the key: to tell him that I was going to lunch. Asking him would leave it open for him to say no and just mentioning it would make him think that I don't care, which was a lie.

Against my wishes I found that I was starting to get a little excited about spending the afternoon with Jacob. Hopefully I would be able to talk him into going to the wedding. At the thought of the wedding I felt a sick jolt in my stomach that had nothing to do with the food. Unfortunately it seemed like Charlie noticed.

"You okay Bells? You don't look too hot," he said with an edge of worry. His brow creased and his eyes tightened. I had to give him a small smile although a part of me felt like crying. I was still his little girl and it was going to kill the both of us when I couldn't see him anymore.

"I feel a little queasy Dad. I think I'll go lay down for a bit," I lied. Telling Charlie outright that I was nervous about my upcoming nuptials was definitely a bad idea. He'd immediately jump on the chance to try and talk me out of marrying Edward, despite the fact that nothing he said would ever change my mind about it.

"Alright Bells. I'll see you in the morning, and don't worry about that," Charlie insisted as I started to clear the table, getting ready to clean up the kitchen. I smiled gratefully at Charlie before heading up the stairs, praying that Edward was already in my room waiting for me.

Unfortunately, when I made it to my room he wasn't in sight. I grabbed my pyjamas and toiletries before heading to the bathroom to get ready for bed. I might as well do what I told Charlie I would. Lying to him always made me feel horrible, even if it was to help him.

Thankfully, my bad mood lifted when I entered my bedroom again to see Edward sitting on my bed. Somehow I managed to restrain myself from running right over to him and put my things away first before climbing onto his lap. I was about to tell him about my lunch plans with Jacob when he cut me off.

"So I'm shopping with Alice while you and Jacob go to lunch tomorrow?" he asked quietly, searching my face for something.

"He called while I was making supper," I confirmed, nodding slightly. His face was unreadable and I was suddenly tense, waiting for the refusal. But none came.

"Alright, but we'll be bringing Adia with us as well."

"Why? Can't she stay with Esme and Carlisle?"

"She could, but Alice has been dying to take Adia shopping since she woke up. Alice keeps insisting that she needs a proper wardrobe."

I chuckled at the thought then yawned. Although it was barely dusk the afternoon's events had wore me out. Edward heard my yawn and immediately laid me down on my bed, under the covers. I snuggled into his chest and looked up at him for a moment before placing a kiss on his lips. He didn't respond at first, but slowly he kissed me back before pulling away. A pout uncontrollably formed on my face which only made Edward give me a small smile before he started humming my lullaby. I sighed resignedly while burying my face in his chest, ready to let his humming carry me off to sleep.