Disclaimer: SM owns all. No copyright infringement intended.

Thanks to my wonderful Beta, Kikithebookworm. Not only are you eager to help and push me to write, but you're always there with a song or two for the titles. Thanks love :)

All of Me as performed by Jon Schmidt

The look in Jake's eyes tore at my heart and soul. He was so incredibly disappointed in me. My best friend, my sunshine—his eyes would never light up again like they had once before. He would never be my Jacob anymore after what had happened to me.

I hadn't even realized I was running home until the Cullen house came into view. I immediately picked up speed, wanting nothing more than to be in Edward's arms; to have him hold me and tell me that everything really would be alright.

I made it back to the house to find my sisters waiting outside for me. Kate pulled me into her arms, comforting me, though I didn't know I needed it. Carmen was next, while Tanya and Irina offered me small smiles.

"It's good to have you home, Bella" Tanya said gently.

I gave a quick smile and replied jokingly, "Geez guys, I wasn't gone that long".

Kate huffed a bit, "You went to see a pack of wolves Bella, you can't be mad at us for worrying!"

My heart swelled, knowing that these four women were quickly becoming my anchors, there for me when I needed them. I knew that with time, these women would become my best friends and confidants. True, I had Alice and Esme, but when they left, I realized how much I had come to rely on them, as family. I had already forgiven them for leaving, but no amount of forgiveness would ever truly fill that empty void in my heart that was caused by their disappearance. I did not resent them, nor was I angry with them, or with any of the Cullen's for that matter. Yet, I had found a home with the Denali sisters, no matter how rocky of a start we had. I would be eternally grateful for that.

"Bella dear, why don't we all go inside and you can tell us the wolves said?" Kate said. I nodded and made my way to the living room once more. I heard the piano playing once more, my lullaby.

Esme came up behind me, placing her hands on my arms and her chin on my shoulder, whispering "That's the first time he's played since he left. Leaving you wasn't easy, you know." She gave me a tight, motherly squeeze. "He'll regret it forever, which you and I both know is going to be a very long time."

I sighed, knowing what she said was true. It bothered me that Edward would never forgive himself, even though I'd already forgiven him; even though I had promised to spend eternity with him. "Esme, he can't walk around like he's carrying this immense weight on his shoulders. I chose this, I wanted it. I won't allow him to continue wallowing in self pity."

"I know dear, just… Just take it easy on him, for a bit, please?" She turned me around and took my hands and smiled at me before continuing, "No matter how you got here, I am happy. I knew from the very beginning you were meant to be a part of our family." She pulled me into a tight embrace and I squeezed her back. "Come on, the others are waiting." She took my hand as we walked through the house.

We walked into the living room and the others sat down. I moved to stand by the windows, looking out into the wilderness before me. I felt Edward's arms wrap around me and I'd never felt so content in my life. I turned around in his arms to face him and his lips caught mine. I heard someone clear their throat behind me and opened my eyes to see Emmett with a huge smile on his face.

"Getting some, little sister?" He grinned widely, and his eyes sparkled.

I knew that if I wasn't a vampire, I would have turned bright pink. I would not stand for his incessant teasing without showing him who was stronger. I ran out of Edward's embrace and pounced on Emmett, doing my best to wrestle him to the floor. Emmet however, was much, much stronger than I anticipated. Finally however, I was able to pin him down.

Getting him into a headlock, I screamed, "Yell Uncle!! Yell Uncle!!"

"Never give in! Never surrender!" He responded, grabbing a hold of me, and pulling me over his shoulder, pinning me on the ground. "You yell uncle!" He started to tickle my sides mercilessly.

"Uncle, uncle!!!" I gave in, noticing everyone's stares. Smiling widely, he helped me to stand up.

I poked him in the side and said, "Just remember, I can fight back now Emmett, I'm not so fragile anymore." I gave him a wink and he just smiled back at me. "Oh and next time, don't think I'll give in so easily, either." I shot back at him as I sauntered back to Edward.

Alice spoke up, "I got ten on Bella!"

I giggled. Nobody would bet against Alice.

Another throat clearing and my eyes found Carlisle and Eleazar, waiting with much expectation. "Please, Bella. Sit down, tell us what happened." Carlisle asked.

I did as he asked and Edward sat down beside me, putting his arm around my shoulder as I began my story. "There are five them. They're all as huge as horses. They're taller than me when they stand on all fours. It's incredible."

Carlisle didn't even look remotely surprised. "The size of the pack grows with the amount of danger in the area. Our coven grew," he said, eyeing me. "therefore, it stands that theirs would grow as well."

I nodded in recognition and pushed on. "I talked to Sam, whom is the alpha. I told him about the Volturi and how they would be a problem not just for us, but for everyone. He said he would tell me his decision tomorrow."

Emmet scratched his head and spoke. "Well, that's a positive sign. If they didn't want to help us, they would have just told us no, right?" For once in all the time I knew him, he didn't sound like a buffoon.

Carlisle smiled, "Yes, it is a good sign. I believe that I will go with you tomorrow evening. I think it may be best if maybe I talk to them as well." Nodding my head, I moved on to the next matter of business.

"I think it's time I learn how to fight, Carlisle." I braced myself, waiting for Edward's reaction. His arm tensed a bit, but surprisingly relaxed once Carlisle spoke.

He exhaled sharply, "I suppose you are right. Most of us, as old as we are, already know, but it wouldn't hurt to practice I guess."

Esme agreed, "We should go out to the clearing."

I turned to my love, "Edward, I think it's time you teach me a thing or two."

He started to object, but quickly gave in. "I'll teach you what I know, but I do feel that Jasper may be a better teacher."

"Why?" I inquired. I looked at Jasper, who was walking towards me.

Sitting down beside me on the sofa he said, "Bella, I think it's time you learn about my past."

"But I already know, you and Alice met each other in the diner." I remarked.

He shook his head, "No Bella, I mean my real past. About my life before I met the Cullen's; before I met Alice." Slowly, he began to roll up his sleeves, revealing scars up and down his arms. The scars resembled mine, crescent shaped.

"Jasper, what happened to you?" I felt a wave of sorrow wash over me as Jasper began to tell me his story.

Somberly, he explained. "I was a major in the Confederate Army in Texas. I rose quickly through the ranks as I was able to handle emotions and other's with ease. In fact, I was the youngest major in the area." Alice perched herself in his lap and lovingly wrapped her arms around his neck. He continued, "I was doing rounds outside one of the cities when I came across a group of young women. They were beautiful and mesmerizing. Their names were Maria, Nettie, and Lucy. Maria noticed my rank as a soldier and figured that I would bode well in her own military outfitting. So I was turned." His fingers absentmindedly traced his scars as he spoke.

"Maria turned me into her pet and allowed me to command the ranks of her newborn army. As you know, newborns have immense strength, yet they lack the necessary emotions to truly have control. Newborns constantly fight amongst each other. Maria noticed how I seemed to be able to not only have control myself, but on the others around me. She put me in charge of them, disposing of newborns if they got too rowdy and or wouldn't listen." I noticed that Alice was now rubbing Jasper's back, and the movements seemed to be soothing his sorrow.

"This was when I met Peter. He had fallen for another newborn, Charlotte and he had convinced me to let them run away. I complied, for I could feel they're true emotions for one another. After much prying and pleading for me to join them, they left. I returned to Maria, and continued on with my life with her. Months later, Peter returned and told me there was a life so much better outside of what Maria was telling me. Somewhere, deep down inside I knew it was true. So, just like he and Charlotte had done months before, I ran away. I didn't realize where I was going until I found myself at a diner."

Alice giggled and said, "You walked into the diner, and when your eyes met mine, you ducked your head, like a good Southern gentleman, and said, 'I'm sorry, ma'am.' I was smitten right then and there." She kissed him on the cheek.

Jasper smiled, "It was because of this little pixie that I learned of the Cullen's, and a new way of life- one that did not include human blood. She told me all about our future together, and she was so sure of it that I never even considered anything else. Days later we were on our way to the Cullen's."

Edward cut in saying, "Jasper shows up here, covered in battle scars, towing this little freak who greets us all by name, knows everything about us, and wants to know which room she can move into."

I smiled, but my gaze was locked with Jaspers. "Jasper, the Volturi aren't newborns though. Edward told me that they delighted in human blood- they're old and because of that, no doubt powerful."

"There are techniques, ways to handle other vampires. These are things I will teach you." He sounded like such a leader, his militaristic side shining through. I knew that him teaching me how to fight would be the best way to settle things between us. I could feel how much guilt he felt towards me, but I also felt hope- that we could truly regard each other as family without that guilt.

All thirteen of us decided it was time to go the clearing. I was starting to feel nervous, not sure if I could do it or not. I began to worry if I could handle the Volturi, for I didn't even know what to expect.

Edward came up behind me as we walked, and whispered, "Love, I'll be there with you every step of the way. There's no need to worry."

I looked at him and bit my bottom lip. I hadn't even noticed that I had let my shield down, allowing him in. It was nice for him to hear my thoughts, to be able to understand how I was feeling. He took my hand just as we hit a break in the trees. It didn't seem that long ago that we were all out here playing baseball together, laughing and enjoying ourselves.

It was late, but the moon was high. As the moonlight shined down on us, I could see the bodies of my family making a circle. In the center, it seemed that the fighting had already begun. Alice and Emmett were circling each other, each hunched over, as if ready to pounce at a moment's notice. Edward pulled me closer into his shoulder as we watched. Fear was the only emotion I could feel. Emmett could tear Alice a part! Yet, every single time Emmett got close enough, she slipped right past him. Moments later, Alice was on Emmett's back, her teeth just centimeters from latching onto his neck. She truly was one frightening little monster. Smiles spread across both their faces, and Emmett knew that he'd just been beaten. As they left the center of the circle, Jasper looked at Edward who nodded his head. Edward left my arms and joined Jasper in the center. Just like Alice and Emmett, they began to circle each other. Jasper moved like a lightning strike - power and speed and death rolled into one. But he still wasn't quick enough to get to Edward.

I heard Emmett yell to Edward, "C'mon Edward. Just turn it off for one minute and fight fair!"

Edward smirked, and for that split second, he looked away, and Jasper thought he had him. Jasper pounced at him, but Edward caught by the throat, and threw him to the ground.

"If you really want to sneak attack me, brother, you shouldn't think about it before you do it." Edward said to him.

Jasper started to laugh and Edward offered him a hand to help him up. Jasper then looked at me and I knew it was time to begin my lesson. Everyone else paired up, and I worked with Edward. It seemed only fair since I could prevent him from hearing my thoughts. Jasper moved in and out of the pairs, giving them pointers. Jasper came back to me and began to tell me what I needed to do.

I noticed Edward pacing back and forth in front of me while Jasper was telling me of moves and ways to evade deadly assaults. "You still don't want me to do this, do you?" I asked him.

"You're very perceptive today. It's impressive." He replied.

I rolled my eyes. I was really starting to get annoyed by his attitude. I turned to Jasper, "He knows this was necessary, so why is he acting this way?"

Jasper just smiled and replied, "Haven't you noticed yet, Bella, that Edward is just the teeniest bit prone to overreaction?"

I threw my arms in the air in aggravation and growled. I turned to him and moved to attack. He was fast, but I was faster. My newborn speed and strength would help me in the fight the Volturi and it helped that I wasn't impulsive like other newborns would be. I also knew that Edward was on edge, unable to hear my thoughts. I ducked to the left and quickly ducked to the right, tackling him to the ground (I was silently thanking Charlie for making me watch football so much). We both fell with an oomph. I pinned his arms down to the ground and moved in to his neck, hissing loudly. I lightly nipped at his jugular and promptly kissed him afterwards. I heard clapping behind me. I looked up to see that everyone was watching, apparently impressed. I personally didn't think I was all that great, but I could see that my family was happy that I was on their side. Edward and I stood up, and dusted ourselves off. He leaned in and kissed me on the check.

"Do me a favor and challenge Emmett to wrestling match. It will be a good experience for him." He whispered. I giggled and nodded my head.

We continued to practice with each other, pairing up with different partners, practicing our different abilities and before I knew it, the sun was rising. We all decided it would be good to hunt and we went our separate ways. Edward and I hunted down a mountain lion, and after we had our full, we went back to the house.

An hour later, we were both showered and cleaned, sitting at his piano. He was tinkering away at the keys, creating a new melody. I sat beside him and watched as a wave of different emotions rolled over his face: frustration, confusion, doubt, irritation, annoyance, and finally, elation. He played the notes again, happy that he had apparently created something worth listening too. I watched for a while as he played, my hand combing his hair. Eventually he turned to face me.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

One of my eyebrows rose up, and I looked at him confused. "What are you sorry for?"

He took my hands and brought them up to his lips, kissing my knuckles. "I haven't been in the best mood. I've been angry with myself, with Laurent." He quickly stood up and walked over to the window. I slowly followed. He continued, "Never be afraid to tell me how you feel, Bella… You are my first priority."

"I know Edward, and what I really need from you right now is to have faith in me. I can take care of myself, in case you haven't noticed." I smirked.

Pulling me into his arms, he laughed. "You know, having you tackle me was rather delightful." I saw that crooked little grin that drove me wild and I smiled back. He took my hand and led me upstairs to his room. When he opened the door, I was surprised to see there was a bed in place of the chair. It was huge, king size, with big fluffy pillows and a deep, blood red comforter. I walked in and the door closed behind us. I turned to face him and his lips caught mine. I started to pull back, aware that I had a meeting with the wolves later.

He seemed annoyed by this. "For just a little while, could we try to forget everything besides just you and me? It seems like I can never get enough time like that. I need to be with you. Just you." Again, his lips were upon mine, devouring them. I felt him pick me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist. He dropped me softly on the bed and immediately was on top of me, kissing my face, my neck, and my collar bone. He'd never been this forward with me before, and I didn't quite know how to react. I didn't have the faintest idea how to be seductive. I reached down and started to tug at my shirt, wanting it off, wanting to be closer to him. I needed to feel his skin on mine. As if disagreeing, I heard him growl on my lips.

His hands pushed mine away and he grumbled, "Bella. Would you please stop trying to take your clothes off?"

"Why?" I asked with a pout. "There is nothing holding us back now. You don't have to worry about hurting me anymore, we're equals." I stated. "You make me feel like a villain in a melodrama — twirling my mustache while I try to steal some poor girl's virtue." His eyes averted mine and then the realization hit me. "Oh my God, that's it, isn't it? You're trying to protect your virtue!"

Angry, he threw back at me, "Bella, you know that I've stolen, I've lied, I've coveted . . . my virtue is all I have left."

I was a bit stunned. "So what, we have to wait until we're married? Edward, there is nothing holding us back! I'm a vampire, you're a vampire! You can't hurt me anymore!"

As if to prove a point however, his hand slammed into the headboard. It shattered into a million little pieces.

I huffed, annoyed at his childish reaction and that he broke our new bed. "I already know how strong you are. You don't have to break the furniture."

"Bella, please. I just, I want to do this right. I'll do anything for you."

I began to shake my head. He knew how I felt about marrying young- especially when we have all of eternity together!

He took my hand. "Just hear me out, Bella. It doesn't have to be a huge ceremony. We can even go to Vegas — you can wear old jeans and we'll go to the chapel with the drive-through window. I just want it to be official — that you belong to me and no one else." His eyes begged me to say yes. I was a vampire that had all of eternity to live and he wanted us to get married. I couldn't believe it! Yet, from somewhere deep inside me, feelings of joy and elation were beginning to take over.

Annoyed that I knew he had won the argument I said, "Show me the damn ring, Edward."

I never saw anything move so fast in my life. One minute he was on the bed next to me, the next he was opening a small box and he was down on one knee.

"I supposed it's a little outdated. Old-fashioned, just like me." He hesitated before continuing. He slowly opened the box, "Isabella Swan? I promise to love you forever — every single day of forever. Will you marry me?"

There were many things I wanted to say, some of them not nice at all, and others more disgustingly gooey and romantic than he probably dreamed I was capable of. I inhaled deeply and blew out all the air before replying simply, "Yes."

Yes yes, I know- I'm a lame-o and they are getting married. Please, don't hate me. It is a Bella/Edward story..... Please, review! Tell me what I did wrong or how it can be improved :) Thanks everyone! You've all been so very very amazing!