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EPOV

I was back at Bella's. I still hadn't been able to get Bella to myself. Tomorrow was the battle. And I wasn't going to fight. I couldn't believe it. My family was risking their lives for Bella but I was not going to be able to help. I had to compromise it was either that or having Bella in the battle field. Everyone agreed that what Bella requested was valid that even if I did fight I would still be worried about Bella if she was not with me. She was my life. I was more agitated than usual today and Bella wanted to spend the evening again with Charlie. We had told Charlie that Bella was going to spend the night with Alice at our place with me leaving to go camping with the guys. In actual fact Bella and I were going to leave tonight for the mountains to keep Bella hidden away during the fight.

Since the date for the battle was fixed after Alice's vision at the party Bella had insisted on spending every waking minute with Charlie. She couldn't bear the though that he might loose her forever tomorrow and she wanted to leave some memories of her for him. I had tried to assure her that we would survive but I just couldn't bring myself to insist on having her to myself when I knew how much she loved Charlie and wanted to spend her last few days with him. I had had to sit through many boring baseball matches with Charlie. Luckily I had all the scores and everything else to do with baseball memorised so I could easily converse with him about the topic. The good side of all this was that Charlie was beginning to bond with me a little bit more and I also got to hold Bella's hand through all the matches.

We had to touch. It was important to both of us to maintain some kind of a physical connection all the time. It was as if we had no control over it. The hole in my heart would gape open even if she was not where I could see her. Bella confided in me that she felt the same way. It was almost as if an invisible bond was holding us together. We just couldn't be apart. The worst part was when I had to pretend to go home. I would wait outside in a tree but it still was becoming increasingly difficult for me. Alice faithfully brought me a change of clothes every night. I hadn't actually gone home since the night of the party. I had gone with Bella for the practise sessions with the mutts though. Bella would spend the time sleeping leaning on Jacob's flurry body. I hated it but at least she was warm and I had no way of protesting without hurting Bella's feelings.

I couldn't bear to even make the small run to my house and be separated from my Bella. I was scared. I was terrified…. I really didn't have words to explain how I felt. Tomorrow if either one of us died I knew it would mean the end of both of us. She may not admit it but she was truly my mate in everyway. I knew it was the way others in my family felt about their mates. I felt what I feel for Bella is much more than even what they feel but it could be because I only know about their bonds through their thoughts and the bond I have with Bella comes from within my very soul. I was so scared for my family they were risking so much for us. I was also very grateful to the wolves.

The sudden cheers coming from the screen brought me back from my thoughts. I could tell Bella was as distracted as I was. I focused on the game and made appropriate comments. Charlie's team had won and he was in a jubilant mood.

"Wonder what's up with the kid. He had been like that all evening, not at all his normal self." He gave me a cursory glance. "Even Bella seems different today".

I couldn't help looking at Bella once again memorising her features. My Bella.

"The way that kid looks at her. It's like he's trying say good bye or something. It goes deeper than just leaving for a camping trip. Oh god I hope he's not planning on leaving her again."

He was right I was saying good bye but not for the reasons he thought. I was saying good bye to life itself. I wasn't going to live without her and I knew this time if something happened to me Bella wouldn't survive. I got a sudden urge to make sure Charlie knew that even if we never came back alive from the battle I never ever intended to leave her. I felt my whole body shudder at the thought. I knew in a moment tearless sobs would wrack my body if I did not control myself. Charlie was pretending to watch the final commentaries that were going on in the television.

I touched her face tenderly and kissed her forehead. Charlie still ignored us. We were sitting on the sofa and he was on his favourite chair. I knew he could see us in his peripheral vision. I had become more comfortable touching Bella in front of Charlie and he didn't seem to mind. His thoughts did not show any displeasure as he used to those days. I took both her hands in mine looking directly into her eyes whispering loudly at her making sure that Charlie heard me.

"You know you are stuck with me love… forever…" Bella smiled at my words.

"I'm still waiting for my answer… even if you don't want to marry me Bella I still want to be there.. always.. at least as your friend. I won't ever leave you… I can't ever leave you.. hell I can't live without you…" The words were dragged out of me even without my knowledge. I hadn't planned on revealing so much of my feelings specially within hearing range of Charlie.

"Something really is up with the kid. Had Bella said something to him? He sounds desperate and there is no question about how much he loves Bella. I guess he won't leave her again either. Will he do something foolish again if Bella refuses him? Should I warn Carlisle?"

I was shocked and both humbled at Charlie's concern for me. This was the first time someone other than Bella or my family had shown any concern for my welfare. The dry sobs I was holding back erupted. I couldn't help it. I knew my frame was shaking with them.

"Edward… Edward listen to me… it will be ok? You won't loose me ok? I promise you I'll be there with you forever… Edward please.. Oh god.."

She realised I couldn't stop now that I had released all the pent up agony within me. I saw Charlie give us a bewildered glance. She quickly got up and pulled me to my feet making me follow her to the kitchen. I completely broke down when we got there. I couldn't maintain my brave façade anymore. The terror I was holding back just sucked me in. Bella crushed her body to mine hugging me close to her. I hugged her back with equal vigour.

"Edward it's going to be ok. She's not going to get to us. Everyone's there for us remember?"

I felt the wet tears on Bella's cheeks. It was those that brought me back from my own agony.

"Bella love, please don't cry. Oh who am I to tell you not to cry when I'm doing the same."

We just held on to each other comforting the other while our bodies released all the pent up emotion of the past few days. Our souls crying for all that we might loose tomorrow. It took me a long moment to realise that Charlie was watching us from the door way partially hiding himself from view.

"Oh my god what is going on? Has Bella refused to marry him? I guess I'll have a good word with her. I think the kid is very serious and Carlisle is a good man the whole family cares about Bella she would be in good hands."

If he only knew how much they cared. Tomorrow they will all be risking their lives to save his daughter's life. It was at this moment that I decided that I will somehow make sure that Charlie knew how many sacrifices my family made for both me and Bella. And I made a vow to myself that I would never separate him from his daughter. I would some how find a way to keep him in Bella's life even after her change. I still couldn't figure out how but I knew that we could trust Charlie.

"Bella I promise everything will be alright. We'll all be alright." I made this statement hoping to ease all our fears. I felt saying it out loud would make it real.

"Yes. Edward…. We are going to win this….Edward I promise you I will be there with you forever." I don't know how that sounded to Charlie but his thoughts did not show any suspicions. He was actually very relieved by Bella's words. He was a bit confused by the intensity of our expressions but he was now used to Bella's out of the ordinary behaviour and he only thought that I was reciprocating for what ever she was reassuring me about. I was surprised to hear him call my name.

"Edward…"

"Yes Charlie" I quickly turned towards the sound of his voice and he presented himself at the kitchen door.

"Why don't you eat with us today?"

Both Bella and I exchanged astonished glances. Now what were we going to do? I knew refusing him today would not go down well, specially after all the drama that had just unwittingly unfolded in front of his very eyes.

"Sure Charlie" Bella looked at me in surprise but quickly schooled her thoughts.

"Edward, may be you should tell Esme not to keep dinner waiting for you."

It took me a moment to realise what she meant. I had not eaten with Bella and Charlie pretending that Esme was keeping me a late dinner when I went home.

"Oh right yes." Charlie didn't seem to notice anything odd in my behaviour he thought it was a result of the emotional confrontation that Bella and I had just had.

I dialled Esme's number. "Hi Edward. Are you coming home tonight before going to the campsite?"

"No mom, I just called to tell you that I'll be having dinner at Bella's today. Charlie invited me."

"Ok if you are sure." I know she was worried knowing what I would have to go through eating human food.

"Bye mom. Love you." I couldn't resist adding.

"Love you too. Everything will be ok Edward. I'm praying for us." Esme said in a wobbly voice. I knew then what an effort it took for her to try to sound normal for my sake. I nearly broke down again. I was turning into an emotional wreck.

As soon as I kept the phone I saw Bella pull out some steaks from the fridge.
"I know they are your favourite. Esme told me." I hadn't tasted a steak in close to ninety years and couldn't even remember the taste.

"Yes." I smiled at Bella. I was sure she had a reason for selecting steak. The smell was just bearable. I guess I would be able to gulp it down. I shuddered at the thought.

"Well then I'm off to watch the next game." Charlie said to us. I knew from his thoughts that he was trying to give us some time together to sort out whatever brought on the odd behaviour. Bella got busy cooking.

She had just finished putting the steaks in the oven when I couldn't hold off my need anymore. I picked up a very surprised Bella and seated her on the countertop spreading her legs and standing between them rubbing my need against her. Bella was wearing a skirt today so it was against her panty that I rubbed. I kissed her like there was no tomorrow. I felt the same desperation in the urgency with which she kissed. In no time at all I wanted more. I pulled Bella's skirt down covering her panty to be safe just in case Charlie walked in and surprised us. I was usually too far gone to notice much when I was with Bella so I wanted to be safe, while still kissing her sweet lips when I gently pulled aside her panty under the skirt. I wanted so much to go down on her and see her for the first time. But Bella was holding me in a death grip kissing my lips.

"Please Bella… I want to see you…" I pleaded with her whispering in her ear.

"Not today Edward not like this…please… I want our first time together like that to be special and Charlie might come in any minute." She whispered back. She was right I had to control myself.

"Can I .. can I at least feel you against me?" I murmured in the voice I knew she found hard to resist. She blushed a delightful shade of red, nodding her head yes not meeting my eyes. I gently pulled her to me kissing her soft pink lips while I unzipped myself. I pulled Bella's skirt over me covering me and pulled out Edward junior. I didn't want to expose myself to Bella either… not tonight.. under desperate circumstances. I knew the shy Victorian in me was glad for the excuse to delay the inevitable exposure as long as possible. I saw Bella look down at the sound of the zipper but then realised she couldn't see me because of the skirt and closed her eyes.

"Bella love… open your eyes. I want to see you when I feel you against me." She obediently opened her eyes but I could tell she was very embarrassed her face a deep red. I once again pulled aside Bella's panty and touched the head of my arousal to her wet core while staring into her eyes. "Oh" Bella's soft murmur was uttered in surprise. I knew what she was feeling. I was icy cold. To me she was a hot furnace. I felt the fire creep up my veins going all over my body. I wanted so much to bury myself deeper in the molten lava. The feeling of pleasure was overwhelming. We held like that without moving staring at each other mesmerised by what we read on our faces. I slowly began to move rubbing myself against her after the initial shock wore off. I was careful not to enter her and rubbed vertically from top to bottom making sure my tip caressed her bundle of nerves every time I moved up. In no time at all we were gasping close to our peak the pent up need of the last few days taking hold of our bodies. My strokes began to speed up and when I saw her tense with her climax I let myself go. I felt a slight movement against me as Bella came and I couldn't help imagining what it would have been like to be inside of her when she reached her peak. It was then that I realised that I had released all over her core and panties.

"Oh god sorry Bella. I forgot.. I didn't mean to I mean…" I was stumbling over my words trying to apologise. Bella simply smiled at me lightly kissing my lips. "It's ok. I loved it. It was kind of cool you know. Freezing cool." Bella laughed. "Wonder what it looks like. Should take a peak." She tried to pull her skirt up. I was naked underneath as she knew.

"No no.. pl… please .. Be.. Bella."

My embarrassment knew no bounds. Oh god. I will have to be naked in front of her very soon I knew it was inevitable but all my bravado from earlier asking to see her was gone. All that was left was the shy Victorian boy. Trying to hide himself. I couldn't even look into her eyes.

"Edward…..are you…are you too embarrassed to let me see you?"

Bella was trying to make me lift my head. Holding on to my chin I still stared at my feet.

"I..I… not .. now pl…please."

Was all I could get out of my mouth. I truly was an emotional mess today.

"It's ok later then.. may be tomorrow ha? I'm spending the night there with you at your place right?"

I heaved a sigh of release at least I've got till tomorrow to compose myself and overcome my shyness.

"Sure.."

I decided I needed to try to make her blush now. Get my own back for her merciless teasing.

"as long as I get to see you too."

The most delicate blush coloured her face when I finally gathered enough courage to look up at her face. This time she avoided my eyes but she nodded her head yes.

"Oh Bella… I'll be all yours tomorrow to do with as you wish. All yours I promise. Love you so much."

I hugged her closer to me.

"I'm all yours too Edward."

She whispered back. I was erect again after hearing her words.

"Well I can still touch you right?"

A teasing grin spread over Bella's face. I managed to nod, the shyness returning again. I felt her hand on me and felt my breath go out of my lungs at the warmth of her hand rubbing me against her now very wet and hot core again. I moaned lightly. I couldn't help it. She rubbed my head against her bundle of nerves. Her face looked beautiful. Her sweet lips parted her lovely brown eyes staring into mine. So much passion and want in them. I leaned down and kissed her hungrily. This time we reached our peak at a slower pace and it was the ringing of the phone that brought me back to earth. I heard Charlie answer. Good god. From his thoughts I realised he had actually been on his way to the kitchen when the phone had rung distracting him. It was Alice calling him. I silently thanked my sister. She would have seen what was going to happen.

"Bella quick Charlie's on his way. And I didn't even hear his thoughts Alice just called distracting him on his way to the kitchen."

"Oh god. You'd better go to the living room. I'll rush up to clean myself."

She offered me some wet tissues and I quickly cleaned up what I could and stuffed myself inside again. Then carefully lowered Bella to the floor from the counter top.

"It must be boring for you to watch me cook. It's ok if you join Charlie Edward. I'll call when dinner is ready"

She said aloud for Charlie's benefit and I gave her a final peck on the cheek and went to sit in the living room again. Charlie was still on the phone. Alice was going on and on about a sleep over party she had planned for Bella and Charlie was too polite to interrupt her. My sister truly was a god send. I had completely failed once again to notice everything around me when I was with Bella. Everyone was right I would have been useless in the battle tomorrow. I had hunted yesterday so tonight I was not going hunting but my family was hunting in preparation for the battle. As soon as I sat I heard Bella rush upstairs, I heard her in the bathroom moments later. It was with great difficultly that I controlled the smirk on my lips. I couldn't believe what we had just done. Not only was it irresponsible it was incredibly daring considering the fact that Charlie had been in the next room the whole time. I thanked my lucky stars for the loud noise of the TV. Charlie joined me again and smiling to himself telling me that Bella is going to have a fun time tonight with Alice. I agreed and also mentioned that Alice can go a bit overboard in her enthusiasm. He agreed and started watching the new game once more.

It was some time later that Bella called us for dinner. I smelt Alice a short time before dinner was served but couldn't read her thoughts since she was blocking me. When we were seated in the dinning table Bella put our plates in front of us. Although the food in all the plates looked the same I was shocked at the smell coming from mine. It was bear blood. My steak was covered in it while Bella's and Charlie's had tomato sauce like they usually did. I could tell my steak also smelt different. I guess I had Alice to thank for the blood. I took a careful bite it was not as repulsive as I thought and I was able to gobble it down without much difficulty. Charlie ate with gusto as usual.

I decided I should be gracious to Bella for her cooking.

"This tastes great Bella. I love your cooking." She blushed to my surprise.

"Thank you." Charlie looked from me to Bella and back to me again. "The kid is lucky she can cook so well. I guess eventually when she agrees to marry him he won't starve. Wonder whether he knows how to cook? Esme seems like the homely type she must have at least taught the girls how to cook. I should ask Bella who cooked at the Cullen's. Guess they can even afford to order takeaway every day."

We had just finished when Charlie once again started a conversation with me.

"So you like camping Edward?" "The kids must like the outdoors a lot." He was thinking to himself

"Yes we all love to go out in the woods when we get the chance." I smiled at him.

"I guess you like fishing to?" I was wondering where this conversation was leading to.

"Sure we do. But we like hunting better." I winked at Bella turning my face to the side so that Charlie couldn't see me.

"Would you like to go fishing with me some time next week?" I was surprised at the invitation. I knew it was his favourite past time but never dreamed he would want to have my company.

"Sure I would like that."

It was then that I remembered that I had no idea how to fish. Well the way Charlie does it at least. I knew of course that I would easily be able to catch fish with my hands. I don't think that was what Charlie had in mind when he invited me though.

"What was the biggest fish you have caught so far?" Oops! Now I was in real trouble. I decided it was best to distract him.

"Well we once treated a dolphin with injuries caused by fishing nets. We didn't actually catch it so to speak."

I hastened to add. It was all true Carlisle and I had treated it. It had been during one of our vacations at isle Esme. But it did seem really farfetched to someone who had not travelled much like Charlie. Now I've really done it. I was not at all focused because I was so very worried about tomorrow. And of all the nights we'd spent with Charlie he had chosen tonight to get to know me better.

"That's impressive."

Charlie thought I was telling tall tales but then again he suspected that it might be true since he knew about how much Carlisle cared about treating his patients. We heard honking from outside just then and I heaved a sigh of relief. I was going to pretend to go off with my brothers for the hunting trip while Bella spent the night with the girls. In keeping with the scenario my brothers were now pretending to pick me up.

"I guess that's your ride. Well I'd like to hear more about the dolphin rescue some time later then. Good night Edward."

"Good night Charlie." I kissed Bella on her cheek and left. I got in the jeep and drove with the others a short distance and doubled back to the tree beside Bella's bedroom window. Alice was supposed to pick her up a little later. I would then go with her to the clearing from where Jacob was to take her to the campsite with me joining her there later. I hoped and prayed that everything would go according to plan tomorrow. We simply could not afford to loose.

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