Author's note: I want to give a shout-out to StephJ who was the first person to review the last chapter! Yay! Virtual cookies to you! From now on I'll give a personal shout to the first reviewer! I really appreciate all the people who take a moment to let me know that they are enjoying the story or letting me know if there's something I didn't quite explain. I've gotten lots of ideas from reviewers so keep it up guys!

I was absolutely terrified to be going home. I was afraid that the Cullen's would be there – I was afraid of what the house would look like. I was afraid to be without Jacob.

The ride home was short and uneventful despite my scanning the side of the road, wondering if the little flashes and blurs were actually real. I was shivering, despite the heater blowing hot air all over me.

Our house truly was a construction zone. There were all kinds of equipment on the street. Half the structure had been changed on the outside. I had no idea how it had gone from A to B so fast. We had to park across the street. Charlie stopped me before we could walk over.

"Well I'll be damned," he said slinging his arm around me, "will you look at that? This is some contest prize. I bet the value of this old place doubles."

"Uh huh," I said unenthusiastically.

Charlie looked down at me. "What's wrong, kiddo?"

"I'm not a fan of big changes," I murmured.

"Well, they said they'd be finished in a few days. I can almost believe them with as far as they got today."

Charlie removed his arm and walked over.

I stood in the middle of the street for a moment, before reluctantly following behind him.

The entire landscape, or lack thereof was torn up. The only thing that remained was the tree in front of my window. I lifted a piece of plastic to get inside the house. The front door and jamb was completely gone.

I stepped through, and looked into the kitchen. It was almost done. It looked like a gourmet chef lived here. There were gorgeous exotic zebrawood cabinets with wrought iron pulls, a huge kitchen island that was covered with a beautiful marble top that featured a deep sink, as well as tons of built in storage. All new lighting adorned the ceiling. The floor was adorned with clean white subway tiles, and the backsplash behind the counter was flagstone. Charlie was running his hand along the six burner Viking range. He whistled.

"This sure is something, Bells. And would you look at that fridge?"

It was easily twice the capacity than the one we'd had before. It had a computer screen on the front and a place to get crushed or cubed ice. No more balancing the plastic do it yourself ice trays on the top of Charlie's latest catch.

I was very secretly impressed.

"Do you like it?" a voice asked behind us. Charlie and I whirled around.

Esme stood there, beaming.

I immediately understood this was her design. She loved projects like this.

I shook my head. "It's, um, beautiful. Thanks."

"Oh you're welcome. Wait until you see the bathrooms!"

My heart almost stopped. Bathrooms? As in plural?

Charlie seemed a bit surprised but let her drag him up the stairs to show him.

I leaned back against the island.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when Edward and Emmett entered the room, carrying the new dining table.

Edward stared at me as he set it down and I couldn't move. He straightened up and stared into my eyes.

I felt like a deer, like prey. I didn't dare move.

"Not to break up this little staring contest, cuz you know, it's so interesting and all, but we still have some stuff outside," Emmett said, clapping his hand on Edward's shoulder.

Edward looked over at Emmett. "I think we need a little privacy."

"I don't think we do," I whispered.

Emmett looked at me for a second. "She's right. I mean you can say anything to her in front of me. Not a big deal."

"Emmett," Edward hissed, "get out."

I saw Emmett's hand grip Edward's shoulder tighter.

Edward looked pained. "Please, Emmett. If it was Rosalie…"

"It's not Rose, and besides, she can handle herself. Bella can't."

I wanted to protest but then realized I really couldn't. He was right. "If you have something to say you can say it in front of Emmett."

Edward sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Emmett released him.

He took a few steps toward me and stopped, putting his hand on the marble countertop. I couldn't help but compare the two. So similar – pale white, beautiful, and hard as stone. One had never lived, and the other was dead.

"Bella," his voice cut through my thoughts, "I feel horrible for what occurred the other night. I was wrong. I need to learn to control myself better – to conduct myself as a gentleman around you. I don't own you and shouldn't have acted like I did. It will never happen again. I give you my word."

I wasn't expecting a seemingly heartfelt apology. I was expecting him to scream at me about what I did with Jacob. But regardless I wasn't letting him get away with it. He could be acting for all I knew.

"Apology not accepted. Look at what you did to me?" I pulled my hair back and showed him the bruising. I heard Emmett gasp.

"Look – I know I lost it for a minute – I screwed up. I can own that. I'm very sorry, Bella. Please, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me."

"I gave you my answer. You can finish whatever charade this is, and then I never want to see you in my house again."

"Go Bella," Emmett boomed, giving me a fist in the air.

Edward looked at him with malice. "Are you even my brother?"

"Well yeah, but you gotta respect what the lady said. Let's finish bringing shit in and go home. Let the Swan's rest awhile."

Edward looked at me with cold fury. "This isn't over."

He stalked out of the room and Emmett stepped a few feet closer to me. He gave me a nod that was clearly laced with approval before following.

I went upstairs to my room. Thankfully nothing had been touched that I could see. I wasn't sure I really wanted a makeover. The kitchen was the only thing that truly needed to be replaced.

I sat on my bed and traced the familiar patterns with my fingers, feeling sad. Everything was changed and there was no going back. I'd made my decision and I was not going to be swayed. I was going to listen to and trust Jake and the pack. I'd do what I had to in order to keep myself safe.

There was war on the horizon – and as much as I cared about the members of the Cullen family who hadn't hurt me – I couldn't warn them. I only hoped that they left again – and soon, before the killing started.