I'm so sorry, guys! I swear, everything has been working against me whenever I've tried to write and finish this chapter lately. I've had some horribly bad luck whenever it came to writing. I know you're frustrated with me, I'm frustrated with me, too, for not being able to finish/update it sooner. But, I finally got it finished with some help from both Jadedtigger and Feenrai, so thank you both very much.

Also, you guys are absolutely, without a doubt amazing. The last chapter got over 100 reviews, and the story itself has over 1100, so a HUGE thank you to everyone who reviewed!

Oh! And dazzled eyes22, I noticed you recommended Fix You on the Twilighted Forums a couple of times - thank you for doing that =).

This story is beta'd by Feenrai, who has been immensely helpful, and I'm very glad to have her as my beta and friend =).

Disclaimer: Twilight is all Stephenie Meyer's.

Previously:

"Either way, regardless of who I was with, or where I am, I would still be scared of being touched at any second. Besides, I'm perfectly fine here, with Dad. I like it here. And either way, I wouldn't leave."

It was her next words that made my day go from an exhausting mess, to an absolute nightmare.

"No more arguing, Bella. You're moving back to Jacksonville, and that's final."

Chapter 19

"You're moving back to Jacksonville, and that's final."

Renee's words swirled through my mind, echoing back to me, causing my chest and lungs to constrict further and my eyes to well with more tears each time.

"That's final."

I gasped, my heart feeling as though the shattered pieces that still remained were, yet again, smashed to pieces with the largest, most dangerous threat possible: losing Edward, losing the Cullens, and also losing Charlie.

As my breathing became heavy pants, causing my chest to rise and fall rapidly as I fought for air, I frantically looked around the room.

No one was there to help me. Charlie was upstairs in the shower, while Edward was stuck upstairs in my room, having gone 'home' for the night, leaving him no options to miraculously appear.

"No," I stated emphatically, shaking my head frantically, though my voice was quiet and shaky.

Renee sighed. "Yes, Bella. It's for the best. I just want what's best for you, honey."

She wanted what was best for me? I knew she had good intentions. I knew she meant well, but this...this would not help me. This would destroy me and the already shattered remains of my heart. I needed Edward to survive. He was the only thing, the only person, that helped make me feel safe anymore. He was the only person that helped truly give me a sense of normalcy.

"No. I'm not going to Jacksonville," my voice continued to shake, making my refusal lack the strength I intended, though despite that, it almost sounded emotionless, even to my own ears.

"You need to be away from here. Away from the place it happened, away from all the memories of it, and away from all the things you associate with it. Plus, a change of scenery would be good for you, too, Bella. To get away from the doom and gloom rainy weather here, and get to see some sunshine instead. The sun is more uplifting, more happy - healing," Renee tried to explain and plead her case, though her tone still held no chance of giving in. I could see the skin around her eyes pinching, however-a sure sign that she was upset.

"No," I stated again, my breathing still coming out in shuddering gasps.

But, as I heard myself saying no, over and over again in refusal, despite my will continuing to be ignored, I began to think of another situation where that exact same thing happened.

I squeezed my eyes shut against the memory.

"No!" I cried, but his movements were relentless, as his lips crashed against mine with such a demanding force, it caused my teeth to ache. I could hear myself whimpering, silently pleading for him to step away, to retreat and not continue with what he was doing.

Instead, I felt his tongue force past my lips, gaining entry into my mouth. I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry. I wanted to do anything to stop this, especially as I could feel my lungs burning, craving the oxygen he was denying me as he refused to break the unwanted kiss.

When he finally pulled back, my head spun with dizziness, as I panted for air, both due to lack of oxygen, and due to panic.

"No!" I gasped. "Please..."

Even now, as I stood in the living room, trembling and shuddering with my eyes squeezed shut, as the memory assaulted me, I could feel myself panting - panicking.

"NO!" I yelled. Whether it was at Jacob, at my mom, or maybe both, I wasn't sure.

"Bella?" I heard Renee ask cautiously.

"No! No, no, no, no, no," I repeated it over and over, as a mantra. I wished for the memories to stop, I wished for Renee to stop. I hadn't wanted Jacob to touch me, and I did not want to leave Forks - to leave Edward. But nobody listened. No one was hearing me say 'no'.

"Bella, honey, are you okay?" Renee's voice was soft, comforting...motherly, even. The fact that she was only now noticing how her attitude was causing me distress only furthered my sudden anger at being unheard.

"No! No, I'm not okay! And I'm not going to Jacksonville!" I screamed, as I let my tear filled eyes fly open to come face to face with a shocked looking Renee.

"Bella..." she began tentatively, but I didn't let her finish as I tried using the one thing that could save me.

"No! I am not going, and you cannot make me. I'm eighteen. According to the law, I'm now legally an adult, so I do not have to do as you say," I both trembled and seethed.

She gasped at my outburst, with a look of shock crossing her features.

She took an unsure step towards me - to do what, I'm not sure - but I didn't allow her to get closer. I instantly stepped back, putting as much distance between us as possible.

Renee opened her mouth to speak yet again, but didn't get the chance to say anything, before Charlie came bounding down the stairs with only a towel wrapped around his waist, his eyes frantic and wild as he looked over the room, taking in the situation.

I'm not sure what he had been expecting, but he seemed to relax slightly after a moment, as droplets of water continued to drip and pool beneath him.

"I heard you yelling," he quickly explained, while looking at me, his eyes still slightly frantic, before they narrowed and shot to Renee, only to soften again when they landed back on me. "What happened?"

I stood, trying to calm my breathing, while simultaneously sighing in relief that I now had someone that would—hopefully—be on my side.

"She's trying to insist that I move to Jacksonville," I trembled as I spoke through clenched teeth.

I watched Charlie's face closely, checking for his reaction. I saw a myriad of emotions flicker through his features - shock, disbelief, sadness, anger - before he turned his gaze to Renee.

"You expect her to move to Jacksonville?" he asked, almost as though he was still trying to swallow this information.

"Yes," Renee fidgeted under his piercing gaze, the same one I was sure he had turned on to the few actual criminals there were residing in Forks. "It would do her some good to be away from here, from where it happened, and to be somewhere less gloomy, weather wise," she wrinkled her nose in reference to the rain, as she was quick to defend her demand that I move.

Charlie bristled at her words, his eyes narrowing, before he turned to look at me.

"Do you want to go to Jacksonville, Bells?"

At the prospect of having to move far away from Forks, and Edward, Charlie and the Cullens, my eyes automatically began to fill with tears again. I quickly and emphatically shook my head, not trusting my own voice at first. "No."

Charlie nodded, as he closed his eyes for a moment, before they locked on Renee, his demeanor one of both an angry ex, and a protective father.

"She's not a little girl anymore, like she was the first time you moved her away from here and from me; this time she gets a choice. She doesn't want to go to Jacksonville, so she's not going to Jacksonville, Renee. She's my daughter, too, and if she wants to stay, then I am happy to have her. I will not force her to leave." His voice was firm, leaving no doubt about the fact that he was becoming angry with her, and that he meant what he said.

"Char-"

"No, Renee. You think it's going to help her to be ripped away from the place she's come to know as her home? To be ripped away from all of the people who she is comfortable with, and close to? And what about Edward? I know you're not blind to the fact that she seems to feel the most safe when he's with her. Would you really want to deny your child all of that after everything she's been through?" he argued, his voice low and almost menacing as he continued to stand at the bottom of the stairs with his glare fixed on my mother's hunched form.

I knew I loved Charlie, but his actions, his words right now, and the simple fact that he stated that he would still want me, or still want me here with him after everything that has happened lately...that thought alone brought tears to my eyes, as I realized just how much I loved my dad.

I saw a contemplative-and possibly guilty-look spread across my mother's face, as her shoulders hunched further forward, with her head hung low. After a moment, I heard a quiet sniffle come from her.

"Bells?" Charlie's voice brought my attention back to him. "I'm sure you're tired, so why don't you go on up to your room? I'd like to speak to your mom."

I nodded, thankful for the escape. Honestly, I wanted to be near Edward right now, to know that he's there, and that we won't be taken from one another. I needed that comfort, so I quickly made my way towards the stairs, careful to skirt around the puddle Charlie had created, and to avoid bumping into him or touching him. But as I passed, he spoke quietly to me.

"Just know that if you don't want to go, I won't make you."

My vision blurred with fresh tears at his words. "Thanks, Dad," I whispered. "I don't want to go...I want to stay here, with you."

His own eyes seemed to grow slightly glassy, before I quickly broke the eye contact, and rushed up the stairs, anxious to see Edward.

As I stepped inside my door, I found Edward pacing the length of my floor, with one hand furiously running through and gripping his hair, while the other pinched the bridge of his nose as he screwed his eyes shut.

But as soon as the door was closed, he ceased all movement, and stood up straight, looking at me intensely. I still had tears running down my cheeks, and my breathing was still uneven and slightly labored.

"I won't go," I stated quietly, defiantly, unsure of what his reaction would be. If he would think that I should go to Jacksonville for my own good, like in the past, or if he would want me here.

"I wouldn't let you," he whispered, though his voice was clear and unwavering. I breathed a silent sigh of relief at the knowledge that he didn't want me to go, and wouldn't have let me go.

I so desperately wanted to go to him, to wrap my arms around him and not let go. God, how I missed the feel of his arms around me, the comforting feeling they provided and the indescribable feeling of safety. I wanted to be able to feel it again, to confirm that he was here, that I was here, and that neither of us were going anywhere. And to rid myself of the horrible memories running through my mind from earlier, but I didn't know if I could. I just knew that I wanted to try.

"Can yo- can we - woul-" I gave up, sighing. I didn't know how to ask. Even if I did, I could feel the words trembling as they escaped my lips, since I knew, without a doubt, that as much as I wished to feel the comfort of his arms around me...I also knew it terrified me immensely. I didn't know if I could handle it.

"What is it, love?" he asked softly, his brows furrowed in concern as he took a few steps forward, until he stood directly in front of me.

"I would like you to...try and hug me," my words were so quiet, even I could barely hear them, but I knew he could.

I chanced a quick glance at his expression, to see his eyebrows raised high on his forehead, and his eyes large in surprise.

"Are you sure?" he murmured, as a look of apprehension settled over his features.

I paused for a moment, thinking. I hesitantly nodded.

"I don't know if that's -"

"Please..." I whimpered. My one word plea seemed to do the trick, as he no longer seemed to question whether or not to accept my request.

He took another step towards me, as his arms slowly lifted to wrap around me.

I could feel my throat and lungs constricting slightly, my breath bated as I waited...waited to see if the panic would set in, or if I would be able to fight it off and be able to find that euphorically comforting feeling of being within his arms.

But as soon as his arms encased themselves around me, however gently they may have been, I could feel a scream building up within my chest, though I fought to hold it back. I tried and pleaded with my own mind and body to just allow me this-to allow me to feel safe within Edward's arms—but, apparently, the irrational part of me had other ideas.

I began to frantically shake my head, as my eyes yet again filled with tears. Tears of sadness, anger, and resentment towards Jacob and the entire situation, and especially towards myself for not even being able to allow Edward to hug me. Especially since both Esme and Alice had been able to. My body's reaction had a mind of its own, no matter how many times I tried to tell myself that it was just Edward holding me and that I was completely safe.

I felt trapped in the embrace, remembering not being able to break free of Jacob's tight hold on me that night. So I quickly shoved at Edward's chest, effectively putting distance between us, as I tried to let the rational side of myself calm the irrational side. I felt as though my own body and mind were at war with itself.

"I'm sorry," I choked out, quickly turning away from him as my tears spilled past my bottom lashes. I scurried over to my bed, and laid down on my side, leaving my back to Edward, as he continued standing where I had pushed him. I laid there on the edge of the bed, with my eyes shut tightly. I didn't think I could look at him right now, because I was sure I would lose it completely if I did.

I could feel the hot tears of sadness and anger roll down my face, as my pillow absorbed the moisture. I still felt as though something heavy was on my chest, making it painful and difficult to breathe, and I wished, more than anything, that the outcome had been different.

"Bella?" Edward murmured softly, apprehensively. And if I was right, also guiltily. I couldn't face him, however, so I simply shook my head, not wanting to respond.

"Bella, love?" This time, his velvet voice was much closer than I had anticipated, causing my eyes to fly open. I gasped, and instinctively flinched back at the close proximity.

There he was, sitting on my bedroom floor, directly beside my bed, leaving us eye level with one another.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you," he whispered softly, soothingly.

"Please don't apologize," I spoke in an agonized whisper, as I quickly shut my eyes, trying to prevent the onslaught of tears. "I should be the one apologizing. I didn't - I wanted -" I sighed, unable to figure out how to explain the combustion of thoughts swirling through my mind. "I didn't want to react that way. I didn't...I didn't mean to push you away." My eyes betrayed me, as fresh tears cascaded down my cheek and onto my pillow.

"Bella." Edward's voice was unusually firm, commanding. "You have nothing to apologize for. Nothing. You were scared - it was an automatic and natural reaction after everything you've been through, love," he murmured softly, as his eyes shone in silent anguish.

"But it's not a natural reaction to react like that to you! I know you're not him. I know you wouldn't hurt me. I just - I can't... I want you to be able to hold me. I wish you were able to hold me," I whimpered, feeling completely helpless and hopeless.

"Shh," he soothed, as his hand disappeared within his pocket, only to withdraw it with something clasped in his fist, hidden from my view. "Will you sit up for a moment?" he asked suddenly, seeming deep in thought.

After my reaction to his embrace, I knew I couldn't deny him this, even though I wished to stay burrowed into my bed, curling myself into a ball. So, I sat up, as he asked.

"Can you close your eyes for a moment?" he questioned hesitantly.

I nodded, before closing my eyes, and fighting to prevent any kind of negative images from flooding my mind, as they usually did as soon as my eyes were shut.

But, I didn't even have time to focus on anything like that before I suddenly felt something cold touching the center of my upper chest, followed by my neck. I knew it wasn't Edward's touch, but it was something cold. Something metal?

"You can open your eyes now, love," Edward spoke softly after a few seconds.

When I opened my eyes, I saw Edward now sitting in front of me on my bed, with the faintest of smiles spreading across his lips.

Still feeling the coolness against my chest and neck, I brought my hand up to touch it, as I gazed down, trying to see what it was.

My heart pendant, now hanging from a delicate gold necklace.

"What -" Edward cut me off before I could even get out the rest of my question.

"You will always have my heart, Bella. And if you are willing, I'd like for you to wear this. Would you?" he asked, seeming slightly unsure of himself. I nodded slowly. "I knew you wouldn't like another bracelet, so I've gotten you a necklace, so that it could be a constant reminder to you that you will always have my heart, and my love. Any time that I have to hunt, since that's usually the only time we are apart...you will always have that part of me - the most important part of me - with you," he slowly, and very gently picked up the pendant with his fingers, careful not to touch me in the process as he examined it for a moment. "My heart will always be with you, Bella, it will always be yours. And every time that you wish I could hold you, when it's too much for you to bare...you have this to wear, and physically hold onto instead," he spoke softly, thoughtfully, as his fingers released the pendant, letting it fall against my chest.

My eyes had already welled with fresh tears just after he started speaking, but this time, they were happy tears. It was such an incredibly sweet, thoughtful gesture. He knew I wouldn't be able to wear the pendant on another bracelet, for which I was incredibly grateful. Even though it would have only been Edward's heart pendant, if it were on a bracelet, it would be tinged with memories of Jacob and the bracelet he had given me.

But this...it was laced with nothing but the sweet memory of Edward's sentiment behind it. It brought a smile to my face just thinking about it. I liked the idea of having a physical reminder of Edward's love that I could wear, always.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. I again held the pendant between my fingers, idly twirling it, and feeling each ridge from the facets.

His crooked half smile spread across his face. "You mean, you aren't going to fight me on this?"

I shook my head, fighting my own smile. "This is one gift...I'm happy to have," I whispered. "I would never refuse your heart."

"And you shall always have it," he murmured, a faint smile still visible on his face.

I blushed, a thought coming to mind. I sat, unmoving, as I pondered whether I was able to or not. I wanted to thank him, to give him something in return, and also...to prove I was able to handle this.

So with that thought, I spoke, and continued on before I lost my nerve. "Don't move. Hold perfectly still."

At my familiar words, his grin became bigger, and his eyes swam with curiosity. As requested, though, he kept perfectly still, not even breathing or blinking an eye.

I would have smiled at his expression alone, but my nerves wouldn't allow it. I steeled my resolve to do this. I wanted to do this, I just needed to get through the anxiety that accompanied it.

I brought my uninjured hand up to my face, placing my fingertips against my lips, and placing a kiss upon them. With nervousness swirling and twisting within my stomach, I tentatively brought my hand to Edward's face, letting my fingertips rest upon his lips for a mere two seconds, before quickly pulling away, unsure of how I felt about the now unfamiliar contact.

The entire time, Edward sat as still as a beautifully sculpted statue. His eyes, however, betrayed him. I saw the shock register within them, followed by amazement. Finally, his face shifted, morphing into a soft, gentle smile, as he gazed at me with an unreadable expression.

I bit my lip, feeling unsure of myself, and my actions as he continued to stare at me.

I was happy that I had been able to touch him, somewhere other than his hand, and not have freaked out-despite the anxiety that clung to me during my actions. But, at the same time, I wasn't sure how he would react, or if he would even like the gesture. Maybe he wouldn't want me to touch him in a more intimate way like that, due to what I've become...

That thought caused a wave of nausea to sweep through me, as my eyes welled with tears, and panic seized me. I shouldn't have done that, I realized. I shouldn't have tried to 'transfer' a kiss to his lips. He wouldn't want someone as dirty as me touching him.

But why was he still smiling softly? To placate me?

"I'm sorry." The words tumbled out, almost of their own accord. I felt incredibly guilty for assuming he would want me to do such a thing.

His eyes grew large, as confusion and shock settled upon his features. "For what?"

"For the...placing the..." I stumbled over my words, unsure of my wording, but Edward seemed to know what I meant.

"Don't apologize for something that I loved every second of. You have no idea how much that simple gesture means to me, how much it warms my cold, un-beating heart," he told me strongly, his eyes holding nothing but sincerity.

"Really?" I asked, disbelieving.

"Oh, you silly, beautiful girl," he murmured, as his expression became contemplative. I continued to peek up at him, unable to look directly at him for more than a few seconds. A moment later, he stood, offering me his hand. "Will you come with me?" he asked quietly, as a look of determination swept over his face.

I looked at him for a moment, unsure of what he was doing. I knew I trusted him, however, so I placed my hand in his and stood, letting him lead me.

He brought me over to the full length mirror that stood near my bed, towards the corner of the room. He positioned me in front of him so that I stood facing the mirror, while he remained behind me, looking over my shoulder at the reflection.

A second later, as my gaze was directed downward, I saw his other hand slip around mine, as he now held both of my hands. He stood close behind me, close enough that I could feel the coolness radiating off of him, and smell his scent, but not close enough to touch.

I still had not looked in the mirror, I had kept my eyes trained downward. I only saw the movement of Edward's hand out of my peripheral, and kept my eyes cast downward, as his hand slipped into mine.

I didn't want to see myself. Since what had happened, I had avoided looking at myself in mirrors, unwilling to see what I had become. I didn't want to know what would be staring back at me, because I knew I would hate what I saw. I knew I would hate myself.

Unfortunately, Edward seemed to realize what I was doing. "Look in the mirror, love," he spoke softly, gently. I shook my head, unwilling. I wasn't sure how I would react to seeing my reflection, and I didn't want to find out right now. Sensing my reluctance, Edward spoke. "May I please touch your face for a moment?"

I hesitantly nodded, thinking I would be able to deal with the slight contact. When his hand first came into contact with my face, I flinched, not liking the touch. But he gave me a moment, and I managed to relax. When I did, he tilted my face and lifted my chin up, leaving me no choice but to look at myself. My eyes locked on my own reflecting back at me.

"What do you see, Bella?" Edward asked me quietly, but with an unmistakable edge of determination to his voice, as he took my other hand again.

I saw the deep purple beneath my eyes. I saw the dull, lifeless brown eyes, that were also slightly sunken in. I saw dull, limp, messy hair. I saw a face that was slightly too thin—a result of how little I had been eating. That was enough. That was enough to make my eyes well with tears, as I gazed at this person being reflected back at me. I didn't even look like myself. I looked...empty, hollow. I looked as though I was nothing more than a shell of what I used to be. I saw nothing more than an ugly, messed up girl.

"Me," I whispered, as my tears spilled past my bottom lashes, now leaving my cheeks stained with trails of tears.

I had seen enough. I didn't want to see anymore. I didn't want to see myself anymore. I tried to look away. I was desperate to look away. To see anything but myself. But Edward's eyes locked on mine through the mirror, before he spoke quietly in my ear.

"Would you like to know what I see, Bella?"

I could see my own eyes become frantic with desperation to look away. I was sure he would tell me he saw the same thing as I did. How could he not? I allowed my eyes to dart back and forth, looking at anything - for anything - to keep myself from looking at myself, and to keep myself from hearing his answer.

"I see..." he began, leaving me no choice but to listen. I hesitantly raised my eyes, and grimaced at my own reflection, while diligently trying to avoid Edward's gaze in the mirror. I shut my eyes again quickly, trying to hold back more tears. "I see...a beautiful girl. One who is very strong, and brave, and unbelievably loving," he continued to speak in my ear, his voice as smooth as velvet.

At his words, my eyes snapped up to meet his in shock, as my eyebrows pulled together in confusion. I couldn't understand how he could see those things. I was ugly, and weak. I was disgusting.

At my look, he continued. "You have always been beautiful, Bella, and you still are. You always will be." I found it beyond difficult to believe his words, and a part of me wondered if he was just trying to placate me. However, his eyes seemed sincere, which only confused me further.

His hand that was holding my uninjured one began to gently play with my fingers, intertwining them with his own.

He brought his face down lower, beneath my ear, before turning his face to my neck and sniffing me, while again, making sure not to touch me. "You smell delicious. I love the way you smell..." he grinned crookedly at me, "but then again...you already knew that." I couldn't help the small teary laugh that escaped me at his words, and his accompanying expression, which caused his grin to widen. "You're very loveable, Bella. Every part of you. I love everything about you. I love your strength, which you keep in your heart. I love your beautiful chocolate brown eyes, as I'm sure no other eyes would ever hold the same amount of warmth and kindness, and most of all: love," he smiled softly at me, while I again tried to avoid his gaze. I continued, with difficulty, to accept his words, along with all of the compliments which I knew could never be true - though that didn't prevent my cheeks from flaming.

"I love your spirit, Bella, your feistiness, along with your honesty and loyalty. And I especially love your blush, which you're doing right now from all of the compliments," he grinned mischievously, making me want to groan, along with fight off a smile. "What I see when I look at you, Bella...is the beautiful girl that I love. The girl that gives me my only reason to live, if I'm truly even living. I see a girl that I could never walk away from, even if I tried..." he murmured, as I felt his cool breath on the side of my face.

I knew Edward. I knew that he wouldn't lie to me. However, I also couldn't see what he saw. I truly couldn't. So I looked at myself in the mirror again, trying - desperately - to see even part of what he saw. I wanted to see it, so much so that it brought fresh tears to my eyes. I still failed to see what he saw as I took in my own reflection yet again, but I decided that I loved him for saying those things, anyway, for possibly seeing those things, even if I couldn't, and even if I wasn't sure if I entirely believed that he really did.

"Thank you," I murmured, feeling my cheeks continue to flame.

"I know you may not see it now, love, but it's the truth. I only hope that soon you will see that for yourself," he spoke so softly, it was almost a whisper.

Honestly, I hoped so. I truly hoped I would see it, or even believe it one day.

In response, I only nodded, not wanting to share all of my thoughts with him on this. His words had been touching, loving, and beautiful, even if they were extremely hard for me to believe. The fact that he could possibly see any of that when he looked at me was astounding to me.

"Bella, love," Edward murmured, "you look exhausted...and confused. Would you like to go to sleep? Your parents are still talking downstairs, they may still be a while."

At the mention of sleep, my body practically melted, craving the rest, both physically and mentally, even though I knew that any sleep I managed to get would be accompanied by nightmares. Today was too much to take in, too much to think about, and Edward had been right...I was confused, and I was extremely tired.

"You'll stay with me?" I checked.

"Of course," he smiled, as he began walking, with my hands still in his, leading us to the bed.

He climbed in after I did, propping himself up on one elbow as he lay facing me, and began to stroke my hair, just like we had done many other nights recently. I silently reveled in the fact that I was able to enjoy him stroking my hair.

I wasn't awake to enjoy it for long, though, despite the slight rumble of voices coming from my parents downstairs. Edward quickly began humming my lullaby, causing my eyes to become heavy. As I drifted off to sleep, my nightmares were not only plagued with hot, unwanted hands, but with motherly demands, and losing those I loved.

I could only hope that some of those wouldn't become a reality.

First off, a big thank you to Jadedtigger for her idea/suggestion about the necklace and kiss =)...though I added a twist, lol.

I expected the Renee issue to be dealt with more in this chapter, but...E/B apparently wanted more alone time than I had original anticipated.

Next chapter: Will Renee change her tune after her talk with Charlie, or will she still be just as adamant? Could Bella's nightmare come true, and she will still be forced to leave, and lose those she loves? Also, what three simple words shake Bella to her very core?

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