Chapter 2: Cullens

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I sighed in relief as the bell for the end of school rang and my students slowly left my room. Edward was still here, with Anna still in his lap, along with Jasper who was now holding Anthony. I could tell by the look in my son's eyes that he wasn't sure about Edward. The twins were both very smart and perceptive and could tell that Edward was their father right away.

I'm glad that Anna has taken to Edward so well and I'm ecstatic that Edward took to them so well too. I was just worried that he would leave us again or worse he would leave and take the twins with him.

I didn't want that to happen and it brought a pain to my dead heart that I thought went away all those years ago.

I took a deep breath as I headed back to the two vampires who sat in the beanbag chairs. Just as I was about to open my mouth and talk, my door slammed open, making Annabelle jump and press herself into Edward's chest.

Well, it seems Annabelle will be a daddy's girl after all.

I whirled around to see who interrupted, well we didn't talk so I can't say they interrupted much. But still!

I was surprised that Alice, Emmett, and Rosalie walked into the room, all looking surprised to see me, well except for Emmett since he had me as a teacher. Alice looked so excited and sad at the same time while Rosalie looked bored as she picked at her nails.

"Bella!" Alice squealed as she launched her body at me. I stood completely still, taking the impact as she hugged me tight to her body. I didn't return the embrace.

"Bella." Rosalie nodded at me in greeting. Ah, good old Rosalie.

"Rosalie." I nodded back.

Once Alice finally let go with a bit of a hurt expression in her eyes, Emmett came bounding up, "Hey Bellsy!" and then proceeded to pick me up in one of his bear hugs.

Thank god I don't have to breathe anymore.

I heard a growl behind me that made all of the Cullens freeze. I tried to crane my head back, but I was still suspended off the ground in Emmett's bear hug.

"Put Mom down now." I heard Anthony say. I suppressed a giggle since it was so cute to hear him use his stern voice. He believes that since he was the man of the house, it was his duty to protect his mom. I didn't tell him he couldn't, but I knew if we were in a dangerous situation, I would protect him at all cost and I wouldn't allow him to be the man in that situation.

Emmett slowly put me down while staring behind me at my adorable son, most likely just realizing he was there.

I dusted the imaginary dust off my clothes as soon as I my feet were on the ground again. I felt tiny arms close around my leg and I looked down to see the messy mop of brown hair attached to my leg. His green eyes were glaring at Emmett in a way that said 'Touch my mom again and I'll make sure you can't touch anything in a long time.'

I could see Emmett was trying to suppress his laughter, while Rose and Alice just stared in stunned silence. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Edward also trying to hold back his laughter, but also had pride dancing in his eyes.

Anthony nodded his head cutely as if to say good and turned his innocent eyes up to me. "Mom, who are these people? I know that Edward is our father, but who are the rest of them?" he asked.

Ah, what smart and not so subtle kids I have. They really don't beat around the bush and I'm guessing they inherited that from me since Edward would never tell me outright what was going on or what information I wanted to know.

I could think of a few times he refused to tell me things I noted grimly.

Hmm, might have to beat that into him too.

Well, now isn't the best time to have this conversation since we are still at school and the walls have ears. Guess we will have to finish this conversation at my house.

I looked up into the still stunned eyes that my son caused in Alice, Emmett, and Rose before looking at Edward, who had a very comfy looking Annabelle in his lap, to a relaxed Jasper, who no doubt realized whose kids they are right away.

Just as I was about to suggest them coming to my house for the small explanation, my cellphone went off with the ringtone I set for Jason.

What is this, interrupt Bella day! This is the second, well third if you include Emmett interrupting me in class, time someone stopped me from talking! And dammit, I didn't even get to tell the Cullens anything about my new life.

I sighed as I grabbed my phone out of my jacket pocket. "Yes?" I drawled down into the phone, wondering on why he was calling me while he was at work. He almost never called me while at work, even on his breaks. So this must be really important for him to call me. "Hey Bells, I just got off work since a new doctor came. I'll tell you about the new doctor once you get home. Do you want me to pick up the twins for you?" I could hear his engine purr through the phone as he started up his car.

I could also feel all of the eyes in the room on me as I talked on the phone, which they could all clearly hear too.

"Nah, Jas, they are with me now. They had a little 'trouble' at school today and they came to me. We're going to have to go hunting when I get home though. We all haven't had a decent hunt in while." I kept my eyes trained on the board across the room since I didn't want to see any of the Cullen's faces.

I heard him hum over the phone before he started to speak again. "Alright, I'll stay the night then. So Bella, are you going to do a little extra 'hunting' once the kids are asleep." I could hear the innuendo dripping from his voice as he teased me. One thing I almost hated about Jason was his constant teasing and most of it was about finding someone else to help raise the twins. I also teased back on him not finding his mate yet too.

If I could blush I would have as I replied, "As long as you 'hunt' with me, I might consider it." Teasing him back is always a favorite past time. I heard him growl in annoyance then sigh as he replied. "How about a relaxing night filled with movies and talk instead?" he bargained. I smiled in amusement at him trying to get out of finding a mate.

"You, my dear sir, have got yourself a deal." Though I don't know how much relaxing I will do since the Cullens are now here.

"I'll pick you up at eight then?" Oh, I see how this conversation was going.

"Sorry, as much as I would like to accept the offer of a date, I don't want to be arrested." I heard him bark a laugh through the phone and I smiled in reply. He was trying to lighten our moods by turning it into a joke. He must have had a bad day also then. "That would be a problem, but since we aren't blood related I see no issue." I rolled my eyes at this. "Well, I would like to have a friendly evening instead and besides, you live right next to me, so you really can't say you will pick me up."

He chuckled before I heard the car stop and a door open and close. "Alright, I'm at home now Bella. I'll wait till you get here so we can go on a hunt." I heard the gravel crunch through the phone as he walked up to his house. "Alright, I'll see you-" I stopped as I felt the insistent tugging of my pants. I looked down to see Annabelle and Anthony reaching their hands out for the phone while pulling on my pants with one hand. "Hey Jas, it seems like some people want to say hello to you."

Before I heard his reply I handed the phone to Anthony, who held it between him and Annabelle. "Uncle Jason!" they both cried down at the phone, a smile on both of their faces. They loved their Uncle Jason, especially since he spoiled them with toys when he could. "My little monsters!" he cried back in reply.

I could see Edward wince and glare at the phone angrily. I knew he had issues about being a 'monster' and I could tell he didn't appreciate someone calling his kids monsters either. What he didn't know though, was that Jason didn't mean any harm in calling the twins that. Jason always referred to kids as joyous ankle biting monsters that people need in their life.

The twins giggled at their nickname. "Uncle Jason, are you going hunting with us then?" Annabelle asked as she stared at the phone. "Of course gumdrop, but after we are done, you will tell me all about what happened at school and no trying to show me either." I heard his stern voice. He knew that I wanted Annabelle to talk more and that I had special days once a week for us to practice our powers.

Even though I pretty much mastered mine in the course of five years, I believed that the kids could expand and evolve with their powers. In a few years' time, I suspect that Annabelle could show someone or a group of people something in her mind that she wants to be seen without touching a person. She could be able to project her thoughts at will without touching. Anthony would eventually be able to move objects without giving much thought and without seeing it too. At the moment he has to concentrate on an object in front of him or in the same room. I believe that with practice he would be able to move an object somewhere in the house or in another place by just picturing it in his mind and willing it to move. I also believe that he will be able to move a person too.

I watched as Annabelle pouted and looked away from the phone, being stubborn about not wanting to talk. Anthony tugged her hair lightly for it and turned back to the phone. "We'll both tell you about our day Uncle Jason, but we get to stay up for an hour longer than our bed time." Anthony loved to bargain too.

That is when I step in to tell him no. I took the phone away from them before Jason could agree to it. He seriously spoils them too much. "Oh no, you are not staying up past your bedtime. You have enough problems getting up in the morning now, so be grateful I'm not making your bedtime earlier than what it is. I'll see you late Jas, bye." Then I hung up the phone.

Anthony glared at me with his arms across his chest. I raised my eyebrow at him and put my hands on my hips, giving him my mom's look. He pouted and turned his head away, relenting.

I turned back to the Cullens, seeing their eyes filled with questions that I now didn't want to answer.

I had to get everything I wanted to say in order and at the moment my mind was in a jumbled mess and my heart hurt too much from the wound they just opened by coming here. I stared at Edward then, just wanting to know what was going on in his mind.

His golden eyes were filled with pain and heartbreak, with tiny flecks of love and hope. Staring into his eyes nearly ripped open the hole that he created all those years ago and I just about went back to my sobbing mess that I was when he left.

I sucked in a deep breath and said, "How about I come over on Friday, so that we can talk about everything?" I suggested. I saw Alice and Edward about to protest, but then closed their mouth. They all nodded their head, silently agreeing with me. I smiled gratefully at them before collecting my kids and heading home.

The hunt went good and Jason helped me with giving Andy and Anna a bath before putting them to bed. We then sat in the living room, a fire in the fireplace and we both sat on opposite sides on my L-shaped couch. I had my legs bent beside me as I propped my head up on my hand.

Jason was leaning back on the sofa, simply relaxing and telling me about the new doctor. I nodded my head and told him about my students before I told him that they are the Cullen clan and my old… family?... acquaintances?... I don't even know what they are to me anymore.

He seemed shocked at the news that Edward is the twin's father. I didn't want to get delve into my history and he understood that. So we just sat in companionable silence for a while before we started to talk about trivial things.

Soon my days blurred together till it was Friday. The kids were excited because it was Friday too. They got to practice their powers today once they get home, they don't have preschool till Monday, and they also get to see the Cullens today.

The day seemed to drag on and I could tell that my students weren't fully here since the promise of a weekend was coming up. I had to whip out my stern teacher card more than once today.

I could also tell that Edward was anxious for me to come over today to talk and in a way, it also made me want to run away. I felt almost pressured to tell him what happened and I really don't want to be bombarded with questions.

Once the day ended, I changed my pants into comfortable blue jeans and left my royal blue top on. I also changed my appearance back to my normal 18 year-old self with gold eyes. Anna and Andy were waiting and trying to get me to hurry out the door so they could play with the Cullen kids and their Daddy. Jason wouldn't be going since he had work today to cover for Dr. Cullen.

I drove to the Cullen house, remembering the direction Jasper gave me during lunch. I felt so nervous and on edge that I was shaking by the time I pulled into the driveway. I parked the car and turned back to give a stern look to Andy and Anna. "Behave you two and no showing off either." They nodded their heads before scrambling out of the car. I got out too, taking their hands and leading them up to the door.

The door opened before I even knocked and I was pulled into a tight hug that smelled of lilacs and mint: Esme.

I smiled as I embraced her back, happy to feel a mother's embrace once again. "Oh Bella, look at you! You get more beautiful as the days go on and mother hood really does suit you." she said as she pulled back and placed a kiss on my forehead. I chuckled. "Hi Esme. I would like you to meet your grandchildren, Anthony and Annabelle." The twins were clutching my legs again, trying to hide behind me. They peeked their heads around and waved shyly at her. I watched as Esme's golden eyes lit up and I could tell she wanted to hug them.

Carlisle came then and pulled his wife into his side. "It's good to see you again Bella. Everyone is in the living room." He held out his hand, no doubt restraining himself from giving me a hug. I grabbed his hand and pulled him to me so I could give him a hug. It was a proper greeting on my behalf.

He chuckled and held me for a moment, then pulled back to head into the living room. I grabbed the twin's hands and led them into the living room, following Carlisle and Esme. Anthony and Anna gripped my hands, no doubt uncertain about their surroundings. They relaxed once they saw Jasper and Edward. I watched as Anna ran straight to Edward, climbing up on his lap, and hugging him around his chest. Edward chuckled and hugged her back.

Anthony sat beside me on the empty couch as the Cullens sat across from me on the three seat couch that held Edward with Annabelle on his lap, Jasper with Alice on his lap, and Rosalie with Emmett by her feet. Carlisle and Esme sat on a two seat couch that faced the two couches the rest of us were on. I fiddled with my fingers, not sure where to begin in my life story till now.

"Bella, can you tell us how you became a vampire?" Carlisle started. I thought for a moment then nodded my head. It wasn't truly interesting to me, but it is a start in the story.

"When Edward left, I found out I was pregnant with twins. I was disowned by Charlie and I moved into your house till I could find my own. As the months dragged on, I realized that I was slowly changing. My hearing was getting better, along with my sight. My skin seemed to get paler and harder, and I started to crave blood, so I would cook my meat rare. By the end of the pregnancy, I was pretty much a full vampire, but I still had a heartbeat and I still had blood. The only thing I needed at the time was a bite to fully change me. I went for a walk in the woods, trying to get a little comfortable, when my water broke. I didn't have a cellphone since I didn't have money and I knew I was dying. Jason came then. He is a vegetarian vampire and also a doctor. He had to change me so I would live and he kept me financially stable till I could get on my feet. We have a brother/sister relationship." I tugged at my hair, a little uncomfortable about how I was changed.

The Cullens all looked surprised at how I was changed. It took them a bit before they recovered and then they started to ask about the twins.

I relaxed once again as I told them I have pictures and all sorts of home videos of them. Then the questions were directed to the twins. They asked what their favorite color is, favorite animal, TV shows, and everything else that was on their mind. I leaned back on the couch, happy that they weren't asking me anymore questions and I felt Anthony lean his head on my side.

I watched as Annabelle placed her hand on Edward's cheek and his face went blank. I wasn't really surprised that she did this since I gave them free reign on their powers today and Anna never really talked on Fridays since she could just show you things.

I turned by attention to Anthony who was arguing with Emmett about a game Uncle Jason gave him and the pros and cons of the game. I watched as Emmett stood up and put his balled up fists on his hips and basically turned into a giant 5 year old. Anthony was glaring at Emmett and the he wasn't really looking at him, but something over his shoulder. A vase suddenly appeared over Emmett's head and hovered there for a bit. I snapped into action then.

"Anthony Hayden Cullen, you put that vase back where you found now." I sternly said. All the room's chatter stopped as they watched our little scene. Anthony pouted and crossed his arms as he sunk into the couch. I kept an eye on him and the vase as it floated back to the stand behind the couch Edward was on.

All the Cullens looked surprised at the floating vase. I didn't pay much mind to them as I continued to scold my son. "Now apologize to Emmett." Anthony looked horror struck at the idea of apologizing.

"But I didn't do anything to him!" he cried as he sat up straighter. I gave him a stern look that I only gave them when I didn't want to hear 'buts'. "I don't care if you did or didn't do anything to him. You had the intention to drop it on his head and I've told you time and again not to resort to violence. Now apologize." I waited as he grumbled and sulked before turning to Emmett. "Sorry," he grumbled and then looked away from him.

I sighed. This wasn't my favorite part of being a parent, but I still love my kids. I kissed the top of his unruly brown locks and hugged him to my body.

"Bella," I looked up as Edward addressed me. He handed Anna over to Alice, who knew what he was going to do. "Can we talk in private?" I nodded my head and stood up from my seat, waiting for him to lead the way.

We walked into the surrounding forest till we were out of earshot so the others couldn't listen in. We stood facing each other, an awkward silence hanging in the trees surrounding us.

Edward finally broke first, "You have lovely kids and you taught them well." I nodded my head in thanks and I shuffled my foot in the dead leaves. We went back to our silence as we didn't know what else to say. "So, what did you want to talk about?" I asked as I looked up at him.

He took a deep breath. "Us. I wanted to know what will happen with us. I would like to start a relationship again, but I won't force you." I was a bit stunned that he wanted us to get back together as if it was nothing. "Why?" I choked. I didn't even think about getting back together and I didn't even believe he wanted to get back together either. I mean, he was the one who left 5 years ago!

"Well, Annabelle and Anthony need their parents. I'm sure they would want us together to raise them. I also still love you. Trust me on this, I'm sure it will be the right thing." He honestly believes all that. He only wanted to get back together because of Anthony and Annabelle and he was now spewing out words of love when he didn't really mean it. And he wanted me to trust him after everything he has done to me?!

I started to get mad at this. How dare he try to make our kids a bargaining chip on getting back together. "How dare you use our kids as an excuse? Don't you dare tell me you love me either when you don't even mean it. And trust?! Edward, I can't trust you! I don't know why I trusted you all those years ago because you always lied to me or didn't tell me anything!" I yelled at him. I was starting to dry sob as I remember all the times he promised me things that he didn't keep and when he never told me things that I probably should have known.

"Bella, that is not true! I've told you everything that you needed to know!" he yelled back, his own chest heaving from our fight. Thankfully Alice had the kids in the house with her and we were far enough away that they couldn't hear us.

"Like what Edward? I didn't know about how hard the thirst is, I didn't know about the Volturi. When we were together, you were so hesitant to tell me about yourself even though I gave you my life story! You wouldn't even fully explain to me what was going on with James when he was chasing us!" I continued. I was getting really upset from realizing all the holes in our relationship. It was putting firm doubts about if he ever truly loved me throughout the whole thing.

"Bella-" he started, but I cut him off. "What about all the promises you made to me? You said you wouldn't leave unless I told you to then a few months later you up and leave! You said that you would tell me everything about our world, but you never did. You promised me forever and I now wonder if you ever meant to keep that promise." I sounded broken and I knew he could tell too. I watched as his face screwed up in pain and sadness as he yelled, "I never wanted this life for you!"

I froze then. He didn't want me to become a vampire. He would have broken his promise of forever to me. He also only wanted me for only a few decades rather than forever and even then he left after a year and a half into our relationship. I realized that we both made mistakes in our lives and we were both going to pay for them.

A bubble of hysterical laughter started to break through at all the conclusions I made. I ran my hand through my hair and clenched my hand into a fist halfway through my hair. I looked in his eyes once more as I started to chuckle with disbelief clouding my eyes as I started to talk again. "Oh god, we both made mistakes didn't we?" I breathed. I didn't let him talk as I continued, "I made the mistake of believing everything you said and trusting you and actually loving you. And you… you made the mistake of having sex with me. Now you have to put up with me being a vampire and having kids."

He stared at me incredulously, his mouth moving without words coming out.

It seems I hit the nail on the head with this one.

I started to the house, feeling sick to my stomach as all my hopes on being a happy family were cruelly squashed on. I just wanted to grab my kids and run as far away from reality as I could.

I faintly heard Edward following me back to the house.

Once I got to the house, I called out for Annabelle and Anthony with as strong as a voice as I could.

Annabelle came running down the stairs with Alice and Anthony came in from the living room from playing video games with the Jasper and Emmett. I threw up both of my shields so Jasper couldn't feel me and Alice couldn't see me.

The twins stood in front of me, looking curious on what I had to say. I smiled as best as I could, "Hey guys, I'm ready to go home now. So tell them goodbye and lets go."

Edward stood off to the side, silently watching us.

Annabelle's eyebrows drew together as she got a defiant look on her face. "No, I don't want to go yet! Auntie Alice is playing dolls and dress up with me! And Daddy also told me he would teach me piano later! I want to stay here." She stomped her foot to fortify what she said as she crossed her arms. I felt shocked and a bit betrayed as she refused to go home with me. I hid it quickly so that no one could see it.

"Annabelle, we need to go home. We can't bother them anymore than we have today. We can come back here." I tried to placate her, but she just threw her arms down and ran to Edward, hugging his leg tightly.

"I don't want to go! I want to stay with Daddy!" I didn't know what to say to that. I felt hurt by her admission and I struggled on what to do. I turned to Anthony then, wondering if he would go with me and hoping he would. He didn't look at me and nudged his sock covered foot against the wooden floor.

"Anthony, do you want to go home?" I asked quietly, afraid that if I spoke louder, all my pain and sadness would make itself known. Anthony shook his head and looked up at me apologetically with his grass green eyes. "Sorry Mom, I don't want to go home yet. Uncle Jasper and Uncle Emmett are teaching me so many new games. Can't we stay here a little longer?"

I tried my hardest not to show anything that I was feeling and I don't know if it was working. I smiled at him, feeling even more pain and betrayal than I did before. I walked over to him and went down to his height, giving him a tight squeeze and a kiss on the forehead. I didn't move from my position and looked over to Annabelle, holding my arms out to her. She hesitated a second and then hugged me. I kissed her forehead too. "Alright, just call Uncle Jason tomorrow to pick you up for school. I have to go do some things and I also need to hunt a bit more for tomorrow." I stood up and walked to the door, keeping myself together.

Edward reached out and grabbed my wrist. I turned to him then, looking at him with the same cold eyes that he gave me in the woods 5 years ago. "Goodbye Edward," I put finality in my voice, hoping that he would get the message that I meant goodbye forever.

I ran out of the house as fast as I could, holding myself together till I was sure I was far enough away. Once I was far enough I saw a boulder sticking high into the air next to a small creek. I climbed up the rock and drew my knees up to my chest, resting my chin on them.

I had to think on what to do now.

I knew I couldn't live with knowing that Edward never truly loved me and I was a distraction like he told me 5 years ago. I couldn't handle passing my kids to him and then picking them up when they don't want to go.

Maybe I could take a page out of Edward's book and just run away from it all. Disappear and be nothing but a memory. Anthony and Annabelle has a family that can give them the world and Edward can replace me on the parent role. I didn't want to ruin their chance at happiness.

Edward could also concentrate on finding a mate then with me gone.

The thought of Edward having another person as a mate sent little needles stabbing into my dead heart.

I couldn't bear the thought of Edward having another or my kids having a new Mommy.

I wanted to run home to Charlie, but he died 3 years ago due to the loss of me and stress combine with a stroke. He died because he couldn't bear the loss of me.

He died.

Died.

Dying.

Death.

Each time I repeat that word it sounded better and better to me. I had the option of death. I could run to the Volturi and ask them to kill me. But they might not kill me because of my power.

I could find a nomad instead to kill me. I didn't mean anything to a nomad. I would just be a no name vampire to them, who was tired of living a life in the dark. They wouldn't care.

I didn't have anything to lose since I had the assurance that Edward would take care of the twins. Jason would be mad at me, but he would get over it soon enough. The Cullen clan… I didn't know what they would do once I'm dead. Would they be sad? Would they not care? I couldn't ponder on those thoughts for too long or else I would lose the nerve to run away.

I stood up, determined to find my death, when a smell hit my nose that made me stop.

I didn't turn around as the person got closer till they were standing next to me.

"I didn't think you would be the one to come up and talk to me," I stated with my renewed strength. I heard a snort beside me. "Yeah, well, with Edward being all depressed and Alice with Annabelle and Jasper, Emmett, and Anthony all wrapped up in a game, I was the only one left to come talk to you," Rosalie stated as she sat down on the rock, her legs crossed at the ankle as they dangled.

I looked down at her before sitting back down myself. A talk with Rose wouldn't change my mind. I was sure of that since she would actually cheer once she heard my decision. Heck, she would give me a bouquet of flowers and wish me the best of luck.

"So what are you doing here?" I asked as I stared out at the forest surrounding the little creek and rock.

She shrugged her shoulders and looked ahead with me. "I figured my idiot brother said something he shouldn't have and made you run off to do something stupid." I glared at her then. "He actually gave me the truth for once in my life. He told me what he thought." She lifted an eyebrow at me, silently asking what that was. "He told me that he never wanted to spend more than a few decades with me. I was the only one with the delusion that we would last forever." I held my hand up, staring at the flawless pale skin. A bit of sun broke through the overcast clouds and hit my hand, making it sparkle like a diamond, proving my inhumanness.

I clenched my hand into a fist, feeling for the first time disgusted at what I was, what I became. I was utterly disgusted that I was a vampire.

I heard her snort beside me, "And you honestly believe that? If you do, then you are just as stupid as Edward."

I snapped my head around to stare at her in rage. "Then what am I supposed to believe?! After every lie and broken promise that he has given me, how can I find truth in his declarations of love!" I screamed.

She sighed and rubbed her forehead as if she had a headache. "My brother has done some pretty stupid stuff. And I'm not excusing him for it either. He told you things that he shouldn't have and kept little promises. I don't blame you for not believing him, but the one truth that you should always believe in is his love for you." I was surprised at how sincere she sounded to me.

I looked down in defeat, knowing I couldn't go off and kill myself now. Not with knowing that there was a small possibility that Edward loves me. "Rosalie, I want to believe in that, I really do, but after everything that I've been through, how can I trust in him again," I softly admitted. I felt strange confessing all this to her, but I felt it was right.

"I was terrified about the twins seeing Edward because I was terrified that he would take them away from me, or they would want to stay with him, or worse, he would leave them like he left me. I just want the best for them." I picked at nothing on my jeans, feeling all my fears rear their heads again as I admitted them.

I don't want my babies to go through what I had to go through. I want them to be able to love their father and trust in him, but I don't want them to realize that he doesn't keep his promises and he'll flee someday.

I heard Rose sigh beside and I glanced over to see her glaring at nothing. "I have a feeling that is not all you have an issue with, is it?" she grumbled as she leaned back on her hands.

I chuckled darkly. Oh no, I had a whole lot of issues to deal with, with the Cullen family. Well mainly with two of them. "Rosalie, I have been thinking about my life with you guys before you left and I must say, it looked a bit horrible to me." She raised her eyes brow, a bit intrigued on where this was going no doubt.

"After I went through my memories, I realized that Edward and Alice never really gave me a choice in life or treated me as equal. They pretty much treated me like a pet." I glared at the ground as I recalled the memories. "It was always, 'The human needs to eat,' or 'the human needs to sleep' and 'it's time for the human to do this or that' it sounded like I was a pet to them! And they never gave me a choice either! No, 'Bella would you like to go shopping?' or 'Bella, what would you like to do today?' it was always 'Bella, we are going shopping and you can't say no' or 'Bella I have a somewhere I would like to take you'. Now that I can live my life the way I want to, I don't know if I want to go back." I finally got that off my chest and it felt really good.

Rosalie looked surprised by my admission. "Now that you mention it, it does sound like we treated you like a pet. I don't blame you for not wanting to go back." she smiled at me before looking forward again.

We both sat in silence for a bit before I opened my mouth, "You are so lucky Rosalie." I barely spoke over a whisper to her and I felt like I wanted to cry again.

"What do you mean?" she asked. I refused to look at her, so I couldn't tell what expression she had on her face.

"You have a mate that you can spend forever with. You can spend all of life's moments with the one you love. I don't have that. The man that I thought I would spend forever with, doesn't want forever with me." I had to take a few deep breathes to calm myself down so I didn't start dry sobbing again.

"I guess when you put it that way, I am lucky," she said softly. "But I also consider you lucky because you have kids to love and raise. Screw men, the only thing they are good for are compliments and sex. Kids are the real joy in life and you have that when so many other women don't." I couldn't help but laugh at Rose's comment on men, but she made me feel better knowing I was lucky in my own way.

We sat in a comfortable silence before she broke it again. "You need to talk to Edward about all of this. It's just going to fester if you don't and one of you will snap." I had to agree with her on that. I had to speak to Edward and I would prefer if it was now since it was all on my mind. A wicked idea suddenly came into my mind and a smile curled on my lips. "Hey Rose, I'm going to play a little scare trick on Alice and Edward, just to show how much it hurts when a decision is made without them having a say in it." Rose smirked at me, clearly agreeing with me.

Rosalie got up then, dusting off her pants and heading back the way she came. "Have fun with it Bella, but make sure you talk to Edward." She waved her hand before she broke out in a run to the house.

I took a deep breath and slowly let it out as I lowered my shields so Alice could see me again. I focused on the decision I made earlier with a random nomad 'helping' me. I let the decision play through my mind, knowing it would hurt them enough so one of them would start to run after me.

I was gambling that Edward would be the one to run here.

I snapped my shields back up after I made sure Alice saw my decision and also scaring her further by my future going black.

I leaned back on my hands and let my legs dangle over the rock as I waited for Edward to arrive.

It didn't take long till I heard someone running in my direction as fast as they could. I breathed in their scent to smell honey and sunshine. Edward.

Looks like gambling pays off sometimes. I might have to try my hand at Vegas then.

I schooled my face into the same mask that he wore when he left me.

"Bella!" I heard him cry as he broke through the trees. I turned my head around and seeing him like that almost made me drop my mask. His hair was even messier from running, his eyes frantic and scared, and his chest was heaving.

Once his eyes locked on me, he ran towards me and hugged me close to his body. I didn't return his hug.

"Edward, we need to talk." I didn't let any emotion into my voice and I was going to play my charade of me dying.

He looked fearful and he refused to let me go. I had to pry his arms off my body and Edward whimpered as soon as I was out of his arms. It made me want to be back in his arms just so I could assure him I wasn't dying.

"Bella, please don't go! Don't go off to die! What about Anthony and Annabelle?" he franticly said. It seems he was grasping for straws on reasons why I shouldn't die. I knew what game he was playing since he would sing the same tune before. If I did something he saw as dangerous, he would play 'What about' to make me feel guilty and not do it. It worked most of the time, but I thought through this before.

"They'll be fine Edward. They have you and the rest of the Cullens to look after them and also Jason. I'll just be a distant memory soon enough." I could tell that wasn't what he wanted to hear and I could see his lip quiver.

"Edward, before I go, I need to tell you some things. I guess they could be called reasons, on why I don't want to get back together and why I'm doing this." I heard him whimper again, but I ignored it as I continued on. "I realized that I never had a choice in life while I was with you. You decided my life, without asking me how I would feel about it. You left with some crazy hair brain idea that I would be safer without you, while I was actually safer with you around. I wasn't even your equal in life. I was merely a pet to you, being drug around on a leash waiting till you gave me the satisfaction of having a bit more leeway in life. I was blind to the truth that you didn't fully love me. You were only attracted by me because you couldn't read my mind and my blood smelled wonderful to you. I don't want that life again and I'm tired of what I became. I don't want this life anymore because of all the pain you put me through. Goodbye Edward, it will be as if I never existed." I gave him the words he left me with as I stood up, ready to jump off the rock, giving him the impression I was heading off to die.

"NO, Bella!" he grabbed my wrist, holding me back. I didn't look back to him, but I could hear his deep breathing. "Please, don't go. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I never realized that I did that to you. I'll try to be better, I'll honestly try. Please don't leave me. I love you. I love you." I could hear him dry sobbing as he clutched at my wrist. I felt his body moving to the ground as he cried more. I turned around to face him, seeing him on his knees with his head bent. I watched as he lifted his head, his golden eyes glassy with unshedable tears.

I had to hold myself back from dropping to my own knees and drawing him close to my body, to reassure him that everything would be fine. I reminded myself that I need to get this point across. "Edward, if I stay, will you always stay by my side, giving me and the twins the chance to choose our life, and telling us everything, never hiding information?" I almost felt like I was asking for a vow, but I continued on. He looked a bit hopeful as he replied, "I will do everything in my power to keep you by my side and proving how much I love you Bella. I will never leave you or the twins again. I promise that I will give you whatever you want. Just please don't leave me."

I dropped to my knees then and took his face between my hands. I smiled softly at him, silently reassuring him that all is forgiven before pulling him into a long awaited kiss that made me feel like I was finally home.

Alright, all the sadness and angst is done for now. I hope you guys review as much as you did for the first chapter. It really helped me get this chapter out so quick. Tell me any ideas you have for the last chapter too because I'm struggling on what to write for it. Please R&R!