Good evening all and thank you again for your loyalty in following, reviewing, and reading my stories. I love that Edward's character is emanating the intended responses in your reviews. That makes me happy.

I'm so sorry that I haven't updated before now, I have been fighting writer's block like something fierce; not to mention RL has been kicking my butt. Got incredible news at work, but my workload has been doubled with over 20 hours of overtime last week alone. Not to mention my parents' 15 year old lab went missing about a week ago and we have all been really worried looking for her.

In response to the review by Happy Kid 21 – I will definitely recognize the fact that I don't included a lot of dialog in my stories unless it's the only way to really carry the story forward. To me, personally, I enjoy seeing the thoughts and plot behind it more than the dialog itself; however, I can appreciate your point. Also, I had hoped to think I was keeping a fairly steady pace but I will agree there is a lot going on in the story at this point. I guess I'm avoiding the elephant in the room, that inevitable lull that hits in every "book" that you read where things slow down for a bit and you get bored. I do believe that ultimately it's inevitable but I am trying to avoid it all costs. Thank you for reading,

Aside from that, it's been a long day so I'll get right to our story.

Chapter Twelve: Peace of Mind

Edward POV:

I could hear a heavy sigh from her before she turned, not hesitating to hide her irritation but still her good manners won out.

"Sure Edward, why not; you may have a seat wherever you like."

I slid into the booth across from her and shot her my most sparkling smile. "I'm sorry to bother you; I figured it might be nice to have some company. Did you get more information on Charlie's condition?"

Her deep brown eyes were filled with sadness, and she struggled to hold her composure. "Yes we found out he had a massive heart attack, just like you said. He um, he hasn't regained consciousness and at this rate, we don't know if he will." At these words, she paused and I saw emotion began pooling behind her eyes.

I wished nothing more than to take this pain away from her but I knew that on the other side of the coin, I needed this. I needed her to be emotionally raw and vulnerable here with me, while her dog slept upstairs. This gave me the opportunity I'd been waiting for, but for the moment I needed to let her vent, to bring all of her unshed emotions to the surface. I dreaded the idea of listening to her whine when I could so easily dispose of Charlie and make this process all that much quicker. But in reality, I needed her vulnerable but not broken, so I decided against that idea. So with an inner groan I returned to our conversation where she continued to drone on.

"My mom's here and I have no idea what to even say to her. I mean, I love my mom I really do, but for once I don't want to have to be the grown up here. My dad is lying in that bed in there and he may never…he may never wake up. A girl's daddy is supposed to be invincible, I don't know how mom and I would make it if…if he doesn't…oh my God we can't lose him!"

At this declaration she broke down into sobs almost completely dropping her still full cup of coffee. In a moment I swooped around the table and into the seat directly beside her, wrapping my arm around her. "Bella it'll be okay, my father has known Charlie for a long time. He's a strong man, and he'll come out of this; he really will." I rolled my eyes and stared at the ceiling counting the tiles as she continued to wallow. In my exasperated attempts to entertain myself, I began to gently probe at her mind like I did before, in the hopes that something would come through. Again, the membrane that shielded her thoughts was present. It stood guard everywhere that I pressed, pushing back and denying my entry. Out of frustration I gave a strong final push against it, and immediately Bella sat up as if she had been struck by lightning. The faucet had stopped and her eyes were dry and filled with anger rather than the fear of just a couple of moments ago.

"What the hell is it that you think you're doing, Edward?" Her eyes searched my face, although I had no idea what she was looking for.

I decided that it was wisest to play dumb. "What are you talking about, Bella?" My answer only seemed to make her angrier, and she leaned forward across the table speaking quietly but forcefully all the same.

"Edward, I can feel you trying to get into my head and I don't appreciate it. If I want you to know what I'm thinking I'll tell you but it's not likely considering I can think of nothing else than getting the hell away from you. So do us both a favor and back the fuck off!" With that she stood, and scooping her coffee from the table she stormed away. This girl was nothing like Alice's visions painted her out to be, I'd expected her to be more…compliant. But I refused to give up this easily, so I stood and followed her out into the hall.

"I swear to you now, Edward, if you do not leave me alone! I have no issue phasing in this hallway, dragging your glittery ass into the courtyard, and putting you in your place!"

"Wow Bella, angry much? It's really hard to believe that we were supposed to be mates…"

She whipped around to face me, "What did you say?"

I withdrew from her reach, unsure of what kind of reaction I could expect from her. "I said mates Bella that is what our story was supposed to be. Alice saw it, in one of her visions. And we were happy, really happy. I mean we had our death defying moments but who doesn't?" I realized that I may have been rambling when I looked up to see her leaning against the wall glaring at me while her toe tapped the floor impatiently.

"I don't understand how you leave me so flustered, Bella. I have never been like this, so unsteady and easily rattled. You can't tell me that you don't feel it, the pull toward me as well. There is no way that you can possible want the life that you'll have with that dog more than what you could have with me. If you know of my family then you know the type of life that we lead. I want to give you that life Bella. I want to give you forever, we would be amazing together." She surprised me by shoving herself away from the wall, and walking toward me as she spoke. But the look in her eyes was no longer ominous; it had shifted to a more alluring expression.

"You know Edward I see what you're saying, and I do recognize the kind of life that your family has. I never pictured myself in it, but I get this urge every time that I'm around you. It's almost subliminal, like I just can't control it."

She strode toward me and I smiled at the hunger in her eyes and the sway of her hips, knowing that I had finally gotten through to her. I snapped and realized that she now stood in front of me chewing her lip. She leaned toward me and I closed my eyes, excited at the prospect of her lips meeting mine.

That was until I was shocked back to reality by the unexpected sensation of her fist making contact with my jaw.

Jacob POV

I was jarred awake by the sound of Renee's purse clattering against the floor as all of the contents spilled out. Sitting up groggily I stretched heartily, feeling my joints crack.

"Hey Renee, when did you get here?"

She looked up wide eyed, still scrambling to corral her wayward belongings. "Oh Jake, I'm sorry honey. I was trying not to wake you, you were sleeping so soundly."

Although I was exhausted, I smiled warmly in an attempt to assuage her conscious. "You're fine, no worries. Bella and I just tried to get a quick cat nap in." It was then that I realized that Bella was no longer in the room. In seconds, I was awake and scouring the room and what I could see of the hallway. Trying not to alarm Renee I stood and walked over, rescuing a small wayward compact containing some foreign female substance and handing it to her. "So, um, where's Bella run off to?"

"I'm right here honey; don't panic." She appeared in the doorway with a smirk on her lips. I hurried to her and pulled her into my arms and against my chest. "Where did you disappear to my sweet?" She lifted her arm and for the first time I noticed her hand and wrist were wrapped up in a bandage, causing immediate panic to fill my mind. My eyes searched hers for an explanation and she whispered softly where only my ears could make it out. "I punched a vampire in the face."

"Nice." I couldn't contain my pride at my kick ass mate. I overtook her mouth with my own and ended up overwhelmed with the urge to take her right here in the hallway. She picked up on the rising tension and smiled devilishly, "Reign it in cowboy...or should I say Indian?"

I laughed heartily and kissed her lips again, with a little less intensity this time. "No but really, who did you punch?" She opened her mouth to answer but before she could speak we were interrupted as we were reminded that we weren't alone in the room.

"You punched someone? Bella!" Renee rushed over, admonishing Bella sternly, "Honey, I know you're upset but violence is never the answer!" Bella attempted to look contrite while I could feel the pride radiating off of her in waves. Luckily Renee was distracted as a nurse walked in to check on Charlie, so her barrage of questions was halted, but I was still too curious. "So, who was it honey?" Her answer didn't surprise but I was still not happy with it none the less.

"It was Edward, he found me the in the cafeteria. He gave me a speech about how I was supposed to be his mate and how he wanted to give me eternity and the life he knows I deserve."

I felt like I'd been kicked in the gut as his words struck the only chord that really mattered. His money, he was offering her things I never could. The life we would have together would be nothing compared the luxury she would have with him. I was overwhelmed with a wave of doubt, feeling very inadequate and I struggled to keep my emotions from showing.

She was pulling me back to the present with a heady kiss, "Jake honey, I don't want that life. There's not a world in which I would trade money for life. They're dead, and I could never see myself as a necrophiliac. I love your warmth against mine, I crave your warmth."

I could hear the hunger in her words and I knew if we didn't stop this we would have to find a private hiding place very soon. A smaller woman walked past me but stopped just short of the doorway where we stood. I looked up and my mouth dropped open in shock as I recognized our tribe's seeker stood there eying us both soberly.

"Jacob, Isabella, I bring news from the council. We have a lot to discuss."

There you have it, Chapter 12 finally! I look forward to hearing your thoughts, comments, and reviews! Its kitchen work then bed for me before work tomorrow. Have a great night all!