A/N: This chapter is a lot longer than the others. It answers a few questions but still leaves you wondering what the heck is going on! The Jasper/Bella bits are coming. I've already written chapter 7 and it's all Jasper.

I'd like to take a minute to respond to the review from TiffaniW. Thank you for taking the time to read and review, I appreciate your feedback. I did take it as constructive and, don't worry, I'm not discouraged. :) Your review actually helped with this chapter. I went back and re-edited and changed some things around in this chapter.

I would like to answer all of your questions but I can't yet without giving away what's to come. I will get to them and address all your concerns as we go along. If you're still reading, I hope you'll continue. If this story isn't for you, that's okay too.

Bella's been very indecisive in this story, but that will change. There's a reason behind why she is the way she is right now and what's happening to her mental health.

Thank you all for your lovely reviews. I enjoy reading them. They give me inspiration to keep writing!

Enjoy xoxo

– Bella's POV –

Before I could move or utter another word, my dad, Charlie Swan—who isn't as dead as I thought—pulled me into a bone-crushing hug.

"I've missed you, kiddo!" He breathed.

He held me against his chest, squeezing me.

I couldn't wrap my head around this. Charlie was alive. He was here. How the hell was this happening?

At that moment, as he held me, I was torn between falling into his arms or running for the hills. This couldn't be happening, right? I mean, the man's been dead for the past eighty-five years!

Well, obviously not.

Wouldn't we have run into him? Heard something! We've heard a lot of stories over the years about the Cullens but nothing about a Charlie Swan.

Think of the places we've been and the life we've lived. Do you think any of the Cullens would be up for living our life? There's a reason we stay away from humans and a reason they don't. Their lives revolve around humans and what they've lost. Their whole life is about integrating into a world they no longer belong to.

You are a vampire! You moved on with your afterlife. You've had experiences none of the Cullens could ever contemplate. You grew and changed. And for some godawful reason, you then made the asinine decision to come back to Forks and go to high school!

I ignored the voice in my head and took a deep breath, breathing in Charlie's scent. Coffee. Warm and calming after a long day. It was mixed with the earthiness of rain and woods. And the subtle sweetness of honey and just a hint of jasmine.

He smelt like Forks. And the police station. And . . . huh. How strange. Alice.

"Shh. I'm here." He whispered, brushing his fingers through my loose hair. "I'm here now, Bells. Everything's gonna be okay now. I've gotcha."

Oh, brother. Seriously? 'Everything's gonna be okay now'? He is for real?

He's being a dad.

No. I'm pretty sure he's assuming our life has been shit without him and the Cullens because we're incapable of taking care of ourselves.

I think you're being too sensitive.

Aren't you curious how the hell he's a vampire? Who turned him? And, oh yeah, there's the fact that he's living with the Cullens! A family he loathed after Edward broke up with us!

Okay. Good point.

I extracted myself from Charlie's hug and took a step back, putting a little distance between me and the surrounding Cullens. Charlie looked shocked at first but quickly schooled his features into what I used to call his 'cop face'.

"How long have you been in town?" He asked me.

"A week." I shrugged. "It was a spur-of-the-moment decision. You?"

"Two years." He answered, giving nothing away.

I nodded.

Well, isn't this awkward?

Awkward yes, but also interesting.

How is this interesting?

The pull I've been feeling to come back here . . .

The one that led to this awkward situation, yes, what about it?

If the Cullens have been here for the last two years, they can't have anything to do with this odd sensation in my chest! I've never felt anything like it. But it's only recently been drawing me to Forks.

So, what does that mean?

It means, all of this was a waste of time, and I really should've known better. What was I thinking coming back here? I'm a grown woman for God's sake, not a teenager! I don't go around chasing random feelings!

Perhaps if you'd consulted your brain before packing up to move here and making the idiotic decision to go to high school, we wouldn't be in this mess! But alas, here we are. Now what?

Well, since you seem to be the expert, what do you recommend?

How about we cut to the chase and get to the good stuff?

I shifted back another step. "You look good for a man who survived a deadly heart attack brought on by the death of his only daughter."

Behind him, there were several shocked gasps.

Charlie's eyes widened. Finally, an emotion. Shock. Guilt. "You know about that?"

That his death was blamed on us? Of course, we know! A good dollop of guilt added to the grief did a number on our mental health.

I nodded. "I saw your obit in the paper. Even went to your funeral. Well, kinda from a distance, but still, I was there."

"W-We didn't know," Alice whispered. "It made sense. A heart attack brought on by his grief . . ."

As cover stories go, it was good. And, if they were to be trusted, they couldn't have known I'd see his obituary and spend decades believing I was the cause of his death.

But was it an accident or was he willing?

"I guess I can say the same about you, Bells." Charlie countered, looking me over. "Considering I buried you and all."

Touché old man.

"And you didn't see any of this," I asked, looking at Alice who was lingering behind Charlie, "I find that hard to believe."

"I," Alice sighed, "I haven't had a vision of you since your death, Bella."

"You'll forgive me if I don't believe you, I'm running a little low on trust these days."

Low? I'd say we're plum outta trust, Sunshine! Especially regarding this bunch.

Alice's smile disappeared and her shoulder slumped. Had she been expecting something different? For us to suddenly become BFFs again? Not a chance.

Standing awkwardly behind Charlie and Alice, Carlisle cleared his throat. "Perhaps we should take this inside?" He suggested. "Our home is bigger than yours, Bella, and not far from here."

It took a lot of effort not to roll my eyes. Did he think I'd forgotten?

Or was that a dig at our pretty little cottage? Small, yes, but there's only little ol' me. Not like we need some grand mansion!

Eh. I'm not bothered. Works out better this way. If I want a quick exit, it's easier to have this little gathering at their place than try to kick them out of our cottage.

Good thinking.

The Cullen home hadn't changed. Not one bit. Everything was the same. There were some upgrades, of course. Eight decades have passed since I was last here. But other than that, it looked like time had stood still.

Dad led me into the living room and offered me a seat on the couch. I chose to sit in the armchair instead, keeping my distance.

The house may not have changed but a few of the occupants sure had!

Emmett and Rosalie looked happy. They sat beside one another on the loveseat, Rosalie holding onto Emmett, who looked ready to burst with excitement.

They looked older. Not physically, obviously. The way they were dressed made them look to be in their early twenties, not teenagers. Emmett had on a pair of dark grey jeans, a fitted t-shirt, and a black suit jacket. He looked more mature. Like he'd just come home from a long day at work.

Rosalie, too, looked like she'd just come home from the office. She wore a black fitted jersey t-shirt with cap sleeves tucked into her grey pencil skirt. Paired with a pair of killer stiletto pumps, her hair and makeup were done to perfection.

Wow. That girl is gorgeous! And those shoes. I want them!

Esme and Carlisle were nothing like I remember them. Physically, they looked exactly the same. But their attire . . . Esme was wearing a light pink sweater, with the sleeves rolled up, and destroyed denim overalls. On her feet were a pair of cream canvas slip-ons! She didn't look like a Stepford wife anymore, dressed in a perfectly tailored pantsuit, not a hair out of place. She seemed . . . happier. More relaxed.

Carlisle wore a pair of destroyed jeans and a black Def Leppard Hysteria 1988 tour t-shirt. His hair was unkempt and he looked perfectly at ease. I'd go as far as to say he looked like a normal 23-year-old man.

It was shocking to see them all looking so . . . normal!

But the biggest difference was Jasper. He had changed physically. Or, maybe I just hadn't noticed him back then. Which is possible. I was kept as far away from Jasper as Edward could get me. He was tall. Really tall. Has he always been this tall? He must've been about six-three. His shoulders were broad. His dark wash jeans were tight and molded to the exquisite curve of his ass.

Oh my. Turn around baby, let me see . . .

He wore a pair of worn cowboy boots and a black and red checked shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing his sexy, strong forearms that were covered in bite marks.

That was certainly new. Well, at least to my eyes. I hadn't been able to see his scars as a human. Now I could see him with perfect clarity. And, oh my, he was gorgeous.

How many vampires have tried to attack this man and lost their lives because of sheer stupidity? This is not a man to be trifled with.

The scars stood out like a beacon warning all others that this man was dangerous. He seemed unassuming enough, standing at the back of the room, hands behind his back. Looking perfectly calm.

But upon closer inspection, it was there. The danger. The warning. Lurking just beneath the surface was an entirely different man. Ready to strike at a moment's notice.

Damn. That man is sexy! Maybe we should take him out for a spin before we hit the road.

Not gonna happen. He's mated to Alice. And, something tells me, that little pixie doesn't play well with others.

Neither do I.

The biggest difference in Jasper was his eyes. They were no longer the gold of an animal drinker, but deep ruby red. And, I've got to say, damn! Red was his color!

He looked more content. Freer. More confident. He stood taller. He was sexy. Fierce. Edible. Lickable.

Hmm. Now there's a thought.

I want to lick him.

All over.

From head to toe.

Every inch of that gorgeous body!

Do you think he'd mind if we lick him? I mean, that's normal, right? People lick each other these days, don't they?

I don't think it's normal, civilized behavior.

I never said I was a civilized vampire.

Well, in that case, I don't see why we couldn't.

Licking might not be enough, though. I wanted to sink my teeth into his jugular and rub my naked body all over his.

Something I didn't recognize surged through me. A tug deep in my chest clenched around my heart. I felt a deep desire to go to him. To stand at his side. To touch him. To take his hand in mine. Everything inside of me was demanding I move closer to him.

I needed to be closer.

I had to be closer.

Right now!

Oh, fuck me!

What the fuck's happening?

Nothing you're gonna like! But I'm pretty sure I've figured out what that pulling sensation in our chest means.

What does it mean?

It means Jasper Hale is our—

"How, Bells?" Dad asked.

I jumped at the sound of his voice. A low hiss left my lips, causing everyone in the room to tense. "Sorry." I shook myself. "Sorry. Uh, what were you saying?"

I'll tell you later.

"How did this happen to you, Bells?" Dad repeated his question, looking more than a little concerned now.

"Oh."

At least try to be cool.

Right. I can do that.

"We all went to your funeral," Emmett said sadly.

Whoa! Hold the phone. Did he just say what I think he just said?

Pretty sure.

They went to our funeral? Why the hell would they bother doing that? They're the ones who left! Without a goodbye or an explanation. Or a god damn fuck you! And they had the gall to go to our fake funeral!

Better question: how is it none of them realized I was transiting inside my coffin and was then buried alive?

Trust me, that's not a pleasant experience!

Good question, Sunshine. At least one of them should've known or, at the very least, heard or sensed something! If Jasper was there, wouldn't he have sensed our pain?

There were so many questions, I didn't know where to start.

I find the beginning is usually the best place.

I turned back to Charlie, who was impatiently awaiting my answer. "How much do you know?" I wondered.

"Everything," Alice chimed in. "All of it. Every detail."

Humph. Somehow, I doubt that.

"Sam Uley found you in the forest," Charlie told me. "You were pronounced dead at the clinic in La Push. It was an animal attack. There'd been some bear sightings and a couple of missing hikers but you were the first death. Harry and Billy put together a hunting party and killed the animal."

How the hell is that possible? I wasn't dead! Even while in transition, my heart wouldn't have stopped beating. There would've been signs of life. Transitioning wasn't nearly as awful as everyone told me. Actually, it wasn't bad at all. More like . . . falling asleep . . . and then waking up trapped inside a coffin!

It is a conundrum. Another piece to add to the mystery. How is it Alice can't see our future anymore? She never had trouble when we were human, so what's changed? Edward still can't read our mind. Kate's gift doesn't work on us. Neither does Zafrina's.

Maybe there's something wrong with us. A fault in our brain or something.

I'd suggest a gift, but Eleazar's read us. Our gift is being able to change our form. That has nothing to do with blocking gifts or whatever this is.

Unless he lied.

Why would Eleazar lie to us?

"Obviously, that wasn't the truth," Edward huffed. "The shifters must have lied." He turned his black eyes on me. "So, how did you allow this to happen, Isabella."

If we do one thing before we leave this little town, please let it be killing that boy!

We can't kill him. That'll start a war with the Cullens and I doubt we'd survive such a thing.

It can be my Christmas present!

"Are you a complete moron, Edward?" I asked. "What the hell was I thinking dating you? How did I let this happen?" I repeated. "Do you hear yourself when you speak or do the words just come tumbling out of your mouth in the most idiotic, condescending way possible?"

A gasp came from Esme as the others stared at me with their mouths open. Don't tell me they thought I'd fall helplessly into his arms and we'd all become one big happy family?

If that happens, it's the fire for you, missy!

"This didn't happen, because of me, Edward! I was human! The mess you and your family left behind came back to bite me in the ass."

Carlisle opened his mouth to speak, but I wasn't done and ignored him.

"But I've realized over the years, I'm thankful I was turned when and the way I was. This is the life I was always meant to lead. And had you stayed, we both know you didn't have the balls to turn the girl you claimed was your mate. You wanted her to have a long, normal human life. What she wanted didn't matter. What was good for your family didn't matter. As long as you got what you wanted, that's all that mattered."

A low growl came from Edward. "Who did you allow to turn you, Isabella?"

"My name is Bella!" I snapped.

"Answer me, Isabella! Now!" He snarled, jumping to his feet.

"Edward," Esme hissed, "that is no way to speak to your mate!"

Say what?

Edward hissed at Esme. "I suggest you get control of your mate, Carlisle. Isabella is mine. I will speak to her however I wish. I am her Alpha!"

Ha! Him? An Alpha? Is that a joke?

Surprising me, Carlisle growled! Not at Edward. Oh no. He growled at Esme! And began hissing at her to sit down and not intrude on a newly mated couple!

Good grief! They're all fuckin' insane!

"Answer me, Isabella. Now!"

Oh, there were so many ways this could go. Flip him off. Snarky comment. Tell him to go fuck himself. Dig in my heels. I'm pretty good at the stubborn thing.

Might as well get it over with. Best not to make enemies with this bunch. Especially with Jasper on their side. We can fight, but I get the feeling we won't survive if he turns on us. And if that happens, we'll never get to see how good he looks between our legs.

I huffed at myself. Fine.

"Laurent is my Sire." I told them.

There was another round of gasps.

"You remember him, don't you, Carlisle?" I asked. "Tall. Beautiful dark skin. Deadlocks. Made you all think he was kind, compassionate, and looking for a new way to live so you sent him up to Alaska to meet your cousins?"

There was a low rumbling in the room. This was a sound unlike anything else. It was distinctively male. But it wasn't coming from Edward or Carlisle. Not Charlie or Emmett. It was vicious and angry. Everyone in the room was suddenly cowering. But it was having a wholly different effect on me! I wasn't scared. Not at all. If anything, I was aroused!

Every inch of me was suddenly very aware and tingling! My nipples hardened. My core throbbed and ached.

Oh, God, please don't let that be Edward making such an erotic sound!

Nope. It's not Edward.

"Laurent is the one who turned ya, Darlin'?" A barely contained growl left Jasper's throat and . . . okay, did he just get taller?

Who the hell cares? Did you hear that voice? My, oh my. Oh, God! I think my panties are about to combust from the heat between my legs!

Mm. His voice was all kinds of sexy. I've always been a sucker for an accent.

"That wasn't his intention, but yes," I nodded, "he is my Sire."

"What was his intention?" Rosalie asked.

I looked over at her. "He was passing through, checking to make sure you were all still in town and taking care of your human pet."

"You were never our pet, Bella," Esme whispered.

I ignored her. "I just happened to find him while he was hunting in the area."

Another low snarl reverberated through the room. "Carlisle!" Jasper roared. "I warned you he was dangerous!"

"Where is he, Isabella?" Edward demanded, completely ignoring Jasper, pretty much like Carlisle and the others were doing. "I'll kill him for touching my mate!"

"Would you like the list of all the others who've touched me, too?" I asked. "It's pretty extensive. It should keep you busy and out of my hair for a while."

He stared at me with his mouth open. "Y-You've fornicated!"

Seriously? Did he think we'd remain a virgin for the rest of our afterlife? Newsflash, we aren't him!

"Sorry, Eddie. You're the only repressed virgin here." I smiled brightly. "When I woke up to this life—after I clawed my way out of my own grave—I had to figure out a way to navigate my afterlife. So, I came up with a mantra. WWECD. What Would Edward Cullen Do? And once I figured that out, I did the exact opposite!"

Esme and Carlisle were staring at me in utter shock. Emmett was trying not to laugh. Alice was tittering. Even Rosalie looked like she was about to crack a smile.

I couldn't look at dad and Jasper. Dad, because I'd just told the entire family I am no longer a little girl but a grown-ass woman with an active sex life. No father wants to hear that about his daughter, I'm sure. And Jasper, well . . . staring at that God of a man was like looking into the sun for too long, eventually, you're going to get burned. He's a mated, married man. With the way he's affecting me, I'd need to keep my distance.

Instead, I focused on Edward.

Smiling brightly, I continued. "You think we're mated, Eddie? Please. You're a little boy, playing at being a big bad Alpha. You couldn't handle me on your best day."

"Regardless," Edward cleared his throat. "You are mine, Isabella."

He's like a dog with a bone.

Before any of them could move or blink I was up and across the room standing toe to toe with Edward who flinched away from me. "You know, about—oh, I don't know—six weeks ago, I think, I went on a date with a lovely young woman. We met in a bar. Talked for a while and then went to dinner. Afterward, we walked along the shore and then went back to her hotel room where we had sex. All night. The poor thing ended up in the river by the morning. But I promise, Eddie, she died with a smile on her face and my teeth in the juicy, delectable artery pumping between her legs . . ."

He snarled and darted away from me. "You're sick!"

"No, darling. I'm a vampire." I smiled brightly. "I go wherever I want to go. Eat, whatever I want to eat. And I do, whomever I want to do. Male. Female. A random hot stranger on the street! I live my afterlife to its fullest."

Okay, so that wasn't entirely true. But he didn't need to know that.

I moved to stand in front of him again, trailing my index finger up and down his chest. "Still think I'm your mate, Eddie?" I asked. "Or are you wishing I was the same naïve little human girl you walked out on all those years ago? I'm not her. Not anymore. She would have fallen to her knees, obeyed your every command, and been thrilled you were back in her life! But then again, you did spend months manipulating and dazzling her."

Another round of gasps filled the quiet room.

Seriously? You can't tell me they didn't know. Alice is a fuckin' psychic! Didn't she see how abusive our relationship was? How he used us? Manipulated us? Or did she just turn a blind eye to it?

"Your cruel, vicious words broke Bella Swan," I told him. "She died in that forest where you abandoned her. Alone. Curled up on the earth. Begging for you to come back to her. To make the pain go away. She never did recover. Just ask Charlie; I'm sure he remembers the endless nightmares, the screaming, the mood swings, the depression, not eating, hiding away from the world, losing all her friends, failing her classes, and then just giving up because she couldn't find the will to care anymore."

"Hell, she wouldn't have been attacked by Laurent had you kept your promise. Bella was in that meadow looking for some sign that you still existed, Edward. That you and your family—the family that she considered hers, the family she believed loved her and cared about her—were real. All she wanted was to hear your voice again . . ."

"No." He shook his head.

"Instead, all she found was a hungry vampire you and your family had sent away months before," I told him. "The moment Laurent sank his teeth into Bella's throat and his venom began to spread through her veins, the sweet, innocent, compassionate Bella you knew and fucked with was gone. In her place," I grinned, "I was born."

Edward shook his head. "Stop this. You are my mate."

"I know you want to believe that, but I think, deep down, you know what I'm saying is true. There's a good chance you were mated with the sweet, gentle, shy girl you cruelly abandoned in the forest after her eighteenth birthday. The girl you manipulated and used. The girl you glamoured to within an inch of her sanity. She loved you more than anything in the world and she would've done anything for you. If you stayed with her, I'm sure you would've remained together but instead, you ran away. You abandoned her. She loved you, with everything she had in her. And you left her to die all alone."

"Oh, god." Someone, Alice I think, whispered.

"But me?" I smirked. "I'm not her, Eddie. I'm an entirely different being."

"No. You're wrong." He insisted, shaking his head. "You are Bella Swan. Isabella Marie Swan. My mate. Now you'll stop this nonsense right now."

"I may have her name, but I am not her, Edward," I told him, my voice firm, strong. Dominant. Alpha.

He isn't listening.

Nope.

He doesn't see it yet.

But he will.

"That is enough!" He yelled, puffing out his chest. I'm not sure why, it didn't change much. He just looked like an overinflated seventeen-year-old boy. "I demand you desist this nonsense right now! There will be no more talk of our breakup. You will move out of that deplorable cottage and into my room. We will get married and you will start attending high school as my girlfriend immediately."

Is he for real?

"Well, I see your hearing hasn't changed any." I sighed.

Did you think it would?

No. But a girl can hope, right?

"Let me make this crystal clear for you, Edward. I don't give a flying fuck what you demand. I am not yours. I am not your possession. I am no longer your pet or your plaything. I will not be moving into this house. I will not be moving into your bedroom like a teenage girl! I'm certainly never attending high school again. There will never be a marriage. With you or anyone else. And I will never join this Coven. Oh, excuse me, family!"

Ignoring Edward's building tantrum, I turned back to Charlie. "Sorry, Dad, but I can't and won't stay here. I was on my way out of town anyway." I grabbed my bookbag, pulled out a piece of paper, and scribbled my cell phone number on it.

"For your eyes only." I insisted. "Call me. We'll catch up."

"You're leaving? Now? Where are you going?" He asked, looking a little dazed.

I smiled and shrugged. "No idea. Whenever the wind takes me."

"You're a nomad?" Jasper smiled.

Oh damn. Why does his voice go straight to my hoo-ha? Maybe we should invite him to join us? Imagine it! We could fuck in all fifty states.

Shush you. He's a mated man! Remember, Alice? I doubt she'll appreciate us lusting after her mate or inviting him on a road to fuck in all fifty states!

Somehow, I don't think Alice is going to be able to stop him . . .

What does that mean?

"You don't have a Coven, dear?" Esme asked, interrupting my conversation with myself.

"No, I don't have a Coven, nor will I ever join one," I answered, nipping that in the bud right away. I didn't want her getting her hopes up thinking I was going to suddenly change my whole life to join them.

"You're all alone," Charlie said softly, frowning. "Have you been alone all this time, Bells?"

I nodded. "Mostly. I've met vampires here and there, made a few allies, and had a companion or two, but I prefer to be on my own. I did the family-Coven thing while I was human. I have no interest in reliving the past. I prefer living the way I do. I've come to appreciate the solitude and freedom this life offers."

"You like being alone?" Rosalie asked, looking confused like she couldn't comprehend what I was saying. Though, from the look on Emmett's face, he wished she'd try.

"Hell yes! There's nothing better. I don't have to answer to anyone. I go wherever I want. Live where ever I want or just roam the earth. Me, a backpack, and my camera." I answered with a smile.

Edward huffed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Bella, love, please stop swearing. It's so unbecoming!"

"Aaaand that's my cue to exit," I said, standing. "Great seeing you all. We'll have to do it again in a couple of decades. Or not. Not's fine by me."

None of them looked particularly pleased I was leaving so soon. But, oh well! I don't give a flying monkey's fart what any of them think.

I turned to my dad who was glaring at Edward. "I'll call you later, Dad. Now we know neither of us dead . . . well, dead-dead," I laughed, "maybe we can give that whole bonding thing another try."

"Are you sure you have to leave, Bells?" Charlie asked, looking unsure. "You should stay here. With us. We can bond here. Be a family again."

No. Absolutely not. Then someone really will die. I don't have that kind of patience.

I shook my head. "I'm a grown woman, Dad. I've been on my own for decades. I don't need a babysitter. Or an entire Coven of them." I told him. "And I will never be part of this Coven."

"Family." Carlisle insisted. "We are a family."

I took a deep breath. "I'm not part of this family," I repeated. "This family made that clear when they abandoned me without a word. Family doesn't do that to one of its members."

There were more gasps from the peanut gallery.

"I'm sorry, Charlie. I can't and won't stay here. I'm a grown woman. I like my life. I'm not about to change it now." I told him. "Coming to Forks was a mistake, one I should've known better than to make. I'm happy you're alive and we can visit and get to know each other. But I'm not the girl you used to know. And I won't miraculously become her. Either accept me as I am or," I shrugged, "we can't have a relationship."

He huffed and pulled me into his arms. "You'll always be my baby, bells."

Did he hear anything we just said?

Probably not. Seems when you become a Cullen the first thing to go is your hearing.

"I just got you back, kiddo."

"We're immortal, old man." I patted his back. "We've got many, many lifetimes ahead of us. If you can accept I've changed, as I'm sure you have, then we can stay in touch."

He huffed again. "You'll call me?"

"Yes." I agreed.

"Every day." He insisted.

Nuh-huh. "Once a week."

Another huff. "Every other day." He negotiated.

Seriously? Does he have separation anxiety or something?

"Every third day." I countered.

"Done." He agreed. "Now, let's talk about visitation . . ."

I laughed. "Tell you what, when I get to wherever I'm going, you can come to visit, deal?"

"Done." He gave a firm nod. "You sure you need to leave?"

I hugged him again, leaning up on my tippy toes. "Eternity, remember?" I whispered. "We have plenty of time." I kissed his cheek and as he reluctantly loosened his arms, I slipped from his grip and took a step back.

What's with all this hugging? Charlie's never been the touchy-feely type.

Vampirism changes you. And eight decades.

With a smile at the Cullens, I gave them all a nod and gazed wistfully at Jasper one last time. Then I was done. No point dwelling on what I can't have. "See ya, Cullens!" I waved and took off out the door before anyone could stop me.

It was time to leave.

Before they realize, though we told them a lot, we really didn't tell them anything.

Exactly.

No need to have any Cullen's sniffing around my business and poking their noses in where they don't belong. The last thing I need is for one of them to realize I'm less nomadic and more on the run!

If Red catches up to me here, she'll find them . . . find Charlie! And I can't have that.

This is between the two of us. No need to involve anyone else. Especially a Coven of vampires that 1) started this whole mess, and 2) don't know the first thing about defending themselves. They'll probably end up getting themselves killed or worse, getting me killed!