The next morning it was sunny, and I sighed, smiling wide. That meant, I would be left free of the vampires' annoyances for the day. I danced my way into the bathroom and had a shower, singing along to the songs in my head. When I was done, dressed and hair combed, I made my way down to the kitchen for some food. Dad was drinking his coffee at the table while reading the newspaper. His eyes were quirked up some as I bounced into the room.

"Morning, dad! Hope you slept well." I began whistling as I poured myself a cup of milk and found the fixings to make pancakes.

"You are in a good mood. What's up?"

"Its sunny outside!" I sent a huge grin to my dad over my shoulder as I continued about making breakfast. He chuckled softly to himself and shook his head as he went back to his newspaper. Once I had enough pancakes for the two of us, I set a plate in front of him and then took my seat as well.

"Look dad. About last night," He opened his mouth to speak, but I held up my hand, "please, let me finish before you read me the riot act? I promise I will let you." I waited until he nodded. "I realize it was stupid of me and careless of me to have gone running outside to scare anything away. Especially after you had warned me. I guess being in a near dream state, I did not think through the consequences last night. I do understand how it might have bene stupid." He snorted and raised an eyebrow. "Okay, okay. It was stupid. I will try not to do it again. That is, if you will let me come back home, for more than just the night."

With the end of that sentence, I was a little nervous and played with my fork on my plate. Would he even want me back when I am such a terrible daughter? I put him through hell, several times and for what? A perpetual teenage vampire who has not matured enough to realize he cannot control women simply because they are women.

His hand stilled my hand bouncing the fork. I looked up. "I would love to have you back home. When can we get your stuff?" His voice was gruff and his eyes glistened, though there were no solid tears.

I sighed and smiled. "Well, it can wait till tomorrow. The Cullen's usually go camping and family outings when it is sunny. I can call over later and arrange for someone to prep it for me." His smile faded some so I grasped his hand back. "I promise, I am not backing out. I just know they were not planning on being around much today. But, if it makes you happy, you can drive me over and I will bring the stuff to the car."

He relaxed his shoulders. "Sounds good. Let's finish breakfast then. You should probably call over and at least leave them a message then if they are not home and let them know you are coming by today to get your stuff. That way they know, and we do not bother them at an inconvenient time if they are trying to get out the door." I nodded and we both went back to eating.

The calm silence had me realizing what I had been missing. It was refreshing. Having a morning where vampires, werewolves, and monsters that go bump in the night did not exist and things were as they were before. Before I believed and knew. Of course, my peace never lasted long.

The shrill of the landline ringing had me losing some joviality and sighing, I went to answer it.

"Hello,"

"Bella, come home now! It is not safe. Tell me where I can come get you."

"No, I am home. Edward, I told you, I am staying here with my dad. We are done."

"You cannot. I cannot protect you there. You do not really mean what you are saying. I cannot even get there to talk about this with you or spend time with you."

"What makes you think I want to spend time with you after we broke up?"

He scoffed some, "Bella, why are you being difficult. This is not a funny game. We are mates and eventually the Volturi are going to want to see the new you."

"Stop right there. We are no longer dating. I thought I had made that clear. Bye."

I hung up. I couldn't risk staying on longer and accidently saying something that would drop the secret to my dad. He had no need to be drawn into this dark and terrifying reality. Although Edward's reminder about the Volturi had me chilled to the bone. I know I did not want to be with Edward anymore. That I was certain of. But Aro was still expecting me to be turned or dead. I would have to prove it before he came here and destroyed everything and everyone.

My dad clearing his throat had brought me back to the present. "You okay, Bella?"

I turned and smiled. It was smaller than earlier this morning but still genuine. "Yes. He just doesn't get the hint easily. What should we do today?"

He frowned. "Do I need to give him the hint? My rifle is always ready, just say the word."

That had me bursting out in laughter and the release felt great. I knew he would not understand why it was so funny to me but knowing that the gun would do nothing but annoy a vampire I just could not help the sight it gave me. "No, that's all right dad. I got this. You can keep your job and not need to be going to jail for shooting anyone."

"Alright. But just say when. I will be there. And I would gladly go to jail if I got to shoot Edward." The last sentence he muttered, and I do not think I was meant to hear, but I just shook my head.

"I know. I love you too."

With that, I went upstairs knowing my dad was not going to manage the emotional declaration well. Once in my room, I pulled out my cell phone and turned it back on. I was now up to over four hundred messages, and I did not care about any of them. I opened the contacts list and looked for the one name I had never used before.

It rang through and on the third ring, he answered. "Jasper, Hey. Can I ask another huge favour?"

"Bella, how are you? I mean, I know you must be tired and annoyed. My brother did not take things very well yesterday. But something must be up if you are asking a favour of me and not Alice or one of the others."

I swallowed. "Yes, sorry. I know I am putting you in a tough place with the family and all. But can you gather all my things. Dad is bringing me around this morning to get my stuff as I am moving back home. I need to. Edward and I – we have not really been together since he left me stranded in the woods. I know I pretended when we got back from Italy, but really, it was all one sided. I just see it better now. He is not good for me."

Silence answered. The pause had me second guessing if I had made the right choice. Perhaps Jasper thought I should be with Edward still. Maybe I had misunderstood our conversation, and he was only placating and entertaining the human. I felt like an idiot. Here I thought we were becoming friends, and he was just killing time.

"Look, don't worry about it. I will make it work. Sorry to bother- "

"Isabella, stop." His voice was calm and quiet. I bit my tongue to keep further apologies flowing from my lips. "It is no problem. I would love to help you. I was just . . . surprised that you recognized the one-sidedness. When will you be here?"

My tongue hurt from the biting, and I could taste copper from my blood. I swallowed and squeaked out, "in 30 minutes."

"No problem. Your stuff will be ready. I will do my best to keep him from stopping you. See you in half an hour then."

Just before he hung up, I remembered the lie I told my dad. "Wait Jasper. I told dad that you all would be out camping and such because of the sun. Everyone should be scarce if they can. If you want, you can leave my stuff on the step, and I will get it, so you do not have to be in the sun."

"Now that is not something I can agree to. I can get everyone to be gone, well, as best as possible, but they may not listen. Also, I am not going to have you lug all your stuff on your own. Don't worry about me. I have it covered."