SHE MUST HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP AT SOME POINT, emotional exhaustion getting the better of her, because she woke up by Edward placing sweet, soft, cold kisses all over her face, neck, throat, and lips. "Wake up, Bella, Love, we're home and you're safe, far, far away from Billy and Jacob."

"Hmm." Bella twined her arms around his neck, pulled him down for another soft, sweet kiss before she opened her eyes, looked out the window, saw they were almost at the house, perhaps about five minutes away. Though it must have been killing Edward, not to know what Bella was thinking, he didn't say anything, simply placed repeated kisses to her hair, her neck, her throat, her face, any part of her skin that was exposed to him, something which was very strange, at least until Bella realized he had a ton of blankets wrapped around her, hence why he wasn't worried about the cold temperature of his skin. When Bella spoke again, her voice was soft, naught but a whisper, so low, that if Bella'd been with humans, they wouldn't have been able to hear her. "I'm sorry I lost it back there, it must not have been easy for either of you to see me like that."

Edward tensed, tightened his arms around her slightly. "It's fine, Love, you don't need to apologize." A pause, Edward giving her three kisses, the first one pressed to her hair, the second to the crown of her head, and the final one to her lips. "Will you tell me what Jacob said, what he did to make you feel threatened, as if you were in danger?"

Now it was Bella's turn to tense, bury her face against Edward's chest, her voice, already low, muffled against the fabric of his shirt. "Yes, but later. I want to shower first, change, get Jacob's stench off of me."

Soft, unexpected laughter, both from Edward and Carlisle. "You're not a vampire yet, and yet you know he stinks.?" Edward gently pulled her head away from his chest, tilted it up to look at him. He shook his head. "What am I going to do with you, Love? You're incredible, you know that?" Edward kissed her before she could answer him, his kiss hard, but soft, brief, mindful that Carlisle was in the car with them and they weren't alone, filled with relief that she was safe, here with him, in his arms.

The brief, light mood inside the car dissipated when they got to the house, Carlisle parking up front rather than in the garage so Edward could get Bella out of the car, to his room, or wherever Bella wished to go, faster . . . not that being here or in the garage made much of a difference, not with Edward's ability to move faster than anyone else. All the Cullens, save for Rosalie, were there, on the front lawn, even Emmett, their expressions full of concern and somber. Emmett, for once, didn't tease Edward and Bella when he saw Edward getting out of the car, Bella held firmly in his arms, cradled close to his chest, his heart that hadn't beat in a long time, almost, but not quite, a century, simply moved out of the way, gave Edward some room. Alice and Esme did the opposite, walked toward Bella and Edward, and Alice, Bella was for once, glad to see, held a light blue garment bag, the hint of a knowing smile tugging at her lips. As for Jasper, he stood a little ways away from the rest of the family, analyzing everyone's emotions, taking them in, probably having a silent conversation with Edward because they made brief eye contact.

Bella began shuddering violently, and she was glad Edward had a ton of blankets wrapped around her, couldn't mistake the contorting of her body from her being cold because of his skin, because this, the way her body was twisting and contorting in his arms, it wasn't because she was cold but because the weight of everything she'd gone through in the span of a couple of minutes, less than half an hour, came crushing down on her all over again. Not even Jasper's ability to manipulate emotions could regulate what she was feeling, make her feel calm and happy, her emotions too heavy and intense. She fisted Edward shirt in her hand, buried her face against the junction of his neck, where it met with his shoulder, began crying again. This time, however, unlike when she'd broken down in the middle of the deserted street, was slightly less violent and intense, emphasis on slightly.

Edward cradled her even closer to him, held her slightly tighter. "Hush now, my Bella, it's alright, Love, you're alright, safe, at home, with me, where you belong." He shifted her weight so he held her with naught but one arm, stroked a hand over her hair, her face, his cold fingers light and soothing on her overheated skin. "I'll never let anybody hurt you, tear you from me." Ignoring his whole family. . . their whole family, though their thoughts had to be screaming at him, he pressed a kiss to her forehead, kept his lips pressed against her skin, took several quick steps back, then ran, jumped into his room through the window.

Not letting her go, he walked over to the bed, Bella too disturbed, consumed by her emotions, to notice whether or not he'd had time to fix it, laid them down, held her in his arms, murmured sweet nothings, words of love, until she calmed down, cried herself out, probably hating the fact that he couldn't do anything to help her.

"I," a loud, raw, dry sob wrecked her body, her body incapable of producing more tears, "do not want to have to push our wedding further away because of this, nor for Billy and Jacob to come to our wedding, somehow ruin it. Let's just run away in around five weeks from now, get married in peace, I'll ask Carlisle to walk me down the aisle."

He turned them over, pressing her softly into the mattress, his beautiful, perfect body pressed gently, carefully, against hers, kissed her, and, his kiss, it was hard, but soft, held a desperate edge to it, his hold on his self-control slipping ever-so-slightly, his tongue, cold as ice, running over her lips. "No, Bella, we will not have to push our wedding further away because of this, I'm sure Carlisle and I can do something so your leg heals quickly, especially now that you'll be staying with us until it does. As for us running away in around five weeks from now, Carlisle walking you down the aisle instead of Charlie, I will not allow anyone, much less some teenage, immature dog, to keep you from having your perfect wedding, that includes Charlie walking you down the aisle if it's what you want. Don't worry about Jacob and Billy coming to our wedding, that won't happen, even if Charlie were to invite them, they can't show up because the wedding is going to be here, in our territory, and they can't cross the boundary line because that will mean breaking the treaty again."

Bella tensed, stiffened under him, a thought so horrible, so vile and wretched, she felt nauseated, passing through her mind. "But if both sides are so strict when it comes to upholding the treaty, then when you change me Jacob will come after you, after our family, try to kill you.'

When Bella said "our family" she wasn't referring to the rest of the Cullens, they could take care of themselves, probably tear a werewolf to shreds with ease, even Carlisle, though he hated violence—but to their future child, whether it would be Edward or Nessy Elizabeth remained to be seen.

Edward, despite not being able to read her mind, knew exactly what she was referring to, she could see it in his golden eyes, warm, soft, filled with love. He stroked her cheek, her jaw, his fingers gliding, soft as a feather, down her throat, to her chest, right over her heart, his lips soon following the path his fingers'd taken. "No, Bella, Love, I'm not going to let Jacob, or anybody else, for that matter, because I'm sure that if the werewolf gene is active in him, it has to be active in other people, too, hurt you, hurt me, or our family." A long sigh, then a quick, butterfly kiss pressed against her lips. "We'll continue this conversation later, figure out some more of the details when we're alone and everyone leaves the house, but right now we should let Carlisle take a look at your leg, and Esme and Alice want to see you, see us both, too, make sure we are alright. Jasper told Alice about the intensity of our emotions, told her he's worried about us, and she told Esme and now Esme's worried, too."

"Okay, we'll continue this conversation later." Bella wanted to continue, wanted to figure out some more details, what they were going to do so Jacob didn't hurt their own, little family of three when their baby was born, but it was better to wait until they were alone, wouldn't be overheard. She was grateful that she'd get to spend some alone time with Edward, but why were the Cullens leaving? Was it so she and Edward could practice for their wedding night? They had school tomorrow, Edward wouldn't keep her up late, and surely the Cullens wouldn't stay out all night. "Why is everyone leaving?"

Edward shifted, turned so he was laying on his side, both arms around Bella, cradling her close, the temperature of the room so hot thanks to the heater he'd installed. "To figure out a way that Alice can get some clothes for you without it turning into a fight, and Jasper wants to give us some time to regulate our emotions. He likes being around us when we're happy and in love, and though the part about us being in love never changes, no matter what we're going through, it's a little hard for him to handle when our emotions get too intense, be it sadness, anger, happiness, or love. It's part of the reason why it was so easy for me to convince everyone to leave the house this weekend so we could practice for our wedding night and honeymoon, Jasper knew it would get intense, could feel my emotions increasing in intensity as the time got closer and closer for me to bring you home, wanted to give us some privacy so we wouldn't have to hold back because of him."

A knock at the door, followed by Carlisle walking in, Esme and Alice behind him. Esme and Alice, they didn't say anything, went to stand at the foot of the bed, silently waiting for Carlisle to check Bella's leg.

Edward shifted, rearranged himself and Bella so Carlisle could take a look at her leg, take the brace off, though he kept her left hand in his. Carlisle leaned over Bella, took off the brace, then unwrapped the compression bandages, his cold fingers gently, slowly, probing at her leg, feeling his way around the bone. "Ah," a soft smile tugged at his lips, "you didn't cause any further damage to your leg, Bella, quite the opposite, actually, it's healing slightly faster than what Edward and I expected." A pause, Carlisle touching a spot on Bella's leg that was particularly tender. "It must be because while you were here this weekend Edward carried you everywhere you needed to go, only letting you walk on your own when you needed to get changed or shower. The reason why it's a bit sore is because you put a lot of weight on it out of nowhere, but not long enough to cause any further damage, backtrack on its healing."

"Can she take a bath? Perhaps that will help her relax, wash away all the stress." Esme's voice, concerned, loving, and motherly.

Carlisle wrapped the compression bandages back around Bella's leg, his fingers careful and gentle, then put the brace back on. "Yes, though just like when she showers, she'll have to be careful so the compression bandages don't get wet."

Bella squeezed Edward's hand, so hard, she was really, really glad he wasn't human, else, she'd have probably broken his bones. That her leg was healing faster than they'd expected despite this little hiccup, the danger she'd been in, it was really, really great news, meant perhaps she and Edward could get married sooner, but . . .

One cool finger under her chin, tilting her head up so her eyes met Edward's. "Bella, what's wrong, Love? This is great news, means that perhaps we can move our wedding up." A brief glance at Alice and Esme. "If Alice and Esme can have your wedding dress ready fast." Unsaid and unspoken were the words "the sooner we get married, the sooner I'll get you pregnant, the sooner you'll give birth, and the sooner I'll change you," but they didn't need to be spoken despite Edward not being able to read Bella's mind—this, the fact that Bella could get pregnant, a secret they both held close to their hearts, constantly thought about.

Bella reached up with her right hand, ran her fingers over the rich, heavy, soft silk of Edward's hair. "I know, and I'm really happy about that, especially because before I called you and Carlisle, asked you to come pick me up, I was thinking that I'd be really pissed if we had to push our wedding further away because of a werewolf, but it also means I'll probably have to go 'home,' back to Charlie sooner." Bella shivered, a frisson of fear running through her. "I really don't want to do that, especially, if, as I suspect, Billy and Jacob will go there often—would much rather stay here with you, where I'm safe, for as long as possible." She touched a hand to his cheek, fingers spread over his cold, smooth skin, looked deep into his eyes. "I'm not going to let anyone or anything keep me from marrying you." She closed her eyes, pressed her forehead to his. "That means making my safety a higher priority, taking it more seriously, what with my unintentional tendency to draw all things dangerous to me."

Soft laughter filling the room, everyone except for Bella laughing quietly. "Just because we know you're healing faster than expected, Love, doesn't mean Charlie has to know, too. In fact, the fact that he thinks you hurt your leg cooking for him, which I'm assuming, is not at all the case . . ." Edward paused, waited for Bella to shake her head, confirming his suspicions, before continuing, "Gives you an excused to stay here longer than if you hadn't had the reaction you had when you were in the kitchen with that—" he closed his eyes, took a deep breath to calm himself, "filthy dog. Besides, I'm sure Charlie will call, ask Carlisle how your leg is healing, and Carlisle, he can easily lie to Charlie about the progress of your healing if it means being able to keep you here longer, where you're safe."

Bella pulled away slightly, pressed her body closer to his, curving herself around him in a way that was still polite for company, but that made her feel safe and protected. "I'll have to go back at some point before our wedding, though, put my safety on the line, especially since we don't know when Billy and Jacob will visit Charlie—"

Edward shook his head even as Bella spoke. "No, Bella, Love, you won't be alone for a second, even when you do, eventually, at some point far, far away from now, have to go back 'home' to Charlie, I'll be with you the majority of the time, though you might not be able to see me, and if I have to leave, go on a quick hunting trip, Alice or Esme will take my place, your safety will never, ever be put at risk."

Alice cleared her throat, spoke up for the first time since Carlisle, Edward, and Bella'd arrived. "Alright, Bella, let's go give you a bath so you can relax, wash away that dog's stench, I'm really dying to put a facial mask on you, give you a full spa treatment, give you a mani pedi, too."

Edward glared daggers at Alice, tightened his hold around Bella, Bella, too, curving herself even more around him. Alice, however, must have told him something using her thoughts, or showed him a vision, because Edward's hold around Bella loosened. "Fine, Alice, but don't go overboard, overwhelm her, she's been through a lot in a short time span."

Esme came closer to Edward and Bella, took Bella's right hand in hers. "Don't worry, Edward, I won't allow that to happen, Bella has been through enough for one day. We won't even discuss her wedding dress, though I'm sure Alice really wants to, not until Bella is in the proper mental state, able to enjoy it, rather than having her mind in other, pressing matters."

Edward gave Esme a grateful look. "Thank you, Esme." He turned Bella's head, which she'd turned to look at Esme, gently to look at him. "You'll be back in my arms, with me, everyone else out of the house, sooner than you think." He pressed a gentle, sweet kiss to her lips, then got up, off of the bed, releasing her from his embrace. "I'll prepare some things for you while Esme and Alice help you take a bath, give you a spa treatment."

He didn't go out of the room like he usually would, walked slowly, like a human, Bella able to watch his retreating form, followed by Carlisle, who paused, bent down, gave Bella a kiss on the forehead, leaving her alone with Esme and Alice. They slowly, gently, carefully, helped her sit up, then Esme simply lifted her into her arms, carried her to the bathroom slowly, her speed akin to that of a human's while walking, while Alice darted to the bathroom fast, Esme's speed giving Alice a chance to prepare some things before Esme and Bella got there. When they did, Bella didn't freak out, panic, over the overwhelming, excessive amount of skin care products Alice had gotten from who knew where, her eyes seeing only one thing, Edward's retreating figure as he'd walked out of his room, her mind focused on only one thing, getting back to him, being in his arms, where she felt the safest and the most loved, soon as possible.

However, when Alice picked up her t-shirt and jeans, clothes that, Bella had no doubt, though she couldn't smell it, as she wasn't a vampire yet, had Jacob's filthy, disgusting sent all over them, Bella made a split second decision, one so quickly and violently taken, she knew Alice hadn't had a chance to foresee it. "Don't bother throwing them in the wash, Alice, just burn them . . ." Bella shuddered, and Esme ran her hands up and down her arms soothingly. "I don't want to have anything that links me to Jacob, even if that link is tenuous."

The sooner she and Edward told Charlie about their engagement—and yes, it was scary, to think about his reaction—the better, because it meant Edward would be able to replace her truck with a car that didn't have to do anything with Jacob. Bella would have never thought she'd actually want Edward to replace her truck, had only agreed to it in the beginning because Edward was doing so much for her and she'd wanted to give him something in return, but now, after today, the violence and hatred she'd seen in Jacob's eyes, she didn't want to have anything that linked them together. "That made her think . . . "Alice, when you go to my house, pick up some clothes for me, you'll be able to tell if Jacob went into my room, right, smell his scent?"

A quick, curt nod.

"Good. If he has, don't bring any of my clothes here, just burn it, all of it, I don't care if this means we'll have to go shopping, we can replace all of my clothes when we go buy my honeymoon wardrobe." Bella fisted her hands, her nails forming dark half‐moon crescents on her palms. Esme gently took her hands, uncurled her fingers. "I don't want to have anything that was in the same vicinity as him or links me to him, even if that link is remote, not after today, what I saw, the hatred and violence in his eyes, as if any of you or Edward would ever hurt me."

Alice poured some salts, bath oils and bubbles into the bath. "If that's what you want, then that's what I'll do. It's a shame, though, you just bought a whole bunch of really beautiful dresses, and that's a lot of progress for you, what with you not liking shopping." A shake of Alice's head, then a shrug. "Oh, well, we'll get you new dresses if I have to burn the ones you just bought because of that dog, dresses which Edward will love even more."

Esme gently, carefully, placed a bag over Bella's broken leg so the compression bandages didn't get wet, then lifted her into her arms, gingerly placed her in the bath. The water was warm, the perfect temperature, made Bella immediately relax, let out a sigh of relief. Bella wanted to claw and pry at her skin, peel it off, let new skin grow in its place, skin that hadn't ever been in the same vicinity as Billy or Jacob, but she let Alice and Esme gently wash her, tend to her, do to her what they would, wanting to get back to Edward fast as possible, be in his arms.

When they were finished, had done all sorts of treatments to her hair and skin, painted her nails in the French style with some lines for decoration, they helped her out of the bath, then helped her dry herself, dressed her in a light pastel blue silk robe and nightgown set, her panties, too, matching the robe and nightgown, Alice gently, slowly, methodically, drying her hair, first with a towel, then with a blow dryer, using a big, round brush to form soft, delicate waves. Once that was done and Bella was all dressed, her hair dry, Esme and Alice each took one of her hands, lifted her so her feet didn't touch the floor, walked to the door, Alice opening it with her free hand. And Bella, she was delighted, happy to see that Edward was already there, waiting for her, to take her into his arms. When he spoke, what he said directed toward Alice and Esme, his words were simple, quick, but full of gratitude. "Thank you both."

Esme and Alice both nodded, releasing Bella to Edward with a smile, letting him lift her into his arms, like how a groom carried his new bride. "You're welcome. We're going to go now, give you some time alone, along with the entire house to yourselfs, figure out a way that I can get some clothes for Bella without it turning into a fight unnecessarily." Bella must have flinched, the horror painted clearly across her face, because Alice added, "Of course, I'll only bring clothes from her house here for her to wear if that dog didn't go into her room."

Bella let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Thank you, Alice."

Alice touched a hand affectionately, delicately, softly so as not to ruin her hairdo, to her hair. "Of course, what are sisters for?" Then she darted out of the house so fast, Bella didn't see her move.

Esme leaned in, pressed a soft, motherly kiss to Bella's cheek. "We'll see you in the morning, before you leave for school." She straightened up, touched her knuckles to Edward's cheek, some silent communication passing between them, and Edward, just like before, flinched away as if Esme's touch burnt, pain, grief and loss on his beautiful, perfect, angel's face. She quickly removed her hand, realizing, again, she was causing Edward emotional pain, then she, too, was gone, likely leaving Bella and Edward alone, Jasper, Emmett, and Carlisle, probably already waiting outside, some distance away from the house.

Not saying a word, and pressing a kiss to Bella's forehead, keeping his lips there, against her skin, he carried her back to his bedroom, gingerly, slowly, laid her down on the bed, bending down slightly, stroking a hand over her hair, her cheek. He straightened up, grabbed some of the pillows on the bed, helped Bella sit up, placed the pillows he'd grabbed behind her back to make her more comfortable.

Still not saying anything, he went over to his black leather couch, picked up a delicate trey edged with gold containing a delicate white China teapot decorated with what seemed to be hand painted pink roses, along with a matching teacup, saucer, and teaspoon and a small, fragile jar containing some honey, went back to the bed, sat down beside her. Edward poured Bella a steaming cup of tea, the liquid a mixture between purple and gold, added some honey, mixed it well, before handing it over to her, along with the saucer. "Here, Bella, Love, drink this, it's lavender and chamomile tea, it will help you relax, I remember my mother, Elizabeth, making it for me when I was stressed or when she simply wanted to mother me. Sometimes, when I was sitting at the piano, trying to compose a new song, which took me a while, because my mind didn't work the same as it does now, she'd bring this for me when she wanted me to take a break, along with some cucumbers sandwiches, and a slice of cold meat."

Bella took a careful, slow sip, closed her eyes soon as the tea, the perfect temperature, hit her tongue. Just like with anything Edward gave her, be it food or a drink, it was delicious, had just the right amount of sweetness and flavor. Bella liked her herbal teas very strong, for them to really be infused with the herbs, not taste like water with just a hint of whatever herbs were in it. Edward, of course, knew this, for it had been one of the many, many questions he'd asked her over the time they'd known each other, and so he'd taken the care, the time to infuse her tea with the amount of flavor she liked. "Edward, this is lovely, thank you." Bella set the teacup and saucer down on the tray, leaned in, kissed him, quick, fast, and light. "It sounds like she was very loving and nurturing, your mother, Elizabeth."

A nod, his fingers running over her hair, soft and light. "Yes, she was."

Edward's eyes went somewhere far away for a moment, his gaze unfocused, a soft smile tugging at his lips, as if he was remembering something, something about his mother, Elizabeth. "It was mostly my mother who raised me, gave me all the love and nurturing I needed, though I'm sure my father loved me in his own way, too. It's why most of my memories from my human life are of my mother, because the kind of love she gave me, strong, unconditional, unwavering, though I'm sure I drove her crazy at times, what with me wanting to join the army so I could fight in the war—it's not the kind that is easily forgotten, nor erased, regardless of the fact that human memories tend to fade over time. This, the way I remember my mother, Elizabeth, so clearly despite the decades that have passed, it's how I know you won't forget a single second of the time we spent together even after I change you, for our love, it's strong and unwavering, too, potent in a way no love between two humans ever could be, and even our family, Rosalie, Emmett, Jasper, Alice, Carlisle, and Esme—they can't compete with us, with our love, because even were we to combine it, their love, it doesn't hold a candle to ours."

Bella picked up her teacup and saucer from the tray, took another sip of her tea. "Tell me something, what were you doing with Carlisle when I called you both, asked you to come pick me up?"

Edward ran a strand of her hair over and through his fingers, careful not to ruin the shape Alice'd so carefully, meticulously created, and Bella had the feeling he was doing that more for her sake than his, so Alice wouldn't berate her when she saw her in the morning, give her a hard time. "Discussing whether or not we should invite my cousins."

Bella's heart beat faster at the thought that maybe, just maybe, she'd get to meet some of Edward's biological family, though they had to be distant, of course, but he held up a finger before she could ask. "They're not biologically related to me, the reason why I, along with Emmett, Rosalie, Alice, and Jasper, call them our 'cousins' is because they, Tanya, Kate, Irina, Carmen, and Eliezer, follow the same diet we do, drink animal blood rather than human, so we consider them to be an extension of the family. They live in Denali, Alaska, and we lived together with them for a time, but we eventually had to leave when the humans started getting suspicious because there was too many of us in one place at a time."

Bella's heart beat faster and she knew Edward could hear it, a spike of sharp, acute jealousy passing through her. She had to ask him something before it ate away at her, ravaged her all night, didn't allow her to sleep. "Did any of them, you know . . . show any romantic interest in you?"

An indifferent shrug. "Tanya expressed a little interest, but I let her know, in a very courteous, gentlemanly fashion, that I did not, in any way, shape, or form, share that interest."

Bella was trying really, really hard not to feel jealous, but she couldn't help herself. "What does she look like?"

Edward traced soft, soothing circles on her arm, following the blue map of her veins through the fabric of her robe. "Just like the rest of us, white skin, gold eyes." Edward's words were quick, dismissive, indifferent.

Bella placed kisses all over his neck and throat, his face, any part of his skin that was exposed to her, placing a claim on him, trying to quiet the wave of possessiveness that was raging inside her. "And extraordinarily beautiful?"

A dismissive, indifferent shrug. "I suppose, to human eyes. You know what, though, I prefer brunettes. She's a blonde, strawberry blonde." Edward gently pulled Bella's head away from his neck, cupped her cheek with one hand, his other hand coming to rest on her stomach, right over her for now, empty womb, and his eyes, they blazed with the fire that was their love. "You have no reason to be jealous, my Bella, love, I have only ever loved you, will continue to do so forever. Besides, Tanya won't be the one to give me a child, carry him or her in her womb, you're the only one who has ever, and will ever, hold my heart." Edward scrunched up his face in what Bella thought was disgust, then. "Tanya has slept with a ton of men without being married to them, and while that's seen as okay in this day and age, she's not at all my type, you know me, the old-fashioned man that I am."

Bella glanced nervously at the door, hyper aware that Edward'd spoken of their future child, whether it was Edward or Nessy Elizabeth remained to be seen, out loud, and if Rosalie was in the house, she'd have overheard him.

Cold, gentle knuckles touched to her cheek, Edwards hand opening, fingers spread over her skin, turning her head to look at him. "Don't worry, Love, Rosalie's not home, we're completely alone, I'd never put this—the fact that we can have a child, our secret, at risk of being overheard by Rosalie, or any of our family, for that matter." Bella was about to ask him how he'd guessed what she'd been thinking, when he laughed, loud and cathartic and joyous. "She can't stand the fact that when you called me and Carlisle to come get you, everyone, including Emmett, who, you probably already have guessed, is almost always on her side—became worried about you, especially when they heard me tear a couple of trees to shreds, stepped out on a hunt to calm herself down, will probably be back when you're already asleep." Edward stared deep into her eyes, his own imploring and dazzling. "Will you please tell me what that dog did to make you feel threatened, as if you weren't safe, now? I tried getting the story from that mongrel's thoughts, but his mind was preoccupied, throwing every single insult he could think of at Carlisle."

Bella flinched, drained her cup of tea in one go, then set it down on the tray, wrapped herself around him like Ivy until they were completely intertwined, the cold temperature of his skin reassuring. 'I," she pressed her forehead to his, her lips a hair's breath away from his, silently asking for a kiss, some reassurance, and though Edward couldn't read her mind, he gave it to her, quick and soft, before letting her continue, "for once, wish that you could read my mind so I don't have to speak of the incident out loud." Bella shook her head, laughed ones, harsh and jagged, without humor. "I was washing the dishes when he and Billy came to visit Charlie, and when that 'dog,' as you so appropriately call him, because he doesn't deserve a human name, walked into the kitchen and I turned to face him, he was different, no longer the happy-go-lucky boy I tried to flirt with to get more information about you, taller, more muscular, his hair cut short, but his eyes . . ."

Bella broke off, kissed Edward, burying her fingers in his hair, tugging lightly at the strands, silently, with her actions rather than her words, asking him to kiss her back, comfort her.

Edward did, letting Bella get momentarily lost in their kisses, the sweet, addictive, intoxicating perfume of his skin, and when Bella was ready to speak again, tell him the rest of the story, he kept pressing sweet, soft, comforting kisses all over her skin, the parts that were exposed to him, anyway, telling her that he was here, that he wasn't ever going to let her go or let anybody hurt her. "Edward, they were the worst, his eyes, black, filled with nothing but hatred and violence, and when he spoke, told me 'you really shouldn't be hanging around with the Cullens, Bella, I know I told you they weren't supposed to be dangerous, but that doesn't mean you should risk your life by hanging out with them. Think of Charlie, what would he do if their self-control slipped and they decided to drink your blood, killing you?' his mouth turned into a sneer and his nostrils flared, as if he was getting ready to attack."

Bella shivered, tears cascading slowly down her cheeks, wiggled herself further into the circle of her fiance's arms, which, in turn, tightened infinitesimally. "I have a feeling he would have faced right there, in the kitchen, killed me, then tore my dead, lifeless body to shreds, but for the fact that Charlie and his father were in the house, too."

Edward cupped her face, thumbs gently wiping her tears away, his lips following the trail of moisture her tears had left behind, she was sure he could taste the salt of them on his lips, though she didn't know if they, indeed, tasted like salt to him, or if like human food, her tears would taste like dirt to him. She had the feeling it was the former rather than the latter. When he spoke, his voice was soft, comforting, filled with love. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that, Bella, but I promise you this, it won't happen again, you won't be alone for a second, I'll be there, watching over you, making sure nothing happens to you, and if Billy and that dog go to your house to visit Charlie, I'll whisk you away, bring you here, where you're safe. Even when I'm not there for some reason, most likely because I'm on a hunting trip, either Esme or Alice will be there, whisk you away, bring you here if that dog comes, just like I would."

She kissed him, long and deep, deep as he would allow her to. "I know, Edward, my beautiful fiance and future husband, and I'm really grateful for that, truly, you have no idea how much." Bella's mind raised even as she spoke, trying to come up with a plan, because, she decided, when it came to her sanity or trying to keep Charlie appeased, her sanity and mental health came first. "How soon can you get me a new car?"

Edward didn't question her seemingly "abrupt," for he couldn't read her mind, didn't know what was going on in it right now—change of subject, simply raised an eyebrow, a small, triumphant smile tugging at his lips. "As soon as you want it. Why? Are you finally admitting that I'm right and that truck is a hazard for you to be driving in?" he teased lightly.

A shake of Bella's head, and she pressed a quick, soft kiss to Edward's lips. "Whether my truck is a hazard or not, I don't know, I don't know the first thing about cars, that's not why I'm asking you to replace it soon as possible. When Charlie got it for me as a 'welcome home' present, he bought it off of Billy, because it used to be his, who, in turn, had that dog fix it, and I don't want to have anything that links me to either Billy or that dog. It's why I asked Alice to burn all of my clothes, including my new dresses I just got, if that dog went into my room."

She hadn't realized her hands were balled up into fists until Edward gently pried them open, pressed a soft, sweet kiss to each of her fingers, then the inside of her palms, where dark, half-moon crescents had begun to form where her nails'd cut into her skin. "I'll have a new, safer car waiting for you when you have to go back 'home,' to Charlie, dispose of your truck without him noticing." Edward tapped his forefinger against his lips, thoughtful now, his eyes dancing. "Of course, this car, it will only be your pre-transformation car, I'll have another one that's even faster waiting for you to use after you give birth and your transformation is complete."

"Ed—"

He pressed a cold finger to her lips, cutting her off before she could argue with him. "No, Bella, before you tell me getting you two cars isn't necessary, answer one question, my beautiful bride-to-be. You like it when I carry you either on my back or in my arms, run with you fast as only I can, in spite of your reaction the first time we did it, don't you, Love?"

Bella nodded, unable to speak because Edward still had his finger pressed against her lips.

His whole face lit up with a triumphant smile. "Then you'll likely be as fast as I am when I change you, the only one who will truly be able to keep up with me without a problem, apt, considering you and I are a team—will hate driving slow more than the rest of the members of our family, just like I do, trust me." Edward's golden eyes glittered, became bright with excitement. "I'm going to change the subject now. I know from Alice's thoughts you told her you could get new clothes when we go buy your honeymoon wardrobe if she ends up having to burn all of the clothes you currently have because of that dog, but do you really want Alice to be involved when it comes to buying clothes that isn't for our honeymoon, or would you rather go with me, for it to be just the two of us?"

Bella blushed, buried her face against his chest, hiding her heated skin, her voice muffled against the fabric of his shirt. "You already know what my answer is."

He pulled her head away from his chest, cupped her face, fingers stroking over her cheeks, kissed her, soft, sweet, and deep, deep as he was willing to without fear of hurting her. "Then we'll go shopping this weekend when I take you to Chicago. It will probably make Alice really mad, but I don't care, all I want is to make you happy, comfortable."

Talking about Chicago with Edward made Bella think of a plan so Jacob couldn't hurt their own, little family of three after she gave birth and Edward changed her, but . . . "How many sunny days are there in Chicago, days when you won't be able to come out during the day . . . at least not in public?"

Edward stroked her hair away from her face, pressed sweet, soft, cold kisses to her throat and neck. "There are about eighty‐four totally sunny days a year, and one hundred and eighty-nine days with sunlight involved in one way or another. Why? Did you want to spend a prolonged period of time in Chicago, habitating in my family home, where I, like you, was human?"

Bella nodded, thoughtful, her mind raising, scratching moving to Chicago from her plan, trying to come up with a different city they could move to when she got pregnant, one that had a lot less sunny days than Chicago, even if it had to be in a different country. "Yes, I was thinking that maybe we could move there right after our honeymoon, when I'm pregnant, so that dog can't come after us, after our own, little family of three, but it won't work, I don't want you to have to stay inside during the day when the day is sunny, get bored."

Edward moved, fast, like only he could, placed the tray with the teapot, teacup, teaspoon, and jar of honey on his black leather couch, was back on the bed, Bella on his lap, her legs on either side of his hips, straddling him—in less than a second. He didn't say anything for several seconds, stroked his hands up and down her back, over her arms, took a soft, sweet kiss that was deep, left Bella breathless when he pulled away. "Yes, it will, going to Chicago, to my family home, where I, like you, was human, after our honeymoon, when you're pregnant, staying there for the entire duration of your pregnancy, as well as when you give birth to our future child, is perfect regardless of the amount of days with sunlight there are in Chicago. I do not, under any circumstances, plan on leaving you alone while you're pregnant with our future child, the only exception being when I need to hunt, but those trips, they'll be quick, and I won't be out in public, where people can see me."

"Ed—"

He pressed a finger to her lips, cutting her off. "No, Bella, Love, let me think, workout some more of the details." Edward's eyes were luminous, bright with excitement, thoughtful. "It will be nice—for you to give birth to our child, be it Edward or Nessy Elizabeth, where my mother, Elizabeth, raised me. Of course, I'll have to workout something so you're never alone when you're closer to your due date if I have to go on a hunting trip. Perhaps I'll talk to Carlisle when you're close to your due date, see if he can come to Chicago, watch over you while I hunt . . . "

A shake of his head even as he spoke. "No, that won't work, I want to be the one to deliver our child so I can change you right after, I'll just go hunting a couple of days before your due date, ask our child not to come out while daddy is not there to help mommy. Of course, this does mean I'll have to brush up on delivering babies, as well as looking more into what your pregnancy will involve, what your diet will be like while you're pregnant so we can have everything we'll need at the house—but that won't be a problem, I still have plenty of time. After you give birth, when we get your thirst under control, we'll move to a new town, a whole new country, England, one of the most sunless places in the world, where it's raining most of the time."

Edward shifted, laid them down, Bella's head on his chest, her ear over his heart that hadn't beat in a long time, almost, but not quite, a century, his arms around her, cradling her to him, began to hum not her lullaby, for there was no room for sadness or melancholy, not now that they were engaged, getting married soon, planning on having a family, a child, together—but the new song he was composing for her, lolling her to sleep. Her eyelids became droopy almost immediately, her body relaxing, but she couldn't fall asleep, not yet, not without telling him one very important thing. "Thank you for coming to get me with Carlisle when I called you, keeping me safe. I love you, Edward, my beautiful fiance and future husband, can't wait to marry you, have a baby with you."

Edward paused his humming momentarily, pressed a sweet, feather soft kiss to her forehead, her lips. "You have no need to thank me, Bella, I will always keep you safe, you and our future child both, be it Edward or Nessy Elizabeth. I love you, too, sleep now, my Bella, sleep, my only love and future wife, dream happy dreams, I'll hold you in my arms here, in the real world, while a dream version of myself keeps you company in your dreams."

A soft, sweet kiss pressed against her lips, drawing her out of the dream world and into the real one. She sighed, stretched her arms, twined them around Edward's neck, burying her fingers in his hair, kissed him back . . . then she remembered they had to get to school. Her heart started beating faster with adrenaline, they couldn't be late, not if they wanted to talk to Mr Green about away she and Edward could graduate early, skip senior year.

Soft, quiet, musical laughter. Edward broke the kiss, though he kept his forehead pressed against hers, his lips a hair's breath away from hers, the sweet, intoxicating perfume of his breath washing over her skin when he spoke. "Bella, Love, is there something a matter with your heart, or is it my kissing expertise?" he teased.

Despite her nervousness, Bella felt a smile tugging at her lips, because, yes, kissing Edward, her beautiful fiance—did tend to make her heart beat faster. "What time is it? We have to get to school, can't be—"

He kissed her again, quieting her. "Calm down, Love, everything will be fine, we'll be able to graduate early, skip senior year, I asked Alice to look ahead for us, give us a heads up, will tell you everything in the car, when we're on our way to school, Carlisle following behind us in his car." A pause, Edward quiet and thoughtful, and, when he spoke again, his voice was soft, almost crooning, in that way that made Bella's mind incoherent. "Open your eyes, Bella, look at me."

She did, saw his own were warm, filled with love and gentle concern. He didn't speak right away, cupped her face, fingers running gently, soothingly, up and down her cheeks. "I'm so, so sorry, Love, that dog did end up going into your room. You and I will dispose of your clothes together later, when we get back from Chicago, and you have some new clothes. Of course, Alice still doesn't know I'll be taking you shopping without her—was very preoccupied last night, still watching Jasper's decisions, trying to decipher what surprise he's planning for her, on top of watching Charlie's decisions so she, along with the rest of our family, could know what the best time was for her to go to your house 'pick up' some clothes for you. Don't worry, though, Alice didn't choose your clothes for today, I did, went into her monster of a closet earlier, before I woke you, chose two outfits for you."

He ran one cool finger down her cheek, his touch leaving a trail of fire in its wake despite the cold temperature of his skin. "And don't worry about Alice having overheard me now, either, knowing our plans, she left a couple of minutes ago, along with Jasper, Emmett, and Rosalie, and Carlisle and Esme went on a quick hunt."

Bella raised an eyebrow. "Why did you choose two different outfits for me?"

A shrug. "One is for school, the other, a beautiful dress, for when we're alone, back here, at home. I figured you'd want to get under my skin, make me slightly lose my self-control when it comes to kissing you and holding you close."

Edward's eyes blazed with the fire that was their love, the desire to hold her close, stay here, locked in his room, kiss her all day, regardless of the fact that they had school today. "Of course, now I'll have the image of that beautiful dress in my head, will try to imagine what you look like in it all day until I actually see you in it, will be distracted. I'll also be watching you threw people's thoughts to make sure you don't fall, trip over your own two feet. Maybe it's best if you wait for me to walk you to and from your classes, that way there's no risk of you tripping and you won't have to put a lot of weight on your leg, as I'll be taking most of it. We'll ask Carlile to give you a doctor's note excusing you from gym class, come home early, I have Mrs Goff last period, but she won't mind me skipping, I already know everything she can teach me, after all."

The ride to school was quiet and fast, what with Edwards fast way of driving, his tendency to ignore all traffic laws, Carlisle following behind them in his car. Once not so long ago, Edward's blatant disregard of all traffic laws would have bothered her, she was the daughter of the chief of police, after all, made her panic and cling to the leather of her seat, but not anymore, for, after countless rides, she'd gotten used to his way of driving. Plus, he had excellent reflexes, her fiance, a built-in radar detector, so there was no reason at all for him to follow traffic laws. She noticed that lately, when she was either driving with Charlie or by herself in her—thank God, soon to be disposed of truck, she tended to get a bit irritated at the slow speed, let out a small, quiet burst of laughter.

A light squeeze of her left hand, Edward turning to look at her, his beautiful, perfect, angel's face glowing with happiness and love. "Do I get to hear the joke?"

Bella fisted his cream-colored button-up shirt, pulled him in for a soft, sweet kiss, not worrying about them getting into a car accident because that was never going to happen, not with Edward's fast reflexes, his ability to read minds, have eyes on the road even when his own weren't looking. "I was just thinking that lately I tend to get irritated when I'm not with you, have to drive slow."

His eyes glittered, became akin to the purest of honeys, and he let go of her left hand momentarily so he could stroke her cheek. "Ah, it would seem I'm spoiling you." He turned off the engine, took off her ring, placed it in its black velvet box, then placed the box in the pocket of his jeans. "I'll take this for the duration of the school day, will give it back to you soon as we don't have to pretend anymore, we don't want our classmates or the teachers to start asking questions."

Edward got out of the car slowly, like a human, went to the trunk, got Bella's backpack, and helped her out, putting an arm around her waist and taking most of her weight, making the necessity for crutches obsolete, began walking toward the entrance of the school, Carlisle meeting them halfway.

"Mr Green is in his office already waiting for us, I called while we were on our way to save time, told him I'd like to talk to him with both of you present." Carlisle laughed, quiet and soft. "He thinks I want to talk to him about the precautions the teachers should take with you because of your broken leg, Bella, and he's not wrong, you really shouldn't be walking to and from classes on your own, or going to gym class, for that matter, not with your tendency to trip over your own two feet even when walking across a flat surface, especially if we want to keep your wedding on track, maybe move it up a bit if your leg continues healing as it is now and Esme and Alice can have your wedding dress ready fast—but everything will be fine, you'll be able to graduate early, just like Alice forsaw when you, Edward, asked her to look ahead."

They didn't speak again, not until they were inside Mr Green's office, a small, practical room with a decent size wooden desk, the walls painted a light color that was a mix between white, cream, and beige. Three chairs had been set up on the other side of the desk, one for Carlisle, one for Edward, and the last for Bella. Soon as they walked into the office, Mr Green, a tall, somewhat filled out around the belly area, middle-aged man, stood up, shook Carlisle's hand, his eyes not missing the way Edward was gently, carefully, slowly, with care and love, helping Bella on to her chair.

Mr Green waited for everyone to sit before he spoke. "Welcome, Dr Cullen, Edward, Bella. As I'm sure Miss Cope already told you, Dr Cullen, I'm assuming you're here to talk about the precautions and special care teachers will need to take with Bella because of her broken leg." Mr Green threw a quick glance at Bella. "How are you feeling, incidentally, Bella?"

Bella blushed, heat coloring her cheeks, not liking having all this attention on her, knowing, after this meeting, her teachers would probably pay special attention to her, too, but at least it would be over quickly, and, she thought to herself, her lips tugging up at the corners, this, having people pay extra attention to her, was good practice for her and Edward's wedding, after all, the bride and groom were the focus of everyone's attention during that special event. "Much better, thank you, Mr Green."

Carlisle gave Mr Green a charismatic smile. "Yes, but that's not the only thing I want to discuss with you, let's get Bella's safety and health out of the way first, though. My indications are quite simple, I don't want her doing any kind of physical activity, going to gym class, or putting too much weight on her broken leg, it's why Edward here helped her into her seat."

Edward tensed, something in Mr Green's thoughts clearly having disturbed him, lifted Bella's wrist to his lips, pressed a soft, sweet kiss to the skin there, no doubt able to feel her pulse, her blood humming in her veins, and Mr Green opened his mouth, but Carlisle spoke again before he could. "Edward will help her to get to and from classes, as well as drive her home after school, I've already explained to him how to hold her, help her walk so she doesn't hurt her leg."

Bella was really grateful all the Cullens could lie so easily, because while Carlisle hadn't give an Edward specific Instructions on how to help her, after all, he was a doctor, too, her beautiful fiance—didn't need Carlisle to tell him what to do, how to take care of her, would be the one to help her deliver their future child, be it Edward or Nessy Elizabeth—but it was best for Mr Green to believe that Carlisle had, in fact, given Edward specific Instructions. Bella let out a shiver, she didn't want anyone else to help her, put their hands on her, not now that she and Edward were engaged, getting married in around five weeks time, maybe a bit sooner—especially not Mike. Edward must have guessed her shiver wasn't from cold, his thoughts in a similar place to hers, because he shifted, pulled Bella closer so she could lean her head against his shoulder.

A nod from Mr Green. "Okay, then, I'll talk to the teachers after we're done here so they can excuse Edward from class early, this way he has time to get Bella, help her to her next class, will talk to Mrs Goff and Coach Clapp, too, tell them Edward and Bella can be excused from class respectively. What else did you want to discuss, Dr Cullen?"

Carlisle turned, very subtly, away from Mr Green so he couldn't see his facial expressions, winked at Edward and Bella, before turning back to Mr Green, asking casually, "How are Edward and Bella's Grades?"

Mr Green's eyebrows knitted together, a little vee marring his forehead. "Very good, they both have straight A's, are at the top of their class, and, I'd even dare to say, way, way ahead of them. It's not surprising, considering Edward has always had excellent grades and the excellent school Bella went to in Phoenix, took all AP classes, combined with the fact that she and Edward are together all the time, they must be rubbing off of each other in a very good way. Is there a particular reason why you're asking, Dr Cullen?"

A casual shrug from Carlisle, his golden eyes glowing with fatherly pride. "If Edward and Bella's grades are as you say they are, and they're way, way ahead of their classmates, then is there really a reason they should finish senior year next year, as it's traditionally done? Couldn't you, along with their teachers, do something, maybe make them take some sort of test, so they can just graduate now, along with this year's graduating class? I'm sure they get bored in their classes, what with them learning everything ahead of time—want to move on to other things."

Mr Green drummed his fingers nervously on his desk, as Edward, Bella, and Carlisle knew he would thanks to Alice's heads up, lines marking his forehead. "I suppose they could take a test, I'll have to talk to their teachers. Graduation, as I'm sure you already know, because Emmett, Rosalie, and Jasper are graduating this year, is in about two and a half weeks, giving Bella and Edward plenty of time to prepare for the test," Mr Green's gaze slid from Carlisle to Edward and Bella, "if, of course, they're willing to put in the time and work."

"Of course." The answer came from both Edward and Bella at the same time, causing them to turn to each other, smiling and laughing quietly.

A quick nod from Mr Green. "Okay, then, I'll talk to your teachers, have the test ready for you to take by next week." Mr Green turned his gaze back to Carlisle. "Maybe it would be best if I email you the test and you or your wife could administer it to them, this way their classmates won't have any idea of what's going on, can't get jealous or complain, say that they want to graduate early, too. Edward and Bella are very special cases, and this decision, allowing them to skip senior year, cannot be made with just any student. Of course, they won't have to come to school after they take the test, only show up at graduation, and maybe they should only come to school for today and tomorrow, use the rest of the time they have until they take the test to prepare for it, study at home."

Carlisle gave Mr Green a serious nod. "Everything you said sounds reasonable, thank you for taking the time to see us, being so understanding."