Charlie wasn't home when we pulled up. I was a little worried, until I found a note from him saying he had to get a few things for the barbeque. Charlie bought a barbeque last weekend but as far as I knew he had nothing for it. I'm guessing an impulse buy out of his desire for us to be a normal family.

I handed the note over to Tanya and went over to the fridge. Irina picked me up a sandwich at the local sandwich shop but I was starving now. I grabbed a slice of pizza out of one of the two boxes in the fridge. It was supreme pizza, my personal favorite. I didn't bother to heat the pizza. I ate it cold as I headed upstairs.

I went to my desk. I was determined to finish this assignment before dinner. I planned on spending the rest of the evening with Charlie. I barely spent any time with him over the last couple days and I didn't want him to think that spending time with Tanya was more important. It wasn't. As much as I needed to be with Tanya, Charlie was my dad. I wanted to spend time with him.

I finished up my worksheet while I munched on the slice of pizza. It was good pizza. I would have to ask Charlie to order from there again.

Tanya played with my hair while I finished up the last of my homework. It was a bit distracting but I couldn't bare to tell her to stop. If nothing else it became a motivation to finish up the worksheet sooner.

Tanya's phone chimed just as I finished up the assignment. I cleaned up my desk, putting all of my homework away for tomorrow while Tanya responded to the message.

"That was Carmen," Tanya said. "They've caught the scent of the nomad but nomad is smarter than we gave her credit for. They can't get close to her and she's gone, for now."

Do you think she knows?

"She knows something," Tanya said confidently. "Whether she's aware of the mating bond, I don't know. But something is drawing her back here." She sighed and tossed her phone on my bed. "It's my fault. I sent the others after her and now she's staying away. I should have waited."

I walked over to her and wrapped my arms around her waist. There was so much I wanted to say to her but the words wouldn't come out. I would get there, I knew I would, but until then I would need to settle for my usual way.

It's not your fault, I told her. You're doing everything you can. You'll find her. I know you guys will.

"Thank you Bella," she said. She leaned forward slowly, waiting to give me a chance to protest. My heart pounded as I waited for this moment.

Her lips brushed against mine gently.

I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her closer to me. This was well worth the wait. It was everything I wanted and more.

She pulled away and I was gasping for breath. Kissing a vampire was a surefire way to make me regret being human. I hated the need for oxygen.

Tanya wrapped her arms around me and pulled me against her. "We should talk," Tanya muttered softly. I stiffened in her arms. I didn't have much experience with relationships but I knew those words were not good. Tanya pulled me away from her. "I'm sorry Bella, that's not what I meant," she hurried to explain. She closed her eyes and when she opened them, they were a slightly duller gold. If I hadn't spent so much time looking at her eyes, I never would have noticed the change. She cupped my cheek. "One day you will understand how I can never leave you."

What do you want to talk about then? I asked confused.

"Boundaries," Tanya said. "More specifically, your boundaries." I was still confused. What did my boundaries have to do with anything? And boundaries with what specifically?

She led me over to the bed. "Bella," she said softly. She must have sensed my confusion. "It's no secret that I have a lot of sexual experience." I blushed and she stroked my cheek with her thumb. "I don't want to do anything to make you uncomfortable. You're obviously okay with kissing, considering you've kissed me twice."

She smirked as my blush deepened. Now I was convinced she was doing this on purpose. I nodded, even though she already knew the answer.

I'm not ready for sex, I admitted to her. I'd never considered having sex, with anyone. Maybe someday, but not right now.

"I understand," Tanya said. "I would never push you into sex. You don't have to answer, but did you and Edward…?"

I shook my head quickly. Never. He barely kissed me. Said he was too afraid of hurting me.

"For someone as young as him, I shouldn't be surprised," Tanya said. "There are very few vampires that would willingly have sex with humans and even fewer that would want to control themselves." She pushed my hair from my face. "There's no rush for anything and if I ever do something you're not ready for, I need you to tell me."

Thank you.

I should have known Tanya would be this relaxed regarding sex. It was something I never considered but Tanya definitely had.

What happens now, with the nomad?

"She'll be back. She can't stay away from Charlie for too long. We're keeping an eye on the house and Charlie for now. I'm with you most of the time so that covers the house. The others are alternating keeping an eye on Charlie."

Are you going to tell him that the others are following him?

"Of course," Tanya said like it was obvious. "We're not trying to hide it. Right now, it's the only way to find this nomad."

If he doesn't want you to watch him, or to find the nomad?

"We will respect his wishes to not be watched," Tanya promised. "However, we cannot promise to not find the nomad. It's not just Charlie affected by that decision. You and this whole town could be at risk from a out of control nomad. I won't risk you."

Is she out of control?

"Not that we've seen," Tanya admitted. "As far as we can tell she has yet to kill anyone in town. Kate's going to keep an eye on the news for Anchorage. It's likely that's where she will go to hunt."

You're already with me the majority of the time, I signed. I hated protection detail when James was targeting me. At least this time I wasn't being taken out of the state to hide. Charlie wasn't going to be hurt like the last time and I was grateful for that. I don't want your siblings watching me, but you… you I don't mind.

Tanya laughed. "I'm glad I meet your approval," she said. "We'll have to make arrangements for when I go hunting." I made a face at that. I did not want a babysitter. She shook her head. "I'll limit my hunting to when you're at work or school."

That worked for me. It meant I didn't have to lose time with her. Now that I embraced the mating bond, the thought of separating from Tanya was far more painful now then it was before.

We sat silently on my bed, with Tanya running her hand through my hair. I would never admit it, out loud, but it was one of my favorite things. Tanya's hand stilled. "Charlie's here," she muttered.

I sighed. That meant we couldn't hide away in my bedroom forever. Not that it would ever happen. She had obligations to her coven and I had human obligations.

I pulled away from her and headed out of my room to meet Charlie. Tanya followed behind me. I never had to ask her if she could come with me. She was always just there.

We made it downstairs just as Charlie opened the front door.

"Hey," he greeted cheerfully. "How was work Bells?"

Good. It was slow.

He nodded and turned his attention to Tanya. "There's a rather large box in the car, a cover for the barbeque, do you mind grabbing it? It's a bit awkward to carry."

"Of course Charlie," Tanya said. She touched my arm before walking around me to head out the front door.

You know you can't keep claiming to hate her and then use her for the heavy lifting when it's convenient.

Charlie frowned. "I don't hate her," he admitted. I watched Tanya walk around the house carrying a large box. The box was bigger than her so it looked funny. "I don't like all this mating stuff but I don't hate her." He looked out the window. "I actually kinda like her. She's good for you Bells. I don't know if you see it, but I do."

I see it.

Tanya came back around to the front of the house. I heard the car door shut and she came back inside holding an assortment of bags. "Here's the rest of it," she said. She sat it down by the front door, probably so she didn't accidentally stab Charlie.

"Thanks Tanya," he said. "When do you want to start dinner Bella?"

I shrugged. I wasn't even sure what time it was. My phone was upstairs somewhere. I hadn't even thought about it after I came home.

"It's 3:30," Tanya told me.

Maybe around six then? I asked Charlie. I wasn't sure how hungry he was. But with my slice of pizza I was good for a while.

Charlie nodded. "I'll start grilling at six then and you can get your other stuff going. Do you have any homework to do?"

I shook my head. I finished it when I got home. Is there a game playing tonight?

Tanya quickly translated and Charlie laughed. "There's always a game playing," he told her. "I don't have to watch it though, if you want to do something else."

I shook my head. I wasn't a fan of sports but it was something Charlie enjoyed. He had done a lot more for. The least I could do was watch a game with him.

I'll make some popcorn for you. Do you want a beer?

"That would be great," Charlie said, rubbing the back of his neck. "But you don't have to do that Bells. I can get my own beer."

I waved Charlie away and headed to the kitchen. I dug a bag of microwave popcorn from the cabinet. I ripped off the plastic and tossed it into the microwave. I hit the popcorn button and went to the fridge to grab Charlie a beer. I grabbed a bottle of water for myself.

I pulled open the side drawer to grab a bottle opener when I remembered I had something better beside me. Tanya understood what I wanted and twisted off the cap of the bottle. I took the bottle back from her and headed to the living room to give it to Charlie.

"Thanks Bella," he said.

There was already a game playing on the TV. Football. I wasn't sure what teams were playing, nor did I really care. I was doing this for Charlie. The game itself was irreverent.

I headed back to the kitchen to wait for the popcorn to finish. The popping was slowing down which meant it was almost done.

Do you know anything about football?

"I do," Tanya answered. "It was invented in the late 1800s. It was highly improper for a woman to play."

Which means you and your sisters loved it.

Tanya grinned. "That we did." She stepped closer to me. "You don't care about football." It wasn't a question. She knew I didn't.

Sports were never my thing. I was too clumsy to play. I did like running, back when I lived in Phoenix, but I haven't done that in years.

"Is that something you're interested in doing again?" she asked.

I shrugged. I haven't really thought about it. Is there a gym around here? Running on a treadmill wouldn't be bad.

"There isn't one here," Tanya said. "But I could get you a treadmill if you're interested."

The microwave beeped and I went over to grab the bag. I hissed as the steam burned my fingers. Tanya was by my side in an instant. She grabbed the bag of popcorn and dropped it on the counter before whirling around and grabbing my hand.

I couldn't sign with her holding my hand, carefully inspecting in search of injury. She wouldn't find anything. It was more surprise than pain that caused my reaction.

I used my free hand to touch her cheek. Her eyes met mine and I was able to slip my hand out of her grasp.

I'm okay. I was just surprised.

I moved away from her so I could put the popcorn in a bowl for Charlie but Tanya, sensing my plan, beat me to it. She handed me the bowl and I took it out to Charlie.

Charlie shoved a handful of popcorn in his mouth while I went over to the couch to sit down. "Do you want some?" he asked.

I shook my head. I wasn't really hungry, not after that slice of pizza. Charlie shrugged and went back to eating.

Tanya walked into the living room. She stood near the front door, like she didn't want to intrude on my time with Charlie. I locked eyes with her and patted the seat beside me, inviting her to come sit with me. I didn't need to be alone with Charlie to enjoy time with him. Besides, I needed her to explain what was going on. It had only been a few minutes and I was already confused.

Tanya didn't need further invitation. She quickly made her way across the living room and sat down beside me on the couch. I shifted so I was laying in her lap.

You're going to have to explain what's going on.

Tanya laughed and spent the next two hours whispering all the different plays. I still understood nothing. Tanya's cool breath on me as she whispered in my ear was much too distracting.

Charlie shouted and flinched at the sudden sound. Tanya wrapped her arms around me. "Are you okay?"

I nodded. Just wasn't expecting it.

The game had been slow, according to Tanya. There wasn't enough action for her taste and I had a feeling Charlie agreed. It was normal for him to be vocal during the games, but today, not so much.

An alarm went off on Charlie's phone, pulling our attention from the TV. Charlie reached over and paused the game. "We should get dinner ready," Charlie said. He stood up and stretched.

Of course, he had an alarm. If he waited for me to be hungry we probably wouldn't have eaten.

He grabbed his popcorn bowl and empty beer bottle and headed to the kitchen. I sighed and got off the table to follow him.

The bowl is in the sink and he's in the fridge digging out the chicken I prepped. "How much time will you need for the rest?" he questioned.

About 30 minutes, I signed.

Charlie nodded. "It shouldn't take more than 15-20 minutes for the chicken. I'm going to go mess with the grill. Can you bring this out when you're ready for me to start grilling?" he asked.

I nodded. He grabbed a beer from the fridge and headed outside.

I grabbed the assorted vegetables from the fridge and started to wash them. "Do you want some help?" Tanya asked.

Cut these ends off and separate the stalks. I demonstrated what I wanted and handed her the knife.

I watched her cutting the stalks off of the broccoli and cauliflower. There was something about the scene in front of me. It was so… domestic. I had seen Carmen in the kitchen and Esme but this was different. This was Tanya and me, cooking together, like a family it made me realize I wanted more of this, more of us together like this. I didn't know if I wanted to be a vampire, all I knew was I wanted her, for as long as I could have her. Whether that was the length of my human life, or eternity.

Tanya turned, almost like she could sense my eyes on her. "What?" she asked. "Am I doing this wrong?"

I dropped the potatoes I was scrubbing and closed the distance between us. I wrapped my arms around her neck and pulled her to me. My lips brushed hers and her arms went to my waist. I pressed my lips harder against hers.

"Bella," Tanya muttered.

I pulled away from her, just far enough so I could sign. It wasn't how I wanted to say this for the first time but I couldn't wait until I could speak again. I had to tell her.

I love you.