B-POV

Edward turned to face me. There was no horror or shock in his expression. Just the steely resolve of a vampire who did what he needed to do. He placed his blood-free hand on my cheek. The other he held as far away from the rest of his body as he could. "Are you alright? That's the only thing that matters."

"I'm alright," I said, though I wouldn't be if Edward or anyone else in his family was hurt by the Hunters.

Jacob's face was still twisted up into a sick grin as Ben and Mike demanded he leave. They seemed like yipping puppies breaking up a fight between Dobermanns. Though Jacob could annihilate them as easily as Edward could, he did as he was told. After he curled his lip in my direction. As if I were the one who kissed him against his will.

Edward's jaw was so tight, I worried he would crush his teeth into dust.

His expression softened just a tad as Angela wrapped her hands around his forearm. The thin fabric wouldn't be enough to disguise his cold skin, but she didn't react to the chill. "Edward," she said in a soft, authoritative voice, "we need to get the blood cleaned off. Come with me."

He sucked a deep breath through his nose and acquiesced. Leaving me with a long, loving look, he let Angela lead him towards the bathroom. The two of them made a sweet picture. Angela was tall enough that Edward didn't need to duck down for her to whisper in his ear. I was sure he needed whatever comforting words she had to say.

Jessica patted my hands, my arms, my hair, cooing and coddling. On the opposite side of the spectrum, the boys buzzed with excitement, chatting excitedly about how cool it would be to defend their girlfriend's honor. Their voices faded in the back of my mind into a low hum. I wondered if it was how the world always sounded the Edward.

"If someone even looks at Jess funny…"

"I had no idea he was capable of something like that…"

"It was just like a movie…"

The chatter died down when Edward and Angela returned, wearing the same stoic expression. In a low voice, Edward apologized for his behavior and announced our immediate departure. He handed Jess two crisp hundred-dollar bills to pay for the food. Distress made Edward's movement robotic rather than twitchy. His fingers didn't brush down my arm before he took my hand nor did he give me a reassuring squeeze.

I was no better. I stared at my friends blankly, unsure of what to do or say.

Once we were in the car, the vampire awakened. As we flew down the highway at breakneck speed, Edward growled into his cell phone, speaking too fast and low for me to make out any of the words. I was surprised when we pulled up into my driveway—I assumed the next steps would involve the whole family. Edward walked me up to the house with the air of a predator, rather than a boyfriend.

He stuck to me closer than my own shadow as I went through the motions of settling in. With his phone still at his ear, he hovered as I put away my shoes and got a drink of water from the kitchen. I thought he would follow me into the bathroom where I vigorously brushed my teeth, in a pathetic attempt to brush away all traces of Jacob.

Even with a clean mouth, I still felt dirty. Edward was busy planning, so I decided to take a shower. The warm water wasn't nearly the haven I wanted it to be, but it undid the knots in my back and took away the traces of Jacob's scent. I lingered until the water went cold. Edward wasn't waiting at the door like I expected him to, nor was he in my bedroom. I supposed he was giving me privacy. Dried off and donned in my coziest sweats, I ventured downstairs to find him.

He was in the living room, staring out the back window into the woods beyond. His hands were clasped behind his back.

"Edward?" I squeaked.

He turned. Passion set his golden eyes ablaze. He was across the room in a second. Suddenly, I was in his embrace and he kissed me, deep and slow. When he released me, my knees were unable to keep me upright. I collapsed onto the sofa behind me and sank into the pillows.

"I wish I broke his jaw," Edward growled, just loud enough for me to hear.

"I'm sorry, Edward."

"You did nothing wrong, my love."

"You're going to miss your set tonight."

He chuckled lightly. "That's what you're worried about?"

"I feel bad." I was eager to have a good memory at Edward's favorite music venue to replace our awful first date.

"There's no need. I already called Vivi and rescheduled."

I tilted to the side, trusting that Edward wouldn't allow me to collapse onto the cushions. He moved onto the couch just in time for me to fall against his side. "Good. Now our friends will have plenty of notice so they can come see you, too."

Edward sighed, "We're still on this?"

"You can read their minds. Tell me they wouldn't be thrilled to hear you play. Ben and Mike already think of you as their cool grandpa."

"Mmm," Edward's hand squeezed my waist, "Just what I wanted."

"And Angela would be so proud and so supportive." We both, of course, knew how Jessica felt about everything Edward did.

As if I borrowed his gift, I could hear the ridiculous excuses raddling around in his thick skull. "And don't you dare act like your gift is a barrier between you and them. They're all good enough people that they would forgive you for hearing their thoughts. Better yet, they would welcome having their worse thoughts challenged." I had proof of that. "I spoke with Jessica today."

"You did!?" He hooked his arm under my knees and pulled my legs across his lap, turning me to face him. Satisfied with our proximity, he wrapped both arms around me and snuggled me into his chest. "I'm so proud of you."

I paraphrased the entire conversation for him, concluding with her standing up to Jacob on my behalf and my idea that he should kiss her as a thank you.

"Perhaps a bouquet of flowers instead," he suggested with a wooden grin.

"You don't seem very surprised," I noted, tracing his perfect features that were fixed in polite interest during the duration of my story.

I felt him shrug. "I had a sneaking suspicion of how that conversation would turn out."

"Really?"

"I would never send you off to a confrontation I didn't know would end in your favor, love."

"What would you have done if you knew it would end in a bitter feud?"

"I would drink her blood."

A giggle of surprise rather than amusement burst from my lips.

"What do you think happened to Lauren?" he teased, nuzzling his nose into my hair.

I rolled my eyes. She and Jessica were in another of their weekly feuds. Edward and I never knew any of the details, but they would rectify without a clear winner in due time.

"Thank you," I melted into him.

"Anytime." He kissed my ear. "Anything."

We remained curled into one another for an indeterminate amount of time. Until we were unable to ignore the pressing matters at hand.

"What's going to happen now?"

He sighed, as reluctant to face the outside world as I was. "Even without Jacob's…" Edward shook his head and shuttered. "They were prepared to act. I encountered the other Hunters at the gym this afternoon. Jacob must have warned them about me, because the second I stepped through that door, their thoughts homed in on me. They all had the same idea. They were to meet that night in the back office of that gym to discuss strategy."

"That's convenient."

"My gift has its moments."

"It's certainly helped me out…"

Edward continued without commenting on the useful properties of his gift. Heaven forbid he thought highly of himself for a moment. "Jasper is at the gym now, hoping to size them up. Then, Emmett, Carlisle, and I will approach the Hunters and plead our case."

"Just you three?"

"We don't want to intimidate them. There is no reason for you to worry. We don't expect a confrontation. Emmett can be as intimidating as he is charming. Just in case, Jasper and Rosalie will be watching."

That made me feel a bit better.

"With any luck, by the time I return to you tonight, if Jacob so much as turns his head in your direction, he will risk the safety of his fellow Hunters."

That made me feel a lot better.

His hand ran down the length of my hair. "I'm so sorry I have to leave you alone after this ghastly day…"

"But you have to go now?" I guessed.

"I'm already late."

"I understand," I said, though my arms tightened around him. "Save your family. Come back."

"I will." With one finger, he pulled my chin up for a kiss. "I love you."

He was gone before I could return the sentiment.

I slumped back down into the cushions of the couch, face in my hands, forcefully trying to forget the events of the day. What was supposed to be a normal Saturday afternoon with friends quickly sank into terror. The day swung into a high when Jessica and I entered a new stage of our friendship but crashed into horror the second Jacob's mouth met mine.

I spent months in high school daydreaming about his kisses, counting down the seconds until I received another.

Now, my stomach churned at the thought.

With no other way to cope, I turned my thoughts toward less painful avenues. My friends were now anti-Jacob. Hopefully, the peace treaty with Edward's family would keep the Hunters far, far away from me. I would never have to see Jacob again. That's what I would focus on. I wouldn't imagine the deadly scenarios that Edward might face. I wouldn't replay the kiss in my head until I became nauseous. I would revel in the knowledge that I would never see Jacob again.

Determined to make the best of the situation, I planned my night. There was a point in time when a Saturday night alone in my house was something I would look forward to. Straight away, I knew I would watch reruns of my favorite baking competition show, without anyone's nagging voice reminding me that I already knew the outcome. Already feeling better, I poked through the fridge to see what I could make. I never actually got to eat from the smorgasbord Jessica ordered. I doubt anyone did after Jacob's assault.

I pulled out the eggs and butter, knowing that whatever I had for dinner, there would be a homemade dessert to go with it. There weren't many ingredients available, so I decided to combine dinner with the homemade dessert and make pancakes. I had frozen bacon thawing in a bowl of water, a berry compote on the stove, and the coffee brewing when Charlie arrived home. He took a dramatic inhalation so loud, I heard it from the kitchen. "I love it when you're home, Bells."

I grinned.

He poked his head into the room. "Because I get to look at my beautiful daughter's lovely face. It has nothing to do with your cooking." Despite his claim, when he hugged me, I felt him grab a berry from behind my back.

I turned in time to see him stuff it in his mouth. "Dad!"

He grinned, unashamed.

"It's nice to see you home, Darling."

"I can say the same to you," I challenged. I wasn't the only one preoccupied with my budding relationship. The apple fell so close to the tree, it was right at the base. In fact, the apple was still in the branches of the tree. Charlie and my relationship had gone from constant companionship to a quick catch-up each morning while we rushed to get ready for the day.

"Still working on this?" he gestured to the siphon coffee maker, that had yet to produce a single cup of coffee.

"I know you've moved on to fishing, but I'm still here, struggling to make the mountains of antiques work." Edward, of course, was crucial to my endeavor. He and I had the chairs reupholstered, rusted ironware cleaned and polished like new, and leather buffed and buttery soft. Charlie had moved so far past his antique phase, he had forgotten we owned half the stuff that he piled in the corner of our kitchen.

"It's a bit too late for coffee."

I poked one of the valves. "It's decaf. Besides, why would I ever eat pancakes without coffee?"

"Why would anyone drink coffee without caffeine?"

"Because it's good."

He adjusted his collar and redirected the conversation. "Where is Edward on this fine evening? Will he be stopping by?"

"No." Against all rational thought, the word stung. I had no idea when Edward would return. I frowned at the pancake batter, wishing I had baked something that required more effort, to keep me busier, longer.

Charlie felt my dejection, as if it were his own. "Everything okay?"

"Everything's great," I breathed. Between Edward and me, it was. Everything else could shatter at any moment. "I just miss him. Isn't that silly?"

"Not silly at all," Charlie rubbed my shoulders. "Swans mate for life, you know. They quickly form lifelong bonds with a mate."

"We're not birds," I reminded my father.

He laughed.

"What about Billy?" I asked, eager to redirect the conversation. "Where is he on this fine evening?"

"He's with his daughters. They should be finishing up their afternoon festivities any moment and I will join them for dinner."

"Oh." I didn't mean for the word to sound so disparaged.

"I don't need to, Darling. We can have dinner. Billy would obviously understand if I chose to spend time with my daughter instead."

"No, no, you should meet them."

"Would you like to come?"

"I have it in my head I will be spending the night here. I don't want to go out."

"There's always next time." I agreed with a nod of my head. Charlie watched in silence as I relocated the thawed bacon onto a sheet tray. "When do you think I'll be able to meet Edward's family?

My heart leaped. "Oh, Dad, you will absolutely adore—," I stopped myself. Charlie already knew and adored Edward's mother. And Carlisle, in his own, weird way. It sank in that Charlie would never be able to know Edward's family. The realization hurt more than I would have expected it to.

"—his sister," I concluded, halfheartedly.

"What of his parents?"

"They travel a bunch."

Charlie wasn't sure what to make of my tone, signaling I didn't wish to continue the conversation.

"Well, the four of us should get together again." I opened my mouth to accept on Edward's behalf, but Charlie clarified, "I think you would get along great with Jacob. Plus, you went to high school together, so there's already some common ground."

I dropped a slice of raw bacon on the floor. I had completely forgotten that I would have to deal with Jacob through Billy. Charlie took care of the bacon for me, waiting for an answer I wasn't sure I had. Then, I remembered what Edward told me. Sometimes, I needed to tell people how they needed to be kind to me. His advice had already worked once that day. If anyone wanted to show me kindness, it was my dad.

Taking a deep breath, I closed the door to the oven with the bacon safely inside and turned to face my father. "I don't think I'm going to hang out with Jacob, Dad."

His eyebrows drew together. "Why?"

"He wasn't… that great to me in high school."

Charlie needed no further explanation. He might not have known about my secret boyfriend, but he always knew I had trouble with bullies growing up. Poor Charlie got called into the Guidance Counselor's office more times than we could count to come up with a solution to keep me from getting bullied—as if it was something I needed to resolve rather than the school. "Oh, Bella. I'm so sorry."

I shrugged, hoping to get this part over with as quickly as possible. "It's not that big of a deal."

"Of course, it's a big deal, Baby. I'm sorry. I didn't know."

I turned back to the range and stirred the bubbling compote, just for something to do.

"I'll bring it up to Billy… Surely, he would never allow such behavior if he knew about it. What did he do?"

"Pretended to date me." It was the simplest way to put the convoluted mess.

"What?" Charlie gasped, horrified. "Bella, how could you have a boyfriend and not tell me?"

Because I knew I would receive this reaction and my face would be enflamed with shame. "He wanted to keep it a secret."

"Bella…"

"I know." I snapped at my father's reproachful tone, not in the mood for a lecture. "If I told you, I would have had your whole support. If I told you, you would have seen the thousands of red flags. If I told you, you would have saved me from heartbreak. It's done. It's over. I was an idiot."

Charlie's mouth pressed into a hard line.

"You're right. It's done. There's no reason to harp. I still wish I knew. I had a secret relationship in high school, too. A boy who didn't want to admit to anyone else that he liked boys."

"Like father like daughter," I muttered, bitterly.

"And I wish you didn't have to go through it alone. I would have had some tips, even if it were just for the breakup stage."

"There was no break-up stage. He just left. And then showed up out of the blue at the Bloated Toad."

I could read the thousands of things Charlie wanted to say in his large, story-telling eyes. The same eyes I had. Then, he sighed. "Like you said, there's nothing to do about it now. You've learned all the lessons you could. Except the one about lying to your poor, old dad."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I understand why you did it, even if I don't like it. Like I said, I'll talk to Billy about this. Surely, we can figure out how to keep the two of you apart. Or drill some sense into the boy's head. Whichever you prefer."

"Please don't ruin your relationship over me."

Charlie's face softened in a way it rarely did. It was the same face I saw after my high school graduation and after he picked me up from the hospital when I almost got pulverized by a skidding van. The face of a father—not of a best friend.

"Trust me, Bella. If Billy does not want to protect my daughter, I would not want to continue the relationship."

Edward said something similar about Jessica and Mike. I wasn't thrilled at the notion that my loved ones had to decide between me and other people. "I thought swans mated for life."

"We're not birds," he quoted with a smile.

He placed his arm around my shoulders. I leaned against him, and we watched together as I stirred the berries.

"And while we're being honest, Edward is...?"

"Perfect. In every conceivable way. You do not need to worry about Edward."

"That's a relief. I always thought you deserved a good piece of arm candy."

"I think of him more as a trophy," I said, in a flippant tone.

"As long as it's purely physical attraction," Charlie teased, and we both cracked up at our own bit.

Charlie sat at the table as I bustled around the kitchen, giving me company I enjoyed and advice I ignored. The coffee maker didn't work—as expected. I already had a backup plan, anyway. Charlie departed after eating my test pancake, calling it his appetizer.

All alone in the house, I prepared my dinner. Because I had the time and privacy to do so, I ate pancakes the way I liked best: one at a time off the griddle, so they stayed warm and didn't get soggy. I had just started to experiment with fillings when my cell phone chirped. I lunged for it, hoping to see an update from Edward.

It was Charlie.

I frowned at the phone. Knowing my father, he forgot his wallet or ripped his pants and needed replacements. The man was as luckless as I was. Just as I suspected, Charlie forgot to fill up on gas. He was somewhere on the side of the road. Most likely, he was too embarrassed to ask Billy for help in front of his daughters or didn't want to interrupt the family meal.

I rolled my eyes. He just did this the other week. The gas can I borrowed from Edward's family was still in the back room. Clearly, he didn't learn his lesson. How Charlie survived as long as he did with my micromanaging was beyond me.

I switched off the griddle and cleaned up, so nothing would spoil. I had no idea how far away Charlie was. Charlie could wait a little longer for me to get my ducks in a row. Maybe if he missed dinner, he would remember to fill up with gas.

I opened the passenger door of the truck to set the gas can on the floor. I sloshed the liquid inside a few times, hoping the amount left would be enough to get Charlie to a gas station. Suddenly, my arms were forced behind my back and the gas can clattered on the ground. My feet were lifted off the ground as I was stuffed into the truck. The door slammed behind me.

I had only ever been handled with such ease by one person, and he would never be so rough with me. I cringed at the grating sound of metal from outside. I jiggled the handle, only to find it no longer worked. I shoved against the door with all my might, but it wouldn't budge.

Hot, angry tears burned in my eyes. That asshole broke my truck.

I crawled across the bench seat to escape from the other side. Just as I got to the handle, the door opened. Thrown off balance, I fell onto my face on the seat. A large, warm hand shoved me back. As kidnappings went, this was certainly a demeaning one, as I was sprawled on the seat of my own truck.

"Hey there, Belly." The truck rocked as Jacob heaved himself inside. His voice was casual and carefree like we were two casual acquaintances meeting up. "A friendly tip: those sweatpants aren't doing you any favors."

I know I say I'm bad at writing a lot of things... but the build-up to the action are always are worst chapters. I'm pretty sure I apologize for this part in every fic. We're working on it!