"Don't we get to go inside?" I asked. I was getting a bit cold.

Edward shook his head.

"What is your problem?!" I exploded. "You did something wrong. Why do we," I gestured to Jasper and myself, "have to be the ones you're mad at. You have no right, Edward! You were the one who did something wrong, right?! Not me! Not Jasper! You!"

Edward's mouth wooshed open. He couldn't actually be surprised, could he? Edward knew that's what happened.

I pushed my way past Edward into their house. It had been my second home for the longest time, I didn't feel the least bit rude. I plopped down on the couch and Alice was soon to follow. I ignored her.

Edward glared at Jasper. "Come in, but try not to eat anyone."

I was surprised in Edward. It was such a childish thing to say, especially when you're over a hundred years old.

Jasper sauntered in like he owned the place and took a seat on the other side of me. He grabbed my hand and smiled at me. Edward shut the door and stood in front of the couch. He was pacing the length of the couch and murmuring words too fast and quiet for my ears.

"So, you wanted to talk to us," I prompted.  He turned to me.

"One moment please," he said, struggling to keep a civil tone.

I sighed.

Finally, after what seemed like hours of waiting, he spoke. "Bella, please don't do this?" he said, looking pointedly at my hand, which was located right smack dab in Jasper's.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said. I didn't know what it was, but I certainly felt like pushing Edward to the limit.

"Dammit, Bella!" he yelled, hitting the wall. He hit it a little too hard and I could see a dent in the shape of an Edward fist. "You know what I'm talking about! You cannot be with Jasper!"

"Since when do you decide what I can and cannot do, Edward? Last I checked I had my own life to live," I said, standing up. I knew it wouldn't do any good. There was no way I'd intimidate a vampire.

"Don't you see that he is dangerous? Just a few days ago he ate a person! A person, Bella!"

"It doesn't matter!" I shrieked.

His eyes were what gave it away. Those words had hurt him. They were the same words that I said to him in the car on our way back from Port Angeles. The words that had created our bond that would be forever sacred. The words that had led me to Forks' deepest, darkest secret.

He deflated. "Do what you want, Bella. I wont stop you. If Jasper's what you want, take him," he whispered, his voice not the smooth velvet it usually was. It was deep, scratchy. Without another word he left the room.

Alice looked at Jasper and I. "I hope you guys are happy together," she said, exiting the room the way Edward had gone.

My eyes filled with tears. I loved this family, and I had hurt them. Me, it was my fault. I collapsed in a sobbing heap on the floor.

I felt cool strong arms lift me. I felt a steady pulse of relaxation. Jasper's power was so handy sometimes.

I buried my head into his chest, and then we were running. I closed my eyes the entire time, knowing where we were going to go.

I'd apparently fallen asleep in his arms on the way home. I woke up and was confused, I didn't remember coming back home. I sat up and looked around. I saw a dark figure sitting in the rocking chair that was placed in the corner.

"Jasper?" I called, my voice groggy with sleep.

"Yes, Bella?" he asked, standing up.

 I paused.

"Will you lie by me?" It was the only thing that came to mind at that moment.

"Are you sure?" he questioned, hesitating at the edge of the bed. I nodded.

He lowered himself onto the bed and slid his arm around me. I quickly found where I was most comfortable and sighed contentedly.

"Jasper?" I asked.

"Hmm?"

"Can we talk about what happened today?"

"Perhaps that's a discussion best saved for when you're awake," he answered, stroking my cheek.

"Mmkay," I replied.

I drifted off to sleep, thinking about the day to come.