Disclaimer: Alas, I do not own Stephenie Meyer's books, which includes the Twilight series. I only own my wit and humor and lack of updating quickly.

I looked at him, surprised, “What’s so funny?” I asked, frowning.

“You’re going to help us clean? Are you sure that you wouldn’t end up just doing even more damage to yourself and the house?” He chuckled.

“Are you sure you will be fine on your own?” Edward asked as the car pulled to a stop in front of my house.

“Are you going to keep asking me that until I change my mind?” I retorted, raising a brow at him as I unhooked my seatbelt and hopped out of the car with surprising ease.

“Maybe…” Edward said, smiling as he closed the car door for me.

“I thought we already established that I’m not in any real danger.” I started, leaning against the car.

Edward frowned, “When ever are you not in danger?” He asked, sighing.

“Good point.”

“But I’ll stay with you tonight, like always.”

“So, with luck, Bella Swan will live another day?”

Edward gave me a sigh, noticing my bitter tone. “Bella…” He started.

“I know, I know, not now. It’s been a bad day, hasn’t it?” I said, pushing my hair from my face.

“You could say that.” Edward laughed softly as we walked to the door.

I glanced through the window of the door and saw Charlie sitting in a position where he could easily see us both, and was trying (and failing) to not look like he was spying.

“Try not to cause any trouble while I drop off the car and hurry back.” Edward teased, leaning over and kissing my lips for a brief, and wonderful, moment before starting down the steps back to his car.

I remembered my motor skills this time, waving to him before starting into the house.

“Welcome back, Bella. Did you have a good time with Alice?” Charlie asked as soon as I closed the door behind me.

“Yeah, when she wasn’t trying to get me into another dress or pair of shoes.” I said automatically, rehearsing this in my head on the drive over.

Charlie smiled, “Sounds… fun.” He said.

“In a sense.” I added, walking over. “Movie?” I asked.

“Yeah, Dracula, the old one with horrible acting.” He said, looking over at the screen. “You used to watch this when you were younger, although back then we covered your eyes during any bad scenes.” He informed me.

I smiled at the irony but didn’t reply. “I’m going to go upstairs, it’s been tiring today.” I explained.

Charlie nodded before looking back at the screen, “Bella, make sure you keep your window closed, it’s cold out and I think the lock or something might e broken, I keep finding it open.” He added as I was halfway up the stairs.

I froze and felt the hair on my arms stand up, “U-Uh, sure…” I said before hurrying upstairs and running to my room. Thankfully the window was closed now.

I took in a deep breath and slumped to the ground, wanting to think over everything, but scared I might have a heart attack if I thought too much about what had happened… or worse… what might happen.

A yelp echoed in my room when there was a tap at the window. I stood up, my legs shaking as I started over, thankfully it was Edward. I opened the window and poked my head out.

“Kind of like Romeo and Juliet?” Edward asked, now sitting on the tree branch a few feet from the window.

“I think I missed the part where Romeo stays with Juliet for the night because he’s worried she’ll be kidnapped by crazy vampire hunters in the middle of the night.” I mumbled, moving back as Edward jumped in, completely silent.

“It was an edited scene, everyone who knows the real story knows that Romeo was a vampire, himself.” Edward chuckled.

I smiled, “I think that this sounds familiar.” I guessed.

“Does it now?” Edward asked, resting his forehead against mine before frowning and pulling away.

“What?” I asked, frowning back.

“You smell like him.”

“Well I haven’t exactly had time to take a shower in the twenty seconds it took you to get here.” I said, folding my arms.

“You flatter me; I can’t get here faster then a minute and twenty.” Edward chuckled, smiling and kissing my forehead.

I looked up at him, his smile making me forgive him instantly. “Fine then, give me a human minute, okay?” I asked, grabbing my pajamas.

“I won’t move an inch.” Edward promised.

I smiled and started from the room, heading into the bathroom and trying to keep my mind clear as I quickly took a shower and brushed my hair and my teeth and got changed, dropping my clothes into the hamper before starting out of the bathroom and back to my room.

Sure enough, Edward was there, and he hadn’t moved an inch.

“What if I took two hours to get ready?” I asked, walking over as he wrapped his arms around me gently.

Edward laughed, “Two hours to me is nothing…” He said, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “I’m a patient person.”

“I’ve noticed.” I grinned before plopping myself down on the bed and rolling over, staring up at the ceiling. I felt the bed dip as Edward laid down next to me.

“You’re not tired?” He asked curiously.

“I am… but I don’t think I can sleep.” I sighed.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For not being any help.” Edward said, frowning faintly.

“Who said you weren’t? You’re a big help, you always are.” I said softly, smiling.

Edward’s frown faded back to a smile.

“I would rather talk now, I guess… I have too much on my mind to sleep.” I said, sitting up a bit and looking to Edward as he offered his arms to me. I smiled and curled up in his lap as he wrapped his stone arms around me. It wasn’t comfortable, yet at the same time it was comforting.

“About what, I dare ask?” Edward asked me, brushing a strand of hair from my face.

I stared at the wall, knowing I would lose concentration if I looked up at him. “Yet again someone wants me dead… although in a way that doesn’t have me underground and rotting.” I started.

Edward winced at my statement, “He won’t.” He said firmly.

I didn’t answer, instead rubbing the burning scar on my cheek. “Does that mean that you will?” I asked after a while.

Edward watched me, as though he had prepared himself for the question to be asked, “I told you I would, didn’t I? Although I would rather that Carlisle did it, his control is a lot better then mine…” He whispered, even as he did so his hand was gently trailing across my face, his finger tracing along the scar on his cheek. “I’ve decided…” He added after a few seconds.

“Your control is amazing, Edward, not near the control of a heroine addict… You’re on the road to recovery.” I said with a small smile. “Decided what?” I added.

Edward smiled, “It’s getting better… although I don’t think I would enjoy recovery though…” He added, kissing my forehead with such tenderness I almost missed his touch. “I decided that I don’t deserve any forgiveness for what I’ve done…” He said softly, stroking her cheek.

I started, confused, “I thought we already went over this. I forgive you and there’s nothing you can do about it.” I said, smiling and hoping to lighten the mood.

Edward’s frown remained on his face, “Bella…” He said seriously. “It’s my fault… for bringing you into this world… if I had never had even mentioned the word vampire then-“

“-Then I would have been miserable, alone, bored out of my mind and absolutely confused as to why Julian has showed up. He would have been after me without you here, remember? Although I would have been turned instantly, no warning, and probably dead.” I explained, folding my arms stubbornly. “That, and you know how bad my luck is. How clumsy I am. You know that eventually I would have done something stupid and reckless that would have gotten me killed.” I said, frowning.

Edward frowned, “I don’t think you would have been as easy to find if everything had been quiet for you.” He corrected gently.

I frowned, “Even better, a year or two from now, when you guys have moved away, I would have been stuck with him all by myself.” I added before unfolding my arms and turning to look at him. I pressed my hands onto either side of his face, making sure that he was looking at me. “You have done me much more good then harm, Edward. Even the messes that I’ve gotten into because of being with you or your family… you always saved me.” I said firmly.

Edward stared at me for a while before his lips softened to a smile and he gently leaned forward, kissing my lips carefully. He pulled away with a small laugh after feeling me shiver and kissed my forehead. “Cold?” He asked gently, watching me.

I shook my head vehemently, “No…” I said, not wanting to leave his touch, wanting him to kiss me again.

“Maybe I’m not the only heroine addict here…” Edward teased gently.

“You’re not heroine.” I added.

“But I’m just as deadly and dangerous…” He added softly, wrapping the blanket around me tighter.

“And twice as addictive.” I added helpfully and felt Edward chuckle.

He brushed my hair from my face, and I yawned, “Bella, you need sleep…” He sighed.

I didn’t look up at him, already knowing his disapproving and faintly worried look by heart. “I’m not tired…” I lied.

“Bella…”

I looked up at him then, unable to keep myself from doing so. “Will you stay here?” I asked, although knew he would do so anyways.

“Of course…” Edward said softly, stroking the back of his hand against my cheek.

“I don’t’ want to sleep…” I whispered, staring at the ground.

“Are you that scared of Julian?” Edward asked, some unknown emotion in his voice which was hidden away from his facial features.

I wrapped my arms around myself, “It’s my fault though… that he attacked you guys. You saw what happened. Everyone could have been killed. I don’t even know why he wants me to change that badly…” I whispered and Edward rubbed his hands up and down my arms, a futile attempt to warm me with his cold hands.

“He is a very dangerous person… but you have to remember, we had not been expecting such a thing to happen. He caught us all off guard. We were much more worried about what happened to you rather then expecting someone to come in and attack us.” He explained softly.

“I know, but that doesn’t stop me from being worried about you and your family. You were just talking about how you blame yourself for the trouble this whole vampire business has given me. Now I feel bad that if you guys try to do anything, he could really hurt someone, or kill someone.” I whispered, realizing how horrified I really was the more I continued talking about it.

Edward watched me and kissed my forehead, “Bella, you have to trust us on this… we’ll protect you, and we’ll protect ourselves as well… that’s not an entirely unbelievable feat, is it?” He asked carefully.

I shook my head, “Of course not…” I sighed, defeated, feeling silly for being so nervous about it.

“Can you sleep now?” Edward asked gently after a few moments of silence.

I smiled at him and felt my heart stutter when he smiled back, “I think so…” I added.

Edward nodded and moved over further to the other side of the bed, letting me climb in and rest my head against my pillow.

I closed my eyes, but as I started to drift to sleep I heard Edward humming softly, his hand gently rubbing my back soothingly.

“Love you…” Was all I got out before falling asleep.

Edward chuckled, “I love you too, Bella. My Bella. No one else’s…” He whispered, kissing the side of my forehead.

I have a personal hatred of this chapter though. I started going somewhere and ended up not even getting halfway there in this chapter. But here is some lovable bedtime fluff between Edward and Bella for ya. Enjoy!

Thank you, all my reviewers, I always read all of my reviews and I am grateful for every one of them! You're the reason I keep writing this.

Oh, and PS. There WILL start to be spoilers from New Moon appearing quickly. So if you have NOT read the book, first off, shame on you because it's a damn good book! Second off, there will be hints of major plots from New Moon. So be careful!

Until next time

-Mim