The Twilight Saga 2: New Moon Chapter 24 VOTE

HE WAS NOT PLEASED, THAT MUCH WAS EASY TO READ in his vista. surdly, with extinct out-of-the-way(prenominal)ther argument, he took me in his armor and sprang lithely from my window, landing without the slightest jolt, interchangeable a cat. It was a teeny-weeny bit farther carry out than Id imagined. tout ensemble in honest order accordingly, he ex insistency, his voice matchthing with disapproval. Up you go.He helped me onto his to a lower officepin, and took finish off running. Even subsequently entirely this time, it felt up routine. Easy. Evidently this was something you neer forgot, equal riding a bicycle.It was so genuinely quiet and dark as he ran finished the forest, his breathing slow and plaindark ample that the trees flying past us were almost invisible, and only the rush of air in my font truly gave a stylus our speed. The air was damp it didnt burn my eyeb every(prenominal) the way the wind in the big plaza had, and that was comforting. As w as the night, too, later on that terrifying brightness. Like the bass quilt Id played under as a child, the dark felt familiar and protecting.I c in altogether uped that running with the forest like this utilise to frighten me, that I used to take aim to close myeyes. It seemed a cockeyed reply to me now. I kept my eyes wide, my chin resting on his shoulder, my strikingness against his neck. The speed was exhilarating. A hundred times get well-nigh than the motorcycle.I glowering my lawsuit toward him and pressed my lips into the cold st unrivalled skin of his neck.Thank you, he state, as the vague, melanize shapes of trees raced past us. Does that mean youve located youre a inflame?I laughed. The sound was easy, natural, effortless. It sounded right. not in truth. More that, either way, Im not delivering to wake up. nary(prenominal) tonight.Ill earn your trust cover somehow, he murmured, mostly to himself. If its my closing act.I trust you, I as authorizedd him. Its me I dont trust.Explain that, please.Hed slowed to a walkI could only aver because the wind ceasedand I call backed that we werent far from the house. In fact, I thought I could piddle out the sound of the river rushing somew here(predicate) close by in the darkness.Well I struggled to go on the right way to phrase it. I dont trust myself to be enough. To deserve you. in that respects null intimately me that could hold you.He halt and reached somewhat to pull me from his back. His askon work force did not release me after hed dance band me on my feet again, he wrapped his arms tightly somewhat me, hugging me to his chest.Your hold is perm and unbreakable, he whispered. Never doubt that. alone how could I not?You never did class me he murmured.What?What your greatest problem is.Ill give you one guess. I sighed, and reached up to smudge the tip of his nose with my index finger.He nodded. Im worse than the Volturi, he say grimly. I guess Ive earned that.I rollin g my eyes. The worst the Volturi provoke do is kill me.He waited with tense eyes.You sight leave me, I exempted. The Volturi, Victoria theyre nothing compared to that.Even in the darkness, I could see the anguish twist his faceit re extend teachered me of his port under Janes torturing stare I felt sick, and regretted speaking the truth.Dont, I whispered, touching his face. Dont be sad.He pulled one corner of his mouth up half(prenominal)heartedly, tho the materialization didnt touch his eyes. If in that respect was only some way to make you see that I derrieret leave you, he whispered. Time, I suppose, for relieve oneself be the way to win over you.I liked the idea of time. Okay, I agreed.His face was restrained tormented. I tested and true to distract him with inconsequentials.Sosince youre staying. Can I have my stuff back? I asked, making my tone as light as I could manage.My attempt worked, to an extent he laughed. But his eyes retained the misery. Your things we re never gone, he told me. I knew it was wrong, since I promised you peace without reminders. It was stupid and childish, entirely I compulsioned to leave something of myself with you. The CD, the pictures, the ticketstheyre all under your floorboards.Really?He nodded, probable slightly cheered by my obvious plea true in this trivial fact. It wasnt enough to heal the pain in his face completely.I recollect, I said slowly, Im not genuine, but I wonder I reckon by chance I knew it the whole time.What did you discern?I only fateed to hit away the agony in his eyes, but as I intercommunicate the haggle, they sounded truer than I expected they would.Some part of me, my subconscious maybe, never stopped believing that you still finagled whether I lived or died. Thats belike wherefore I was hearing the voices.There was a very deep silence for a moment. Voices? he asked flatly.Well, scantily one voice. Yours. Its a long story. The wary number on his face do me wish that I hadnt brought that up. Would he call I was crazy, like everyone else? Was everyone else right most that? But at to the lowest degree that expressionthe one that made him look like something was burning himfaded.Ive got time. His voice was artificially even.Its pretty pathetic.He waited.I wasnt sure how to explain. Do you remember what Alice said somewhat extreme sports?He spoke the words without inflection or emphasis. You jumped off a cliff for fun.Er, right. And forrader that, with the motorcycleMotorcycle? he asked. I knew his voice well enough to hear something brewing potty the calm.I guess I didnt recognize Alice about that part.No.Well, about that See, I found that when I was doing something perilous or stupid I could remember you to a greater extent clearly, I confessed, feeling completely mental. I could remember how your voice sounded when you were angry. I could hear it, like you were stand right in that respect next to me. Mostly I tried not to think about you, but this didnt hurt so muchit was like you were protecting me again. Likeyou didnt indirect request me to be hurt.And, well, I wonder if the movement I could hear you so clearly was because, underneath it all. I always knew that you hadnt stopped loving me.Again, as I spoke, the words brought with them a sense of conviction. Of rightness. Some deep guide inside me recognized truth.His words came out half-strangled. You were risking your life to hearShh, I interrupted him. Hold on a second. I think Im having an epiph whatsoever here.I thought of that night in Port Angeles when Id had my first delusion. Id come up with two options. Insanity or wish fulfillment. Id seen no third option.But what ifWhat if you sincerely believed something was true, but you were dead wrong? What if you were so stubbornly sure that you were right, that you wouldnt even consider the truth? Would the truth be silenced, or would it try to break through?Option triple Edward making love me. The bond blu e-risk figurewixt us was not one that could be broken by absence, distance, or time. And no matter how much more special or bonnie or brilliant or perfect than me he world power be, he was as irreversibly altered as I was. As I would always belong to him, so would he always be mine.Was that what Id been arduous to tell myself?OhBella?Oh. Okay. I see.Your epiphany? he asked, his voice uneven and strained.You love me, I marveled. The sense of conviction and Tightness washed through me again.though his eyes were still anxious, the crooked smile I loved surpass flashed across his face. Truly, I do.My heart inflated like it was release to tarnish right through my ribs. It filled my chest and blocked my throat so that I could not speak.He authentically did want me the way I wanted himforever. It was only consternation for my soul, for the human things he didnt want to exit from me, that made him so desperate to leave me mortal. Compared to the fear that he didnt want me, this h urdlemy soulseemed almost insignificant.He took my face tightly between his cool up exercises and kissed me until I was so dizzy the forest was spinning. consequently he leaned his frontal bone against mine, and I was not the only one breathing harder than usual.You were better at it than I was, you know, he told me.Better at what?Surviving. You, at least, made an effort. You got up in the morning, tried to be normal for Charlie, followed the pattern of your life. When I wasnt actively tracking, I was totally useless. I couldnt be around my familyI couldnt be around anyone. Im embarrassed to admit that I more or less curve up into a ball and let the misery have me. He grinned, sheepish. It was much more pathetic than hearing voices. And, of product line, you know I do that, too.I was deeply relieved that he really seemed to understandcomforted that this all made sense to him. At any rate, he wasnt looking at at me like I was crazy. He was looking at me like he loved me.I only heard one voice, I corrected him.He laughed and then pulled me tight against his right side and started to lead me forward.Im just folly you with this. He motioned broadly with his hand toward the darkness in front of us as we walked. There was something pale and immense therethe house, I realized. It doesnt matter in the slightest what they say.This affects them now, too.He shrugged indifferently.He led me through the open front adit into the dark house and flipped the lights on. The room was just as Id remembered itthe piano and the discolour couches and the pale, massive staircase. No dust, no white sheets.Edward called out the names with no more volume than Id use in regular conversation. Carlisle? Esme? Rosalie? Emmett? Jasper? Alice? They would hear.Carlisle was suddenly standing beside me, as if hed been there all along. Welcome back, Bella. He smiled. What can we do for you this morning? I imagine, due to the hour, that this is not a purely sociable visit?I nodded. Id lik e to talk to everyone at once, if thats okay. About something important.I couldnt help glancing up at Edwards face as I spoke. His expression was critical, but resigned. When I looked back to Carlisle, he was looking at Edward, too.Of course, Carlisle said. wherefore dont we talk in the another(prenominal) room?Carlisle led the way through the bright living room, around the corner to the eat room, turning on lights as he went. The walls were white, the ceilings high, like the living room. In the center of the room, under the low-hanging chandelier, was a large, polished oval table surrounded by 8 gos. Carlisle held out a chair for me at the head.Id never seen the Cullens use the dining room table in the leadit was just a prop. They didnt eat in the house.As soon as I glowering to sit in the chair, I saw that we were not alone. Esme had followed Edward, and behind her the rest of the family filed in.Carlisle sat down on my right, and Edward on my left. Everyone else took their seats in silence. Alice was grinning at me, already in on the plot. Emmett and Jasper looked curious, and Rosalie smiled at me tentatively. My wait oning smile was just as timid. That was firing to take some getting used to.Carlisle nodded toward me. The floor is yours.I swallowed. Their gazing eyes made me nervous. Edward took my hand under the table. I peeked at him, but he was watching the others, his fate suddenly fierce.Well, I paused. Im hoping Alice has already told you everything that happened in Volterra?Everything, Alice aware me.I threw her a meaningful look. And on the way?That, too, she nodded.Good, I sighed with relief. Then were all on the same page.They waited patiently small-arm I tried to order my thoughts.So, I have a problem, I began. Alice promised the Volturi that I would take one of you. Theyre going to send someone to check, and Im sure thats a defective thingsomething to avoid.And so, now, this involves you all. Im sorry about that. I looked at each o ne of their beautiful faces, saving the most beautiful for last. Edwards mouth was turned down into a grimace. But, if you dont want me, then Im not going to force myself on you, whether Alice is volition or not.Esme opened her mouth to speak, but I held up one finger to stop her.Please, let me finish. You all know what I want. And Im sure you know what Edward thinks, too. I think the only fair way to descend is for everyone to have a vote. If you decide you dont want me, then I guess Ill go back to Italy alone. I cant have them coming here. My forehead creased as I considered that.There was the faint rumble of a growl in Edwards chest. I cut him.Taking into account, then, that I wont put any of you in danger either way, I want you to vote yes or no on the issue of me becoming a vampire.I half-smiled on the last word, and gestured toward Carlisle to begin.Just a minute, Edward interrupted.I glared at him through narrowed eyes. He raised his eyebrows at me, squeezing my hand.I ha ve something to add in the beginning we vote.I sighed.About the danger Bellas referring to, he continued. I dont think we command to be overly anxious.His expression became more animated. He put his deliver hand on the shining table and leaned forward.You see, he explained, looking around the table while he spoke, there was more than one reason why I didnt want to shake Aros hand there at the end. Theres something they didnt think of, and I didnt want to cine them in. He grinned.Which was? Alice prodded. I was sure my expression was just as skeptical as hers.The Volturi are overconfident, and with good reason. When they decide to find someone, its not really a problem. Do you remember Demetri? He glanced down at me.I shuddered. He took that as a yes.He finds statethats his talent, why they cargo hold him.Now, the whole time we were with any of them, I was select their brains for anything that might save us, getting as much information as possible. So I saw how Demetris talent w orks. Hes a trackera tracker a m times more gifted than Jarres was. His ability is loosely related to what I do, or what Aro does. He catches the flavor? I dont know how to describe it the tune of someones mind, and then he follows that. It works over immense distances.But after Aros little experiments, well Edward shrugged.You think he wont be able to find me, I said flatly.He was smug. Im sure of it. He relies totally on that other sense. When it doesnt work with you, theyll all be blind.And how does that solve anything?Quite obviously, Alice will be able to tell when theyre planning a visit, and Ill hide you. Theyll be helpless, he said with fierce enjoyment. It will be like looking for a piece of straw in a haystackHe and Emmett exchanged a glance and a smirk.This made no sense. But they can find you, I reminded him.And I can take care of myself.Emmett laughed, and reached across the table toward his brother, extending a fist.Excellent plan, my brother, he said with enthusiasm .Edward stretched out his arm to smack Emmetts fist with his own.No, Rosalie hissed.Absolutely not, I agreed.Nice. Jaspers voice was appreciative.Idiots, Alice muttered.Esme just glared at Edward.I straightened up in my chair, focusing. This was my propering.All right, then. Edward has offered an alternative for you to consider, I said coolly. Lets vote.I looked toward Edward this time it would be better to get his flavour out of the way. Do you want me to join your family?His eyes were hard and black as flint. Not that way. Youre staying human.I nodded once, maintenanceing my face businesslike, and then go on.Alice?Yes.Jasper?Yes, he said, voice grave. I was a little surprisedI hadnt been at all sure of his votebut I suppressed my reaction and travel on.Rosalie?She hesitated, biting down on her full, perfect bottom lip. No.I kept my face blank and turned my head slightly to move on, but she held up both her hands, palms forward.Let me explain, she pleaded. I dont mean that I ha ve any aversion to you as a sister. Its just that this is not the life I would have chosen for myself. I wish there had been someone there to vote no for me.I nodded slowly, and then turned to Emmett.Hell, yes He grinned. We can find some other way to pick a guard with this Demetri.I was still grimacing at that when I looked at Esme.Yes, of course, Bella. I already think of you as part of my family.Thank you, Esme, I murmured as I turned toward Carlisle.I was suddenly nervous, wishing I had asked for his vote first. I was sure that this was the vote that mattered most, the vote that counted more than any majority.Carlisle wasnt looking at me.Edward, he said.No, Edward growled. His jaw was strained tight, his lips curled back from his teeth.Its the only way that makes sense, Carlisle insisted. Youve chosen not to live without her, and that doesnt leave me a choice.Edward dropped my hand, shoving away from the table. He stalked out of the room, snarling under his breath.I guess you k now my vote. Carlisle sighed.I was still staring after Edward. Thanks, I mumbled.An earsplitting crash echoed from the other room.I flinched, and spoke quickly. Thats all I regarded. Thank you. For wanting to keep me. I feel requirely the same way about all of you, too. My voice was jagged with emotion by the end.Esme was at my side in a flash, her cold arms around me. Dearest Bella, she disfranchised.I hugged her back. taboo of the corner of my eye, I noticed Rosalie looking down at the table, and I realized that my words could be construed in two ways.Well, Alice, I said when Esme released me. Where do you want to do this?Alice stared at me, her eyes widening with terror.No No NO Edward roared, charging back into the room. He was in my face beforehand I had time to blink, bending over me, his expression twisted in rage. Are you insane? he shouted. Have you utterly befogged your mind?I cringed away, my hands over my ears.Um, Bella, Alice interjected in an anxious voice. I don t think Im ready for that. Ill need to prepareYou promised, I reminded her, glaring under Edwards arm.I know, but Seriously, Bella I dont have any idea how to not killyou.You can do it, I encouraged. I trust you.Edward snarled in fury.Alice agitate her head quickly, looking panicked.Carlisle? I turned to look at him.Edward grabbed my face in his hand, forcing me to look at him. His other hand was out, palm toward Carlisle.Carlisle ignored that. Im able to do it, he answered my question. I wished I could see his expression. You would be in no danger of me losing control.Sounds good. I hoped he could understand it was hard to talk clearly the way Edward held my jaw.Hold on, Edward said between his teeth. It doesnt have to be now.Theres no reason for it not to be now, I said, the words coming out distorted.I can think of a few.Of course you can, I said sourly. Now let go of me.He freed my face, and folded his arms across his chest. In about two hours, Charlie will be here looking for you. I wouldnt put it past him to involve the police.All 3 of them. But I frowned.This was always the hardest part. Charlie, Renee. Now Jacob, too. The people I would lose, the people I would hurt. I wished there was some way that I could be the only one to suffer, but I knew that was impossible.At the same time, I was hurting them more by staying human. Putting Charlie in constant danger through my proximity. Putting Jake in worse danger still by drawing his enemies across the land he felt bound to protect. And ReneeI couldnt even risk a visit to see my own mother for fear of bringing my deadly problems along with meI was a danger drawing card Id accepted that about myself.Accepting this, I knew I needed to be able to take care of myself and protect the ones I loved, even if that meant that I couldnt be with them. I needed to be strong.In the interest of stay inconspicuous, Edward said, still talking through his gritted teeth, but looking at Carlisle now, I suggest that we put th is conversation off, at the very least until Bella finishes high school, and moves out of Charlies house.Thats a reasonable request, Bella, Carlisle pointed out.I thought about Charlies reaction when he woke up this morning, ifafter all that life had put him through in the last week with Harrys loss, and then I had put him through with my undetermined disappearancehe were to find my bed empty. Charlie deserved better than that. It was just a little more time graduation wasnt so far awayI pursed my lips. Ill consider it.Edward relaxed. His jaw unclenched.I should probably take you home, he said, more calm now, but clearly in a hurry to get me out of here. Just in case Charlie wakes up early.I looked at Carlisle. After graduation?You have my word.I took a deep breath, smiled, and turned back to Edward. Okay. You can take me home.Edward rushed me out of the house before Carlisle could promise me anything else. He took me out the back, so I didnt get to see what was broken in the livin g room.It was a quiet trip home. I was feeling triumphant, and a little smug. Scared stiff, too, of course, but I tried not to think about that part. It did me no good to worry about the painthe physical or the emotionalso I wouldnt. Not until I absolutely had to.When we got to my house, Edward didnt pause. He dashed up the wall and through my window in half a second. Then he pulled my arms frcm around his neck and set me on the bed.I thought I had a pretty good idea of what he was thinking, but his expression surprised me. Instead of furious, it was calculating. He paced silently back and forth across my dark room while I watched with growing suspicion.Whatever youre planning, its not going to work, I told him.Shh. Im thinking.Ugh, I groaned, throwing myself back on the bed and pulling the quilt over my head.There was no sound, but suddenly he was there. He flipped the cover back so he could see me. He waslying next to me. His hand reached up to brush my hair from my cheek.If you d ont mind, Id much rather you didnt hide your face. Ive lived without it for as long as I can stand. Now tell me something.What? I asked, unwilling.If you could have anything in the world, anything at all, what would it be?I could feel the question in my eyes. You.He move his head impatiently. Something you dont already have.I wasnt sure where he was act to lead me, so I thought guardedly before I answered. I came up with something that was both true, and also probably impossible.I would want Carlisle not to have to do it. I would want you to change me.I watched his reaction warily, expecting more of the fury Id seen at his house. I was surprised that his expression didnt change. It was still calculating, thoughtful.What would you be willing to trade for that?I couldnt believe my ears. I gawked at his composed face and blurted out the answer before I could think about it.Anything.He smiled faintly, and then pursed his lips. fin years?My face twisted into an expression somewhere between humiliate and horror.You said anything, he reminded me.Yes, but youll use the time to find a way out of it. I have to strike while the beseech is hot. Besides, its just too dangerous to be humanfor me, at least. So, anything but that.He frowned. Three years?NoIsnt it worth anyrhing to you at all? I thought about how much I wanted this. Better to keep a poker face, I decided, and not let him know how very much that was. It would give me more leverage. Six months?He rolled his eyes. Not good enough.One year, then, I said. Thats my limit.At least give me two.No way. Nineteen Ill do. But Im not going anywhere near twenty. If youre staying in your teens forever, then so am I.He thought for a minute. All right. Forget time limits. If you want me to be the onethen youll just haveto meet one condition.Condition? My voice went flat. What condition?His eyes were cautioushe spoke slowly. unite me first.I stared at him, waiting Okay. Whats the punch line?He sighed. Youre stabbing my ego, Bella. I just proposed to you, and you think its a joke.Edward, please be serious.I am one hundred percent serious. He gazed at me with no hint of humor in his face.Oh, cmon, I said, an edge of hysteria in my voice. Im only eighteen.Well, Im nearly a hundred and ten. Its time I colonized down.I looked away, out the dark window, trying to control the panic before it gave me away.Look, marriage isnt exactly that high on my list of priorities, you know? It was contour of the kiss of death for Renee and Charlie.Interesting choice of words.You know what I mean.He inhaled deeply. Please dont tell me that youre afraid of the commitment, his voice was disbelieving, and I understood what he meant.Thats not it exactly, I hedged. Im afraid of Renee. She has some really intense opinions on getting married before youre thirty.Because shed rather you became one of the unfading unholy than get married. He laughed darkly.You think youre joking.Bella, if you compare the level of commitment between a marital union as opposed to bartering your soul in exchange for an eternity as a vampire He shook his head. If youre not brave enough to marry me, thenWell, I interrupted. What if I did? What if I told you to take me to Vegas now? Would I be a vampire in three days?He smiled, his teeth flashing in the dark. Sure, he said, calling my bluff. Ill get my car.Dammit. I muttered. Ill give you eighteen months.No deal, he said, grinning. I like this condition.Fine. Ill have Carlisle do it when I graduate.If thats what you really want. He shrugged, and his smile became absolutely angelic.Youre impossible, I groaned. A monster.He chuckled. Is that why you wont marry me?I groaned again.He leaned toward me his night-dark eyes melted and smoldered and shattered my concentration. Please, Bella? he breathed.I forgot how to breathe for a moment. When I recovered, I shook my head quickly, trying to clear my suddenly clouded mind.Would this have gone better if I d had time to get a ring.No No rings I very nearly snouted.Now youve done it, he whispered.Oops.Charlies getting up Id better leave, Edward said with resignation.My heart stopped beating.He gauged my expression for a second. Would it be childish of me to hide in your closet, then?No, I whispered eagerly. Stay. Please.Edward smiled and disappeared.I seethed in the darkness as I waited for Charlie to check on me. Edward knew exactly what he was doing, and I was willing to bet that all the injured surprise was part of the ploy. Of course, I still had the Carlisle option, but now that I knew there was a chance that Edward would change me himself, I wanted it bad. He was such a cheater.My door cracked open.Morning, Dad.Oh, hey, Bella. He sounded embarrassed at getting caught. I didnt know you were awake.Yeah. Ive just been waiting ior you to wake up so I could take a shower. I started to get up.Hold on, Charlie said, flipping the light on. I blinked in the sudden brightness, and carefully kept my eyes away from t he closet. Lets talk for a minute first.I couldnt control my grimace. Id forgotten to ask Alice for a good excuse.You know youre in trouble.Yeah, I know.I just about went crazy these last three days. I come home from Harrys funeral, and youre gone. Jacob could only tell me that youd run off with Alice Cullen, and that he thought you were in trouble. You didnt leave me a number, and you didnt call. I didnt know where you were or whenor ifyou were coming back. Do you have any idea how how He couldnt finish the sentence. He sucked in a sharp breath and moved on. Can you give me one reason why I shouldnt enthrall you off to Jacksonville this second?My eyes narrowed. So it was going to be threats, was it? 2 could play at that game. I sat up, pulling the quilt around me. Because I wont go.Now just one minute, young ladyLook, Dad, I accept complete responsibility for my actions, and you have the right to ground me for as long as you want. I will also do all the chores and laundry and dis hes until you think Ive learned my lesson. And I guess youre within your rights if you want to kick me out, toobut that wont make me to go to Florida.His face turned bright red. He took a few deep breaths before he answered.Would you like to explain where youve been?Oh, crap. There was an emergency.He raised his eyebrows in expectation of my brilliant explanation.I filled my cheeks with air and then blew it out noisily. I dont know what to tell you, Dad. It was mostly a misunderstanding. He said, she said. It got out of hand.He waited with a misogynic expression.See, Alice told Rosalie about me jumping off the cliff I was scrambling frantically to make this work, to keep it as close to the truth as possible so that my inability to lie convincingly would not undermine the excuse, but before I could go on, Charlies expression reminded me that he didnt know arything about thecliff. study oops. As if I wasnt already toast.I guess I didnt tell you about that, I choked out. It was nothin g. Just messing around, swimming with Jake. Anyway, Rosalie told Edward, and he was upset. She disunite of accidentally made it sound like I wa? trying to kill myself or something. He wouldnt answer his phone, so Alice dragged me to L.A., to explain in person. I shrugged, desperately hoping that he would not be so flurry by my slip that hed miss the brilliant explanation Id provided.Charlies face was rimed. Were you trying to kill yourself, Bella?No, of course not. Just having fun with Jake. Cliff diving. The La vex kids do it all the time. Like I said, nothing.Charlies face heated upfrom frozen to hot with fury. Whats it to Edward Cullen anyway? he barked. All this time, hes just left you suspension without a wordI interrupted him. Another misunderstanding.His face reddish again. So is he back then?Im not sure what the exact plan is. I think they all are.He shook his head, the stain in his forehead pulsing. I want you to stay away from him, Bella. I dont trust him. Hes rotte n for you. I wont let him mess you up like that again.Fine, I said curtly.Charlie rocked back onto his heels. Oh. He scrambled for a second, exhaling forte in surprise. I thought you were going to be difficult.I am. I stared straight into his eyes. I meant, Fine, Ill move out.His eyes bulged his face turned puce. My answer wavered as I started to worry about his health. He was no young than HarryDad, I dont want to move out, I said in a softer tone. I love you. I know youre worried, but you need to trust me on this. And youre going to have to ease up on Edward if you want me to stay. Do you want me to live here or not?Thats not fair, Bella. You know I want you to stay.Then be victorian to Edward, because hes going to be where I am. I said it with confidence. The conviction of my epiphany was still strong.Not under my roof, Charlie stormed.I sighed a heavy sigh. Look, Im not going to give you any more ultimatums tonightor I guess its this morning. Just think about it for a few da ys, okay? But keep in mind that Edward and I are sort of a package deal.Bella mobilise it over, I insisted. And while youre doing that, could you give me some privacy? I really need a shower.Charlies face was a strange shade of purple, but he left, slamming the door behind him. I heard him stomp furiously down the stairs.I threw off my quilt, and Edward was already there, sitting in the rocking chair as if he d been present through the whole conversation. aristocratical about that, I whispered.Its not as if I dont deserve far worse, he murmured. Dont start anything with Charlie over me, please. Dont worry about it, I breathed as I gathered up my bathroom things and a set of clean clothes. I will start exactly as much as is necessary, and no more than that. Or are you trying to tell me I have nowhere to go? I widened my eyes with preposterous alarm.Youd move in with a house full of vampires?Thats probably the safest place for someone like me. Besides I grinned. If Charlie kicks me o ut, then theres no need for a graduation deadline, is there?His jaw tightened. So eager for eternal damnation, he muttered.You know you dont really believe that.Oh, dont I? he fumed.No. You dont.He glowered at me and started to speak, but I cut him off.If you really believed that youd lost your soul, then when I found you in Volterra, you would have realized straightaway what was happening, instead of thinking we were both dead together. But you didntyou said Amazing. Carlisle was right, I reminded him, triumphant. Theres hope in you, after all.For once, Edward was speechless.So lets both just be hopeful, all right? I suggested. Not that it matters. If you stay, I dont need heaven.He got up slowly, and came to put his hands on either side of my face as he stared into my eyes. Forever, he vowed, still a little staggered.Thats all Im asking for, I said, and stretched up on my toes so that I could press my lips to his.