Apparently I totally forgot to upload chapter fifteen when I finished it, SOOOO. You get two chapters back to back :) Sorry about that!

Warning...this chapter's quite lengthy...

            I could hear Charlie Swan’s worried and panicked thoughts from farther away than I usually could have. I couldn’t tell much from what I could hear, but the basic point was, he didn’t want Bella to date at all, let alone a vampire. While I was glad Bella finally told her father about me, I was now even more worried about what he would say. Would he still allow me to see her? Not that he could really stop me, but it would be nice to have his blessing. I sped up to hear what I could of their conversation before it was time to knock on her door.

 

            “He’ll be here in a few minutes.”

 

            “Where is he taking you?” I heard her exasperated groan.

 

            “I hope you’re getting the Spanish Inquisition out of your system now. We’re going to play baseball with his family.”

 

            I was near her house now, but couldn’t drive up yet. I sat at the corner of the house, listening for any signs of Charlie’s acceptance. It sounded like he would let her go, he just wouldn’t be pleased about it. But then, he suddenly found humor in the situation, chuckling at the mental picture of Bella playing sports. Maybe there was hope for me after all.

 

            “You’re playing baseball?”

 

            “Well, I’ll probably watch most of the time.”

 

            “You must really like this guy,” He sounded suspicious. But I suppose, I shouldn’t stay out here too long. His last comment gave me the courage to finally drive up. As I did, I heard Bella jump and turn the water on, to start washing her dishes.

 

            “Leave the dishes, I can do them tonight. You baby me too much.”  I walked up to the door, ringing it and waiting. I heard two footsteps coming toward me, and braced myself. Charlie opened the door, Bella a few steps behind him.

 

            “Come on in, Edward,” Charlie greeted me, followed by a relieved sigh from Bella.

 

            “Thanks, Chief Swan.”

 

            “Go ahead and call me Charlie. Here, I’ll take your jacket.” First name basis! This is good so far.

 

            “Thanks, sir.”

 

            “Have a sear there, Edward.” I watched as Bella grimaced, and listening to what I could of Charlie’s mind, I knew that I was indeed in for the Spanish Inquisition. I didn’t mind, though, as long as he let me take Bella out. It was good of him to be so protective of her; I wouldn’t have it any other way. Especially if she were dating other boys. I held back my shiver and grimace at that though, and took the one single seat. Bella shot me a dirty look as she sat down beside her father on the love seat, and I winked back at her. She was so cute. “So I hear you’re getting my girl to watch Baseball,” he began, lightly joking to ease the awkward tension.

 

            “Yes, sir, that’s the plan.”

 

            “Well, more power to you, I guess.” He laughed, and I joined in, more to ease his mind. Bella didn’t find the humor.

 

            “Okay,” she said, standing up suddenly, “enough humor at my expense. Let’s go.” I followed her as she went to get her jacket, and I did the same.

 

            “Not too late, Bell,” Charlie warned her, and me at the same time. He sounded truly worried for her.

            “Don’t worry, Charlie, I’ll have her home early.”

 

            “You take care of my girl, all right?” Bella groaned, and I had to bite my tongue on claiming her as my girl. She was, but she’ll always be her father’s baby.

 

            “She’ll be safe with me, I promise, sir.” Really, what could happen when she’s got seven vampires protecting her? But then, those seven vampires could be the problem. Alice would see if something were to go wrong with Jasper or anyone, though. Bella started leaving, stomping her way towards Emmett’s jeep, and I couldn’t help laughing. Charlie laughed as well, until Bella stopped, suddenly, staring at the car. Charlie let out a whistle. In his mind, all I could make out was pictures of Bella getting into multiple different car wrecks in that jeep. The images made me a little queasy, thankfully they were blurry and not in much detail. The one time I’m glad I can’t fully read Charlie’s mind.

 

            “Wear your seatbelts,” he half-choked.

 

            I followed Bella to her side of the jeep and opened the door for her. I almost chuckled as she looked back and forth between the ground and the jeep’s seat, preparing to jump.

 

            I sighed. She could be so cute without even trying.

 

            I lifted her up and into her seat as if she were a feather and placed her into the jeep. I watched her attempt to buckle herself into the harness as I walked around the car to the driver’s side at an annoyingly slow human pace. Charlie was still watching.

 

            Bella tried, but couldn’t get all the buckles figured out. It was quite amusing to watch, actually.

 

            “What’s all this?” she asked finally, completely exasperated.

 

            “It’s an off-roading harness.”

 

            “Uh oh.”

 

            I watched her for a few more moments, then sighed looking at the time. My family would be getting there soon. Charlie was still watching us from the porch waiting for us to take off, but he couldn’t see me as I buckled Bella in. I took that opportunity to touch Bella’s neck, cheeks and collar bone wherever my hangs passed by her face. She gave up trying to help me and closed her eyes, breathing heavily.

 

            I finished buckling her in and reluctantly pulled away from her. I stole one last glance at Bella, her wet hair sticking to parts of her face, and started to drive.

 

            “This is a…um…big jeep you have.”

 

            “It’s Emmett’s. I didn’t think you’d want to run the whole way.” Hopefully she wouldn’t pick up on that. She didn’t like running too much the last time we did…

 

            “Where do you keep this thing?”

 

            “We remodeled one of the outbuildings into a garage.”

 

            “Aren’t you going to put on your seat belt?” Was she serious? I don’t think an indestructible vampire had any use for a seat belt. I watched as her face turned from sheepish to a look of pure horror. “Run the whole way?” Uh oh. “As in, we’re still going to run part of the way?” She sounded on the edge of panic. Maybe humor would calm her nerves. I tried my best at a smile.

 

            “You’re not going to run.”

 

            “I’m going to be sick.”

 

            “Keep your eyes closed, you’ll be fine.” She was nervously biting her lip. Maybe she would calm down if I kissed her, she usually loses whatever sense of self-preservation she has when kissing her vampire boyfriend.

 

            I leaned in to kiss her, but stopped when her scent swirled around my head like a thick haze. Her blood. Her sweet, sweet blood and rain. Mixed together in this car, this closed car, and it would be so easy…

 

            I groaned. She looked at me questioningly, and I was reluctant to answer. How to put this?

 

            “You smell so good in the rain.”

 

            “In a good way, or in a bad way?” Truthfully, she smelled rather desirable in the rain, in the good way, as well. Unfortunately, my attention was rather committed to the other scent too much to notice. I sighed. When will I finally become completely immune to her scent? It’s getting easier, but I’d rather be like Carlisle…unaffected.

 

            “Both. Always both.”

 

            The rest of the ride was silent, but almost wasn’t. I found it incredibly hard to restrain myself from laughing as I watched Bella from the corner of my eye bouncing up and down as we drove through the forest. I sat still as stone. In contrast, it was quite humorous. I managed to keep from laughing, but a large smile stayed planted on my face.

 

            We reached where we’d have to get out, and I could smell the scent of my family. They were already here.

 

            “Sorry, Bella, we have to go on foot from here.”

 

            “You know what? I’ll just wait here.”

 

            “What happened to all your courage? You were extra-ordinary this morning.” Hopefully a challenge would make her come.

 

            “I haven’t forgotten the last time yet.” I flashed to her side of the car, starting to unbuckle her. “I’ll get those, you go on ahead.”

 

            “Hmmm…” I got her unbuckled and set my face as serious as I could manage. I’m almost sure my set mouth twitched, though. “It seems I’m going to have to tamper with your memory.” Once she’s out of the car, and knowing before hand how good she smells right now, I should be in control. I pulled her out of the jeep and set her down.

 

            “Tamper with my memory?”

 

            “Something like that.” I looked deep into her warm chocolate-pool eyes, placed my hands against the jeep on either side of her head, and started leaning forward until she was pressed firmly against the vehicle and I was centimeters away from her. “Now…” I watched as her eyes fluttered slightly as my breath fanned her face. “What exactly are you worrying about?”

 

            “Well, um, hitting a tree-“ she gulped, looking nervous, “and dying. And then getting sick.” Definitely sure my mouth twitched into an almost-smile then. So cute.

 

            I bent down to close the gap, and lightly brushed my lips over the hollow at the base of her throat.

 

            “Are you still worried now?” I asked speaking into her neck.

 

            “Yes. About hitting trees and getting sick.” Ah, a small but accountable success. I’m winning. I dragged my nose softly up her throat to her chin. I almost forgot what I was trying to do, getting lost in the feel of her, but regained my focus.

 

            “And now?”

 

            “Trees,” she gasped loudly, “Motion sickness.” I lifted my face to meet her eyes with mine, but they were closed. I kissed each one.

 

            “Bella, you don’t really think I would hit a tree, do you?”

 

            “No, but I might.” I kissed down her cheek, pausing right beside her mouth, teasing her.

 

            “Would I let a tree hurt you?”

 

            “No” she sounded breathless, and I smiled for a quick second at how much I affect her.

 

            “You see,” I continued, speaking against her lips now, “there’s nothing to be afraid of, is there?”

 

            “No” she sighed, and I cupped her face in my hands and kissed her. My lips were on fire, a tingling, satisfying fire that seemed would never end – until Bella decided she wanted more. She twined her fingers through my hair, and she pressed herself against me leaving no gaps between us. Though I much rather preferred this, her heart was beating rapidly and she was just so close and I wanted her to be closer and I had to stop now before I crushed her against me. I couldn’t do it, though. She just felt so right here, that maybe if I just let her have this, if I let her play with my hair and press herself against me, maybe I could keep myself in control for a little while longer…

 

            And then she parted her lips against mine. And she sighed, at the same time I inhaled, and I needed to get out of here. Now.

 

            I pulled her arms away from me as gently as I could manage and staggered back. I was gasping for clean, non-Bella-scented air. Damn it, Bella! You’ll be the death of me, I swear you will.” She leaned over, holding herself up by clutching at her knees.

 

            “You’re indestructible,” she argued, gasping as heavily as I was.

 

            “I might have believed that before I met you. Now let’s get out of here before I do something really stupid.” I was growling, but I couldn’t help it. The monstrous beast was finding its way out of its cage, and it was quickly controlling me. I needed to calm down.

 

             I threw her on my back before she could respond and locked her arms around my neck.

 

            “Don’t forget to close your eyes,” I warned her, trying my best to keep in control and be gentle with her. Once I felt her hide her face in my shoulder, I took off.

 

            The fresh air in my face, the little critters scattering away from me, the leaves grazing my skin and my clothes all helped to calm me down. I felt free, like I was flying, and better yet my Bella was flying with me. By the time we reached near where my family would be, I was back to my controlled self. I stopped, and touched Bella’s hair.

 

            “It’s over, Bella.” Slowly, she peeked out from behind my shoulder – her face looking its normal colour. She tried unlocking herself from me, but once she succeeded in doing so, she fell from my back. I turned around in time to see her land on her rump, the most hilarious expression on her face, as she let out a low “Oof!”

 

            There was no way I could control it. I burst into a loud fit of laughter. I thought there was no possible way I could have laughed any harder, until she started brushing the mud and bracken off her rear. I stood corrected. I finally stopped, but only because she started storming away from me with an annoyed look. I snaked my arm around her waist.

 

            “Where are you going, Bella?”

 

            “To watch a baseball game. You don’t seem to be interested in playing anymore, but I’m sure the others will have fun without you.”

 

            “You’re going the wrong way.” She turned to face the opposite way of which she was headed to first, and strode off without looking at me. I immediately felt horrible. I caught her again, pulling her closer to me. “Don’t be mad, I couldn’t help myself. You should have seen your face,” and before I knew it, I was chuckling again at the memory. Damn vampire perfect recall.

 

            “Oh, you’re the only one who’s allowed to get mad?”

 

            “I wasn’t mad at you.”

 

            “ ‘Bella, you’ll be the death of me’?”

 

            “That was simply a statement of fact.” She tried to turn away from me again, but I wouldn’t let her.

 

            “You were mad.”

 

            “Yes.”

 

            “But you just said-“

 

            “That I wasn’t mad at you. Can’t you see that, Bella? Don’t you understand?”

 

            “See what?” she asked, completely oblivious, with a cute confused expression on her face.

 

            “I’m never angry with you – how could I be? Brave, trusting…warm as you are.”

 

            “Then why?” she whispered, looking like she was trying to piece together a complicated puzzle.

 

            “I infuriate myself. The way I can’t seem to keep from putting you in danger. My very existence puts you at risk. Sometimes I truly hate myself. I should be stronger, I should be able to-“ She cut me off, putting a warm delicate finger to my cold, dead lips.

 

            “Don’t.” I took her hands in mine, pressing it to my cheek.

 

            “I love you. It’s a poor excuse for what I’m doing, but it’s still true.” Her eyes lit up, brightly, and I wondered why. I ran through all my conversations with her, and realized it was the first time I’d actually said the words out loud to her. My eyes lit up with the same happiness. This event deserves a celebration. “Now, please try to behave yourself,” I instructed as I looked into her eyes, trying to portray my seriousness. I then softly kissed her warm lips, and she stayed completely still – except for her heartbeat, which was fluttering wildly.

 

            When I broke the kiss, she sighed, looking sad but accepting to the fact that we need to go meet my family.

 

            “You promised Chief Swan that you would have me home early, remember? We’d better get going.”

 

            “Yes ma’am,” I agreed, smiling, wishing I could just spend forever kissing her – I don’t think I’d ever tire of it, and released her, taking her hand and leading her in the direction of my family.

 

            Take forever, much? Just ignore Rosalie. No matter how much she makes you want to rip her head off, just ignore her. Absolutely laughable that Bella would ever be even the slightest bit jealous of her.

 

            I love how she makes him laugh so loudly, so freely!

 

            Dude, you sounded like a dying bear!

 

            I had previously been ignoring my family, but I knew they were listening to my conversation with Bella. Where Carlisle sympathized with my struggle, Esme, Alice, and Emmett were just happy that I was laughing. Emmett and Esme wanted to come greet Bella and I, and Esme did. Emmett waited a few seconds, staring at Rosalie hoping she’d cave and come with him, but he gave up and followed Esme over.

 

            If he thinks I’m going over to meet the boring human child, he is seriously mistaken.

 

            She’ll come around, Edward. Give her time. Yeah, sure she will. When pigs fly – without the help of vampires.

 

            “Was that you we heard, Edward” Esme asked, reaching us and giving Bella a gentle smile.

 

            “It sounded like a bear choking” Emmett added, earning a smile from Bella.

 

            “That was him.”

 

            “Bella was being unintentionally funny,” I clarified.

 

            Damn, which I’d have seen that. Humans are hilarious, clumsy humans are even better.

 

            Alice danced her way over to us, and I saw Bella watch her move with a wistful look on her face.

 

            “It’s time,” she announced, not half a second before thunder struck.

 

            “Eerie, isn’t it?” Emmett joked, sending me a wink. I rolled my eyes.

 

            “Let’s go,” Alice grabbed Emmett’s hand and led him out to the field. I turned to Bella; she was watching Alice and Emmett run off.

 

            “Are you ready for some ball?” I asked, excited to show off my speed for my Bella. Anything to impress the woman I love, right?

 

            “Go team!” she tried to sound cheerful, but she sounded so lost, it was adorable. I chuckled, and then shot off towards Alice and Emmett, passing them and moving on to Carlisle. I heard Esme talking to Bella, getting to know her and liking what she was finding. Bella seemed to be a bit nervous, but more comfortable speaking with Esme than she was this morning. It was very pleasant, knowing my mother and my girlfriend liked each other.

 

            One particular topic took my attention away from helping to set up. Esme was explaining to Bella what happened when Esme passed away. I had told Bella she fell, but the truth was Esme had jumped from a cliff after her child had died. I didn’t feel it was my business to tell such stories, but Esme didn’t feel the same way.

 

            It’s alright, Edward. I’m not ashamed of it. If I hadn’t done so, I never would have met Carlisle, or any of you. I’m happy my existence turned out this way. I wouldn’t take back jumping for anything.

 

            They continued on with their discussion, talking about how Bella’s supposedly all wrong for me. Absolute blasphemy. I’m the one who’s all wrong for her. She could do so much better. But then, I’m glad she’s chosen me.

 

            I always enjoyed being on Alice’s team. With her predictions as to which throwing techniques usually messed up the batter, and my mind reading helping me to know what the other team is planning, it was really an unfair advantage – but no one was complaining. Yet.

 

            “All right,” Esme called, and we all positioned ourselves. “Batter up.” And so the game began. I almost doubled over laughing when Emmett missed the ball, and Bella had to clarify with Esme that that was, indeed, a strike. Charlie really wasn’t kidding.

 

            I’ve never ran full speed with Bella, I usually slow down my pace to enjoy the feel of running with her by my side – or rather, on my back. Bella doesn’t know how fast I can actually go. Where Emmett's the strongest vampire we've ever met, I'm the fastest.


    The first time Bella heard it, she jumped. The second ball Alice swung was hit by Emmett, and an earth shattering crack boomed all through the field. It sounded exactly like thunder, the reason we couldn't play unless there was a thunder storm out. I took a sixteenth of a second to notice the look of understanding flash across Bella's face before I shot off towards the ball. I almost didn't make it in time, but I caught it and ran back, earning Esme's "Safe."


    The game went back and forth as it usually does, and for Emmett, Rosalie and Jasper being at a slight disadvantage, they were holding up pretty well.

    I had just caught the third out when I had gotten anxious to find out what Bella thought about the game. If she was bored, Esme could always take my place and I could take her home.

    "What do you think?"

    "One thing's for sure, I'll never be able to sit through dull old Major League Baseball again."

    "And it sounds like you did so much of that before," I teased her, laughing.

    "I am a little disappointed," she added on, looking as though she was teasing but I was worried anyways.

    "Why?" I asked, trying to hide the anxiousness from my voice.

    "Well, it would be nice if I could find just one thing you didn't do better than everyone else on the planet." Hah. If only. If I were as controlled as Carlisle, I could probably spend more than 10 seconds kissing you. I just smiled at her.

    Dude, you're turn to bat Emmett called me back.

    "I'm up," I announced, and ran back to the plate.

    It was always funny playing baseball with my family. With such mix-matched personalities, playing with each other and winning or losing, someone's always making fun of someone else. All in good fun, of course, but as vampires things tend to get heated up easily. Esme had to break up arguments a couple of times, as always, but Bella just did her best to stifle her giggles. It made me a bit nervous, truthfully, that she was so comfortable that she could laugh in the presence of six angry, or at least annoyed, vampires.

    I knew from the moment I found out I loved her that I would, somehow, hurt her. Whether it be physically or emotionally, it was inevitable. I expected more to hurt her physically at first, seeing as I'm ten thousand times stronger than she is. Or the fact that I was such a slave to her scent. Later on, in getting to know her - realizing she loved me almost as much as I loved her, I wondered if maybe she might suffer heartbreak if I ever were capable of leaving her to keep her physically unharmed. I didn't think too much on that, though, since I'm too selfish to deprive myself of my time with Bella. After all, I only have about 70 years left with her. More, I suppose, if Alice's vision came true, but though I'm selfish enough to keep her with me, I'm nowhere near selfish enough to damn her to this existence just so I could keep her for myself.

    I knew my presence was always a danger to her. I thought self-control was all I needed, and I could protect her from the worst danger. And though I am her worst danger, there are other dangers out there.

    There were silly human dangers that always seemed so unimportant before, but seemed so huge now that I knew how everything could affect Bella. She could die from just about anything, but I thought if I were around all the time, I could protect her from such things.

    The fact that I didn't even consider, really, that my being around her all the time...simple things like taking my Bella to watch a ball game with my vampire family, could ever really bring her harm.

    I considered that she might cut herself accidentally - after all, she is quite clumsy. My family loved her, with the exception of Rosalie - but even she wouldn't wish death upon an innocent, and they love me. They would do their best to control themselves, I know, and the only problem would be Jasper, I suppose, but with six other vampires present I'm sure that we could calm him down.

    I considered that she might perhaps get in the way of the ball and have a baseball-sized hole somewhere on her. With my speed, though, I could probably calculate where Bella would be met with the ball and hopefully get there in time to pull her out of the way; at least enough not to have the ball injure a vital organ or something equally as important, and we could have Carlisle fix her up. But she was staying in one place, so that possibility was slim.

    I considered many ways of Bella possibly getting hurt from being here, with my family and I, today. But, unfortunately, I did not consider what actually happened.

    It was Carlisle's turn to bat, after Esme had broken up the argument between Alice and Rosalie. My eyes were on the ball, focusing on the direction it would shoot to, when Alice gasped. That was the first sign that something was wrong. Not many things take Alice by surprise. The last time Alice was caught by surprise, Bella was almost crushed to death by a van.

    Immediately I was searching in her head. And then I saw them. Three vampires. Headed this way. Where my family were. Where my Bella was. My Bella. My frail, human, blood-filled Bella. I was at her side faster than my family's eyes were on Alice.

    "Alice?" Esme asked, worry clear in her voice.

    "I didn't see - I couldn't tell," she whispered, apologizing to me in her thoughts, but I couldn't think. My hands felt numb. Not dead, like they were, but like they weren't there. I couldn't feel them. My head felt like I had a headache for the first time since I was born into this life, or rather, into this death. Everyone gathered around Alice, Jasper there before anyone else.

    "What is it, Alice?" Carlisle asked, staying calm so he could find out what was going on, and try to fix the situation.

    "They were traveling much quicker than I thought. I can see I had the perspective wrong before," she started to explain, and I didn't want to hear this. I didn't want Bella to hear this.

    "What changed?" Jasper asked, trying to figure out what was wrong.

    "They heard us playing, and it changed their path," she answered, still apologizing to me, holding tight to Jasper. Everyone understood, then. Bella. Bella was the one in trouble, because vampires were headed this way. They all looked at her, an

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