g vision struck again, I knew exactly why I was dissatisfied with my liberty. Because it
was incomplete.

Sure, I was free to go to anywhere I wanted  except La Push; free to do anything I wanted  except
see Jacob. I frowned at the table. Therehad to be some kind of middle ground.

Alice? Alice!

 Angelas voice yanked me from my reverie. She was waving her hand back and forth in front of Alices
blank, staring face. Alices expression was something I recognized  an expression that sent an
automatic shock of panic through my body. The vacant look in her eyes told me that she was seeing
something very different from the mundane lunchroom scene that surrounded us, but something that was
every bit as real in its own way. Something that was coming, something that would happen soon. I felt the
blood slither from my face.

Then Edward laughed, a very natural, relaxed sound. Angela and Ben looked toward him, but my eyes
were locked on Alice. She jumped suddenly, as if someone had kicked her under the table.

Is it naptime already, Alice? Edward teased.

Alice was herself again. Sorry, I was daydreaming, I guess.

Daydreamings better than facing two more hours of school, Ben said.

Alice threw herself back into the conversation with more animation than before  just a little bit too
much. Once I saw her eyes lock with Edwards, only for a moment, and then she looked back to Angela
before anyone else noticed. Edward was quiet, playing absentmindedly with a strand of my hair.

I waited anxiously for a chance to ask Edward what Alice had seen in her vision, but the afternoon
passed without one minute of alone time.

 It felt odd to me, almost deliberate. After lunch, Edward slowed his pace to match Bens, talking about
some assignment I knew hed already finished. Then there was always someone else there between
classes, though we usually had a few minutes to ourselves. When the final bell rang, Edward struck up a
conversation with Mike Newton of all people, falling into step beside him as Mike headed for the parking
lot. I trailed behind, letting Edward tow me along.

I listened, confused, while Mike answered Edwards unusually friendly queries. It seemed Mike was
having car troubles.

. . . but I just replaced the battery, Mike was saying. His eyes darted ahead and then back to Edward
warily. Mystified, just like I was.

Perhaps its the cables? Edward offered.

Maybe. I really dont know anything about cars, Mike admitted. I need to have someone look at it,
but I cant afford to take it to Dowlings.

 I opened my mouth to suggest my mechanic, and then snapped it shut again. My mechanic was busy
these days  busy running around as a giant wolf.

I know a few things  I could take a look, if you like, Edward offered. Just let me drop Alice and
Bella at home.

Mike and I both stared at Edward with our mouths hanging open.
 Er . . . thanks, Mike mumbled when he recovered. But I have to get to work. Maybe some other
time.

Absolutely.

See ya. Mike climbed into his car, shaking his head in disbelief.

Edwards Volvo, with Alice already inside, was just two cars away.

What wasthat about? I muttered as Edward held the passenger door for me.

Just being helpful, Edward answered.

And then Alice, waiting in the backseat, was babbling at top speed.

 Youre really notthat good a mechanic, Edward. Maybe you should have Rosalie take a look at it
tonight, just so you look good if Mike decides to let you help, you know. Not that it wouldnt be fun to
watch his face ifRosalie showed up to help. But since Rosalie is supposed to be across the country
attending college, I guess thats not the best idea. Too bad. Though I suppose, for Mikes car, youll do.
Its only within the finer tunings of a good Italian sports car that youre out of your depth. And speaking
of Italy and sports cars that I stole there, you still owe me a yellow Porsche. I dont know that I want to
wait for Christmas. . . .

 I stopped listening after a minute, letting her quick voice become just a hum in the background as I
settled into my patient mode.

 It looked to me like Edward was trying to avoid my questions. Fine. He would have to be alone with me
soon enough. It was only a matter of time.

 Edward seemed to realize that, too. He dropped Alice at the mouth of the Cullens drive as usual,
though by this point I half expected him to drive her to the door and walk her in.

As she got out, Alice threw a sharp look at his face. Edward seemed completely at ease.

See you later, he said. And then, ever so slightly, he nodded.

Alice turned to disappear into the trees.

He was quiet as he turned the car around and headed back to Forks. I waited, wondering if he would
bring it up himself. He didnt, and this made me tense. Whathad Alice seen today at lunch? Something he
didnt want to tell me, and I tried to think of a reason why he would keep secrets. Maybe it would be
better to prepare myself before I asked. I didnt want to freak out and have him think I couldnt handle it,
whatever it was.

So we were both silent until we got to back to Charlies house.

Light homework load tonight, he commented.

Mmm, I assented.
Do you suppose Im allowed inside again?

Charlie didnt throw a fit when you picked me up for school.

 But I was sure Charlie was going to turn sulky fast when he got home and found Edward here. Maybe I
should make something extra-special for dinner.

 Inside, I headed up the stairs, and Edward followed. He lounged on my bed and gazed out the window,
seeming oblivious to my edginess.

 I stowed my bag and turned the computer on. There was an unanswered e-mail from my mom to attend
to, and she got panicky when I took too long. I drummed my fingers as I waited for my decrepit
computer to wheeze awake; they snapped against the desk, staccato and anxious.

And then his fingers were on mine, holding them still.

Are we a little impatient today? he murmured.

 I looked up, intending to make a sarcastic remark, but his face was closer than Id expected. His golden
eyes were smoldering, just inches away, and his breath was cool against my open lips. I could taste his
scent on my tongue.

I couldnt remember the witty response Id been about to make. I couldnt remember my name.

He didnt give me a chance to recover.

 If I had my way, I would spend the majority of my time kissing Edward. There wasnt anything Id
experienced in my life that compared to the feeling of his cool lips, marble hard but always so gentle,
moving with mine.

I didnt often get my way.

 So it surprised me a little when his fingers braided themselves into my hair, securing my face to his. My
arms locked behind his neck, and I wished I was stronger  strong enough to keep him prisoner here.
One hand slid down my back, pressing me tighter against his stone chest. Even through his sweater, his
skin was cold enough to make me shiver  it was a shiver of pleasure, of happiness, but his hands began
to loosen in response.

 I knew I had about three seconds before he would sigh and slide me deftly away, saying something
about how wed risked my life enough for one afternoon. Making the most of my last seconds, I crushed
myself closer, molding myself to the shape of him. The tip of my tongue traced the curve of his lower lip;
it was as flawlessly smooth as if it had been polished, and thetaste 

He pulled my face away from his, breaking my hold with ease  he probably didnt even realize that I
was using all my strength.

He chuckled once, a low, throaty sound. His eyes were bright with the excitement he so rigidly
disciplined.

Ah, Bella. He sighed.
Id say Im sorry, but Im not.

And I should feel sorry that youre not sorry, but I dont. Maybe I should go sit on the bed.

I exhaled a little dizzily. If you think thats necessary. . . .

He smiled crookedly and disentangled himself.

 I shook my head a few times, trying to clear it, and turned back to my computer. It was all warmed up
and humming now. Well, not as much humming as groaning.

Tell Ren?e I said hello.

Sure thing.

 I scanned through Ren?es e-mail, shaking my head now and then at some of the dippier things shed
done. I was just as entertained and horrified as the first time Id read this. It was so like my mother to
forget exactly how paralyzed she was by heights until she was already strapped to a parachute and a dive
instructor. I felt a little frustrated with Phil, her husband of almost two years, for allowing that one. I
would have taken better care of her. I knew her so much better.

You have to let them go their own way eventually, I reminded myself. You have to let them have their
own life. . . .

 Id spent most of my life taking care of Ren?e, patiently guiding her away from her craziest plans,
good-naturedly enduring the ones I couldnt talk her out of. Id always been indulgent with my mom,
amused by her, even a little condescending to her. I saw her cornucopia of mistakes and laughed
privately to myself. Scatterbrained Ren?e.

 I was a very different person from my mother. Someone thoughtful and cautious. The responsible one,
the grown-up. Thats how I saw myself. That was the person I knew.

With the blood still pounding in my head from Edwards kiss, I couldnt help but think of my mothers
most life-altering mistake. Silly and romantic, getting married fresh out of high school to a man she barely
knew, then producing me a year later. Shed always promised me that she had no regrets, that I was the
best gift her life had ever given her. And yet shed drilled it into me over and over  smart people took
marriage seriously. Mature people went to college and started careers before they got deeply involved in
a relationship. She knew I would never be as thoughtless and goofy andsmall-town as shed been. . . .

I gritted my teeth and tried to concentrate as I answered her letter.

Then I hit her parting line and remembered why Id neglected to write sooner.

You havent said anything about Jacob in a long time, shed written.Whats he up to these days?

Charlie was prompting her, I was sure.

I sighed and typed quickly, tucking the answer to her question between two less sensitive paragraphs.


Jacob is fine, I guess. I dont see him much; he spends most of his time with a pack of his friends down
at La Push these days.


Smiling wryly to myself, I added Edwards greeting and hit send.

 I didnt realize that Edward was standing silently behind me again until after Id turned off the computer
and shoved away from the desk. I was about to scold him for reading over my shoulder when I realized
that he wasnt paying any attention to me. He was examining a flat black box with wires curling
crookedly away from the main square in a way that didnt look healthy for whatever it was. After a
second, I recognized the car stereo Emmett, Rosalie, and Jasper had given me for my last birthday. Id
forgotten about the birthday presents hiding under a growing pile of dust on the floor of my closet.

What did youdo to this? he asked in a horrorstruck voice.

It didnt want to come out of the dashboard.

So you felt the need to torture it?

You know how I am with tools. No pain was inflicted intentionally.

He shook his head, his face a mask of faux tragedy. You killed it.

I shrugged. Oh, well.

 It would hurt their feelings if they saw this, he said. I guess its a good thing that youve been on house
arrest. Ill have to get another one in place before they notice.

Thanks, but I dont need a fancy stereo.

Its not for your sake that Im going to replace it.

I sighed.

You didnt get much good out of your birthday presents last year, he said in a disgruntled voice.
Suddenly, he was fanning himself with a stiff rectangle of paper.

 I didnt answer, for fear my voice would shake. My disastrous eighteenth birthday  with all its
far-reaching consequences  wasnt something I cared to remember, and I was surprised that he would
bring it up. He was even more sensitive about it than I was.

Do you realize these are about to expire? he asked, holding the paper out to me. It was another
present  the voucher for airplane tickets that Esme and Carlisle had given me so that I could visit
Ren?e in Florida.

I took a deep breath and answered in a flat voice. No. Id forgotten all about them, actually.

 His expression was carefully bright and positive; there was no trace of any deep emotion as he
continued. Well, we still have a little time. Youve been liberated . . . and we have no plans this
weekend, as you refuse to go to the prom with me. He grinned. Why not celebrate your freedom this
way?
I gasped. By going to Florida?

You did say something about the continental U.S. being allowable.

I glared at him, suspicious, trying to understand where this had come from.

Well? he demanded. Are we going to see Ren?e or not?

Charlie will never allow it.

Charlie cant keep you from visiting your mother. She still has primary custody.

Nobody has custody of me. Im an adult.

He flashed a brilliant smile. Exactly.

 I thought it over for a short minute before deciding that it wasnt worth the fight. Charlie would be furious
 not that I was going to see Ren?e, but that Edward was going with me. Charlie wouldnt speak to me
for months, and Id probably end up grounded again. It was definitely smarter not to even bring it up.
Maybe in a few weeks, as a graduation favor or something.

 But the idea of seeing my mothernow , not weeks from now, was hard to resist. It had been so long
since Id seen Ren?e. And even longer since Id seen her under pleasant circumstances. The last time Id
been with her in Phoenix, Id spent the whole time in a hospital bed. The last time shed come here, Id
been more or less catatonic. Not exactly the best memories to leave her with.

And maybe, if she saw how happy I was with Edward, she would tell Charlie to ease up.

Edward scrutinized my face while I deliberated.

I sighed. Not this weekend.

Why not?

I dont want to fight with Charlie. Not so soon after hes forgiven me.

His eyebrows pulled together. I think this weekend is perfect, he muttered.

I shook my head. Another time.

You arent the only one whos been trapped in this house, you know. He frowned at me.

 Suspicion returned. This kind of behavior was unlike him. He was always so impossibly selfless; I knew
it was making me spoiled.

You can go anywhere you want, I pointed out.

The outside world holds no interest for me without you.

I rolled my eyes at the hyperbole.
Im serious, he said.

Lets take the outside world slowly, all right? For example, we could start with a movie in Port
Angeles. . . .

He groaned. Never mind. Well talk about it later.

Theres nothing left to talk about.

He shrugged.

Okay, then, new subject, I said. Id almost forgotten my worries about this afternoon  had that been
his intention? What did Alice see today at lunch?

My eyes were fixed on his face as I spoke, measuring his reaction.

 His expression was composed; there was only the slightest hardening of his topaz eyes. Shes been
seeing Jasper in a strange place, somewhere in the southwest, she thinks, near his former . . . family. But
he has no conscious intentions to go back. He sighed. Its got her worried.

 Oh. That was nothing close to what Id been expecting. But of course it made sense that Alice would
be watching out for Jaspers future. He was her soul mate, her true other half, though they werent as
flamboyant about their relationship as Rosalie and Emmett were. Why didnt you tell me before?

I didnt realize youd noticed, he said. Its probably nothing important, in any case.

 My imagination was sadly out of control. Id taken a perfectly normal afternoon and twisted it until it
looked like Edward was going out of his way to keep things from me. I needed therapy.

 We went downstairs to work on our homework, just in case Charlie showed up early. Edward finished
in minutes; I slogged laboriously through my calculus until I decided it was time to fix Charlies dinner.
Edward helped, making faces every so often at the raw ingredients  human food was mildly repulsive
to him. I made stroganoff from Grandma Swans recipe, because I was sucking up. It wasnt one of my
favorites, but it would please Charlie.

Charlie seemed to already be in a good mood when he got home. He didnt even go out of his way to
be rude to Edward. Edward excused himself from eating with us, as usual. The sound of the nightly news
drifted from the front room, but I doubted Edward was really watching.

 After forcing down three helpings, Charlie kicked his feet up on the spare chair and folded his hands
contentedly across his distended stomach.

That was great, Bells.

 Im glad you liked it. How was work? Hed been eating with too much concentration for me to make
conversation before.

 Sort of slow. Well, dead slow really. Mark and I played cards for a good part of the afternoon, he
admitted with a grin. I won, nineteen hands to seven. And then I was on the phone with Billy for a
while.
I tried to keep my expression the same. How is he?

Good, good. His joints are bothering him a little.

Oh. Thats too bad.

Yeah. He invited us down to visit this weekend. He was thinking of having the Clearwaters and the
Uleys over too. Sort of a playoff party. . . .

Huh, was my genius response. But what could I say? I knew I wouldnt be allowed to hit a werewolf
party, even with parental supervision. I wondered if Edward would have a problem with Charlie hanging
out in La Push. Or would he suppose that, since Charlie was mostly spending time with Billy, who was
only human, my father wouldnt be in danger?

 I got up and piled the dishes together without looking at Charlie. I dumped them into the sink and started
the water. Edward appeared silently and grabbed a dishtowel.

Charlie sighed and gave up for the moment, though I imagined he would revisit the subject when we
were alone again. He heaved himself to his feet and headed for the TV, just like every other night.

Charlie, Edward said in a conversational tone.

Charlie stopped in the middle of his little kitchen. Yeah?

Did Bella ever tell you that my parents gave her airplane tickets on her last birthday, so that she could
visit Ren?e?

I dropped the plate I was scrubbing. It glanced off the counter and clattered noisily to the floor. It didnt
break, but it spattered the room, and all three of us, with soapy water. Charlie didnt even seem to
notice.

Bella? he asked in a stunned voice.

I kept my eyes on the plate as I retrieved it. Yeah, they did.

Charlie swallowed loudly, and then his eyes narrowed as he turned back to Edward. No, she never
mentioned it.

Hmm, Edward murmured.

Was there a reason you brought it up? Charlie asked in a hard voice.

Edward shrugged. Theyre about to expire. I think it might hurt Esmes feelings if Bella doesnt use her
gift. Not that shed say anything.

I stared at Edward in disbelief.

 Charlie thought for a minute. Its probably a good idea for you to visit your mom, Bella. Shed love
that. Im surprised you didnt say anything about this, though.

I forgot, I admitted.
He frowned. You forgot that someone gave you plane tickets?

Mmm, I murmured vaguely, and turned back to the sink.

I noticed that you saidtheyre about to expire, Edward, Charlie went on. How many tickets did your
parents give her?

Just one for her . . . and one for me.

 The plate I dropped this time landed in the sink, so it didnt make as much noise. I could easily hear the
sharp huff as my father exhaled. The blood rushed into my face, fueled by irritation and chagrin. Why was
Edward doing this? I glared at the bubbles in the sink, panicking.

Thats out of the question! Charlie was abruptly in a rage, shouting the words.

Why? Edward asked, his voice saturated with innocent surprise. You just said it was a good idea for
her to see her mother.

Charlie ignored him. Youre not going anywhere with him, young lady! he yelled. I spun around and he
was jabbing a finger at me.

Anger pulsed through me automatically, an instinctive reaction to his tone.

Im not a child, Dad. And Im not grounded anymore, remember?

Oh yes, you are. Starting now.

For what?!

Because I said so.

Do I need to remind you that Im a legal adult, Charlie?

This is my house  you follow my rules!

 My glare turned icy. If thats how you want it. Do you want me to move out tonight? Or can I have a
few days to pack?

Charlies face went bright red. I instantly felt horrible for playing the move-out card.

I took a deep breath and tried to make my tone more reasonable. Ill do my time without complaining
when Ive done something wrong, Dad, but Im not going to put up with your prejudices.

He sputtered, but managed nothing coherent.

 Now, I know thatyou know that I have every right to see Mom for the weekend. You cant honestly
tell me youd object to the plan if I was going with Alice or Angela.

Girls, he grunted, with a nod.
Would it bother you if I took Jacob?

Id only picked the name because I knew of my fathers preference for Jacob, but I quickly wished I
hadnt; Edwards teeth clenched together with an audible snap.

 My father struggled to compose himself before he answered. Yes, he said in an unconvincing voice.
That would bother me.

Youre a rotten liar, Dad.

Bella 

Its not like Im headed off to Vegas to be a showgirl or anything. Im going to seeMom , I reminded
him. Shes just as much my parental authority as you are.

He threw me a withering look.

Are you implying something about Moms ability to look after me?

Charlie flinched at the threat implicit in my question.

Youd better hope I dont mention this to her, I said.

Youd better not, he warned. Im not happy about this, Bella.

Theres no reason for you to be upset.

He rolled his eyes, but I could tell the storm was over.

I turned to pull the plug out of the sink. So my homework is done, your dinner is done, the dishes are
done, and Im not grounded. Im going out. Ill be back before ten-thirty.

Where are you going? His face, almost back to normal, flushed light red again.

Im not sure, I admitted. Ill keep it within a ten-mile radius, though. Okay?

 He grunted something that did not sound like approval, and stalked out of the room. Naturally, as soon
as Id won the fight, I began to feel guilty.

Were going out? Edward asked, his voice low but enthusiastic.

I turned to glower at him. Yes. I think Id like to speak to youalone .

He didnt look as apprehensive as I thought he should.

I waited to begin until we were safely in his car.

What wasthat ? I demanded.

 I know you want to see your mother, Bella  youve been talking about her in your sleep. Worrying
actually.
I have?

He nodded. But, clearly, you were too much of a coward to deal with Charlie, so I interceded on your
behalf.

Interceded? You threw me to the sharks!

He rolled his eyes. I dont think you were in any danger.

I told you I didnt want to fight with Charlie.

Nobody said that you had to.

I glowered at him. I cant help myself when he gets all bossy like that  my natural teenage instincts
overpower me.

He chuckled. Well, thats not my fault.

 I stared at him, speculating. He didnt seem to notice. His face was serene as he gazed out the
windshield. Something was off, but I couldnt put my finger on it. Or maybe it was just my imagination
again, running wild like it had this afternoon.

Does this sudden urge to see Florida have anything to do with the party at Billys place?

 His jaw flexed. Nothing at all. It wouldnt matter if you were here or on the other side of the world, you
still wouldnt be going.

 It was just like with Charlie before  just like being treated as a misbehaving child. I gritted my teeth
together so I wouldnt start shouting. I didnt want to fight with Edward, too.

 Edward sighed, and when he spoke his voice was warm and velvet again. So what do you want to do
tonight? he asked.

Can we go to your house? I havent seen Esme in so long.

He smiled. Shell like that. Especially when she hears what were doing this weekend.

I groaned in defeat.

 We didnt stay out late, as Id promised. I was not surprised to see the lights still on when we pulled up
in front of the house  I knew Charlie would be waiting to yell at me some more.

Youd better not come inside, I said. It will only make things worse.

 His thoughts are relatively calm, Edward teased. His expression made me wonder if there was some
additional joke I was missing. The corners of his mouth twitched, fighting a smile.

Ill see you later, I muttered glumly.

He laughed and kissed the top of my head. Ill be back when Charlies snoring.
The TV