“I want you to be safe, Bella. Those streets aren’t the streets that were once a long time ago. You can’t walk down them as safely as you wish you could. With every step you take, you must watch your back.” Edward explained, taking another step forward and lowering his hand so it could rest lightly on the end of the banister.

“Take me home, Edward. Now.” She ordered, standing up and wiping fiercely at her face.

“No, Bella. It isn’t safe. I’ll take you back in the morning.” He answered, wrapping his strong hand around her arm and dragging her to the door. He slid the metal key into the lock and the huge door swung open with a groan.

A light flashed on in what she remembered was the living room and Esme Cullen hurled herself at her son, wrapping her small arms around him and sobbing into his shoulder.

“Oh, Edward! How could you do this to me? How could you just walk out in the dead of night when the town people are trying to kill each other? How could you?” she wailed.

Bella took a step back and tried to make a run for the door, but Edward shot his arm out and the grip on her arm was back, dragging her back into his view.

Edward cupped her mothers face in his strong hands and kissed each tear stained cheek twice before whispering, “Sorry, Esme, but I was in town, and Bella was in trouble so…”

Esme let go of her son and gasped as her eyes landed on the girl she had always thought of as her daughter, and had then lost thanks to a stupid mistake her thoughtless son had committed.

“Isabella?” she whispered, her arms aching to open wide and hug her, but the look of utter loathing she was giving her son made Esme think twice about her actions.

Edward stared at Bella and willed himself to speak, hoping to be able to say something when they were alone.

Esme chattered quietly to her son as they went into the living room. The great house was silent, and the wind lashed at the windows, the wooden frames creaking ominously. Esme offered them both something to eat and drink but they both denied.