A/N: So you want to kill me for not updating I deserve it. I have been so terrible, I really have. I shouldn't have done this to you all. ALL of you have been amazing, have been so supportive, and I thank you for that. From the bottom of my heart. I could tell you why I didn't update, but excuses are not necessary. Just know I am going to try a lot harder to update more often. Keep in mind the story is almost over---well in my head it is.

Thank you all so much, I hope you continue to read, review, and love my story--or hate it. I, again, apologize for the long lapse between updates.

The ride from the hospital, was quiet at best. Charlie was still embarrassed about what he'd said, and so was I. Neither of us, being a little stubborn, wanted to admit we'd been wrong. He shouldn't have said what he said, and I should never refer to him with the "C" word. If he was willing to let it go, so was I.

I held my arm, bruised and sore from needles for a week, close to my body. Edward's ivory leather jacket keeping me warm, and happy. The thought of being in something that was his was fantastic. It was soft, and smelled of him so much that my head swam if I took a deep enough breath. A scent that could never be bottled, and bought. His scent.

"Bella." There was a pause, in which I looked at him, and blushed. A lengthy pause. "I'm sorry. There is a lot going on right now. I didn't mean what I said." I only nodded, and looked out the window. The snow was glistening, even with the sun that wasn't high in the sky. Today was a week before the holiday that would prove the doctors wrong. They said I wouldn't make it to Christmas.

"Bella," he addressed me again. Anxious that I had not responded to, what he felt was a heat felt apology.

"It's okay, Dad." I visibly saw him relax when I spoke. My voice quiet, and not my normal octave. It bothered me that he seemed to want to fill the quit space with talk, that wasn't like him. He was always like me in that way, no need to fill every little space with chatter.

I went back to looking out the window. I knew that I shouldn't have this constant feeling of anxiousness in my stomach, but I did. I wanted to know who, or what was after me, and for what reason. What did I, a human, have that a vampire needed. I was weak, and dying. No long shelf life. What use was I? I remember what Edward had said about Jack, and shuddered. What if she died because of me? I couldn't live with that. It was too much for me to think about. I didn't want to think that anyone's life, especially one that would seemingly never end, would be cut short because of me. I was already dieing after all.

"Dad what did the note say?" I didn't say what note, but there was no need. It was implied.

"How do you know about that?"

"Gossiping nurses," I replied. My voice as calm as I could make it while we were discussing my death note.

"Don't worry about it. I've got some people working on tracking down this person. It's more than likely some sick kid playing a joke." He pulled up to one of the few stop lights in Forks, and looked at me. "Do you have anyone that would hate you." He grimaced at the word hate. I wasn't here long enough for someone to hate me, was I?

"No…. No dad. At least I don't think so."

He seemed to be pleased with that answer, as the light tuned green, and he took off.

It couldn't be anyone. They wouldn't know Jack. It had to be another vampire…

I let my mind wander on the situation a little more thinking about all of this, and as I did my hands began to shake, and mind began to swim. It's the most gut wrenching, terrifying thing in the world when you have someone out there, someone a hundred times stronger, two-hundred times faster, and three-hundred times more deadly than yourself, and their prime target is you. Especially when you don't know who it is.

I laid my head against the headrest, and let out a sigh mixed with attempted calmness, and utter fear. Despite being in the hospital for a week straight, and doing nothing but sleeping I was exhausted. I shifted some in the seat, looking out my window, and getting comfortable. I wanted to sleep a little bit.

"Chief Swan," A crackly female voice came over his speaker.

"This is Swan." He stopped at a stop sign.

"We have a Nisan Quest, going 110 MPH down Sir Barton Way, heading north."

"Shit!"

Something caught my eye as I looked out the window. A green minivan, I recognized, speeding down the road. I watched as it picked up speed, remembering that there is a stop sign within one hundred feet, and that it should be slowing down, but it wasn't. It was going faster!

"Dad," I screamed, my voice hitting an note I never thought humanly possible.

The next things took place in a matter of seconds…

Charlie fought with the car to get it into gear, the minivan was not slowing down. I started to panic, my eyes locked on that of the incoming car. It was right next to us, when the cruiser finally took off. I heard an ear splintering whoosh when the van went by. He pulled to a stop about thirty feet away.

"What the hell?! Bella," he turned to me, his face worried. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine dad…" I laid my left hand on my heart, feeling my heart rate slow some. "They were trying to kill us…"

"They may have been under the influence of something. I am sure they were not after us personally."

I nodded some, eager to believe it. Believing anything other than someone was out to get me was a wonderful thing. I closed my eyes, and relaxed as the car started. Charlie, being off duty, called and gave the description, but refused to go after the killer car. He was off duty, and had his daughter in the car after being in the hospital for a week. He wasn't doing anything put me in danger, and for that I was thankful.

He pulled into the driveway, with extreme caution, as if any sudden movements would frighten me farther. In a way I was thankful, it showed he cared, really cared. I was so grateful that I turned my back to him as I opened my door, scared that tears would show.

I stepped out of the car, and closed the door. A pain seared through my stomach, that brought me to my knees. It didn't matter I had gravel digging into my knees, because my stomach wouldn't stop hurting. I cried out in pain, and scooped myself into a ball.

I felt Charlie gripping my shoulder, and whispering softly. He was telling me it would pass, just hold on. I think had he not come over, and talked to me I would give up right now. How can I give up when I have people like Charlie who love me so much.

Faintly I heard a car door slam, and gravel combined with snow crunch as someone approached.

"Is she okay?" His icy hands touched my forehead, and things started to clear up. The pain began to ease, and I was able to open my eyes, and see Edward leaning over me, and Charlie leaning over him. He more than likely made the gravel crunch, because I know Edwards fluid movements are far more quite.

"I'm fine…" I made a move to stand up, but Edward beat me to it. He scooped me up into his arms, leavening a boggled Charlie outside in the snow as he walked inside.

"What happened," he whispered, too low for Charlie. I knew he wasn't talking about my collapse.

"I'll tell you later," I breathed. Almost to tired to even say that.

"Can you get her upstairs?"

"Yes sir, I can. Which room is hers," he asked, though he obviously knew which one.

"First one on the right." He nodded, his golden eyes never stopped watching me closely as he walked up the creaky staircase.

I was laid on my bed with a soft reserved touch of Edward. Effortlessly he pulled the covers over me, and pulled off my shoes.

"Sleep, I will be near." He kissed my forehead with his sweet, cold lips.

"No." I gripped his hand, and held him to me in a futile grip.

"I'll be back. I promise." He pulled away, and walked out of my room leaving me alone

I curled up under my covers, and shivered as the warmness took me over. Letting the weights of life fall off of me. The fear of an unknown killer, the fear of death, the fear of not spending enough time with my family, and Edward before… I just let it all go. Slowly I felt my body being to relax. Each muscle losing all tightness. Each ligament falling onto my bed in a sweet release. I closed my eyes, and welcomed a good sleep with wide open arms.

My dream was normal, normal for me anyhow. I was in school--Forks High. At lunch I was speaking with Angela, and she said something funny because I bust out into a fit of laughter, not something I normally do. I could see the quit look in her eyes, a pleased look.

We stood with our trays, and walked to the garbage cans. We were talking about Spanish. As we dropped off our trays we headed to class. The day seemed normal enough, just one thing was off. No Edward. No Alice. No Jasper. None of the Cullen's…

Suddenly my dream shifted. I was sitting in Edward's Volvo, our hands intertwined. A large smile on our faces, but it wasn't normal. My beauty was increased. My face was flawless, my eyes were that golden color I loved so much, and Edward seemed completely at ease. It didn't take long for me to realize I was a vampire too.

Again my dream shifted, but this time it was impossible to be true. Edward and I sat at a park on a bright sunny day. My smile wide, as was his. His beauty was still remarkable, even more so in the sunlight. The sun gave his skin a beautiful glow. I turned when I heard a small voice yell my name. Two children, beautiful children, were running around. Both had a remarkable resemblance to Edward and to me. It didn't take long for me to see they were our children. A handsome boy, and a beautiful girl.

My dream shifted, and this time I fought to stay at the park with Edward but it was a losing battle. When I looked around again I was on a porch. My lap covered by a thin wool blanket, by body in a wooden rocking chair. "Bella, sweetheart." I looked up to see Edward walking outside. His hair was now flecked with grey, his face had tell-tale sighs of aging.

I sat up quickly in bed, my head swimming. "Bella, are you okay?" His voice was flawless and hushed. It must be late. I looked over at him in the rocking chair in all of his perfection, and tears stung my vision. "Bella, what's wrong?" He stood and walked to sit next to me. By this time I had tears openly flowing down my face. He pulled me close. My body melded into the cold firmness of him. "Bella…"

I tried to clear my voice enough to speak but it was hard. Finally I found my voice. "Bad dream," I half admitted. He nodded, and held me close. In a way it was the truth, but it was partially a lie. I wasn't crying because the dream was scary but because my mind was playing with me. Showing me everything I wanted, but could never have. I would never be well again, I would never be one of the Cullen's, I'd never be married to Edward and have children, and we'd never grow old together. Dreams of my life that would never come true. It was a cruel joke that my mind had played, and it upset me.

I KNOW.

It's so shirt, but I didn't want to have it end in this chapter, like the initial plan. So I am drawing it out, but don't worry. I promise, scout honor it will be longer next time.