Disclaimer- I own nothing associated or affiliated with Twilight.These are the property of Stephenie Meyer and no copyright or offense is intended.You can't sue me for the inner-worst workings of my mind.Honest.

Choices by Twynstar

I awoke on the morning of my nineteenth birthday...alone. Edward wasn't there.

Not ' wasn't there' in the sense that he was gone, just not there like he usually was, In my bedroom, ready to welcome me back to the land of the conscious and stop me falling out of bed. I sighed and rolled over, pulling the covers back over my head. I was never ready to face the world on my birthday and this one was going to be a killer. My head hurt and I had uneasy memories of dreams and nightmares that had passed the night before. I groaned. God knows what I said this time but I'm sure he would have taken it as a literal interpretation not to go through with 'IT.'

'IT' being my expectant transformation to immortality.

Edward and I had a silent agreement not to mention 'IT' these past weeks leading up to my birthday. I wanted to, obviously I was concerned he wasn't going to follow through with it. Well, I was right wasn't I? Yet I have never been more desperate for him to prove me wrong. He'd been stewing for weeks, growing tenser as my birthday approached. I wasn't the only one who noticed. It wasn't in Edward's nature to sulk or be sullen but he would withdraw to his thoughts and exclude all and everyone else around him. I guess that can come across as sulky sometimes. He'd stopped coming around so much lately. Now that school was over and he wasn't picking me up and driving me home some days his visits would be strictly nocturnal, even prompting Charlie to ask if we'd had a falling out. I 'd seen the fear flash in his eyes as he thought of the last time we'd had a 'falling out.' Even Emmett jokingly asked when I'd be returning Edward to the land of the "Undead but still bearable." Rosalie slapped him upside the head.

The Cullens knew what was going on and I was grateful to them for taking a spectator approach. I don't think I could have coped with too much involvement. Except for Alice. Frequently I found myself at their home in her bedroom or the backyard, spilling my heart open to my lover's sister, my best friend, confiding my fears and apprehensions. She was so good. She made me laugh and stroked my hair when I cried. It seemed to be easier for all of them lately, having me around. I don't know if it was simply something they just get used to or if they were putting in extra effort because they knew what was coming. Or should have been coming.

Edward had begged. He'd reasoned. He'd argued and he'd fumed. He couldn't understand why it couldn't wait a little longer."Please," I'd said, "A little longer for you means I'll be fifty. No thank you. Besides I could die tying up a shoelace tomorrow anyway. We agreed, nineteen and not a day over. You promised."

I sighed and rolled over under the blankets again. It was getting hot and stuffy under there but I wasn't ready to come out yet. I wasn't supposed to be breathing today at all. Pretty obscure demand, huh? To die. I'm sure I'm not the only person who ever wanted to die on their birthday but honestly... 'Honey what do you want for you birthday?" "Oh nothing too special, just for you to kill me so I can spend eternity with you." I giggled at the absurdity of it all.

"I told you she was awake!" A voice outside my bedroom door startled me. I frowned, I hadn't heard anyone come in downstairs... I peeked out.

And was met with a chorus of "Happy Birthdays!" before my bedroom was systematically invaded by four vampires bearing gifts.

"Guys," I croaked out, my voice was still sleep fuzzy, "I told you I didn't want anything." What a big fat lie my head told itself. It's just the vampire who can give it to you isn't here and probably won't give it up anyway.

"Nonsense,"Alice sat herself down and wrapped me in her sweet smelling arms, holding me close. "Everyone gets gifts on their birthday!" She pulled back and grinned at me. "Carlisle and Esme said to stop by the house later, they want to see you." The thought of Esme's kind, motherly face cheered me and simultaneously stabbed through my heart as I thought of my own mother, thousands of miles away.

A box was shoved in my face. "And look, no dangerous paper!" Emmett was gleeful. Rosalie smacked him. Again.

"Don't be so insensitive," she scowled at him.

I risked at peek at Jasper. Sitting in Edward's usual rocking chair in the corner. He rolled his eyes and grinned back at me. Looks like all was forgiven and forgotten as far as my last birthday was concerned.

It was then I noticed them all looking at me expectantly, waiting for me to open my presents. I also noticed how immaculately gorgeous they all were with even the seemingly smallest amount of effort. Ok, I know it's a supernatural thing but it was still daunting being surround by such effortless beauty.

I was still in my pyjamas. With bed hair and a fuzzy mouth. I sighed and shook my head. Today was looking great.

They all looked confused and I realized they thought they'd done something wrong. I opened my mouth to digress when suddenly Jasper was there, enfolding me in the gentlest of embraces, his breath tickling my ear as he whispered soothingly to me. "It's ok, he'll come around. He loves you. We love you." I bit back tears as waves of tranquility and love washed over me. Sometimes Jasper was like every kind of drug you wanted. Without hardly even moving he was back in the chair and Alice had taken his place, her arm around my shoulder and lips on my forehead. I sniffled. "Sorry." I whispered lamely.

"Nothing to be sorry about," Alice squeezed me tight and then jumped to her feet. "We'll leave you now to open your gifts. Oh, we brought Charlie's up too. It was on the kitchen table." She pointed out a garish pink monstrosity that looked like he'd wrapped it with his feet. I winced. Emmett laughed before leaning over and giving me a bone crushing hug. Jasper just waved as he walked out the door but Rosalie stopped and ran her hand though my hair smiling warmly at me. I smiled back. One final kiss from Alice and I was alone again. House devoid of the undead and supernatural once again that day. But not for long.

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I was in the kitchen having a late breakfast and musing over my gifts (An alarm clock from Charlie-I'd sent the previous one crashing against the wall during a nightmare when Edward was out hunting one night, books and cd's from Alice, Jasper, Rosalie and Emmett and a music box from Esme and Carlisle) when someone knocked at the front door. My heart instantly leapt into my mouth and then back down again. Edward doesn't knock on the front door. He climbs through windows or sneaks up on you when he knows you're alone. I sighed and made my way to the door, opening it wearily. Where my heart jumped straight back into my mouth.

Jacob Black was standing on my doorstep. Ebony hair, copper skin, flashing white teeth that reminded me so much of...

Jacob Black was on my doorstep? This is not happening. This was against all the rules, the treaty. As far as the Werewolves were concerned I was a vampire lover and this was vampire territory. Jacob Black was not allowed here, just as I was also persona non grata down at La Push. Not to mention last time I saw Jake he and Edward nearly got into a brawl.

He was looking at me funny, no doubt because I was standing there in my pyjamas with my mouth hanging open. Had to say something before my brain overloaded.

"I'm not dressed!"

He laughed. "I can see that Bells. But it's ok, you're allowed to wear whatever you want on your birthday. Even if it's pyjamas."

I blushed.

"So...are you gonna ask me in or something?"

I frowned."Sure Jake, but first of all are you allowed here? Second, what the hell are you doing here!"

He laughed at my bluntness."Can't a guy come visit his best friend on her birthday?"

My gaze softened. "Of course," I whispered before I stepped forward and was locked in his arms. He was warm. And he smelt like salt, the beach. I missed the beach. Once again, off limits for me. He bent down and rested his cheek against my hair, breathing me in.

"God I've missed you Bells," his voiced sounded cracked and he pulled away grinning sheepishly.

"Me too." I grinned back.

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We were sitting on Charlie's back porch drinking coke. Me and the werewolf.

"How's Billy?" I asked tentatively. His reaction was the one I was fearing the most when he found out Jake had come to visit me.

"He's fine. He said to wish you a happy birthday." He grinned at me.

I nearly choked on my drink. "Billy knows you're here?"

Jacob leaned over and squeezed my arm reassuringly. "Things are changing around here Bells, slowly, but still. And even if they weren't, nothing could have stopped me coming to see my best friend on her birthday." He paused. " Especially while she's still alive."

I froze, then swallowed slowly, my mind racing. Careful Bella, don't make the hormonal teenaged werewolf angry...

Too late. Jake sprang to his feet and began pacing the yard, a careful distance from me."I was hoping it wasn't true."

"Jake, it's complicated..."

"No it's not! Living or dead! Two completely separate things Bells! You'll end up dead soon enough, why now?"

"Who told you this?" I demanded.

"These things get around in our 'community,'" he sneered. I didn't like him angry, it made him cruel. Made him say things he wouldn't usually. He stopped pacing and came to stand in front of me, his hand resting on the sides of my chair. "I can smell them on you." He made a disgusted sound and went back to pacing." You already smell dead."

"Jake, sit down and I'll explain," I attempted to placate him.

"I don't want an explanation!" He growled."I want to why!"

"Why? You want to know why I would choose to die? Why I would give up my life, my family, my friends? Why I would never stand in the sun again and never feel warm? Why I would hunt wild animals and spend eternity suppressing the natural urge to kill and murder! Why else Jacob, why do you think!"

He stopped pacing and looked my levelly in the eye. "You love him."

"I love him."

Jake sighed and sat back down next to me. His breath was ragged and his eyes dark. I reached for him and he jerked away."Just, don't touch me for a minute. It can get hard to distinguish your scent from theirs and I wouldn't want to hurt you."

I tried to conceal the hurt in my eyes. This wasn't my Jake. I sighed and tried a different tack.

"I've been dead for awhile Jake. I've spent too long already in the company of the dead. I love Edward and everything in life and living pales in comparison to that love. I can't go back, I've already left too much behind." I was surprised at how resolute and calm I sounded saying this out loud for the first time. I'd never voiced these thoughts with Edward. I don't know why. Maybe i should. I just sensed Jake needed to hear this right now.

"Billy's not gonna like this."

"Billy doesn't have to. But what will he do about it? Kill me? Or is that what you're here to do?"

He glared at me ,outraged."I could have killed you a dozen time over already Bells, remember that. So don't push me."

I rolled my eyes. "Don't give me that Jacob Black. You would never hurt me. Intentionally anyway."

"Then why did you ask me?"

"Because I think you needed to hear it yourself, right?" He was looking at me, his expression unreadable before shaking his head and smiling wryly. He seemed to be alright now. Just...weary. I knew how he felt.

"Quit with the psychobabble mindfuck stuff, Bells. I liked you better making reckless decisions and sneaking around behind Charlie's back. Which reminds me..." He grinned suddenly and jumped up, pulling me to my feet in the process.

"What?"

"Your birthday present!"

I groaned. "Oh, Jake no, I don't want anything."

"You sure about that? Y'see I heard that a big red truck had an unfortunate accident with a tree the other week."

I grimaced. My poor, poor truck. It never saw it coming. Trust me to leave the clutch off. On a hill. Still, it came out better than the tree. No longer driveable but still better. Good old truck.

"So I'm devoid of transport. I'll find another car. What are you going to do about it? Drive me around yourself?"

"Not exactly." He started pulling me around the side of the house and into the drive.

I gasped. "I was wrong. You ARE trying to kill me!"

He chuckled. Standing in Charlie's driveway was my big, beautiful, shiny motor bike. I was torn between hugging him and smacking him. The last time I'd seen that bike was when Charlie called Jake around to pick it up. Since I was forbidden to ride it there was no point in keeping it so Charlie gave it back to Jake. Edward was more than willing to dispose of it to ensure I never got my hands on it again but Charlie was satisfied with the fact that Jake and I appeared to no longer be friends so the likelihood of my getting it back was well, not likely. I remember standing at my bedroom window watching Jake take it way. It sounds silly but I cried. That bike was a symbol of my survival through the darkest hour of my life. When no one else could reach me. Not to mention my only link to Jake when i thought our friendship was over. I glared at him accusingly now.

"I'm sorry Bells, I should never have done that. I was desperate. And hurt. You chose a bloodsucker over me." His voice was bitter.

I squeezed his hand."I never chose Jake. I loved."

He rolled his eyes."Yea yea ,enough of this girly crap. This is me saying sorry." He gestured towards the bike. "Do you accept?"

I looked at him like he was crazy. "Hell yes! But aren't you worried I'll kill myself or go the same way as my truck?"

"Nope, not worried. I have complete and utter faith in you managing to kill yourself," he joked." Nah, seriously Bells, you were getting pretty good. Besides, you don't have to worry about your mortality for much longer right?" He was trying to make light of it.

"Maybe I do," I sighed. All my previous concerns from this morning were back again.

"Then make the most of it." He squeezed me once and kissed my head and then he was gone.

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I showered quickly and changed, eager to be back on my bike again. I had no idea where I would go but that was the point wasn't it? Me alone with my thoughts as usual but this time I could go wherever I wanted. I grinned as I pulled my old torn jeans out of the back of my closet from where they'd been hiding, covered in dirt and bloodstains from my first escapades with Jake. I pulled on my scuffed boots and a hooded jacket, grabbing my keys and wallet before heading out the door.

It was bliss. The freedom, the speed, the complete and utter escape of it all. I hadn't felt so free in ages. I hadn't felt so me. Jake had thoughtfully provided a helmet and it blocked out the noise nicely enabling me to muse in relative quiet as well as no one recognizing me, like cops who would no doubt report back to my dad.

I zoomed through town before hitting the highway. I bypassed the usual trails Jake and I took instead choosing to just go wherever the road would take me. I though vaguely of a destination. I could go to Port Angeles, ride along the waterfront. Past where Edward saved my life for god knows what number of times. I sighed. Edward. Where are you? What are you doing? Thinking? Do you regret your promise? I know I do. I should never had made you promise something you didn't want. I know it's not that you don't want me forever, it's my soul isn't it? I wonder if the werewolves have the same view. Probably not. They don't beat themselves up as much as vampires. It really is a Christian self loathing kind of thing.

I felt strangely close to him out here alone. You'd think I'd feel closer to Jake who supplied me with the damn bike but this bike was also the only connection I had to Edward when he left me. No matter how crazy the voices seemed in retrospect i was just glad there were no voices now. I was really grateful to be alone and think of him without arguments or the confusion I found when he held me in his gaze. The cool air assaulting me as I sped down the road, free as a bird.

The trees are thick and dark lining the side of the road. It creates a kind of avenue with my focal point somewhere in the distance. I'll just keep riding until I run out of gas.

"Or the road stops..."

I twisted my head sharply to the side and saw it. A colourless blur through the trees. Keeping pace with me. God knows how long he'd been there. I scowled .You left me alone and now I want to be alone, I think bitterly. I sped up, glancing continuously between the speedometer and him. 80...100...120...he was still there. I knew no matter how fast I went he could match me easily. It was just a matter of how mad I wanted to make him or how much I wanted to risk my life. Neither was a tempting option. But I wasn't going to pull over, I wasn't in the mood for his lectures. And he wasn't getting his hands on my bike. I cut across to the other side of the road, thankfull there was no traffic out here, and into the trees finding a trail Jake and I had taken once. It led to La Push. He wouldn't follow me there. And hopefully I'd be welcome, given my earlier meeting with Jake. I hoped.

He was closer now, i could see him better through the trees to my side, feel the waves of frustration and anger washing off him. I kept my head down. Wouldn't do to hit a tree now would it? How stupid would you look then? Not as stupid as coming over a hill and finding the trail washed out and a large pond in it's place.

"Fuck!" There was a wall of trees on each side. No choice but to hit the brakes and...

And I was standing shakily on my feet, Edward's iron grip around me as I stared at my bike sitting forlornly in the mini lake. I gaped. He laughed.

I wrenched myself out of his arms, fuming. I tore my helmet off. "It's not funny!" I spat, spinning around to glare at him. As usual the first glance between us after being apart smouldered. He was beautiful. So pale he seemed to gleam, smoky eyes that reproached me silently while his rosy lips curled upwards in that ever present smirk.

I knew what I looked like. Flushed, red face, disheveled hair, shaking partly from fear and partly anger. I ignored the urge to run straight back into his arms even as he reached for me and instead spun back around and stomped toward the pond. I groaned as i looked at my bike lying there, defeated. Would it work again? How long would it take Jake to fix this time? Well ,at least he'd have a laugh at my expense. Everyone seemed to be doing that lately. I sighed and started to wade in the water. It was like ice.

"What are you doing? Even if that thing works again you are NOT riding it." His voice brooked no argument but what can I say, my little escapade had brought out a rebellious streak in me.

"Yes, I am." My voice was as cold as the water I was currently waist deep in.

"You could have killed yourself!" He was openly angry now, stalking towards me.

"Then at least one of us would have done the job today!" I regretted it as soon as I said it but I couldn't stop the words. I hadn't realized how angry I was with him until now.

His eyes clouded over, black as pitch and I drew back. "Edward..."

"Where did you get it?" His voice was a low hiss and he was backing away slowly, deliberately.

"Edward, no!" My eyes widened as the realization me. Jake.

He bared his teeth, snarling. "I knew it, I could smell him on you. Filthy dog. I'll kill him."

His eyes flashed at me. And he was gone.

I scrambled to get my bike out of the water but knew I'd be too late. It was only later that I heard the story from Alice.

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Jakes' POV

"Jake get out here!"

"What the hell is it- I'm busy." I walked out of the garage and into the fresh air and that's where it hit me. The scent. The death. He carried it with him everywhere. Bells may not be able to smell it but I can. We can. Already the pack was circling around him, enraged. I fought the urge to change and ran to Sam. He was standing face off with him. The bloodsucker. I knew he was there for me. His eyes flickered towards me and he snarled taking a step...

"Don't move!" Sam's voice was a low hiss but it held authority. This was our land, and Sam was in charge here. And the bloodsucker knew it. He was shaking with fury and the effort to stay in control. I knew it, I felt the same.

He never took his eyes off me. "I want him." He bit out. "Just him."

"Well you can't have him, deadboy," Sam's voice was cool and calm. He knew that one vampire was no match for a whole pack of wolves. "And if you turn right on around we'll just forget this whole thing ever happened." I shouldn't have been surprised at that. Sam was smart, he knew that to kill one would result in a blood war that would kill others.

"Bella..." He hissed in my direction and I could almost taste her on his voice.

Everyone's ears pricked up at this. Bella was still well liked around here, albeit a little less well regarded. They're not the same thing, trust me.

"What about her?" I tried to keep my voice level, calm, but when it came to Bells I found myself drowning in a sea of musical murmurs and soft, dark hair.

"You nearly killed her with that bike!" he roared.

"You gave Bella the bike back?" Sam looked surprised.

"She crashed her truck." I explained.

"All the more reason to not give it to her!"

I winced, maybe not my most brilliant idea but still, there was good intent. And who was he to run her life for her, it was bad enough he was taking it away! "She's a big girl," I shot back." She can make her own decisions and regardless of what they are they're hers to make and I respect them!"

There was a collective intake of breaths as all eyes were back on him. We weren't talking about the bike anymore.

His eyes flashed and I thought he would fly at me but at the last second it was almost like he deflated. "Bella doesn't always know what's good for her."

"I should think Bella more than anyone knows what's good for her," Sam cut in, sharply. "I've never met anyone stronger or smarter. Albeit a little accident prone but..." He sighed. "Bella's decisions are for her and those directly involved."

The bloodsucker looked at him quizzically.

"We don't interfere in free choices." Sam looked like this was the last thing he wanted to say and this was definitely the last thing I wanted to hear. Our threat of taking out the Cullens should Bella be bitten was my last desperate hope that would stop her from taking that last step towards her death. And farther from me.

"I..." He look confused, like there was something he didn't understand. But he seemed to come to his senses."Thank you." Sam nodded in acknowledgment.

He turned to me, accusingly."You love her."

"So do you."

"It's you I'm worried about."

"Funny, I'm worried about her." I smirked. The irony was not lost on me. A werewolf in love with a human in love with a vampire.

"I thought you said she could take care of herself." He wasn't letting that one go.

"But can you take over when she can't?" It was like there was no one else there. It felt vaguely weird, standing there surrounded by my brothers and arguing the finer points of love with a bloodsucker but still, stranger things..."You can't smother her. You can't be responsible for her every second. You have to sense the difference between what she wants and what she needs. When Bella came to me last year with the bikes I knew they were dangerous. But I also knew she was more a danger to herself and she needed something to distract her. I brought the bike back to her now because I thought she would be a feeling a little...overwhelmed. She's smart and she's brave and she can survive on her own but she doesn't have to. And she chose not to be. That's where you come in by the way, smart guy."

"But you still love her."

"I loved her from the first moment I saw her .She was beautiful and fragile and not of this world. I think deep down she knows that and you should trust that she'll make the right choices where that's concerned. She's my best friend..." Dammit, my voice was cracking again. "And I would never stand in the way of her happiness." He looked disbelieving so I shrugged my shoulders in a none too concerned way. "I'll get over it."

Sam snorted and rolled his eyes. "We done here?" He looked from me to the bloodsucker. I nodded. "Good, 'cause I've got more important things to do than supervise this soap opera." He shook his head and everyone started to disperse, myself included. The bloodsucker watched us warily before turning also.

"Oh, and deadboy?" Sam was suddenly right up in his face, twice as large and doubly threatening. His voice was low with an edge of menace. "She's our family too, remember that if you make any 'wrong choices.'"

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I finally got the bike going, relieved that it was ok and that I wasn't going to have to walk home. I doubted that Edward was in his right mind to come get me. I grimaced as I imagined the scene at La Push as I urged the bike on. C'mon...too slow...I was biting my lip the whole way.My heart thudding in my chest.I came to a skidding halt outside Billy's and ran inside.

"Jake! Jake!"

"Hello Bella. Happy Birthday!" I spun around to find Billy wheeling himself up behind me, smiling warmly. I gripped his hands tightly in my urgency.

"Billy, where's Jake? It's an emergency!" As if my screaming didn't get that across.

"Oh Jake, he's gone out for a walk. Needed some fresh air I think. Your 'boy' gave him quite a going over." Billy frowned.

I gasped. "They didn't...are they alright? What happened!"

"Hey Bella, Happy Birthday!" Sam Uley was standing in the doorway now grinning. Why were all these people grinning? Didn't they know they world was ending!

"Would someone please tell me what the hell is going on!"

Sam chuckled. "Sit down Bella, calm down." He frowned. "You're wet."

"I'll get you a towel." Billy trundled off down the hallway as I sank into a chair exhausted.

"Fine," I glowered up at Sam," Play you're cryptic games if you like. Just tell me, is Jake alright?"

"Perfectly Fine."

I bit my lip." And Edward?"

"Ditto." He lowered himself in the chair opposite mine, propping his chin up in his hand as he leaned on the kitchen table.

I sighed. The world was against me. Billy came back then with a towel and wrapped it around my shoulders.

"Thank you," I eyed the two of them warily. "So what happened?" I wasn't letting this go without a proper explanation.

"Not much," Sam shrugged. "Your boy came, got a bit angry at Jake over the whole bike thing, they snapped at each other for a bit and then he left."

I raised my eyebrow disbelievingly.

"Differences between men work out easier than women," Billy explained."Especially our 'kind' and other sorts. We like to clear the air. We dislike complications. It makes our difficult existence all the more so."

I wasn't getting this at all. I put my head in my hands.

"It doesn't do to get so worked up on your birthday Bella. How old are you anyway?" Sam was looking at me, head tilted to one side as though trying to guess.

"I'm nineteen."

"Too young to die." Billy mused shaking his head.

"Hush," Sam chided him. "We've been through this already. It's her choice and it's not going to be a problem regarding us now, is it?" He looked at me intensely, scrutinizing my face.

"No," I gulped. Why did I feel like I was constantly being scolded lately? If it wasn't Charlie, it was Edward, if it wasn't Edward, it was Jake, if it wasn't Jake it was Billy. And now Sam. Too many men in my life I mused.

I also didn't get why they were so calm about me changing. They obviously knew. "Jake said things were changing around here," I blurted out before I could stop myself.

Sam and Billy exchanged glances and I could see that Billy was not exactly happy with whatever these changes were.

I sighed."Fine, whatever, keep your secrets. I'm in no mood to care today. But I'll be back." Sam laughed while Billy continued to frown.

I pushed back my chair, suddenly wanting to get home and curl up on the couch and eat a whole heap of crap food. Now that i could see Jake and Edward hadn't torn each other apart i was somewhat satisfied. This had been my most exhausting birthday so far. No more please. Another reason for Edward to get on with it.

"Tell Jake I'll be by soon,ok? And...thank you. Both of you." There were multiple implications there and I trust that they got them because I didn't have the energy to get into it right now. But I think they did. Sam grinned and Billy nodded.

"Need a ride home? I don't think Charlie will fancy you roaring home on that thing." Sam smirked while Billy scowled.

"Thank, but no thanks. Charlie's working late tonight." I waved wearily and walked outside to where my bike was waiting.

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I'd barely made it in the door after stowing my bike securely in the backyard where Charlie wouldn't notice it for a few days, when the phone rang. I nearly tripped over in a race to get to the kitchen in the dark.

"Hello?"

"Bella!" Jake's deep voice sounded both worried and guilty. "I was hoping you were home, are you ok?"

"Well considering I've just had the most exhausting birthday of my life chasing vampires and werewolves all over Forks whilst simultaneously trying to avoid them, I'm not doing too bad Jake." I let out a frustrated laugh.

"I'm sorry Bells. I didn't want to cause trouble between you and him. I just wanted to make you happy."

"It's ok Jake, I can't be mad at you for trying to make me happy. Besides, the trouble was already there," I couldn't keep the bitterness out of my voice as I noticed a dark shadow in a corner of the darkened room. I eyeballed it before speaking into the phone again."Look, I'm really tired and so over this day, I'll talk to you later alright?"

"Sure Bells, take care. And Happy Birthday."

"Bye Jake." I hung up and leant my head against the cool wall. "Is a happy birthday really too much to ask for?" I murmured.

"We all have different views on happiness." I felt him move away from the wall and come to stand beside me. His fingertips ghosting across my hair.

I raised my eyes to meet his and they pierced the very depths of my soul. He took my warm hands in his cold ones.

"We need to talk."

TBC...