Oh joy! Dinner

[Bella Swan]

6 cups zucchini, sliced
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1 cup cup sour cream
10-3/4 oz. condensed cream of chicken soup
1 Cup carrot, shredded
8 oz. Pepperidge Farm Herb Dressing
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted

As I gathered the ingrediants I'd need to make a Zucchini casserole, I tried to keep my thoughts from Edward and my problems with Jacob... I'd already spent so much time on that...

Not to mention the whole "I wanna be a vampire" thing. I sighed, while trying to turn my attention to a writing prompt we'd had in English.

In what ways and to what extent does the novel Shogun deal with nationalism and Imperialism?

It wasn't that complicated, but nevertheless, it needed to be thought out and turned into an essay. Homework.... Very time consuming. But considering Edward wasn't with me, and I was grounded, I could afford to 'wate time' on it.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease casserole pan....


Let's see... nationalism.... imperialism... The treatment of foreigners throughout Japan? Yes... that would work...

Turn zucchini and onion into steamer basket over boiling water, cover and steam 7 minutes. Meanwhilem mix sour cream and condensed soup.

The wars throughout Japan between the vampires and the werewolves.... hmmmm.

Wait... I raised my eyebrow, and crinkled my nose... The fighting between the vampires and werewolves in Japan had to do with nationalism and imperialism in japan and in the novel?!

I've officially decided that I am crazy, and perhaps stressed. That was it, stress. Not talking to Jacob... Edward being gone for the day because of the good weather.

Edward really needed to appear, I needed to talk to him. I wanted to ask him about Gabrielle... not to mention werewolves, though perhaps that topic might be best left untouched tonight.

Fold in steamed zucchini, onion and shredded carrot. Mix crumbs with butter. Spread half of crumb mixture in casserole. Top with vegetable mixture. Spread with remaining crumbs.

I continued following the instructions.... While thinking. I let out an exasperated sigh as my thoughts turned to my becoming a vampire. Why did Edward have to fuss so much? He promised me forever, and heck, if he thought he could back down now, he was so going to get it.

Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes.

I put the casserole in the oven, slamming the oven door shut with more force than nescessary. I walked over to the kitchen table and sat down, resting my forhead against the smoothe wooden table top.

Nothing ever worked out perfectly, did it? But, I really shouldn't be so ungrateful. I had Edward back, and that was enough, or should have been for now. I went to move my arm so my head could rest on my hand, unfortunately, somehow I managed to smack myself in the face. Finally I just gave up, keeping my arms far away from my face and surrendered to the jumbled thoughts in my head....

[Edward Cullen]

Edward snuck in through the back door and quietly made his way up behind Bella. "Hello," he said, wrapping his arms around her. He could sense she was troubled. He didn't need to read her mind for that. "What's wrong?" He asked, sitting down next to her.

[Bella Swan]

Suddenly I felt cold arms wrap around me, and then his scent hit me.

"Hi, " i breathed out, officially dazed. As I stared into Edward's eyes, I almost forgot my problems.... Almost, but not quite. It didn't suprise me as he questioned me. I probably looked like a wreck, at least more than usual. Leaning forward, to be closer to him, I replied, "I'd rather we not talk about that just yet...." my voice trailed off.

"How was your day?" I asked, curiously. I hadn't seen him the entire school day, which was very very LONG. Sunny days were absolutely intolerable.

[Edward Cullen]

He frowned, frustrated. He was so used to being able to hear people's thoughts, it still irritated him that he couldn't read hers. "Well, I'd like to talk about it." He took one of her hands and tangled his fingers in with hers. "I want to know what you're thinking." He whispered to her, tilting his head to the side ever so slightly. His butterscotch eyes twinkled in the dimming sunlight.

[Bella Swan]

Damn him, "That's not fair!" I pouted as he unleashed the power of his eyes. Even worse, they were butterscotch colored today. I pulled my hand away from him, reluctantly, so i could cross my arms.

"As I've said before, think of how us pitiful humans go through each day, not knowing eachothers thoughts." I said, lifting my chin rebeliously. It was very very hard not to look back into his eyes. But I knew that if I was to, he would win.

[Edward Cullen]

He sighed and shook his head. "Very well then, don't tell me. Anyway, I need you... to do something for me." He tapped his fingers on the table, almost a little to hard because he chipped it. "Oops." He said, removing his fingers. His nerves were getting to him today. "I need you to tell that... that friend of yours that she needs to stay away from the La Push area. She won't listen to Alice or I... and we tried to save her, but she's hanging around with a bunch of young, untrained... dangerous... puppies!" He sighed. "She could get hurt..."

[Bella Swan]

My eyes grew wide as I listened to Edward go on about puppies. Well, at least I wouldn't be the one to bring up the werewolf talk.

"Edward!" I exclaimed. "They're not puppies! And don't forget if it wasn't for them while you were.... if it wasn't for them I would be dead." I finished. I hadn't really wanted to bring up when Edward had left.... I knew he felt bad enough, but it needed to be said.

"And what do you mean you and Alice tried to SAVE her?" I questioned him, trying to use a stern voice... of course it had somewhat melted as I had peeked up at Edward to see his scortching eyes.

I grew somewhat nervous as I realized he had chipped the table. It was so unlike him, normally he was so graceful. What was wrong? Was it just the werewolf situation?

"And.... are you alright?" I unfolded my hands from my lap, and reached across to take Edward's hands in my own.

[Edward Cullen]

At the mention of his absence, his heart fell. He still felt so horrible about that... "Well, I don't think... I don't think they would have even dared harm you for fear of me returning and... doing something about it!" He held onto her hands. "And yes, save her. Alice had a vision about it. I wouldn't have gone if it wasn't for her... but Alice insisted. She said she saw Black transform, and the girl walked in on him. She was afraid that the girl would be harmed, so we tried to save her. Somehow, I think harming another human is breaching the treaty just as much as it would be if I... if I turned you."

[Bella Swan]

So he was going to address pretty much everything that had been bothering me. I half smiled, despite the situation.

"Edward, forget about when you left, I forgive you," I said quietly, making sure his gaze was locked on mine as I said this. It didn't matter the damage he had done, because now, now I was whole again. And that was enough.

I turned my attention back to the topic of Gabrielle, and I was shocked. "So she knows... about Jacob? Does that mean she knows about you, too? Is that the reason she doesn't like you?"

I decided not to pester him again about giving me immortality, at least not yet. If I did so now, he probably wouldn't answer my other questions. I bit my lower lip as I waited anxiously for Edward to answer my questions.

[Edward Cullen]

He made a face, frustrated. "No, she doesn't know. Not since the last time I saw her, anyway. The reason... the reason she hates us, she doesn't know why, but I do. Her father... was killed by a vampire. She doesn't know that's how he died, but she was thinking of the memory one day at school. She hates us because of what happened to her father." He shrugged. "I suppose I can see why..." He shook his head and pulled her forward, sitting her in his lap. "Sad, really."

OOC: O.o... does that count as God-Moding? XD

[Bella Swan]

OOC-nope, doesn't count as godmoding

My face turned whiter, if possible as Edward spoke of how Gabrielle's dad had died. I couldn't believe it.... Just imagining James.... I could understand why she didn't exactly like vampires. There was nothing to make her, no reason to... like for me, I loved Edward. The Cullens were great. I was so busy... thinking. It took me a moment to realize that I was now convienently seated on Edward's lap.

"oh!" I said in suprise, and then burried my head into his chest. Inhaling his scent, while hoping he wouldn't notice.

"I can't imagine how hard it would be... for my father to have been killed by a vampire... charlie." I said quietly. Then instantly regretted what I said. I wrapped my arms around Edward's neck, hoping it would distract him. Even though he had promised me he wouldn't leave... I still didn't need him making more excuses.

[Edward Cullen]

He smiled and wrapped his arms lovingly around her, resting his chin on the top of her head. "If a vampire did that to your father," he said, "you would have every right to hate us, and I would kill them. I don't care how long it would take me... I would kill them for hurting you."

The thought of someone hurting his beloved angered Edward, and his muscles tightened slightly. He'd already seen her hurt, and he would do anything within his power to make sure she was never hurt again. Which was sort of a conflict of interest, seeing as how she wanted to be turned into a vampire. If he did, she would lose her soul... aka hurting her. If he didn't, she'd grow old and be hurt that he didn't.

[Bella Swan]

"I would never hate you, Edward," I whispered into his chest in a strained voice, "I couldn't." I felt my heartbeat begin to race as he wrapped his arms around me... But I could tell he was tense now. I was worried he was fighting with himself, another internal conflict.

"What are you thinking?" I asked him quietly, slowly tilting my head so I could see his butterschotch eyes.

[Edward Cullen]

"I was about to ask you the same question," he muttered. "And I'm not thinking about much... just the normal stuff."

He inhaled her scent, and his eye twitched. It had been a little while since he'd fed, and being so close to her was almost aggonizing. But he wouldn't leave her, not right now, because he didn't want to. He was trying his hardest not to attack her that moment, but he loved her too much. He could control himself easier than Jasper could... but she did smell great.

[Bella Swan]

"The usual stuff?" I pressed. I watched his face expression, not missing the agony expressed upon his perfect features.

His eyes were much darker than usual, he hadn't fed in awhile. I was about to ask if he wanted me to move a bit away from him, or at least sit in my own chair.... When I had an idea. Sure, it was a stupid one... And if he was to go through with it, I'd probably end up dead, considering he was hungry...

But a part of me didn't want to let the oppurtunity pass. Maybe I was still being slightly reckless, but it seemed trivial. I couldn't fight this huge yearning I had to become like him, a vampire. And for whatever reason... it seemed important, that I tried now.

So idiotically as always, my voice a bit too eager... I responded, "Edward... i've been thinking...." I let my voice trail momentarily before finishing off very quickly... "You have to bite me! Please! If I'm going to become a vampire anyways... Which I will, you might as well bite me now."

[Edward Cullen]

"What?" He quickly stood up, setting her in her own chair. "No!" He hated when she brought this up. Although his family had decided it would be for the best, he still wasn't willing to take away her humanity.

Then he remembered that night. That night when she'd asked... and he'd told her he would do it if she agreed to marry him. She hadn't given a clear answer, and he hadn't been willing to talk about the subject since. But, as she probably wasn't going to let this go now, he felt he might as well bring it back up. "You remember what I said. Only if you married me... and only when you finish school." A sly grin swept across his statue-esque face.

[Bella Swan]

I couldn't help it. Against my will, I could feel tears in the corners of my eyes. I was so angry. Why shouldn't he turn me into a vampire? It also somewhat hurt, emotionally when he shouted no and put me back in my chair. I crossed my arms and pouted. That's when I noted he had brought up the whole 'marriage' thing.

Was he really serious? Or was he just playing with my mind again.... Most of me wanted to just shout that yes, I would marry him... But part of me still was hesitant. Renee would kill me!

But... maybe I'd be ready soon? Maybe, it would be worth it. No... It WOULD be worth it, that much was for sure. I loved Edward. What would be the difference if we were married? Nothing... except. I felt my cheeks blush crimson, at the thoughts of what really would be different. And once again I was grateful Edward couldn't read my mind. After a moment, I looked up at Edward again.

His face was smug because of how he thought he had tricked me. "How much longer until school is out?" I asked. I hadn't been paying much attention to the days lately, now that Edward was back in my life. I just knew it was going by quickly.


I tried not to bite my lip, as I foccused on examining his expression.

[Edward Cullen]

Edward was shocked by her question. Was she considering it? Was she actually considering marrying him? He had thought he'd set a trap by asking about the whole marriage thing again, and he was sure she would have said no again. But was she considering it? Oh... god...

"Two weeks." He said, running his pale fingers through his reddish blonde hair. How could he forget? Two weeks until he graduated, until they graduated. Two weeks until Carlisle had promised to turn Bella himself.

Edward didn't want Carlisle to do it. Edward didn't want her to be turned at all, but if there was no avoiding it, he wanted to do it himself. But he didn't want to do it so soon. Age was no factor to him, he would do it if she was thirty if he could. But Bella was so conserned about physical appearences, about how young she looked so she could match him, that she refused to wait until she was thirty. "Two more weeks..."

[Bella Swan]

"Two weeks," I repeated to myself, echoing Edward. It wasn't that long of a time. I could wait for two weeks. It was just a matter of, would I marry him... And even more importantly, had he been joking? I could see that he had been suprised that I was considering marrying him... Had he had no hope in me saying yes? So he never thought to worry about what would happen if I DID say yes?

My battle face faltered, with a moment of my own agony before I straightened myself out. I loved him.

It would be two weeks untill I graduated...

Two weeks until I left Charlie and Renee

I had two weeks to say goodbye to Jacob...

Two weeks for the war to begin...

But most importantly, two weeks until I'd have Edward for forever.

If I said yes all of these would be guarenteed... IF he still wanted me.

[Edward Cullen]

He watched her, trying to read the numerous emotions as they danced across her lovely face. Two weeks, Bella, and all you have to do is say yes. Two weeks and I'll be starting a war. Two weeks... but only if you say yes.

He looked down at her, trying harder than he had ever tried to hack into her brain. He needed to know what she was thinking... "Bella, please tell me what you're thinking. Please..." He sat back down in the chair across from her, boring his eyes into hers. "Or at least give me an answer. I need to know... so I can think about... some things."