I was slowly realizing that vampires were much bigger participants in this world than I'd once thought. How many times did the average human cross paths with them, completely unaware?

"Actually, not very often," Jasper said, leaving out the 'and survive' that everyone was thinking.

How many deaths, obliviously reported as crimes and accidents, were really due to their thirst?

"A lot," Jasper frowned.

How crowded would this new world be when I finally joined it?

The shrouded future sent a shiver down my spine.

The Cullens pondered Esme's words with varying expressions. I could see that Edward did not accept her theory, and that Carlisle very much wanted to.

"Yes... that would be about right," Carlisle smiled fondly.

Alice pursed her lips. "I don't think so. The timing of it was too perfect. . . . This visitor was so careful to make no contact. Almost like he or she knew that I would see. . . ."

"He could have other reasons for not making contact," Esme reminded her.

"Does it really matter who it was?" I asked. "Just the chance that someone was looking for me . . . isn't that reason enough? We shouldn't wait for graduation."

"Argh," Edward groaned loudly.

"No, Bella," Emmett said, shaking his head. "You can't change like this."

"Really... I thought you wanted her to change as quickly as possible," Edward questioned.

"Of course I do, but she can't get changed because she's afraid," Emmett said, making a face. "That's running away... you can't let your fear rule you."

"No, Bella," Edward said quickly. "It's not that bad. If you're really in danger, we'll know."

"Think of Charlie," Carlisle reminded me. "Think of how it would hurt him if you disappeared."

"I am thinking of Charlie! He's the one I'm worried about! What if my little guest had happened to be thirsty last night?

Everyone seemed to flinch at that and Edward groaned really loudly again.

"She has a point there," Jasper was brave enough to say and Edward glared at him, but he didn't stop there. "Charlie is in more danger having her around. But I still don't think it's a good idea for her to be changed like this."

As long as I'm around Charlie, he's a target, too. If anything happened to him, it would be all my fault!"

"Hardly, Bella," Esme said, patting my hair again. "And nothing will happen to Charlie. We're just going to have to be more careful."

"More careful?" I repeated in disbelief.

"It's all going to be fine, Bella," Alice promised; Edward squeezed my hand.

And I could see, looking at all of their beautiful faces one by one, that nothing I could say was going to change their minds.

It was a quiet ride home. I was frustrated. Against my better judgment, I was still human.

"You won't be alone for a second," Edward promised as he drove me to Charlie's. "Someone will always be there. Emmett, Alice, Jasper..."

I sighed. "This is ridiculous. They'll get so bored, they'll have to kill me themselves, just for something to do."

"But that doesn't really sound like fun," Emmett chuckled. "I would prefer if you trip all over the place... or have an argument or something like that."

Edward gave me a sour look. "Hilarious, Bella."

Charlie was in a good mood when we got back. He could see the tension between me and Edward, and he was misinterpreting it. He watched me throw together his dinner with a smug smile on his face. Edward had excused himself for a moment, to do some surveillance, I assumed, but Charlie waited till he was back to pass on my messages.

"Jacob called again," Charlie said as soon as Edward was in the room.

Edward hissed and even Esme seemed to be glaring at Charlie's behavior.