As you know, everything Twilight belongs to the fabulous Stephenie Meyer.

Prologue:

The city smog suffocated me as I tried to make my way through the London streets. The rain clouds hovering ominously cloaked everything in shades of gray. I gripped my aged, navy coat tighter around my body to avoid the shrill wind. My bones ached with the fatigue of a marathon runner. Everything hurt. Everything passed in a blur.

I mumbled a brief apology to the unsuspecting pedestrian I bumped into in my haste. I need to reach him. There are only moments left. I pictured his eyes burning me with their molten, topaz color. I pushed harder and longer. I recalled the days of bliss. Stolen glances and grins when caught staring; skin set ablaze by just a minor brush of the hand. Everything was perfect even though he was supposedly a monster. "Little did he know," I murmured humorlessly to myself. Even Edward, the once infallible in my eyes, had come crashing violently back to earth. Everybody he encountered was collateral. "Focus on the positive, Bella, the positive…" I told myself yet again.

My thoughts drifted to what seemed like an eternity ago. One specific memory stood out above all…

"Bella, just open it. I promise it won't bite," he grinned wickedly. He slipped his hands around my waist, coaxing me with his very touch to open the small, velvet box grasped in my fingers. "Fine…but if this is what I think it is, shouldn't you be on one knee?" I turned my head and smirked at him. His mouth turned up into that half-grin I so adored while he ran his hands through his hair.

"Bella," he began, quickly maneuvering his body in order to face me, "if I knew your father wouldn't come over here with his fully loaded gun and 'attempt' to kill me, you know I would make you my wife immediately. But since you are still 17, I think this should be our… cover… till I officially make you mine." I wanted to laugh at his philosophy over Charlie's reaction but the truth seeped through. I reveled in the day I would become his wife. I looked up hesitantly into his eyes. I searched for any sort of doubt behind his words and I found nothing. All that shone through was the endless love and devotion he had for me. The velvet felt smoother beneath my fingers. Amazing, I thought, he has the ability to manipulate matter. I lifted the box and my breath caught immediately. A small, heart-shaped diamond on a white gold chain rested in the tiny box. The heart reflected every light in the room blinding me with its seemingly endless facets. The chain only added to its delicate appearance. I heard him intake a small breath and I instantly knew he was going to divulge another aspect of his mysterious mind.

"This was my mother's, she always wore it. It is one of the few, human memories I have carried with me all these years of her physical appearance. I remember her eyes…the wildest of greens…her brown hair cascading around her shoulders. Nothing else really stands out but this, her heart, was always there for other people to see. As a child, I used to ask her why she always wore that necklace. She would smile and tell me that 'a pure heart should always be on display.' I never quite understood what she meant by that, I still don't know if I do but I remember her on her… death bed," his voice uncharacteristically cracked, "she took this necklace off and placed it in my palm. I don't really remember much about what she told me, it's much too vague and distant, but I remember the intensity of her stare. She knew I wouldn't follow her into the next phase of her existence. She somehow knew that my journey wasn't over. I hadn't found love.

"After I met you, everything became so clear. It was as if I was a man walking the earth for a thousand years without vision then, one day, I woke up and I could see. Not only could I see, everything was made up of the most vivid and wonderful colors. I could now find joy on the darkest of days. My mother knew, somehow, that although my path may seem unconventional, it would bring me to you. And, finally, after all this time, I can give you my heart wholly and completely. This is for you, Isabella, my heart. It is just as cold and still but yours nonetheless."

The tears streamed down my face without abandon. No words could ever describe how I felt at this moment. I stared up into his eyes unabashedly trying my very best to convey the depth of the love I had for him. I snaked my arms in his hair and pushed his face closer. His cool breath drowned my senses. I felt his lips press slowly against mine sending my mind into a frenzy. As his lips continued to find solace in mine, everything fell into place. This is where I belong. Forever.

My hand snaked up to my collar as I gripped the cold stone in my palm. The sharp angle of the stone drew blood. Everything that I held dear was out of reach. Nothing seemed attainable anymore.

My feet slowed unconsciously beneath me. I knew I was drawing near to where I was expected. The buildings seemed to grow with my diminishing speed. I turned down the lit alley in the dark city approaching my destination. I walked slowly, listening to the distinct crunch of my heels against the gravel. It seemed everything was falling apart at the seams. Unraveling.

I reached the steel door indicating the entrance into the abandoned factory basement. I gripped the frozen heart in my palm. Keep breathing…all I can do is keep breathing.

Author's Note: This is my first published story! I have many places I want to take this including some lovely Buffy/Angel territory about souls!

Reviews will make me so incredibly happy :)