Edward's POV: It was one of the most difficult things I've ever had to watch. It's not that I had never watched or experienced a death before; I was dead myself, after all. Carlisle had strapped her to

an operating table he'd brought home from the hospital, and injected an obscene amount of morphine to knock her out, and loaded the drip. I recall stroking her hand as she looked up at me with

those big, innocent eyes. My thumb brushed over the wedding band, and she smiled slightly. I was taking in every detail, not wanting to ever forget the original hue of her skin, her eyes, her hair… As

much as I hate admitting it, as I had been one of my greatest concerns, I knew I'd miss her tripping every few trips, or sporting a lovely indigo bruise on her leg where she'd walked into something. Ha,

one day she came home from class- it had been sunny that day, and I had managed to convince her to try college a bit before changing to try to dissuade her again. Someone caused a domino effect in

which she had been the victim of trampling, burns [fresh pot of coffee; I held her to cool her raw-er areas among other things [objects dropped on her, her shirt ripped… the list is endless. Her

frustration was mildly amusing on the phone, but when I saw the extent of her damage, I was taken aback. My expression caused her to laugh. She was hysterical, which prompted my own laughter.

The tears that surfaced from her laughter formed kaleidoscope sparkles in her lively eyes that had their own jewel-like quality themselves anyway. Then as she started up the steps of the building we

rented, the old wood in the stairs gave way beneath her, and she was sent to the ground again, but I managed to catch her before she actually hit. As soon as we made eye-contact, we started laughing

again. I remember her smile slowly fading as the narcotics began to take effect. Her eyelids fluttered, and she went under. I remember bringing my lips to her neck, and feeling a pang of guilt, even fear.

Fear that my angel would never wake up, and guilt that i would be robbing her of her life. Fear that my angel would never wake up, and guilt that i would be robbing her of her life. Fear that my angel

would never wake up, and guilt that i would be robbing her of her life. Fear that my angel would never wake up, and guilt that I would be robbing her of her life. Carlisle put a reassuring hand on my

shoulder.

"This is what you want, and you know it's best for the both of you. Better you than anyone else to make her one of us." He smiled slightly and patted my back before leaving me alone with my sleeping

beauty. Even though she was so heavily sedated that it was practically impossible for her to feel anything, she still managed to writhe and convulse on the operating table, biting on her lower lip

unconsciously as the venom began to circulate. I was afraid that perhaps I'd taken too much blood. It was so sweet, so pure. It was enough to intoxicate even Carlisle, should he taste it. It sickened

me to have these thoughts, thoughts about instead of leaving her, having another taste. I placed a finger tentatively to her lips, where she'd bitten so hard she'd broken the skin. It seemed to cool her

down, or calm her. What effect it truly had, neither of us will ever know. After a while, Alice came to relieve me of my watch duty. I must admit, I desperately was in need of sustenance. My eyes

were a coal black at this point. I'd been so nervous about Bella; I hadn't been able to stomach anything. Though her own, dear blood satisfied some of my hunger, it wasn't enough to satisfy that

which I'd been putting off for days. It took a lot of prompting to get rid of me. But, oh, I'd never mauled a mountain lion for dinner with such speed. Not only was I desperate for something, but I

didn't want a single twitch of Bella's to go unnoticed. I didn't want her to think I'd abandoned her. Not again. When she finally did come to, as promised we headed to Alaska, diminishing the lion seal

population enough so that the penguins could have a bit of peace. The extent of her transformation still astounds me to this day. Her hair's luster had augmented; it shone brilliantly. Her face, that which

I thought couldn't improve in any way, had been polished. It is so difficult to describe. I think Rosalie is now even more jealous- Bella can give her a run for her money. However, Carlisle is fascinated.

She still shows a resistance to the powers of others, but she can choose when it is active or not. She still has that wonderful floral scent to her, and though she's been made more… durable… my

Bella was still almost as soft as she'd been as a human. Yet another quality she'd kept [I amazed myself by being thrilled at this was her lack of grace. One would like to say she improved slightly,

which she did. But she was still Bella the adorably uncoordinated stalker victim of trouble. The looks people give her on the streets, and the thoughts coursing through the minds of these guys… she

repeatedly elbows my ribs to remind me to stop growling. It was likely the worst in the airport while awaiting our honeymoon plane. We were heading to a secluded island. Bella kept apologizing for

delaying this so long. I silenced her with a light kiss. I had wanted her changed soon; Alice's Volturi visions were beginning to worry me. I had reserved a private part of the island, so that there would

be no trouble with the sun and blinding the tourists. We dove into the clear water, laughing and frolicking like children, making dolphin friends who were fascinated by the sparkle radiating in the water.

I remember, she handed me a witty remark and I splashed water at her with a bit more strength then necessary- it was like an enormous wave engulfing her and drenching her to the core. She shook it

off, then pounced on me playfully. I let her tackle me to the ground and I rolled her over. Now I was on top, bringing my face closer to hers as the waves lapping on the shore glided gently over our

feet. The kiss was perfect, but we hadn't noticed the rather large wave looming over our heads. It dragged us back into the water, still one on top of the other. When we were greeted by the dolphins

and that uncomfortable feeling of sand in one's suit, we realized what had happened, and shared a long fit of laughter.

Bella's been a vampire for three years now. We'd already visited Charlie once, but the next visit was on different terms. By now we'd moved out of the college resident area, and were planning to

settle back in with the rest of our coven. Bella was hanging up some of the designer stuff Alice had bought for her. She'd removed the tags before giving them to Bella, "to save her from dying a

second time of sticker-shock." Then her cell phone began to ring. I was closest, so I answered. Charlie's voice came, steely and unnatural.

"Oh, hello Edward. Is Bella around?" I tossed her the phone, which she fumbled, but snagged before dropping it completely.

"Hey Ch- Dad! What's up?" she stiffened, her brow furrowing.

"Oh no, that's terrible. When?"

Oh dear. I could tell instantaneously that this wasn't going well.

"Okay, one sec, lemme write this down." I handed her a pad of paper and a pen.

She scrawled the address, intersection, and time of what I could only assume was a funeral.

"Uh-huh. Yeah, I got it. Really? Yeah, don't worry Dad. Want me to give you a ride up?"

Up where? I really wish she'd let me listen once in a while. Why did I have such a bad feeling about this?

"Yep, will do. No worries. 'Kay. Bye." She turned to me and sighed. "Jacob's dad is dead. The funeral's tomorrow and Dad wants me to go. Actually, it was requested before the deceased- well, deceased."

I truly didn't approve of this. I didn't want her to be exposed to the mutts again, not after last time. But rumour had it that the one I hated most was missing, and -never let her hear me say this- I

strongly hoped he was dead. Alice cantered into the room at that point with a chirpy greeting and began reefing through one of the un-opened packages.

"Wear this ensemble to the funeral."

"Wha-"Bella began, but I finished for her.

"How did you know?"

"Psychic, remember?" Bella groaned looking at the black silk blouse that Alice extracted from a bag.

Alice ignored her and continued talking. "Listen Bella- oh, stop looking like a mouse cornered by a cat. They're clothes; they're not going to kill you. Anyway, Charlie's going to be a wreck- it is one

of his best friend's funerals, after all. You'll need gloves, since you're a little cooler to the touch, and since it's September, they won't be out of place. I got you coloured contacts too, just in case any

of the dogs get… nosey."

"Well, uh, that's kind of you. You sure plan ahead, don't you?" Bella said, slightly wide-eyed and rubbing the back of her neck uncomfortably.

"You'll be fine."

I helped Bella into her black pea coat. I didn't like it much when she wore black; she was already so pale, it only made her paler, thus emphasizing that she was dead. I kissed her tenderly before she

opened the door to her truck. Yes, she still had that piece of crap. She said it would ease Charlie, and I agreed. He's already distraught, why think his daughter is casting him aside?

"Call me if anything happens, okay love?"

She smiled. "I won't get into any trouble."

I watched her junk-mobile trundle down the street as far as I could see until she was out of sight, then my cell phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Edward?"

"Bella?"

"My truck just blew a tire for no apparent reason. Can you lend a hand?"

My laughter was my response as I opened the door to one of the Volvos. After thanking Emmett for the sabotage, I was there in about a minute. She was leaning against the passenger door, a

bemused and slightly irritated look on her face.

"Hiya honey. Nice timing."

"Of course, love." I chuckled, tossing her the keys. We swapped places, and she rolled down the window, looking slightly indignant.

"Emmett?"

"Are we that predictable? Damn it…"

I waved watching her laugh as she took off down the road towards the highway.

A/N: Chapter Two will involve Jacob's POV; the return of the last Black standing. Please review- I'm very open to criticism, but please don't be too harsh.

KG