I quietly hummed Bella's lullaby into her hair and felt her unwind. Gradually her breath became rhythmic, a cadence that I recognized as sleep overtaking her. To be able to finally hold her in my arms as she slept was a previously unknown joy. Today had surpassed anything I'd imagined and I was grateful for this uninterrupted time to reflect and replay the events of our first day together.

I started the day vacillating between what was right, which as to keep Bella safely at a distance, and what every fiber of my being wanted, which was to keep her beside me at all costs. I had been so unsure of my control over my thirst for her, even though I was fully sated from hunting with Alice the night before. Alice's visions had continually flipped through her mind during our hunt, playing the two fates she envisioned for Bella. Bella drained and lifeless from my blood thirst or Bella red-eyed and cold-bodied; both visions accomplished by my own hand. Alice apologized for not being able to censor her mind and tried to concentrate on happier imaginings, but there was no doubt that she saw either of these outcomes as true probabilities. I hadn't given up on finding a third solution; my sole goal to keep Bella alive and human, with me or without me. In the end, it was Alice who convinced me that I could overcome the deadly draw of Bella's blood, more compelling to me than any other, and allow my human feelings to surface. She saw the positives of my loving Bella and I realized that Alice's affection for Bella was deepening, too. Two vampires selfishly wanting to keep Bella alive had to be better than one. The irony of it all was not lost on either of us.

By the time I got to her house I had again talked myself out of taking her with me, but still felt pulled to the door by some invisible force. I told myself that I was going to be a gentleman and cancel our outing in person, not do it by telephone, which seemed cowardly. I knocked softly and heard Bella tripping down the stairs and fumbling with the door knob. One look at her and I regretted my decision not to phone; to walk away from her now would be painful. She held her breath as she studied my countenance, then became serene. She had faith in me, even if I didn't. I looked at our garb - we matched, we were on the same page for this adventure - and I had to laugh. That took the immediate edge off my misgivings and we climbed into her truck.

We started out agreeably enough. Her driving was atrocious, but it was nice to get to sit next to her and openly watch her lips move as she spoke. I thought my nerves would dissipate once I became used to her scent again, but I grew increasingly impatient as we continued our snail's pace out of town. I tried to quell my anxiety by taking gibes at the decrepit truck. Bella ignored my irritability and persevered. It didn't help my mood that she hadn't taken any safety precautions, hadn't told anyone about our plans to be together. Her backwards logic was trying to keep me out of trouble should our day have a bitter end. I tried to calm myself with more small talk, but really I wished that I had insisted on driving. Having something to do would have given me a greater feeling of power. I was always better when I was in charge. Today would test all of my self-control and I was futilely searching for how I would meet the challenges before me.

I could feel her trembling when we got out of the truck. Bella was no doubt afraid of where my surly demeanor could lead, but attributed her dismay to her poor hiking abilities. She bravely cast aside my open-ended offer to take her home, more a directive to myself than her, and recommitted to the hike. Ashamed of myself and grateful that I wouldn't have to be parted from her, I promised to be patient during the trek. It was very slow going; she and her truck seemed to have the same motor skills. Her heart raced, though, each time I helped her over a fallen tree. With fear? I didn't know. I felt an electric jolt whenever she looked at me with those liquid brown eyes. It made me faintly recall what it was like to have my pulse rush when I was human. Her trust in me was implicit and I wanted to deserve it. Just being with her helped me master my baser instincts.

Bella in the meadow's sunshine was stunning. I held to the shadows and watched as she absorbed the sun, watched as her hair color turned from chestnut to mahogany. The sun seemed to emit an aura around her. This must be how she was in her native Phoenix, more vivid than I'd ever seen her before. Then she turned to find me. It was time to keep another promise, to show her my sunlit persona. What if I terrified her? How was I going to get her home if she went beyond terrified? She motioned me toward her. I took a step into the sun's rays, keeping my eyes fixed on her. A few more steps. I could hear her heart drumming, her eyes open wide, but then she steadied. She nodded and I went to stand next to her. We didn't touch, I didn't want to startle her while her mesmerized face took in my skin's diamond prisms. She wasn't running from me, I didn't frighten her. Neither of us had words for this. When she smiled, we both sat on the moist grass. I lay back, closed my eyes and relaxed, silently rejoicing at Bella's acceptance.

The touch of Bella's fingertips upon my hand and arm captured my attention like no other sensation I ever experienced. What had I done to deserve such bliss? Keeping my hand in hers I sat up, needing to hear what was going on in her mind, too. The only creature on the planet with thoughts I craved was mute to me. What was she thinking that would allow her to be so near to me, let alone touch me?