I own nothing. Meyer is God.

Prologue

"Where are you going?" Edward asked.

"Your house."

"Here are your shoes. How did you plan to get there?"

"My truck," I replied.

"Don't you think that will wake Charlie?"

"Probably. But I'm already grounded, how much more trouble could I get into?"

"None," He said calmly, "He'll blame me, not you."

I sighed and turned toward the window.

"Fine," He huffed, "I'll give you a ride."

"Either way," I said.

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I glanced around the table one more time, and took another deep breath. Edward squeezed my hand again. I glanced toward him.

"Humoring you," He mouthed silently.

I rolled my eyes.

"Alright," I said unsteadily, "I'm going to cast a vote. If you all don't want me, I understand --" Edward flinched, "--but if you do, I'm not going to burden you with my humanity." Esme opened her mouth to protest, I assumed. "Please just let me finish." She nodded. "I love you all so much, and I want to be with you all. Forever, not for sixty more years. So, vote yes or no on the issue of me becoming a vampire."

Edward was visibly tense. I decided to get him over with.

"Do you want me?" I asked. I could see the pain in his eyes when I asked that question, and he obviously could see the pain in mine.

"Not that way. Your staying human," He said stiffly. I swallowed hard and made myself continue.

"Emmett?" His grin could have lit the city.

"Hell yes!" Rosalie glared at him. I smiled slightly.

"Jasper?" He paused, thoughtful.

"I'm sorry, Bella…no." Alice gasped and stared at him with hurt and confusion in her eyes.

I was mildly shocked; I was never sure of his answer, but the rejection still hurt. I moved on to help ease the tension.

"Alice?"

"Of course, Bella. Did you really need to ask?" I smiled at her.

"Carlisle?" I was really worried now. Majority rules, but this was the opinion that mattered the most.

"Sorry, Edward," He said, "I have to agree with Bella on this." Edward glowered at his father figure. "After all," Carlisle added, "You've chosen not to live without her."

"Thank you, Carlisle," I said quietly. Edward dropped my hand and stalked out of the room, leaving echoing crashes in his wake.

Five down, two to go.

"Rosalie?"

"No." I nodded, expectant, and began to move on. "Wait. Let me explain. It's nothing personal, Bella. This is not the life I would have chosen for myself. I wish there had been someone there to vote no for me." Emmett patted her shoulder, and Carlisle looked almost remorseful for a moment.

I exhaled and turned my head to the very end of the table.

This was the last vote, the deciding factor. This was the opinion that would decide my fate. I turned toward the final Cullen with a smile on my face.

"Esme?" I asked.

She hesitated for a moment, then looked up at me from across the long table. Her golden eyes were kind and warm as always.

She opened her mouth to speak.

"No," she said softly.