A/N: I discovered the Twilight series recently, and only read Midnight Sun off Stephenie Meyer's website last month. I was sad that it just stopped. Edward's POV is so compelling. Then I was devastated when I did a bit of research and discovered that Ms. Meyer appears to have no desire to finish the project now. Fortunately, I discovered Meadow of the Midnight Sun, a well written and true-to-canon fanfiction piece by HeartOfDarkess, which did a very nice job satisfying that void. The only problem was a gap between the two works that left me wondering Edward's view of those days. These few chapters will attempt to explore those days, and serve as a bridge between the two works. The intent is to be true to canon. Also, this is my first attempt at fiction, fanfiction, or uploading anything to this site. Please be patient.

Thanks to HeartOfDarkess for her encouragement to write this, and for serving as an unofficial beta. I've tweaked it some since you looked at the chapter; I hope I didn't mess it up. Stephenie Meyer owns these characters, and no copyright infringement is intended.

This chapter starts directly after the end of Stephenie Meyer's last draft chapter, . There is no introduction; I just start right up. If it's been a while since you read Midnight Sun, you might want to start there.

A/N Addenda: I wrote the original version of this chapter when I was away from home, and therefore, my copy of Twilight. When I came home and got ready to write the next chapters, I discovered that Bella hadn't slept well, so I had to rework this chapter a bit before writing the next one. If you read it a few weeks ago, it probably looks a bit different now…but it's back to canon.

EPOV

I drove directly home. Rose wasn't going to calm down anytime soon, and I wanted to get the confrontation over with. I could hear her— mentally and verbally—before I could see the house.

Stupid! Arrogant! Selfish…

I rolled my eyes. I parked the car and saw Alice waiting on the steps, looking worried. Her mind was full of the sunny opening in the forest.

"The vision isn't relevant anymore. I didn't know I loved her then." I didn't pause as I walked by her and into the house.

"Just take her somewhere else," Alice said as she flitted in after me. "Show her the view from the top of Olympus. Or Hurricane Ridge. Anywhere else! Why risk it?"

"First things first," I said, catching Carlisle's eye as he came down the stairs.

She knows?

I nodded. We both walked into the dining room where everyone stood around the table. The last time we were in this room to discuss Bella the lines were drawn. It seemed everyone was still in too much shock this time. Or still deciding, I thought as I listened to the mental cacophony around me. Save one, of course.

"You couldn't be satisfied with playing some sick teenage human Romeo game, you had to actually tell her what we are," Rosalie snarled. I looked at Alice.

I didn't tell them about Jacob. Her eyes lost their focus momentarily. But they'll find out one way or another…

I held my hands up to stop the tirade. "I'm not playing a game with Bella." Rosalie started again but I interrupted. "And technically, I didn't tell her, I just confirmed what she'd discovered on her own." Well, not exactly her own. Carlisle's eyes grew large and I tried to block out all thoughts but his. No easy task.

"Are we suspected generally within Forks? Do we need to move?"

"No, I've been monitoring that carefully. Bella is unusually observant…and perceptive. She worked a lot out on her own. The other humans at the high school are in their usual state of vague repulsion and fascination towards us. Though I admit, the fact I'm spending time publicly with Bella is increasing attention towards me." I grimaced at the nature of some of that unwanted attention. Mike's observation flashed through my mind, but I quickly disregarded it; he also thought we all used plastic surgery. "It's nothing to worry about."

"She worked a lot on her own? So you did tell her yourself?" Carlisle's tone was not accusatory, just confused.

"No, she worked a lot out on her own, but she also received some information last weekend that I hadn't anticipated." I paused slightly, trying to decide how best to say this. "Bella went to La Push on Saturday with friends from school, and met up with an old family friend, Jacob Black."

There was stunned silence, and then a burst of swirling thoughts from every direction. Black? So the treaty is void?

"Jacob is young, and doesn't believe the stories himself. He was trying to impress Bella with his tribe's folklore. But she'd observed enough on her own that his slip made everything fall into place for her." I looked directly at Carlisle. "I don't think we should declare the treaty void. I assume the Quileute elders don't know it happened, and the boy is really innocent; he doesn't understand the implications of what he's done. We don't want a war based on the misunderstanding of a child." I didn't want a war, with Bella in the middle of it.

Carlisle relaxed a bit, but still looked cautious.

"That's just perfect, Edward! You can't be satisfied with your own kind; you choose to fall for a human, and even that's not enough of a threat to us, it has to be a human who's friends with a Quileute? The actual heir of Ephraim Black?" Rosalie added incredulously.

I was finally angry. "Rosalie, I didn't choose any of this. I didn't know she was familiar with the Quileutes until last night. But none of it matters. What does matter is I love her. I'm done hiding from her, and I'm done lying to her. Bella has kept a vague version of our secret since the accident; she's been silent for months. She's known we are vampires since Saturday, and hasn't breathed a word except to me, and that was done so gently it made me want to…" I trailed off. I didn't know what I wanted to do…weep, sing? "She's proven herself both trustworthy and trusting, and I won't reward her with lies and evasions." Carlisle smiled, and I didn't need to hear his thoughts to know that they were turning back to Bella's positive influence, even if he was concerned with exposure.

"This isn't just about you trusting her, Edward!" Rosalie hissed. "You're exposing all of us."

"You know, Rose, I don't remember having a committee meeting when you brought Emmett to Carlisle…"

"That was different. I wanted him changed, I wasn't exposing us all."

"His family came looking for him, Rose. We had to move," I said calmly, regaining my hold on my temper. Rosalie always brought out the worst in me. "Not that I regret it, my brother," I added to Emmett.

Don't worry about it, kid, he thought, while putting his arm around Rose in an attempt to comfort her at the same time.

"Edward's right," Carlisle said as Rose started to answer. "He gets to follow his happiness just like the rest of us." His thoughts turned to Esme. Rose's thoughts were still murderous.

"I wasn't flaunting the law," she snarled. She had me there. The Volturi would not like this situation. The fact that I hadn't told Bella might save me from their death sentence, but it wouldn't save her.

"How would the Volturi find out? Bella isn't going to say anything."

"How did she take the news, Edward?" Esme asked.

I shook my head, wondering where to start. "She's amazing," I finally said. "She takes everything so calmly, as though she's learning I'm French and our relationship has slight cultural obstacles against it." I laughed a little.

"Does she know how she smells to you?" Jasper asked, as usual, assessing risks.

"Not exactly," I admitted. "She knows it's a powerful force—that I had wanted to kill her that first day—and that I struggled with the monster within to just to sit next to her in class. But she always focuses on the positive," I added to Esme. "The fact that I saved her life twice, rather than that I wanted to take it once."

Esme waited, smiling slightly. So… she finally asked of only me.

"She cares for me as well. She wants to be with me, even knowing everything."

I knew it! I knew she'd have to love him! Esme beamed. I heard the thoughts in the room relax slightly. Even Jasper smiled briefly and nodded. I thought I might be through the worst of it.

"They have a date on Saturday." Alice looked at me meaningfully. We're not done here.

"But Saturday will be sunny," Esme said, a furrow in her brow.

"I was supposed to go to Seattle with her, but we've changed our plans. I'm taking her up to my meadow."

"Which is the same place," Alice added. "The same as the vision I had after the accident." Everyone knew that vision. I could feel the recoil in their thoughts. I spoke quickly.

"Alice, when you had the vision of me killing Bella, the monster was still rampant. I was still struggling against him daily. I never feel him anymore. He's been virtually silent since I realized I love her. My throat still burns when I'm near her," I added to Jasper. "But my emotions have changed. I welcome the burn. It means she's safe." I looked back at Alice. When you look at Saturday now, what do you see?"

Her eyes glazed a bit. She sighed. "I see you bringing her back, but I see you getting really close to her." She looked a little exasperated. "If it happens, Edward, it won't be because you decided anything differently. I won't see it. It will just be a reaction. I…I can't rule it out." She looked down at the floor.

"But you see me bringing her back?" I pressed.

"That's what you've decided to do," she agreed. She wouldn't commit beyond that. I nodded at her. I could be strong. I could control the urge of the monster. I could even try to keep some distance between us, though it felt like that urge would be the harder of the two to control.

Edward? Carlisle wanted more assurance.

"I can do it. I love her. I'll bring her home," I said with more confidence than I had right to. I willed it to be true. Alice's eyes became unfocused for a moment and I caught part of a shadowy vision…Bella sitting at my piano. She smiled, and then shrugged at Carlisle. It wasn't a guarantee, but he perceived the slight change in her attitude.

"Well, I hope things continue to go well. Please keep monitoring. We'll need to move quickly if there are more suspicions."

"Bella won't say anything," I said.

"Perhaps, but it seems we are getting other attention as well." He thought of the Quileutes, and of me sitting alone with Bella in the lunchroom, no doubt as described by Rosalie.

And Edward, if the Volturi do find out, your hand may be forced…prepare yourself. His thoughts turned to Alice's other vision: Bella with an impassive look and bright red eyes. I shuddered.

"I'll keep listening," I agreed.

Rose gave an exasperated hiss and left the room. Like he's capable of objectively deciding when it's too dangerous to stay…

Sorry kid. Emmett added as he followed after her. Good luck in the meadow…I wonder what odds Jasper would give me…

A soft growl escaped my lips, and Esme looked towards the door with a worried look, assuming that it was directed to Rose. Alice walked over to Jasper, intent on trying to reassure him, and planning—her thoughts turned abruptly to a dress she'd seen on her favorite designer's website—she was hiding something.

"You are an annoying little pixie, you know that?" I said under my breath. She stuck her tongue out and led Jasper out of the room. He looked back at me once, very gravely, before disappearing through the doorway. So many emotions wresting within you, Edward. Make sure you know which might undo you. I let out a breath. The meeting was over. I turned back to my parents.

"Yesterday was busier than you let on," Carlisle said, an unusually wry grin turning up the corner of his mouth.

"Stopping the serial rapist seemed like the more pressing need… between that and containing my own desire for vengeance against him, I couldn't concentrate on much else during our drive to Port Angeles." I shook my head to rid myself of the memory and looked into Carlisle's face. "Honestly, I was still processing everything that had happened. I couldn't have told you how I felt about it yet, and I knew she wouldn't endanger us if I waited a day to absorb it." He nodded, smiling, and put his arm around Esme to lead her out the door. She just thought, I'm so happy!

"How do you feel about it?" Carlisle continued as we walked down the hall.

"I feel… everything. Relief that she finally knows and it's not hanging over me anymore. Pure, excruciating joy that she wants to be with me, wants to know me. Pride that, out of everyone she's met here, she's chosen me. And of course utter and complete dread that I might, quite by accident, harm the sweetest, most amazing, most beautiful creature to ever walk this earth…no offence Mom." Esme's smile grew wider.

"I feel it all. When I'm with her, and I let myself focus on just the joy, it's the most amazing feeling I've had in my existence. But usually I'm feeling it all at once." Carlisle nodded. He understood the spaciousness of the vampire mind. I'd seen, and heard, him struggle in similar ways. His thoughts turned to our early years together, just after he had changed Esme. I remembered both of their emotions were tumultuous then, so unlike the calm and steady love in their minds now. It gave me hope.

"Just take all the precautions you can, son. I don't know how this will…evolve," he struggled for the best word, "but I know you deserve your happiness." I hoped he was right.

I went to my room and changed for school, and then ran back to Bella's house. As I looked in her window, I saw her covers coiled around her legs; she was restless, and not sleeping soundly. I entered her window cautiously, and she started and rolled over. Perhaps it was a too risky for me to be here tonight; but my relief at being in her presence was palpable—I couldn't imagine trying to leave. I saw that she had added a blanket to her bed; I didn't have that excuse to get close to her tonight, I thought ruefully. And I couldn't untangle it for her without waking her. I took a deep breath and let her fragrance burn across my throat, and closed my eyes, actually enjoying the sensation. What a masochist I'd become. There were no hints of the monster, and I smiled. She moved again, and I slowly slid one of her closet doors open slightly, just enough that I could get in easily if I needed a quick hiding place.

As I acclimated to her scent, I thought about the meeting. Alice was still worried. I couldn't imagine being driven to harm, much less kill Bella, but Alice was still worried, and I shouldn't take it lightly. Alice saw me getting close to her…closer than in Biology? Closer than touching her outside the gym? My fingers burned. How close would she have to be for the monster to be able to surprise me? What sort of precautions could I take, if Alice saw me abandoning my original plan of keeping my distance?

I looked around her room, as if I were looking for clues. I saw, once again, the piles of books and CDs. I started to move toward the CDs…they were still across the room from her bed, I could easily look at a few without getting too close, or risking waking her. But I stopped. Tomorrow was my turn. I could ask her about her CDs, and books, and anything else. Suddenly it felt like cheating to look.

I'd had to work so hard to learn what I knew of Bella. Work to learn her expressions, and body language. I took pride in knowing that I deduced so much more than the other students she was in daily contact with. And I had learned important things: that she was kind and self-effacing, brave and generous, and good. But there was a whole world of things I didn't know about her. All the things normal friends, and certainly someone courting a girl, would know. Her likes, and dislikes, the names of childhood friends, her dreams and aspirations…what she found beautiful or poetic. Things, in other words, that I often knew about complete strangers just because they were broadcasting them and I was too close to ignore it. It felt wrong that I knew Jessica's favorite color, but not Bella's. I would remedy that tomorrow, I thought with relief. A contented smile grew cross my face as I listened to her breathe. I would not peek.

She rolled onto her back, and I tensed, ready to hide if necessary. She was mumbling, and I saw her hand move as if reaching for something. She said my name, and bolted awake. I barely had time to get in the closet before her eyes moved in my direction. I was in the darkest corner of her closet, watching her through the crack between the door and the wall. In the shadows, hoping she wouldn't come to investigate; I was cornered, and this would be very difficult to explain.

She sat up in bed and covered her face with her hands, trying to settle herself. What was troubling her? When I thought back on the day, I could think of nothing that should upset her. Well, maybe that I'd spied on her gym class, but she'd seemed to forgive me. From my perspective, anyway, it had been a very good day. She sighed and took a sip of water, and then noticed the state of her covers. She groaned and started tugging at them, trying to untangle herself and make them smooth again. I chuckled. They were so twisted and she was so groggy, she kept unwinding them in the wrong direction, making matters worse. She eventually just got out of bed, ripped the blankets off and shook them out, finally getting them straightened. I was shaking violently with mirth, hoping I could remain silent. I'd been right to stay; this was too good to miss. She got back under her covers, took another sip of water, lay down with her arms folded across her chest, and took a long sigh. In a few moments, she was asleep again.

I went back to the rocking chair, watching peace smooth her face while she slept. I thought back to the meeting again, considering Alice's proposal that that I simply take Bella to a different place, and negate the vision in that way. Her specific suggestions, of course, were ridiculous. The top of Mt. Olympus, with a temperature of 15 degrees, would be the last place on earth that would make Bella comfortable, no matter how stunning the view. Even Hurricane Ridge would be cold this time of year. Alice didn't know Bella like I did. And those places were both so stark; they would accentuate my alien nature, make me harder to relate to…not my goal. The meadow, on the other hand, was soft and warm and beautiful. Revealing myself there, I was sure, would soften the blow. And just as I didn't know what Bella found beautiful or poetic, she didn't know these things about me either. The meadow was one of my favorite places. I wanted to share it with her, not just to make her comfortable, but also to help her understand me. To show her something I found beautiful, other than her.

Bella's breathing hitched, and rolled onto her side. She began talking again, this time to her mother; she was worried about her. She kept tossing. It was fascinating. Not being able to sleep myself, I'd forgotten that it isn't just a single state. Bella's moods seemed to change as much in sleep as mine did while awake. She had another quiet period, and then she started breathing very quickly, her hands twitching towards something again as she said my name. Would it ever cease to thrill me, to hear my name on her lips? She started to move and I hid again, coming back out when was sleeping peacefully again. We kept repeating that pattern. She awoke twice more while I watched her, both times squinting at the alarm clock and groaning. It was now three in the morning, and she finally seemed to fall into a deeper sleep, her mind no longer reflecting on the worries that troubled her. I continued to think of the ones that troubled me: Alice's concern and Carlisle's suggestion that I take precautions.

By now the pain in my throat was dull, barely noticeable. I thought about this morning. Bella's scent had been on my jacket, and it had kept me acclimated through my classes; the burn at lunch had been much more manageable because of it. Perhaps that was a precaution I could take. Perhaps, if I kept her scent with me when we were apart, I would stay desensitized enough that the monster would be less able to surprise me.

I slowly took my jacket off, and stole to her bed, watching her carefully to make sure she not at risk of waking again. I purposefully did not hold my breath; the burn in my throat increased, but I didn't mind. I carefully draped my jacket over her shoulder, and backed away to the chair, watching her closely so I could grab the jacket and hide if I'd wakened her. She shifted slightly, and I froze, hoping that she wouldn't be too warm, or feel the change of weight on her shoulders. But she settled into a new pose and continued breathing deeply, and I sat back in the chair and tried, and failed, to relax.

Bella started shifting again, under my coat, and I heard her take in a long, deep breath. I tensed, ready to grab the jacket, and strained to hear her lips part and a faint whisper: "Edward, don't…" Shock twisted my face. Don't? What was I doing to her in her dream that required this admonishment? Was her subconscious finally catching up with her situation, and allowing her to feel the natural fear that her conscious mind managed to avoid? Was she more perceptive than I? Yes. Did she sense the danger Alice sees; that I was too blind by my warring desires to see clearly? I paused, straightening up. But she didn't sound frightened. I looked at her, but her face was hidden behind my jacket. Argh. I wished, again, that I could just see her dream, and know what she thought me capable of; all pride in learning to discern her nature the hard way, through observation and conversation, vanished in the face of my frustration. I cautiously made my way over to her bed so I had a clear view of her face. It was peaceful. I clenched my fists, dissatisfied. None of this made any sense.

"Edward, don't be afraid…" she whispered. Relief washed over me, and I smiled and shook my head. Bella was comforting me? I hung over her life like a blade and she's reassuring me in her dream. She moved again slightly, as if straining forward. I knelt by her bed and watched her face with fascination, trying to divine her emotions from every slight movement. I was being careless. If she opened her eyes, she would see me before I could take the coat and blur out of her vision. It would be just for a fraction of a second, but she was so perceptive, she'd probably realize it was not part of her dream. I shook my head in mild disgust with myself…this was exactly what Alice had warned me of. Yet, I didn't feel the monster. The burn was there, of course, but it was a vague annoyance in the corner of my mind. I didn't feel my venom surge…well now I do I thought, but that was because I consciously took my thoughts there, not just a reaction to her. I swallowed it down. No, the dominant feelings I had being this close to her were the fascination and frustration of not knowing everything she was thinking, and this twist in my center that I couldn't explain as I watched her eyes move behind her thin lids and her lips twitch slightly. She took another deep breath and stretched her arm a few inches in my direction. She was talking again, but I couldn't make out words, and then,

"…touch me."

My eyes grew wider and then closed as I felt the current flowing between us again, as it had in the classroom, and the car. I had been right. She wanted my touch, just as I longed for hers. The twist in my center grew tighter and I felt my whole body glow with the electricity she generated in me. I gazed at her face again; it looked expectant. I had to remind myself that she wasn't asking me right now, she was reliving some earlier moment, perhaps outside the gym when she watched the struggle on my face. But her left hand was so close to mine now. I cursed myself for wanting to take the risk, and then slowly, deliberately touched the tip of her index finger with mine. It was an innocent touch, yet the heat was consuming. I froze my hand there, relishing the sensation and forcing myself not to increase the contact, or pull away abruptly. She smiled and let out a breath, muttering, "marble." I could only guess what that meant. After several minutes she seemed to be drifting back into a deeper sleep. I removed my touch slowly, so as not to startle her, and sat back on the floor, watching her, and feeling how the fingers on both hands now tingled.

She was not afraid. She wanted my company, my touch. And I wanted her happiness. And more, I admitted. I sat on the floor, surrounded by her things, letting her fragrance penetrate my clothing, my jacket, my very being. I could keep her safe, and I could satisfy my own need to know her, and have her know me. Tomorrow I would start unraveling her mysteries, and Saturday she would finally understand the last of mine. I reveled in the joy those thoughts created, and remained in that state of bliss until the gray dawn entered her window. I retrieved my jacket, inhaling deeply at the collar as I put it on to feel the potent aroma scorch my throat anew. I smiled and left through the window to get my car.