"Til death do us part?" He questioned. Despite his humorous expression, his brilliant topaz eyes were serious, maybe even sad. "Eternal damnation". That was what he had called what I was about to do, what I was about to inflict on myself.
I did not understand the still-lingering doubts in my head. If I did not do this, they would kill me. If I did, I would be dead anyway, but at least I would be with him. Edward. I tore my gaze away from his hypnotic eyes, remembering how desperately I had wanted this. his vehement arguments and refusals showered upon deaf ears. Yet, here we stood, together. He seemed so sure, that what he was about to do was right. How was it that I, the one who had dreamed and hoped for this very moment, was having doubts now? Doubts about spending eternity with the man I loved, and who loved me back?
However, i knew that this choice wasn't about commitment, nor was it about those who would hurt me if i did not choose the right path to continue on. It was about the throwing away of an entire eighteen years of my life. My past, my family... and embarking on a never ending journey. It was about the people I loved. Charlie, Renee, my best friend Jacob. Could I bear to let them go? Could I bear to become the one thing Jacob detested most? His being a werewolf never hindered our friendship. That would change.
Edward could see the conflict raging in my eyes, even though I was immune to his mind-reading abilities. He loosened his hold on my hands slightly, his topaz eyes darkening considerably as he gazed broodingly at me. An angel. How could I ever compare? I remembered what i had said to him, months ago, when he saved my life. Relationships had to be equal. He couldn't always keep saving me. I wanted to save him too. I wanted to have that choice, and I COULD have that choice now. It was there, right in front of me. I just had to reach out and take it.
Vampire. Even up til now, I could not utter the word aloud. Edward's casual use of the word, of what he was, often shocked me. My best friend called them bloodsuckers. His mortal enemies. The world feared them. "Myths," they were sure. I wanted to be one of them.
"You can still change you mind," Edward murmured quietly, his face pressed into my hair as he held me close. I looked around, taking in our surroundings. The meadow I loved so much. The first place where we had first been alone together, where I first realised how much I loved him. The scent of freesias filled the air, a slight breeze rustling the leaves and flowers. A flower blew past us, petals fluttering in the wind. Edward stretched out a hand, and in one of his brief, lighting quick, disconcerting moments, plucked it from the air. He tucked it behind my ear, and gave me a small smile. The small crooked smile I loved. He really was giving me a choice. I could still walk away. I breathed in, drinking in the glorious scent that emanated from his body. There were so many risks involved in the paths laid out before me. Both paths fraught with danger, mortal peril.
So how was it that when I looked into his eyes again, one of these paths became startlingly, brilliantly clear?
"Forever," I agreed contritely, my eyes locked onto his. I would choose the path with him on it. The path on which I knew for certain, that whatever might happen, I still had him, by my side. Always holding my hand.
It was twilight, the sky was tinted a glorious pinkish orange, which filtered in through the branches overhead. I had made my choice.
"Death that hath sucked the beauty of thy breath, hath had no power yet over thy beauty," he murmured softly, so softly, that I could not be sure if it was meant for my ears. Slowly, he took a deep breath, and as I closed my eyes and tried not to tremble, i felt his cold lips slide down, and rest on the base of my throat.