A/N: Hey all! This story is a sequel to "Careful". So...I finally got around to starting Reckless, as I promised I would. If you'll recall, Bella and Edward got together (finally) and Alice and Jasper finally had some uninterrupted alone time. All should be peachy...right?

Chapter one: Perfect

It was the happiest summer that anyone anywhere had ever had.

Well, alright, it wasn't quite summer yet, but to me, it sure felt like it was. Edward and I went to our meadow every day we could, that is, every day I could persuade him. Of course he wanted to spend time with me, but he was also quite adamant that I maintain my education. While he wasn't burdened with studying for the SATs and preparing college essays, he was determined that I should get a head start on my college application process. Once, I might have agreed, but now I thought of my future in the long term...and my plans went a little farther than college. I wanted to stay with him. Forever. And there was only one way.

"So..." I murmured, in what I hoped was a semi-seductive voice. I was sure that if I had heard a recording of myself, it would have been cringe-worty, but I plunged on nonetheless. "I wanted to ask you something..." I trailed my fingers up the frozen veins along the inside of his forearm.

Edward was reclining in the grass, propped up on his elbows. His eyes were closed to take in the warmth of the sun and my touch, but they opened curiously now.

"Do you?" he said, a crooked smile beginning at the corner of his mouth. I flushed, knowing that my casual act hadn't fooled him in the slightest. He waited for me to elaborate, but I had no idea how to proceed. "I have something I wanted to ask you, as well."

"Go ahead," I huffed in relief. This would give me some perfect stalling time.

Edward shook his head slowly, his smile broadening. "I want to hear what is on your mind," he insisted. "I want to know what is making you," he brushed his palm lightly against my heated cheek "do this."

Traitorous blush.

I shook my head vehemently, hoping that whatever he asked, I could use it as a bargaining chip.

"A hint?" he pled quietly.

I let my breath out all at once, causing him to wince. Oops. "Well..." I began with an apologetic shrug "it's more of a favor, really."

Edward smiled again, a little smug now. He obviously thought that whatever my little whim was, it would be only too easy for him to grant. In a way, he was right, but I knew he wouldn't be smiling once I made my request.

"Mine is a favor too," he coaxed. "Perhaps we could trade."

"Perhaps," I said, trying to echo his formality. Edward waited for me, twisting a strand of my hair between his fingers like examining a skein of silk. "But you go first," I persisted.

He chuckled. "As you wish. Alright then," He sat up and moved so that he knelt before me. My heart raced as he took my hand in his. This was looking to be a rather large bargaining chip. "Isabella Marie Swan..."

"Yes?" I prompted breathlessly.

"Will you go to prom with me?"

I felt my lips slip into a frown of their own accord. Was I disappointed, or relieved. "No," I told him. It was a reflex reaction. Just because I had survived my first dance - and maybe even enjoyed it a little - did not mean that I was keen to repeat the experience. Barely a month had passed!

He laughed at my quick denial, which he had likely expected, but I was startled to see that there was actual hurt in his eyes.

I backpedaled quickly. "I'll...consider it, if you consider what I have to ask," I hedged.

"If you come to prom with me," he said in his most persuasive tone "I will give you whatever you want."

Little did he know that he was the one who needed persuading.

"Promise?" I said cautiously.

"Promise," he said, his eyes open and free of suspicion.

"I'll come to prom," I said in a rush.

Edward stared. "What could be so bad," he wondered, kissing my hand "that you'd give in so easily."

I looked down. He was right - I was stubborn as a bag of rocks, and my subtlety wasn't my strong point.

"Bella," he said more urgently. "What is it you want, love?"

"I want to be like you," I mumbled.

"What?"

I knew he could hear me.

"I want you to make me ...like you," I said more loudly.

He froze, his lips suspended a centimeter from my wrist. I could feel the chill rolling off his skin. He covered the awkward moment by flipping my wrist over in one of his disconcertingly fast motions, kissing my fingertips instead.

"What do you mean?" he asked in a voice of forced calm.

"I want you to make me a vampire." I was defiant now, determined that he should give me a real answer.

"Why would you want that?" Edward asked, careful to keep his tone light. The more he hid behind his mask of indifference, the angrier it made me. Fury would be better than this...pretend disinterest.

"Because I want to be with you forever, and this is the only way," I informed him, my voice low and intense.

"It's not," he disagreed. "You can have a normal life, and I'll stay beside you for its duration."

"And after?" my voice cracked.

He gave a twisted little smile, his eyes reflecting none of their usual amusement. "Let's just say I won't be sticking around for too long."

"But that's just stupid, Edward!" I burst out. "Completely idiotic! Why would you throw away your...existence like that? Esme would be devastated, not to mention Alice...Carlisle..."

A spasm of pain flashed across his face. He had considered this; he hadn't expected me to find the cracks in his plan so quickly.

"I will not condemn you to this fate," he said firmly, turning it back on me. "You should have a normal life..."

"What if I don't want one?" I protested. "I want you."

His face softened. "I know," Edward said sadly. "But will you always? What can you know of forever, Bella?"

My face contorted with outrage. How could he doubt - ?

Edward's head turned toward the edge of the woods suddenly, his eyes focused and alarmed.

"What is it?" I whispered, my pulse pounding in my veins unhelpfully, our argument forgotten.

"Alice is calling."

Saved by the bell, I thought bitterly.

Edward slung me unceremoniously over his back and raced for the car. The minute he set me down, I stomped around to the passenger side with poor grace. I was not happy.

"What is so urgent?" I deigned to inquire, making my displeasure known.

"Seven messages..." he muttered, completely distracted. I tried to glance over at the screen, to peer at whatever texts had him so unnerved, but Edward shielded it from view.

"I'm taking you home," he said shortly.

I sat in grumpy silence, staring wistfully at the forest as we pulled away and sped off down the road. Another perfect day interrupted...

Why couldn't Edward just admit that it would all be easier my way? Why was he so stubborn?

I wanted to be perfect, like him, invincible.

I wanted everything to be perfect, forever.