A/N: Okay, so this story will take place directly where Eclipse left off. I haven't read Breaking Dawn yet, purposely. I wanted to write a FF based on what I thought could happen after Eclipse. I have NO clue what happens in Breaking Dawn, aside from knowing that Bella is eventually changed.

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I lifted my head slowly, meticulously, although I allowed my eyes to remain shut. I inhaled sharply, and my left hand flew outwards, raising it in mid air, searching for the hand I hoped would meet mine. Not disappointed, as quickly as my hand had left my side, another hand joined mine, pulling it back down. The hand was cold, hard and yet soft. I knew who it was. Edward.

"Bella, my love…" he cooed ever so softly, his voice melting my heart as he spoke "you can open your eyes, my love. It was just a nightmare, it wasn't real. I'm still right here" I finally realized what had happened. I had been dreaming, just woken up from a nightmare – the same one I often had, the most terrifying nightmare I could possibly imagine. Edwards strong, yet gentle hand tenderly squeezed my own. I knew that this was his way of reassuring me.

"You sounded deeply troubled all throughout the night. You spoke several times…" he began, but did not finish his sentence. His free hand left his side, and came to my shoulders, as he gently pulled me back down again, so I was lying on my back. He followed suit, and pulled my rigid body against his own, nestling my head against his chest.

"It was terrible." I did not feel the need to elaborate. I figured that I had spoken aloud enough while sleeping for him to understand what my nightmare had been regarding. It suddenly came back to me, overwhelming me again – I had dreamt of his death. The death of Edward. It sent a chill down my spine, being reminded of it caused my hair to stand on end. His grip tightened around me, as he pulled me closer to his rigid, rock hard body.

At first, I could not bring myself to open my eyes, for fear that when I did, his presence would disappear, cruelly just a continuation of my dream. However, huddled against his chest, I could smell his sweet, irresistible scent; I could feel his velvety soft skin against my cheek. When he spoke, I immediately knew that he was real. No dream could perfectly match the silky tone of his voice. It felt safe to open my eyes again. And when I did finally allow my lashes to flutter open, I was elated to realize that he was, in fact, still with me.

Edwards eyes were locked on mine as soon as my eyes opened. I was relieved to once again be gazing into his dark, shadowy eyes. Even in my sleep-induced haze, however, I still noticed how black his eyes appeared, and how dark the shadowing under his eyes had become. The russet colour that normally shone brightly in his eyes was nearly completely gone. It was clear that he needed to hunt. And yet he couldn't leave my side, it was difficult to not be with one another even for mere seconds.

"Did you want to share what you were dreaming about, love?" He asked me, as he placed a chaste kiss on my forehead. I smiled as his ice-cold lips made contact with my skin. Each moment I spent wrapped in his arms only served to further convince me that he was, in fact, real.

"I assumed you already knew." I explained simply, yawning slightly. Whenever I had nightmares, my sleep was terrible. Especially when my nightmares consisted of the love of my existence being brutally slaughtered by the most feared coven of vampires, the Volturi. These nightmares were progressively becoming clearer, and much worse.

Edward nodded before speaking "I have a vague idea, but I'm not entirely sure of all of the details. Did it have something to do with me…" he paused, starting at me intently "…dying?" I knew his pause and gaze was an attempt (successful no doubt) to gauge my reaction to his words. I stiffened at his words, clenching my fists, snapping my eyes shut tightly.

"Yes. It did. It was... the Volturi." I explained, slowly opening my eyes so I was able to gauge his reaction. His face was expressionless as he nodded in understanding. With each moment I spent awake, my grogginess faded, allowing the dream to return to me with more clarity. This dream had been unlike any other. This dream was incredibly vivid and incredibly real. I saw everything. I felt everything. I felt his pain, his courage, his fear, his hopelessness. The emotions still coursed through my body, causing me to unexpectedly feel myself choking back tears. My reaction did not go unnoticed by Edward. Immediately, his hand that was not interlocked with mine reached up to my face, cupping it as he continued to look into my eyes.

"What is it, Bella?" He questioned, his voice laced with concern, although he made a concerted effort to sound relaxed.

"It was just... so real. I could… I could feel you, Edward. I could feel your emotions. I could hear your thoughts, even. It was so painful. Not just because I was watching you die, but because I could feel your pain as well as mine." The words had stumbled out clumsily, as I was trying to focus on not crying. I felt like I cried too often, that physically, as well as emotionally, I was weak. I hated feeling weak. Feeling weak made me feel inadequate in comparison to the Cullens. In comparison to Edward, especially.

"It's okay to cry, love." Edward whispered in my ear, before he lifted my left hand to his face, gently placing a kiss upon the back of my hand. As he kissed my hand, I saw the makings of a smirk begin to play on his face. Suddenly, I was no longer overwhelmed by sadness. I was oddly soothed, and very curious about what could be making Edward smile.

"What are you smiling at?" I asked, my voice stronger and more confident, yet eager for answers. His smile only widened as his eyes flickered to the glittering ring that was sitting on my finger. I understood now why he was smiling. His eyes were fixated on the gleaming diamond ring that symbolized my commitment to him, to our life, to our future together. Edward and I had only announced our engagement to Charlie only a week ago, not long after the death of Victoria and the visit from Jane and Felix.

To say Charlie had not reacted well would be a grand understatement. He begged me, pleaded with me to reconsider. To think of my age, of how much I would be restricting myself from possibilities, and the potential the future held. Charlie saw it as a death sentence; I however, saw it as the beginning of my life, and something that excited and comforted me tremendously. Since announcing our plans to Charlie, my outlook on our pending marriage had changed greatly. Since the night I told Jacob who my heart truly belonged to, and since I had witnessed how much I truly had become part of the Cullens. I was one of them. Marriage was not as frightening as it had once been. Because of everything in my life, I was certain of one thing beyond everything: I was certain of Edward. I was certain of my feelings for him, and nothing could, or ever would, change that.

Edward knew how I felt. Jasper had sensed it and told him before I even had the chance. The change in my outlook had happened quite suddenly. The night I came home from Jacobs, my heart felt torn in half. I felt as though I was leaving half with Jacob. However, that night, when Edward stayed with me, knowing that my tears were not over him, but over another man I loved, I was sure of him. More sure then I ever had been. Although it hurt to deny Jake, I knew where my heart truly lay. Edwards selflessness had solidified what I was already completely sure of: he was the one.

I had wanted to tell Edward this myself, and I decided that I would wait for the right time. Unfortunately, Jasper beat me to it. Jasper could sense my ease, and he could literally feel the tension flow out of me. I do not know if I can ever forget the look on Edward's face when he realized that I was just as happy at the prospect of being married to him as he was at the thought of being married to me. His joy and elation only served to further my happiness.

Alice reassured me that something would happen in the near future to change Charlie's outlook as well, although she was not sure of what that something would be. Charlie supported me, and my decision, although he was certain that it was not the right thing for me.

However, things had changed since the arrival of Victoria and the alliance of the Quilete's and the Cullens. I had been tense. Never eased, never soothed. So much had happened to shake my faith in everything I had been so sure of only months before. I was lost, and finally, I had found myself again. Charlie sensed that, and attributed it to my engagement to Edward. And while it was because of Edward, it was more then just that. It was everything that was waiting for me in the future. Everything. Charlie was trying to be supportive, he just felt the need to be parental and remind me of how much marriage changes things.

I looked from Edwards perfect, breathtaking smile, to his unfaltering, unwavering eyes, and it made me smile. Slowly, I leaned forward, pausing as his intoxicating scent began to overwhelm me. He closed the distance between us, and placed his perfectly sculpted lips to my own, claiming me as his. As his flawless lips danced effortlessly against mine, following my every move, mirroring my engagements, I felt an overwhelming electricity flow through my body. It started at my toes, and ran through me, causing my eagerness to intensify. I was not alone, however, as Edwards' eagerness rivalled my own.

I had originally anticipated that this kiss, like all others we shared, would be short lived and chaste; Edward hadn't waivered of his promise, he did intend to take our relationship to the furthest level, but insisted on waiting until we were married. So I was surprised when his lips did not leave mine hurriedly. I was embarrassed at the deep moan that left my throat, betraying my attempt to appear in control.

His free hand snaked around my waist, settling there as he rolled onto his back, pulling my body onto his as the kiss intensified. His lips were eager, even as he pulled them from mine, and began to place light kisses along my jaw, beginning just below my ear, and travelling to the other side. My breathing caught in my throat as his chilled lips travelled down my neck, towards my collarbone, inching closer to my chest with every kiss. Both of his hands were not settled on the small of my back, pulling my body into his, and boldly, I began rubbing my body into his.

"Is this not the point when you remind her to breathe, Edward?" The voice came from the doorway, and immediately caused Edwards lips to leave my neck, his focus on his newest brother's presence in his doorway. I felt his body stiffen underneath mine as I looked over to see Jasper leaning against Edward's doorframe. Edward inhaled sharply, and gently placed my body off his, and next to him. I sighed, making no effort to hide my disappointment. I could feel the red creep into my cheeks; I was utterly embarrassed as well as disappointed.

"How long have you been there, Jasper? I didn't hear you coming." Edward asked, tension clear in his still soothing voice. I knew what Edward meant by not hearing Jasper coming. The meaning was two-fold. Firstly, vampires, for that is what Edward and his entire family are, have heightened senses, and normally would have been able to hear Jasper's movements well before seeing him. Secondly, Edward had the uncanny ability to hear the thoughts of everyone within a certain range, me being the only exception to this. For Edward to not have sensed Jasper was bizarre.

"I've been standing here since you began smirking at Bella's engagement ring." He explained casually. It was suddenly clear to me why my panic and unease at the thought of my nightmare had so easily and so suddenly vanished. Jaspers' presence also explained the eagerness and lack of composure Edward had as we kissed. Edward had remarkable self-control, and he very rarely lost that control as he just had. I looked toward Edward, trying to read his expressionless face. I could tell by looking into his eyes that he was very uneasy at the kiss we just shared. I assumed he had gone further then he had meant to.

"Don't worry Edward, I would imagine that you didn't hear me coming because you were focused on something –someone more important. Also, your lack of control was probably due to my presence, I could feel the intensity of your emotions, and I did nothing to try to… downplay them." He explained, his tone and body language remaining casual the entire time.

Edward finally left my side as he leapt out of bed with an unexplainable grace and ease. He glided effortlessly over to his leather sofa, and retrieved the shirt he had worn yesterday, and hastily threw it over himself.

To appease me, Edward had recently complied with one of my simpler requests until he was able to fulfill my biggest request. I simply asked that I be allowed to experience as much of him in his most natural form during our time together at night as possible until I was able to experience every facet of his being, of his essence. He had not exactly jumped for joy at my request, as he knew that seeing him that way had a great effect on me, and sometimes caused me to lose control. He complied, however.

"That was dangerous, Jasper." Edward said in a disapproving tone, through clenched teeth. I could feel his anger resonate throughout his large and spacious room. The tension in the room had kept me firmly planted to my spot in his oversized bed. I guessed that Jasper currently didn't feel the situation needed any intervening by his gift. He tried, as much as possible, to allow people to feel the emotions they needed to feel. He didn't intercede on ordinary emotions until they became too overwhelming.

"Edward" I said sharply, sitting up "I'm sure Jasper didn't mean any harm by it, and I'm sure he has a completely valid reason for being here right now." I was doing my very best to cut through some of the tension in the room, and it appeared to be working, as Edward seemed to relax with each word I spoke.

"Is there a reason you so rudely interrupted a private, intimate moment?" He questioned, buttoning his shirt, his tone remaining casual. Jasper stood up straight, no longer leaning against the doorframe.

"Actually, there is." Jasper said absolutely nothing, but Edward watched him intently, nodding every so slightly. It was clear to me that Edward was listening to the thoughts of Jasper, silently discussing something Jasper had not wanted me to hear. When Jasper resumed his position leaning against the doorframe, Edward turned to me, his face suddenly serious, although he tried to conceal his concern.

"Bella…" he began slowly, walking toward me silently. He reached his hand out, and found mine; pulling me from the bed so I was standing in front of him. Instead of embracing me to comfort me, as I expected he would, he began smoothing down the creases in my nightshirt, smoothing down my hair, pushing some of the loose strands behind my ears. I looked at him, completely lost.

"Before I tell you, promise me you'll try not to panic." He stated, smiling. His smile was not fooling me, however. I could tell that it was simply to ease whatever worries may be lingering in my mind. I could sense the panic and edge in his voice. And his strained attempt at ease was only serving to further my apprehension.

"Bella, Alice saw something. She saw someone coming…" He explained, his hands lightly touching my sides. I nodded, and said nothing, my impatience growing.

"Breath Bella." He stated calmly. It took me a moment to realize that I had, in fact, stopped the rather important task of breathing. "Before I continue, promise me you won't panic."

"That's why I'm here, Edward." Jasper explained, his eyes resting on me. Jaspers presence suddenly made sense. Alice had the vision, but Jasper had been sent to report to us, as his gift was settling social situations or easing worries which would be useful when delivering bad news. I bit my lip as I impatiently waited for Edward to continue. Suddenly, I felt a little less impatient. I realized it was probably because of Jasper.

"Firstly," he began, still holding my sides, his eyes locked on mine "Charlie is downstairs, sitting in my living room, waiting to speak with both you and I. And secondly…" suddenly, Edwards' expression hardened, and I saw his jaw flex.

"Secondly, the Volturi are on their way to Forks." He finished, and at his words, not even the presence of Jasper could calm me down.

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A/N # 2: Just a few things to add!

-If you're confused, please don't worry, things will be clarified in the next chapter. However, feel free to let me know what you're confused about, so I can make sure I either let you know what is happening, or make sure it's clear by the next chapter.

-I write as the ideas come. There is no plan for this story. It has a general direction, and intended outcome, but the stuff in between just comes to me as it does. If you have suggestions, ideas or thoughts I would love to hear them.

-I love constructive criticism. However, I prefer that people are POLITE, and not rude about it. I read each review, and often respond to them as well. Reviews are essential, and really help me improve my writing/stories.

-I thrive on reviews. Reviews keep me writing, and keep me motivated to update faster. So… review!