Preface

I stood in the shade of the ally, staring, unseeing, at the crowded square. soon my months of agony would be over, and, if Carlisle's theory was correct, I would finally be re-united with my Bella.

I was unsure as to why I had settled on this particular idea. Maybe due to its beautiful, simplicity, maybe it simple spectral or maybe because of the strange significance it held to me. I had always, for a century, thought my skin would be repulsive to anyone when seen in the sunlight but Bella had a different opinion al together. She said that I was beautiful in the sun. I closed my eyes and smiled at the memory of the first time she saw me in true sunlight.

I didn't stop with that memory. I stood there and let the memories flow. The first time I saw Bella, talked to her, the first time I saved her life. the first night I went to her house, watched her sleep. When I took her out to dinner. Our meadow. Our first kiss! The first time she said that she loved me, the first time I told her. the memories came in a blur now. Rushing past my closed eyes. Every word spoken, every breath, every heart beat, every look. Every touch, embrace, kiss. Finally settling on her face. her chocolate eyes, her chestnut hair, her loft lips. The curve of her cheek. Her blush. Her smell. Her beauty, radiating from every inch of her glorious face. I could almost smell her as if she was with me, almost hear her heartbeat, stuttering when I 'dazzled' her.

The bell tolled over head and I tore off my shirt, white tatters littering the ground.

It rang out again and I took a deep breath.

It rang, I lifted my leg to take my last step.

Bella's face dancing in front of my closed eyes.

"I love you, Bella" I whispered to her as I took the step...