A/N:

~ This is the first re-edited/re-posted chapter for this story. Please refer to my profile for more information. PM me with any questions.

- Kassidy


I woke up to face the tedium of another day at the very plain Forks High School. I couldn't wait to graduate; freedom, and most importantly, immortality coincided with the diploma I was soon to receive. And though I hadn't agreed yet, I would be a liar to say I wouldn't end up marrying Edward Cullen.

I dressed myself in an outfit Alice would deem cringe-worthy, though I could care less. I didn't bother to do anything with my hair but brush it. The rain would style it for me anyhow. I returned to my room to retrieve my backpack, and found Edward perched on the edge of my bed.

His exhilarated grin was contagious, and I couldn't help but laugh, "You seem especially jolly today."

He grabbed my waste, guiding me to stand between his knees, "I get to spend another day with you. Of course I'm happy."

I held his face in my hands, "Oh, aren't you the hopeless romantic."

"You know it." He kissed me on the lips. The kiss was relatively innocent—slow and sweet. Nevertheless, it was satisfying and made me feel loved.

"Okay, Romeo we have to get going," I sighed dramatically, removing myself from between his legs.

"If you say so," He shrugged, swooping down to pick me up before I could see what he was doing, let alone think about stopping him. He slung me over his shoulder and loped to the Volvo.

I protested, pounding my fists against his back, "You know…my legs work perfectly fine."

"Oh I know, but the view is much more appreciable from here," he reasoned. I could practically hear the smirk in his voice.

"Edward Cullen," I chided, "Are you referring to my buttocks?"

He laughed, "Maybe."

The day continued on in such a manner. I couldn't recall a time when Edward had been more playful and flirtatious. More than once did I consider the notion he may have been covering something up, but I was enjoying it too much to say anything.

Lunch time was a Godsend. Classes were hell, even with Edward's newfound gaiety. Being the last week of school, and being seniors on top of that, final exams were endlessly brutal. Not to mention the last minute graduation preparations we had to attend to.

I walked hand in hand with Edward to the cafeteria, sneaking peeks at him every now and then. I noticed the goofy smile had reappeared. I chuckled, nudging him lightly, "Well, look who found the cookie jar. What's with the grin?"

"Well, it just so happens I'm hopelessly in love with this absolutely beautiful woman, and whenever she looks at me I can't help but think how blessed I am," he murmured, his eyes no longer playful, but dark with sentimentality.

"She sounds lucky," I said, re-establishing the joviality of the conversation.

"I'm the lucky one." He countered.

Oh, how wrong he was. Edward must not understand just how much I loved him, how much I wanted and needed him. It was almost impossible to hold so much love in your body for just one person. It was this concept that convinced me he did indeed posses a soul. Our physical bodies weren't meant to house our love for people—our spiritual beings were made for that job. He claimed he loved me more than I did him. I wasn't convinced that such a thing could be true, but if he cared for me a sixteenth of the amount I cared for him, he had to own a soul.

"What would you like to eat?" Edward asked, breaking me out of my overly metaphorical observations.

"Doesn't really matter." I shrugged.

He piled food on a tray, and we made our way to our table. I couldn't help but notice the absence of the joyful Edward I'd seen this morning. He seemed deep in thought, distracted. I sighed, I knew it wouldn't last forever.

I looked around, searching for a distraction. My eyes landed on our empty table. Alice was gone for the day, claiming she had important work to attend to. When I asked her about it, she brushed me off, saying I'd find out soon enough.

When we sat down, the serious demeanor had yet to leave Edward. I continued to ignore it, reaching to pick up my food. Before I even touched the nearest item, Edward stole my left hand to play with. I smiled, glad that he wasn't upset enough to abandon his usual lunchtime hobby. I happily made due, eating with one hand.

After a few minutes, I could swear Edward's hold grew icier and more restricting. He seemed to have a grasp on my ring finger. I disregarded it- I should be used to his touch by now.

"Bella," Edward turned my chin to face him. He pressed his lips to mine unexpectedly. At first I was hesitant to conform to such a public display of affection. But there was one thing I couldn't resist in this world, and that was the feel of Edward's lips on mine—I melted as always.

He broke off the kiss, per usual. I looked down at our intertwined fingers- which strangely weren't intertwined. I could have sworn he'd still been holding onto my left hand.

I gasped when I realized what had taken his place.

"I...uh…um," I stuttered. Encompassing my third finger was a ring- a breathtaking eighteenth century ring, which I instinctively knew to be a family heirloom of his. When I glanced up once again, I saw Edward before me on one knee.

"Bella," He started, his eyes burning into mine with gripping severity, "I love you. I live to see you laugh. I love to watch you blush. I would die without the sound of your heartbeat. Forever is meaningless without you. Please marry me."

Many would have felt pressured to agree due to the enormous public display, or because they yearned to end the ongoing awkward silence that had resided in the lunchroom. My answer was influenced by neither of these.

"Absolutely," I whispered.

He seemed stunned. He remained on the floor for a good thirty seconds before standing and swiping me up into his arms. The lunchroom erupted into hollers and applause. It all seemed so quiet compared to the sound of Edward whispering in my ear.

"Thank you," He murmured in between the small kisses he placed on my forehead.

I should have been embarrassed by such a display. I realized now that it didn't matter where he proposed, I couldn't see anyone but him anyways. I wouldn't have to tell anybody at school about it, which made things a bit simpler. The gossip would inevitably spread like wildfire. That seemed so inconsequential, though—we graduated in a matter of days. I could live with the endless interrogation until then.

For some reason, I figured Edward would plan it differently. Perhaps something over the top or romantically clichéd. After a few moments of evaluation, I realized that this was a moment I would never forget, even when my human days became muddled and hardly memorable. I would thank him for that.

It wasn't until Edward began to wipe tears from my cheeks did I realize I was crying. I looked up at him, smiling ridiculously. He cradled my face in his strong, cool hands, stroking my cheeks lightly.

"Isabella Marie Cullen," he sounded satisfied with the three words.

I nodded, running my hands through his hair, "Yours Forever."

His eyes glossed over. I noticed his jaw tremble just slightly. He exhaled and rested his forehead on mine. This was the closest Edward would ever get to crying.

"Hey," I whispered, urging him to open his eyes, "I love you."

He kissed me again, responding with familiar words, "You are my life now."