Disclaimer: I have no ownership over the characters from the Twilight Saga. All rights belong to Stephenie Meyer.

Summary: Edward & Bella are getting ready to take the next step toward together forever. Just when they think it's safe to move on, a series of dark events just might put a stop to their happy ending for good.

Chapter 2: Graduation

Bella POV

It was the day before I graduated. Alice and Edward both seemed as thrilled as Charlie was about my…our…graduation. For each one of them it meant something different.

For Charlie, his one and only daughter was grown up and heading into a brave new world. Alice saw it as a time to go all out for our graduation party. Even though I knew the party was more for me then for them. Then, of course, there was Edward. My graduation meant I had been able to experience another stage of my life as a human.

I would have felt better about a lot of things if Alice would just let me open my eyes.

"Come on Alice! Can I open them now?" I asked impatiently.

She sighed before answering me.

"Oh, alright Bella you win. You can open your eyes now." Alice answered in a slightly disappointed tone.

With Alice at the helm of the graduation festivities, it was all about grandeur. She really did things over the top, and I knew the more people that showed, the happier she would be. Me, not so much. I really didn't know what to say as I walked through the Cullen's living room now converted into a party room.

"Um, Alice, you sure this is a good idea. The last party we had here didn't go so well."

Alice just smiled at me.

"Just relax, Bella. Everything is going to be fine," she reassured me.

"You know, you and Edward really are perfect for one another. The two of you really know how to ruin someone else's fun." She pouted.

I giggled lightly at Alice's reaction.

"It's not funny, Bella," Alice replied in that matter-of-fact tone of hers.

"I'm sorry, Alice. I didn't mean to laugh, but the look on your face was just too cute."

I giggled some more, trying hard to make myself stop. Alice was smiling at me now, but the glazed over look on her face made my case of the giggles die instantly.

"Alice, what is it?" I asked in a nervous tone.

"Nothing, Bella, nothing at all; it's just if you mess up your test make-up, I'll have to start over again." This time she was smirking at me.

The air whooshed out of my lungs at her words. I had already spent an hour and a half playing make up and dress up Barbie with her already. It was just graduation, not prom, so what was the big deal with my appearance?

"Bella, you need to breathe. Bella, breathe! Alice's voice sounded a little frantic.

Hearing her words I inhaled a quick breath—just a bit too quick. I swayed on my feet, and Alice reached out to steady me.

"Easy there, Bella. Edward would not be happy if you hurt yourself and he wasn't here to save you."

I frowned as I looked down at the death traps that were on my feet.

"How am I supposed to do that when I'm wearing these?" I asked as I pointed to the white stilettos I was wearing. They were really pretty with a white ribbon that served as the strap to keep them on my feet.

Before getting an answer to my first question, I asked another. "Why am I wearing these? Please tell me that these aren't for graduation."

This time it was Alice who giggled at me. "Of course not, silly. I have another pair for that."

She pulled out a pair of what I could only call 'Cinderella shoes'. They were stunning, clear vinyl slippers, with heart in the front that shimmered in the light. Cinderella would be pleased.

After seeing them I couldn't help but ask again about the shoes currently on my feet.

"Then what are these for?" I motioned toward my feet once more.

"Those are for your wedding day, Bella. I thought we should start to break them in," she said in her bell-like voice unable to hide her excitement.

I pulled in a slow breath in order to calm the anxiety I was starting to feel toward the wedding.

"Here, these should be a little safer," Alice replied to me.

Looking down at me feet I saw that Alice had swapped out the deathtrap shoes for the 'Cinderella' ones.

"Bella, you look beautiful, in that dress. I believe that you'll leave Edward speechless tonight."

I didn't hear or see Carlisle enter the room. His voice always had a comforting effect on me when he spoke.

"Isn't she though? I think the pale blue suits her," beamed Alice.

This was the first time I had really looked at myself in the full length mirror, in Alice's room. It looked as if Cinderella had stepped out of the story book and was standing were I should be. My hair had been piled on top my head with soft ringlets cascading down my neck and the side of my face. The barrettes that Edward had given me baring the Cullen crest were neatly included as well.

I reached up to gentle touch a curl.

"Alice, I…" I didn't know what to say.

Alice was still smiling. "It's more of an 1800's look, but it fits in to Edward's plans for tonight."

"Plans for tonight? You told me I was sleeping over so we could have girl time and get me ready for graduation."

Alice gave me another grin. "That's what I wanted, but Edward wanted a night to have you to himself. So, since I plan on monopolize you until your wedding, I told him yes. I think it's a period restaurant he's taking you too. You'll get to have a taste of a human Edward, so to speak."

"Oh, Carlisle, you're right she is beautiful," Esme said as she came into the room and smiled at me. "Now, all we have to do is finish the look."

Something cool touched the center of my chest. Looking down, I saw a cameo with a blue background hanging around my neck.

"It's lovely, Esme." I said softly.

"It belonged to my mother; I want you to have it, Bella," she said in a gentle tone.

"But, Esme, I…" I started to tell her that I couldn't take it. They had given me so much already. The glimmer I saw in Esme's eyes made me stop.

"Bella, it makes me very happy to be able to have another daughter in the family. You are a gift to all of us," she said to me in a loving motherly tone. She then added, "Edward was right, blue suits you."

Blinking back a tear, I heard Carlisle ask, "May I?"

Getting my senses back, I noticed Carlisle had a hand extended toward me. I smiled up at him as I took his hand. He spun me once and a laugh escaped me. I quickly apologized for it.

"There is no need for that. You're happy, and if you're happy, then Edward is happy. It fills me with great joy."

We then fell into the familiar one, two, three rhythm of a waltz. Carlisle sounded a little surprised went he questioned me about it.

"You know the waltz? I'm impressed," he said with a smile.

A giggle slipped free as I answered him, "No, not really. Well, not until recently. Edward has been giving me lessons. He told me it was for our wedding. I can see that he fibbed to me."

The tone of my voice must have amused Carlisle. He chuckled at my words. Too soon my sweet moment with Edward's father was interrupted by a pushy pixie.

"Alright, there's no more time for future father-in-law and daughter-in-law time. The two of you can do that on the wedding day. Edward and the others are back," Alice said excitedly.

Carlisle gave me a small smile as he bowed before me and excused himself from the room. "No giving Edward any visuals!" Alice called out to him.

When I gave her a questioning stare, she just grinned at me. "Well, we can't let Edward see you before you get down stairs, now can we?" Alice retorted.

I said a silent prayer as I headed down the stairs. Hoping I wouldn't trip. I heard gasps as I slowly made my way down the stairs. I blushed as Jasper gave me a southern gentleman's greeting. I looked back at Alice to see if she was upset, but she still wore a smile.

As if in a dream, I heard the velvet voice I had been yearning for.

"The word beautiful does not do you justice. You are a vision, Ms. Swan."

My cheeks flushed red at the sound of Edward using my last name. I then remembered what Alice had said: "It's a period restaurant I think."

So if only for this evening, I decided to play along. Extending my hand toward him, I spoke, "Why, thank you, Mr. Cullen." Finishing with the best curtsy I could muster.

My actions caused a smile to appear on his lips. He bowed to me in return before taking my hand and bringing it to his lips.

He offered his arm, and we left. But as soon as we stepped outside, I froze at seeing what was awaiting us.

"Is that a carriage?" I asked starstruck.

Edward held back a smile as he answered me, "It is indeed, Ms. Swan." He then took my hand and led me to the carriage as the footman opened the door for us.

I had never expected Edward to do something like this. He helped me into the carriage and then we were on our way.

A night of dinner and dancing alone with Edward - it was perfect. Well maybe not the dancing, but the dinner and alone time with Edward was.

"Bella, you truly are stunning tonight. It's like you belong here," he said, giving me a soft smile.

I did my best to reply to him without missing a step in our dance.

"Of course I do, Edward. I'm with you.

He gave me one of his lopsided grins this time.

"That's not what I meant, Bella. You fit in this time period…into my time period, Bella."

My heart fluttered inside of my chest as our hands touch one another. My other hand held onto the skirt of my dress. My eyes never left his as we moved around the room keeping in time with the music.

Edward was right, I felt comfortable here. Earlier, I had been sure that I was going to be awkward tonight.

A little later Edward was escorting me back through the doors and to our awaiting carriage.

"I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of booking us a room in a hotel not far from here," he asked in a polite, gentlemanly tone.

"No, not at all," I answered a bit too quickly. My heart was fluttering inside my chest.

Tonight had been a very different experience. I'd seen a side of Edward that I had only seen glimpses of. Of course when Edward had said he had booked us a room, I had thought he was teasing me. I stifled a giggle as the clerk gave a curious glance at what we were wearing.

Walking up to the desk to retrieve the key card to our room, Edward put the clerk's curious looks to rest.

"Pardon, our attire, my wife and I just returned from a masquerade party."

She just smiled, and said she hoped we enjoyed our stay.

"Thank you, I'm sure we will, he said with a small smile of his own.

Linking his arm in mine in a gentlemanly fashion, he led us to an elevator, where he then pressed the number twelve button.

"Edward, is our room on the top floor?" I questioned.

"Perhaps, the floor number seems to have escaped me," he answered in a teasing tone.

I gave his shoulder a shove for what little it would do me. Edward just smiled that perfect grin of his that I loved. Once the door chimed and opened, Edward was leading us down the hall to our room.

The first thing I noticed was that there was a small kitchen area. I released Edward's hand so I could explore the room further. Turning the corner into a nook, I was greeted by a massive king-sized bed. I was confused by its large presence.

"Edward?"

I gave a small start when he whispered in my ear.

"I did say we would try, love. I thought some more practice away from prying eyes would be nice."

For the first time that evening, I started to realize that my dress felt too tight.

"Bella, you're not breathing," Edward chided me.

"I would, but I think Alice ordered the wrong dress size," I breathed.

It was then that I saw the amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Yes, well corsets can be rather a pain," he said with a smile in his voice.

"Corset?" I said confused.

"Honestly, Bella, don't you remember Alice tying you in?"

I had known that Alice had been lacing something up. I had just assumed it had been my dress.

"I guess I've been a little distracted with graduation and the wedding coming up," I replied shyly.

"Hmm," was Edward's only response.

I knew all of the buttons to my dress were undone the second the soft fabric slid off my shoulders and then down my waist to pool on the floor around my feet.

"Can you breathe better now, love?" he asked worriedly.

"Still the same," I whispered.

I was doing my best to stay upright. He wanted to "practice" and if I fainted, it would ruin everything. My vertigo wasn't going to let me win.

Edward was frowning as he stared at the corset.

"Ed-ward."

Just as I felt my body go limp and was pulled into darkness, I heard Edward curse, followed by popping and ripping sounds.

Sometime later, I could hear Edward's voice as I pulled myself out the darkness.

"How could you be so careless? She fainted! You bound it too tight on her. I had to practically rip it off her so she could breathe. No, she hasn't come to yet."

Then the conversation ended.

I felt something cool on my forehead. I reached up to touch it when a cool hand stopped me.

"You're awake. Thank goodness. How do you feel?" His eyes were anxious and darker then before.

"I'm all right. What happened?" I asked even though I had an idea of what had transpired. "I fainted, didn't I?"

"You did, love," Edward said as he removed the cool compress from my head.

"I guess we're going home now, right?"

"Why would you say that, Bella?" he asked concerned.

"Well, I fainted so I guess I figured once again my being human had ruined things."

Edward shook his head as he chuckled as he answered. "You assumed wrong. What is it you and Alice keep telling me? That I need to lighten up? This is me as light as you are going to get; at least for now, Mrs. Cullen."

I gave him a questioning stare. He just grinned.

"Just testing it out a bit, love. The clerk down stairs thought we might be here on our honeymoon."

I understood his actions downstairs a lot better now.

"That's the reason why you called me your wife down stairs," I said smiling.

"Well, I could hardly admit to being seventeen and being in the master suite with my eighteen-year-old girlfriend now could I?" he said as he chuckled.

"Besides, Bella, I own this hotel. Well, Edward Masen Jr. owns half. The staff here thinks I'm his grand-son. So I get a few perks from it. Esme does as well, since she's my mother."

I was intrigued by Edward's words.

"So all the employees think that Esme is Edward Masen Jr.'s daughter?" I asked in disbelief.

"That is the story for now. It will change after some time as we have the hotel passed down to some one new. I'll show you the painting of me. Every four or five years, Jasper does an aged painting of me as to keep people from being curious."

"But I thought you didn't want everything to be traced to you?"

"We don't, and it doesn't. For the last several years, all the income I make goes to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. It was Esme's idea. Everyone just thinks that my grand-father is a very caring and private man."

He then seemed to remember the reason we'd come.

"I think it's time we got back to the reason we are here -…"

"Practice," I finished for him.

"Yes, practice." Edward gently placed a thumb on my chin and leaned into kiss my lips.

From there I felt his tongue past over my ear lobe. I shivered slightly from the action, my breathing becoming rapid.

"Ah, I shall remember that spot," he whispered.

Edward placed a kiss on each one of my collarbones. His cool tongue flicked out as he made a slow trail down into the valley between my breasts. A moan escaped my lips. I soon found myself searching for the buttons of Edward's shirt. Just as I found one and undid it, he stilled my hands.

"Not yet, Bella." His breaths were heavy as his fingers softly teased my skin.

I'm not sure how I understood what he had meant, but I did. He was in control right now. I didn't want to do anything to distract him right now.

"I understand," I said softly into his ear.

Edward's fingers were suddenly in my hair undoing a few of the curls, and removing my barrettes. He seemed very pleased with himself once my hair was in dark waves going down my back. Edward then ran a finger across the blue cameo that was around my neck.

"It was very kind of Esme to give this to you. It suits you."

A second later, Edward eased me up on the bed and was pulling off my garters and was kissing the inside of my thigh. I moaned as he moved closer to the junction of my thighs. I barely blinked when I realized that Edward was now holding me in his arms.

"Are we spooning?" I asked a little confused.

"We are, indeed, spooning Bella." He was panting now, as he kissed the side of my neck.

"You've reached your limit, haven't you?" His eyes were dark and smoldering. There was something hidden in their depths, but I couldn't read it.

"For now, yes, though I thought it went quite well." Edward's eyes were dancing when he looked at me.

I'm not sure how long we lay there like that. Sleep was gently taking me into its arms, and I was happy to go. Edward's arms were wrapped loosely around me as I drifted off.

But my dreams were strange. I dreamt that I had missed my graduation by forgetting my cap and gown.

I was doing my best to run back to the house to get it but my feet kept slipping on something wet. I looked down to see what it was I was sliding on to find blood covering the ground beneath me.

"No, No!"

Graduation Day

I awoke with a jerk, only to feel like I was being held in place.

"Shhh, it was just a dream. Want to tell me about it?" he asked in a curious tone.

All I could think of at first was all of the blood.

"What did I say?" I questioned him.

Edward shrugged his shoulders. "Not much you just kept saying 'No, No.' "

Then I remembered the rest of the dream.

"We're going to be late for graduation!"

Edward was laughing now. "Relax, Bella we have plenty of time still."

"But my cap and gown," I stuttered.

"It's at my house waiting on you."

Our light moment was shattered when I stood up out of bed with my back to him. An angry hiss escaped his lips. I jumped slightly startled by the sound. Gently taking my arm he led me to the full length mirror in the bathroom with my back to it. I looked over my shoulder so I could see.

"Oh," was all I could utter.

As I continued to take in the red–purple bruises that ran straight across my back and then down across my ribs.

"My corset from last night," I said it more to myself then to Edward, but he still answered.

"Yes." His eyes had gone from warm to dark the second he had sight of them.

He was suddenly very quiet, signaling that he was deep in thought. I took this time to slip into the bathroom for a few human moments. Alice and Esme had been kind enough to send a bag ahead of us. As I was lifting my arms up into my shirt, I became aware of how tender the bruises really were. I winced lightly as I bent over to pull on my jeans.

The sound of Edward's voice came from the other side of the door.

"Bella, are you all right?"

Sighing lightly I answered him, "Yes, I'm fine. It just twinges a bit."

Looking at my hair in the mirror, I almost screamed. It was a mess! How was I ever going to fix it in time for graduation?

Edward had heard the change in my heartbeat. "Bella?" His voice sounded worried.

I wanted to cry. Pulling the door open I came face to face with Edward.

"Look at my hair! It looks like I had a fight with it," I said fighting the urge to cry.

He looked like he was going to laugh at first. Then upon seeing my distress, he stopped.

"It's not that bad, love. I'm sure we can fix it. Where's your brush?"

"I think I saw it in one of the bags Alice had sent to the hotel ahead of us." I said answering him.

I was glad that Edward had faith that it could be fixed before we graduated today.

He was very tender as he slowly brought the brush through my hair. The feel of the brush running across my scalp made me want to moan in pleasure. I never thought having your hair brushed could be so sensual.

Ten minutes later, he had my hair in soft flowing waves down my back. Four of Alice's ringlets were still framing my face. Edward then gently pulled some of my hair back and snapped one of my barrettes into place.

"There, the rats nest is gone," he said with a chuckle. "I think I'll hold on to the other one for safe keeping." He said slipping my other barrette into his shirt pocket.

I watched has Edward's eyes caught sight of Esme's necklace, as if in thought.

"She'll be happy to see that you're still wearing it."

I had been sure that after my hair debacle, Edward would have forgotten about my accidental bruising from the corset. Glancing over at him on the way home, I saw that I was wrong. His jaw was clenched; his hands were clutching the steering wheel. Edward had only let me think that he had forgotten.

We had no sooner pulled into the driveway before there was a rush of vampires out the door. Then the shouting had started. Jasper was standing in front of Alice as if he was a shield; while Emmett held Edward back a ways as he accused Alice of being reckless.

"Edward, I'm sorry. I had no idea it was tied too tight. Bella never said anything."

Knowing there was nothing I could do to stop it, I climbed out of the car and started walking down their drive as I rubbed at the tears that were fleeing my eyes. My prompt exit didn't go unnoticed.

"Bella, wait! Where are you going?" Edward called after me.

He was in front of me so fast I almost ran into him.

"Bella."

"I'm going to home," I said in a hurt tone.

He was about to say more when a look of horror flashed across his face. Alice must have had a vision of me standing at the edge of a cliff and jumping. The thought had come to mind.

"Why would you even think about doing that?"

"If you're going to fight with your family over some stupid bruises, I figured I might as well make it something bigger. I mean they are just bruises, and it's not like Alice meant to hurt me. I'm human, Edward, I'm going to get broken no matter how much you don't want me too." I fumed at him

"I know that but…" he started. There was something in his tone that broke the last straw.

I put my hand out in front of me and jabbed my finger into his chest.

"Edward Anthony Masen Cullen, you cannot and will not blame Alice for me being a piece of glass! You've always wanted to know my thoughts, well here they are: I'm glass and your marble and that's that."

My heartbeat was rapid and my nostrils were flaring. I caught sight of something I had never seen in Edward's eyes - at least not when I wasn't dying - shock and fear.

"Don't you dare follow me, Cullen!"

I was half way down the Cullen's driveway when I remembered where my cap and gown were.

"Crap!"

Making it back to the Cullen's home, it dawned on me that no one was home. Making my way up to Edward's room, there was a note lying on the bed written in Edward's script.

Bella,

You're right; I can't blame Alice for you being human. It was childish of me to get upset over bruises that a corset of all thing s gave you. I'm afraid that I lose my better sense when it comes to you.

Truth, be told you were a little frightening yourself today. I don't think Emmett or Jasper, are ever going to let me alone about it. If you need anything, we're not far Carlisle and Esme said to give you some space.

I love you.

Edward

I folded Edward's letter and laid it on his desk.

"I sure do know how to clear a house."

Sighing I walked over to the full length mirror that Edward had put in his room. Pulling my shirt slowly over my head, I took stock of the damage of the vile corset. There was a little bruising across my shoulder blades.

"Not too bad."

Looking down at my sides of my ribs there was a bruise on both of my sides. The one side looked a little darker then the other.

"Good thing it wasn't made of whale bone. Now that would have done some damage."

I had undid my jeans and pulled them down my waist. I winced a little as I bent down to pick them up. I noticed the shoes Alice had picked out for me to wear during graduation. They were low heels, more suited to me. Stepping into the shoes I went to grab my slip to drop it over my head.

"I'm so sorry, Bella," came Alice's soft bell voice.

"Aaaaahhrgh! Jez, Alice, don't do that!"

She gave me a sheepish grin. "Sorry."

I casually looked around her. Alice caught on to what I was doing.

"Edward's not here, well, he's outside waiting in the Volvo. Unless you're still upset with him, he'd like to drive you to graduation. Otherwise, I'm supposed to drive you. Charlie's left already with Billy and Sue."

I was a little mad at him still, but I didn't know if I would call it upset.

"Just in case you're wondering about it, Edward apologized for getting so worked up with me," Alice said softly.

I grabbed ahold of the blue dress that was hanging up for me, and stepped into it.

"Edward picked it out for you, you know. If he had his way, blue would be the only color you wore," Alice said to me as she zipped up my dress.

She then smiled at me. "I will have to say he did a great job with your hair."

I smiled back at Alice as I unzipped the garment bag that held my graduation gown. Taking it off the hanger, I pulled it very slowly over my head. Wow. Graduation. I felt my attitude shifted. I let go of my anger, obviously, Edward and Alice had worked through theirs.

"Let's do this, Alice! I was excited to be sharing my graduation with them.

Alice winked at me. "I can think of no one else that could have made him happier, Bella. I'll see the two of you there." She disappeared in a blur, no doubt meeting up with Jasper to go to the school together.

Making my way down the stairs in my gold graduation gown with my cap in hand, I found myself smiling. Making my way out the door and climbing into Edward's silver Volvo, I turned and looked over at him.

"I'm still a little upset, but I'm happy that you apologized to Alice."

The sound of my voice seemed to reach Edward from where ever he had gone.

He looked at me as well.

"I am sorry for my actions from earlier, love."

Kissing Edward softly on the lips I continued to smile.

"Apology accepted. Now let's get ready to step into a brighter future."

It was a little wasn't as bad as I had thought it would be, though sitting without Edward made me feel out of place. Eric Yorkie was our class Valedictorian. I wasn't in the top ten with honors, but I was in the top twenty of our class. I was ranked fourteenth, while Edward ranked thirteenth. Not a coincidence I'm sure. I knew he could have easily been Valedictorian that, however, would have put him under a microscope.

I found myself smiling each time one of my friends and families names was called.

"Benjamin A. Cheney."

"Jasper Whitlock Hale."

When Jasper's name was called, I laughed a little when his eyes searched for Alice. Finding her, he just gave her a small smile.

"Alice Mary Cullen."

Alice danced onto the stage in true Alice style. She politely took her diploma and then disappeared off stage.

"Edward Anthony Cullen."

I knew that Carlisle and Esme were sitting somewhere in the parent seats, I just wasn't sure where. However, I was sure that they were only here to keep up appearances.

"Tyler Damien Crowley"

"Michael E. Newton."

"Jessica Leann Stanley."

At the sound of Jessica's name, I heard and saw Mr. and Mrs. Stanley cheering for their oldest daughter. Mrs. Stanley was holding Jessica's eight month old sister in her arms.

Then came the name that I had been dreading.

"Isabella Marie Swan."

Reminding myself to breathe, I made my way through the folding metal chairs and down the aisle. I heard Charlie whistle along with cat calls that came from Seth, I think. There was no way it was Jake, he was not pleased with my recent choices.

Reaching for my diploma and shaking the principal's hand, I turned to see Charlie, Sue, Carlisle, Esme, and Seth all standing. They were clapping for me, Billy too. I did the only thing I could do - I smiled.

It wasn't long after Angela's name had been called that our principal stood in front of the podium and said, "Class of 2007, I now declare you graduated! You may switch your tassels on your caps. Go forth and step into a brighter future."

With those eight words said, I realized that I had truly finished another chapter in my human life.

"You did it, Bella!" I knew that velvet voice any where.

"Edward." I said through the grin on my lips. I shook my head. "No we did it, Edward."

His topaz eyes were warm as he looked down at me.

"Yes, Bella, you're right. We did it."

Most people didn't know what their future held for them, but I did. It held Edward.

A/N: Playlist: Twisted by Carrie Underwood, Love Will Take You by Angus & Julia Stone, Out of Control by Hoobastank, and Same Direction by Hoobastank

I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter, I know I did.

Reminder of chapters to come.

Chapter 3: Planning for the Future (Alice POV)

Chapter 4: From This Day (Edward POV)

Chapter 5: The Isle (Who would you like it to be Bella or Edward?)

Chapter 6: Common Goal (Jasper POV)

Chapter 7: Bleeding Heart (Bella POV)

Thanks so much for reading and reviewing.

TaintedDarkInuShemeeko