-1Part 3:

Will wasn't at school for the next three days. On the first and second day, I had assumed he wasn't there on account of hunting. His eyes were as black as possible when I had first met him, so I figured he was running on fumes. I waited patiently, but by the third day he wasn't back yet, and it never took us more than a few days to feed.

It was now Friday, and I road to school expectantly, hoping he would be there. Bella and Alice had been noticing my edginess at home, and had questioned me. I, thankfully, had played dumb, and kept Will as far from my thoughts as possible whenever around Edward. I had been with the Cullens long enough to know how to keep my secret life…well, secret.

When I got to school I hurried to my first class, keeping my eyes peeled for any sign of this miraculous boy. It wasn't until lunch when I saw him again. He was sitting alone in the same spot he was on Monday. He looked up right as I came into the room. His grin allured me and I grinned too. He beckoned for me to join him, and I reluctantly agreed, not stopping to ask permission from my family.

"Hey there." he greeted me enthusiastically. The first thing I noticed was his eyes. The darkness was gone, and replaced by the dark honey color that matched my own. They were warm and welcoming.

"Hello…" I said shyly, sitting across from him, not bothering to get a plate for myself. I could feel there stares of my family, bearing down upon me.
"The coven looks upset. Especially the brunette girl." he said sarcastically. I wasn't going to turn around.

"Oh really? Well, to be perfectly honest, I don't particularly care what they think of me."

He laughed. "Sure you do." he said sarcastically. Then he looked at the blush upon my cheeks. "You know? I think you're the only Vampire I have ever met who actually blushes." He touched the warmth of my cheeks. The one and only place on my body that would ever be warm.

I shrugged, blushing deeper under his touch. "I don't know why. I guess it has to do with the whole 'black rose' thing." I said softly.

He grinned, "I think its quite adorable…" Then he turned serious. "There's something I have been meaning to ask you…"

I looked up curiously. "Ok…" I answered.

He hesitated. "Will you go out with me? Like on a date?" He looked away embarrassedly from my stare.

I giggled. "Sure." I wondered where the sudden confidence boost had came from. I was usually stuttering like a madwoman when a guy asked me out…which wasn't entirely too often.

His wide grin stretched across his face. "Great. How about tonight?" he questioned.

I shrugged. "Ok. Whatever is best for you." I grinned too.

He stood, just as the bell rang. "Prepare to fall in love." He said sarcastically, and he was gone before I could say anymore.

Will picked me up from the Cullen home that night, and surprised me when he knew where our house was. Once we were in his car, a black Volvo that matched Edwards, he surprised me further by handing me a single black rose.

I giggled. "I said a DOZEN black roses…" I said sarcastically, clutching the black rose gently. I was amazed that he had come by even one. Those things were near impossible to find. He laughed.

"I know what you said…that is just the appetizer. I am warming you up…" he said, smirking. I sighed.

We rode in silence until he stopped in front of a trailhead and got out of the car. "Where are you taking me?" I asked, joining him on the trail.

"Well now, if I told you, that would ruin the surprise…" he said, motioning for me to follow him. "But be warned…this may cause lightheadedness and/or lovey unfamiliar emotions, so please keep both arms and legs in at all times…" He grinned.

I followed him, not saying anything, only thinking about what he could have possibly created. I looked up at the sky. It was barely visible through the trees, but the moon was out, and it was full. There was also a large number of stars twinkling like my skin in the sun.

We walked on, and it seemed as if we would be walking forever when he stopped.

"Close your eyes…" He said taking both of my hands in his own. I obeyed silently, grasping hold of him for support. He guided me a few more yards and I could feel the space around me open up. I had a strange suspicion we were in a clearing of some kind. "Don't open them!" he tutted as I fought my curiosity to keep them closed.

He led me a little further, and sat me down on what I could feel was warm, soft grass. "Ok…" he said softly, sitting beside me. "Open."

I opened my eyes, and what I saw completely amazed me beyond belief. I was sitting under a tree, on the soft grass of the woods. A small, silvery river ran from a waterfall a few yards in front of me. The moon and stars glistened in harmony with one another. All of this, was not what made the scene so perfect. There were at least 10 bushes surrounding us. Some along the river, some on either side creating a little haven for us.

Bushes and bushes of roses. Black roses. I stared, my jaw dropped in utter astonishment. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. My eyes finally fell upon an anxious looking Will Butler, sitting next to me.

"Well…" He urged, taking in my full reaction.

"I…" I could barely find my voice. "Amazing…" was all I could murmur. I slid closer next to him, entwining my hand with his. I was in love. And I knew it.

He grinned sheepishly. "I was hoping you would like it…I found this place a long time ago, but I never told anyone about it. I've been coming back, year after year, and tending to these bushes. It's always been my little secret…" he said softly. I lay my head against his broad chest and inhaled his scent deeply.

"Thank you…this is so…astounding…" I whispered as he let go of my hand, and looped his arms around my waist.

"Gracie…I am giving this garden to you…in hopes that you will be mine…" he said softly. He looked away now, and if I didn't know better, I would have swore I saw a slight blush creep into his cheeks.

I grinned in spite of myself. "Will…are you saying what I think you're saying…" I asked, looking up into his eyes. He stared back.

"Gracie, I have loved you since the moment I first laid eyes on you…" he said, staring me down. I stared back with the same intensity.

I could barely speak above a whispered, but after a moment, I managed a weak, "I love you too…" I was scared to look at him for some weird reason. He had just confessed his love first, but I was terrified to look at him. Although I didn't see him, I could tell he was grinning that grin.

Before I could move, he turned quickly, taking the sides of my face in his hands. He held my face gently but with support, making me look into his suddenly serious eyes.

"Do you mean that?" he asked me sternly. All I could do was nod. Then he surprised me by grinning again. Then, he pulled his face to mine. Our lips joined softly, as he kissed me sweetly. I kissed back, my hands now trembling. When we finally pulled apart, he stood and laughed. "Lets get you home. Your psychic cousin is waiting patiently for your return…"

I smirked. "If you insist…"

We started walking back to his car, but before we could get in, he stopped me.

"Gracie…" he said seriously. I turned to him, as he grasped my hands.

"Yes?" I said skeptically, praying he wouldn't take anything back.

"Will you be my Black Rose?" he said as he placed another rose into my hands. I grinned.

"Absolutely."