After my admission as to why I took her, Bella seemed to relax and embrace the fact that she was with me. We spent our days talking and really getting to know each other. We found that we had so many things in common such as books, music and some tv programs. She had an extreme love of those detective and forensic shows. She also loved the fictional ones as well; NCIS seemed to be her favorite while Cold Case was a close second.

I became very fascinated by the way her mind worked; at times it was so analytical. She often solved the crimes before the investigators did; her mind was very sharp, and she was very observant. She asked me endless amounts of questions about my life before I met her and I answered them honestly. I wanted her to know all there was to know about me; I hoped one day she would return my feelings of love.

We spent our nights in bed. Even though Bella didn't initiate any of our intimate encounters, she never told me no; I loved that about her. I loved making her feel good;if it were up to me, I'd never leave her hot and wet tightness. Perhaps one day if and when she decides to become like me, I can make that fantasy come true.

After Bella had been with me for a month, she was more relaxed and open around me. She began to really blossom and shared her true self with me. I was overjoyed with the fact that she seemed to be beginning to trust me and really enjoy being with me.

I wanted to show her how much I appreciated it and that I trusted her too. I gave her the code to the locks on the house. One night after she had made herself dinner, she walked to the door and punched the code in. I stood watching her to see what she would do. She stepped outside for the first time since I had taken her. After a moment, she stuck her head back in and looked at me with questioning in her eyes.

"Go on, Love, it's your decision whether you stay or go," I told her.

I had been thinking about it more and more, and I knew it had been wrong to take her against her will. Sometimes when you love something as much as I love Bella, you have to set it free. I had decided I would leave the choice up to her and see what happened.

It would rip me to pieces if she decided to go, but I would respect her decision. I would always be in the shadows looking out for her though and doing everything I could to keep her safe.

I could hear her walking around outside, but I left her alone. I needed her to decide for herself without my influence shadowing her while she thought about what to do.

"Edward, will you come out here, please?" she asked quietly.

I was beside her in a flash; it was the first time she has actually asked for my presence. I took that as a good sign.

"What is it, love?" I asked.

"Will you walk with me? I need to talk to you about some things and I'd like to walk while I do it," she told me.

"Of course, Bella; would you like me to show you around the property? I've been wanting to show you for the longest time; it's really beautiful," I replied.

"That would be nice, Edward, thank you," she said.

As we started to walk, she surprised me and took my hand of her own free will. If I'd had a heart that still beat, it would have been pounding out of my chest. I gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

"Edward, you and I both know that it was wrong for you to take me against my will the way you did, but now that I know why you did it, I understand it. I'm still coming to terms with that part of it, but I do know you really had my best interest at heart. I've never felt so loved and cared for as I have since I've been with you. I don't know why you picked me, but for some reason I'm glad you did, although I wish you'd just come to me and told me what you knew. I kinda sort of even understand though why you didn't when I think about it. I've made some decisions and I want you to know about them,' she explained.

"I'll be happy to hear any thoughts you have. What decisions have you made?" I replied although I was nervous to hear what she was going to say.

"I don't like how this all started because I don't like feeling like I have no control over my life, so I want you to take me back and I want to start again from the beginning. If you don't agree, I have decided that I'm going anyway, but this way would be better for both of us. I know you explained to me about us being mates and the mate bond and it even makes sense to me, somewhat anyway. I want us to be together, but I hve to feel somewhat in control to fully accept it. You know what I mean?' she said.

"Yes, I do know, love. I will be forever sorry I took that away from you to start with that I tainted our beginning by forcing you against your will. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me, Bella. I love you so much and there's nothing I won't do for you even if it means I have to set you free. It would kill me to be apart from you, but I would do it if that's what you wanted," I told her.

"Thank you, Edward, but that's not what I want. Maybe at first it was, but not now. Now, I just want us to go back to the beginning and start over. I don't mean I want to back to my job or apartment. I want us to leave here and go somewhere new together. I can't explain how or why, but I have come to love you too, Edward. I know a lot of people would say you've brainwashed me; that's not the case at all. You've shown me how much you love me by being willing to set me free if it would make me happy. I know now you will do anything to accomplish that, and I love you so much for it," she said.

"You're right, love; I will do anything you ask of me," I replied.

"Then we start now with a clean slate; we will be equals in everything. I know you are a vampire and can't age, so I think it's only fair that I be your equal in every way including that.I want you to change me when I feel that I'm ready. Until that time, I want us to find a place to live and be together as a couple, not secluded from the rest of the world. I want to achieve my original dream. I want to go to college and graduate; will you be willing to help me do that?" she said.

"Yes, Bella, anything you want, love, it's yours. I'll even go to college with you if you want. I have more than enough money to last us dozens more lifetimes, we won't ever have to worry about that. We can do whatever you want. You'll never have to work if unless you really want to, although, I hope you'll allow me to provide for you at least enough so that you won't have to spend so much time working that you can't enjoy life. I want make choices for you ever again though. Whatever we do we will decide together," I told her smiling.

I pulled her into my arms and kissed her passionately while I twirled us around in circles. Bella broke away from the kiss because she needed air, but then she broke out into louds peels of laughter. It was the most glorious sound I'd ever heard other than her cries of passion when were being intimate.

A/N: Hi guys. I'm sorry that I'm a day late with the update, but the weekend was really busy and I didn't have time to get this out until today. I promise I'll try to do better by being on time next week. Thanks for your time and patience. I would love to hear your thoughts on the story, so leave me a review.