Hello Everyone!

I am so very sorry that this has taken so long. Just as Bella wasn't really talking to me, Edward wasn't letting me in on this particular subject. He would rather talk to me about other occasions... which will come very, very soon. Promise.

I don't believe I have anything other to say that I won't put down the bottom other than this:

Read. Review. Enjoy!


That afternoon, I met Bella as I usually did outside the gymnasium. She seemed shocked to see me there, but she was smiling and obviously happy to see me at the same time. I smiled internally, opting to only let her see a poker face with no emotions.

She was concerned, which made me loathe myself momentarily and so I looked at her lovingly. It relaxed her and she smiled as we walked to my car.

"Bella?" I asked and she looked at me.

"Yes?" She asked, swallowing nervously.

I smiled warmly at her, hoping she would calm. "Would you like to drive to your house separately? I would pick you up and then we can go to the treaty line. Only if you wish, as it would probably be easier. Especially if you choose…" I swallowed hard, looking away from my mate as I finished the sentence. "Him; that way you would be able to spend time with…"

I could not finish the sentence, so I left it as it was.

Bella's breath hitched and I looked at her, concerned. When my eyes drifted to her face, I gasped. Her beautiful, fragile face was marred by red-rimmed eyes, brimming with tears. Her chocolate brown eyes, so deep and lovely, were marked with sadness and somehow, I knew that we would come through this; that I would come out of this, with a mate for eternity.

She had never shared that much information about her relationship with Jacob, but she had not needed to do so. I could tell that they were not as deeply involved as we were. It was obvious. She did however, tell me about some of the fights they have. All were over ridiculous things and it just proved even further how badly they suited each other.

"Edward?" Bella said, shaking me from my thoughts. My head snapped around to look at her of its own volition.

"Yes Bella?" I asked, biting my tongue to stop the sweet little petnames that I had been calling her ever since I'd first seen her from coming out.

She smiled, sniffling as I frowned. "I-" She stuttered, pausing to organize her thoughts. "I think that would be a good idea."

I smiled, choosing to keep the fact that I knew she wanted to say something other than that to myself' there was no need to anger her or embarrass her. "Of course," I said and she smiled once more, turning around to go to her car. I waited until she was in her truck before I climbed into the Volvo. I watched her as she passed by me, then I drove behind her to her house.

When we arrived, she did not hesitate to climb into my car and we smiled at each other as I started the car again and headed toward the Treaty line.

I was anxious and irritable when we arrived; Jacob was dressed only in blue shorts as was his way and he smirked at me when he hugged Bella. He didn't seem to notice that she did not hug him back, that she was tense.

He kissed her cheek merely to anger me and it worked; I forced myself to restrain my actions, to control myself while I mentally planned his death for touching her in such a way.

She was my mate, I knew she was and I was quite certain that one way or another, we would come out of this together.

My hands curled into fists at my side, clenching and unclenching as he reflected on the one-sided interaction.

She loves me too… I can feel it. She wants me to kiss her, I bet. He looked at me, overconfident as he smirked and rubbed his thoughts in my face. Hah! Look at that bloodsucker's face! The leech is so fucking jealous.

I growled, twitching as I considered ripping his arms off.

But I would not do so, for I was positive that that would hurt Bella in some way. While they were not meant for each other – a fact that was most certainly clear – he was still her friend; she still cared for him in a brotherly way and I would not cause her pain by hurting someone she obviously cared for.

Bella stepped back, out of his embrace and looked between Jacob and me. A frown marred her face, her lips pouting then separating as she bit her lip in concentration.

"You have to choose, Bella," Jacob said, breaking through her thoughts. His own thoughts were smug yet impatient as he thought about her choosing him. "Me or him; you can't have both. Whose death would hurt you the most?"

I watched my mate, growling when she flinched at him ridiculously insensitive question. I glared at the mongrel, absolutely furious that he would put such pressure on her; on my mate. I thought for a fleeting moment of how it would feel if I were to rip him apart limb from limb for hurting her so. I was sure that my eyes were black with anger as I glared at him.

But then I looked at her and she smiled, trying to reassure me that she was ok. Instantly, the anger that had clouded my vision flooded out of me and I relaxed, my gaze softening as I regarded her.

Her gaze suddenly became calculating and I watched as emotions flitted across her face, so very fast that I was nearly unsure of which emotions there were. Each emotion sparked a different reaction within me; when her face shimmered with pain, the despair and worry that raged through me and the questions that bubbled to my lips, begging to be asked were forceful.

There was a brief moment – perhaps a time period of ten seconds or so – where she looked at the mongrel and I, amused. But then her expression was serious again and I breathed in.

It did not escape me that every time she looked at me… her gaze lingered on me rather than on Jacob.

Whilst my thoughts were filled for my love for her and my assurance that everything would somehow be alright, Jacob was slowly losing confidence and filling with ire.

When she looked between at me and then Jacob once again, I smelled something that nearly emitted a purr from my chest. My eyes were black, of that I was sure as I breathed the scent in once again.

It was the sweet scent of my darling mate's arousal; floral and overpowering, I had to refrain from gasping it in. I watched her as her eyes settled on me for another moment, and I noted that they were filled with lust, clouded by it as if she were unable to feel and see anything else.

She licked her lips as she looked down the length of my body and I gasped, unable to help myself, my eyes pitch black with… need.

She forced herself to calm down and she thought through her decision again, looking between Jacob and me perhaps only once more before she gasped, her eyes flitting over to me and filling with tears.

My thoughts battled with each other, as if there was an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other. The angel, the positive thoughts were hoping and praying to a god that surely wouldn't answer that she had realized that we were meant for each other. The devil, the thoughts filled with torment, were sure she had finally recognized the monster within me.

But that was ended when she whispered one small, little word.

"You," her breath hitched, tears flowing relentlessly down her face and I did not pause to register Jacob's reaction as I flitted to her side, joy and hope and many more emotions than I could ever express and name filling me.

I wrapped my arms around her small, fragile body, pulling her close to me – as close as was possible. The wonderful electricity that was always present between us, flowed around us, filling us and I watched as she felt it, finally understanding the importance and significance behind it. The electricity, the tingling pulled us toward each other as if it were another being, powerful and unrestricted; like magnets.

I was mesmerised; unable to stop myself as I claimed her aloud. "Mine," I whispered and understanding dawned on her features, as well as certain happiness. The need, the urge to touch her is just too great to withstand and my hand lifted of its own accord, the fingers reaching up to gently trace her lips. Her full, luscious lips were her usual yet beautiful natural colour. I was sure that girls throughout the world would be envious to have lips that looked like these.

My hands could not stop once they had found purchase on her skin; they traced her face, memorising it and revelling in the feel of it. Her high cheekbones, her button nose… everywhere they could touch, they did.

Finally, I could not resist the temptation any longer; now that she had acknowledged me as her mate I had to mark her… it was a must. It was mandatory and a delightful thrill sung through my body as I leaned down and my lips connected with the part of her skin that was just behind her ear.

I kissed it, perhaps suckling just a little before I peppered her gorgeous face with kisses, marking her with my scent as I placed flicking licks and nips all along her jaw and ears.

Bella seemed to realize the motives behind my actions, because she gasped, the scent of her arousal now fresh again as she leaned into me. The scent was so delicious, so tempting that I could not keep the growl that forced its way out of my mouth at bay as I leaned back and simply looked at her.

She looked at me for a long moment before uttering a few words that just… liberated me. "I love you and yes, I am yours."

The forcefulness of my emotions and the declaration that she had just made had me smiling. If it were at all possible for a vampire to produce tears, than I would do so now.

But there was then a sad little look on her face and so I worried to uplift her spirits once again. "As I am yours, my love and of course, I love you too." She smiled at me and the words I had spoken, before she leaned up on the very tips of her toes and pursed her lips.

I growled, instantly knowing what she wanted, what she was asking for. I purred into delight then gave in to her silent request.

My lips descended upon hers feverously; this was a kiss of passion, of love and most certainly and importantly, it was a kiss of claim and possession. She moaned and the sensations only made me pull her tighter against my body; there was no space between us – not even so much as an inch.

The sensations of the kiss were amazing; I was filled with a need, a compulsion to make my mate feel loved and cherished and pleasured. She had to know that I loved her, that I would cherish her and that all I wanted was for her to feel the maximum amount of pleasure that she could.

Not only that, but the kiss made me need more; I was affronted by the craving to take her, to make love to her. It was then that I decided within myself that I would make love to her as soon as I could and as soon as she wanted me to. I would be on her beck and call and I did not mind in the slightest.

It was then that we were forced apart by none other than the clearing of Jacob's throat.

She sighed and detached herself from me, but did not leave my arms or make any move that implied that she wanted to, for which I was grateful. Instead, she leaned into me and I smiled to myself at her easy acceptance.

She turned her head and looked at Jacob. "Jacob-" she began, only to be cut off by Jacob who was sporting a sad, sad smile. She was surprised that he was smiling, that much was obvious.

"It's ok," he said softly, looking at the both of us. "Seeing the two of you together… I get it."

He turned and looked away with the parting thought…

Look after her, Edward, his thoughts were sincere. So help me God, look after her. We may not have been meant for each other but if you hurt her in any way I will fucking kill you. I hope you understand that.

I did understand that and though my inner mating instincts did not like his message, the human side of me did.

But I could not focus on that as I realized the significance of what had just happened…

Finally… finally… I had my eternal love, my mate, in my arms and I was whole for the first time in a hundred years.


I know, I know, it ended before A Choice's chapter did.

But, Bella is the dirty one out of this couple when it comes to what she will give me. Edward is the gentleman and he will not give me anything on them making love or anything.

It's somewhat frustrating... but I shall get to the bottom of that soon!

Now, the next one coming up with be... how the eternity ring came to be. It's a sweet chapter so far, but Edward wanted this chapter finished first it seems.

Also, please review; I love reviews and it helps me get Edward to come out of his stubborn, old fashioned shell!

Goodbye, leave me some love!

bexie25