Previously

Edward POV

I ran back through the city, disappearing into the forest on the outskirts.

"For the greater good, my Bella, I will not be a monster," I whispered into the darkness. "For me and for you I will change the present for a brighter future."

The red haze fell in front of my eyes as I flew through the trees, following the scent of a mountain lion for the first time in twelve years.

After their third date

Edward POV

"Goodnight Bella," I breathed. My breath wafted over her face. I smiled to myself as her eyes glazed over slightly. "You should get inside. It's late."

She nodded, still dazed. "I… I have a photo shoot tomorrow morning at eight. You obviously know my studio. If you want, I'd like it if you came."

I smiled at her. Bella blushed shyly. I brushed my fingers over her cheek. "I would love to," I whispered. "I'll pick you up at seven thirty. Then we'll go to lunch somewhere in Seattle."

"I would love that," she mimicked me teasingly. "Goodnight Edward." She sighed softly as she got out of my car.

I waited until she had gotten inside and locked the door before waving one last time and driving away out of her driveway.

My cell phone rang. I pulled it out confusedly. Only Bella and my family had my number. I had just left Bella so why would she be calling. I flipped it open and stared at the number in shock.

I quickly put the phone to my ear. "Mom?" I choked into the mouthpiece.

"Hi honey," Esme said quietly. "How are you?"

"Better," I answered, smiling, my mind showing conjuring up images of Bella. Her gorgeous smile, her bell-like laugh, her angel's voice, her warm chocolate eyes, like tunnels to her soul.

"I'm so glad," she sighed sadly.

"Is anything wrong?" I asked suddenly. "Is everyone?"

"No everyone's fine," she said. "Alice just had a vision. She was confused."

"What did she see?" I asked carefully.

"She actually saw two things," Esme said. "She said she saw you hunting."

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I really am."

"For what?"

"I'm sorry Alice had to see that," I said, thinking of my small pixie like little sister. "She shouldn't have had to see that."

"No Edward, she's so happy," Esme sighed. "She saw you hunting a mountain lion, a few deer but we had no idea that, well…"

I bit my lip, wondering what I was supposed to say. "She saw that?" I finally decided on.

"Of course she did. She was so happy for you. Please are you going to come home?" she asked hopefully.

My shoulders slumped. "I can't Mom. I'm sorry. I can't."

"Edward, no one's angry with you," she said quickly. "Well Emmett is. Alice told him about the grizzly you had. He's jealous. We all want you to come home."

"I can't Mom. I… I have something I have to take care of," I said, unsure of whether to tell her about Bella. It was against the law to tell a human about our world. I couldn't keep lying to her. I had to tell her the truth. I owed her the truth. She had a right to know what she was getting into, and if she wanted, she could have out.

"Come home and we take care of it as a family," she urged.

"It's not like that," I mumbled. "It's not something coming home would help. I can't leave."

"What is it Edward?" she asked. I could hear the unshed tears in her voice.

"I… Mom I'm sorry," I continued. "I want to come home but…"

"But what?"

"But I can't leave Bella," I whispered, leaning my head back against the headrest. "I can't leave her." I heard a strange noise on the other end of the line. "Mom?"

"Edward!" Alice screamed into the phone. "Hi! I miss you so much! When are you coming home?"

I groaned. "Alice I can't come."

"Why can't you come home?" she demanded angrily, emphasizing home.

"Because, Alice," I stuttered. "It's not my home anymore."

"Of course it is!" she shrieked. "Why wouldn't it be?"

"I…" I couldn't figure out what to say.

"Oh, Edward, I'm so happy for you!" she yelled suddenly.

"What?" I queried, completely befuddled by her sudden change of attitude.

"You're on the news!" she kept yelling. I pulled the phone away from my ear, still able to hear her screaming.

"Why?" I asked flatly.

"You and Bella! She's really pretty! There's a whole bunch of pictures of the two of you in some fancy restaurant," Alice giggled.

I let out my breath. "Yes she is," I admitted. If I had been human I probably would have blushed. "But she's so much more than that," I sighed. "I can't describe it but she's… amazing."

"Ah Eddie that's adorable," Emmett cooed. A loud smacking noise echoed through the line. "Ow, Rosie what was that for?"

"You talk to Edward for the first time in twelve years and all you can do is tease him? Edward you're an absolute moron! Why didn't you call us and tell us you were hunting animals again?" Rosalie demanded, huffing angrily. A ripple of laughter echoed across the line.

"I… I don't know," I said, stumbling over the words. "Alice why the hell did you put me on speaker phone?"

"Esme had you on speaker phone too!" she yelled. I flinched.

"Stop yelling, I can hear just fine," I grumbled.

"Go to this address," Alice said, still screaming, now purely to annoy the hell out of me. "7964 Oakwood Street. It's out in the forest. It's not too far from Governor Swan's house. Actually it's as close as you can get. Security has some sort of three mile limit around their house."

"Yeah I know," I said. "I was already briefed on all the security measures taken at their house. And each time I get there, Landon feels a strong urge to make me recite them."

"Landon?" Esme asked.

"Bella's secret service head. He's been in her secret service since she was four back when Charlie was a Senator," I answered without thinking.

"You seem to know them well," Emmett said. I could hear the grin in his voice.

"Uh, yeah, I guess so," I said uneasily. "But what's the address?"

"It's a house I bought," Carlisle's voice came into the conversation. "Hi Edward."

"Hi," I mumbled.

"We're all really proud of you son," he said warmly.

"Thanks," I said. My phone beeped twice. Someone else was calling. "I have to go," I said hurriedly, wanting to hear Bella's voice again.

"But Edward we haven't talked to you in years," Alice whined.

"I know, I'll call you soon but Bella's calling," I said, grinning.

"Oh! Okay then bye!" she giggled and with a click, she hung up.

I pressed accept. "Bella? Are you alright?" I asked immediately.

"Yes," she said softly. "I'm fine. I'm sorry," she murmured.

"Sorry for what?" I asked.

"I know how you like privacy," she muttered. "I'm sorry. I didn't know the reporters were there. I really didn't. I usually do. I don't know why. I'm so sorry," she practically wailed. I could tell, just by her voice, she was trying not to cry.

"Bella," I groaned, cutting off her nervous babbling. "Bella, I'm not mad. And even if I was, it would never, ever be your fault. If anything I should have known."

"They wouldn't have been there if it weren't for me," she whispered. "I'm so, so…"

"Don't say you're sorry. There's nothing for you to be sorry for," I said over her. "Please, please, don't think for a moment that I would ever be angry with you. I'll face the press everyday as long as I'm with you."

Slowly her breathing calmed.

"Feeling better?" I asked gently.

She laughed quietly. "How do you do this to me?" she said, sighing.

"Do what?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"I am one of the most stubborn people to walk this earth. Then just over the phone you somehow convince me that you aren't angry with me for something that was entirely my fault," she laughed.

"Bella," I said warningly.

"Alright, alright," she giggled. "It wasn't my fault then," she said sarcastically.

"We'll talk about this tomorrow morning," I said firmly. "But it's past eleven so go to sleep."

"Yes daddy," she teased in a child like voice.

"Get some rest," I sighed, rolling my eyes.

"I will," she said. "Goodnight."

"I'll be at your house at seven thirty tomorrow," I murmured. "Goodnight Bella." I heard her phone click off and sighed.

I sighed when my phone rang again. "Alice?" I sighed.

"What did Bella talk to you about?" she asked immediately.

"It's none of your business Alice," I said calmly.

"Come on Eddie," Emmett whined.

"Yeah Eddie," Jasper chuckled.

"That's sure to make me tell you," I said sarcastically.

"That doesn't sound so good," Emmett said.

"She asked me to come to her photo shoot tomorrow morning, alright?" I lied easily.

"You're lying," Alice complained.

"I personally don't care," Rosalie said sounding just like a snob. "She's just human."

I snarled into the phone. "You haven't even met her," I growled.

"I don't want to," she retorted. "Why should I meet her? She's probably just as messed up as the rest of the celebrities out there."

"Rosalie," Carlisle snapped. "She's the governors daughter."

"So? Palin's seventeen year old daughter is pregnant," she said lazily.

"So she donates over half of her profits to charities across the world," Esme scolded. "She's sponsoring misfortunate children in Africa."

"And from all I know from the news, she's never even gotten a speeding ticket," Carlisle added.

"That makes a difference?" Rose shot back.

"Yes it does Rosalie," I hissed. "If you haven't noticed, all you do is spend money on clothes and make-up. Bella spends thousands of dollars hosting charity dinners and balls for every charity she can find. She's generous and she actually cares about more than just her looks. She's the reason I'm not in the streets of Seattle eating people."

"She's a supermodel, Edward," she said.

"She's a person with a heart," I snarled. I closed the phone with a sharp click. It immediately began to ring. I flipped it open. "Don't call back," I growled furiously then closed it again.

Alice POV

"She's a person with a heart," Edward hissed, anger boiling in his voice. We all visibly flinched at his tone, having heard that voice only once before. The day he left; the day he walked out on our lifestyle. The line went dead.

I was already dialing, calling him back. I heard the phone click. "Don't call back," he said coldly before hanging up again.

I turned to glare at Rosalie, my small body quivering with pent up fury. "How could you?" I screamed. "How could you do that to Edward? We haven't seen him in over a decade! We haven't even talked to him!"

"She's a human," Rosalie snapped. "Why should I care?"

"Edward's happy for the first time since his parents died! Doesn't that mean anything to you? Because Edward loves her!" I yelled, clenching my fists.

She snorted. "He can't love her," she said snidely. "She's a human."

"He does love her," Jasper said calmly, though his eyes flickered with anger. He took my hand gently, pulling me back, away from Rosalie. "Whether you choose to see that or not, he does love her."

"Human," she snarled.

"He doesn't care," I said, closing my eyes, allowing Jasper to calm me. "It doesn't mean anything to him. He loves her. You don't have to approve. He doesn't care what you'll say to him. He'll choose her over us if you force him to make that choice. Trust me. I've seen that too."

Edward POV

I sped along the back roads, winding through the tree-lined roads, my vision hazing over with red. At the end of the road a tall white house sat, surrounded by trees. The door was unlocked. I stepped inside, gazing around at the spacious living space. On a raised platform stood a black piano. I ran a hand over the smooth black surface, testing a few of the keys. I pulled my hand away satisfied with the elegant noise emanating from the instrument. The black piano bench was padded with soft velvet.

I ran my fingers experimentally over the keys, testing my memory. I snorted to myself. As if I could forget any of it even if I wanted to. I thought derisively.

The image of Bella's face, the first time I met her, surrounded by savage drunks touched my mind. Even injured, slumped against a wall, she was beyond beautiful. She was an angel.

I began to play, composing a whole new song. My hands flew back and forth at an inhuman speed, weaving the notes together. The song grew and dropped in pitch, creating an unbearably sweet tune. My hands froze, unsure of how to continue, unsure of how she would react to what I am. I attempted to continue the sweet melody, but something about it seemed off. I pushed myself off the bench with a snarl of anger.

I wandered through the house, trying to pass the time. Finally I decided upon hunting. I should hunt. With my plans for tomorrow, I would need as much control as I could muster.

I strode through the house, stopping at the third and final floor. Stuck to the door was a sticky note.

I put clothes for you in the closet. And there's white ribbon in the laundry room in the cabinet.

Alice

A smile grew on my face at my sisters planning. But her words confused me. Ribbon?

My phone beeped, signaling an in coming text. It was late, past midnight. There was no way Bella would still be awake. I pulled the phone from my back pocket.

You're welcome :) It read from Alice.

I pushed the door open to I guess what was now my room. The closet, as I expected, was packed full. I eyed it uneasily before hesitantly reaching a hand in.

Don't even think about it. Alice threatened, texting me again. Your clothes for hunting are in the bottom drawer on the left side.

I rolled my eyes, though silently thanking Alice for her planning ahead, pulling a pair of black jeans on a plain T-shirt. There was pair of tennis shoes under the cabinet.

I inhaled deeply, jumping out of the huge window wall. My knees bent as I landed, my hand resting against the ground. Vibrations rolled through the ground. A heard of deer were running past. I wrinkled my nose slightly, unsatisfied by the scent, not nearly as sweet as humans.

Flashback

"So many people can be healthier, happier, and some even alive, because of something I can do for them. I meet most of them too. They are so happy to be alive. They're so grateful. Seeing them smile at me, knowing they're happy, is one of the best gifts I could ever have," Bella said softly. I took her hand gently as we walked down the street. "If my money isn't helping me, I want my money to be helping someone who it can."

"You are too perfect," I sighed. "I don't deserve you."

"Don't say that," she murmured, squeezing my hand comfortingly. "If anything I don't deserve you. You've been nothing but kind to me. You saved my life."

"You say that like you think I'm a superhero," I mumbled, guilt welling inside of me. How I wished her words were true. I wanted her to think well of me, but I didn't want her to be deceived. I didn't want to lie to her but she was so much safer without knowing. She was safer thinking I was just a human, like her. The Volturi would kill her if I told her. I couldn't let that happen. I couldn't stand to see her in pain. I wouldn't let anything happen to her, not because of me.

She stopped abruptly, pulling me around to look at her. "You're my superhero, and don't you ever think otherwise," she said forcefully. She wrapped her arms around my chest, hugging me tightly. "You are not a monster Edward." I opened my mouth to argue, but she pressed her finger to my lips. "Don't tell me that you are. I won't believe you. I don't care what you've done in your past. You say you want to change. That's always the first step. You have to have the will to follow through. You don't have to tell me anything, not if you don't want to. But I want to help you. I will help you. I promise."

I felt my heart, dead though it was, melt in my chest. I buried my face in her hair, breathing in her mouth-watering scent with hunger. My hand rubbed a soothing circle on her back. My other hand took her hand from my mouth, kissing her palm softly. "You have helped me Bella," I murmured into her hair. "You help me by just being around me. I feel whole with you. When we're apart, I feel like half of myself is missing."

She smiled into my chest. "I feel the same. Everything seems so perfect around you. It feels like nothing could ever go wrong when I'm with you." A shiver racked her small form. Immediately I pulled away, worried my icy body had chilled her. She shivered again, looking around searchingly.

"What are you looking for?" I asked, shrugging out of my jacket.

"Mick or Landon," Bella said, shivering again. "Or John, or Max. One of them always has an extra jacket for me. I hope they got rid of the pink one from when I was seven."

"Not necessary," I said, draping my jacket around her shoulders. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and she leaned against me as we continued our walk. "And all four of them are over there," I added, pointing to a café. I waved a hand to John who was on his feet, peering at us anxiously. He nodded, sitting back down.

She leaned her head against me. "I never want this to end."

I squeezed her shoulders gently, kissing the crown of her head. "I wish this could go on forever."

End Flashback

My legs tensed and I shot off through the forest, tackling the first deer with ease. Bella was my will. She had made me realize what I never would have known on my own. I've wanted to change my ways for years. But every time, nothing was strong enough. I tried. Or at least, I thought I did. But she was right. I didn't have the will. I didn't have a cause to fight for. Now Bella was my cause. She was my purpose. I would run to the ends of the earth it made her happy. I would change, for my future, for my love, for both of us.

I sank my teeth into the neck of the limp deer, feeling the blood flow down my dry, burning throat. My throat cooled, allowing the hot blood to soothe the burn. It wasn't as satiating as human blood but that meant nothing to me.

Warmth blossomed within me. One less person killed. One less person dying because of me. One more person with a life, a future, a family. One more step closer to Bella and to the life I could have.

I drained a three more deer before wiping my lips on the back of my hand. I quickly disposed of the bodies, burying them under the nearest tree, all the while my thoughts on Bella. She was an angel, a gift from God. She was so perfect, almost too perfect. She was so unlike anyone I had ever met. She had so much good in her, it was almost too hard to believe she could be from this world. She had such a firm grasp on the world. She was generous, giving most of her money to any charity she could find. There was no words that could describe how absolutely amazing she was.

I hadn't realized how much time had elapsed as I ran through the forest. The sun was just beginning to rise over the horizon, casting a purple red glow across the sky. My feet flew over the leaf-covered ground, making no noise in the dry leaves. A spurt of color in the sea of green caught my eye. I looked down at it, noticing a tall patch of soft violet flowers, harvest lilies, growing around the edge of a rather large meadow. Slowly I extended a hand, picking one of the flowers. I fiddled with the long stem, gazing at the small blossom.

The color would look good on Bella. I mused thoughtfully. My hand flicked out, pulling a few more of them, until I had an entire bouquet. A smile grew on my lips as I saw exactly what I was looking for. One pure white flower grew, just beyond the violet ones. I pulled it up, sliding it easily into the center of the bouquet.

In a way the flowers were so like my angel. They were so beautiful and perfect. But they were also so delicate, so breakable.

I reached the house in a matter of seconds, pulling the door open and flying up the stairs.

I hurried up the stairs into my room at the top floor. It felt so good just to say that. My room. My home.

I pulled on a dark wash jean and a lighter blue pin stripe button down. A leather jacket hung above the drawers; I tugged it over my shoulders.

The clock read 4:30. I smiled. Just in time to pick up Bella.

I set the flowers carefully in the backseat before speeding away down the road. It took me less than three minutes to reach her mansion of a cabin. I lowered my window to the security guard at the gates. "Jerry," I said, nodding politely.

He nodded back, his eyes hidden behind his pitch-black sunglasses.

I pulled in to the driveway, preparing to turn off the car. A smirk crossed my face as the front door slammed open and Bella raced out. She smiled at me, calling over her shoulder, "Yeah, yeah, I'll be back by dinner."

"Apparently not," I chuckled, leaning across to open her door for her. She almost threw herself into the car, pulling the door shut behind her. Bella smiled shyly at me through the sheet of hair cascading down between us. I reached across, carefully, to brush the hair away. Hesitantly I brought my face closer to hers, testing myself. I pressed my lips to her cheek. Her heart stuttered unstably. "Please don't hide your face from me," I whispered gently. "I've missed it."

Her cheeks, already blushed, darkened to an enchanting red. I brushed my fingers along her left cheek. Her breathing calmed and she giggled. "It's been just over five hours, Edward," she laughed, her laughing taking my breath away for a moment.

I pursed my lips. "Far too long," I murmured playfully, pulling back. Her eyes glittered sadly. "You're father's watching," I said pointedly.

She blushed again, looking down at her lap. "Let's go, please?" she begged.

I chuckled, shaking my head, never the less pulling out of her driveway.

We talked and laughed the entire way. I asked her simple questions, and she I.

We reached Seattle just before seven. I stopped at a small but expensive diner.

"What are we doing?" Bella asked innocently.

I smiled at her. "You are going to get something to eat," I said simply. I opened her door, extending a hand to help her out. She took it, allowing me to help her. With my other hand I showed her the bouquet. She gasped slightly, taking the bouquet. A glorious smile lit up her face. My own smile grew unconsciously.

"Thank you," she breathed, running a finger over the delicate flowers. "There so beautiful."

"Yes," I agreed. "But they're nowhere near as stunning as you look."

Her face glowed with happiness but she looked away, blushing furiously. I could almost detect a touch of guilt in her eyes.

"Now, you need to get something to eat."

"I can't eat anything," she said, keeping her firm grip on my hand as we walked. "Not right before a shoot."

"You worry too much about your appearance Bella," I said, laughing again.

"I'm a model Edward, I have to," she murmured.

I tugged on her arm, forcing her to look up at me. With one swift movement, I grabbed the stem of the white flower. I slipped it into her hair. "You are too beautiful to worry about any of that," I whispered forcefully. I gazed into her eyes, trying to convey my message without words. "No one can deny that." Her eyes melted as I stared into them, turning to deep chocolate pools. A soft sigh escaped her lips. I breathed in her entrancing scent. It seemed less of a pull, having hunted animals for two weeks but it was still as sweet as ever.

A fresh burst of air gusted around us, startling us back to reality.

"Thank you," she said softly, as I opened the diner door for her. "For everything."

I squeezed her hand gently. "It's true."

At the Studio

As soon as I opened the passenger door for Bella, she tripped. She tumbled forward, shrieking slightly. My arm shot out, winding around her waist.

"You get clumsier by the day," I chuckled, setting her back on her feet.

She stuck her tongue out at me, pouting cutely. She whirled on her heel, surprising me when she didn't fall. She stalked away, pretending to be furious with me.

In a flash I was behind her. My hands caught her hips, sweeping her up over my shoulder.

"Hey!" she laughed, pounding on my back. "Put me down."

I shook my head cheerfully, keeping one arm firmly around her waist. I walked up the stairs, Bella still laughing, strung over my shoulder.

I could sense Landon, Mickey, John, and Max's minds behind us. They kept their distance, laughing at Bella's expense. They had watched vigilantly as she ate her breakfast, surprised that she ate before a photo shoot but relieved that she was eating. That had disturbed me at the time. Why should Bella not eat? I had soon gotten over it, passing it off as a model thing. Again they watched when I threw Bella over my shoulder, toting her inside. I could still hear their laughter from their car.

Linda's loud peal of laughter echoed through the studio. "Jim," she laughed. "Kyle, you've got to see this."

Her photographer, Jim and her stage man, Kyle appeared in the hallway. They too joined in the mirth. "Hi Lind, Jim, Kyle," Bella greeted, though she couldn't see them. She waved from under my arm, smiling up side down at them.

Kyle twisted so he was facing upside down as well. "Hi Bells!" he greeted. She rolled her eyes at him.

"Shut up," she growled playfully.

Jim surveyed me calculatingly. He's got the face. He mused. The height and the body too. He might just work.

"Tom can't make it," Linda said suddenly as I lowered Bella to the floor.

"Oh," she said softly. "Okay. Why?"

"Malia," Kyle said grinning.

Bella rolled her eyes. I could feel the jealousy spark in my chest. "Whose Tom?" I asked casually.

Now she turned her eye roll at me. "He's my cousin," she said. "I make him pose with me so I don't have to put up with all of the drama."

I smiled at her. "You really make sure the media has nothing on you," I said, grinning crookedly.

"Not until you, no," she said, poking me in the chest. I caught her hand, lowering it, but keeping ours together. Suddenly she looked shy. "Do you think… maybe, that… that you could do the shoot with me?" she stuttered, flying threw the words in the end so it sounded more like, thayoucoultheshootwithme.

Linda giggled, ushering Jim and Kyle back into the main studio. "Let them be," she hissed. In her mind she was demanding Bella to give her details.

I kissed her knuckles. "With you I would do anything," I whispered.

Her hand cupped my cheek. "You are too perfect, you know that?" she asked.

"Hardly, but we should go get this done," I said. "I want to take you somewhere for lunch."

I know not many people actually do like this story. It will get better but this is based on my favorite movie a Walk to Remember. After there will be much more Twilight threats but for now I want to get to this. I love a Walk to Remember. It's a really happy and sad movie at the same time. I highly recommend it for those of you who love romance. Though why would you read Twilight if you didn't like romance.

I do appreciate those of you who do read this. I know I don't update it often and that right now it really is boring but I do notice those few of you that read all of my stories and review them.

Lots of Love and Happy belated New Year!

Sea of Topaz