"Took you long enough." Alice said as she pulled Edward in seeing the disappointment on his face that Bella wasn't in the room. "She went to get a shower, she'll be back soon."

"Sorry, I had to follow you guys and it got a little confusing." He said and she nodded, knowing what he meant. "But is she still really mad?" He asked and Alice laughed.

"Who are you?" Chrissy said and Alice stepped in front of her.

"This is my stupid brother, Edward." She said and Chrissy sank back into her bed.

"Damn," she said and Edward had to laugh, her thoughts were enough for him to understand her disappointment.

"Now I just need to win her back, anyone want to help me out with that?" He said and they both laughed. "Come on, anything?"

"I don't know anything about you two, so sorry. Bella has been pretty secretive all this time, all she said was she refused to date because of an ex --- which turned out to be you." She said and he sat down.

"Come on Alice, you know our history and love both of us." He said and she rolled her eyes. "You know that no one will ever love her half as much as I do, and no one will make her as happy as I can." He said and seen his sister break, knowing that was what she needed to hear.

"She wasn't mad, she was hurt. You broke her heart Edward, then our father is her professor and all those old memories are drudged up…"

"Wait Carlisle is your father, like Professor Carlisle Cullen?" Chrissy asked and they nodded. "I knew something was up with them. They just seemed too friendly with one another."

"Anyway, you need to prove you changed and are planning on staying this time. No more games."

"She said she came to the house because she didn't think I would have the guts to leave again…" he said and closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. "She was right, I could never walk away again." He reached into his pocket and pulled out the box, Alice immediately eyeing it up. "I bought this a while ago when I was out with Emmet and Jasper, I seen it and thought of her and had to get it. Think that's commitment enough?" He said looking down at the engagement ring he bought, it was simple and elegant just like Bella.

"That's exactly what you need to do. She just wants to know you still love her like you use to."

"Ok, but think I could do this alone?" He asked and Alice immediately got up.

"Come on Chrissy," she said and reached for her hand as Chrissy went for her coat.

"There are candles in her night stand, she says they relax her."

"Thank you." He said and watched them leave. The moment the door was closed he started to set things up, candles around the room, the lights off and the Debussy cd he brought playing low. He wanted it to be sentimental and romantic -- perfect. After all he did he couldn't think of a better way to signify commitment then to propose to her, but he was terrified she'd say no. Part of him was sure she would, she never did seem hung up on marriage when he knew her before, and wasn't sure that changed but he had to try. Even if she said it was too soon that didn't matter, he just wanted her to know how he felt, what he wanted. He heard her outside the door and knew that they didn't have anymore time to waste.

"Alice, Chrissy what are you…" she started and froze in the doorway when she seen him. With the candle lights, he looked basked in their glow almost like the angle she always thought he was. There he was, doing what she always wanted him to do -- proving he loved her. Doing something for her and only her. She finally had that, in her room and in front of her, so why was she so terrified by it? "I…what?"

"Nothing was stopping me from coming after you Bella. I love you and I always have, I always will. You're my other half and living without you has been my own personal hell. A cross I would have gladly continued to bare if it was what you needed or wanted. But to know you still love me, still want me as I want you -- that's everything." He said and took a step towards her. "I bought this over a year ago, I seen it and thought of you and what our future could have been together had I not walked away and for that brief moment…I was happy!" He said as he pulled the box from his pocked. "For in that moment I had everything I wanted, all I needed -- you!" He paused again to take another step towards her, putting a hand to her cheek and watching as her eyes glassed over, and he knew tears were next. "I know I don't always say the right thing, don't always do the right thing. But I love you with everything that I have. If you will have me I will spend all of eternity proving that to you. Marry me?" He said and dropped to one knee in front of her.

Bella didn't know what to do, his entire speech she stood there frozen in fear. He was doing what she dreamed he would do, what she always secretly hoped he'd come back to do, and now that he had, she didn't have an answer for him. She didn't know what to say, she was scared and didn't want to push him away. She wanted him, but did that mean she should rush into marriage? She was overwhelmed, and she still needed to think. So she did the only thing she could do --- run! She ran to her car, forgetting she was in slippers and a robe.

Edward was frozen as she ran out, he knew it might have been rushed but he didn't expect that reaction. He closed the box and put it in his pocket before going after her. If she wanted him to leave -- he would go. If she asked him to stay -- he would. But he wouldn't let her run out of her dorm undressed and in what he knew was a storm. Before Bella could put the car in gear Edward was at her side, and opening the door.

"Bella I'll leave if you want, but I can't let you out dressed this way or driving while you're upset. It's unsafe and I can't let you do it. I will not be the reason you get hurt." He said and picked her up, caring her back to her room. "I know its too son for you and I'm sorry, I just wanted to give you proof that I was serious. I will never abandon you again, you were right -- I don't have it in me to walk away again. I just wanted you to know, it was what I always wanted…to marry you and have the world know you are my life. I just wanted you to know what you always were to me, and what's in my heart." He said and got off the bed, but she grabbed his hand.

"Stay," she said and he turned to look at her. "I don't want you to go." She said tears glistening in her eyes.

"Then I'm all yours." He said and took off his coat. He sat in a chair and looked over at her. "Bella.."

"Can we talk tomorrow, I'm exhausted and I just don't know what I want to say." She said and shrugged and he nodded, he'd never again deny her anything.

"Whenever you're ready I'll be here." He said and knew by the look in her eyes what she wanted. When she was upset, she always wanted the same thing from him. He crawled into bed beside her, pulling the blanket around them, loving the feel of her body against his. Amazed how he could ever forget what that felt like. "Sweet dreams love." He whispered and kissed her forehead, and then started to hum her lullaby. Suddenly they were back in high school, him lulling her to sleep and waiting to hear her dreams. Edward closed his eyes and imagined his new future with Bella -- even if she wouldn't marry him.

Alice and Chrissy came back to the dorm, but when they opened the door they closed it almost as quickly. Alice knew Edward wasn't sleeping, but Chrissy did and she left it at that. Offering to let her stay at the Cullen House for the night to give Edward and Bella the privacy they clearly needed. Alice knew Bella said no, but always know it needed to happen if they would ever find their way back to one another, and thus didn't feel bad for keeping it from her brother.