"As you know, Bella, "Carlisle began. "Edward and I spent quite a bit of time treating patients in Africa. We also did medical research there; trying to blend modern medicine with the traditional remedies the local people were accustomed to. About a year and a half ago, we spent some time in a village where the life expectancy of the villagers was much higher than any of the other villages we had spent time in. These villagers were averaging at least ten more years of life than other Africans. They also looked an average of ten years younger."

"So," Edward took over, "Carlisle and I started to research their lifestyles. We studied their eating habits, sleep habits, sexual activity, anything we could think of that may have accounted for this phenomenon. We even checked birth records to make sure that the dates of birth and death were being logged in the same manner. We couldn't seem to find any significant difference."

"Until about nine months ago, " Carlisle added. "A local medicine man spent some time at the medical center, learning our methods as well as sharing his methods with us. We spoke to him about our study and shared our confusion with him. He was the one who finally, pointed us in the right direction. The villagers, he told us, are very protective of their secret."

"Why?" I finally questioned. "Why would they be afraid to tell you if you had been helping them?"

Carlisle continued, " You see, Bella. It seems that there is a plant that only grows in this village, not in any other part of Africa that we've visited, maybe no other part of the world. The villagers believe that if a person boils one leaf from this plant and drinks the brew, he will prolong his life. They are afraid that if anyone outside the village finds out about the plants, their village would be raided and destroyed. Who wouldn't want that kind of miracle drug, right?"

I nodded mesmerized.

"Anyway," he continued, "what we learned was this, one leaf seems to reverse human age by about ten years."

I was starting to understand, "So," I asked, do two leaves reverse human age by twenty years then?"

"No", Carlisle, smiled. "Two leaves seems to be toxic and can actually kill you. In addition, it also seems that the brew may only be taken one time in your life. More would kill you as well."

"So," said Edward, "Carlisle and I got to thinking about our world. We wondered if the plant would have any effect on a vampire at all. If indeed this one plant were so powerful, would it be able to alter our ages at all? And, would we ever have a need to know?"

"That's when I decided to be the guinea pig.," said, Carlisle. "I tried it as a medical experiment for our own kind. And as you can see Bella, it did work, just in reverse. I noticed you observing me earlier. You had noticed. Correct?"

"Yes, I did notice. But it had been so long since I'd seen you I couldn't be sure if it was my memory or a real change. So, are you saying that the plant will age a vampire ten years then?" I questioned.

"Well, we aren't really sure. After my change, Esme wanted to try it. She only seemed to age about three years. Alice didn't age at all. And Jasper, well Jasper aged more than ten years. For him it was almost fifteen."

"And for Edward? It didn't work then?" I asked.

"I didn't try it," he answered.

"Why?" I asked looking at him.

"I didn't know if or how you would want me. If you took me back, I couldn't guess…would you want me to remain unchanged or not? I wanted you to make the decision. I don't know how or if my body will react. Maybe I'll look like the old man that I really am.," he laughed.

I realized Carlisle had left us alone again and Edward led me out onto the back porch. It was a cool night and I pulled the pashmina around my shoulders. I smiled to myself. Alice had seen all of this coming. Alice knew what tonight would bring. I wondered what else she already knew.

We stood in silence for a while, until Edward turned me towards him. "Bella, do you want me to change? Should I take the chance?"

I took his hand in mine. "We both should." I said. "Not because I don't love you exactly as you are. On the contrary, you have the most breathtaking face I have ever seen. But I don't want us to have to hide."

"There's no guarantee. We can't be totally sure of the results."

"I'm willing to take that risk." I said.

"Bella, you do understand that these people we studied eventually did age, right. I mean at some point you will be back to where you are now, aging naturally."

"No, I won't."

"Bella." He laughed. "You will. Aging is inevitable. It's a natural part of life. This will only change you for a while."

I shook my head no again. "No, Edward. Because as soon as the potion takes effect. You are going to change me."

"Absolutely not!, he hissed. "Especially now that you so clearly told me that you do not want to be seen as a predator. Because, Bella, that is exactly what you will be if I change you, a predator." His jaw was clenched and I watched him struggle to control his temper.

"You KNOW how I feel about this. I won't take your life away."

I gave him a moment. Then more calmly he added, "You have me, Bella. And I'm promising I will never, never leave you again, no matter what the risk. I promise you that"

"And now, YOU know how I feel, Edward. I obviously did not move on to have the life you thought I would after you left. Don't you see, Edward? You are… you have always been my life. I have no life without you."

"I want you forever." I continued with resolve in my voice. "All of you…no more worries… no more stopping because I'm too fragile. I want all of you, Edward… forever.

And then he surprised me. "OK." He said.

"OK?" I asked stunned.

"Yes, but I have one condition, " he said pausing. "Marry me, Bella."