Okay, I take it back. THIS is my favorite chapter so far!!! For all of you who are loving this story, unfortunately, it is almost over. A couple more chapters and it will end. But don't worry, I've got a couple of really cool outtakes planned for later!!!

Without further adieu.........Chapter 10

My dearest Isabel,

I fear my time on this earth may be short. The wretched illness that is ravaging the city has claimed my father. My mother and I are trapped here in the hospital, quarantined with the rest of the sick. She spends her energy caring for me, and my only concern is for you. I know they will not allow you to see me for fear you will fall ill as well. But there is something I must tell you, for fear I may never get the chance. So, my love, I write you this letter, in hopes that even if I never leave this place, you will know in your heart the depth of my love for you.

That day in the park-did you guess my plan? I meant it to be a surprise, but I never could catch you unaware. So, I must tell you- I love you, I love you, I love you, and my greatest wish is to spend my entire eternity with you by my side, as man and wife. I would like to believe, that if given the chance, you would have said yes. I pray every day for the miracle that my life may be spared, and we may be together again. Until that day, please know you are in my thoughts, foremost, and that my love for you is as endless as time itself. Yesterday, today, tomorrow, forever- I love you my darling.

Yours forever-

Edward

Chapter 10: Enough for Now

BPOV

Fifteen minutes later, I crawled into the passenger seat of Rosalie's red Mercedes, clutching the small wooden box. My mind was racing, and I was too nervous to speak to her. She must have been aware of this fact, because she never said a word until we turned into the long, narrow, dirt lane leading to the Cullen estate. "Bella, you don't need to be afraid. He will listen to whatever you have to say without judgment. Whatever you have decided about your relationship, it's good that you are ready to face that decision head on."

"I know you're right. Thank you, again, for all of this," I said softly, "I know you care for him. It must be hard to see him hurting."

"It is, but the not knowing is the hardest. He needs to know what is happening, so that he can move on to whatever is next." She smiled reassuringly.

I followed her tentatively into the house, my eyes searching my surroundings for any sign of him. As we entered the front room, we were greeted by Edward's entire family. They were all gathered around, talking amongst themselves, clearly waiting for us to arrive.

"Welcome, Bella. It's very nice to see you again," said Carlisle. "I'm only sorry it is under such unpleasant circumstances."

"I'm hoping to rectify that. Where is Edward?" I asked. "I need to speak with him, and it can't wait any longer."

Alice stepped forward, smiling brightly at me. "I can show you!" She was positively beaming, dancing her way up the stairs.

"Alice," I started, "have you seen how this will turn out?"

"Of course, Bella! But I'm not saying a word. You and Edward still need to work it out on your own." With that, she led me down the third floor hallway, to Edward's door. "He's still unresponsive, Bella. But don't worry. He WILL respond to you. Good luck! I will see you later!" she said merrily, bounding down the stairs away from me.

Well, here goes nothing- I thought to myself as I slowly turned the knob on Edward's door. Rosalie was right. The scene before me was heartbreaking. Edward was curled in a ball on the floor near the couch. I quickly took in my surroundings, noting that the couch and a small chair were the only real furnishings in the room. No bed, no desk- nothing that said this might be someone's bedroom. I made a mental note to ask him about that later.

As I slowly made my way over to where Edward lay, I noticed that his eyes were open, but vacantly staring off into nothingness. Was this what my hasty dismissal of him the other day had accomplished? There was a slow, dull ache building in my chest, and I could feel the moisture beginning to pool in the corners of my eyes. I curled my legs underneath me, sitting beside him, and carefully brushed my fingers through is unruly bronze hair. "Edward. Please look at me?" I begged him. "I don't want you to hurt like this. I need to talk to you, please?"

He was whimpering softly- it almost sounded as if he had been crying. Slowly, his head turned to face me. "You're not really here," he said. "You are just one more figment of my imagination. Why can't you just let me suffer in silence?" Now my heart was really breaking, not just for him, but for myself as well. How long had this cycle been repeating for him?

"No, Edward! I really am here," I replied, taking his hand in my own. "Please, you have to believe me! I'm here, and I need to talk to you!"

He sat up, then, and looked at me curiously, his eyes narrowing into slits. "Bella? Is it really you?"

"Yes," I smiled, "and I need you to listen to what I am telling you, okay?"

Taking my face in his cool hands, he replied, "All right."

"Edward, I think I believe you- about all of it. But I need you to tell me everything. From the very beginning. Can you do that for me?" I needed to hear his story before I could reveal myself to him.

"Are you sure? Some of it is not pleasant." The pain in his eyes burned into my own soul.

"I am. But don't start with Isabel. We can talk about her later. I want to know about what happened after- and please, don't hold back. I need to hear it all."

His golden eyes took in my face, trying to discern if I really meant what I had said. "If you're sure, then, okay. It all started a few years after Isabel died...."

EPOV

For many years after I was changed, I followed Carlisle's lifestyle choices simply because he wanted me to. It was several years before I began to question why we went against our nature. The fact that I could hear the thoughts of those around me made it all the more difficult. I could hear their lustful and murderous desires, and I wanted to punish them- I needed it. Eventually, I gave in to my own desires, and rebelled against Carlisle. Esme had been with us for a few years by that point, so at least I knew he wouldn't be alone. I was only ten years into my eternity when I walked away from the only family I had left, and began a new life as a monster- a hunter of evil men.

It was on this particular journey that I saw her for the first time. I was tracking a particularly wicked man, who himself had been watching a very young girl, hoping to make her his next victim. The things that he imagined doing to her were horrible- enough to make even myself sick. I started out vowing to end him before he could hurt her and ended up with my entire world in a tailspin. The night that he finally met his maker was when I looked into her eyes for the first time. I saw her from hundreds of feet away, but there was no mistaking the soul I saw when our eyes met. It was my Isabel, come back to me, in the form of a ten-year-old girl. I knew I would do my best to protect her, no matter the cost.

Even after I had disposed of her erstwhile stalker, I continued to follow her. Always from a distance. I knew if I were to get too close I would frighten her. However, I could still hear her thoughts. She knew I followed her. She felt safe- protected. Then, one day I was following her much more closely than usual. A storm was coming up, and she was rushing to get home. Everything happened so quickly- it was only afterwards that I realized what I had done. The wind shifted, and her scent caught me. I had been feeding solely from humans for two years, or I might have been able to resist the sweetest scent I had ever beheld. To this day, Carlisle insists it is nearly impossible to resist the call of a singer. That's what he called her when I finally returned home- my singer. I had been thinking of returning to my family for months, but after her death at my hands, I knew I had to come home. I thought, in some strange way, that it would right my wrong, somehow, to go back to my old way of surviving. I embraced this lifestyle with everything I had left, hoping to someday erase the ache from my dead heart.

The second time was in 1949- you were not my singer that time. But you did figure out what I was, and that knowledge succeeded in driving you mad. You were institutionalized and died a few months later.

It has happened a total of five times, Bella. Only one other time were you my singer. Emmett was with me on that occasion, thank God, when I caught your scent. Otherwise, I might not have been able to keep myself from draining you on the spot. I've watched you die five times, and it never gets any easier. I risked exposing myself and my family the other day because I couldn't bear to lose you again- not like that. If I lose you this time, it will be because you know the whole truth, and decide to walk away. I wouldn't blame you if you did. I tried to stay away to keep you safe, but I am, at my very core, a selfish creature. I love you, and I wanted you, so I gave in to my desire, and claimed you for myself.

I have no right to ask you to forgive all of my past mistakes. I have no right to ask you to love me despite what I am. But I am asking, just the same. Could you find it in your heart to forgive me? Could you love me, regardless of what I am and all that I have done?

BPOV

I was utterly transfixed by the depth of the pain and sincerity in his eyes. Suddenly, the question was not whether he really loved me, but whether or not he could forgive himself for his past indiscretions. Before I could put my thoughts to words, Edward was speaking. "Bella, what changed your mind? Why did you come here today?" He held my hands firmly in his own, pleading with his eyes for me to throw him a lifeline.

"Two reasons, really." I wasn't sure how to express what had happened. "The first- the mermaid fountain? Do you remember the dream I told you about all those weeks ago? That fountain was torn down in the 30's, and replaced with something more modern. I've never been to Chicago, and the only explanation I could come up with for dreaming about something I had never seen, was that I was actually remembering it."

"How did you discover this information?" He asked curiously.

"I did a little online research yesterday. I was hoping to find answers to some of my questions."

"I see," he replied. "And the second reason?"

This was my moment of truth. I reached for the small box I had carried from my house, and opened it slowly. Reaching inside, I answered, "This box belonged to my Great-Grandmother, Charlotte. I was going through it early this morning, soul-searching, I guess, and came across these." I handed him, first, the well-worn black and white photo, and then the folded slip of parchment, yellowed and dog-eared with age.

His breath hitched in his throat as he softly ran a finger over the picture of himself and a girl who looked very much like me. "Isabel...," he whispered.

I tried to focus as I continued my speech. "Charlotte was raised here in Forks. Her mother's parents were forced to move from Seattle when her grandfather lost his job. They relocated to Chicago, taking Charlotte's beloved aunt, Isabel, with them. She was sixteen when she left this place. She died the following year from the Spanish Influenza- but you already know that part." He was watching me, with a look of bewilderment in his topaz eyes.

"Bella-" he said, choking back a sob.

"I was named for her. I can't believe I never put two and two together before now. You weren't wrong, when you said I am her- I guess in a way, I am. But, I have another theory, Edward, if you would like to hear it?" I reached out slowly, and took his hand in mine again, gently stroking his palm with the tips of my fingers.

"Tell me, Bella." His eyes were burning with need.

"My theory- all the things that have happened before this? They happened for a reason, Edward. I know that sounds cliché, but it's true. It was never the right time for us before- that's why all these things kept happening. You couldn't die, so I kept dying, and coming back to you again, and again. Coming back to you so we could finally get it right." I felt the truth of my words wash over me in that instance. The past had led us to this moment, when he could be who he really wanted to be, and I could love him the way he deserved to be loved. "I love you, Edward. I don't want to waste another minute second-guessing anything. I want you in my life, I need you!"

He reached his hand up and brushed his fingers across my cheek, wiping away a tear that had escaped my eye. A smile started to spread across his glorious face. "And I you, my love. Always, I need you, and I love you." His hand rested on the back of my neck as he pulled me to him and brushed my lips, softly, with his own.

Don't forget to review! I love hearing your thoughts.

I have a new recommendation if you haven't read it already. "Tattoos like Mile Markers" by casket4mytears. Every chapter makes me cry. It is an AH/AU Edward and Bella story.