Note: Oh. My. God. I am SO sorry for not updating in what seems like FOREVER. I've been absolutely swamped with homework, midterms, a research project, and beta reading. This is the last chapter, although I may do a bonus chapter. Oh, and as always, I am not Stephenie Meyer. I do sometimes wish I were... but I'm just borrowing her characters for my own, and your, enjoyment.

Chapter 9
EPOV

She didn't care? As I paced back and forth in front of her, I pondered this. She didn't care that I was a monstrous creature. How was that even possible? How could she stand to be around someone that could kill her so easily? Maybe there was more to the fact that I couldn't read her mind. I always just though she was special, she was unique, but maybe she was insane...

I waited for her to start explaining how she knew this. It had to have been Black. Who else could have told her? Who else knew about my family's secret? Mike Newton? Right.

"After Jacob pulled me away from you—" I was definitely going to be right. "—I made him come outside and explain things to me—why he was so rude to you, and why he disliked you so much. He told me about your family, and what you are." She paused, looking at the floor, most likely waiting for a reaction from me. When I didn't give one, she continued to speak.

"I didn't believe him at first, but then I started to doubt myself. Everything made sense if it were true, so I decided to believe it." She looked up at me then, locking eyes. "And I realized that I didn't care. I don't care what you are, Edward, because although this may not make any sense, I'm in love with you. I can't control it, I just am." She fell silent after this.

All we could do was stare at each other. I had stopped pacing somewhere in the middle of her speech, and I didn't know what to say. I knew inside that I loved her too, but we weren't good for each other. I was an over one hundred year old vampire, and she was just a normal teenage girl that deserved more than I could give her.

As much as I hated him, she deserved to be with someone like Newton. She should be with someone who could take care of her, have kids with her, make her happy. I couldn't give her any of this, and I would put her in more danger than she could ever imagine.

"Bella," I felt torn up inside about what I was going to say. "We can't be together. I would put you in danger, and as I said before, I'm no good for you."

All she did was smile at this. I didn't understand why she was doing this. I don't even think I could fake a smile at a time like this.

I knew I wanted to be with Bella forever—my love for her was unexplainable—but I also knew that one day she would die, and I would not be able to watch as that happened. I also knew that I would never allow myself to hurt her, whether it was killing her myself, or turning her into a monster just like me. I needed her to stay away from me.

After silently smiling for a minute or so, she decided to speak up again. "I know you don't think I should be around you," she wrapped her hand around mine, gently. "But I can't not be around you. I'd rather die then live without you, Edward."

Why did she have to make this so hard?

"Bella," I sighed. "You are exasperating."

"I try." She grinned up at me. I grinned right back—she did that to me.

I lightly squeezed her hand, the one that was caressing mine, and wrapped both of my hands around it.

I knew that we couldn't be together, but I also knew that we couldn't stay away from each other. I knew that making this work would be hard, but I also knew that I wanted to try. Loving her was the easiest thing in the world, and I would never stop. My frozen heart—metaphorically—would only beat for one girl, and that was Isabella Swan.

YAY (:

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I love everyone who alerted this, favorited this, and reviewed this story. You all make me so incredibly happy. I couldn't do it without you!

Once again, I am so ridiculously sorry for the delay of this chapter.

I know this ended a little strangely—they never discussed Edward's wanting to try—but I liked it better this way. This story was not about them starting their relationship, it was about Edward realizing that he wanted to be with Bella. So, I hope you liked it for what it was!

Hint about the possible bonus chapter: A cute little pixie may be involved ;)

And finally, for anyone that would like to criticize the lengths of the chapters, just think about this. My whole story, 9 chapters of Twilighty goodness, took place in what? A few hours?! Yeah... just think about that.