The next three days flew. I gorged myself on animals; eating my first alligator. Quite tasty, actually. I had decided not to show myself to Bella right away; I was going to watch her for a day or so. I smiled when I thought about my spying on her over forty years ago. I watched her sleep, read a book, go to Port Angeles where I had to save her from some would-be rapists. I seemed like a crazed stalker. Course, the same could be said now.

But I couldn't help it. For the first time in forty-two years, I was going to see the love of my life, the woman of my dreams (if I could dream). Of course I seemed a little crazed. That was one reason why I stayed away and hunted; I couldn't allow for any mistakes. Although I knew I wouldn't hurt her, I didn't want to risk it. Better safe than sorry.

I ran through the darkness to her neighborhood and climbed up her tree. I knew she wouldn't see me up there. It was hard climbing a palm tree, but I made it work. The view went right into her bedroom. I chuckled at the irony; I was again going to watch her sleep.

She looked beautiful. She had on light purple pajamas and slept under satin sheets. Her pillow was sliding around on the fabric and she was constantly grabbing it to keep it on the bed. There was a small lump next to her, hidden by the sheet; I guessed that it was another pillow. She slept peacefully. I doubted she had many bad dreams now.

And her looks. Life had been kind to her. I saw only a little wrinkling at her eyes. I immediately wondered if she had work done and hoped that was not the case. I would hate to think that my Bella with the beautiful skin had stooped to the level of plastic surgeons. Women would kill for skin like that and she had it. Silk over glass.

"Edward," she mumbled. I froze. She's dreaming of me? How is that possible? Does she subconsciously know I'm here? While I was questioning, I felt tingles throughout my body at the mention of my name. She's dreaming of me. Ah, Bella. How I've dreamed of you for so long. Soon, my love, we will be together. Sleep well…I'll be here.

And I was. I remained in the tree through dawn. I climbed down it when she awoke; I didn't want to be a peeping tom while she dressed. I stayed behind the tree, however, and watched her leave. She climbed in her car, also a Honda, and drove off. I knew where her school was, having found it during the week. I stayed far enough behind so she wouldn't feel uncomfortable.

But she didn't go to the school. I was confused for a moment and then realized it was July; there was no school. She pulled into the local market and climbed out. I had not even paid attention to what she was wearing; that should have been my giveaway that there was no school. She had on plaid capris, a white tee-shirt that hugged her chest and white flip-flops. I noticed her toes were painted a pretty magenta color.

I definitely noticed her shirt then…the way it hugged her breasts. They were perky, as always, and bounced with each step. I swallowed; I can't be thinking like that. Bella was more than sex to me, she was my world. Yes, I would love to give myself to her in that way, but I couldn't. One wrong move and I could kill her. I would lose control; something that I couldn't do because her life depended on it.

I stayed outside and waited for my beautiful Bella to reappear. I observed the people who drove in and walked to the store. Many varieties of people from young to old. There was a mother with two little ones in tow; they definitely did not want to be here. They screamed and kicked when pulled from the car and were resistant to go into the store. The mother was about to lose her cool. Her mind told me she was going to take them home so their father can deal with them.

I smiled. Bella would have been a great mother but I knew she really didn't want to be one. She had never expressed a desire to have kids; I assumed they were not big on her list. Course, she was eighteen at the time. For all I knew, she had several who were grown and left the area.

I know Jacob said that she never got over me, nor did she date again. Somehow, I didn't believe him. I didn't believe that someone as good or as sweet or as beautiful as Bella would be allowed to get away. Just because I let her go doesn't mean someone else didn't.

The ache in my chest was prominent as I thought about her having a family. Again, the whole idea of her having sex with someone other than me made me furious. What a hypocrite I am; I wouldn't allow her to have sex with me due to my strength and fear of losing control, and here I am getting upset at the thought of her having sex with someone else. What was wrong with me?

She was walking out of the market. I stepped further away so as not to be seen. She only had two bags and neither looked packed. She stuck them in the back seat and stood up. She looked around, like she knew someone was watching her. I tensed up. I didn't want to appear to her now; I wasn't ready. She had to not know until it was time.

How can she sense me? I'm farther away than I ever have been. Her right hand scratched an itch on her head as she looked one last time. Not seeing what she wanted, she shrugged and climbed into her car. I didn't relax until she was halfway down the drive. Even then I noticed her looking in her rearview mirror more than usual.

I thought she would go right home, but she surprised me again. She stopped for gas at the station across from the market. Then she swung by the local library and dropped some books off. After running in to pay a bill at the cell phone building next to the library, she went home.

I wanted to help her with her bags, but couldn't. I had no idea how I was to approach her; what I should say. Hi Bella. I know it's been forty years but I thought I should say hi. I've been watching you from a distance and saw you needed help with your packages. So I decided to give you a hand. Yeah, right.

Upon opening the door, a barking erupted. She had a dog. That made sense since she was friends with Jacob Black. He was small, a Pug, and was very happy to see her. She spoke to him as she entered her home.

I took my perch in the tree again and watched the object of my affection for the rest of the evening. She seemed quite content; writing a few emails, walking her dog (which I found out was named Benny) and curling up with a book. Wuthering Heights, of course. She loved that book. Around eleven, she climbed into bed, still wearing the purple pajamas. Benny hopped up and joined her, wheezing the entire night. I realized at that moment that he was the small lump next to her the night before.

I hoped she would say my name again, as it thrilled me tremendously, but she didn't. It was quite warm, being Florida in July, and she thrashed around a lot. At one point, she got up to adjust the air conditioning, kicking Benny off by accident. I couldn't help but think if I was with her, I'd keep her plenty cool. She wouldn't need air conditioning then.

Before Benny climbed back into bed with her, he turned to the window and started growling. He could sense me, he could sense danger. I climbed higher in the tree. I knew Bella wouldn't see me if I didn't want her to, and I didn't, not yet. But I didn't like that her dog was hyper-aware of his surroundings. Of course, I'd have to deal with this later, so I might as well get a glimpse of it now.

"What is it, Benny? What's out there?" She looked out the window, hair swept over her left shoulder. God, she was beautiful. After glancing around and not seeing anything, she walked away.

"There's nothing out there, Benny, that I can see anyway. Just come back to bed." She lay down and immediately re-adjusted her pillow. Benny remained at the window for a few minutes before joining her. I climbed back down the tree after about fifteen minutes, when I was sure they were both asleep. Bella started murmuring again, but never said my name. I sighed contentedly, knowing I would appear to her tomorrow. I was growing anxious to have her see me; I wanted her to know that I found her and that I love her.

Not too much longer, love. Sweet dreams.