So before I start on this chapter, I need to make one small correction:

"She'll never agree," Edward said in denial.

"No she will, but there is something you will have to do first."

Small, but it bothered me when I read it again.

Sorry it has taken so long to update, I'm not even going to make an excuse because there really isn't one. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed and followed the story this far.

Hope you enjoy this next installment!

--

When Bella looked outside the next morning, she was surprised to see Edward leaning against her truck with a pink paper bag in his hands. Rushing as quickly as was safe, she made her way outside.

"What are you doing?"

Edward raised an amused eyebrow at the question. "I'm picking you up for school as usual."

"Where's your car?" Bella asked while looking around the yard.

"Alice has it. You said that you wanted to drive to school today."

Bella turned shocked eyes to Edward. "I didn't expect you to actually listen."

Edward gave her an indulgent smile. "What kind of boyfriend would I be if I ignored your plans?"

"A normal one," Bella tossed over her shoulder teasingly as she climbed into the driver's seat.

Edward was already seated in the passenger seat before Bella had closed the door. He reached out the hand holding the paper bag to Bella and waited for her to take it.

"What's this?"

"Esme made you lunch," Edward said with a smirk.

"Why would she do that?" Bella asked while looking into the bag.

"Like Emmett said yesterday, your health and safety are our first priority. The cafeteria food is in no way healthy or good for you. Esme will be making all your lunches."

Bella blushed at the idea. "It really is okay. I don't want to waste her time or money on food."

"Bella, don't be foolish. Esme was just as excited to make the lunch, as Alice was to decorate the bag. Apparently, even a normal brown paper bag is not safe from Alice and style."

"Can you thank Esme for me?"

"Of course."

--

The day went quickly for everyone. Bella was carried to and from every class. At lunch, she ate the pasta salad with chicken that Esme made for her.

When the bell warning the end of the school day rang, Edward walked into the classroom used as study hall. He gave a small smile when he saw Bella asleep with her head down on the desk.

Edward made is way to her desk and gently lifted her in his arms. He then reached down and grabbed her backpack before leaving the classroom.

He met up with Alice on the way to his car.

"Asleep?" Alice asked.

"You already know the answer," Edward retorted softly.

"I told you she would be back in the Bella-seat by this afternoon."

"I know, but she didn't. Could you follow us back in her truck?" Edward asked as he set Bella into the seat and buckled her in.

"Sure," Alice chirped as she looked over her brother's shoulder, "she's so cute."

"I worry about her," Edward frowned while handing her the keys.

"Just find out the top of her list and it will all work out."

"I'm working on it."

--

Bella woke up as Edward laid her down on her bed.

"How did I get here?"

"You fell asleep in your last class, so I drove you home," Edward explained.

Bella groaned when she realized that she must have been put in the Bella-seat if Edward drove her home.

"Alice knew you would be back in the seat by the afternoon," Edward said with amusement.

Bella simply rolled her eyes and muttered 'figures.' "Where's my truck?"

"I had Alice drive it here."

Bella relaxed further into her bed. Edward saw her eyes start to drop and tenderly pulled the blankets up to her chin.

"Sleep. I'll wake you when Charlie comes home."

"What will you do?"

Edward pulled a small book out of his jacket pocket as a reply.

"What are you reading?"

"Just some poems by Robert Frost."

"Will you read them to me?"

"Alright," Edward responded softly and lovingly. Edward's voice lulled Bella into a restful state, but he could tell that she was not asleep yet. He decided to ask her about her list.

"Bella, what is the first item on your list?"

Bella gave him a tired smile and shook her head.

"Will you ever tell me?"

A small nod was all he received.

"When?" Edward asked somewhat desperately.

The only reply Bella gave him before she fell asleep was a peaceful 'soon.'

--

Bella was surprised that Saturday to see Edward pull up to the house in Emmett's Jeep. He gracefully got out of the Jeep, went up to her, and gave her a light kiss on the forehead.

"What are you doing?" Bella finally asked

Edward raised his eyebrow at the question. "We had plans, remember?"

"Yes, but why do you have Emmett's Jeep?"

"I'm taking you some place special."

"And…." Bella prompted.

"It's kind of off the beaten path."

Edward helped Bella into the Jeep and went to the drivers seat. They drove towards the outskirts of the town and turned on an unnoticeable road deeper into the forest. When it looked like the road was about to end, Edward parked and went to help Bella out.

"It's a bit of a walk, so I'm going to carry you," Edward explained as he kneeled down and waited for her to climb on.

Bella climbed onto his back and wrapped her arms tightly around his shoulders while burying her face into the back on his neck. She could feel the wind through her hair as Edward ran towards his intended destination.

When they finally reached the spot, Edward tapped on Bella's should to let her know. Bella lifted her head and gasped. Edward chuckled and gently put Bella down on the ground.

"Where are we?"

"My meadow. I found it one day while hunting," Edward explained while walking further into the clearing.

"It's beautiful," Bella said in awe.

Edward nodded in agreement. "I usually come here to think."

They walked into the middle of the clearing and sat down on the lush green grass. They both watched each other in silence.

After a couple of minutes, Edward finally broke the quiet. "Bella, do you trust me?"

"Of course."

"Then stay very still," Edward said while leaning forward.

Bella knew what he was trying to do. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes win anticipation. A moment later, she felt ice cold, tentative lips on her. She was surprised how much she enjoyed the feeling.

Edward pulled away slowly and watched Bella's face closely for any reactions. This was the first time he had kissed her anywhere but her forehead since their first date. It was exactly how he imagined it to be as her soft, warm lips reciprocated the pressure of his stone ones.

When she opened her eyes, she smiled at him and gave him a quick peck on his unmoving lips before lying down in the grass. Edward followed her lead. They lapsed into comfortable silence.

"I want to find my soul mate," Bella whispered.

"What was that?" Edward asked.

"The first item on my list. I want to find my soul mate."

"And have you?"

Bella looked deep into Edward's eyes and whispered "yes."

Edward broke into a smile and kissed her again on her lips.

"What's yours?"

Edward became serious at the question. "To fall in love."

"And have you?" Bella copied while anxious of the answer.

Edward answered her by pulling her into another deep kiss. "More than you can imagine."

They both spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying their surroundings and each other's company.

--

During the next month, Bella grew steadily weaker. She had to practically be carried everywhere and was unable to drive her truck any longer. Edward was almost always by her side. Bella could tell he had something planned because she would wake up and see him working diligently over a piece of paper. Whenever she would ask, he would say he was working on a surprise.

Bella also became much closer to Edward's family. Esme became so close to the sick girl that she was now considered as a second mother. Alice and Emmett were always visiting. Alice would show up with a new outfit to dress Bella in, while Emmett would bring games to play in bed or books to read. Jasper would usually come along to see the girl.

Carlisle became her secondary doctor. He was present at all her appointments with Dr. Morris and Edward would call him whenever Bella felt unwell.

Rosalie still kept her distance, but had lost most of her hostility towards Bella when she was around.

--

Charlie had decided to pull Bella out of school early. He could see that his daughter was slowly dying and wanted to keep her alive as long as possible. Edward also left school with the excuse of taking care of a sick relative. When Bella told him that he shouldn't skip class because of her, he laughed and pointed out that he had been in school for over ninety years.

Edward was now constantly by her side. One day, Bella woke up to Edward wrapping a blanket around her lithe body.

"Sorry, I was trying not to wake you."

"It's okay. Where are we going?" Bella said tiredly.

"I have a surprise for you," Edward said gently.

"What kind of surprise?" she asked while laying her head down against his chest.

"Well, you will just have to see."

She simply nodded her head and fell into a light sleep.

Edward smiled down at his girlfriend and brought her out to his car. He strapped her in and went to the driver's seat. The drive was quiet with Bella asleep and Edward going over his plan in his head. When they reached his house, he carried her into the music room.

"Bella, its time to wake up."

Bella blinked the sleep out of her eyes and turned to look at her surroundings. "What are we doing in your music room?"

"I told you I had a surprise for you," Edward said with amusement.

Bella smiled lightly and leaned back against the soft pillows. "What is it?"

"You'll see," Edward replied while walking to his piano. When he sat down, he turned to smile at Bella and then began to play the song he had been working on while watching over his girlfriend.

Bella listened as a beautiful melody filled the room. The song started soft and energetic, but ended with a sad, bittersweet note.

When Edward turned around, he saw Bella with tears in her eyes. "That was beautiful."

"It is for you," Edward said lovingly.

"For me?"

Edward nodded. "It's called Bella's lullaby."

"You didn't have to," Bella said tearfully.

Edward came over to the couch Bella was on and pulled her into his arms. Bella couldn't stop the tears of happiness from falling. Edward gently wiped the tears from her face.

"Bella, surely you know by now that I would do anything for you."

"I would too."

Edward took an unnecessary swallow before continuing. "Bella, do you love me?"

Bella frowned at the question. "You know I do."

"Would you do something for me?" Edward asked earnestly.

"Anything."

Edward gave her a small smile and got down on his knee. "Would you marry me?"

"What?" Bella asked in shock.

"Bella Marie Swan, I love you. I want to live an eternity with you. You are all that matters."

"Edward, I can't marry you. I'm dying. I can't do that to you or your family."

"Bella, please marry me. Become my wife. Let me heal you and love you forever."

Bella looked into his eyes. She only saw love and his desperation to be with her there. She lost her will to fight between what her heart said and what her head said. "Yes, Edward Anthony Cullen. I will marry you!"

Edward pulled her into a deep kiss. Through the door, they could hear Alice's squeals of excitement and Emmett's whoops of joy.

"I guess Alice already has the wedding planned," Bella said humorously.

"BELLA, hurry up in there! I want to go over invitations!" Alice yelled through the door.

Bella simply groaned while Edward chuckled into her ear. "If not, she will soon."

AN: Hope you enjoyed.....next chapter should be the last or second to last. Please review and let me know what you think!