"Edward, I know you're there. And we need to talk."

Chapter 12

I don't know what I was expecting. I don't know what I wanted in that moment. A part of me wanted to see him so badly, to shake him, to scream at him, to demand the truth. A part of me wanted to make him hurt the way he had hurt me time and time again. To confuse him the way he confused me. To punish him for turning my life upside down.

But a bigger part of me just wanted to see him. To see him and feel better. Because seeing him, even when I was furious or awkward or embarrassed or terrified, always made me feel better.

I stood at my window, gripping the sill until my knuckles were white and my fingers stiff, staring blindly into the darkness, willing him to come to me. I shivered as the damp night air wafted into my room, settling in my still damp hair, running thickly across my bare shoulders.

I stood and I waited. And when he didn't come, I did the only thing I could think of. I talked to him.

"Edward," I whispered for the second time that night. "Edward, I know that you don't know what you're doing. I don't know either. I don't know, and it scares the shit out of me. I don't know what this is, this thing between us. I don't know who you are. Hell, I don't even know who I am. But I know that I'm tired of fighting it. So tired, Edward."

I paused, squinting as hard as I could, trying to force him out. Trying to convince myself that he was out there, somewhere, and that he could hear me.

"And I'm sorry for being so difficult. I'm sorry if I want too much. But I feel things, now. Things that I have never, ever felt before. Things that I never believed in and never thought I could. And it's because of you. It's all because of you. Your very existence has meant so much to me, Edward. And I just wanted you to know that. You may not be able to tell me your secrets, Edward, but I want you to know one of mine..."

I took a deep breath, feeling strangely grounded as tears began to slip freely down my cheeks. I needed to say this, and, whether he was listening or not, at least I would know that I'd done it.

"I am in love with you. No matter where you are, Edward. No matter who or what you are. I may not know your mind, but I know your soul. And I love you. I love you."

And, for one perfect moment, the clouds broke above and illuminated the trees in front of me. And my eyes found him where he stood, stock still, arms at his sides, staring into my window. At me. He had heard me. And that was enough for one night.

"Goodnight, Edward," I breathed, making eye contact with him as best I could with the distance between us. He offered me a short nod, just a slight jerk of the head, but it was enough. Satisfied, I gave him a small smile and gently closed my window, turning away to head back to bed.

Pulling the covers back, I moved into the center of my mattress, drawing my knees into my chest and grabbing a pillow to hug. I had done so well. I was so proud of myself. It had taken complete darkness for me to say what had to be said. It had taken a day of confusion and turmoil and a night of absolute panic. But I had said it. And he had heard me. And, for right now, that was all I could ask for.

And so, when I felt, rather than heard, my window opening for the second time that night, I was more than a little surprised. And when I saw the beautifully graceful body I had come to adore so much move into my room as though he had been doing it all his life, I was without words.

"Isabella," he breathed, his voice water in a desert, "I love you, too."

A/N: I'm a bitch. But I'm trying to get my readers back. I'm more than a little disappointed, guys, ain't gonna lie. I'll stop being all emo, though. And start making true on my promises. Give me reviews and I'll give you a chapter.