A strange light glowed under my lids, waking me. I squeezed my lids shut curling into the warm comforter wrapped around me, praying for more sleep. Slowly the previous day filtered through my still dazed mind. Shooting like a rocket out of the bed, I took in my surroundings. The bright light was coming thorough the large glass wall. I squinted my eyes instantly looking for Edward but he was no where to be seen.

Suddenly, a click, like a door opening and closing, occurred to the left of me. But before I could turn my head to look Edward was in front of me. My eyes raked over his appearance, from his wildly tousled hair to the way the white t-shirt hugged his lean, muscular chest before meeting his light ocher eyes. I blushed, embarrassed at my awed, ogling but he smiled crookedly at me. He sat down next to me, my erratic heart the only sound between us.

Taking my hands in his, his voice a little concerned he asked, "You weren't frightened were you? I only meant to leave for a few minutes but it ended up taking much longer than I thought. When I returned, Alice was already on her way up here."

A smile curved my lips as I responded, "No, I was fine actually. I just woke up right before you came through the door."

"Good." He answered, his concern gone, his eyes continuing to bore into mine.

We continued our silent starring contest for a few moments before I had to look away, afraid that if I didn't my heart would actually succeed in leaping out of my chest. He massaged slow circles into the top of my hand wordless, as if trying to collect his thoughts.

Finally he spoke drawing my attention once again, "I am so glad that you are finally awake. I thought you might actually sleep the whole day away."

Confused by his statement, I asked, "What time is it?"

His eyes sparkled, his smile widening as he answered, "It's 2 in the afternoon." I gasped in shocked when he immediately added soothingly, "Bella you had a very rough day yesterday. I think you deserved a day in bed. I wouldn't have left you but I needed to if you agree to what I have planned anyway."

Instantly my curiosity was peaked, I asked, "And what might that be?"

He grinned deviously shaking his head, to which I frowned, stating, "I'm not going to tell you. It's a surprise."

I tried to glare at him saying, "You know, I don't really like surprises."

He mulled this information over for a few seconds, his eyes never leaving my face. Thinking I may have actually gotten my way I smiled but his face eyes darkened taking on a disturbed look. I regretted my words instantly, meaning to speak but he was quicker.

"Do you trust me Bella?" he asked, his voice revealing a hint of his unease.

Though I knew that most would think that I was insane after all I had learned last night, it didn't matter to me. There was no question in my mind, I trusted him completely.

With as much conviction as I could muster, I whispered, "Yes."

The grin that spread across his face was blinding, stealing my breath as he whispered, "Then, there shouldn't be a problem."

Before I could gain my breath, Alice burst into the room. Her face was beaming with her excitement as she came to stand in front of me. I looked from her to Edward to Alice in confusion. He shrugged his shoulders glaring defiantly at his sister.

"She's here to help you get ready," he whispered casually in my ear.

"You can glare at me all you want but unless you want her to go out like that," she accented that her nose wrinkling, pointing to the sweat pants and shirt I had been wearing for almost 2 days, before continuing, "Then I have to help her get ready."

My cheeks burst into flames, realizing how horrible I must look. My clothes were crumpled, my teeth fuzzy and I was sure my hair looked like something had nested in it. I wanted to crawl in a hole as I brushed my hand through my hair in a vain attempt to tame it.

The death glare Edward gave his sister for upsetting me, made me cower a little before he threw his arm around me protectively whispering, "If she wore a sack it wouldn't matter, she'd still be beautiful."

My heart swelled in my chest, while Alice just rolled her eyes smiling, "Yes, but with a nice relaxing shower and a little of my help, she'll be radiant."

I made a hmp sound out my nose, announcing, "You're both crazy."

The look Edward gave me told me just how absurd he thought I was, but I knew he was just being kind, sweet Edward. I was far from beautiful but it affected me all the same a blush coloring my face.

He opened his mouth to voice it but Alice cut him off impatiently muttering, "Look, he is only going to give me 30 minutes to get you all prettied up so I don't really have time for your next conversation."

I laughed wondering if I would ever get used to her unique gift but Edward sighed in surrender giving me one last squeeze before getting off the bed. Conflicting emotions filled me I desperately didn't want him to leave but I knew I needed a shower.

Giving in to the later, I too pushed myself off the bed balancing all my weight on my good leg. Pain, that had been so easy to ignore before, wafted through me. I stretching, I wanted to wince at how much it hurt but that would give me away so I didn't, my brain pounding softly. Carlisle was definitely right, it was getting harder to ignore.

Concentrated on myself, I hadn't noticed what Edward was doing until he stood in front of me, holding 2 pills and a glass of water. Immediately I recognized my pain pills. I looked into his eyes, wanting to read his expression but they held nothing but concern for me.

"Carlisle said that you should take these when you woke. They would help." He whispered in a voice that left no room for argument.

But stubbornly I did anyway. The pills would help the pain but they also made me even more tired and my brain foggy. I wanted to have a clear mind for whatever my surprise was today so I tried to refuse.

"That's alright, I really don't need them. It's not that bad."

Though Alice looked like she might force them down my throat, Edward took a more tactful approach running his finger softly down the side of my face – leaving an electric trail – that stole my breath and sent my heart racing.

Then he whispered in a soft pleading voice, "Please Bella, I don't want you to be in pain."

There was no way I could argue with that, so I did as he asked. Throwing them in my in my mouth then chasing them with water. He smiled crookedly at me pleased. I tried to conjure up the energy to glare defiantly at him but I couldn't do it. He was only thinking of me, not wanting my pain. He really was truly too good to be true.

That thought stabbed my heart. The love that I felt for him grew every moment, but could he really love me back. Not willing to listen to the dark answer my head gave me. I grabbed the hand Alice held out, giving Edward one last look. My expression must have held some of my sadness because his beautiful face furrowed in confusion. He moved toward me, a need for explanation clear in his eyes but it was too late Alice closed the bathroom door blocking me from his vision.

The next thirty minutes flew by in a relaxing rush of hot water and Alice's musical chatter. I didn't pay strict attention letting Alice and the pain medication sooth away my heart ache. By the time I was done an invigorating excitement had taken its place. I let it thrill through me while Alice carried me down the stairs.

She deposited me quickly in front of Edward stating, "There's no need to thank me."

Then she bound away her trilling laughter following her. Edward looked me over once, taking in my thick blue sweater and snug jeans, nodding in approval. I took him in too quickly noticing the addition of a tan leather jacket hugging his form and a basket.

Eyeing him curiously I asked, "Are we going outside?"

"Yes," he answered but I wasn't able to question the basket as he carefully slung me on to his back.

I gasped in shock, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck, my cast limiting the firmness of my hold. Seeing the problem, Edward quickly shifted me so that he was cradling me. His smell was intoxicating as I laid my head into his chest breathing deeply.

"You might want to close your eyes," he warned before shooting off like a rocket out the door and into the woods.

Heeding his warning, I buried my head deeper into his stone chest. The sensation was smooth and effortless but I didn't open my eyes. I had seen firsthand the speed at which they could move and didn't think that my stomach would be able to handle that.

I didn't realize that we had stopped, too absorbed in Edward holding me, until Edward whispered, "You can open your eyes now, Bella."

The scene before me was breathtakingly beautiful. It was a small, perfectly round meadow filled with wildflowers. It was beautifully serene and seemed to fit the man cradling me in his arms.

I looked up to him meeting his liquid ocher eyes, as he whispered, "Do you like it?"

"It's beautiful, Edward." I said so many emotions coloring my voice.

He smiled crookedly his eyes dazzling me. Edward moved forward, gently setting me down before setting out a picnic for one. I smiled at him scooting over on to the blanket he had set out.

He shook his head laughing before saying, "I could have done that."

"Yes," I retorted smiling in return, "but I was perfectly capable of doing it myself."

"You're stubborn." He stated as he sat next to me.

We sat in serene silence while I picked at the food he had set out. I wasn't really hungry but I couldn't let his efforts go to waste either. Then I lay back on the blanket letting the wind blow my hair softly. He laid down next to me, taking my hand in his, laying it on his chest.

Absentmindedly, he played with my fingers sending little tingles of electricity down my body. I turned my head to the side meeting his eyes. The emotions playing in those liquidy depths instantly flushed my face, sending my heart racing.

I couldn't look away as he moved, in one of his lighting quick movements, on to his side cradling his head on his other hand. He let go of my hand then only to run a finger down the side of my face. My breath caught as the electricity firing within me reach new peaks until I was fairly sure I was going to internally combust. How could one person affect me so much without seeming to notice, I wondered.

"The blush on your cheeks is lovely," he murmured resting his palm on my cheek.

Not knowing how or if I could respond, I remained silent.

He smiled crookedly at me before continuing, "I need to tell you something, Bella."

"Alright," I stuttered my voice weak from all the feelings racing through me.

His eyes seemed to falter, uncertainty swimming in them as he whispered, "I meant what I said yesterday, and I could save you if that is what you want."

A small smile played on my lips, realizing I want wanted nothing more. As much as I loved him I could never leave him. That pain would be more than I could endure. But the dark voice inside my head, stomped on my happiness needing to know why.

Before I could stop myself I asked darkly, "Why would you want to save me, Edward? I'm nothing special."

He looked taken aback by my statement before smiling softly saying, "You are special Bella, more special than you know."

In my heart I wanted to believe his words but I couldn't. Though it was hard to explain my feelings I knew I had to. I couldn't have him saddled to me forever when I was desperately in love with him.

I looked away from him then taking a deep breath to savor the moment before whispering, "But I not. I don't want you to feel like you have to save me because I'm dying, Edward. That's not fair. I would love nothing more than to be with you forever but …" I couldn't continue it was just too hard.

Tears stung my eyes as Edward pulled my face back towards his forcing me to look in his eyes. His eyes overflowed with so many emotions: happiness, contentment and…

"Bella, I'm the one being selfish not you. I'm a soulless monster. Even though I don't want to be I am. Doing that to you is the most selfish thing that I will ever do. But, I want to do it not because you're dying or because I pity you. But because I don't think I can live without you. Because your everything to me now or ever. Because the thought of losing you is a pain I can't I could endure. But mostly because I love you more than I more than…anything." he whispered his velvety voice revealing all the truth in his words.

Tears trailed down my face at his beautiful words, my heart growing to breaking point as it danced in my chest. Though it was unbelievable, he loved me and I couldn't be happier then I was at that moment. I wanted to laugh, dance, sing in euphoria but Edward's face drew my attention. His face falling as his body remained still and cold in his sadness.

With an energy that I didn't know I possessed, I threw myself at him. I threw my arms around his neck while he wrapped his arm around my waist.

"Of course, I love you, Edward. How could you even question it?" I whispered into his ear placing my cheek on his.

He laughed lightly, the sound tickling between us. Rolling over so that I was sprawled on top of him, every curve of mine fitting his, he clutched my face.

"I don't know what I have done to deserve you." He whispered smoothly his glorious eyes smoldering into mine.

I smiled so hard it hurt my cheeks, muttering, "I think you have that backwards."

"No, I don't," he said simply his blindingly beautiful face just inches from mine.

"Hold very still," he warned, his breath washing over my face.

My heart raced in anticipation but I didn't move as he inched closer. Finally when I knew I couldn't wait anymore his smooth, cool lips touched mine. Every fiber in my body begged for me to move, clutch him closer to me but I held them back enjoying the sensation of Edward loving me.

He pulled away much too quick for my liking, put repented in feathering tingling kisses from my mouth to my cheek down my neck. Finally, I let my hand move to roam through his silky bronze hair enjoying the smooth texture. He sighed letting go of my face only to wrap his arms around me, pulling me closer. Laying my head on his chest, I breathed in deeply enjoying the sheer bliss of the moment.