I am so sorry for the gap between updates, I've just been really, really busy. Hopefully my schedule will free up soon and I'll have more time to write. I've been writing and re-writing this chapter getting advice from people, (When one person says it's too soppy and one says it's not romantic enough it's very hard to find a balance) and I hope that it's good enough. The next chapter will be up soon I promise!

Lackofbetterchoice

xxx

Chapter 14

Max POV

I effortlessly glided along the air for a few seconds before hitting the hyper speed. I could feel Edward's eyes watching me as I left.

I had a small sense of déjà vu, something that ripped at my chest as I remembered, Fang. Didn't I do the same thing to him? Running away is all I'm good for, I'm a coward.

I slowed and landed lightly on a tree branch, my last moments with Fang replayed in my mind.

I jumped from branch to branch quickly trying to distract myself from thinking about my next problem. Eventually I saw what I was looking for, the cave where I opened up to Edward. Was it a good idea to come here? I decided Edward probably wouldn't dare look for me after what happened and took off into the air.

It was weird being alone here, usually I was with Total or Edward now it had an eerie silence that somehow told me that I couldn't run away from this predicament.

Edward says he loves me...so what happens now?

"Why is it that guys always have to make things awkward?" I shouted angrily and punched the wall. "Why does this happen to me? This is so stupid! I've only known him for a few weeks!"

The anger left me as fast as it had come. Getting angry wasn't going to help.

Fang wandered into my mind and instantly felt guilty, like by thinking about this I was betraying him.

When I told Edward that I didn't know whether I loved Fang or not, it wasn't true. I just didn't want to admit it. Over the years, every thought of him made my feelings stronger. I now know that I truly loved him and what I said on his last night was true. The flashback seeped into my mind.

The stars were bright and seemed to be watching over us, the night air was bitingly cold but we didn't care. I held him close as the poison made him weaker and I could feel him tense every time drops of the poison slipped into his heart. The worst part was the waiting. Unlike the Erasers who had quick painless deaths we had slow ones. I had Jeb look after Angel. I didn't want her to see him like this.

He looked up me. His face so close to mine he whispered in my ear, "I love you,"

I felt like someone had ripped my heart out when he said it. That was what brought me to tears, the ache in my heart caused by knowing I was going to lose him. Between sobs I could hear him apologising for his feelings, that made me panic. I can't let him believe that I was crying about that.

"Fang," I whispered hoarsely, "I'm not crying because you love me. I'm crying because I'm going to lose you. I can't imagine a world where you're not by my side. I love you to." That last part had slipped out, I hadn't meant to say it, I wasn't even sure if it was true but I let it go. Let Fang be happy in his last moments.

He was happy, he used up the last of his strength to kiss me with as much force possible and for the first time I kissed him back. We only paused to catch our breath and when we did he would whisper my name.

We stayed out the whole night, just the two of us, holding each other. At some point during that night, I don't know when, Fang stopped breathing. In the morning Jeb found us and carried us back to the house.

My face was wet, I didn't bother wiping away the tears and just let them roll down my face.

I loved Fang. It was that simple, and obvious but too painful to see until now. That night wasn't a lie, it meant something. I loved him, I still love him.

What about Edward?

It made sense now, why he cared about me, why most of his family liked me. Why didn't I see it?

Why do I feel so connected to him? Why do I trust him? Every time I see him, I feel happy and halfway safe...I want to stay with him...

I gasped as the thought came into my head. No. I love Fang, I don't care if he's dead, I love him and only him.

I slouched against the wall and let the afternoon sun warm my face. I was still crying, I seemed to be crying that a lot these days.

This was such a mess.

Edward POV

What have I done?

I've ruined everything. I'll never be with her.

I watched her leap out that window with delicate grace and fly in to the sky. I didn't even try to stop her, I promised myself to let her go if she wanted me to. Agony ripped through me, though my heart hadn't beat in over 100 years, it felt like it was breaking... Why did I ever think we could be together?

Alice burst into the room a few seconds later. She hugged me tightly, as Jasper and Emmet came into the room.

"Edward, Things will get better." Alice said stepping back.

"Is that a fact?" I muttered.

"Your future is still blurred so she will still be around."

That brought a wave of relief over me, but there was a bit of doubt in my mind as she didn't mention the image of Max and I together. She would have mentioned that too if it wasn't fading. Butmaybe I didn't lose her completely, and we could still be friends. That was better than nothing.

"Why didn't you go after her?" Emmet asked patting me on the back.

"I don't want to force my feelings on her...she has a right to leave and I can't stop her."

My siblings nodded in understanding.

"We'll leave you alone then." Jasper said and took Alice's hand. I looked at him gratefully; I really just wanted to be alone.

As the door shut, I fell back onto the couch and closed my eyes. I could hear my family's thoughts around me, their sympathies and worries. Even Rosalie felt sorry for me, though in the back of her mind she wondered if having wings made Max prettier than her.

Esme was on the verge of crying, she had such hopes for this match. Carlisle and Jasper were calming her down.

I couldn't take it. I had to get out of the house.

I went out to my Volvo without a word and drove as fast as I could out of the winding drive. I pulled the windows down; Max's scent was still in the car. A single feather lay on the seat beside me. I couldn't help but pick it up and hold it close.

Within five minutes I was out of Forks, I decided to leave the car and just run through the mountain forest for a while.

It felt good to go full speed, things whizzing past me. I didn't even realise where I was going until I got there.

Shit.

I stared up at the mouth of the cave where Max laid, wings out in the sun.

I tried to walk back slowly, not to disturb her but noticed me. Max looked up and stared right at me, she opened her mouth to say something but I didn't wait to hear it. I turned and ran.

Why, why, why did I go there? I knew the answer but I still had to ask.

Suddenly I heard a thump on a branch behind me and then someone running behind me. I knew who it was.

She grabbed my arm and spun me around to look at her.

Max POV

Did I love Edward?

That question floated around my mind the whole time I lay there. I imagined losing him as I did the flock and it hurt just as much, maybe even more. Was that wrong? That a vampire I had only known for a few weeks meant as much to me as the flock...?

How could I be sure?

I didn't to see him again that's for sure but...

A rustling noise broke my train of thought. I looked up to see Edward, standing below me, eyes wide with fear. Was it fear of being rejected again?

Suddenly I welled up with emotion. I started to call out to him but he turned and ran.

I considered letting him go for a moment but I couldn't help but go after him. I jumped off the cliff and glided on to a tree. I quickly jumped to the ground and ran after him.

I could tell he knew I was chasing him because he slowed down and I grabbed his arm and spun him to face me.

The both of us were silent. I couldn't think of what to say, why did I chase after him? What was I to say?

Edward spoke first, his eyes sad and expression stony,

"I'm sorry. I...should have thought about what I was saying. I knew deep down it wouldn't happen, I just..."

I stopped him. I couldn't say anything yet but I just wanted to stay together for a few more moments of silence as I got my thoughts together.

Fang floated into my mind, and I whispered aloud not caring whether Edward heard me.

"I still love you Fang but...I have to believe that there is more for my future than grief, I believe you'd want me to be happy."

And with that I touched Edwards cheek, and kissed him.

I am so happy to get to this point! Finally!

Though it is sad because according to my outline I only have maybe only 6 chapters left.....