All Characters belong to Stephenie Meyer

I couldn't seem to decide which books to buy. Hours had passed since we first arrived and still I was undecided as to which books to buy. Everything simply looked too interesting. I had narrowed down my original ten choices down to five, and was now trying to pick my three favorites. I bit on my lip as I considered each one, wishing I had brought more money.

"Why don't you just get them all." Edward finally suggested.

He had kept by my side the entire time we were in the bookstore. I caught him staring at me every now and again and I would blush making him grin. Several times I insisted he go off on his own but he refused claiming it was more interesting to watch me, again causing my cheeks to turn red. He never grew impatient with me, even now. I had been reading and re-reading my five choice for the last 20 minutes still unable to decide and yet he showed no sigh of impatience.

I sighed. "I can't. I didn't bring enough money for all of them."

He smiled grabbing my choices and walked to the front counter.

"What are you doing?" I hissed as we stood in line.

"I'm purchasing them for you." He said simply.

"No you're not." I insisted crossing my arms across my chest. I was not going to allow him to spend his money on me.

"Please Bella. I want you to have them." He turned the full power of his eyes on me stunning me in place. His eyes bore into mine with such and intensity I was left breathless. I said nothing as I stared back helplessly.

"Breath Bella." Edward whispered as he brought one hand to my face. I gasped for air and blushed slightly.

"I don't want you spending money on me." I managed to say in a soft voice as we stepped closer to the cashier.

"Please I really want to do this for you."

I debated for a few minutes nibbling on my bottom lip as Edward's eyes pleaded with me.

I sighed. "Fine." I conceded reluctantly.

He grinned widely as he placed my books on the counter for the cashier and purchased them. We walked from the store hand in hand as we made our way to his car.

"Is there anywhere else you would like to go?" He asked as he pulled out of our parking space and drove down the street.

I thought for a moment and then smiled. "Can we go to the beach? It's been so long since I've walked in the surf."

He nodded. "The beach it is."

As soon as we made our way to the edge of the water I leaned down to free my feet. It was anything but warm, but I didn't care. I loved the feel the sand in-between my toes and the water as it lapped at my legs.

As soon as I had one shoe untied I felt a tug on my arm causing me to straighten. I looked up at Edward confused. He was frowning. "What do you think you are doing?" He demanded.

"I'm taking my shoes and socks off."

"It's freezing."

I shrugged as I leaned down again. "At least it's not raining." I heard him let out an annoyed sigh as I took my last sock off and put it inside my shoe.

I looked up at him and smiled. "There's no point in going to the beach it you don't walk in the surf."

I didn't wait for him to respond before I turned and walked ankle deep into the cold water. I tensed slightly as the frigid water splashed against my legs, but did not move from my place. My favorite memories of being with my father were at the beach. I loved the tide pools and playing chicken with the surf. I was so clumsy I ended up falling most of the time. A smile spread across my face as I inhaled the salty air deeply. I closed my eyes as I licked the salt from my lips relishing the taste once more. If only I could stay in this moment forever—if only things didn't have to change. I wrapped my arms around my body, hugging myself. I never wanted to leave. This was exactly what I needed.

I felt something cool being draped around my shoulders and opened my eyes to see Edward's jacket wrapped around me.

"To keep you warm." He stated as he took my hand in his and walked me leisurely along the coast.

We walked in a comfortable silence together for a long while, each one of seemingly lost in thought. I stopped abruptly to snag a shell from the sand. It always amazed me how beautiful and smooth they were, much like Edward, I thought as I ran my fingers over the smooth surface. I looked up at him and smiled. He ginned back giving my hand a gently squeeze. We continued like this for the rest of the afternoon. It was so peaceful and calming. I hated to go back.

Half way back up the beach I could feel myself getting very tired. I had been on my feet for most of the day and it was starting to catch up to me.

I felt Edward squeeze my hand and I looked up at him. "Do you want me to carry you?" He offered with a trace of worry in his tone.

"No, I'm fine." I lied. "Could we maybe sit for a little while?"

He nodded his head in agreement and pulled me up further on the beach. He sat me down next to him and I couldn't help but rest my head on his shoulder. He moved his arm and wrapped it around me pulling me to his chest. As I looked out over the water I could feel my eyes getting very heavy, soon I couldn't keep them open at all.

Abruptly I felt myself air borne and opened my eyes in alarm to find myself nestled in Edward's arms.

"What?" I whispered trying to keep my eyes open.

"Shhh." I heard him say. "Sleep now. I'm taking you home."

I nodded in reply too tired to argue as I felt myself drifting off to sleep.

I groaned as consciousness again befell me. My hand was pounding. I brought my hand to my head; my arm felt like lead as I raised it up. As I grew more awake I noticed more pains. My body ached all over and my throat felt dry and sore. My skin felt cold and clammy. I looked around my room and found myself alone. I had no idea what time it was. I couldn't tell if the sun was rising or setting. I looked for my clock in my room, 6:30, the sun was rising.

I moaned as I got up from bed to go to the bathroom. I nearly fell over a few times but somehow managed to keep my balance. I looked at myself in the mirror and could see how sick I was. My face was grayer than normal, and my eyes looked dead. I splashed some water on my face, before I turned to go back to bed. A wave of dizziness washed through me as I entered my room. I tried to hold on to something but there was nothing near me. I watched as my vision slowly turned black and the world around me disappeared.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

I could hear voices in the distance and I tried to make them out. My head was pounding making it hard for me to concentrate. I could hear two distinct voices. One low the other high. They were both beautiful. I listened harder not quite able to open my eyes just yet.

"You know what I've seen." A high female voice said firmly.

"No. Things change." This voice was deeper, male, and absolute. There was something familiar about it that I couldn't seem to place.

"At least give her the choice!"

"I said, no. I'm not damning her to this life."

"Do you really want to lose her after you just found her?"

"Of course not!" I heard the male voice exhale loudly. "I just can't do that to her."

"Ask yourself this, can you truly live without her?"

There was a short pause. "No." His voice was so soft and full of such grief it broke my heart to hear.

"Then do something about it." The high female voice implored. "You're the only one who can."

Again there was a pause. "I won't do that to her." He whispered so low I almost didn't catch it.

I listened closely for a few more minutes but all was silent. Either they had left the room or were talking too softly for me to hear.

In time I was able to open my eyes and realized I was back in the hospital. I still did not feel well, but nowhere near as bad as I had before. My shoulder ached and I looked down to find my arm in a sling. I furrowed my brow as my mind raced trying to remember what had happened. I had fallen asleep on Edward at the beach then I had woken up in my room. I had gone to the bathroom and then back to my room…

"Good morning beautiful."

I turned my head to the side and couldn't help the small smile that spread across my face as I looked into Edward's golden eyes. "Hey." I answered in a hoarse voice.

"How are you feeling?" I could see the concern in his eyes though he tried to hide it.

I stopped to clear my throat before I answered. "I've been better." I admitted as my mind finally retrieved my lost memories. "How did I get here?"

He looked away as he answered. "I left you in your room while I went to drop off my car. I could feel the onset of a fever when I held you in my arms and I was worried so I decided to check in with Carlisle." He paused. "I thought you'd be sleeping longer." He whispered more to himself than to me as he shook his head. "I returned a few hours later and found you on the floor in your room. I rushed you to the hospital. You've been asleep ever since."

I could hear how upset he was with himself and could hear the worry in his voice. "Edward you can't be everywhere."

It was quiet for a few minutes until I reached out to him and stroked the back of his head with my hand. His hair was unbelievably soft and silky. He turned to look at me with pained eyes. "I never should have allowed you to walk in the water. I should have kept you home where you would have been safe."

"Edward Cullen this is not your fault." I said in a stern voice. "I am perfectly capable of making my own decisions. I'm glad we got to go out together." I kept my eyes locked with his as I tried to convey my message to him. I didn't want him to feel guilty at all. Getting sick comes with the territory when you have Leukemia, especially a case like mine.

He grabbed one of my hands and held it tightly in his. He dropped his gaze to stare at our hands intertwined together. He said nothing as his thumb played across the back of my hand.

"So." I sighed as my head pounded. "What's the verdict? How bad am I?"

He looked up at me, his face ambivalent. "You dislocated your shoulder when you fell, and gained a few more bruises that will be sore for the next few days."

Now I knew why my body seemed unusually sore, but it had not escaped my notice that he had yet to tell my why I fainted, and had such a high fever. I waited patiently for him to continue when it became obvious he wasn't going to I sighed.

"What else?" He pursed his lips. "I'll just call the doctor in if you don't tell me." I warned.

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "You have a virus. The doctors aren't sure if you are strong enough to fight it off and they are afraid it will turn into pneumonia."

"So that's what all this is for." I said gesturing to the IV I was hooked up to.

He nodded.

"This is normal you know, and I don't feel as bad as I did." It was true. Although I felt anything but normal my head didn't hurt half as much and my throat was completely fine.

He looked at me skeptically but did not respond.

"I'll be out of here and back in school before you know it." I tired to comfort him.

He chuckled. "Let's work on getting you home before we talk about going back to school all right?"

"Fine, I'll be home before you know it." I soothed.

His face became very serious as he stared deeply into my eyes. "Promise?" He asked as he brought my hand to his lips kissing my knuckles gently.

"Promise." I smiled. I had no idea if I would be able to keep my word, but I needed to ease his concerns somehow. I didn't want him distressing over me.