Chapter 21-Arrangement

I'd never given much thought to how I would die. But dying in the place of someone I love seems like a good way to go. I can't bring myself to regret the decisions that brought my face to face with death; they also brought me to Edward. And though most, including Edward himself, would say meeting the latter was when my number was up, I disagree. Edward's made me alive. It's been seven months since I left Phoenix, and then it was my sanctuary, now it is my tomb. And because tonight is my final night on this Earth, I'll address my departure to my loved ones.

Though James ordered me to be as hasty as possible, I had to leave a note. Not that it's mandatory, but it'll be the final thing on my mind as I die, knowing I never told anyone, Edward included, how much I truly loved them. Charlie: when I left him. Would Edward explain it to him, or would he contain the filling of his secret wedded with myth? I already could feel the droplets eloping from my eyes to join the paper, which I now write on so fiercely and with such excessive emotion, I fear I'll tear it.

When I was finished writing this pamphlet of farewells, I kissed the page and left it on the sofa before heading out to meet death for the final time. Aware, are you, that bereavement has arranged to meet me many times, the truck incident the most prominent. And now, it's finally going to meet me, in my old ballet studio. My mom, when she found me to be gay, thought I'd like typical gay things; therefore she applied me for that. Evidently, I couldn't dance and quit after two lessons. But I can't shake off the feeling that this is where my time will end and my blood will stop for ever.

Alice and Jasper were guarding the doors, so I'd have to slip out somewhere else. I just followed all of the signs reading 'underground car park', and knew I'd be able to make an easy and quick escape.

The subterranean level was brisk and dim; nevertheless, I made it out.

I was greeted with the sound of active cicadas and the sight of the devastatingly beautiful Milky Way in the onyx night sky. But this was unimportant; I had to get to the studio. My heaves and gasps for air were the clear indication I was pushing my muscles to the limit as I ran at unparalleled speed around the city which I knew so well. I could see people, night-clubbers, were casting me odd looks whilst I sprinted to the building which was only a few hundred yards away.

I saw the shops and the streets which I grew up with as I stumbled to my doom. The sights and sounds of Phoenix were a sign of dread and death. I felt unsafe here, of all places. I missed the protective green forests and cloudy cage-like skies of Forks-my home.

Soon enough, I made it, and standing outside, bent double, catching my breath and crying almost relentlessly at many facts, I was prepared to face the hunter.

Death is easy, peaceful. Life is harder.

Once I was inside, I glanced around in instinctual defence. No sign of him, however I knew he was here. The light from the full moon projected itself through the high windows and beamed off each of the thirty mirrors, making me even more terrified. Don't show it, Esto, I thought. I can't show my fear to the indubitably watching James.

My shoes stepped hard on the wooden floor with my head turning at all sides. Now that the anxiety was overwhelming, I found it hard to mask it. Though it was in vain; James' footsteps were running towards me from behind. My heart raced and I turned around quickly. It was greeted with a blast from rock-hard, icy hands. The body my soul possessed flew back about three metres. I prepared to feel the sting of a tremendous fall, but it never came. And then I realised I hadn't hit the ground yet. When I did, my left arm was punctured with pain. I screamed out, cradling it in my right arm. My instincts told me to turn, and when I did, I saw him. James, the hunter. The orbs I beheld narrowed in both hatred and fear. The evil vampire's laugh was bustling with calamity, "Beautiful, very visually dynamic." He sauntered almost demonically towards me, with a camera strapped to his wrist. I saw it was recording.

My futile attempt at getting away was amusing to him, as he pounced on me from three metres away when I went to get up. His arms swooped over me, locking me in a suffocating cage. "Your feeble try at escaping is comic, human," I visualised the bloodlust in his ravenous eyes, crimson. "And do you know what else is feeble? Your boyfriend's endeavour to trick me," He released me from his grip. I though I'd fall, but my legs miraculously kept me up.

"It worked, didn't it?" I spat at him. If he was going to kill me, I was not going down without a fight, even if it was overly otiose.

His brow furrowed, "I was to kill you with dignity, but now I think otherwise," Without warning, he grasped my medium-length hair and threw me into a column, my head smashing into the brick. The pain, it felt like my skill had shattered into a million tiny pieces. He laughed devilishly, "Edward's going to see this tape," The malevolent fiend waved the camera in my face, catching the aching pulse on my head through my eyes. "And he'll avenge you," He then turned to the camera. "Won't you, Edward?"

"No, Edward. Don't!" I yelled, using all of my strength. He couldn't see the video, he just couldn't.

James' maniacal laugh made me worry at the evil he'd inflict on me, "Tell Edward how much it hurts." He snarled and used his unrelenting force to hammer into my shin, which snapped like a twig. All other pains, my arm, my head, were ethereal compared to my broken shin. I screamed the top of my lungs, and in consequence, James chuckled heartlessly. Oh, my God I can't describe the pain. The absolute agony. Then pain took over; blood bubbled from the gash. He curdled and licked his lips at the sight of it. I desperately tried to block it with my arm but the horrendous and excruciating torture of the broken bone willed my will into submission. James craned his neck down and was to me dry, until my skin is wrinkly and my lips crack, but he didn't. Instead, he was lunged into the far wall at tremendous power. And the cause was my love. My heart's desire had found me, with my leg trickling with blood and my eyes fading in and out. Edward looked at me mostly with sentiment, though I knew he was resisting the urge to drink my blood. Then James returned and knocked Edward with his shoulder into his ribs, causing him to crash into the floor. He then looked over him and went to punch him angrily, but Edward caught it and twisted his arm around and flung him into the wall. By this point, I could feel consciousness elude me. Edward ran over, his face indicating his strain, and kissed me softly on the forehead. Yet it was short-lived, for James had used all his force into grasping his leg and shooting him into one of the high windows. The glass smashed everywhere and coincidentally one of them soared into my side, slicing easily into my chest. I felt the pain fully, but my body couldn't release a scream. And then I knew: Edward couldn't protect me from up there. I was alone, defenceless.

James deliberately held my wrist up to Edward's horrified face. What was happening?

My question was answered. James' thorns of teeth sunk deep into my veins. Now this pain was unbearable. Even though I thought I couldn't scream, I was wrong, "Ah, Edward!" I yelled at him, pleading for him to save me. I turned to see Edward's countenance was wreathed in untameable fury. He roared, more like a snarl of extreme volume, and flew down to James. He swooped onto his head and pushed it deeply into the ground, each floorboard grinding into the demon's cranium. I knew there was a deep, violent fight going on behind me, and it sounded like Edward was easily tearing the enemy apart, but I could only see black and green constantly fading together. I writhed in agony on the cold floor, the feel of burning coursing through my vessels. "Ah!" I cried, but it sounded as though everything had gone quiet, the only noises were my pants in pain and cries for help, "Oh, Edward, please help!" I sobbed at the fact I was alone and was going to die without Edward by my side.

And then I knew I was dead.

Everything was black and not coupled with green. I was in Heaven; an angel's soft, soothing voice was urging me to wake up. "No, Esto, please, please, oh, no, Esto," Its voice was saturated with worry and woe. And that was wrong. Angels should be happy and tranquil no matter what the case.

I heard someone let a piercing scream, only to find out that it was me. I was on fire. I clenched my fists together, and when I released a cry again, the angel said, "Esto!" The cherub's beautiful tone was dressed in relief and it scooped me up in its arms, they felt very cold, but I liked it.

"Edward, he's broke his leg, cracked his rib and nearly fractured his skull," As another angel said this, a warm hat trickled over my head, which I found out was actually blood. I sobbed for a second time as I knew I wasn't in Heaven but was still alive after all of what had happened. Edward was the angel.

The latter used his long, pale finger to trace my jaw and then stroke my lips, "Don't die, Esto. Please, don't die," The boy let out tearless sobs, kissing me on the blood stained forehead and when he did, put me down to avoid the bloodlust.

"Oh, my God," Carlisle said in horror. My eyes were still closed in addition to the aching agony wreaking through my veins.

"What is it?" A pixie voice asked, and I knew it was Alice.

"He's bit him."

I heard Edward take a sharp breath in terror and disgust.

Why was nobody putting the fire out? "Ah!" I screamed.

"What do I do?" Edward cried, stroking my cheeks with sadness.

"Suck the venom out; the wound's clean enough, Edward. I'll work on his leg. Hurry up, he doesn't have long left," Carlisle then shoved my bone back into my leg with a crack, earning a snarling from me.

Edward paused, looking deep into my eyes. I opened them for the first time and saw that when I did, Edward winced in misery. Why? Did he think I was going to die? "I'm going to make it go away Esto," He then lifted my arm up to his face, where James had gnawed into. He sliced his own fangs into the exact same punctures. The pain was even worse at first, but then I felt it ease. Like someone was sucking all the fire out of me and replacing it with cooling blood.

"He's clean, Edward. Stop, you'll kill him," Carlisle demanded, smacking him on the arm to break him from his trance.

Would he find the will? Even if he didn't at least I'd die with Edward by my side. Though thankfully he did. His face was blessed with relief and his lips were wet and red from my blood. Then I heard the sound I loved the most: Edward's small laugh as he kissed me on the lips, the taste of iron and sugar riddled within.

Then I fainted.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::HOSPITAL::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

"Wakey, wakey," I heard an angelic and calming voice lull into my ears. I felt warm, out of harm's way and secure. The general and monotonous beeping of a heart monitor also sounded. My eyes flickering open slowly, reporting back to my dazed and confused brain that my mother was in front of me smiling with glee. I could smell the stench of bleach and new plastic, despite the lengthy tubes which were slid rather uncomfortably up my nostrils.

"Mom?" My quiet, croaky voice uttered to the woman who I so dearly loved. It was clear now I was in a hospital. So I was alive.

"Shhh," She put her finger to me lips. "Doctor said you needn't speak. You should be resting."

"Uh…"

"Your father called the moment you left, saying you'd gone and were coming to Phoenix," She was sat at the bottom of the bed now, stroking my good leg. "Then when you were staying in a hotel you fell down some stairs. You broke your leg, and lost a lot of blood."

I looked down in remembrance to what had happened.

"I'm so glad you're safe, Esto," She kissed me on the head and stroked my hair.

"Where's, where's Edward?"

"He's asleep," She moved away from eye line and revealed to me Edward Cullen sleeping (or feigning sleep) on a char with his hood up. I couldn't help but smile at him, and tried to muster all of my power to get up and hug him, but I couldn't. "He stayed up all night with us. He must really love you."

I grinned, "Yeah, he does."

She then came closer and whispered, "He's very good looking."

I giggled, "Hands off, you."

"I know, I know. That reminds me, Phil's been so worried about you," She took her phone out of her pocket and started texting, quite rapidly in fact.

I scoffed, "Mom, since when were you Bill Gates?"

"I don't know, I've just grown to love this gadget," She kissed it and the kissed me on the cheek. "Right, I'm going to go and tell the nurses you're okay. Oh, and by the way, I'll arrange for some movers to get your stuff and bring it to Jacksonville. Oh, you'll love it, Esto. It's sunny everyday and the beaches are fabulous and-"

I interrupted, "Mom, I want to stay in Forks."

"What?" Her face wrinkled with perplexing conflict.

"I want to stay in Forks."
"Okay. Well, I'll go and tell the nurses," She hugged me and walked out, smiling that I was okay.

Then I turned to Edward who looked up from his deceitful slumber. He cocked his head to the right from the chair and then sped up to me, wrapping me in his arms. His aroma of honey lathered into my nose and the hard yet soft musculature of his body soaked within mine. I sighed in satisfaction, until I realised I was crying. "I love you," I said, squinting my eyes on his shoulder.

He rubbed my back, "I love you, too."

When he released me, he stood adjacent to my frame and studied his lover.

"Is James-where is he?" I wiped the tears from my eyes.

"We took care of him. And the woman, Victoria, she ran off," He looked at me with great concern.

I closed my alive with relief, "I'm alive because of you."

He menacingly says, "No, Esto. You're in here because of me."

I glanced at the thick bandage around my wrist and winced even thinking of the cause.

"The worst part is, I thought I wouldn't be able to stop," Edward looked into oblivion, enraptured in his own self deprecating thoughts. He talked about himself with disgust.

"But you did," I stroked his thigh, which was firm.

"Esto, I think you should follow your mother's words."

"What?"

"You should go to Jacksonville. To get as far away from me as possible; I'm not good for you."

"What? No, no!" I raised my voice to which his face twanged with pain at seeing me in distress. "I want to stay in Forks; you can't just leave me like this. I'm staying whether you like it or not." I could feel my hands shaking and my jaw twitching.

"I don't like that fact; I'd never want to be away from you. I'm just saying, it's best for you," He was sat on the edge of the bed now and was smoothing the creases on my clothes, getting a little close to the nether regions.

"You can't be away from me. Ever," I said with absolute authority and definition.

He smiled and pulled me into a hug and whispered amiably, "Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere."

"We can't be away from each other."

"I know that." Edward's perfect, angelic fingertips stroked my lips and closed my eyelids shit, "Go to sleep, you need to recover." I slept after the graze of cold lips folded over mine.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::PROM::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

"…And that's why I said all of those things, dad," I had made up a whole new, customary story to make Charlie understand. After two weeks in the hospital and I was allowed to come back home.

"Okay," He sighed, and opened his arms for me to enter. I did so, and breathed into him. "I love you, Esto. I love you so much."

"Dad?" I murmured in a hush after a while.

"Yeah?"

"Will you always love me? No matter what I become," Only I knew what I was referring to.

"Of course, you're my son, and I'll love you even if you sprout fifty eyes," We both chuckled and got on with the day.

It was a week until prom, and all of the adolescents in the town were bustling over what to wear. I, on the other hand, were more interested in bashing Skyrim because I used that as my excuse for a full recovery. Edward and I had literally been playing video games all week at his house, my mammoth, blue cast on my leg being used as a drink stand. "So, what's this game called?" He asked, his confused yet enjoyable eyes pouring at me.

I internally awwed, "Red Dead Redemption," I confirmed and leaned on his shoulder. He took a swig from my Fanta and said, "It's fun, and that drink is delightful!"

Giggling, I threw our joy pads on the floor and pushed him on the bed which had been specifically imported into the house for me; I'd been staying here quite a lot since hospital. I straddled his groin and dug into it, seeing he'd been ready for quite a while. He pulled my head down and kissed me passionately, quiet roars of lust penetrating his lips, "Esto, I've got to ask you something."

Typical, whenever something gets going he has to break it. I wasn't going to put up with this, "What?" I almost shouted.

He was taken aback, "Fine, it doesn't matter," I saw he was joking.

"I'm kidding. Go on, what?" I couldn't help smiling. After everything that had happened and you'd think I'd be depressed, but it wasn't the case.

"Come to prom with me," Edward said it quickly, rashly. It was like when someone proposes in the movies, and it's unexpected and sometimes used for comedic charm. But here there was no humour, just romance and shock in the atmosphere.

"Prom? I…" The voice I possessed couldn't compose a sentence. "Um…Yes. Yes!"

My vampire boyfriend grinned and picked me up in his arms bridal style, spinning me around. I screamed in delight and he chuckled deeply. Secretly he let one of his hands go down the back of my trousers, "Edward!" I sniggered.

"That's a premise as to what you'll get if you come to prom with me," Like always and without warning, he was serious again. "Prom is a valuable necessity of human life. It's a rite of passage." Our eyes exchanged a look which didn't have a word in the English language to entail.

"What do you mean?" I knew full well, or did I? He was so mysterious that I just couldn't comprehend his riddles sometimes.

"I mean-" But he was interrupted by Alice tapping lightly at his door. "Come in, Alice."

I sighed, and he let me down from his arms. In frustration I walked over to the window and gazed out at the setting sun, bleeding beautiful red blood over the blue canvas of a sky. The trees towered over the house which was now lit up gloriously.

"What is it, Alice?" Edward questioned, walking over to her.

"Can I steal Esto for a minute?" She gave him her perky, half grin-half pout. How could he refuse?

"Go ahead."

"You decide if someone can talk to me or not, now?" I teased to Edward, who watched us both walk out.

When we arrived in Alice's room which was simply awe inspiring: Pink everywhere, I wondered how Jasper shared a room with her. "What's up?"

Her face was stern, imposing. She didn't say anything, just held up a piece of paper in her hand that she removed from her pocket.

"What's that?" I inquired, going to take it from her snow white hand.

She moved it away instantly, "A suicide note, one could say."

A bullet just entered my heart, making my gasp in pain. I remembered it, writing that note. I forgot all about it before, though. "Alice, I had to do what I had to do."

"Esto, this would have broken not only Edward's heart but all of ours, too," Alice cried, using the note as a reminder to my 'bad deed' by waving it around.

"How? I would have died and left nothing, or would have died and left something."

"No, you-Well, then again, I guess you're right," Her face softened and she handed me the note. "I didn't look into that."

I ripped it into shreds and put it into Alice's bin which was fluffy and pink. "I really thought I'd die that night."

"So did we. You wouldn't believe how inconsolable Edward was when we found you were missing."

I winced in pain, "I think I can."

Alice looked to her shoes in an awkward way.

"Let's change the subject," I suggested.

"Agreed."

"Well, this might shock you, but…We're going to prom!"

She held her hands over her mouth and her eyes widened, "Really?" A high pitched squeal evacuated her voice box.

"Yeah," I giggled. "He literally just asked me before you came."

"Oh, my God, right. We're going to need to get you a suit, some hair products, makeup, som-" But I had to interrupt.

"Alice, I don't do suits."

"Dresses?" She sarcastically added.

"No," My lips parted to release a true laugh. I like sarcastic comments sometimes, and Alice was pretty good at them. She was officially becoming a true friend, maybe even a best friend.

"Well, I'll think of something. The night before prom which is in two days as you know, I'll tell you what it is," She then gave me a hug and ushered me out of her room, informing me that she had plenty of research and planning to do.

I giggled and turned to head back to Edward's room, only to find him stood there with a face brimming with tears. He ran over to me and wrapped me like a duvet up in his arms kissing me all over my face until he finally found my lips. He stuck his tongue in, swirling it all around my mouth. The wetness of his tongue and the battle for dominance it was having with mine was too erotic and overpoweringly sexual that I thought I'd cum right there. He was too jizz-worthy sometimes. When the kiss broke, Edward's lips soaked with both his and my saliva, I said, "What was that for?" I was basically swaying where I stood, literally drunk with love.

"Because you're just so perfect. Never change for me, Esto."

I prayed to God he wasn't listening in on mine and Alice's conversation.

"Are you staying over tonight?" He enquired as we walked back to his room. The sound of the Western music from Red Dead pulsed from his door. I'd been staying over for the past few nights, as I've informed you, and we'd been sharing a bed. He said that he loved it when I slept over, but I felt sorry for Charlie.

"Uh, I don't know. I think Charlie's getting lonely," I chuckled, groaning slightly.

"He's not," Confirmed Edward, pulling me onto the bed where he spooned my body. "And believe me, I know."

"Hey, don't read Charlie's mind. I don't want that, and I don't want you to know what he thinks," I snapped. I felt quite apologetic after I said it but I just didn't feel comfortable knowing that he knew how my father felt.

"Fine, sorry," We both started laughing as a silence ensued.

"Edward, I want to go out tomorrow."

"Well, where do you want to go?" I was nestled in his arm now, cradled in his appendages.

"I don't know. Just for a walk in the woods."

"How can you go for a walk with a leg like that?" He slapped the cast.

"I'll manage," I was quite affirmative with him at this stage in our relationship; I always had to tell him what was true and what wasn't. He wasn't really used to caring for someone fragile or weak. I liked it; it made me feel like I was needed.

"Okay, then. But if you get tired then I'm carrying you."

In the end I slept back home. Charlie did miss me but Edward, despite my wishes, told me he liked the peace.

When morning arrived at home, me sleeping in my own bed which I missed so much and dearly, I zoomed out. I brushed my teeth, had a shower, put some clothes on and waited for Edward. As I waited, I took a spatula and eased the growing itches which were so predominant under the cast. It felt like heaven as I scratched the area were literally no air could lick.

And soon enough, Edward's car arrived with a beep.

The sky was bleak and dark, but I would have had it no other way. "Hey," I greeted him with a kiss when I got.

He returned it, "How's the bite?" Edward nodded with his head in shame at the wound. He always thought it was his fault, when really, it was mine.

"It's fine. Sometimes it stings but…" His face grew dark in anger. "Hey, hey, don't get angry."

"You don't know what would have happened if you'd died," Edward validated, igniting the car with the key.

"I think I do. And vice verse, Edward. You think it's only you who's in love, but really I am. Quite a lot, in fact," I smirked, waiting to see that dazzling grin grow on his countenance.

It did, revealing his gleaming white teeth and penetrative fangs, "Let's go."

Soon we were walking in the woods, enjoying a pleasant conversation about certain things. I was actually doing quite fine on my leg, though I did sometimes need a break. As we came close to a rushing river which Edward told me was where we'd have our fourth break, he said to me, looking around in defence, "Esto, you shouldn't walk around the woods on your own anymore. At least, not without me."

I scoffed, "You think I can't take care of myself?"

He gave me a comic look, "I know you can't. And sometimes, my kind aren't the only things which can harm you out here."
"Yeah, I know. There's bears and-"

"No, there are much more dangerous things than bears," I could see the speeding white river through the leafless branches of December trees.

"Like what?"

"Just be safe," He stretched his hand down to the small of my back.

"What did it taste like?" I questioned after a few minutes.

"Your blood?" He smirked wolfishly, "Like nothing I've ever tried. It was delicious. But I'd never ever do that again, Esto. Believe that," He kissed me on the cheek quickly.

"I see…Can I ask you something?" This had been plaguing my mind for a while now.

"You just did."

"You know what I mean," I playfully slapped his arm, sitting down on a rock overlooking the tremendously breathtaking rapids.

"Sure," He looked out over the river and at a deer playfully gallivanting through the trees on the other side.

"Were you the thing which kept opening my window when I first moved here?" I bit my fingernails, tearing of a piece of skin in the process. I sucked in some breath at the sharp sting.

Edward chuckled nervously, "Well, yeah." He looked to see my expression. "I guess it was love at first sight. I wanted to watch you everyday, to be honest." His face had gone soft and caring.

My lips curved upwards and joined with my eyes, "Interesting. I thought it was a ghost."

He let out a breathy laugh, "No, just another monster."

I sighed, "Edward, stop. You're not a monster. You're beautiful."

It was the night before prom, and I was at the Cullen house. "Okay, thanks, Carlisle." I said to him as he gave me something to eat.

I then jogged upstairs in some pyjama bottoms and a loose top as Emmett, Jasper and Edward were out hunting. It was 'just us girls' as Alice made it, save Carlisle. I walked into Alice's room and she ordered me to sit on a chair specifically made for hair and makeup. "Now, I've got the perfect outfit."

I beamed at her words. This is what I'd been wearing at prom, somewhere I thought I'd never dare to go.

As I waited for her to come back with the clothes, the warmth of the Cullen family's love radiating onto me, I looked at some of the things on Alice's desk. There were extravagant and what seemed like highly valuable looking bottles of sweet-smelling perfume and pictures of her and the rest of her siblings. Then I saw, stuck to the baroque frame of her mirror, a photo Esmé had took of me, Edward, Alice and Jasper in a group hug taken the day I had left hospital. Edward had his arm around my waist to stabilise me. When I looked deeply into the photo, my eyes confirmed Edward's true love for me because of how he gazed at me and not at the camera. I exhaled in merriment.

She returned from her walk-in wardrobe with one of the most impressive marriages of attire I'd ever seen. It was some black skinny jeans, a white button up shirt and a black tie. My shoes were unfortunately some formal black ones. I asked for Converse but she disagreed, "Never, Converse aren't formal." I had to admit, she'd done a damn good job.

"Alice, it looks…Beautiful," I stroked the fibre of the shirt in awe.

She shrieked in delight, "Glad you like it. Now, try it on and then we'll do your hair."

The clothes fit perfectly, and they easily snug over the cast. When I was ready changing in the bathroom, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I was shocked. I thought I was ugly, disgusting, unappealing, but I really wasn't. I wasn't average, I wasn't beautiful. I was just me. Was I gaining confidence? My green eyes which had seen so much smiled at the sight it saw, and the outfit was just stunning.

She sighed in admiration when I left, "You look sublime," She kissed me on the cheek. "Now, hair." She put a blindfold over my eyes and begun working on it.

Hours passed. It was fun, I liked it. And I knew she liked it too. When she had finished, she took the blindfold off and said, "Voila."

I gasped, holding my hand to my heart in surprise. Was this me? My hair been straightened perfectly, the brown and red gleaming without any light. It made it look longer than usual, hugging my jaw in a loving embrace. "Alice, I…" I was officially gob smacked, speechless.

"I'm glad you like it," The beautician whispered. "Go show the rest."

I wanted to. I wanted to show Carlisle, Esmé and Rosalie my hair and my outfit. For once in my life I was proud of how I looked.

The vampires who I was to call my family after so much looked up from their activities and at me. Even Rosalie seemed to smile and nod. "Wow, Esto. You look amazing," Esmé complimented. She ran up to me, casing me in her appendages.

"Thanks," I returned. The rest all agreed, grinning with pride at their brother's lover.

After about an hour of playing some Monopoly, me winning easily, Alice screamed. We all were gave a start, "What?" I yelled back.

"They're coming back home. Esto, hide," Everyone gasped and tried to find me a place to secrete. I was laughing the whole time as they all bustled around like bees. Soon enough they found somewhere for me to hide. It wasn't necessarily a hiding spot however, but more a place where I'd stand and wait for Edward to find me. Where was it they placed me? In the en suite of Rosalie and Emmett's room. It smelled like lavender and coconuts.

Eventually, I heard them arrive as I stood waiting for Edward to unearth me. I lay on the ground, putting my ear to the floor so I could listen to what they'd say.

"Hello, guys," Alice squeaked. "Did you hunt well?"

Emmett's deep voice boomed through the floorboards, "Yeah. Edward of course was talking about Esto every other second," All of the room laughed, including Edward.

"Where is he?" Edward enquired.

"He's hiding," Rosalie chuckled. "You'll have to find him."

Everyone hooted to him. "Why's he hiding?"

"He's playing, I guess," Jasper presumed to the former.

I put my hands over my lips to stop me from laughing, but I couldn't help it. "I just heard him," Edward started laughing and shouted up the stairs, "Esto, I'm coming." I heard his feet pound on every step, trying to build suspense. Shit, must hide somewhere else. I got up quickly, slamming the bathroom door shut with a bang. I glanced all around the room and found there was a cupboard built under the marble sink. With my lips forming into an upside down arch, I ran over to it and nestled my body into the cramped conditions. There was a tiny crack where the two doors met, so I could see vaguely outside. The light which glimmered in excessive effulgence shone through the crack and brightened my emerald eyes. Soon enough, the door creaked open, revealing a set of high legs moseying playfully under its wooden threshold. I, for a second time, tamed my lips with a quivering hand, begging my senses not to let out a crying laugh. Edward's legs moved over to the sink, inches in front of my face. I heard the tap turn on and immediately felt icy cold water trace brisk lines down my back. "Shit!" I cried, jumping out of the cupboard and into the waiting Edward Cullen's loveable arms. He gave me a loving kiss on the cheek, the tang of wintry air and drying animal blood ever-present. "Just for the occasion, I knew where you were hiding," He joked, rubbing himself into me. "But before I say anything," Staid eyes replaced joyful ones, "I want to announce how utterly beautiful you look." He combed his bony fingers through my hair and stroked the smooth fibre on the tie.

"Thanks," Was all I could conjure, transfixed and rapt by his never ending charm.

"And now, back to the hide-and-seek scenario. I knew where you were, and thought the joke would turn on you as Rosalie's sink has a leakage problem," My vampire boyfriend chuckled and picked me up in his arms, me slumped over his stone-like shoulder.

"Really? I would never have guessed," He gave me a warning slap on the behind for my sarcasm.

And now prom is on the verge of commencing. So much as a matter of fact, that today's the day. As Edward gets ready his room with the guys in the Cullen mansion, I'm with Alice at my house who is dolling me up just like last night. Charlie is downstairs, watching the game, proudly stating how happy he is for Edward and I.

"Do I look okay?" I said to the stylist, who now had a perky and overwhelmed with astonishment grin on her snowy face.

"You look divine, even better than last night," She enveloped me in her arms and then said, "So, do you think anything's gonna happen tonight?"

"Oh, um," I scratched the back of my head. "You mean, sex?"

"No, I mean will an elephant eat candyfloss."

Exchanging laughs of hysterics, I said, "Well, perhaps. I mean, it's been quite a while, if you ask me. Though Edward's worried; he thinks he'll physically break me."

"A wise choice," She said with caution, "When we, you know, do it, we can lose control. Not all the time, but sometimes. And when we do we even hurt out own kind, so I don't know what it'd been like with a human. Do you want it to happen, the sex, I mean?"

"Yes," I immediately answered. "The lechery is getting too much, Alice. You truly don't know how much I've been strained."

A soft smile appeared over her face, "No, I don't. But I can assure you, he won't break you. He'd be too careful."

"Wouldn't that mean he won't enjoy it?" I countered.

"No. He'll love it. You say you've been on edge; he's been crazy about you. You won't believe the things he and Emmett talk about when they think no one's listening," Alice smirked and let out a brief giggle.

I clasped my hand over my mouth in arousal, "What? What does he say?"

She held her hands up, "I never tell. What happens in the mansion stays in the mansion."

I exhaled, "Okay, fair enough."

Eventually, my stomach tossing and turning as the lengthy hand of the clock itched past each Roman numeral, Edward arrived. The honk of his horn outside pronounced that prom was officially in action.

Alice walked me down the stairs. Charlie had let Edward in, and the latter looked spell bounding. He wore a black suit in a fashion so formal even the princes of the most ceremonial monarchies would envy him. His hair was the same, incredible bouffant, though it looked a little darker in colour. And his eyes, they were gleaming gold. Happiness kissing them with every blink.

When he saw me he achieved a glorious, gleaming grin. Charlie dabbed a tissue to his eyes. "What do you think?" I questioned, stood on the second step, whereas Alice watched from behind Edward.

"You look beautiful," My boyfriend proclaimed, gazing intensely at me. I caught Charlie give a warning look to him.

"Dad?" I returned the question to Charlie, wondering how he felt of me new makeover.

He cleared his gravelly throat and said, "I've never been more proud in my life."

I didn't know where it came from, but I simply entwined my arms with Charlie's shoulders with love. I loved him so much, even though I talk about him merely. "I love you, Dad."

I saw Edward smile with Alice. "I love you too, Esto. Now, go on," He moved from my embrace. "Enjoy yourself."

And with that, Edward and I headed off to the location our school rented as the 'prom house'. As we drove over the boundaries of Forks and into an area near Port Angeles, atop a hill and shielded by trees, the familiar, pleasing and serendipitous twilight sighed over the starry, starry night.

The building was breathtaking. It was lit up with little fairy lights and was built in an old Tudor fashion, the black and white beams blending together perfectly. My peers rushed into the hall in elegant dresses and suave suits with their other halves or simply their friends. Me and Edward pulled ourselves together in a link and headed in to face prom. I still can't get over just how much my life has changed. Here I was, with a striking boyfriend, and heading into prom. I smiled secretly up the Gods in thank you. Thank you for everything you've done, I truly appreciate it.

Inside and it was much more amazing. Elongated beams spanned the higher regions of the hall, sprinkled with tinsel and the same fairy lights. A pop band was playing on the stereo, earning the room with an atmosphere I've never felt before. Angela and Eric were dancing to the song happily. Jessica and Mike were finally kissing in the corner amorously. Even Lauren found a date: Tyler. And then me and Edward were still linking, "Do you want to kiss me?" He asked, the sound of the music making him almost incomprehensible.

I didn't answer, but just wrapped my lips in his, spinning around slowly as the chorus of the song kicked in. I felt his mouth smile with the kiss, and then turned that smile into a French kiss, lifting me up onto his feet. I draped my arms over his head, onto his cold neck. He pressed his onto the small of my back, grinding into me. As I opened my eyes, I saw that Angela was watching us, a grin which indicated she was happy for me. I winked at her and then resumed to kissing Edward.

When the song ended, along with our kiss, he asked me, "Do you want to go outside?"

Was this it? Was this him masking that simple, seductive question with another? "Um, yes."

He smirked wolfishly and led me out by the hand. Shimmering glass doors opened out onto the expanse which must have been the hall's gardens. Twilight has abandoned us now, handing over the blessing of night. The path we followed took us to a glittering pavilion where other lovers slow danced to a song I could deceive. When we were on the pavilion, he pulled me up close to him, his groin pressing against my chest due to his height. And then I realised what the song was-It was Flightless Bird by Iron and Wine. Our song. The anthem I and Edward assigned as ours. I could already feel the tears clawing from my eyes, and I allowed it. Natural tears, along with natural romance. "Why are you crying?" He whispered.

"This, it's just amazing," I nestled into his torso, sniffing up the mellifluous aroma.

"I know," He agreed.

As our slow dance ensued, I noticed how the other lovers were leaving, almost in unison. It was just us, on this lonely, ethereal pavilion, dancing in an almost ballet manner to a song so heavenly it was criminal. When I knew we were truly alone, I said, "Edward, why didn't you let the venom spread?"

He furrowed his brow, "Because you had a choice."

"I know I did, I had two choices. One was to be a vampire, and I choose that."

"You don't know what you're saying," Edward's eyes glistened into mine, like diamonds.

"I do. I could be like you by now, and we'd be together for ever. Until, until death do us part," I was staring intently at him, all lechery cast aside and replaced with honest romance.

"So, that's what you dream about? To be a monster," His sardonic and cynical voice didn't annoy me at all.

"I dream about being with you."

"And you're ready right now?" He moved his face closer to mine, making me tilt my head back, showing off my plump, bloody neck.

"Yes."

His mouth attached itself to my neck's skin, his tongue licking it tenderly. Was he going to do it? I felt his teeth graze it, but he substituted it with a kiss, "Isn't it enough to have a long and happy life with me?"

"Yeah," I sighed, being denied of my wish. "For now, anyway."
* * *

Prom had ended. It was over; the thing I dreaded to go to the most had been cleared. I had braved one of life's 'rites of passage'.

When it had ended, Edward guided me to his car and strapped me in. I was wondering with astronomical anticipation where he'd take me. Would he take me back to his place? Or mine? Was he even going to enact the scene I'd lusted after for what seems an eternity?

"So, you enjoyed tonight, then?" He asked, almost rhetorically whilst the car sped in the darkness down a narrow, tree bordered lane.

"I loved it. I've never been happier than I am right now," I gave him a kiss on the cheek. He quivered his lips into a devastating smile.

The moment we got out, in the middle of nowhere on this frosty night, Edward scooped me up like a piece of fragile paper in his scissor like arms.

"And where are we going?" I was officially intoxicated, flustered off love itself. Cupid and its beverages can be rewarding.

"You'll see," He graced my forehead with a kiss. And before I knew it were travelling at vampire speed up a wooded hill. The swiftness was exhilarating along with the wind sweeping my perfected hair into its natural state. Edward's face was locked in a vice of concentration, as if he was planning something out which he'd been planning for years.

He stopped abruptly, laying me down on the floor carefully. I noticed there was a light beaming onto my face from where I was lay, on this damp grass in the middle of a field. Where the hell was I? I struggled up onto my flimsy legs, Edward watching my face with critical scrutiny. As my brain put the pieces together, I turned to him. He held the most charming, alluring, cute and in-love smile I'd ever seen him wear. I was at the meadow. He'd somehow got lots of little lights and attached them to the boughs of the trees. A bed lay in the middle, lit up by the mellow shine of fairy lights, which looked like the ones at prom. The bed's duvets were a warm cream and the way the lights twinkled in the swaying of branches made me feel like I was floating up the heaven, passing by galaxies and distant stars on the journey.

Edward took my hand and walked with me over to the bed, "Is it too much?" He asked as we took a seat.

My mind was in complete bewilderment. I couldn't believe something so miraculous was happening to me, "It's faultless, Edward. Everything is perfection. How did this happen?"

"Me and my family have been arranging it since your leaving of hospital," He gave a slanted smirk.

"And the bed, what's it for?" The ache for his loins was clear in my coupling of words.

"Tonight's the night, Onesto Swan," Edward put his glacial hand over my lips and pulled me slowly onto the bed. I cased our bodies in a loving kiss, passing tongues through our mouths with desire. He let his hands trail to my ass, where he cupped the cheeks and squeezed them firmly. I moaned to his actions and allowed my right appendage's companion to saunter to his groin. I unbuttoned his jeans and was revealed with the sight of the fully grown and evidently ready member my lover possessed. I stroked his dick in palpable lust as he pulled from our kiss. Edward groaned loudly, "Yeah, I like that, carry on," He panted and huffed as I moved his cock back and forth, his chest rising and falling with every thrust. "Have you ever had this done to you before?"

The vampire shook his head before placing his hand over mine, gesturing me to stop. "What is it?" I questioned, unbuttoning my jeans and taking off my shirt. He responded not, just gazed in awe and lechery at my body. A crimson smirk spread over his face and he literally jumped on me, "I want to make love to you, Onesto," He lamented, stroking my hair as both of our members ground into each other. I truly believed I'd cum right there.

"I want that too," The boy fully pulled off his jeans and shirt, exposing his perfectly toned white body. He then ripped off, literally, my jeans, leaving them torn in two on the grassy ground. We were both fully naked now.

"I don't want to hurt you, though," The latter disclosed, his dick rubbing into my thigh. He was stroking my nether regions now, grinning with the fact he was now going to get to do the thing he'd desired for too long.

"Just try, Edward," I ran my hands through his hair, the softness of it tickling my palms.

He nodded, worry and temptation cursing his countenance. Edward Cullen then lifted my legs over his shoulders, making me gasp at the fact he was staring right at my puckering hole. I caught him give a small smile and then spit on his hand. He rubbed it all over his dick, prior to coming between my legs, causing him to face me and his member poke at my ass. "Are you ready?"

"Yeah," I replied, closing my eyes and waiting for the beauty to arrive.

And it did.

His cock slammed right into my hole immediately, without hesitation. I yelped in shock at how good it felt and let my hands grope his ass as he slowly thrust himself into me. "Fuck, Edward."

"It's not hurting?" He enquired, giving me a hard slap on the leg, causing me to whimper with craving.

"No, it's amazing," I shivered at the beauty of it all. The sound of his firm balls pounding and smacking against my ass, the grunts he came out with.

"I've waited so long for this," He zealously kissed me on my trembling lips, his tongue darting in and out to the thrusts of his loins.

"So have I," I could barely talk now; Edward was fucking me so fast and hard that I could barely string a sentence. The feel of his dick was warm, even though he was icy. The burn he left was overly sensual, sending me over the edge over a hundred times in one night. The smirk on his face the whole time and the satisfaction shimmering in his eyes made this to be even more lustful.

"I'm cumming," Edward declared, the cheeks of his face wrinkling in orgasm.

"So am I," We were going to ejaculate in harmony, the symphony of sex sounding as we did so.

"Fuck," He shouted, his raspy-smooth voice sliced through the air like a knife. It was the first time I'd heard him swear.

I moaned as I felt his cold, silky sperm lather all over my ass, planting his seed in me. I came then, jizzing all over my chest. We both panted and gasped for air, the silence save those previous words of intercourse shimmying into the atmosphere. "That was amazing," I cried at the top of my lungs to the entire world.

Edward laughed, pulling me onto his lap as his dick slipped out of my ass. I didn't feel the cum drain out, it stayed in, being soaked up. "I love you so much."

A breaking dawn lined the sky of overlooking the meadow. I was cradled in Edward's arms in the bed, hardly cold. The warmth of Edward's love was the only blanket I needed. I couldn't believe what had happened last night. I saw that Edward was shockingly asleep. I clicked my fingers at his eyes, but he didn't budge. His face was eased and calm. I think the night's events had drained him. I was going to let him have his sleep. As I gazed up at the trees, the birds flittering in their branches, I thought of one thing I needed. To be turned. To be a vampire. I know Edward will disagree adamantly, but I know what I want. And I won't give in. I, Onesto Amadeus Swan, shall be a vampire.

Read the next chapter to experience the epilogue, and the life Edward and Esto live on through.