A/N: Yes I know it's been a while and I am soooorrrrryyyy! I've just been so busy! I didn't make the soccer team because I blew out my Knee (sniffles a bit) but that gives me time to write and spend time with the boyfriend. So chapters should be up sooner and story should be done pretty soon. Just two-four more chapters! (Characters go to Stephanie Meyer and some of the plot to L.J. Smith!)

Chapter Twenty-Four

I woke up the next morning feeling better then I had since I had been diagnosed. I jumped out of mine and Edward's bed and rejoiced, I felt no pain! No numbness, no aching joints, no spine bending pain. I felt amazing.

"Edward!" I called as I jumped lightly on the bed next to his sleeping body.

"Mmm?" he asked groggily, opening one emerald green eye.

"I'm fine!" I said, giggling

"That's great honey." he mumbled, hiding his face in the pillows.

I giggled again, "Edwaaard! I don't feel any pain!"

His head shot up, both of his clear green eyes staring into mine. "What?" he asked, incredulous. I nodded enthusiastically,

"Yeah no pain! Nothing, nada, zip!" Edward sat straight up and hugged me tightly, squeezing the breath out of me and making me laugh.

"Babe you keep that up and you'll kill me yourself!"

Edward immediately let go and stared fearfully into my eyes, "That isn't funny Bella."

I sighed, "I was kidding. Don't be so dramatic. It'll be ok. I'm not in pain!"

Edward attempted a smile but it fell a little flat.

I sighed again, "Come on grumpy pants. Let's go get some breakfast."

I jumped out of the bed and slipped a pair of PJ pants on over my shorts and a hoodie on over my tank top. Edward got out of the bed slowly, pulling a pair of faded jeans over his black boxers and a white T-shirt over his bare chest. I sat and watched as he did this, mesmerized by his beauty.

As he slipped his shirt over his muscled abs he turned and caught me looking.

"What?" he asked, eyebrows rising and a small playful smile playing along the edge of his lips.

I quickly looked away, blushing red.

"Like what you see babe?" He asked playfully, coming closer.

I smiled up at him as I backed away, still blushing. "A little bit."

He grinned now, "only a little bit?" he bit his lip and I felt my eyes widen.

"Okay…maybe a lot a bit." I admitted as my back hit the wall.

"Mmm…that's what I thought." He said as he leaned over me.

Our faces were inches apart when I said, "So what if I like your body Cullen. What's it to you?" His eyes peered into mine and his lips were a breath away. All I had to do was lean forward…

"Just nice to know you haven't gotten bored with me yet." He joked, green eyes twinkling and darkening. Wait, wait….darkening? My knees began to tremble as I realized what his eyes darkening meant….

He wanted me.

Oh boy, we were in trouble now.

"How could I ever get bored with you?" I whispered, smiling slightly.

He cocked his head to the side a little bit, pretending to ponder my question. I let my fingertips slide along his chest. His muscles rippled and he stifled a groan.

"I'm…not sure." he whispered as my fingers traced their way up to his neck. "But I'm sure you could find some way…if you really wanted to…" he trailed off as my fingers slid around to the back of his neck and brushed the top of his spine.

I grinned, loving the effect I had on him, "Now why would I want to do something like that?"

He hung his head until it rested on my shoulder, lips turned toward my neck. My breath caught in my throat as he whispered, "Well one day you just might get desensitized."

I stifled a laugh and groaned as he kissed my neck, "never going to happen."

He smiled against my neck, "Good."

I trailed my fingers from the top of his spine into his unruly hair and smiled as he groaned quietly.

"But what if you get desensitized?" I asked innocently, one hand in his hair, the other trailing up and down his spine.

"Never." he breathed out.

"Good." I copied. He laughed and lifted his face to mine, kissing me lightly.

I wasn't satisfied, I deepened our kiss and he cradled my face in his hands.

The taste and smell of him overwhelmed me and the brush of his lips and tongue on mine was like heaven. I tightened my hold on his hair and he gasped a little, grinning into my mouth. His hand slid from my face to my waist, traveling up and down my side, inspiring goose-bumps.

"Bella." he whispered against my lips as he kissed me again. I smiled and kissed him deeply, my right hand locked into his hair, my left trailing up and down his spine.

He growled as my hand clamped down onto the roots of his hair and I took the opportunity to bite his lips lightly. He growled again and I grinned. I tore my lips from his regretfully and kissed over to his ear, biting the bottom of his lobe lightly.

"Bella." He groaned, pushing me into the wall even more.

"Yes Edward?" I whispered into his ear.

He shuddered, "We have to stop." he groaned again as I bit his ear once more.

"I know." I sighed.

He dropped his head to my neck again, this time though he did something highly unexpected.

He bit me.

I gasped at the feel of his teeth lightly pulling on my flesh. When he let go he sucked on the spot, turning it red.

"There." he said, in a satisfied sort of tone, as he leaned away "Now I've left my mark."

I looked questioningly up at him and he smiled, "Part of the tradition. Claim a mate: leave a mark."

I grinned and inched up on my tip toes so I could reach his neck. I bit down lightly, but hard enough for him to gasp and press his body against mine. I sucked on my bite mark, turning it the same color as his.

"There, now I have a mark too."

He looked down at me through heavily lidded eyes, "One day my love, you are going to kill me,"

I smiled, "never."

He grinned back at me "Keep up what you've been doing and you will."

I pretended to look horrified, "Then we should stop immediately…since you can't handle it…" I trialed off meaningfully and slipped from underneath his arms.

A second later he caught me and pressed me to him, my back against his chest.

"Oh no you don't." He breathed in my ear as I shivered.

"Mmm…oh yes I do." I whispered back, reaching my hand behind me and to his side, tickling him. He yelped and let go of me and I raced over to the bed, jumping onto it and hiding beneath the covers.

I felt the bed shift under his weight as he attempted to quietly approach.

"Oh Bella." He crooned quietly in a voice as soft and smooth as silk. "Come out; come out from where you hide."

I stifled a giggle and inched my hand towards where his leg indented the blanket, going for the ticklish spot on his knee I had accidentally found a few days before.

"I'll give you to the count of ten to come out before I come to find you…" He threatened. I could hear the smile in his voice and I grinned at the thought of it. He was being as carefree as I had ever seen him.

"One…" He started; my hand was inches away from the indention of his knee in the blanket.

"Two…" a few inches closer…

"Three…" Almost there.

"Ten!" He shouted suddenly, hands finding my waist under the blanket and tickling me mercifully. I burst into a fit of giggles, trying to roll away from his relentless hands.

"Where you going beautiful?" he asked, following me and continuing his tickle-torture as I rolled farther away. I could feel the end of the bed growing close now. If I could just get there…

"Nope!" He yelled, picking me (and the blanket) up and trapping me in his arms. He yanked the blanket out from over my face and locked me in fetal position, still tickling me the whole time.

"Do you give up?" he asked, tickling my sides.

"Never!" I gasped out in between giggles. I attempted to wrench myself from his arms to no end. He was just too strong.

"Just give up baby." he advised, going for the spot on my neck.

I squished my head down, trying to avoid his fingers, "No!"

"Yes!" He grinned, tickling my left foot. "Yes, just give up and I'll stop."

His hand found the most ticklish spot on my body, the middle of my foot, and I squealed.

"Okay, okay! I give up!" I yelled.

He laughed victoriously, "I win!"

I pouted as I slid away, "Only because you cheated!" I got off the bed as he scoffed.

"I did not cheat! I used my resources." he said proudly, a glint of smugness in his eyes.

"Oh yeah one, two, ten is totally not cheating Edward." I rolled my eyes and repositioned my hoodie. He rolled over to the side of the bed where I stood and got up, stretching and yawning. My eyes tracked the rising of his shirt over his abs. It raised just enough to show off the V cut at the bottom. I felt my belly tighten and I looked away, blushing deep red at the lust that filled me with just a glimpse of his skin.

"Breakfast?" he asked innocently, reaching for my hand.

I just nodded, unable to speak for fear he could hear the lust echoed in my voice.

"You ok?" He asked, turning me to face him. I nodded but didn't look up.

"Bella?" he lifted my chin to make me look at him.

He gasped at whatever he had seen in my eyes. I saw heat flare in his forest green eyes, the dark color betraying the fact that he wanted me as much as I wanted him.

Knowing that we couldn't go there I cleared my throat, "breakfast babe?"

He blinked a few times then shook his head as if he was waking from a daze, "Oh, yeah."

I smiled at him and lifted my hand to his face, "I want you too." I whispered.

He groaned, "We'd better go now or I won't be able to keep that promise I made to myself."

I grinned and pulled him downstairs to his breakfast.

********

I had forgotten what today was.

Prom day. Yuck

After a wonderful breakfast and two hours just sitting in Edward's arms it was easy to forget.

But after three strait hours of being towed around to three different hair places, two different nail salons, four shoe stores after Rose snapped the heel off one of the stilettos that went with her dress, three jewelry stores for accessories, and six different Tux stores for the boys I couldn't push the dreaded event from my mind. Luckily I still felt as good as I had when I woke up but I was dreading all of the prom prep. The only thing I was truly excited about was my dress. I tried it on, under Alice's command, when we picked it up from the dress cleaners.

"It looks too big." she commented, pursing her lips in displeasure at the fact that I had dropped a size in the last few weeks.

"It's fine." I insisted, knowing that if she didn't like it she would force me to go shopping for another dress.

Alice shook her head, "No, no it's a size too big."

"We can get it hemmed and taken in." Rose suggested.

"Will we have time though?" Alice asked her.

I was ignoring them both, just looking at myself in the beautiful dress. It was supposed to be a little more fitted at the top then it was, but I was happy with it. It made me look so alive and healthy. The dark blue color of the dress brought out the faint pink in my cheeks and the natural violet shade of my eye lids. I looked…un-sick. It was a look that matched my odd un-sick feeling.

"Bella!" Alice yelled

I jerked out of my day-dreaming to look at her. Rose was smiling softly and Alice was looking at me as if she was mystified.

"What?" I asked defensively.

"Nothing." They said at the same time, looking at each other then looking away.

"Guys…" I trialed off.

Rose sighed, "It's just…"

"You look so gorgeous and vital…it's hard to believe that we're going to loose you in a month or two." Alice finished, ducking her head so I wouldn't see the tears in her eyes.

Rose nodded, her clear ice blue eyes misting over.

I sighed and stepped down from the upraised platform in front of the mirrors. I gathered them both in my arms, "It's going to be ok guys. Really. Let's just enjoy the time we have left. We have the…prom…" I shuddered, "tonight, and then a wedding tomorrow and two more in the next month. We have too much going on to be sad!"

Alice sniffed and nodded into my bare shoulder, "You're right, I'm sorry. "

Rose nodded too and laid her head down on my shoulder, "me too Bella. It's just….so hard to think about."

I smiled a little, "I understand guys, and trust me I do. I'm scared too. You have no idea. But the only thing that gets me through the day is the stuff I will get to experience."

Rose sniffed and lifted her head from my shoulder, wiping under her eyes to make sure her make-up didn't run.

"Thank Nyx for water-proof mascara" Alice giggled through her tears. I laughed and hugged the two of them close.

"Ugg. What are we doing?" Alice groaned, "We have at least two more hours of shopping not to mention Bella's dress alterations"

Now it was my turn to groan. Two more hours of shopping and dress alterations before I could go home. Before I could go home to Edward…

"No Bella!" Rose said suddenly.

"You don't get to see Edward until we leave for Prom!" Alice called triumphantly.

I groaned, "Are you serious?"

Alice grinned, "Deathly."

********

"Bella would you hold still!" Rose was frustrated. I was fidgeting so much, knowing Edward was just a few feet away from me.

"Isabella Marie!" Alice yelled, "Keep it up and I'll have Rose work so slow it'll take another hour!"

I stopped fidgeting at once. Rose exhaled in a huffy sort of way, "give me exactly 7 seconds."

I nodded and then held still counting. One…two…three…

"Done!" Rose called turning me to face the mirror. I was stunned. My hair was up in an elegant twist with curls falling out of it just enough to look pretty but not enough to make the bun loose. A curl fell on each side of my face, framing my slightly elfin looking face. My bun sparkled, Rose had embedded little diamond clips in the bun and a small flower clip in the front.

"My turn!" Alice called brightly, skipping over to the chair where I sat.

"Give me 5 seconds!" she called, sticking her tongue out at Rose. I closed my eyes for a split second before Alice called "Done! And she looks ravishing if I do say so myself!"

I opened my eyes to face the girl in the mirror.

She was beautiful, elegant and sleek. My cheeks lightly pinked, my lips glossed very lightly, and my eyes shaded with the lightest shade of silver. My eyelashes looked as if they had been dusted with the finest silver dust to make them shine and glitter. My necklace gleamed prettily against my skin and fit perfectly with the dress, reminding me of my beloved. It was the only thing that reminded me of myself I looked mysterious and confident and totally un-like myself. It was perfect.

"I can't wait to see his face!" Alice called. I smiled and stood. My dress clung perfectly to my small chest and flared just under my bust line. The small silver stars along the hem and neckline and the silver sparkles matched the silver shawl that Rose handed me. It was as silky and smooth as water and sat on my shoulders perfectly, making them look delicate. Alice grinned at my bemused expression, "What Bells? Not used to looking drop dead gorgeous? I mean normally you look breathtakingly beautiful but now you look smoking hot!" I giggled as she kneeled down and helped me into the small one inch heels.

"Now you're ready!" Rose proclaimed. She was stunning in her burgundy dress with the silver jewels making a belt around her super slim waist and meeting in a silver ring at the very front of her c-cup chest (lucky little girl). She looked amazing and I couldn't help but feel a little self-conscious…

And Alice, well she looked as dainty and angelic as normal, with just a little bit of a punk edge. Her hair was spiked like normal but the gel she used had gold glitter in it that matched the gold glitter on her dress.

"Ready?" Alice asked. Rose nodded enthusiastically and I sighed,

"Might as well get it over with."

Alice sighed, "You act as if we are shoving bamboo splinters under your nails."

I shook my head and mumbled, "Might as well be."

Rose scoffed, "Really Bella, I'm sure that if you just try to have a good time you'll find it isn't the torture you seem to expect it to be."

I rolled my eyes as we walked into the hallway at the top of the stairs, "Sure and one day pigs will be green and fly."

Alice giggled, "You never know, they could be."

Rose grinned, "Okay, okay you two. Straiten up, our men are down there waiting for us. Let's at least attempt to be proper ladies for at least once in our lives."

Alice and I giggled at her stern tone; it didn't quite match the mischievous smile on her face. She hugged the two of us closely then proceeded down the stairs. Alice attempted to make me go next but I pushed her forward instead, prompting her to shoot me a dirty look but start down the staircase anyway.

"Well Bells, its show time." I whispered to myself as I walked down the first few steps.

"One foot in front of the other. Left right, left right." I coached myself.

After what felt like a decade I made it down the stairs in one piece, which was a major accomplishment for me.

As I looked up from my feet I was met with the face of the man I wanted to spend the rest of forever with. He was stunned, his mouth hanging open and his eyes practically bugging out. It was like he was seeing me for the first time.

"Hey baby…you'd better close your mouth. It's not very attractive and flies might try to land in there…" I teased him, covering my mouth with my hand as he snapped his jaw shut and shook his head a bit.

"You just…wow. You look amazing Bella." He grinned at me lovingly and I felt myself begin to blush.

"It's not that great baby…" I trailed off, unable to look him in the eyes.

I felt him step closer and he lifted my chin, making me look him in the eye.

"You look absolutely magnificent. Angelic, ethereal, completely beautiful. A Demi-goddess."

I blushed an even deeper red and I heard laughter in the background.

"Look Rosie, she's as red as your dress." My brother laughed. I stuck my tongue out at him and he laughed even louder, coming closer.

"Now that's the baby sister I know and love." He winked at me as he hugged me carefully. It hit me in that second that for the last few months no one had really hugged me. I mean really hugged me. Everyone was so scared that the lightest touch would hurt me that they treated me as if I was encased in a fragile bubble that it would be deadly to pop.

I hugged my brother tighter and felt him laugh deeply, "Bella, the dress?" He reminded me.

I grinned and leaned back, smacking myself on the forehead lightly, "Oh, yeah. That."

"Aw Bells forgot she was wearing a dress for once." Jazz teased.

I made a face at Jasper, "Gee thanks Jas. Question my girl-a-tude even more."

Jasper grinned, "No one was questioning whether you were a girl, just wondering if you have ever worn a dress before."

Emmett nodded, "Once or twice. She has never been comfortable being a girl." He shook his head sadly then winked at me.

"Alright, alright. That's enough jokes at my expense. Let's get out of here so we can get the dreaded deed over with." I moaned.

"Not so fast Bella love, I want pictures!" A happy voice called from above us. I groaned as Esme came rushing down the stairs with a camera. She was walking slowly, compared to vamp speed, and Carlisle was rushing behind her, grinning ear to ear.

"Okay gang, get together." Esme called, pausing on the stairs.

We all squished in together, the boys in the back and us girls in front of them. Everyone grinned and looped arms over those standing next to them.

"Okay now just the girls." we looped our arms around each other and put our faces close, grinning madly.

"Okay now the guys" they posed with Edward and Emmett standing back to back and Jasper kneeling in front of them with his hands pointed in a gun.

"Now couples." Alice and Jasper went first, laughing and wrapped around each other as tightly as they could get, love shinning in both of their faces.

Rose and Em posed kissing, not passionately for once. It was a very sweet kiss.

And Edward and I posed looking lovingly into each other's faces. It was hard to look away.

"Individuals!" Esme insisted. Each of the girls posed on the staircase and the boys in front of the door. Finally we got her to let us go. As we all stumbled out the door, arm-in-arm the three of us girls were caught off guard by a sleek black town car sitting in the driveway.

The boys all grinned.

"The office let dad borrow it." Edward explained,

"And Carlisle let us borrow it." Jasper continued

"As long as it stays in perfect condition." Emmett added.

Alice laughed, "I told you, the Cullens do everything in style."

********

"I wish you would just loosen up a bit." Alice whined as the three of us girls walked to the bathroom. I rolled my eyes at her. "Alice I am loose."

Rose chuckled, "We've been here an hour and you've danced exactly three times. All of which were with Edward and they were slow."

I shrugged and studied the pale blue streamers that roped their way across the ceiling of the bathroom. Alice was studying her face in the mirror and Rose was applying lip gloss.

"You need to dance with Rose and I, just once." Alice ordered, glaring at me in the mirror.

I blushed, "Why? I'll only embarrass my self and both of you."

Rose sighed, "You danced fine at the salsa club." she pointed at me with her lip gloss wand, "You can chicken out on us now Swan."

I sighed, "I don't know…I don't want to dance in front of Edward."

Alice laughed, "Bella darling, you want him to see you dance. Every girl is sexy when she's vulnerable and letting herself go. And you want him to see that you are ok, so he'll quit hovering right?"

I nodded, "Yeah but I don't think dancing will help my case much."

Rose shrugged, "You never know."

Alice nodded, "Exactly, and what do you have to loose? Besides, you'll have fun."

Rose nodded too, "And fun is what prom is for."

I sighed, I was outnumbered once again. "Okay, okay."

Alice squealed, startling a group of girls who were entering the bathroom.

"Alice!" I chided her, silently apologizing to the group.

"Sorry, sorry." She mumbled, grabbing my hand and pulling me out of the bathroom.

I stumbled out of the door and into the hallway with Rose trailing behind me to make sure I wouldn't fall.

"Alice you really didn't have to pull me." I complained, attempting to get my balance back.

She giggled and shrugged, "Oh well."

Rose rolled her eyes at the two of us and herded us down the hallway back to the entrance of the gym. It was decorated in blue and white streamers and balloons, exactly like a bad prom movie. Rhianna's "Mr. DJ" pumped from the speakers set up in the corner of the make shift dance floor on the left side of the gym. The three boys were sitting at a table the farthest to the right of the room. They were eating and talking occasionally glancing towards the door, probably looking for the three of us. As I headed to the table Alice grabbed me,

"Oh no you didn't, you promised you'd dance."

I sighed but obliged her, following her to the dance floor, pleading with my eyes to Edward to please save me. He shrugged but got up, following us to the dance floor.

Keisha's "Your Love Is My Drug" started playing as Alice and I reached the middle of the floor.

"Now just close your eyes and pretend we're back at the club. " Alice instructed her hands firmly on my waist. I nodded and closed my eyes, letting the beat of the music flow through me. Letting out a breath of air I moved my hips the way Rose and Alice had taught me to the beat of the music. After I got the hang of it I opened my eyes intending to plead with Alice, who was still holding onto my waist lightly. The only problem being when I opened my eyes it wasn't Alice I saw,

It was Jacob.

"Jake" I gasped, "What are you doing here?"

"I had to see you. I couldn't stand it anymore." He whispered looking at me as if he was a burning man and I was water.

"You could have just called me; I would've come and seen you as soon as I could." I whispered back.

Jake shook his head, "You know the Vampires wouldn't have let you go, especially with a wedding so soon."

I sighed and looked at my feet, "Edward would have let me, and he's trying to be mature about this."

Jacob scoffed, "Sure he is Bella, and sure he is."

I looked up to glare at him, "He is actually. He said it was fine if I was still friends with you, he just wanted me to be happy."

Jake rolled his eyes, "Of course he'd tell you that Bella. He doesn't want to make you choose because he's afraid you might choose me."

I shook my head, "That's not it at all Jake; he just wants me to enjoy the little bit of my life I have left."

Jake looked down, "And that's why I came Bella, to make sure you were sure about how you wanted to spend the rest of your life. Bella, you should choose me."

I sighed, "Jake we've been through this. I love you, but I'm not in love with you."

Jake shook his head, "No Bella that's the thing, I think you are in love with me, you just don't want to realize it because you think you love him."

I glared at him, "I don't think I love Edward, Jake. I know I do."

Jake shrugged, "But you love me too."

I sighed, "Not the same way."

Jake shook his head, "I beg to differ."

And the next thing I knew he was kissing me.

This kiss was so much different then all of Edward's kisses. This kiss was desperate, a last ditch effort to prove something to me. It was full of heat and promise, full of desire and pent up frustration. This kiss was a bright flame, so unlike the warm comforting warmth of Edward's kiss that I turned to stone in its wake. I stood there motionless as Jake ravaged my lips with his.

And then as suddenly as it started it was over. As I came back to reality I heard what sounded like growling. I didn't realize my eyes were closed until I peeled my lids back to find Edward standing in a protective stance in front of me, growing deep in his throat and Jake a few inches from him growling too.

"Stay away from her." Edward growled out.

"Never. She is mine." Jake spat, attempting to inch forward. Edward growled and struck out, swatting Jake's arm from where it shot out, attempting to grab my arm.

"She has chosen Jacob Black, now let her be." Edward warned again, and arm snaking behind him to clasp me tightly against his back. I struggled away and stood in between them, a hand on each of their chests.

"Enough." I said firmly. "Stop this. You are causing a scene."

Both boys looked away from each other to look at the crowd that had begun to gather around us.

Edward stood up strait, abandoning his stance. Jacob followed.

"This is inappropriate and quite frankly immature. I've made my choice and that's final."

Jacob turned his face away but I heard the barely hid sniffle. I had hurt him once again.

"Jake." I whispered, turning to him.

"I'm fine Bella." He insisted, taking a step away from me.

"I just…I can't Jake. I'm so sorry." I dropped my gaze.

"It is what it is. I knew it was a lost cause. He's like a drug to you Bella; you can't live without it now. But I had to try."

I looked up at him with tear-filled eyes, "Will you ever forgive me?"

Jake looked away, "There's nothing to forgive Bella. You can't choose who you love."

"Jake…" I pleaded.

"It's fine Bella. I'll see you later." and with that he was gone, loping through the crowd to the door. I looked down at the floor again, feeling a hole gauge itself into my heart at the loss of my best friend.

"Bella?" Edward called hesitantly. I turned to face him. "I'm sorry." he said, his green eyes filled with regret.

I shook my head, "There's nothing to be sorry for. This is my fault."

Edward shook his head, "No Bella, this one is all me and him. You did nothing wrong."

I sighed and stepped towards Edward who opened his arms. I nestled into his chest, breathing in the comforting honey and sunshine scent of him.

"Let's go home." I murmured. Edward nodded and took my hand, leading me to the door.

We walked out to the car in silence, both wrapped up in our own thoughts.

As he opened the car door for me I shook my head, "How are the others going to get home?"

Edward lifted my chin, "The only other way for us to get home is to run."

I nodded, "Let's do that then."

Edward nodded, "Okay."

We walked towards the edge of the woods and once we were in good tree cover Edward picked me up bridal style, tucking my face into his chest. I snuggled into him, enjoying the feel of his arms around me. Edward kissed my head then began to run.

I could hear and feel the rush of the air over and around us and I began to panic a bit, what if we hit something? I would most certainly die at these speeds. But just as my panic was about to go into overdrive Edward stopped.

"We're home my love." Edward whispered. I looked up to find myself in his warm bedroom.

I sighed and slid out of his arms, heading for the bed. Edward stood in the doorway and watched as I clumsily undid the catch and zipper or the dress.

"Here, let me help." I heard him say and then I felt his fingers flying along the zipper and the inside buttons. I sighed gratefully as the dress sagged. I let it fall to the floor and I stepped out of it, wearing only my slip. His fingers slid up to my hair, quickly and efficiently taking the clips and pins out of my bun until my hair flowed over my shoulders. I turned to face him and he gathered me into his arms, holding me close with his face buried in my hair.

"I'm so sorry Bella." he whispered. I nodded and felt tears starting to roll down my perfectly made up face.

We stood like that for a long time, just holding each other. Finally Edward swept me into his arms and carried me to the bed, laying me down under the covers.

"Sleep my love." he whispered in my ear and I curled up to him. I nodded and closed my eyes, letting exhaustion and heartbreak lull me to sleep.