DISCLAIMER: All characters are owned by SM

Previously: Something wrong Edward?

I shook my head in answer. Bella was right. I should stop overthinking this. She was here. She forgave me just like that and she was willing to trade her mortality just to be with me forever. Although her mortality was something I wouldn't want her to trade just to be with me, it was something that I was still having a hard time accepting. She already chose to stay in this world and now, she was choosing to give her life away for me and even if that was something that I wanted for myself, it was an option that I preferred she wouldn't have to choose.

It was eerie going back to the big house after everything that just happened. When we stepped out of our vehicles, we saw the house was exactly how we left it and there was no evidence that we have left for a long time.

"You've taken care of it?" Esme looked at Bella with wide eyes.

"During my free time…" Bella shrugged and I tried not to think too much about her comment and imagine what she did when she's not "free"

"Thank you" Esme beamed at her then everyone proceeded to get inside. Bella and I stayed behind. We were left standing just outside the balcony. I could see the indecision in her face. Has she changed her mind?

"Bella… what is it?" She looked up at me.

"I'm not sure if this is a good idea." She bit her lower lip and I dreaded what she was going to say next.

"Bella…"

"I decided by myself that I was going to join you but I'm not sure if they're okay with me being part of the family." Bella blurted out and I blinked.

A laugh escaped my mouth and I could see Bella frowning but I couldn't stop myself. What a relief!

"Hey, looks like Italy has finally taken a toll on him… Poor kid" I could hear Emmett's comment from inside the house.

"Edward! I'm serious!" Bella whined and I came over and gave her a hug before I could manage to stop laughing.

"I'm sorry Love… It's just that… here I am wondering if you're having second thoughts or that you didn't want to go through with it when all you're worried is if my family would accept you?!"

I was grinning from ear to ear but Bella was having none of my good mood.

"How could you even say that?!" She asked.

"Right back at you." I smirked then I grabbed hold of her hand so I can drag her inside the house but she held her ground and I looked back to see her serious face,

"Bella, Love?"

"You know..." She started "I never really heard you agree to my decision in becoming one of you" I knew at some point she would bring that up. I didn't realize it was this soon.

"Bella… I… I want to share the rest of my life with you but… this" I gestured to all of me "I don't know if I could live with myself if I curse you to this… this… kind of existence." She sighed heavily, held my hand and looked me in the eye.

"When we left Volterra, you know all too well that my mortality was already forfeited." I grimaced but she kept me from saying anything. "I'm not blaming you for it. They were only instrument in solidifying the thing that I have already decided even before." She continued.

"Edward, the more you are against it, the more dangerous it is… not just for me… but also for your family. This isn't just about you and me anymore and I don't want to be the reason that your family's will be in danger"

"We can take care of ourselves" I argued.

"This is not your call to make anymore. Come on" She motioned inside and I followed her with a lot of questions. What is she trying to accomplish?

"What are you going to do Bella?" I asked suspiciously.

"I'm putting my mortality to a vote" She said as she entered the house.

Everyone should have already heard Bella earlier because when we got in, they were already settled behind the dining room table which was used more for family meetings rather than eating.

Carlisle sat at the head of the table with Esme on his right and he gestured to the seat on his left so Bella could sit down while I remained standing behind her. Alice sat at the other end of the table besides Jasper and Rosalie and Emmett on her other side.

"So, Bella, I believe you have something to ask us?" Carlisle asked her directly.

Bella nodded and looked at the rest of the family before starting.

"I believe Alice has already shared with you what happened in Italy?"

"Yep" Alice confirmed.

"Then you understand the situation that we are in?" Everyone nodded before she continued

"First of all, I'm really sorry if I put your family in trouble with the Volturi"

"Don't worry, you're not the only one to blame" Rosalie looked at me pointedly. All right, I deserve that. Bella went on.

"The Volturi made an ultimatum that I would have to either be one of you or die to keep your existence a secret and Alice has already shown them a future that I will become one of you.

I have made the decision to become a vampire to keep them from punishing you and of course to be with Edward. But… I'm afraid I wasn't able to ask you all first if you would be okay with that…with me joining your family and with Edward still having some reservations with my decision, I wanted to get your opinion on the matter of my mortality."

Everyone remained quiet to let Bella continue.

"Edward?" Bella turned to look at me. She was smart to ask me first to get my answer out of the way.

"It wouldn't really matter whether I agree to it or not would it?" I asked.

"It won't but I would still want to hear your confirmation here, in front of your family" If there was another way for us to be together without damning her forever, I would choose that instead of this.

"I'm still hoping for another way out from the Volturi's ultimatum but it won't change the fact that I still want you to be part of the family and my life, human, or otherwise" There, safe answer. I saw Jasper raise his eyebrow at me. But it was Emmett who voiced out his opinion out loud.

"Don't kid yourself. You want this. You're just too self-righteous to damn her of this existence" That got him a glare from Rosalie but he just shrugged and continued. "I say yes! Things has been pretty exciting the moment Bella arrived!"

"Thanks Emmett. So, a "yes" from Emmett and a "No" from Edward" Bella confirmed.

All I could do was pinch the bridge of my nose in defeat.

"Rosalie?" Bella looked at her tentatively. Among everyone in the family, Rosalie was the one that never warmed up to Bella. She maybe civil with her but she never really bothered to make an effort to get to know her on her own.

"No for me" It took a while Before Bella could manage a nod to accept her answer.

"Wait… just to be clear." Rosalie got her attention. "I'm not opposed to you being part of the family. You've been with us for quite some time now. It's something I can get used to but you choosing to be like us… we never got a choice and I wish someone would have voted "no" for me too" She said sadly. Carlisle was looking at her and the guilt he felt when he realized that Rosalie never wanted this, came back.

Rose… I'm sorry. I needed to talk to Carlisle and help him understand that Rosalie didn't mean to hurt him. I heard her thoughts and I knew she no longer blamed Carlisle for what happened and she has Emmett now. She has something to be grateful for.

"I understand." I could hear the relief in Bella's voice. Bella looked towards Alice and Jasper next.

"Do you really have to ask?" Alice grinned "Of course I want you to be my new sister!" Bella smiled.

"Thanks Alice… Jasper?" She looked at Alice's mate whose gaze fell tentatively towards the crescent shape mark that was visible in Bella's wrist. He was trying his best not to think about that moment that almost destroyed all of us. Jasper tested Bella's emotions and I could hear in his mind that she didn't feel any negative emotion towards him. It was not a surprise knowing that Bella already forgave him a long time ago.

"'Would be nice if I wouldn't have to try to kill you from time to time" Jasper joked and Bella grinned.

"I'd love that too"

She's amazing y'know. You're one lucky vampire to have met someone like her. Jasper added in his thought and I couldn't help but agree.

"Esme?" Esme smiled warmly at her.

"Oh, Bella… of course! You are already like a daughter to me."

"Thank you" She paused before turning to Carlisle beside her. I bet she's regretting not asking him first knowing he was the head of the family and it was his opinion that really mattered.

"Carlisle?" He looked to me before answering. You know Edward, there is really no other way that I can see for both of you to be together. You deserve to be happy and so does she and if this is what she wants then I won't stop her.

"Yes of course Bella. Just being with Edward already made you part of this family and we will be here to help you with the transition." I sighed in defeat. I wanted to be angry at the world, at how this is all turning out for Bella but could I? Knowing that deep down, I would finally be able to be with the woman I love for the rest of eternity?

"All right, where should we do this then?" Bella made a motion to stand up and I instantly stopped her. Was she serious? Now?!

"Whoah! Hold on! You want to do it now?!"

"Is there really a point of me waiting?" Bella argued.

"Yes!" I argued back and almost shouted.

"Majority wins you know. You won't be able to do anything about it" She pointed out.

I took a deep breath so I could explain to her my side. "Love… I don't know why you're so eager to die but hear me out okay?" She raised her eyebrow but remained quiet so I continued. "I won't stop you but can we at least hold this off until we can get your memories back?" There was a look of surprise on her face as if she forgot all about that situation.

I took her hands and held it in my chest. "I can't express how much it means to me for you sacrificing your life to be with me forever… But I would never forgive myself if one day, you find yourself remembering who you really are and realize that this is not what you wanted."

"But I do know that this is what I want for both of us" Bella tried to say. My father stood beside me and looked at Bella in the eye.

"Edward has a point Bella. You can say this is what you want now but we can never be certain until every last bits and pieces of your memory returns. Would you like Edward to live the rest of his existence seeing you regret your decision? This is not something that can be undone" Bella looked at me intently and I could see her being undecided.

"Do you like the family to live with guilt if it happened that you wouldn't want to be part of this?"

Edward! You're guilt-tripping here! Alice chastised but Bella needed to understand how important it was to have her full consent regarding the matter and I knew she was thinking it over.

"So…" Bella finally spoke "If I suddenly woke up tomorrow and remembered everything, would you do it then?" Tsk. So eager for damnation.

"If that is still what you want then yes" She seems to consider that.

"Alright and you will help me with getting my memories back?" She looked like she was unsure and I acted hurt.

"Of course I will Love! You know I only want what's best for you"

"Believe me when I say Edward wants you to remember as much as you do" Alice hugged her shoulders in reassurance.

"Yeah! Not to mention, making sure that no one already has a claim on you" Emmett guffawed.

"Hey, what am I? Jewelry?!" She replied aghast and I had to smile while kissing the knuckles on her fist.

"The most precious of all"