The meadow lay before me.

Gaillardias, their yellow petals bursting out like sunrays. Pink and cloudlike clusters of queen of the prairies. Purple geraniums carpeted the earth. Lilac lupines rose like floral cattails. Orange daylilies and white daisies and yellow asters dotted the field between the thin stalks of wildgrass that grew hiphigh.

Encircling all of it was a guardian ring of firs, heathers, and poplars, their branches entwined and so full of leaves as to keep the world without at bay. Above was a sky peppered with only the lightest of clouds, until the sun shone down in patches of light like beams from heaven. The air was clean, scented with earth and green grasses, ancient wood and moss. I stepped beyond the bushes and the firs and let my fingertips brush along the grasses and flower petals.

So entranced by the array of colors and scents I didn't notice the man across the meadow until I was several feet from the safety of the trees.

I recognized him immediately, though I'd only seen him once. With bright blue eyes beneath thick dark brows and a handsome face, he was easy to remember. His cryptic warning and disappearing act made for quite the impression, even without the good college-boy looks. He stood just beyond the treeline, dressed in the same grey cable knit sweater and khakis he'd worn the night we'd so briefly spoken. His expression was as flat as then, but his eyes were watchful as they focused on me.

I stared back, wondering what he was doing here, in the meadow. I'd come to think of this as a secret place, almost holy. In the middle of the gigantic Olympic State Park outside of Forks, Washington, it was far off the beaten trail. I doubted even the rangers knew of its existence.

A rustle in the trees behind me managed to pull my sights and thoughts from the strange interloper as I turned to the sound.

A vampire stepped from the deep, dark shadows lurking beyond the treeline. Dressed in a black suit, Edward's chalk-white pallor stood out starker than usual. That didn't detract from his otherworldly beauty. Instead, it only enhanced it. A pale god in a dark shroud, stepping upon now consecrated ground for his passing. His bronze hair was swept back, his warm honey-gold eyes meeting and ensnaring mine. He stepped further from the safety of the shadows, closer to the first falling ray of sunlight.

And realizing what he'd reveal to the stranger across the meadow, my heart began to pound. "Edward, no!"

But Edward kept coming. And at the first touch of the sun's pure light upon his face, rainbows danced across his diamond skin. Edward stepped ever closer, more of his exposed skin sparkling as the light brushed across it.

Instead of reexperiencing the awe I'd felt the first time I'd witnessed Edward in the sun, there was only a sinking in my gut and a terrible dread. I whipped around, back towards the stranger. He was still there, blue eyes still watchful. There was no way he'd missed Edward's otherworldliness.

I turned back to Edward, alarm in my voice as I called his name.

But Edward approached me steadily, no change in his relaxed expression as he joined me at my side. Instead of sharing my worries and newfound fear, he took my hand and smiled gently at me. I blinked back, confused but also heartened to feel his cold flesh surround mine. After a moment, Edward lifted his gaze away from me and over to the man across the meadow.

With a slight tug, he began walking.

I swallowed, but followed, raising my own eyes to the interloper. The stranger showed no indication of moving. He showed nothing, really. His expression remained flat as he stood with an unnatural stillness.

Edward led me fearlessly through the flowers and grasses. Every so often, a ray of light would land upon him, causing him to sparkle once more. The stranger took this in without so much as a twitch of the eyelid. He seemed utterly inured to the sight, though he watched our approach intently.

Edward led me within arm's reach of the stranger. Close enough to notice the wayward strands of his windswept hair. To see the clean-shaven full cheeks. To note the dimple in his chin.

And when he spoke, it was with the same deep, rough voice I'd heard all those months ago. "It's time."

I glanced at Edward, but his expression was as relaxed as ever as he stared back at me, ignoring the stranger entirely.

I looked back to the stranger. "Time? Time for what?"

Instead of answering, the mysterious blue-eyed stranger reached out his hand and laid his palm against Edward's forehead.

And even as pure white light erupted from his eye sockets, Edward continued staring. But not at the man killing him. No, his melting eyes stayed fixed on me.

The knock on my door didn't come soon enough to save me from the sight of Edward burning from the inside out, smoke curling from his charred eye sockets. But it did save me from whatever fallout would've come after.

Judging by the pounding of my heart and roiling in my gut, it wouldn't have been pretty.

I let loose a breath and rolled my head towards the door. "Yeah?"

Pushed slightly open, a familiar head of shaggy brown hair messily brushing across a pair of big hazel eyes appeared in the narrow opening. "Hey." Sam offered a slight smile. "Happy birthday."

I summoned a smile from my ever-ready stockpile of expressions-on-demand. "Thanks."

Sam's eyes narrowed. Apparently, my stockpile needed some work. "You alright?"

"Sure," I lied, even though my heartrate was starting to calm down to something resembling normal.

"Uh huh." Sam let the opening widen. As more of the sixteen-year-old was revealed, so too was an awkward looking lump poorly wrapped in crinkled newspaper. From this distance, I could see the pictures were from the obituaries. Still, Sam held it up like a prize. "Maybe this'll cheer you up."

Per usual, Sammy was right. Presents helped. I pushed myself up till I was sitting on my mattress and held my hands out expectantly. "Gimme," I said, wriggling my fingers.

Sam grinned, long legs eating up the space between us in a couple of strides. Dropping onto the edge of my mattress, he held out his hastily wrapped gift. His eyebrow barely shifted as I snatched it from his grip.

I tore into the obits, gleefully ripping apart the paper, nightmarish vision already fading as anticipation rose in its place. The shine of metal appeared first, silver and polished. It was only a few more tears before a brand new M1903 Colt handgun appeared before my hungry eyes in all its glory.

But the hunger quickly faded, replaced by a sad resignation.

I quickly summoned my best, most convincing smile. Making sure I made it so wide it crinkled the corner of my eyes as I beamed up at my little brother. "This is great!"

Sam studied my expression, but his eyes stayed light and unbothered, so he must've bought the show. "You like it?"

"Yeah! 'Course!" Practiced hands had me sliding the clip from the black grip, even though I'd never handled this particular model before. I peered into the empty clip before sliding it back in with a satisfying click. I kept my grin up as I lifted my gaze to meet Sam's.

"Great." His smile turned a bit crooked. "I figured Edward and the rest of the Cullens are going to get you some ridiculously expensive gifts. But I know you've had your eye on Dean's favorite gun forever." He smirked.

He was right. I had eyed Dean's colt with the same jealous fixation I had for every part of Dean's hunter arsenal.

But I wasn't a hunter.

"It's great." I leaned forward and wrapped my free arm around Sam's shoulders—that weren't so bony anymore. "Thanks."

"Sure thing." Sam shrugged before moving out of my hug and shrugging again. He ran a hand through his hair and stood up. "Oh," he paused before adding, "I'm not supposed to let you ditch school today."

My brows rose. "Alice?"

Sam gave another shrug before wandering back out my bedroom door, shutting it behind him.

Alone once more, I studied the gun in my hand. Let my sights trace the gleaming barrel down to the black inlay grip and back up. I turned it side to side, studying the perfect lines. Feeling the heft of it in my hand. It was heavier than what I was used to. A gun built with stopping power in mind.

The perfect weapon for a hunter.

I opened my nightstand's drawer and set it inside.

Bobby's old Ford truck sputtered unhappily into the first free space it'd fit. Engine grumbling as it settled, I pulled out the keys and pushed open the door with a creak that'd wake the dead.

"Hey, Sarah!"

Angela, Mike, Eric, and Jessica were gathered a few spaces down in front of Eric's Toyota. I raised my hand as I stepped out between the truck and a more modest Elantra. "Hey!"

"Ready for the big day?" Mike questioned as I approached.

I nodded at Sam as he passed me by, then started jogging towards his own group of friends further down the lot. Turning back to Mike and the others, I shrugged my backpack up onto my shoulder. "I was born ready, Newton."

Jess tossed her dark hair back over a shoulder. "Our R and J essay's due today," she explained.

I kept my lips stretched into something smile-like. "Right. Awesome."

"You didn't do it, did you?" Eric asked as he hung off Angela's shoulders.

"Does a paragraph count?" I wondered weakly.

The others exchanged a glance before Mike reached out and patted my shoulder. "A rose by any other name, Winchester."

"Hah," I returned.

Jessica leaned over, looking behind me. "Here comes Romeo."

I twisted in time to watch a silver Volvo gliding into a spot a few spaces down from Bobby's truck. A familiar excitement bubbled up within me, making me almost giddy. My smile came much easier. At the same time, the haunting vision of my nightmare lurked in the back of my mind.

It wasn't until he appeared, rising out of his car, that the last of my nightmarish vision was finally banished.

As he shut his door and turned, our eyes met. That familiar tingle of electricity danced across my nerve endings. His lips lifted into that certain secret smile that was just for me and everything seemed to lighten. The worries and fears that always lingered in the back of my mind, the loneliness and sadness that snuck up whenever he wasn't with me—all floated away. Everything was good as he strode down the lane, button-up shirt undone and showing off a grey t-shirt and jeans that fit him perfectly. He was better than a Romeo or an Adonis. He was Edward Cullen, and for some crazy reason, he was mine.

"Happy birthday," he greeted in his usual musical tones, stepping right up until our chests were nearly touching. A cold hand took mine, and he gazed down at me with affection warming his amber eyes.

"Thanks." Smirking, I stared back up through my lashes. "Do I get a kiss?"

He hummed a short laugh before his head lowered and his cold lips pressed against mine. The tingle from before was nothing next to the sudden shock that went all the way to my toes. I pressed into him, tilted my face and deepened the kiss as much as Edward would allow. And while it was more than he'd grant at the start of our relationship, it was never, ever enough.

I sensed his limit had been reached before he lifted his head from mine. Opening my eyes, I glanced up to find his still tightly closed, his jaw flaring as he struggled to control his hunger. Eyes slipping open, he took a breath, gaze focused on nothing for a moment, before finding me again. "We have to go to class."

Nerves still alight and craving, I tasted him on my lower lip. His sweet scent invaded every breath I took. Somehow, I nodded my acceptance, even though a classroom was the last place I wanted to go. "Okay."

Edward smiled again and together we headed down the lane that led to the series of buildings that made up Forks High School.

We had barely made it into building two, rounding the first side hall into the main throughway when a petite, fey-like vampire appeared around the next corner. Alice moved with a ballerina's grace as she danced right up to Edward and me. A more reserved Jasper lingered a few steps behind her, ever the watchful sentinel.

"Happy Birthday Sarah!" Alice proclaimed before throwing her arms around me.

I patted Alice's back, trying not to feel awkward as everyone's eyes found us as they passed us by. Edward looked on, amused. That amusement only grew when I glanced to him for help. "Thanks."

Alice beamed as she let go and stepped back. "Here," she said, pulling her designer backpack around and pulling out a box wrapped in expensive deep-blue paper engraved with patterns. Sam's wry words from that morning ran through my head as she held it out to me. "You're going to love it."

I accepted it, and based on the lightness for its size, guessed it was clothing. Alice had apparently made it her mission in unlife to remake my wardrobe into something that wasn't denim and t-shirts. "Thanks."

"You're going to wear it tonight." She fixed me with a stern look that would brook no argument.

"Um?" I asked, searching between the three vampires' pale faces for some explanation.

"We're having a birthday party!" Alice announced, clapping her hands together.

I glanced to a still amused Edward. "We are?"

He nodded.

"And guess who's going to be there?" Alice went on, pulling my attention back to her.

I shook my head. "Who?"

"Dean and John!"

For a moment, I could only stare blankly at her. "What?"

Alice nodded, still beaming.

I struggled, disbelief warring with Alice's certainty. Since Alice could see the future, I had no reason to doubt they'd be there. Except for every reason. Starting with the fact I hadn't seen either of them in months. Dean had barely called but to say he was alive. Mostly he talked to Sam. And Dad—none of us had seen him since he'd been turned and went off to live with the Cullens.

"I'll see you tonight," Alice promised, in the way only a psychic can, before spinning about and dancing back up to Jasper.

The lean, curly-haired blonde vampire nodded once to me. "Happy birthday, Sarah."

"Yeah," I muttered weakly, barely noticing as the pair walked away.

Edward's amusement had finally given way to concern in the pinch of his brows. "Are you alright?"

I took a breath, inhaling a lungful of his sweet scent, an irresistible aroma nature had designed to lure in prey, and nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm just—"

Edward's expression tightened. "Maybe I should have told you sooner," he wondered aloud as his brow furrowed. "Or checked with you before Alice invited Dean."

"No—I'm just surprised they'd come," I replied.

A sad light filled Edward's gaze. "Of course they want to be there."

"Right," I said. But it was half-hearted.

Edward sighed before pulling me into a hug and pressing his lips to my forehead.

The bell sounded before anymore could be said. Leaning back, I met Edward's concerned gaze and forced a smile.

But like Sam, he didn't look fooled.

School passed by much too slowly. Now that I knew I'd be seeing Dean and Dad, I was equal parts excited and anxious. The last time I'd seen Dad was as he'd been draining the life from me. And Dean had dressed me down for lying to him and acting like an idiot before taking off for parts unknown. I wondered what I'd say to either of them.

By the time I'd driven Sam and I back home, I was a wreck.

I'd half hoped to see the Impala as I turned onto our street, but the black car wasn't in the driveway. Edward's Volvo quietly glided in behind the grumbling Ford, though, and he joined Sam and I back into the house.

After slapping a sandwich together in the kitchen, Sam disappeared into his room upstairs, leaving the living room to Edward and I.

Before I could attempt to find something to watch, Edward snatched the remote out of my hand and pulled a DVD case from his backpack. I squinted at the cover. It was old-fashioned and featured a young couple lounging together on a white background. "Romeo and Juliet?"

"The nineteen-sixty-eight version," Edward acknowledged before turning the case over and popping it open.

"Why?" I asked, bewildered.

He cast a canny look my way. "You can still make up your essay with Mister Finch and lose only a few points."

I groaned and flopped onto the leather couch. "You can't be serious," I complained.

"It's either this," he said, smirking, "or reading the original play."

I huffed before folding my arms as he made his way to the television and the DVD player beneath it. "Isn't there a version with Leonardo DiCaprio?" I whined.

He didn't bother to look at me as he popped the disc into the player. "This one is far superior to that travesty of a film."

I rolled my eyes at my snob of a boyfriend.

Soon, the movie was starting. The graininess of the picture reminded me of all the westerns Dean would watch when we were stuck in a motel room all afternoon and night. I continued pouting as Edward sat next to me, even when his arm found its' way across my shoulders and pulled me into his side. When the dialogue started, in that old-style Shakespearean English, I scowled.

As the story went on, I had to admit, I could feel for the couple. Star crossed lovers was a theme I understood. I didn't understand a lot else, but that I got.

Once it came to the part where Juliet poisoned herself, thinking Romeo was dead, I couldn't help but say, "That's just stupid."

Edward smiled. "You don't approve?"

I rolled my eyes. "Of course not. You don't off yourself over some guy."

Edward turned pensive. "He wasn't some guy. He was the love of her life."

I continued watching as Romeo found Juliet, but too late. "I guess," I said, as Romeo immediately hatched a scheme to kill himself, too. "It just seems like—a waste."

Edward stayed quiet, but it was a thoughtful, pensive silence. "I had considered the same, once."

Surprised, I turned to look at him. "What?"

Edward's eyes were still locked on the television screen, and the century's old drama playing out on it. "Taking my life."

My heart seemed to stutter as I turned to face him, horrified. "What? Why?!"

Edward's eyes narrowed. After a moment, he admitted, "I didn't know if I'd be able to stop." He glanced at me, and at my continued confusion, he clarified, "When I had to suck out the venom transforming you."

I had heard this confession before, but this part was new. "So, what? You were going to kill yourself if I died?"

Edward face tensed, mouth pulling tight as his eyelids narrowed, before he turned back to the screen. "Unfortunately, it's not as easy as it is for you humans."

I stared at him, horrified and uncertain what to say.

"All it takes for you is a little poison. A dagger to the heart. So many ways," he mused. He glanced to me again. "For us, it's not that simple."

The part of me that had grown up immersed in hunting wondered, "What were you going to do?"

"Provoke the Vulturi," Edward said after a moment.

"The Vul—what?"

"The closest thing we have to royalty. A family of vampires. Very old, very powerful vampires. Carlisle lived with them in Italy for a time." His eyes drifted from the screen to find mine. "They cherish the law above all. And there is only one real law for our kind. To break it is death."

I absorbed this, wondering how there was still more about him—about vampires—I had yet to learn. "What's the law."

"Not to bring attention to ourselves. Vampires," he clarified at my furrowed brow. "Make a spectacle of yourself, and the Vulturi will come for you."

I turned to the screen without seeing what was on it. "And you were going to do that?"

"It doesn't matter. You lived," Edward replied, turning his angelic smile on me.

I shook my head, suddenly angry. I met his smile, for once unmoved at the sight of it. "You don't do that, Edward. Not ever."

His smile subsided as he studied me. "I didn't mean to upset you."

I grit my teeth and looked away. "Just—don't even think about things like that."

After a moment, he pulled me closer with his arm and kissed the top of his head. "I'm sorry," he murmured.

I let out a breath and tried to relax. Like he said, I was alive. He was fine. It was a moot point.

But it bothered me. All the way until it came time for my party, I couldn't help but think of what Edward had admitted to. Of how much it hurt me to think he'd hurt himself, and over me.

I was mortal. He wasn't. Someday, I wouldn't be around. I didn't want to think of Edward not being around, either.

It was a quiet drive to his house. Still early enough to watch the trees passing by the window. Sam was in the backseat, so there wasn't a whole lot I could say to Edward, anyway.

It had been months since I'd been to the Cullens' one-of-a-kind home. Since Dad had been turned and was staying with them, it was deemed too dangerous for Sam and I to visit. Edward always came to see me. So as Edward pulled up the long drive in the middle of a clearing in the woods, I stared up at the house and marveled again at its size. The long rectangular building was an abstract piece of art, all concrete and wood, with a plethora of wall-to-wall glass windows.

And in the driveway was a sight for sore eyes.

"Dean's here already," Sam said as Edward parked next to the sidewalk that led to the front door.

A part of me registered the Japanese lanterns hanging along the sidewalk and the giant bowls filled with pink roses, but I couldn't take my eyes of the Impala. He was here. He'd really come. I was both elated at the thought of seeing Dean again, but nervous too. The last time we'd spoken in person things hadn't ended well.

Before I could talk myself out of going inside, Edward was at my door and holding out his hand. Sucking in a breath, I slipped my hand into his and let him help me out of the Volvo. I took a moment to adjust the skirt on the black cocktail dress Alice had picked out for me. Despite the fact I still wasn't used to dresses, I had to admit I liked the one she'd picked out. It looked classic, like something Audrey Hepburn might wear.

Sam followed us out and across the sidewalk. Edward held open the door. I took a steadying breath before stepping through to the open entry room beyond.

"Happy Birthday, Sarah!"

A silly low whistle from a streamer went off as giant Emmett blew into it, and the end uncurled right into my big brother's ear.

Dean slid an annoyed side eye to the vampire before his bottle-green eyes fell back on me. A corner of his mouth rose.

Further off, next to Carlisle and Jasper, Dad stood with his own slight smile. I met his red eyes and had to swallow against the lump that rose in my throat. "Hi Dad."

"Hey, sweetheart," he said. I blinked as the familiar old rumble of his voice had taken on a musical cadence, much like the rest of the Cullens. His was deeper than anyone else's apart from Emmett's. He was as pale as any Cullen, too. He appeared to be the oldest of them all, but all the wear and tear of life had been taken away.

It was odd. Like seeing someone familiar and, yet, through a funhouse mirror.

The old guilt gnawed at me, but I forced it down. "You look really good."

Dad gave me a wry smile that failed to touch his eyes.

"Hi Dad. Dean," Sam said as he settled in beside me.

"Sam," Dad replied. He didn't move any closer, staying perfectly still where he was.

"Where's that girl of yours, Sammy? She dump you already?" Dean asked as he folded his arms.

Sam rolled his eyes before shaking his head. "No, Jerk. Ruby's got her own thing with her family tonight. Something special with her dad."

"Ruby, right," Dean said, like he didn't already know.

Alice moved past Jasper to insert herself between Edward and I. "We've got presents and cake," she proclaimed excitedly as she threaded her arm through mine and dragged me forward.

Beside Emmett, Rosalie frowned as she moved to the left and revealed a small table behind herself and the others packed with presents and a multi-tiered pink cake. Alice led me up to the table, Edward and Sam trailing behind me.

"Here," Alice said, plucking a gift up from the pile and handing it to me. "This is from Emmett."

It was a large box, but light as a feather. Lighter than the dress Alice had given me earlier. I smiled at Emmett—who grinned back—and tore into the expensive gold paper.

I paused to puzzle at the box revealed. A car stereo was printed across the box's sides, but when I opened the top, nothing was inside.

"I already installed it," Emmett boasted.

"In the truck?" I wondered, surprised.

"No." Emmett looked to Edward, a sly grin taking over his face.

I turned to look at Edward, confused. Edward wore his special smile before lifting his hand, revealing the keychain and keys dangling from his finger.

My brows scrunched together. "What—"

"A Ford Explorer," he explained, pressing the keys into my hand. "It's in the garage."

I stared blankly for a moment. "You're giving me a car?"

"An SUV," he corrected, as if that made any more sense.

"A Ford?" Dean said, face pinched. "Seriously?"

Everyone ignored him as I stared at the keys. "Edward—"

"It's not just from me, but from John, too," he said, inclining his head towards Dad. At my glance, Dad nodded.

Dad said, "That old pickup's on its last legs."

"This is a much safer vehicle," Edward added. He smiled at me. "Happy Birthday."

Overwhelmed, I didn't know what to say, except, "Thank you."

"Here!" Alice interjected before I could get any more tongue-tied, thrusting another, smaller, gift wrapped in a simpler paper at me. "It's from Dean."

Dean shrugged before crossing his arms over his chest. "It ain't a car," he warned, tone sour.

I shot him a dry look before I could stop myself, which he returned with one side of his mouth curling upwards.

I turned to the paper, sliding my finger under the edge to unwrap it.

A sting warned me I'd sliced my finger before the blood appeared. I lifted my hand to examine the cut. "Damn."

"NO!"

It felt like my chest compressed as Edward's hand shoved me hard enough that I went flying. I landed hard against the table, right into the pile of presents, breaking the tiers of the cakes and what felt like my hip as it cracked against the table's edge. My elbow smashed through glass, sending shockwaves of pain through my arm as deeper cuts sliced through my flesh.

I barely registered Edward's shoulder slamming into my Dad's chest. Dad flinging Edward aside, a terrible rumbling growl that rose the hairs on the back of my neck and brought back memories of that horrible day in Lawrence. I looked over, stunned, to see Dad snarling at me, his eyes holding nothing human, venom dripping down his chin. Carlisle and Emmett were holding him back, and Edward had raced up and had an arm around his neck. The three of them somehow managing to pull him away.

Alice had a hand on Jasper. "Jazz, Jazz, it's okay. It's just a little… blood."

And then Alice was turning, staring at me and my dripping arm. Rosalie was holding a hand in front of her face, but her eyes were intense as they locked onto my wound.

Dean and Sam stood in front of me, Dean holding a machete, Sam looking anxious but determined.

Dad was still snarling and growling as Carlisle, Edward, and Emmett forced him out of the house. And then, all the vampires were gone, speeding out. Though Esme gave a soft apology before disappearing.

And then it was just me, Sam, and Dean.