Chapter

~Edward Point of View~

I remember the conversation with my father long ago about the effects of change on a vampire. It really didn't take long to realize that effects of change that my mate had us all despite the short amount of time she had been here. I wouldn't say it was easy, getting close to her. It was clear that the life she had lived had left her guarded. But everything single moment I spent with her filled my life with purpose, learning everything I could about Cassia.

Cassia was teaching me to live again for the first time in my undead life, something that hadn't been possible with Bella. Her eyes that shined with the freedom of the sky and water, always so bright. I listened to the thoughts of others as they become fascinated with the human and it drew me in. She was full of knowledge of the past, legends from long ago. True to her word since learning my story a month ago, she was giving us all a chance to prove worthy of her.

Carlisle was amazed at the conversations they had together, she was always so expressive. Esme attempted to sooth her pain and ended up feeling her own pain being taken away as she grew to love her. Alice was happy, so happy to have her in her life. She was always looking for something to do with her and Cassia seemed more than happy to put a smile on her face. I had been right when I said there was no comparison to Bella, Cassia fit in ways that Bella couldn't have even trying her hardest.

I was amazed at how well she interacted with everyone, including myself. Cassia was deeply passionate about the things she cared about. It showed most clearly in her friendship with Jasper, who simply adored her. It was strange seeing how much Jasper normally struggled more than the rest of us. There were so many moments that stole my breath as I was struck with amazement over everything little thing. Bella was an obsession, but this woman was my reason for existing.

I knew that she struggled a lot with accepting the changes we were bringing into her world. But the moment where she refused to let fear win, the moment she shown such strength, always made him want to grab her into his arms and never let her go. He knew that he had caused her so much pain, but she was pushing through for him. He would do anything for her.

The biggest challenge was getting her alone, since she seemed still uncomfortable in my presence. But with Jasper and Alice being away for the weekend. I was taking a chance to spend the day with my mate, a chance to show her how much she had come to mean to me.

"I would like to show you something" I said approaching her smiling at the sight of her ready for a hike "You are beautiful."

"Thank you" She said softly taking a breath "I take it that it is just me and you today?"

"Yes, I hope you don't mind. Alice and Jasper took a weekend trip" I explained softly knowing she was not overly comfortable with me yet.

"It's fine" She said giving me a small smile shifting slightly from foot to foot "You said you want to take me somewhere?"

"I hear that you enjoy amazing sights. I was hoping you would let me take you to a place I found recently that I hoped you would enjoy. I would need to carry you there though" I said softly as she nodded giving me a smile of excitement, I quickly learned she loved seeing anything new.

"Sure, is this okay or will I need to change?" She questioned as I just smiled leaning down to kiss her cheek very quickly.

"You look perfect, you always do" I said honestly as she blushed lightly as I picked her up cradling her bridal style in my arms "Will you be comfortable like this?"

"Yeah" She said shifting until she was comfortable snuggling in my chest making me hard press to ignore the amazing feeling of her being in my arms.

I watched as she closed her eyes leaning into me as I sped off into the direction of the little heaven I found. I knew that she was content in my arms, a rarity that showed that she was learning and trying to trust me despite the pain I had caused her. I just enjoyed her warmth knowing that I had set up everything before going to pick up my mate.

I was taking a chance to show her a little more of what she met to me by doing a day date today. I knew I wouldn't get away with trying a formal date, but with Jasper gone today I would be able to indulge in showing her something I thought she would enjoy. When I found this place last week, I knew she would love it and it would give me the perfect chance to spend a whole day uninterrupted with her if she allows.

"Wow" She said as I stopped letting her look over the small space "This is beautiful."

I was thankful for the rare sunny and warm weather we would have today as she smiled brightly looking at the small lake leaning to a small river. There was a cliff with a small waterfall. Everything was enclosed and we were surrounded by plenty of trees with the exception of the small section where I had set up a blanket. She blinked in surprise turning to me.

"I know that I should have explained it better, but I wanted to take the chance considering it will be nice and warm today to spend the day here. Esme packed you plenty of food and a bathing suit. You don't have to, but I thought I would be prepared just in case" I said feeling like I was rambling, but she just smiled sweetly at me, I was proud to have cause it for once.

"That actually sounds really perfect" She said softly biting her lip "It's a little chilling still being so early. How about we sit down and just enjoy our surroundings for a little bit? It's so beautiful here."

I smiled at her acceptance of the plan as I sat down on the blanket opening my arms to her. I knew that if she didn't want me to hold her, she would tell me. My mate was not someone that didn't speak her mind. Unlike Bella, Cassia was an unstoppable force. Something that always set fire to my veins and made me what to be consumed by her. I saw her take a moment, struggling with a decision before she scrambled into my arms.

I smiled wrapping my arms around her as she shifted until she was comfortable. After a few moments I was a little surprised to hear her breathing even out and her heartbeat slow showing she fell asleep. I knew how unrestful she was when she slept because she was often pledge with nightmares. I was happy to know that she was comfortable and content enough to find comfort in my arms. I was overjoyed at being able to hold her close and keep her safe while she slept.

I shifted us to lay down with her head on my chest holding her as gently and close as I could careful not to harm her. I smiled catching the sight of her smiling in her sleep. I kissed the top of her head breathing in her scent before starting to hum her song, the song of the light this woman brought into my life. As she slept, I moved my fingers through her long hair just content to hold her close. I knew that for her to slept so peacefully that she was trusting me, she was beginning to trust me.

I knew there was a long road ahead of us but as long as she continues to give me a chance, she wouldn't regret it. I loved her, so completely already, and I knew that it would only deepen. I knew that this woman meant the world to me, I didn't know how to exist without her anymore. I knew that should she walk away, there would be nothing to keep me from finding a way to end my life. I couldn't and wouldn't survive without this angel at my side.

"It is really peaceful here" She whispered after about a two-hour nap that surprised me, but I was glad she was resting.

"You like it?" I whispered hopeful that I made the right choice and she nodded against my chest making no attempt to move "I am glad."

"I have always felt calmness near water, so thank you for finding this place" She said taking me by surprise at the personal details "I believe water represents the condiment of change in nature, the ability to adapt to anything and everything. It is something I try to achieve."

"Adapt?" I questioned a little in confusion.

"I am adapting, accepting change, and adapting to it even now. I know that it won't be easy, but I think that we deserve a chance, despite the past we both now have" She said filling me with joy as I turned slightly to look at her "If you are willing to go slow, it will take time, but I am willing to stay and not run away."

"You mean?" I questioned unable to stop my emotions from filling my voice.

"I forgive you" She said softly as I pulled her close breathing in her scent.

"I am glad you forgive me even if I won't forgive myself, I will be spent forever making it up to you" I said honestly kissing the top of her head.

"Love is never wrong" She said causing me to look at her "I was taught that love changes us, that it makes us into different people. I know that there is no changing the past and that you loving Bella made you into the person you are today. I know that the person you are is someone I could love, so I don't hold it against you anymore and you shouldn't hold it against yourself."

"Cassia" I said feeling overwhelmed with the thankfulness that this amazing woman was my mate.

"So, let go of the guilt, from this moment forward let us both strive to live in the moment instead of the past" She said softly touching my cheek "Can you do that for me? Can you forgive yourself and live the future we will strive to build together?"

"For you, of course I can" I said honestly knowing there wasn't anything I wouldn't do for her.

"Good, now I am going to change into that bathing suit that Esme pack because I want to swim. Are you going to join me?" She said with a smile as I nodded handing her the bag that Esme packed for her for today "Thank you."

"Anything for you, mate" I said as she shook her head in amusement heading out of sight.

I quickly changed hearing her movement knowing that she was undressing. My hearing ensured that there were no threats in the area but knowing that made me hyper aware of my mate near me. I couldn't believe how lucky I was that this amazing woman had forgiven me for my past, was willing to take a chance on me and stay. She was staying, for me. I could hardly believe that I was blessed with such an angel.

"Ready" She said stepping back into the clearing as I took feeling every fiber of my being set on fire at the sight of her.

I shallowed thickly at the sight of her flawless toned and curved body in a two-piece sapphire bathing suit. Fuck, she looked amazing draped in the light of the sun. I have never seen anything so arousing as her standing her giving me a small smile looking like something too good to belong to this world. I bit back a growl of pleasure as she looked me over blushing slightly at the sight of my bare chest, she was so innocent at times.

"You look breathtaking" I said honestly holding out a hand for her to take to pull her towards the water.

"You don't look so bad yourself" She said softly before biting her lip making me bite back the urge to groan, she was so desirable when she did that.

"Careful" I said softly as she walked into the water shivering slightly at the colder water "I wouldn't want anything to happen to you."

"Near water? Not possible" She said with a light laugh causing me to smile at her.

If she enjoyed nature, she thrived in water. I couldn't help the amusement and overall happiness as I watched my mate take to water like she was a mermaid. She had no problems exploring the water fall and the cute giggling she did when she was splashing me was the most amazing sound I had ever heard. While be extremely careful of her human body, I tossed her around the water smiling when she squealed with joy. Yes, water was definitely her element.

There was a peace in her movements, in her expression that I wanted to watch forever. It took me awhile to get her out of the water to eat. I could help but laugh when she whined until I promised her, we would return anytime she wishes, but she needed to eat. I worried over her, knowing that she hadn't eaten in the many hours I have enjoyed her company. Although, I was thankful she seemed to be enjoying the food Esme packed for her as well.

"So, you can't eat at all?" She questioned eating a strawberry in a way that made me want to kiss her deeply and never stop, yes everything she did brought desire.

"No, it doesn't taste like anything and I would have to force it from my body" I said honestly as she frowned.

"That is a shame, I love strawberries and anything fresh like this" She said grabbing a piece of a peach "I know you don't drink human blood, is there an animal you prefer?"

"Mountain lions tend to be my favorite" I said slightly surprising myself at how comfortable I was explaining it to her.

"Ah, I can see that would make sense" She said in amusement "Anything you ever wanted to try but haven't yet?"

"No animals I could think of" I said in response knowing there was only one thing in this entire world I wanted to taste and judging from the blush that spread down her chest she understood as well.

"Would I be able to see you hunt one day?" She questioned as I was overcome from the image of her with golden eyes hunting.

"It would be unwise until you turned" I stated honestly knowing that instincts being heightened might make that a problem.

"You want me to turn?" She questioned a little surprised and I knew why, she knew every single detail of the situation with Bella.

"I cannot picture a future without you by my side, of course I would turn you to keep you next to me" I said honestly because it was the truth, I would turn her and keep her by my side forever because it still wouldn't be enough time with her.

"We will see" She said with a look I could identify, and I wondered again at the secrets my mate hid from all of us.

Before I could continue the conversation, my mate set her food to the side crawling towards me, and I couldn't help but growl at the seductive sight. She had no idea how much she affected me as she just pushed me to lay down snuggling into my chest. I smiled brightly as she sighed happily as I kissed her still slightly wet hair holding her close as we enjoyed the warmth from the sun.

Even in the arms of a dangerous vampire with skin shining in the sunlight, this woman was complete content treating me like it was the most normal thing in the world. I loved and adored her so completely that I could see it all with her. Everything I needed was wrapped into this woman in this arm. She brought me meaning and purpose simply by smiling, I would ensure to never let her down again. She was too important to disappoint ever again, she deserved the world.