"Bella?"

It was Alice's voice.

I closed my eyes, relieved. It would be disastrous if Edward were to see me sobbing over a bed of unpacked clothes. He would push off my transformation, terrified that I wasn't ready. Then, try to devise a scheme against to Vultori that would only end with him getting hurt. Alice was less reactive than Edward. A mere drizzle compared to Edward's storm.

"Alice," I sniffled. "It's not what it looks like."

"Well, that's a shame," she held up the trash bag of clothing, "I thought you had finally come to your senses."

I laughed, pleased to receive such a Classic Alice answer. If she could tease, it meant she wasn't too concerned. She joined me on the bed and immediately folded articles of clothing into tight little bundles. "Are we sorting or packing?"

I had no idea. I wanted to keep all my memories, but Charlie would be suspicious if my wardrobe was bare. He would suspect foul play and send the police looking for me.

"Sorting," I decided.

"By color or…" she held up my only skirt, "…general appeal?"

"General appeal."

With a snort, Alice dropped it onto the floor. I frowned at the sad, little bundle of khaki. It was the skirt I wore to meet the Cullens. Alice always hated it and was sure to express that hatred at every opportunity. I snatched the blue shirt I wore with it on that fateful day and started a new pile with it. I wasn't going to part with it, no matter how ugly Alice thought it was.

Alice added my neutral pieces to the pile with the navy-blue blouse—flannels, sweater, and jeans without tears on the hem. Most of my clothes dropped to the floor along with the khaki skirt. Each time something went to the floor, I retrieved it. I would hold it up for one last inspection. Offer it a goodbye kinder than Alice's judgment. Sometimes, I would pick up something, and instead of saying goodbye, I would add it back into the pile on the bed. Careful to avoid the critical eye of the vampire across from me.

When we finished sorting and folding, the bed remained covered with clothes. There were only six articles of clothes on the ground, only there because they had holes in them. The exercise with Alice had done nothing.

"This is hopeless," I murmured, clutching my white sleeveless button-down. I had no idea how packing clothing turned into such an ordeal. They were only clothes. Pieces of fabric I had thrown on my body for two years without a second thought. I felt the tears returning. Alice must have been able to smell them—Edward always could. "Let's try a different tactic. Why don't you pick three outfits to take to Alaksa? To keep you comfortable while you acclimate."

I nodded. I could do that. I appreciated Alice for so many things, particularly her ability to read her role in a situation.

I reached for my favorite jeans and brown sweater, first. Then, my coziest sweatpants and the t-shirt Edward bought me at our first concert together. Finally, leggings and the flannel I had that matched one of Charlie's.

I grinned. Easy. Alice knew me too well. All I needed was a task list to check off.

"Wonderful!" Alice smiled back. She held out her hand for the bag. "I'll take this home and pack it up for you."

"Wait," I faltered. "These are my favorite things. Don't you think my parents will remember them and wonder why they're gone?"

"Your parents are going to be able to pick out a pair of gray sweatpants and black leggings from all the others?"

I saw her point. I had similar bottoms—they wouldn't know the difference. "But Charlie would look for this flannel." I took it out of the bag. "If I want it to think of him, he will want it to think of me."

"Where it tomorrow. Then, he'd know it was with you."

It was a good suggestion, but not enough. "But what about this T-shirt? Renee made me a T-shirt blanket, once. What if she wanted to make another one to remember me? She would need this!"

I dumped the bag back out.

"She made that blanket for you when you were twelve," Alice reminded me, shoving everything but the flannel back into the bag, "and she hasn't touched that sewing machine since. Do you really think she's going to pick up that hobby again?"

"I don't know."

"If she does, she'll have plenty of T-shirts to use. You can keep this one. Okay?" Her expression was carefully smooth—almost professionally detached. Like a nurse calming down a mental patient.

"And what about this?" I asked, holding up the navy-blue blouse. It was too dressy for lounging in Alaska, but I didn't want to leave it. "I cannot leave this. It's Edward's favorite."

"That can come with it, too."

If we were making exceptions, then I needed the sleeveless white button-down. And the jacket I wore when I first met up with Jacob to fix our motorcycles. And the slacks Charlie bought me for my first day at Newton's. Immediately, I realized I reverted to the same cycle.

"I'm so sorry." It was embarrassing. I curled forward, hiding my face in my hands. If I was unable to pack three lousy outfits, how was I going to drive away with Edward? He would have to pull me away from Charlie by tooth and nail, which he would never do. He would let me stay human as long as I would make a fuss, then run off to die protecting me.

"There's no reason to be sorry." Alice patted my knee. "I would be more concerned if this wasn't difficult for you."

"He's all I want, Alice. Really and truly. I want to be with him and you forever."

"I know," her voice was as small as she was.

"I want him to take me to all his favorite places. I want to find my own corners of the world to treasure. I want to read a book a night and build libraries." My voice became stronger as I declared the life I fought through so much pain to receive. "I want to never doubt my place."

Alice's sister. Esme's daughter. Edward's lover. When I turned, I would be those three things, for all of eternity.

"You're going to get those things. More things than you could ever imagine."

"I just can't stop thinking about how while I'll be happy with Edward and you all, my parents will be grieving. How am I supposed to enjoy myself when I know how much pain I caused them?"

"They will be happy again, someday."

"How do you know?"

Alice pushed the bundle of clothes off the bed so she could scoot closer to me. She leaned over, forcing herself into my line of sight. "In a year's time, you'll have a brother, Bella. His name will be Isaac Masen, named, in a fashion, after you and Edward."

I stared at her blankly. At first, it seemed impossible, but I saw the possibility through Alice's gleaming, golden eyes. Renee was only forty, not too old in this day and age to have a child. And Phil, so much younger than she was. It never occurred to me before, but why wouldn't he want a child of his own?

I started to cry. Not the silent tears of misery or of the sobs of panic and fear that have marked my crying jags over the last few months, but healing tears, punctuated by sniffles and laughter.

"He's going to be strong and healthy and beautiful, Bella," she told me, her voice went quiet as she looked inward at things only she could see. "He's going to look a lot like you in some ways, but he won't be a klutz," she laughed, and I joined her.

"He'll love baseball just like Phil, but he'll have Renee's quirky sense of humor. He'll find joy in her. Between him and Phil, Renee will be loved and looked after. And yes, she will be okay. I promise. My vision never changes. He's set in stone. Just like my vision and what you'd be to Edward, to us. He's as clear to me as if he was already here."

I felt a tug of happiness and peace that Renee will be okay, but sadness to have a brother I'll never know. But, like Esme's sadness, I knew it will be tempered by the love of the supernatural family that I will have forever.

"What to know another secret?" Alice whispered in my ear, her cold fingers brushing away the last tear on my cheek as she curled against me like a kitten. Her head rested on my shoulder and there was a smile in her voice.

At my nod, she laughed and continued to speak quietly. "The loss of you and Jacob is going to bond Charlie and Billy in a way they never thought possible."

I gasped. She smiled.

"On their first date, Charlie won't know whether to wear a tie or not, but he'll eventually decide to wear one. He's going to take Billy to the Lodge." she laughed a little more, lacing her icy fingers through mine. "He's going to spill the wine and get a bit of ketchup in his mustache, but it won't matter. He'll think it does. When he brings Billy home, he's going to use the stupid tie Charlie wore to pull him down and plant one on him." She lifted her head and winked at my stunned expression.

"Life goes on, Bella. Your parents will always mourn you just as you will always mourn them. But just as they will deserve to be happy and move on, so will you."

I wrapped my arms around her, and she squeezed me back so tightly, I couldn't breathe for a second.

"You know…" Alice mused when we broke apart. She pawed through the clothes. "Esme and I will be sticking around to help Charlie grieve. We can offer to clean out your room for him and bring this stuff up to you. We'll tell him it's being donated."

"You'd do that?"

"Of course, whatever it takes to make this easier."

"Thank you."

"Now, let's get your room back in order."

I hopped off the bed, eager for a task. Together, we had my closet and dresser back in order. Tidier, and now in color order, but Charlie wouldn't know the difference. He never helped with the laundry.

As I picked through my underwear drawer, Alice stated, "It's Edward," seemingly out of the blue.

Hiding the underwear in my hand behind my back, I whirled towards the window expecting to see him hanging from the ledge. Instead, a ring sounded from my bedside table. I had forgotten Edward's promise to call. I scrambled to answer the little silver cell phone before it could wake Charlie.

"Edward," I breathed.

He hummed a sweet sound of contentment. "My name on your lips will forever be my favorite sound."

"Edward," I smiled, earning an eye-roll from Alice.

"How are you, Love?"

"Good." I peeked at Alice, refolding all the things I had put away, so they met her perfect standards. "All smiles over here."

"Mmm. Did you have a nice night with your father?"

"Sure did. Chinese food and Rummy."

"Sounds like a wild night."

"Well, you know me. A regular party animal. How are things over there?"

"Much better than expected. We found an unmoored boat floating around Canadian waters. Been out for about a week, as far as we can tell. Emmett set up an elaborate rube goldberg machine to sink it. Jasper already has plans to foil it."

I smiled. If anyone was going to make staging my death a fun experience, it would be Edward's brothers. I was glad he was with them.

"Which means I'll be on cadaver duty alone."

My smile faded. The problem with Emmett's whimsy was that it usually left Edward with all the hard work. I couldn't count the number of times Edward completed school assignments on his brother's behalf because Emmett was off building the first bowling alley for bears.

"Please do not look through any morgues without your brothers." I could already picture Edward frozen, staring down at a body, imagining me in its place. If Edward started to spiral, it would take hours—if not days—to get him back on track.

"Whatever you say."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

"Get back to work." I tried to keep my tone firm.

Edward knew it well enough to hear the reluctance. "Well, there is one fun thing. We have to rename the boat for the forged documents we'll plant at the marina. Any suggestions?"

"Oh!" I chirped. I was never the best at coming up with names; I gave it my best shot. "Emma?"

There was a long pause as Edward thought of something reassuring to say to my terrible suggestion. "I'll add it to the list, Love."

He wouldn't, but I smiled anyway. "Okay."

"No, Emmett," Edward yelled. His voice was away from the receiver, but I could still make out the words. "Real or fake, I would never get married on a boat named The Ball Buster."

"But it's already called The Squall Buster" Emmett yelled back. His voice was farther away and harder to hear.

"I really should let you go. Sounds like you have your hands full." I was sure the bridge of his nose was between his thumb and forefinger as we spoke.

"Sleep well. I'll be there in the morning."

"Goodnight." I stayed on the phone until Edward hung up. I placed the phone back on the nightstand, my fingers lingered, tracing over the smooth edges, as if I could feel Edward's presence through the phone.

When I looked up, Alice was staring at me. Her mouth was pressed in a hard line. "Emmett's going to call it the Pleasure Deck."

"That sounds like Emmett." The innuendo was subtle enough that Edward wouldn't catch on as long as Emmett guarded his thoughts.

"You're not going to tell Edward about your packing woes?"

I took a long drink of water, then closed the bottle and pressed it against my forehead. "No. Edward doesn't need to know about that."

"I think he does."

"I'll tell him if it ever comes up. But for now, we have to get him up to Alaska in one piece."

"Edward needs to learn how to help you through a difficult time without making it about himself."

"He doesn't do that."

Alice laughed, cold and curt.

"He doesn't!"

There was a difference between Edward making things about himself and the struggles Edward truly faced. And Edward was struggling. He made so many mistakes to keep me human, all because of his own self-loathing. He had finally gotten to a place where he didn't hate himself so much that he thought it would destroy me to become like him. If Edward knew how hard it was for me to leave, he could easily slip back into that place of loathing.

I understood that I walked on a tightrope for Edward. I was glad to do so. My love for him was so desperate, I would have walked on a tightrope, through flames, above a shark tank. I would do anything for him.

Sometimes walking on a tightrope meant hiding my tears.

"Look. He's already terrified to do this. I want to make this entire thing as easy on him as possible. So, please. Do not tell him about this."

Alice looked like she had more to say on the subject, but only whispered, "I should let you sleep." Meaning I don't want to argue about this anymore.

"I should probably be asleep," I responded, in agreement with her silent message.

Before she disappeared into the night with my garbage bag of clothes, Alice brought me in for a crushing hug. "The next time we see each other, you won't be human anymore."

The simple fact knocked the air out of me faster than her stony embrace. This is what we fought for, I reminded myself. But to Alice, I simply said, "I can't wait."

Even after Alice left, I didn't sleep. Road trips with Edward were better spent asleep than staring at the needle of the speedometer, anyway. The next morning, I sat in the kitchen waiting for Charlie. I took the time to memorize the space. The chips in the yellow paint on cabinets. My favorite burner on the stove. The stains on the floors I could never get up, no matter what I tried.

About an hour into my study, I heard Charlie's stiff descent down the staircase. "Oh, Bella. I didn't expect to see you down here this early."

"I just got down here," I lied, so as to not seem suspicious. "I was thinking about making some pancakes this morning. Or omelets. Or those waffles you like so much."

"Hm," he grumbled. "I'm not that hungry this morning. I'll stick with something small."

I frowned as he reached for the box of cereal at the top of the fridge. Our final breakfast was supposed to be a grand feast prepared in his honor. Instead, Charlie poured me a bowl of Cheerios. He didn't even sit next to me at the table. He ate his Cheerios standing up, leaning against the counter.

"You going to spend the day with Edward?"

I nodded, chewing. "He should be here any moment."

Perfect in every way—including his timing—there was a light knock at the front door.

"That must be him." Before I could react, Charlie dumped his bowl in the sink and went to answer the door himself. I heard Edward's kind, soothing voice followed by Charlie's friendliest grunt.

"Are you ready to head out, Bella?" Edward asked before he stepped into view.

"You aren't sick of her yet?" Charlie teased in that dad way.

"Not a chance," Edward grinned, "I could be with her forever and that wouldn't be enough."

Charlie wasn't too sure what to make of the statement. No one outside of his family ever did. Edward was never one to keep our relationship light.

"I am." I rose from my seat at the table. "I need to do the dishes first."

"I can take care of that, Bells," Charlie offered.

I shook my head. It was one last thing I needed to do. Edward joined me at the sink. Like he always did, he plucked the towel off the dishwasher handle to dry while I washed.

"Where are you kids off to today?"

"The beach. But if the weather doesn't hold off, there's a nice downtown my mom discovered the other week she wanted us to visit." Edward bumped me with his hip, playfully. "Bookshop, record store, and stationery store. All in a row."

Charlie craned his neck to look out the window. "Sounds ideal," he offered, though his tone and body language did not agree.

A storm was brewing.

Certainly not ideal weather for the beach or exploring a town, but it was exactly what we needed. Because in two days, Charlie was going to get the call that Edward lied. There was no beach town. Instead, he and I rode out to sea to elope in secret, and our boat never made it back to shore.

"That's the hope."

Since breakfast was cereal, there were only two bowls and two spoons to clean. Not enough to keep me occupied as long as I needed. Charlie didn't want his grand breakfast, but the least I could do was leave him with a sparkling kitchen.

"Alright, Sweetheart," Edward's hand gently grazed my lower back, "I think we're finished."

"Almost," I muttered under my breath. I scrubbed the gunk around the faucet and gave the basin a deep cleaning. Then, I stuck the bristle brush down the drain to give that a good scrub, too.

Charlie and Edward exchanged a look, but neither said anything. Charlie lumbered upstairs to change into his uniform for work. Edward took a seat at the table. After the drain was as clean as I could get it, I reluctantly turned off the water. As I turned to face Edward, the fridge caught my eye. Charlie had to go grocery shopping that day, which was good. When I didn't return tonight, he will be distressed. He needed a freshly cleaned fridge to help console him.

I opened the door and began checking the expiration dates of the older items.

"Is now the best time for that?" Edward asked as I tossed a few expired condiments and a block of moldy cheese into the trash.

"Charlie's shopping today. He needs a blank slate. If he sees there's cheese in the fridge, he won't buy new cheese, and then he'll be stuck with moldy cheese for a week."

Edward saw through that logic as if it were a window. "Bella, if you're not ready to go, that's fine. I'll figure something out."

"It's not that. I just already have momentum. Please."

There wasn't enough in the fridge to keep me busy. So, I took all the items out of the fridge, sorting them into groups on the counter. Edward watched in silence as I emptied the fridge, fetched the cleaning supplies, and began wiping down the shelves.

"You kids are still here?" Charlie asked an undiscernible amount of time later.

"She had momentum," Edward mumbled. His tone struck me, causing me to drop the bottle of mustard I had in my hand.

It was dripping with fear.

Edward could not be afraid of what was to come.

I promised Edward I would be brave when he was frightened. I ran towards a ballet studio to face a bloodthirsty vampire. I faced an ancient vampire coven in the underbelly of their ancient castle. I threw myself between those vampires while they tortured my world. I could muster enough bravery to walk out of this house.

Alice had already assured me that my parents would find happiness after my death. It was time for happiness. And my happiness was hunched over on a ratty kitchen chair, seconds away from falling into despair.

Though I was only halfway finished with the task, I stood. "No, I'm ready to go now."

"Finish what you're doing," Edward said. Again, worry frayed at the edges of his tone.

"We have to go now," I said, unceremoniously shoving things back into the fridge.

"We don't have to go anywhere you don't want to."

"I want to go to the beach."

Edward curled his fingers into his hair. "Obviously, you're not ready to go to the beach. It's fine."

"If we don't go now, you'll die!"

Edward blinked. His hand fell from his hair limply into his lap.

Charlie cracked a smile, most likely attributing my outburst to teenage angst.

I bumped the fridge closed with my hip. "Are you coming or not?" I barked behind my shoulder as I marched into the foyer. After an audible deep breath, Edward followed.

My dad and my boyfriend watched me dawn me pull on my sneakers with matching, concerned expressions. Edward reached to steady me as I attempted to retie my shoe standing up. "I believe we are off. I'll have her back at the usual time."

He wouldn't. I would never return.

"It's summer. We can push that curfew back an hour."

I started to retie my other sneaker.

"Thank you, sir."

"I told you, it's Charlie."

I stifled a sob. Sensing an outburst, Edward's hand wound around my waist. "We need to get going."

I broke free of Edward's grasp and stumbled in my father's direction. Though surprised, Charlie caught me and held me.

"Thank you, Dad," my voice quivered. "For the extension on my curfew."

Not sure of what to make of my reaction, Charlie patted my back. "Anything for you, kid."

I could sense Charlie and Edward sharing a silent conversation behind my back, but I didn't care. I hugged my father fiercely.

"Goodbye." The word felt too heavy. "I love you."

"I love you, too." Charlie sounded confused, but there was still truth woven between each word. I was able to keep the tears at bay, for once. I broke free of Charlie's embrace. Without looking at him or Edward, I turned straight for the front door.

Outside, I stopped dead in my tracks. "Where's the Volvo?" Looming in front of the house was Emmett's new, massive Jeep. It was green and somehow larger than the last one.

"At the house," Edward said.

Just like the last time I rode in Emmett's absurd Jeeps, Edward lifted me up and into the seat. "Is it to make sure I can't escape?" I asked as Edward strapped me into the off-roading harness.

"It's because the house in Alaska is off the beaten trail, and I prefer to keep you in one piece."

He pressed a soft kiss to my jaw before he clicked the final strap and shut the door behind me. I looked up to the house to offer Charlie one, last wave, but he wasn't watching at the door or at any window.

My heart dropped. It was over. That was it.

"I didn't blow our cover?" I asked as Edward slid into the driver's seat.

"No," Edward spoke with confidence as he pulled away from the curb. "Charlie does not suspect that you and I are leaving for Alaska to turn you into an immortal. However, he will not be surprised to hear about our elopement."

"Really?"

"Yes. Marriage was a brilliant cover, Love. Charlie is attributing your… behavior to a secret engagement."

Engaged. Charlie suspected I was engaged to Edward and didn't try to pull his gun on him. It was the best goodbye present I could have received. In the current circumstance, of course.

Once the house was out of view, Edward picked up speed. The neighborhood rushed by. Too quickly, the houses spread farther and farther apart until there were only trees. The green, dense forests that once felt so alien to me, would be my forever home. For the rest of my life, I would stick to clouds and fog and tree cover.

"Now, Bella," Edward's tone was soft, yet still reproachful. I hated how gentle he thought he needed to be with me. I was supposed to be our rock. I was supposed to be the one helping him, not the other way around. Again. "You just say the word, and I will turn back and take you home."

"My home is in Alaska now," I said, leaning my head against the window.

Another deep breath. This one was softer than the others. "You know what I mean. It doesn't matter how far we are; I will take you back to Forks."

"I think I'm going to take a nap." It was an obvious deflection, but I didn't care. "It was a long night."

Edward moved his hand from the steering wheel to cup my knee. "I'm sure it was."

The harness made it difficult to get into a comfortable position, but I managed, after readjusting and loosening some of the straps.

"I love you," Edward reminded me.

"I love you, too."

I squeezed my eyes shut. Sleep never came, but tears never fell.