A/N: This is mid-Eclipse through the end of Breaking Dawn from Edward's perspective. Thanks for reading!

These characters are not mine and all belong to Stephenie Meyer.


Graduation (Eclipse)

"Yeah, but I need it," Bella muttered in her sleep. What did she need, I wondered.

Her long hair was unusually smooth. She'd taken time to dry it last night - I assumed in preparation for graduation. She was wearing her favorite grey sweatpants and a baggy t-shirt. If one good thing had come from Bella's "visitor," it was that he had stolen the majority of the tank tops she usually slept in. The temptation had been agonizing.

"Ugh, Edward," she groaned in frustration, still sleeping. I worked hard to hold back a laugh. What on earth had I done to provoke her? "You're stubborn."

She rolled over to her side, her hair falling across her face.

"Before the penguins." Was she still dreaming of me? She'd once joked about us moving to Antarctica when she was a newborn. Maybe that was it...

"Fine," she sighed. "No penguins." I couldn't help myself, I started laughing quietly.

"Hmmm..." Her eyes fluttered open, a small smile on her lips. "Why are you laughing?" She whispered.

"Penguins," I said.

Her cheeks turned pink. "Oh."

"What were you dreaming about?"

"I don't really remember... but you were being difficult," she said sternly.

"I apologize for being difficult. That was incredibly rude of me so early in the morning."

"You'll just have to make it up to me," she said suggestively.

"Would you accept a raincheck? Jasper's just arrived to keep watch and I'm certain if I'm not back here in time Charlie will drag you off to graduation without me."

"Fine, but just know that gives me more time come up with your punishment," she said as I got up from the bed.

"I've been warned," I said solemnly, leaning in for a kiss.

My run home was somber. Away from her warming presence, the significance of the day weighed upon me. She'd finally met Carlisle's prerequisite. Even though I'd delayed her, coaxed her into putting the danger of Victoria and her visitor behind us first, I knew the time was running out.

After my shower I put on a crisp white button up and a grey tie. I was pulling the vivid yellow graduation gown from my closet when Alice ran in with shopping bags on her arms.

"No, no, no. That tie won't do," She said.

"What else goes with yellow?" I asked, annoyed at the unnecessary costume change. But the fight wasn't worth it, I was already undoing the tie.

"Navy," she said, throwing the new tie at me. "This one coordinates well with Bella's outfit." She shook one of the bags at me.

"Please don't antagonize her too much today. The party will be hard enough."

For your information... She showed me a vision of Bella, still in her pajamas, rummaging helplessly through her closet.

"Ah, well, that was very nice of you then. I apologize," I said.

"You're forgiven and you will thank me for this later," she said with certainty. I didn't asker her what exactly she meant by this and her mind was already busied with other things, perhaps intentionally.

As usual, I was ready to go all too soon. Alice told me what time I should arrive at Charlie's as she skipped out the door to deliver Bella's outfit. Emmett was dropping me off since I was riding with Charlie and Bella to the ceremony and dress clothes weren't ideal to run in.

"So proud of you, baby brother," Emmett joked when I walked into the garage carrying the cap and gown.

I enjoyed his company on the short drive. It felt like I'd gotten very little time with him lately.

Weird to think the next time Alice gets us all dressed up like this again it will probably be Edward's wedding.

"I really hope so," I murmured.

"Why don't you ask her already?"

"I have. Several times."

"She said no?" He asked incredulously. "Are you sure she realizes you're proposing?"

"Yes, Emmett," I said, rolling my eyes.

I don't get it. Like you did the whole big thing - ring, down on one knee...

"No. I'm certain that's the last thing she wants. It wouldn't help my case at all."

"Why does your case need helping?" Is it the dog... he wondered to himself.

"Apparently it's too shameful to get married at 18. She's worried people will think it's a shotgun wedding or some nonsense like that. Trading in your soul, though - that's socially acceptable."

"I don't think anyone will think it's a shotgun wedding..." Everything about you screams virgin.

I elbowed him in the gut causing him to momentarily swerve.

My first read on Charlie was that he was feeling sentimental, picturing Bella as a young child playing in the same living room where he now sat. He ignored me when I knocked, as usual.

I focused on Bella's heartbeat. It seemed a bit elevated like she was anxious about something.

She opened the door and I was momentarily stunned. For some reason I had expected to still see her in her tattered sweatpants.

Had she ever looked more elegant? More beautiful?

"Hey," she said softly.

She wore a long-sleeve, ice blue sweater that revealed the tops of her delicate shoulders. It was tucked into a form-fitting navy lace skirt that hugged her tightly from high on her small waist to her knees. The underlay beneath the lace stopped enticingly at her mid-thigh. She stood a couple inches taller than usual, I realized, noticing her heels.

She could have been a movie star out of the 1950's, except that Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn would have felt utterly humiliated standing in comparison beside her. I marveled at her lovely subtle hourglass shape.

Not five seconds had passed when Charlie shuffled into the small hallway. Unfortunately, she had so thoroughly dazzled me, I was a half a second too late in averting my all-too-interested gaze to the peeling wallpaper.

"Well, get a move on," he grumbled, imagining his loaded gun.

Bella, who had seemed a million miles away since the moment she opened the door, grabbed my hand and pulled me through the doorway. There was no time to ask what was wrong or to tell her just how irresistible she looked. I was suddenly feeling particularly eager for the punishment Bella had promised that morning. So long as she was wearing that.

Charlie seemed to take exceptional joy at the image of me in the backseat behind the cruiser's fiberglass divider. I caught images of myself in his head behind bars, in a mug shot... that same mugshot on the local news. I couldn't recall him ever being so happy in my presence. It was hard not to laugh.

"Are you all right?" I asked as I helped Bella out of the car in the school parking lot.

"Nervous," she answered. Between walking in front of a crowd to receive her diploma and being the center of attention at Alice's party, this would not be her ideal day. I had a suspicion there might be more. Perhaps the heaviness of meeting Carlisle's condition. I certainly felt it.

My eyes followed her long flowing hair down to her bare shoulders.

"You are so beautiful," I said. Intoxicating.

I was about to remind her about what she'd said this morning, my punishment, but Charlie seemed unhappy with the attention I was paying her. He shrugged in between us and put his arm around her shoulders as if to cover them up, but I couldn't be sure whether that was truly his intention.

"Are you excited?" He asked.

"Not really," she said. Yes, there was something more than her usual nerves over crowds.

He tried, unsuccessfully, to persuade her to see the momentous nature of the occasion.

As we walked towards the gym, I became painfully aware I was not the only male, or female for that matter, who had noticed how breathtaking Bella looked today. I shot glares at offenders when I got the opportunity.

I was listening for Alice when I heard his loud, obnoxious thoughts. Jacob Black was inside with his father.

Perfect, I thought. Had she invited him? How had I missed that?

Suddenly I felt particularly grateful for the hideous yellow gown that would keep him from ever seeing Bella in the tantalizing blue outfit.

At the back door of the gym, Charlie parted, meeting my eyes pointedly as he did, though I wound my arm around her waist as soon as we were safely inside.

"Up front, Mr. Cullen," Mr. Varner ordered, shouting over the chaotic crowd of students.

I didn't want to let go. I pulled away from her and took her in. How badly I wanted to take all of her. There were plenty of empty classrooms available today...

I kissed her and sighed at what couldn't be.

I wandered to the C's. Alice still wasn't here, but Crowley was and he was thinking about Bella. How have I never noticed how nice her ass is...

"I'm sorry about your cat," I said to him abruptly.

"Wha- oh." He hadn't realized I was standing next to him. "Um, how did you hear about that?"

"Small town," I lied.

"Uh, thanks," he muttered.

It wasn't very nice, but he wasn't thinking about Bella anymore.

We were seated and finally nearing the end of Eric Yorkie's bland valedictorian speech when I finally heard Alice approaching. It wasn't like any Cullen to be late, her especially, so I knew there had to be a reason.

Her thoughts did not reveal it though. She was translating the Battle Hymn of the Republic into Arabic in an obvious attempt to protect her thoughts.

Principal Greene finished the B's.

"Tyler Crowley..." he announced, "Alice Cullen... Edward Cullen..." Now translating the song into Korean Sign Language, Alice suddenly danced from her hiding spot back stage and grabbed her diploma. I followed behind her, confused as to what she was keeping from me and why she felt she needed to do so.

I was so focused on Alice, who was discretely departing out the back gym door, that I barely caught the collective mental distaste my name triggered in Charlie, Jacob, and Billy.

I was amused a few minutes later to find Jacob and I on a similar wavelength when Newton's name was called. However my amusement quickly faded as he briefly recalled their outing at the movie theater. I'd caught glimpses of it from him and Newton before and I didn't especially like what I saw.

When Bella's name was finally called, Jacob pulled Charlie to his feet and the three of them cheered so loudly agitated grandparents turned to stare them down. Bella gave her fans a weak smile before taking her diploma and joining the crowd of graduates.

"Congratulations, Class of 2006!" Mr. Greene said, concluding the ceremony. The students around me screamed and cheered. I joined in tossing away my hat as I watched Bella through Jessica's eyes.

Bella looked confused. Much later than everyone else, she pulled the hat off her head and merely dropped it at her side. I would have been amused if her mood wasn't so concerning.

Her eyes were darting around the gym, looking for me I assumed. I couldn't wait to have her back in my arms again.

"Congratulations," I whispered in her ear as I came up behind her, wrapping my arms around her delicate waist and feeling her delicious feminine curves against my body. I was imagining empty classrooms again. The biology room where we first talked, first touched...

"Um, thanks," she said. Her tone brought my concern and curiosity back to the forefront, dissolving the scene I'd been imagining on our old lab table.

"You don't look like you're over the nerves yet," I pointed out, hoping she'd respond with some explanation.

"Not quite yet," she said, distracted. Her eyes were still searching around the gym.

So, I'd have to guess. "What's left to worry about? The party? It won't be so horrible."

"You're probably right," she said automatically as if she'd hardly heard a word I said.

"Who are you looking for?" I finally asked. I was growing impatient and I wanted to quash the blossoming anxiety that told me she was looking for Jacob Black.

"Alice - where is she?" Bella asked, meeting my eyes for the first time.

"She ran out as soon as she had her diploma."

Had Bella noticed Alice's look of fierce concentration and worried something was wrong? I looked toward the back door of the gym, again wondering what Alice could possibly want to keep from me so badly.

"Worrying about Alice?" So Bella had noticed something.

"Er..." I didn't know how to answer. I avoided her eyes as I weighed what I should share with her. If I admitted I was worried and why, she would want to know what Alice saw, too. It might not be something Bella should know.

"What was she thinking about, anyway? To keep you out, I mean."

I felt a jolt of frustration mingled with fear as my eyes flashed down to her face. Alice's guarded thoughts. Bella's distance. Were they the same? Surely Bella hadn't guessed from Alice's expression alone that she was trying to block me?

"She was translating the Battle Hymn of the Republic into Arabic, actually. When she finished that, she moved on to Korean sign language."

Bella laughed nervously. "I suppose that would keep her head busy enough." Yes, Bella knew whatever Alice was hiding and, based on how she was acting, it wasn't good. It drove me insane when she was cryptic under normal circumstances. Why was she doing this to me now?

"You know what she's hiding from me," I accused.

"Sure," she said with a weak smile. "I'm the one who came up with it."

I really hadn't expected that. So, there was no vision? Or perhaps whatever Bella revealed to Alice had shown her what to look for... and she didn't like what she found? What could Bella possibly have come up with that would have this impact on Alice? I stared at Bella, expecting her to continue.

She was suddenly looking around anxiously again. Who was she looking for now? Did she have no idea how on edge I was?

"Knowing Alice," she whispered in a rush, "she'll probably try to keep this from you until after the party. But since I'm all for the party being canceled - well, don't go berserk, regardless, okay?" I didn't think there was anything that would lead Alice to cancel the party. Aside from the fact that it would be conspicuous, Alice hadn't been this excited since she got to dress Bella for prom. "It's always better to know as much as possible. It has to help somehow."

Yes, it would be helpful to know as much as possible, but Bella had yet to share anything.

"What are you talking about?" I demanded.

"Just stay calm okay?"

I was the opposite of calm, but I nodded, needing her to tell me.

"I think you're wrong about things coming at us from all sides," she whispered hurriedly. "I think it's mostly coming at us from one side... and I think it's coming at me, really. It's all connected, it has to be. It's just one person who's messing with Alice's visions. The stranger in my room was a test, to see if someone could get around her. It's got to be the same one who keeps changing his mind, and the newborns, and stealing my clothes - all of it goes together. My scent is for them."

I couldn't speak. I was terrified because it made sense. It made sense that an intelligent creator had designed an army that would overwhelm my family's defenses in order to capture and destroy my reason for living. I had stolen Bella from a normal human life, and the universe or God or the natural balance would not let up because there was no counterbalance that could ever be enough to satisfy it.

Just imagining the newborns clinging to her pillow case, her clothes...

I needed to act, but I didn't know how. I shuffled through a thousand possibilities, but I knew I needed Alice. Alice. That's right. She knew. Had she seen something once Bella had told her, or merely experienced the same overwhelming dread crushing me right now?

I was feeling pretty set on fleeing with her this second, leaving the state and heading south when Bella's voice momentarily distracted me.

"But no one's coming for you, don't you see? This is good - Esme and Alice and Carlisle, no one wants to hurt them!" Though my mind was more occupied by raw panic and planning our escape, a small part was trying to reason how someone as intelligent as Bella could really consider her epiphany to be a good thing. Didn't she know that every single member of my family would fight for her, because to them, to me, she was family.

I stared at her, horrified. Who was so intent on her destruction that they needed to create a whole army? Sure, we could flee, but they were obviously determined. Whose to say they wouldn't follow? Was this the Volturi, trying to keep their hands as clean as possible while also knocking out a handful of the Cullens? Aro had certainly been impressed by the size of Carlisle's family. However, what took him by surprise was the strength of our bond. He'd felt threatened by Carlisle and his potential. I hadn't expected them to act so quickly. We weren't enough to defeat them and their army. We weren't enough to protect Bella.

Bella placed her warm hand on my cheek. "Calm," she pleaded.

I still couldn't move. If we left she'd be safe. At least for a little while longer. But leaving would mean severe suspicion and likely pursuit by Charlie.

Charlie shuffled me out of the way, his attention on Bella. I couldn't focus on their conversation. I was still spiraling further into panic.

How could Alice not tell me this right away? Why had she not stayed by Bella's side as soon as she realized? Sure Jasper had been out standing guard, but what if someone had slipped past?

By this point I was livid with Alice. I was going to make this judgement without her. I was taking Bella away. Now. I would call Alice on the way.

My phone buzzed bringing me back to the present. It made me waver slightly in my plans - it had to be Alice.

"...coming, too, Edward?" I registered Charlie's voice again.

Bella's large chocolate eyes were staring into mine. Charlie was turning towards me. In his muddy thoughts I saw the town's only "nice" restaurant.

Ugh. Cullen's so creepy, Mike Newton thought seeing what I realized was a murderous glare. When is she going to wake up and realize I'd be so much better for her?

I met his eyes for a fraction of a second, enjoying the shiver that ran down his spine, before fixing my face best I could so as to not startle Charlie.

"No, thank you," I said, my voice too severe.

"Do you have plans with your parents?" Charlie asked. My tone had made him feel insulted by my rejection, even though he had very much hoped for it.

"Yes. If you'll excuse me." I needed to get somewhere private so I could answer my phone which was still buzzing. I kept tabs on Bella through the eyes of her classmates.

When I finally flipped open my phone I was, ironically enough, in the empty biology room.

"Don't leave. Not yet. It will only cause more problems with Charlie and we don't need more fires to put out. Nothing is coming tonight."

"You should have called me right away," I snarled.

"She was safe. I could see that she'd be safe until I told you," Alice said.

"But why keep it from me?"

"Because I didn't think you'd take it well, seems I was right, and I saw - "

"What did you see?" I demanded.

"I saw you bolting with her before graduation and Charlie - "

"What about the army? Have you seen - "

"There's nothing new, Edward."

I hissed.

"Trust me. It would have been suspicious for you and Bella to miss graduation. Plus, I saw the dog was there. Imagine what the pack would have thought of your absence." She had me there.

"Fine, but - " I remembered my commitment to be more appreciative of Alice and softened my tone " - next time, please, the more information I have, the better I can protect her."

"Okay," she sighed.

I waited impatiently outside The Lodge while Bella and Charlie ate, always watching her through the window or others' thoughts. She didn't eat more than a bite. I very much regretted my reaction at the gym seeing how it was affecting her. I'd have to make sure she ate something at the party.

Beth Crowley noticed her standing up.

God she looks good, Tyler thought as she walked past their table. I bet I could make her scream...

A growl escaped me and a flock of birds resting on the nearest tree suddenly screeched, racing furiously into the air.

She made her way outside to wait for Charlie, leaning against his cruiser.

Her beauty hit me all over again. A fresh, powerful wave of lust mingled with my fear. All I wanted was to have her in my arms, but an elderly woman driving her Honda out of the parking lot at 2 mph kept me hidden where I was in the trees.

Then the coast was clear and not a second passed before I was pulling her against my chest. She gasped at my sudden appearance, but then sighed, realizing it was me.

My desire and my anxiety saw a way forward to soothe the ache. I cupped her face and gently pulled it to mine, kissing her as passionately as I dared. My lips, though they formed no words, communicated my fear, my longing, my desperation. Hers answered with reassurance. With a strength that far outweighed the tenderness of her mortal flesh. With a trust I didn't deserve but was determined to honor.

I didn't want to leave her lips, but I realized, a little later than I normally did, that she hadn't breathed in a while.

She gasped as the kiss broke off.

"How are you?" She asked, sounding breathless.

My own breathing was still accelerated.

"Not so great," I murmured. "But I've got a handle on myself. I'm sorry that I lost it back there."

"My fault. I should have waited to tell you."

"No," I said quickly. "This is something I needed to know. I can't believe I didn't see it."

She looked at me with such tenderness. Her beautiful face was still flushed from the kiss. "You've got a lot on your mind."

"And you don't?" The anxiety came on fast again. These were likely to be her last weeks human and every moment she was afraid and not appreciating the little time she had left.

Her lips parted to answer and I knew I couldn't bear her denial. I couldn't bear her telling me she was fine. I pressed my lips to hers, blocking her protest. But the moment was short.

"Charlie's on his way," I said.

"I'll have him drop me at your house."

"I'll follow you there."

"That's not really necessary," she said, but I was already gone, back in my hiding place.

I ran through the trees that lined the highway, staying parallel with the cruiser.

I wasn't paying much attention to their conversation but suddenly the dog's name came up. Somehow in all of the chaos of the afternoon I'd gone more than an hour without thinking of him.

"I thought you were on Jacob's side," Bella said.

"No matter what side I'm on, if someone kisses you without your permission, you should be able to make your feelings clear without hurting yourself. You didn't keep your thumb inside your fist, did you?" I felt momentarily warmed to Charlie. While I knew he'd taken time to lecture Jacob, Bella had deserved an apology and this was pretty close.

"No, Dad. That's kind of sweet in a weird way, but I don't think lessons would have helped. Jacob's head is really hard."

Charlie laughed. "Hit him in the gut next time."

"Next time?" Bella asked incredulously. That made me happy. So, she didn't invite him to graduation - Charlie must have.

She'd never gone so long without forgiving Jacob. I hated to get my hopes up, but I had started to wonder...

"Aw, don't be too hard on the kid. He's young." My warmth for Charlie evaporated. His pressure and her need to make him happy had benefitted Jacob immensely. Charlie was a very strong ally.

"He's obnoxious," Bella said.

"He's still your friend."

"I know." Then she sighed. "I don't really know what the right thing to do here is, Dad." ...the right thing to do here... What did she mean? Was she talking about forgiveness? Continuing their friendship?

Choosing him? Alice didn't see any disappearing paths for Bella, but maybe there had been a shift. I had her watching for a hundred different things, things Bella's life depended on. Was it crazy to think she might have missed this. Searching for blind spots amid indecision was taxing and certainly not the natural expression of her gift. Sifting for those vanishing paths was not as black and white as it sounded. It wasn't as simple as seeing an illuminated room and a dark one. The task was made harder by the fact that Bella was human and more difficult to see than my kind. If Bella had any indecision whatsoever, particularly if she was leaning in my favor, would Alice even sense the blind spot?

Regardless of the fact that we now knew, with near certainty, that Bella's visitor was connected to the army in Seattle, it still felt like it was coming at us from all sides. It - balance, destiny, karma - would not abandon it's dogged pursuit to separate me from Bella. The demon from his prey. If it did not rescue her soul through death, it sought to deliver her into the arms of another man. A human man who could give her everything.

I felt a little crazy beneath the layer upon layer of uncertainty and threat. It felt like no matter what, we only had so much left time to us.

As soon as the cruiser disappeared into the dense trees lining the drive I ran to her, slowing down and gently calling her name as I hit the porch steps so as not to scare her this time. Once again I pulled her securely against me and kissed her. Once again I sought her silent reassurances. Reassurance that she would always be mine. That nothing could ever come between us.

But she pulled away, avoiding my eyes.

"Let's get this stupid party over with," she mumbled.

I put my hands on either side of her face, waiting until she looked up.

"I won't let anything happen to you," I vowed.

She touched my lips and I savored the pulsing warmth of her fingers. "I'm not worried about myself so much."

"Why am I not surprised by that," I muttered.

Pull yourself together and get in here, Alice ordered. I need your help. Plus you need to give Bella time to calm down before the guests start getting here. I don't want her ruining my party with bad vibes.

I took a deep breath and attempted a smile. "Ready to celebrate?"

She groaned. I wrapped my arm around her waist supportively and pulled us through the front door.

Bella looked overwhelmed as she took in the total transformation of the living room which now looked more like a night club. "Unbelievable," she muttered.

I shrugged. When you'd lived with Alice for 50 years, you started to worry when she didn't go all out. "Alice will be Alice."

After I advised Alice on music selection I noticed Bella staring at Alice's outfit unhappily.

"I think I'm underdressed," she said.

"You're perfect," I disagreed. We'd hardly had a minute alone together - what I wouldn't give for just ten minutes alone with her in that. At least to start off...

"You'll do," Alice amended. I shot her a glare. Told you you'd thank me.

I rolled my eyes, but grudgingly mouthed, Thank you. Yes, I would never forget how Bella looked today. But honestly, Alice's shameless behavior sometimes bordered on voyeurism. It was embarrassing.

I never let Bella go. Not as we watched Alice put the final touches on her club scene, not as I shared Bella's epiphany with Carlisle and Jasper, not when the guests finally started to arrive.

Especially not when the guests started to arrive. I was keeping a hitlist. Newton, of course, Tyler Crowley, Conner Williams, Rob Sawyer, Austin Marks, Tara Galvaz, Lee Stephens, D.J. Garrett, Eric Yorkie, Nicholas Laghari, Ashley Dowling...

I cringed at the fantasies they were already spinning, pulling her close and shooting glares when they became too vivid or prolonged.

Newton, no surprise, was particularly bad. He liked the outfit on her so much he didn't want her to take it off. She could leave it on for the sex act he had in mind. His demeaning mental image infuriated me. I held Bella even tighter, focusing on her vulnerable, tender frame that reminded me I could not be a killer if I wanted to be in her world.

The only human male in the room who would escape my wrath, were I ever given the divine privilege to act upon it, was Ben Cheney. He had eyes only for Angela Weber.

Bella handled the onslaught of human contact exceptionally well. I tried to get her to eat a handful of times, but she always declined.

Alice, despite the heaviness of the day's revelations, was ecstatic at the success of her party. She read the room well. There wasn't a disappointed thought in the crowd, with the exception of Lauren Mallory, who had hoped for it to be a bust. The inhuman way Alice's lights bounced off our hard skin only added to the thrill.

In the midst of such jubilation, abruptly grave thoughts stood out from the noise in sharp contrast. "Stay here," I murmured in Bella's ear. "I'll be right back.

I made my way to Alice as quickly as I could without drawing attention. She was standing perfectly still, eyes wide in the shadow beside the kitchen doorway.

Her vision was something out of a horror film. The decision had been made. The newborns would come to us.

In the vision's first iteration, most of the town was massacred. But this vision evaporated almost as soon as she saw it, because of course we would do all we could to stop it now that we could see it.

Allowing them to make it to town at all though wouldn't work. We took them on in isolation, but they spread out too much. Human lives were lost. And Esme.

We would go to meet the army, Alice and I decided at nearly the same moment.

It was Emmett, always eager for a fight, who perished first in this iteration. Rose followed trying to defend him. And Esme again. Great plumes of purple smoke as my family burned. So, someone more developed was involved, as we had suspected. Someone who knew to burn the pieces.

But still some made it to town and there were a handful of human casualties. Carlisle, Jasper, Alice, and I were enough to pick them off.

Abruptly the scene changed. I could not bear the sight of Esme, the weakest and yet the best of us, ending. So, this time it was I who perished first. Of course, Emmett and Rose again. Ah. And still Esme. This time more of the town was ravaged. But still they were eventually stopped. Bella's ashen face, alive, but somehow dead.

The scene refreshed again. This time in response to Alice's pain over my loss. Jasper was first this time - defending Alice. Emmett and Rose. Esme. Carlisle. Massive loss of human life, though we destroyed the army, picking them off one by one. Alice and I fleeing with Bella - we wouldn't have enough time to cover up what the army had done - our cover blown. The Volturi would blame us for the army's transgressions, hunt us down, and we would stand trial. We would be forced to choose between servitude or death. Alice knew she would choose death.

A new vision spun. We channeled the army more precisely, crowding them into a smaller area even further from town. But we all perished. And then there was Bella's lifeless body. I shuddered, recalling the pain that drove me to Italy just weeks ago.

I had to speak with Jasper. Alice and I couldn't find the path forward. Maybe with his experience and expertise... Maybe his decisions could save us.

I heard him upstairs with Carlisle already discussing strategy, not yet aware that we were done with hypotheticals.

I was already across the room when I heard Bella. "What, Alice, what? What did you see?" She pleaded frantically.

Alice met my eyes. Should I...

I shook my head almost imperceptibly.

Don't attack bloodsucker, a loud, cocky mind called. I sighed. I really didn't have the bandwidth to deal with Jacob Black right now, too. Bella invited me. Couldn't resist a Halloween party at the crypt. This was a blatant treaty violation, but that was the least of our worries at the moment. Plus he and his cronies weren't here to harm us. He was only here to try to worm his way back into Bella's good graces. I would have been furious if I hadn't just watched Bella and every other member of my family get slaughtered. In this second, I was grateful she had three extra protectors while I had to be separated from her.

The doorbell rang as I reached Jasper and Carlisle. Only when he saw my face did Jasper pay any attention to my mood. He was suddenly alarmed and reaching out to measure Alice as well.

"Alice," he called to her in a quiet, but serious voice. She would hear.

Carlisle didn't need Jasper's talent to read my blank face. "What is it, Edward?"

I explained to them that the decision had been made for the army to come to us. I detailed Alice's visions as they morphed based on our weak attempts at strategy. I couldn't say the words to Carlisle, that Esme seemed to perish no matter what, but I alluded to the problem. "With their numbers - 21 - and their brute strength, our family always suffers loss, as does the town."

Alice appeared, walking to Jasper's side. "No matter what we tried..." Her voice faltered.

I was disappointed that Jasper did not respond with more confidence, but he did offer plans that reduced the number of casualties. Our family's odds improved when he proposed training us specifically to fight newborns. Esme survived in some scenarios.

But no one was comfortable with the uncertainty of it all. No one was comfortable that their mate might be the price. No one, but Carlisle most of all, was comfortable that it seemed inevitable our human neighbors would pay some price for what our presence had brought upon them.

I had been so fully absorbed in strategizing I hadn't paid much attention to the mess of thoughts downstairs, but Bella's name suddenly echoed across the dance floor catching my attention.

Ben had finally noticed her, but only because he was worried about her. Bella looks scared, I wonder...

Is Bella, okay? Wondered Beth Daws.

Why are those punks from the Rez standing over Bella? Thought Tyler.

Whoa! There's definitely gonna be a fight if Cullen catches sight of Jacob with Bella in his own house. My bet's still on Jacob... Austin Marks decided.

Really? Bella? Bella Swan has Edward and this hottie fighting over her? What the fuck am I doing wrong? Lauren Mallory stewed.

I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna save Bella... Newton was psyching himself up.

I listened for Jacob and found him easily. He, Quil, and Embry had her cornered, arms folded across their chests. He was demanding information from her. Her face was anxious.

Without realizing I'd decided to, I was standing. Jasper's hand suddenly restrained me. He'd picked up on my murderous rage. "What's going on?" He demanded.

"The dogs are bothering Bella," I snarled. "They're causing a scene."

Jasper and Alice's eyes met. Though she could not read his thoughts, she understood it probably wasn't the best idea or time for me to confront Jacob.

"I'll go get her and bring her right back," she assured me, flitting from the room.

Carlisle sighed. He was shaken, far from is normal calm.

"Edward, what did Alice see... did she see..." Esme? He couldn't bear to say the words aloud.

"The training will help," I said, not fully answering his question.

But he seemed to understand what I was leaving out and nodded.

"You're worried about Esme?" Jasper inferred. He sensed Carlisle's despair and my regret.

Carlisle didn't answer but met his eyes.

"There has to be a way," Jasper asserted. He, a skilled and calculating fighter, knew better than any of us how vulnerable she was. He was also picturing Alice, underestimating her as usual. "We will find a path forward." But I could see in his thoughts this was only wishful thinking for the moment.

Like acid dripped into an open wound, Jasper suddenly sensed Alice's tension.

In the half second it took me to search out Alice's thoughts, Jasper had disappeared from the room and was now standing across from her, separated only by Jacob's arm. Fortunately, no one had noticed him appearing out of thin air. No, not fortunately. I could see now he had used his gift to make the crowd disinterested in himself and the standoff. It had still been risky, but I was grateful nonetheless.

He was successfully manipulating the wolves emotions. Jacob, deeply intimidated withdrew his blocking arm. Oh yeah, stupid bloodsucker's messing with my head. Though he understood Jasper's manipulation, he wasn't immune to it.

"What's going on down there?" Carlisle asked.

"Jacob wants to know what's going on."

"Is that why they're here? Do they know something?" Carlisle asked.

"No," I said, rolling my eyes. "Apparently Bella invited him." I felt the flames of jealousy fighting towards the surface and pushed them back best I could.

"Alice is explaining to Bella and the wolves about what she saw..." I told Carlisle. "Oh!... Jacob's pledging the pack to fight..."

I sighed with relief. Alice searched, but the unbearable scene of death was gone. Erased, as we mingled our fate with the pack.

"They're going to join us at 3 at the baseball clearing for Jasper's training."

I was grateful the dogs took off quickly to coordinate with Sam. I was feeling almost high with relief and just wanted to be by Bella's side.

She was standing alone in the kitchen when I found her.

"Edward - "

I wrapped my arms around her waist and lifted her, spinning her once in a circle. She gasped in surprise and giggled, though I could hear tension behind it.

I set her down and stroked her cheek. "It's all going to be okay now, Bella." But the anxious 'v' between her eyes remained.

"Why are you still anxious?" I asked softly. I was smiling, not to reassure her, but because I couldn't help it.

My arms were wrapped around her, holding her to my chest.

"They're just kids," she said. "Jacob, Embry, the others..."

I held my light expression carefully in place. Of course she'd worry about the dog. But she saw him as a kid. That wasn't all bad.

"You underestimate them. This is why they exist. I'm sure Jacob would be quite insulted to hear you think otherwise."

"No, not insulted. He's dismissive," she said, frowning.

I sighed. "Everything will be fine. I'd probably have you on a plane to Jacksonville right now if that wasn't true," I said.

She rolled her eyes. "Well, I guess that's true."

"No more worrying tonight. Charlie's right, you should try to savor this. Graduation is a big accomplishment."

She only shrugged.

"You need some convincing," I said mischievously. I leaned in to kiss her, but paused an inch from her lips. "By the way, how is your scheming for my punishment coming along?"

She blinked in confusion. "Oh, I'd forgotten about that." Her mood was a million miles away from this morning.

"I'd really rather you didn't."

I kissed her before she could respond. I fought the urge to run my hands over every curve, but couldn't resist trailing my right hand down her side, tracing her ribs, feeling the curve of her hip, the softness of her outer thigh where my fingers lingered. My left hand pressed at her lower back holding her tight against me.

I could feel her relax little by little. Her hand was in my hair. Her hips were pressed tight against me. Her heart hammered.

"Oh, uh, sorry." It was Newton. I'd been too absorbed to notice him. Bella pulled away at once, but I held her close to me, my hand still on her back. "Just looking for a trash can..."His voice trailed off weakly as I glared at him. "But, uh, I'll just put it in my pocket." He rushed out, his thoughts both envious and embarrassed.

I looked down at Bella. Her cheeks were pink.

"You could be nicer to him, you know. That wasn't very hospitable," she chided, though there was humor in her voice.

"He is alive. I can assure you that, given his thoughts today, I'm being absurdly generous."

"You're silly," she said.

"Do you have any idea how many hearts you've broken today dressed like that?" Maybe we could just disappear upstairs for a little while...

But Alice saw that and she wasn't going to have it. I sighed.

"All of them, of course," Alice said, annoyed "I dressed her, after all."

Bella jumped at Alice's voice and spun to see her walking into the kitchen.

"You know this party is in your honor. Your absence is just a tiny bit noticeable," Alice said.

"I thought the party was supposed to be for all three of us," Bella responded suspiciously.

"Yes, of course it is. Come on." She took Bella's hand and pulled her back to the living room.

I stayed at Bella's side, one arm always wrapped around her, for the remainder of the party. A constant reminder to her admirers that she was taken. Now and forever, so long as she would allow it.

I pictured my mother's ring, safe in its little black box upstairs. How I longed to see it on Bella's finger. A physical reminder that she had chosen me. A signal to her pursuers that the game was over, they'd lost, and there was no reason left to fight.

My persuasion in the kitchen had been short-lived. Bella remained anxious, immune to my family's reassurances as we departed. If anything, she'd become more anxious.

"You're taking me with you tonight," she whispered as we pulled onto her street.

Yes, a meeting of two groups of deadly rival monsters learning how to become more effective assassins. That sounded like a perfect place for Bella. But that argument would have little effect on her.

"Bella, you're worn out."

"You think I could sleep?"

I frowned. "This is an experiment. I'm not sure if it will be possible for us all to... " - suppress our natural instincts to kill one another - "cooperate. I don't want you in the middle of that."

She only appeared more resolved as I pulled into the driveway.

"If you won't take me, then I'll call Jacob." I fixed my face in place staring straight ahead. My voice would reveal my pain. And the only words that came to me were ones of anger and jealousy.

I'd received her message. It said, I don't need you. Jacob can better give me what I need. Be more like Jacob. I don't value your opinions. I don't trust you. Or so my deepest insecurities would have me believe.

"See you upstairs," she muttered as she climbed out of the car.

So, had they reconciled at the party? Were they partners in mischief again? Would their playdates resume?

Fine, call Jacob, I wanted to say. But it hurt to even think the words. I knew they would hurt her. And she would call him.

No. No self-inflicted wounds. I had to be patient. I had to remember that I had done this to myself. I had left hoping for a Jacob to come a long.

He had. And the consequence was that there was no longer just my Bella.

There was also Jacob's Bella. The thought made me wince, but it was true. As she fought to endure my absence she grew and she changed and all the way he was there, a molding force. Like a vine curling up a pillar searching for the sun. Even if the pillar was removed, the vine would still hold its spiraled shape because the vine was stronger now. More stubborn than ever.

I reversed out of the driveway and hid my car a mile down the road where it was obscured by trees.

I sat in the rocking chair in her bedroom, waiting for her to finish up in the bathroom. I needed to focus on Bella's needs now rather than my own pettiness.

She walked in wearing jeans and a long sleeved flannel shirt and I frowned. I'd never gotten my ten minutes with her in the skin tight blue ensemble she hung up now. Perhaps that was my punishment.

It seemed silly now that I'd let myself get so caught up in that fantasy. So what if I'd gotten my ten minutes? I could never hold her tight enough. Or kiss her passionately enough. I could never trust my deadly hands to please her. Or my tongue to unleash her. I would never have the pleasure of being insider her, consumed by her fire.

Bella's needs, I reminded myself as I spiraled.

She looked at me carefully and her face transformed momentarily from stress into the soft compassionate smile I loved, but didn't deserve.

"Come here," she said. She took my hand and pulled. Though her strength would never be enough, I followed her lead as if commanded. She pushed me down on the bed and curled up against my chest.

It felt good to have her there, to believe she needed me. I tucked the quilt around her so I could hold her in my arms and pretend she was mine to keep forever. That our future was certain, devoid of vanishing paths.

As I calmed, I realized she had not. Her heart sped.

"Please relax," I murmured.

"Sure," she replied doubtfully.

"This is going to work, Bella. I can feel it."

Her teeth clenched and her breathing sped. I could see moisture forming in her eyes.

"Listen to me, Bella. This is going to be easy. the newborns will be completely taken by surprise. They'll have no more idea that werewolves even exist than you did. I've seen how they act in a group, the way Jasper remembers. I truly believe that the wolves' hunting techniques will work flawlessly against them. And with them divided and confused, there won't be enough for the rest of us to do." She looked hardly convinced. "Someone may have to sit out," I teased.

"Piece of cake," she mumbled tonelessly against my chest.

"Shhh," I stroked her cheek. "You'll see. Don't worry now."

I hummed her lullaby trying to coax her to sleep, but it was no use. She was firmly decided.

When it was time to go I pulled us into a sitting position.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay and sleep?" Alice was on stand by, prepared to stay behind with her. Though I was sure Alice already knew that wouldn't be necessary.

Bella shot me a sour look.

I sighed before scooping her up into my arms and, against my better judgement - my overruled judgement, jumped out into the dark night.


A/N: When you've read these books too many times, the plot becomes too familiar and you start to focus in on the little things... like how Edward is completely drooling over Bella in that blue outfit. I just loved that. Let me know what you think in the reviews! :) Thanks for all the love.

Next up, we're off to the clearing! Followed by some of my favorites, Compromise and Fire and Ice!