-FOUR-

It's dark when Bella wakes. She knows it's probably early—she can't wake up late anymore—but the rain outside is still flowing so time is hard to tell.

She searches for her clock, but in the midst of her hunt, she catches sight of the body beside her.

She stares at him for a long minute, appreciating the beauty that is Edward. He's not celebrity handsome, but there is something about him. Something utterly irresistible.

She smiles as she recalls their night. In the early hours of the morning, they woke and Bella had gotten her chance to explore his body as he had gotten his chance to explore hers. Her skin still tingles with the memory of it.

It feels silly to wish for, but part of her hopes that every morning for the rest of her life, she could wake up just like this.

Edward shifts, and she realizes his arm is thrown over her stomach, holding her to him. It makes her smile.

She reaches down, brushing the hair from his forehead. She feels only a little bad when he wakes, his eyes blinking heavily.

"Morning," she whispers. He smiles a little and it makes her heart warm.

"Morning," he rasps, his head coming down to nuzzle her shoulder. His stubble tickles her skin and she giggles. His responding grin takes her breath away.

She doesn't know the protocol for this. She's never had a one-night stand, but even she knows that what happened last night is not a one-night thing.

It can't be.

Still, she's not sure how to go about making it more.

Edward is gently rubbing the stubble under his lips against her shoulder, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. She just has to ask, right? Just suggest something?

She takes a breath to take the plunge, but then Edward is talking.

"Bella," he says gently, and her stomach curls up on itself in anticipation. His eyes meet hers. "Last night…" he pauses, and she feels panic flood her. Oh no, did he not like it? Is he about to leave? She can't breathe. "Bella, I'd like to see you again, after today, but if you are looking for only a one-night thing, I need to know."

Her breath rushes out of her so quickly, she has a momentary panic about morning breath. But then she looks at him and smiles.

"I'd like to see you too," she tells him, relieved that he feels it also.

He smiles, his chin resting on her shoulder. "Is it too much to suggest breakfast?"

She bites her lip and shakes her head. "I'd love to. But I don't have anything." She hasn't been grocery shopping in far too long.

Edward smiles. "That's all right. I know a great place."

Bella's stomach is twisting in unexpected joy. He wants more.

They get out of bed, and Bella slips off to the bathroom. She showers quickly, leaving her hair dry so she doesn't have to deal with it. When she's done, Edward takes his turn as she gets dressed.

She's a little clumsy as she dresses, too excited to consider what this might mean. She likes Edward, and the chemistry between them is powerful. She doesn't know how serious he is, or what he's interested in, but she doesn't really know herself, so she tells herself it's okay; there is time to sort it all through.

We have time.

When they are both dressed, they head out, huddled together again under her umbrella. This time, Edward wraps an arm around her, and she lets her arm settle around his waist, entwining them.

Edinburgh is still under heavy rain, but Bella barely notices it as they set out.

It happens too quickly for anyone to do anything about it.

A car hits a slippery patch on the road, and the overused brakes give out, careening it down the hill just as Edward and Bella are crossing the road. There isn't time to move, nor is there time to think. They see the car and moments before it strikes them, Bella feels Edward's arm going tighter around her. He pulls her into his chest, and it's the last thing she feels as the car runs them down.

There is pain and fear and confusion, but Bella can still feel Edward around her, and as she lies in the street, her very last thought is about him.

Edward tries to move, but his body is broken, and as he feels the girl in his arms lose consciousness, he can't help but think that he'd been at the beginning of something precious, something pure, something that should have existed beyond time.

It's his last thought before he too slips into darkness.