23

Edward walked with Samantha the next morning in the woods, smiling now as she danced around, the same little pixie she was before. She should have little green wings, he thought, smiling while she picked a little daisy from the ground.

"Well,you did it.", Edward walked over to her, smiling, "You saved those girls. You caught the bad guys. You've made your mark…again."

"I was so scared.", she gushed, still thrilling from the fight the night before, "You were so magnificent, saving me the way you did. And you didn't kill. You controlled it. You are a real hero. And a wonderful man."

She hopped up on a log, getting a nice view of the lake in the distance. The sky was half gray, half sun. Just like her and him, Edward thought with a grin.

"I have a good teacher.", he smiled, sitting next to her on the log.

For a second, neither knew what to say to the other.

"Your parents are on their way.", Edward informed, able to read their minds in the short distance, "They can't wait to see you again."

"I miss them.", she said simply, taking a peek at his face of stone. He looked so rigid, so tense. The hurt in his eyes from last night was hidden behind a strong brick wall now. But she wanted to see the sweet Edward she had come to love so much.

"I'll miss you Edward.", she made herself say, her voice breaking. His frozen heart melted in a fraction of a second at hearing it.

Now wearing the sad, soft eyes he looked down at her, a small smile he painted on, saying, "I'll miss you too Samantha. You have no idea how much."

A little whimper escaped her lips, this was killing her. Edward didn't want her to cry, so he was prepared to make her smile instead.

"Well, you survived three whole nights in a vampire's castle, so you win the grand prize, Samantha Stewart.", he announced with a grin, taking a little gift wrapped box out of his jacket pocket, tossing it to her. She caught it, to his surprise. It was covered with red shiny wrapping paper and a white bow on top.

"Oh no, what did you do Edward?", she smiled big, looking at the box.

"I like to shop online, what can I say?", he shrugged, putting his hands in his pockets, watching her.

"I love presents.", she informed.

"I know. Open it already.", he rushed her, smiling at her child eyes.

"Okay.", she ripped it open like a wild cat scratching all the paper off, letting the wind fly it away. Edward muttered something about pollution or the environment as the paper hit the forest floor.

It was a black velvet box and she almost died, thinking it might be some kind of engagement ring or something. She couldn't take that.

"Don't be scared, just open it.", he read her thoughts, waiting.

"Edward.", she breathed, opening it slowly. It was a beautiful little diamond cross, a necklace. It had a silver chain around it. The size was perfect, not too big, not too small. She adored it. It sparkled in the sun, little rainbows coming off it.

"Oh Edward!", she squealed, getting a bigger smile from the gift giver, "I LOVE this! It's so beautiful! But I thought you didn't believe in God."

"Well, I have to, now that I've seen proof.", he helped open it, putting it around her neck, adding, "Now that I've seen YOU. Only someone with all the magic in the world could've made something so flawless."

He leaned in to kiss her but she hugged him first, so tight. Hugging her back, he waited until she let go first. She was afraid to let him kiss her. It would make her want to stay. She DID want to stay. She let go, too soon for Edward's taste, and smiled up at him, putting her daisy in his hair, tucked on top of his ear.

"Thanks.", Edward chuckled, taking it out, "I'll hold it, okay?"

"Macho.", she tapped his arm, smirking.

Taking out a pen from his jacket pocket, Edward took her tiny hand into his and started to write on her palm. And she just got all cleaned up, too, he thought, oh well.

"What are you doing?", she laughed, it tickled.

"I have never done this in my life.", he chuckled, "I'm giving you my phone number. How teenage is THAT?"

"Very.", she agreed, "But I like that."

"I know.", he finished, handing the pen to her. She liked having his name and handwriting on her skin.

"You want mine now?", she asked, guessing.

"Nope.", he said, "I already know it." And he tapped his head with a wicked grin.

"Cheater.", she giggled.

With a breath as the laughter died down, he asked, "You aren't going to call me, are you?" And again, he was in Carlisle's shoes, on the day his son left, and asking Edward if he would ever hear from his son again. And the same answer came.

"I don't know.", she said solemnly, then hated that she said that. She didn't want him to waiting around for a call that would never come. She wanted to be honest with him, like he had been with her.

"I don't think so Edward.", she said sadly.

"Why?", he asked, probably already guessing the answer.

"If I call you and hang out with you for much longer," she said honestly, "I will fall in love with you. And you might try to make yourself love me back. I would get sick and see your eyes grow even sadder while they watch me deteriorate. I would die holding your hand, knowing I'm leaving you alone again. It would be so hard that you would go back to human blood, you would never get free of it. I would die with a broken heart. I'm not as strong as you, Edward. I couldn't bear that. Even being in heaven wouldn't make me happy then. I wouldn't want to fly at all, even though I'd have the wings. When I close my eyes, I want to see your smile, not those sad eyes."

He closed his eyes, hating this, knowing she was right as usual. For a moment, he believed in God, but hated him, jealous of him.

"Speaking of wings.", Edward began to remove his jacket as she looked at him, smiling now.

"Are you getting naked for me?", she laughed, teasing him.

"I did this last night.", he pulled up his short t-shirt sleeve, on the back of his right shoulder was a dove flying up to heaven, clouds and sunlight shining upon the bird as she rose. There was a small 'S' beneath the dove for her name.

"Wow.", she cooed, smiling from ear to ear, "Edward! That's so beautiful!"

"Of course it is. It's you.", he said, his red eyes blazing into hers, "And also, for me. To remember that my wings will fly someday. And to let you know that you have also made your mark. On me."

This wonderful smile spread across her lips and the picture would forever stay inside Edward's memory. No girl had looked at him before with such a love. Call it what you want, friend love or romantic love, it was love. She did love him. And that was enough for him after all these years. Suddenly, he felt human.

"I love you Edward.", she held him, so small she was against his chest as he put his big arms around her, hiding her from view inside his embrace.

"I love you too Samantha.", he could say without lying. Maybe it wasn't the passionate fires of romantic love, but if she needed him to, he knew he'd die for her. It felt so great, however briefly it would last. But he was able to feel something, and that made his soul cry in joy. He loved someone…and she loved him in return.

"Please promise me" she said into his shirt, "Don't come see me when I'm sick. I'll be so ugly. I don't want you to see me that way."

"You could never be ugly Sammi.", he said softly, holding her tighter, kissing her head.

"Please?" she almost begged.

After a long breath, he said, "I promise."

There better be a God, Edward sneered silently at the heavens above, if this girl dies and there's not the most fantastic paradise waiting for her, I'll find you, God. And I'll tear you up.

"If you change your mind.", Edward said again, "Or even if you just want to talk, just call me and I'll be there. Even if you lose my number, just call my name. I'll hear you. You're part of me now, after the blood you gave me. No matter where you are, I'll always know if you're alright. Promise?"

"I'm afraid I might think about it.", she looked at him again, smiling, "When the pain gets to be too much. I'll think of you all the time, if that's okay."

"That's okay.", he smiled, "I'll think of you, too. I wish I could've gotten you something better than just a necklace, though, to remember me by."

"Are you kidding me?", she asked, "You've given me everything. You've given me the strength to get through what's coming next."

"My offer is always open to you.", he assured, "Please think about it, seriously."

"If all vampires were like you," she touched the little dent in his chin, "I'd say yes in a minute. It's too bad things worked out like this. I would've LOVED to love you."

His eyes weakened and he would've cried if he were able to. He wanted to beg her to let him change her, he'd have gotten on his knees if that would've worked. But he had heard her reasons and he could read her thoughts and heart. She would not call him. She would want to, but she would resist. She would let herself die, family all around her, fighting the brave fight. Letting her last breath belong to God as her prayer said. If God could love her more than I can, Edward thought, then he would lay Samantha lovingly and carefully into the Lord's arms. Take care of her, he demanded God in his head, or I'll find you. And you will know what Hell really is.

"Me too.", was all he could utter, his voice was drying up, "You'd have made a stunning vampire."

"I'll have to try that for Halloween this year." She laughed.

"Will you be alright Edward?", she asked, concerned for him always, "I feel so bad, leaving you like this."

"I'll be fine, don't worry about me.", he didn't want her to have the extra burden of his future on her mind, "I am going to stop hiding in the dark and looking for some things to believe in again. I'm breaking out of my little cell and I'm going to start walking around, looking at people again. Maybe, if there's you, there is something worthwhile in the human race."

"That's nice.", she giggled, thinking for a moment he was being sarcastic.

"I mean it.", he said, a firm tone in his voice as he stared into her eyes.

"I know you do.", she beamed back at him, "I can feel a difference in you. I SEE it in your eyes. I believe in you Edward."

"I believe in you too Sammi.", he tried to smile, knowing the time with her was nearly over. He could hear her parents close by, thinking of her, wanting her, loving her.

"Hey look at the bright side.", she said, hopping up onto her feet, graceful as ever, "Soon you'll have a friend in heaven. I'll find your girl and send her to you and I'll tell God all about you."

Too bad she didn't believe in reincarnation. She could be born again into the body of a healthy girl and find Edward again, and maybe have another chance. (maybe that's exactly what's going to happen. hint, hint, hint… lol)

"Oh that'll be lovely.", he snickered, smiling at her as the wind blew all around her hair, "They might kick you out for associating with monsters."

"You're not a monster.", she said, doing another twirl, "I'll put in a good word for you with God. SHE will understand. She'll love you almost as much as I do. But not quite. You are forgiven, Edward. God always forgives. No matter what you've done. You can start all over now, with a clean slate."

He stood up, watching the wind circle again, around her, adoring her.

"Can I twirl with you?", he asked, feeling stupid but knowing she'd like it.

"Really ?! YES!", she jumped up and down, clapping, taking his hands and swirling around with him. The wind joined in for a moment, but then, in a second, it was gone. A car door slammed a few yards away.

"My Dad's here!", she stopped spinning and saw the car pulling up, escorted there by Detective Langston's Buick.

"DADDY!", she squealed, running away from Edward like a bullet.

The sun was about to break through some parting clouds overhead, it was already shining over the parking cars in the clearing. She was a fast little thing, he thought. His mind panicked, she was running away and he couldn't follow her. She'd leave without him getting to say goodbye.

"SAMMI – RED!", he shouted to stop her, using her color code word.

She halted at once, and spun around.

"Come on, Edward!", she put her hand out, "Come meet my parents!"

"Can't.", he shook his head slowly, pointing up, "Sun." Not to mention his bright red eyes.

"Ohhh.", she whined, realizing, looking up at the sky.

She just forgot that I'm a vampire, he told himself, and his heart loved her even more in that moment.

"It's okay, go ahead.", he hated saying it, but she looked so torn.

"No.", she ran back, leaping up into his arms one more time. He held her gently, her little feet off the ground. The wind flew around them like magic, leaves all around them. He gave her a little spin, then stopped, holding her for the last time. He didn't want to ever let her go. Let them all wait for 1000 years, he didn't care.

He closed his eyes, inhaling her hair that was half covering his face. She was lemons and oranges and everything fresh and green and good. He wanted it. He didn't want to lose it.

"Can I have your scarf?", he asked in her ear.

She looked at him, a little strangely, then laughed, taking it off and putting it around his neck, fixing his beautiful hair and touching his face, as if smoothing him out. He was glad. He would always have her scent now.

"Thank you.", he smiled down at her, and took her face in his hands, placing a small kiss on her lips. She kissed him back and when he looked at her, her eyes were wet but not crying yet.

"Goodbye, my beautiful angel.", she hugged herself to him one last time, making herself back away, and added, "Be happy."

Before he could say anything back, she ran away from him, for good this time. She sprinted towards her parents, towards life, back towards God. He did not belong. He had never felt more alone than in that moment.

Her parents hugged her with passion as he backed away, retreating into the gray shadows of the trees. Hurrying, he went into his house, closing and locking the door behind him, not wanting to meet the parents or even see Detective Langston. All was dark inside, like a cave, as usual.

"Let's go home.", Edward could hear Samantha's father all the way from inside, his vampire hearing flawless. He hurried up the stairs to his picture window, knowing he could see the cars from that side.

"Okay Daddy.", she answered as he could see her now, so far away, she looked like a small dot in the distance.

"Pizza tonight?", her mother asked, smiling as she got into her seat in the car.

"Okay.", Sammi tried to sound happy and light, but her voice was hollow. She was looking out the car window, not seeing him. He frowned at her parents. Classic. She nearly gets killed and they're giving her a pizza. He wanted to hurt them. Besides, he had already given her pizza two nights ago.

The engine started in their car and Edward let his forehead hit the glass with a thud, his empty, angry eyes fixed on the tan station wagon she was leaving in.

Please, Sammi, get out of the car, he begged mentally, Come back, run back to me and say you've changed your mind. PLEASE! I can't stand being here alone anymore! I want to talk to you! I want to dance with you ! I want to sing to you. I want to love you. Please teach me how. I'm so sorry I couldn't give you that. Just let me try one more time to be what you want.

But the car began to pull away, slowly, taking her out of his life. His fist laid on the glass, wishing he could smash it but controlling himself, as she had taught him to.

"Are you buckled in, Sammi?", her father's voice asked.

"Uh huh." Her voice broke, and Edward could hear her cry quietly in the back seat, undetected by her parents in the front. He bit down in his teeth, resisting the urge to run to the car and tear her door off, snatching her away and making her his right there.

His eyes kept on the moving blur until it was completely out of sight. For 100 years it seemed he stood there, looking, seeing nothing but an empty forest. That was his heart now. Was that his last and only chance to love someone? Would he break his promise and go to that hospital in a couple months, begging her to let him turn her? How could he stay away while she laid in the hospital, dieing, while he could hear her heartbeat slowing until it finally came to an end? Why did he promise her that?

One thing was certain. He had to stop doing what he was doing. He had to change his life and start over again. He had to be a better man, for her. He would not let her down, after all she went through for him. He wanted her to look down upon him someday and feel proud she was his friend. Swallowing, he made himself move away from the window.

He walked to every room, pulling off the curtains on every window in the place, letting the light inside. The heat of the sun touched him like a giant hand, like his mother's hands. He had to admit he liked it.

Going back into the living room, he picked up the phone and took a deep breath, clenching his jaw for a moment then dialed the number.

Two rings. Then, "Dr. Cullen's office."

He cleared his throat tensely, not able to speak at first. It had been a long time since he'd heard his father's voice. He had missed it as much as Sammi had missed her father.

"Dad?", he made himself say, his voice cracking a bit. His fist grabbed the phone cord, praying Carlisle didn't hang up on him.

"Edward!", he nearly shouted back, but it sounded glad, not angry. Carlisle is far too good for me, Edward thought instantly.

"Yea.", he said weakly.

"Are you alright?", the concerned father's voice oozed into his ear.

"Not really.", he croaked.

There was a small pause. Edward looked up at the ceiling, his eyes a bit wet and red. He knew he was going to sound like a total weakling, a pathetic teenager, but he could only ask one burning question, one he had wanted to ask for ten years.

"Dad," he shivered, "Can I please come home?"

"Always.", Carlisle said without hesitation.

See next chapter

Love WinndSinger

PS I almost had the idea that Sammi could die and be reborn inside Bella's body. I liked the idea of that, but didn't really go all the way with it. But I just wanted to share that little thing with you guys. LOL…who knows? Maybe Sammi's spirit is inside Bella, it's just too bad for Sammi that Bella's feet are not that coordinated, she'd twirl and fall on her little butt!! LOL !