Flight of the Phoenix

Chapter Six – Rising


"That's what I'm counting on." My statement caused Bella to roll her eyes. "Your parents will be here in a few minutes. I should go," I said, getting up from the chair. Her eyes widened, and a look of fear flickered in her eyes. I sighed. I didn't want to cause her pain.

"I won't go anywhere, but I don't think your father would like for me to be the only one here. Never mind, Alice is coming." Alice walked in and took the other chair beside Bella's bed.

Sorry, I wanted to see you sweat for a bit. I like Bella, Alice thought as she smiled at Bella.

"It's nice to see you again, Alice. You said earlier that Edward and I are neighbors?" Bella cocked her eyebrow, her eyes filled with questions.

"Yes, I've seen Edward leaving his house and then walking to your house just next door." Alice chuckled. "He is the one that picked it out. He said it smelled nice around there. I take it you've been to your house?"

"Yes, just for a few days to drop off my things." Bella groaned. "I still have all that unpacking to do, and school starts in two weeks. How long do you think I'll have to stay here?" Bella asked Alice. Alice held up a finger up, and her eyes became unfocused as she peered into the future.

"Ten days, and you won't be on that ankle for at least three weeks. Sorry," Alice said, hiding a smirk. She knew Bella would ask for help, she already had seen it. "Your parents will be here in four seconds."

The door opened as Bella smiled at her mother. Her mother flung her arms around her. "Bella, Bella. You had me so worried. Strange man, decompressing cabin, and a plane crash all in one day? Please tell me you don't plan to top this one?" Renee looked at Bella with concern and tears rolling down her cheeks. Alice and I moved our chairs farther back from Bella's bedside.

"Let's see… last year was a tumble down a flight of stairs and then out a window that nearly killed me, and this year is a plane crash. If I top that, I'm sure I won't be around to talk about it, Mom."

Bella kissed her mother's forehead and wiped her tears for her. She was the parent, not the other way around. She cared for her mother. Bella looked past her mother to her father, who was just standing at the foot of her bed. "Hey, Dad."

"Hey, kid. You look better."

"I do?" Bella cocked an eyebrow.

"You've been worse." Charlie chuckled as he walked beside her and gave Bella a kiss on her forehead. Good God, she's looked worse, Alice thought. Only you would fall for the one human that can't keep from hurting herself. I nodded and couldn't help but chuckle a bit.

"Hello, Edward… Alice. Thanks for staying with her this morning." Charlie looked at me and Alice. His thoughts seemed to be relieved. He was relieved that his daughter was alive and awake.

"Have you been awake for long, dear?" Renee asked, holding Bella's hand gently to avoid moving her IV.

"Not very long… maybe ten minutes or so. Alice and Edward were just telling me I'd probably have to stay for ten days or so," Bella mumbled.

"Yes, umm… darling, we need to talk about the extent… umm…" Renee turned to look at Alice and me, and then back to Bella and last at Charlie.

"Mom, I've been hearing everything that has been said in the room for the past day or two. I just couldn't open my eyes. I know everything. I'm okay." Bella shrugged and smiled, but the smile did not meet her eyes. She was hiding the pain she was likely in.

Bella's eyes drooped slightly, and she shook it off. "Bella, are you alright?" I asked, standing up. Alice jumped up on her feet. "Excuse me, Renee." I looked at Bella. Her eyes were unfocused and she was neither responsive to light nor to my fingers moving in front of her face. I turned to look at Alice, and she looked just as confused as I was.

I don't see anything anymore for her, Alice thought. Nothing like this had ever happened to her. If Alice couldn't see Bella's future anymore, did that mean she was going to die?

"Call a doctor and dad," I said, and Alice was out the door in a moment. Bella's parents hadn't noticed.

"What is it, Edward?" Renee and Charlie said simultaneously.

"I don't know… she looks like she's in a catatonic state." I shook my head. "Bella, can you hear me?" I said, touching her cheek gently.

A few moments passed when a doctor, my father and Alice entered the room. Bella's parents and I stepped away from the bed as the doctor checked on Bella.

He held a small penlight to each of her eyes, but they were unresponsive. "Isabella, can you hear me? Isabella…" The doctor snapped his fingers near one of her ears. Bella sat ramrod straight on the bed and screamed, causing the glass flower vase by her bedside table to shatter while everyone held their hands to their ears. The frequency was too high for even vampire ears. My gaze never left Bella as her eyes rolled to the back of her head, and she slumped back down on the pillow with her eyes closed.

The doctor pressed Bella's call button while he looked into her eyes again. The nurse and two orderlies with a stretcher came into the room, "We need to get her an MRI." The orderlies quickly took down the railing down on each side of the bed and lifted an unconscious Bella off the bed using the sheet underneath her and laid her on the stretcher.

Renee was in hysterics as Charlie tried to comfort her. They followed the doctor and the orderlies out into the hallway. Carlisle, Alice and I stared at them as they walked out of the room.

"Alice, please tell me you see something?" I asked warily.

"I can't see anything, Edward. The future around you and Bella has completely gone blank. But I don't think it's because you and she die, but because something is blocking it. If Bella was going to die, I'd have seen her die. But the moment she went into the trance, her whole future shifted and blacked out. And for some reason… so did yours."

"What does this mean, Carlisle?"

"It could mean nothing or many things." He placed a hand on my shoulder. "It could mean that the head trauma is more severe than what they had first assumed."

"Can you please make sure you're there when they have the test results?" I asked, my whole world crashing down around me. What would I do if she died? Would I allow it? Could I save her if there was a need to? Should I condemn her? I didn't want to see her in pain.

"Yes, of course, Edward." Carlisle left, following the doctor and Bella down the hall.

Alice and I waited in Bella's room for what was in reality a short time, but without her nearby, it felt like an eternity. The lights kept flickering for a few minutes as Alice kept trying to find our futures. But every time she concentrated on Bella, the future blacked out. Carlisle returned shortly, his face etched with worry. He was concentrating on a medical journal that he had read just the other day. He was blocking his thoughts from me.

"Carlisle, what is it?" I asked, desperate for answers.

"I'm not sure, Edward. But I can tell you this. Bella is one of a kind. It was only for a moment, before the screen told her doctors that everything looked normal. I'm not even sure if what I saw was real or just some type of computer malfunction. But…" Carlisle seemed to be at a loss of words.

"Carlisle," I urged, and he shook his head.

"For just a moment, the computer screen showed that she was using at least triple of what humans normally use of their brain at any given time. Then, all of sudden, it read normal. The room lights flickered and everything shut off. The doctors said it must have been equipment failure. That wasn't it, it was Bella. She said that she needed to get out of there now.

"She's awake?" I asked, trying to listen for Bella's voice.

"No, son... I heard her in my head."

Alice gasped, and I looked at the man that has been my father figure for the first time like he was a crazy man. He couldn't read minds and never had been able to. And Bella was human.

"That's not possible, Carlisle… she's human."

"I know that, Edward. Think about it! Alice must have been in that mental institution for a reason. She must have had pre-cognitive abilities already before she became a vampire. Your inability to read Bella's mind has to be happening for a reason. Maybe the blow to her head could have triggered something, for her brain activity to increase." Carlisle's thoughts started to wander, thinking of what Bella's abilities would be if she became a vampire.

"We will not find that out, Carlisle," I growled. Carlisle composed his face.

"It was just a thought. I mean, no offence. They should be bringing her in a moment."

The conversation we'd just had had lasted less than twenty seconds and those twenty seconds had been the most agonizing conversation I'd had in my entire existence. The door opened as they wheeled in a very-much awake Bella in a wheelchair. She wore a smile on her face and was trying to reassure her mother that she was just fine.

I tried reading her mind and there was nothing there, just like before. The frustration I felt for not being able to read a single thought from her head was driving me insane. Bella looked at me for a moment.

Relax, Edward. I'm not letting you read my mind. I took a sharp intake of air, her scent setting my throat on fire. Go… you need to hunt.

I thought to myself that I wasn't leaving until I knew she was fine.

Will you stop being masochistic and go hunt? We'll talk later. I shook my head. I was finally able to hear some thoughts, and she thought I was going to leave now. Yes, I do. And, you will'

Bella's father helped her out of her wheelchair and into her bed, being careful of her ankle.

"Thanks, Dad," Bella said as she settled herself in bed. She looked at every face and scrunched her nose a little in thought. "I'm fine, everybody. I heard everything during my 'trance-like state,' I just couldn't respond for some reason. Sorry if I scared anyone."

"Regardless of feeling better, I still think we need to get you a full MRI. I'll have one done when the equipment is up and running again. If something like that happens again, get me immediately. I'll have a neurologist come to see her and take a look at her x-rays to see if he sees anything that shouldn't be there," the doctor said sternly.

"Do you think we have something to worry about, doctor?" Renee whispered as she looked into Bella's eyes and moved a stray hair from her face.

"I won't know for sure, maybe swelling or an aneurysm at this point… anything is possible. I'll come by later to check on you. I'm going to send the nurse back in to give you something for the pain." Bella nodded, and the doctor turned on his heel and left.

Everyone was quiet, and Bella was getting impatient and she sighed. She picked up a remote control attached to her bed and turned on the TV.

"If no one is going to say anything, I'll watch some TV. Look, Dad, a game is on." With that being said, everyone tried to relax. Renee started to clean the mess caused by the broken vase. Charlie sat in a chair and started to watch some basketball game and asked Bella to raise the volume.

Please go, Edward. I'm fine. I sighed and looked over at Alice and Carlisle, who both were watching Bella and me warily.

"I'm going to go and grab something to eat. Would you like anything, Bella?"

Some mountain lion would be nice. Then Bella started laughing in my head. "I don't know, can you stop and get me a turkey sandwich and maybe some chicken soup?" Bella said, looking at me with a smile.

"That sounds like a great idea. Alice and I will join you, Edward. Does anyone else need anything?" Carlisle looked expectantly at Renee and Charlie.

"I'm fine, thanks. I'm still full from breakfast," Charlie answered, patting his stomach.

"Same here, thank you," Renee answered while wiping the side table down with paper towels she'd gotten from the small bathroom.

"We shouldn't be any longer than an hour and a half minutes." I said, looking at Bella, and then I leaned in and brushed her cheekbone with the back of my hand.

Bye we both thought in unison. This was going to take some time to get used to.

Once outside of the hospital, Alice and Carlisle started to bombard me with questions.

"Can you hear her thoughts?" Alice asked.

"No, I can't read everything that is going through her head. I hear only what she wants me to hear."

Carlisle's thoughts were back in the room, watching the computer screen as Bella was in the MRI machine. He was studying the moment when the screen showed for a brief moment a scan of her frontal lobe. There, barely visible to our eyes, was a small un-ruptured aneurysm in her frontal lobe.

My hand curled around the door handle of my Volvo. "Is it operable?" I looked at Carlisle, his eyes turning from my line of sight. He shook his head. "No!" The handle crumbled in my hand. She was going to die. Anything could cause it to rupture, a bump to the head, a fall… anything. What was I supposed to do now?

Edward, get in the car. I'll tell you the options we may have. Carlisle opened my door from the inside.

I slid into my seat, laying my arm on the steering wheel. "Please tell me that you can save her?" I pleaded with Carlisle. Surely he could operate.

Alice slid in the backseat quietly, but then she sighed.

"What is it, Alice?" Carlisle asked before I could.

"I can see Carlisle make the decision to operate, but once Bella is on the operating table, it blacks out. I can't see what happens."

I placed my head on my arm. Was it possible to for a vampire to be exhausted?

"Edward, I don't know how to tell you this… but there is a chance that if you choose to turn her, the transformation may kill her before the change is complete," Carlisle said warily.

"What?!" Alice and I shouted in unison.

"Edward, you remember the pain, the fire burning within. There is a chance that the aneurysm will rupture, causing her heart to stop and effectively killing her before the transformation is complete."

"She has to stay human," I sighed.

"Yes, for now. I can do some research on some new techniques to see if the operation can be attempted. But –"

"She could die at any moment. You heard her parents, she's clumsy. Any fall or bump to the head could cause it to rupture," I complained.

"You'll just have to make sure you're there to catch her every time," Alice said, smiling from the backseat.

Yes, I could be there to catch her, but what happened on days I couldn't leave the confines of my home.

"Let's go, we should be able to find something near the lake," I said, starting my car and heading down the street.

"Yes, you should. The rest of us hunted last night and scouted the area for James. Drop Alice and me at the hotel. We'll get Bella's food," Carlisle offered. I nodded and I left them just in front of the lobby.

I found few large bucks, barely satisfying my thirst, since Bella's scent was still fresh on my clothing. But they would have to do.

I left and made my way to the hotel, where everyone was waiting. Everybody wants to meet her, Edward. Bella's parents are coming to the hotel to get cleaned up, so she'll be alone, Alice thought, a smile on her face as she held up a plastic bag.

I nodded as Alice, Esme, Carlisle and Jasper entered my car. Emmett and Rosalie pulled up behind me as I hit the gas, looking at Alice in my rearview mirror.

"How did you see that Bella's parents were leaving, if you can't see her future?" I asked, not understanding why Bella's future was blocked from Alice.

"I saw her parents leaving the hospital, and that's because they left her presence," Alice said, deep in thought.

"I wonder if Jasper's gift would work on her," Carlisle said from the passenger seat.

"We'll find out soon enough." I pulled into a parking spot, and Emmett pulled into the one next me. We exited just as Bella's parents took off in a cab.

We walked into Bella's room, and she was sitting up in bed looking expectant. Alice pranced to her bedside and rolled the side table so that Bella could eat. Alice and Bella started opening up the packages and a bottle of water.

"Thank you, Alice." Bella smiled and took a bite of her sandwich. Everyone was quiet and staring at Bella, much to her embarrassment. Blushing, Bella broke the ice. "If you all keep studying my eating habits, I'm going to stop right now."

"Sorry," we all said in unison. Bella laughed and shook her head, took another bite and put her food down to take a sip of water.

"Let's see, I haven't met some of you. Let me see if I get all the names right… that's Emmett, Jasper and the beautiful Rosalie." Bella looked at each person as she said their name. "Jasper has a gift like Edward and Alice. You can try to use your gift, I know you want to." Bella shrugged, taking a spoonful of soup.

Jasper took a few steps forward, trying to make Bella angry, but she kept smiling at him.

"I think that's enough, Jasper. It's obviously not working," I growled.

"Don't worry about it. It most likely has to do with the same reason why Alice can't see my future any longer. But the good news is… I can. I already know what has to be done to save my life. Yes, I know about the thing in my head. For now, I need to stay human. I will not tell you why, because I don't know that, yet. I just know. But, I will need to become one of you. If Edward chooses not to change me, I will die."

"Bella, are you saying you can see the future now?" I asked, stepping closer to her.

"Yes, that's what happened earlier when I went into that 'trance' thing. It was pretty powerful as my first vision, so I didn't take it too well. But I'm fine now." Bella shivered visibly.

"What did you see, Bella?" Carlisle asked.

"My transformation…" Bella mumbled. My fists clenched by my sides – she'd been feeling the burning… the painful burning.

"It's strange. You used to be able to block your thoughts, but now you can project them and let Edward read yours at will. And now you have visions. It's like you're absorbing gifts of those around you."

"I think that may be it. There is one way for me to test that, and since Jasper is here, I believe we can. Can you step a little closer, Jasper?" Bella asked nervously. Jasper looked at me for approval, and I nodded. Jasper stepped closer.

"It may be triggered by touch, but I could be wrong." Bella closed her eyes in concentration, her brow furrowed. "No. It must be by touch." Bella held out her hand to Jasper, who looked at me again for approval. I nodded again. Jasper placed his hand on Bella's. Instantly, the room felt lighter and I felt myself relax, like I had no worries.

"By touch, then," Bella said as she pulled her hand away from Jasper's with a smile on her face.

"Amazing!" Carlisle said, expressing his thoughts.

"Edward, do you hear the voices constantly? They sound like a buzz, and it's starting to give me a headache," Bella said, rubbing her temples.

"Yes. I can't turn them off. I try not to hear them, but some thoughts are just too loud to avoid hearing them," I said, taking a chair and sitting by Bella's bedside.

"You lived with three couples, I'm sure those were long nights for you," Bella said, chuckling as she put the rest of her food away.

"You have no idea." I smiled and took her hand in my own. "I'm sorry about the headaches, though."

"It's a part of being human. Don't worry, I'll get used to it. At least I can block them out. It's only when I want to hear others that I do. But, I wonder..." Bella closed her eyes, and then suddenly I couldn't hear anyone's thoughts.

Can you hear me, Edward? Bella asked, looking at me. I nodded. Can you hear the others? I shook my head. Well, it seems I can turn it off for you, too. Bella was smiling at me, she pulled her hand away, but the other's voices didn't return. Bella smiled again, and then the voices returned.

What are you two doing, Edward? Carlisle asked, watching us.

"Bella can put up some kind of shield, so I don't hear everyone's thoughts. It doesn't seem to have to do with touch, though." I answered Carlisle's thought.

"This is too weird. I'd expect this kind of thing from a vampire… but a human?" Emmett expressed, his arms folding across his chest.

"Cheer up, Emmett," Bella said. "If you want, I can block Edward's ability for a while, and you two can have a fair fight." I scoffed at the idea, Emmett would love it. Emmett eyes widened, and then he grinned.

"Yes, finally!" Emmett flexed his muscles, glaring at me. Everyone broke into laughter. "Can we go try now?"

"We don't know if it has to do with proximity yet, Emmett. You'll have to wait until I feel better to go outside," Bella said, trying to send a calming wave towards Emmett. She smiled when he relaxed his stance.

"It's going to be fun having you around, Bella. I know it," Emmett said, clapping his hands together once.

"Bella, you said earlier that you know what has to be done to save your life. Can you tell us what needs to be done?" Carlisle stepped forward, curious to what Bella had seen.

"The vision is very hazy and unfocused. I just know that I'm dying. Possibly from a rupture, but Carlisle keeps my heart pumping and my lungs breathing while the transformation takes place," Bella mumbled.

"Brain dead?" I looked at Carlisle.

"It's possible to keep her body alive while the venom spreads and heals the rupture," Carlisle indicated.

"So, the aneurysm ruptures?" I asked Bella. She shrugged, taking a sip of water.

"You're keeping something from us. What is it?" I tried to decipher her facial expressions to see what she was hiding.

"I don't think it's just the aneurysm. In the vision, there is a lot of blood everywhere. Something happens to me and most likely causes the rupture, causing me to go brain dead, I think. I don't know what happens to me to be covered in blood. But Edward and Carlisle are in the room. Umm… there is a point before I lose consciousness but something punctures my chest. I don't know what. Then I wake up like you."

"Something punctures your chest? Hmm…" Carlisle started thinking of reasons why or what could cause that. "Can you show us the vision?"

Bella shook her head. "Why?" Carlisle and I asked in unison. Bella sighed and then blushed feverishly, her entire face red down to her neck. I clenched my jaw and stopped breathing. The scent was overpowering.

I'm not wearing anything. Bella's thought ran through my head.

"Oh," Carlisle and I said in unison. If I could've blushed, I probably would've. No wonder she didn't want to show us.

"What?" Emmett asked, looking at Carlisle and me.

"Don't worry about it, Emmett. It's none of your business," Carlisle replied.

"I'm just happy that you'll be joining our family, Bella." Esme came by Bella's bedside and kissed her forehead.

"We don't know if she'll become a vampire yet," I growled, unable to hide anger. "Bella said that the vision is unfocused and hazy."

"Even so, you've made your decision to be with her, so she is family," Esme scolded.

Bella stiffened, her eyes unfocused. "Damn it, Edward. Everything just changed again. You're the reason why it's so unclear. You don't want forever with me," Bella said, looking away from everyone. She lay down on her pillow, closing her eyes and pulling her hand away from mine.

"I didn't say that, Bella."

"We'll give you two some privacy. Bella's parents will be back after three," Alice said, and a moment later, Bella and I were alone.

Bella, look at me. Bella sniffled and turned her head toward me, opening her eyes slowly.

"I never said that I don't want you. How can I not want you? Like it's possible not to want you. I told you before… I love you. I just… feel that making you one of us is cheating you of a full life of being human."

"You're afraid for my soul?" Bella asked, her eyes questioning.

"Yes."

"You believe that you and your family have no souls?" I nodded. "Well, that's stupid," Bella scoffed, scrunching up her nose and her brow furrowing in anger. "How can you believe that? Can you tell me you believe that Carlisle has no soul when he is so compassionate and loving? You've seen the love that your family has for each other. If you are capable of love, then I believe you have a soul," Bella stated matter-of-factly.

"Despite your beliefs, I won't give up on keeping you human."

"Fine, I'll have someone else change me."

"Bella," I growled.

"Enough! I refuse to have this conversation with you anymore, since you're being unreasonable. There will be plenty of time for that. My transformation seems to take place in the last vision in late fall, and the desk calendar indicates next year."

"Bella?" So soon, I thought.

I want to try something. Are you willing to listen?

Yes, I thought cautiously.

Good. I want you to close your eyes, please.

I looked at Bella, who had a slight pout on her perfect lips. I sighed and closed my eyes. I no longer heard any of the voices in my head. It was very strange, not being able to "hear" anything.

Good, it's working. Okay, try to clear your head. That's good. Now, can you think of somewhere you'd like to be? Somewhere you like to go?

My first thought was the meadow, and instantly I saw the meadow in my mind.

"It's so beautiful, Edward. Where is this place?"

"It's a meadow near Forks."

"Thank you for showing me. Now, I'm going to use my thoughts to give you a daydream. You should be able to contribute, too. Just think like we're really there."

"Bella…" In my mind, Bella was standing in the middle of the meadow, soaking up the sun in a dark blue sundress with her eyes closed, her hair blowing in the breeze. She opened her eyes and turned toward me.

"Take my hand." Bella extended her hand, but I could see myself saying no. She still hadn't seen me in the sun.

"You sparkle? Really? So, the sun doesn't burn you?"

"Myth," I replied.

"Well, since I know what to expect, please, sit with me… the sun feels nice."

Bella sat among the tall grass, pulling up her knees to her chest, looking at me and waiting.

"It's not real, Edward. I know it feels real, but it isn't. Maybe if you don't want to sparkle, you won't." Bella laughed in my thoughts and in the hospital room.

I stepped out in my mind and slowly lay on the grass near Bella. The scent and sensation of the warmth emitting from Bella's body and the sun felt so real. I wasn't sparkling. My skin looked pale white and hard, but the sun didn't reflect off it.

"Is this what it feels like to dream?" I thought.

"Your mind is providing the place, so the scents and sights seem more vivid than a dream. Don't you dream?"

"No, we don't sleep."

"No coffins?"she asked.

I chuckled. "No coffins."

"Why do you think this is happening to you, Bella?" In my thoughts, she touched my hand and started tracing small patterns on my skin along my arm. The sensation was amazing – so real.

"I'm not sure... Maybe the shield I had before was weakened when I hurt myself, and it's why I have a way to let you read my thoughts. Maybe my mind was shielded in the first place to avoid getting others' powers. It doesn't seem to make sense now. But maybe in time it will." The Bella in my thoughts looked up at me.

"Can I see you sparkle now?"

"No. I'll show you the real thing soon."

She nodded, smiling. "Is this alright?" she asked as she looked at me and then down to her hand moving slowly up and down my arm.

I closed my eyes. "Yes."

Bella laid back on the grass beside me, her hand entwined with my own.

"I noticed before, you all have gold eyes, and earlier you had black eyes. Why?"

"We all have gold eyes because we refrain from human blood. If our diet consisted of human blood, we'd have red eyes. Our eyes darken with hunger."

"What color were your eyes when you were human?"

"Green. My human memories have faded some, but Carlisle remembers."

"Well, show me. You made yourself not "sparkle," maybe you can change your eye color. This is a daydream, after all."

"Alright." I closed my eyes in my mind and opened them. I looked over to Bella, and she smiled.

"Beautiful," Bella whispered. I looked into her eyes and saw an emotion so powerful that it took me by surprise.

"Bella." I closed my eyes.

Bella's hand cupped my face. Her fingers traced my jawline, my nose, the curve of my brow – she was studying my face. Her fingers traced my lips, and I opened my eyes.

My resolve came crashing down, and I leaned in to kiss her. Then she was gone. The thoughts of the staff and patients in the hospital came rushing back in my head.

"Oops," Bella laughed. "I'm sorry, I wasn't expecting that, and I lost it."

"That's all right. I'd rather have the real thing. Dreams don't do you justice." I leaned in slowly, my hand cupping her face as I pressed my lips to hers. Bella moaned slightly, her lips parting as I pulled away.

"At least I was conscious for that one." Bella laughed. I shook my head and sat down on the chair again.

"That was unedited." Bella laughed. "So, did you enjoy your daydream?"

"It was nice. I felt human for a little while. Thank you."

Bella stifled a yawn. "You're tired. You should get some sleep." Bella nodded and closed her eyes, laying on her pillow.

I wondered idly if I would be able to read her thoughts while she slept. I hadn't been able to before.

"You'd better not. If you are able to, you'd better leave," Bella grumbled, a blush coloring her cheeks. I laughed.

"Sleep, my Bella. I won't intrude if that's what you wish."

"You won't go anywhere?"

"I'll wait until your parents tell me to go, and then I'll be right outside your window." Bella nodded and yawned lightly again.

"I love you, Bella."

"I love you, Edward." My dead heart soared as she said those words for the first time.


AN: Thanks to lisa89 for your help with cleaning this up a bit.