A/N: YAY! I'm sooo happy by the response I've gotten with just the first chapter! Thank you guys soooo much! :D Anyway, here's chapter two!

Disclaimer: I own absolutely NOTHING but the plot!

Time passed, as it always does, while I stayed curled into myself. Sometime during the course of the day the tears ceased their never ending gushing, the rocking eased to a halt, and the sobs quieted into small whimpers. All signs of hysteria and grief dispersed, yet I stayed with my arms frozen in a vice like grip around my knees, staring at the ring on my finger. The beautiful twentieth century heirloom that was to symbolize the beginning now seemed to be symbolizing the only thing tying me to Edward. For the second I spoke of my thought, my choice, this ring would cease to exist on my finger, and he would be gone. Forever.

A small whimper passed through my lips at the thought. It was hard to think of it, something I had worked so hard to keep strong and steadfast…ending. All of the ups and downs, the wins and losses, the battles and compromises, everything we have been through just…ending.

But, it was for the better. I would get the freedom and family I needed. I wouldn't have to leave my parents or my best friend. At first, I know he would be hurt, but, eventually he would have the chance to settle down with someone who could be the woman he has always wanted. Not a measly human like myself, but Tanya, from the Denali coven, maybe. Someone who can match him in every way: strength, beauty, immortality, etc. This is what was best for the both of us.

My thoughts circled around that same path, that it would be better for the both of us, all throughout the day. Charlie left me alone, most likely knowing why I stayed holed up inside my room. He knew, but I could hear him pacing outside of my door every now and again. His fathering instincts wanted to comfort me, wanted to tell me that everything was going to be okay, but Charlie also knew that I needed to do this on my own. I needed to think things through, make my own decision, and follow through on my own. Charlie knew that, so after pacing outside my door he would pause for a moment before turning and walking away, only to come back at a later time.

But after tonight, he wouldn't have to worry like that again. After tonight, I would be in the arms and heart of someone who not only had Charlie's approval, but someone who I knew would never hurt me. After tonight…everything would be as it should. I just needed to be able to hold it together until-

A quick almost inaudible sliiiide alerted me that my time was up.

Almost simultaneously, a pair of cold arms wrapped themselves gingerly around me, pulling me into an embrace. It was now or never, I thought as I felt his cold lips press against my hair, his wintry breath wash over my scalp. I squeezed my eyes shut and forced my mind to reject all memories that surfaced under the sensation. I couldn't face them and still hold true to be decision: not memories of that first night when he held me close…not when we were watching Romeo and Juliet…not our compromise…

I twisted myself out of his arms. I couldn't wait any longer. If I hesitated for just one more second, I wouldn't be able to do it at all. I was certain of my choice, I was certain that everyone would be happier if I did this.

Everyone except…

"Edward." the second his name slipped through my lips, my eyes began tearing up. NO! I have to stay strong. I have to stay with my decision. I have to-

Edward wrapped his arms around me, attempting to console me. He knew I was in pain…he knew me so well. But, I shouldn't be in pain. I should be completely okay with doing this…I was sure of my decision.

But I was hurting Edward. My decision was going to hurt Edward, who has always been so generous, so selfless when it came to what I wanted. I was going to hurt him, and that was why I was in pain…

Right?

My heart began beating faster, as Edward began to rock me back and forth, mumbling soothing tones into my ear. Was I really doubting myself? Was I doubting the decision I had spent hours deciding upon? I can't…But as Edward's soothing motions and velvet voice imprinted into my mind with familiarity, I knew that I had to do what I had to do. I pulled away from him, scared of his effect on me and on my decision. The tears began to drip over, and my breathing became ragged. I took a deep breath.

"I don't think I can do it." I said. The words just slipped out, confusing me so much. Can't do what? Can't hurt him? Can't let him go? Can't follow through with my decision? But if I didn't follow through with this, then what would that mean for the future? If I can't follow through with this one decision then…

"Can't do what, darling?" Edward asked, and I could hear in his voice that he was willing to do anything ease my mind. I pulled my knees to my chest and pressed my forehead to them, not allowing him to see my tears…and not allowing myself to see the pain he was in.

"Edward," I started again, but…it came out a strangled sob, which very quickly became sobs in general. Sitting on my bed, I cried into my knees. Edward didn't know what was the matter, but, still, he wrapped his arms around me, began humming my lullaby, and stroking my hair…everything that would sooth me in the past.

Instead, though, it reminded me of everything he had kept from me, everything that I was not allowed to experience because of him and his over protectiveness, everything that I had considered leaving behind just so I could be with him forever: Charlie, Renee, Phil, and chance at ever having a child…everything.

I pulled away from him roughly, and stood on the floor, looking towards him.

"This." I said, with as much power as I could muster. He stared at me, his eyes searching mine, but he wouldn't be able to find anything. I was sure of what I wanted. And he saw that. He opened his mouth once, but then shut it again, not knowing what to say. I just hugged myself, trying to stop the tears from pouring, but to no avail.

He swallowed once before asking in a strained, controlled voice, "Are you sure?" I nodded quickly. I'm sure. I'm so sure. I can't…I can't be with him now. Not now. He stood up and walked towards me. My instincts told me to step forward and wrap my arms around him, but my head was saying to step away. My heart told me to just stay where I was, not wanting to hurt him by stepping away, or confuse him by stepping forward.

He stopped right in front of me, not touching me at all. He hesitated once before nodding slightly. "Okay." So easily, he said that so easily. Right then I was nearly overdone by the pain of what I was doing.

What was I doing? What was I thinking letting Edward go when he had been nothing but good and kind to me?

But I couldn't voice my doubts, as he gently reached out and stroked my cheek before turning his back and walking-human speed-towards the window.

My mind went numb with every step he took away from me. My heart ached with every second that passed. But the numbness was overshadowed by angst and sorrow when he turned around, his hand gripping the sill of the window, and said…

"Be happy." my knees collapsed under me. 'Be happy', the last thing my hallucinatory Edward had said to me, and the last thing my real Edward will ever say to me. Sobs wracked through my body, as the almost forgotten hole in my chest opened with a vengeance. I had been expecting pain, after severing a tie as strong as the one between Edward and myself, it was almost indefinite. Yet, this amount of pain, a force so strong and unbelievably familiar that it brought me to my knees, was...nothing like what I had prepared for.

He was gone. I had pushed him away. And for some reason, that thought seemed to be what made this pain that much worse than the one I experienced when he had been the one to leave. But it was for the better. It had to be for the better for nothing this painful could be for nothing. I had to remember that if I was to get through this.

A/N: Chapter 2...not sure how I feel about it. Anyway, you know what happens next...I ask for reviews, you give them to me, I post another chapter, ect. :D hehehe Reviews are loved unconditionally! :D