Edward's POW

After I told Bella my story, she went to take a shower without saying much of anything at all to me. I could hear her crying as the water fell around her and I wanted nothing more than to comfort her. However, I knew Bella and right now she needed her space. I understood wholly that what I had told her was unbelievable. Even to me, after finally telling my story, could hardly believe it.

Guilt. Such a strange and unfulfilling word for the situation. Remorse? Shame? Regret? Still not a good description of the torment I was feeling at that moment. I wish I could say, now, that I understood what was going through Bella's mind. What she was feeling. However, I could never imagine being in Bella's shoes. I knew that that if she had loved before me, I would not be able to handle it. How angry and hurt she must have been about my previous life. Yes, that's what it really was. A previous life that had disappeared as soon as I laid eyes on Bella Swan.

I opened the velvet curtains that blocked out the light from the balcony and stepped outside, onto the stone, looking out into the hazy city. The sun was, or should have been up, but heavy rain clouds blocked the rays. I though about leaving after Bella was asleep, going out to buy her something. I knew that would not fix anything, but I felt as if I had to show her somehow or just get her something to show how much I love her. But it would not do any good. Although I loved buying her things, she was never comfortable accepting my gifts and I didn't believe it would help the situation at all.

I heard the shower turn off and Bella drying off the water. I knew that her tears were gone now but, obviously, not the sadness. Her body was tired of crying and her mind was under extreme duress. The door opened and I waited until I heard her put on a pajama shirt and slide between the silk sheets before coming back into the room. Bella lay with her back to me, the cover pulled up to her chin. I knew she heard me come in, but she was purposely ignoring me, her knees curled up to her chest like a fragile child.

Carefully, I slid into bed next to her and pulled her into my arms. I thought she would put up more of a fight, but her body melded into mine easily, perfectly. She turned over and buried her face in my chest. She sighed rather loudly and I feared the tears would come again. "Bella I-"

She pressed a finger up to my lips. "Edward." She lifted her face to mine and looked me dead in the eye. "Tell me. Honestly. Who do you love?"

"You!" I cried, holding her tighter. "You. Always and forever you."

"If you still love her or have any feeling for her. Tell me right now." Tears welled in her eyes. It broke my heart.

"No. I love you so much Bella. The moment I saw you, you became my life. I'm making you my wife."

"And you don't want to see her again?"

"No. You're the only one for me, Bella." I said honestly, kissing her lightly. "I love you."

"Then I never want to talk about her again. I don't want to see her again or even think about her again."

"Then you forgive me?" I asked timidly.

She sighed. "It's not a matter of me forgiving you… it's just… why couldn't you have been honest and just told me about her from the beginning?"

"I didn't think of her again after I met you." I told her truthfully. "And… I knew that it would worry you. I didn't want you to think that there was ever any competition."

"But if she never disappeared, you would still be with her, right?"

"I didn't say that."

"I know… it's just a question."

"Bella, I don't know what would have happened. But I just know that I'm glad she was lost from my life. It's like fate that I met you. Whatever she and I had pales in comparison to what I share with you."

"And you don't still love her?" She asked, her voice breaking.

My dead heart lurched. "No, love, no. Never. I love you, Bella."

"I love you too, Edward." Her arms tightened around me.

"Why don't you go to sleep, love. When you awake, I promise everything will be better and we'll have an amazing night." I kissed her forehead as she nodded in agreement, snuggling deeper into me. I rubbed her back lightly and tucked the comforter tighter around her to block out the cold of my body.

At that moment, I swore to myself that I would never hurt her again. That honestly would be in the forefront of our relationship and our marriage. Not telling her about Daphne had the opposite effect of what I had intended and I regretted every second of it. If only I could turn back time I would-

My thoughts were cut short as I heart a gentle humming outside on the balcony. A quiet lullaby that sent chills up my spine. I knew it was Daphne. I got out of bed silently without jarring Bella and rushed out of the door. Daphne sat on the railing in a deep blue strapless dress. The hem flowed around her crossed knees and her hair was a gold waterfall. A smile played on her lips as I approached her.

"Edward." She moved off the railing and came towards me, her arms outstretched.

I didn't move a muscle. "What are you doing here?"

Not happy to see me, darling?

"You know that I'm not." My voice was icy and I knew it.

Her face fell. "I thought it was all decided…"

"It was. It is. I am in love with Bella. We are to be married."

"No."

"Yes. I love her, Daphne."

Her porcelain face was a mask of pain and fury. "Impossible. You would trade me in for… that?"

"Do not speak of her in that tone."

"Surely, you don't mean it?" Please… please let him be joking… surely he doesn't mean it… she is nothing but a meal. She will die soon and then he will have nothing. I-

"She won't die."

She eyed me suspiciously, her full lips trembling. "What do you mean?"

"I told you I was going to turn her after the wedding." I looked towards the room, making sure that Bella was still asleep. "She's never going to die."

"So that's it then?"

"Yes."

"You're just going to forget about me and go off with that human girl?"

"I love her. She is going to be my wife." I said firmly.

Daphne put her hand to her neck, her fingers grasped the slender chain and in a single, fluid motion, she ripped the locked from her neck and threw it at my feet. "I knew that over the years I was gone you would have changed, but I never thought that it would make you not love me or make you cruel." She leapt onto the railing and looked back at me. "You will regret this, Edward Cullen." And then she was gone.

I stood there for a moment, taking in the finality of the conversation. I felt better. Having that ultimate closure is what I needed… what Bella and I needed. Now I could focus fully on our life together and making her the happiest woman in the world. So then I turned back to my hotel room where my beautiful wife was waiting.