Authors Note: So I admit, I didn't know how I wanted to go with this chapter until about a week ago. Things kept changing in my mind and then this hit me. It played out perfectly in my head and helped keep the image of how I want this to end. It's a shorter chapter but I'm very much satisfied with how it turned out.

All mistakes are my own, and a huge thank you to Sunflower Fran.

Remember 16

"We can keep in touch. You're family to me, Bella. You always will be." She pulls me into a death grip of a hug. "You've done so much for my family, you've brought justice to my aunt and uncle, and you saved my mom." she tightens at that, "You brought Edward back to his old self. I absolutely love you, Bella."

I sniffle, "I love you too, Alice."

A throat clearing breaks us apart. "We're going home, girls," Carlisle says with a slight smile. I think he may have heard part of our conversation.

"Let's get out of here."

. . . . .

Edward has been lying down, his head in my lap. I stroke my fingers through his hair and I swear if he were a cat, he would be purring.

"Hey!" Emmett bellows.

I look up and meet his gaze in the mirror.

"If Edward is doing something inappropriate, I swear I'll pull over right now." he says but with a smirk.

My jaw drops, "He's just lying down."

"Sure." he says wiggling his eyebrows.

"Emmett, seriously... oooh!" My jaw drops and I look down at Edward. He just bit me, right there through my jeans. The sensation shot straight through me, causing me to moan.

"Hey, what did I tell you!" Emmett growls.

Jasper peeks over the headrest to see Edward lying perfectly still, head resting in my lap. "Chill out, Emmett, they're not doing anything."

He squints at me through the mirror, but it's Riley who speaks. "Lucky bastard." he groans, "I freaking asked her to marry me first."

Emmett snorts, "Dude they've been sleeping in the same bed for weeks."

Whatever Riley says next is too muffled for my ears, but Emmett bursts out laughing.

Emmett is driving, and Riley is sitting in the passenger seat. Apparently, he needs to sort through things with Carlisle who is still with Esme, in recovery. It may take a while and Carlisle could use the extra eyes back home.

Jasper had decided to come with us, leaving Alice to ride with her parents, since their vehicle was packed with remaining security, Janey, Carlisle, and Esme.

We're nearing the Arizona and New Mexico border when a vehicle next to us catches my eye. It's similar to ours; all black tinted windows and an uneasy feeling passes over me.

Edward notices my movements have stopped and his hand reaches up to cup my face. "What's wrong?" he asks.

I look down at him and see the concern in his eyes, and it's almost too much.

"Kiss me?" I ask rather than tell him. This vehicle is really bugging me. Carlisle and the others are well ahead of us and having been paranoid for the past few weeks, I tend to be more vigilant.

"Will you tell me what's wrong?" He asks leaning up on his elbow.

"Better make it good." I tell him as I lean down. One of his hands sneaks up behind my head and pulls me the rest of the way to meet his lips. It's not exactly comfortable leaning down like this, but if it meant kissing Edward, I'd stay this way forever. I'm starting to think everything Edward does is passionate, though I did ask him to make it good. His lips are so warm against my own, and when his tongue swipes across my bottom lip, they part in a very low moan, and Edward takes advantage. When our tongues meet, a fire starts at the very center of my chest and spreads throughout my veins, igniting my very soul.

Edward pulls back, his eyes a fiery emerald green. "Fuck, Bella, did you feel that?" he whispers as his eyes study my face.

I nod, "I did." I really hope he's feeling what I am. He shifts around, and I watch as he removes a silver chain from around his neck. I've seen it before but never thought to ask about it. He reaches behind me and clasps the necklace around my neck. "It's, um, it's our family crest. It represents family, strength, and loyalty." Edward explains. "I would like for you to wear it for me, take care of it, would you?"

I don't know what it means but I nod in agreement, I will wear it with pride.

"Thank you." he smiles one of those rare crooked smiles that send my heart racing. "Now, what's bothering you?" he asks.

I look up and behind us to see the black SUV still keeping pace with us. Just as Edward rises, I watch the driver's side window lower. Edward sees it too, and I feel his body tense. "Gun, get down!"

He pushes me down just as the back window shatters. Edward keeps me covered as our vehicle is riddled with bullets. Emmett speeds up as gunfire begins; I assume from Riley.

"Stay down, Bella. Stay down and hold on." Edward says as he sits straight, gun in hand. Glass is flying all over the place, bullets are everywhere, and I'm unsure of what to do. The vehicle smashes into us sending me flying into Edward, and that's when I realize I don't have my seatbelt on. Frantically I search for it, and once I have it in my hands, I can't seem to make it click into the buckle. Calm, steady hands reach out and take mine, helping. I look up to find him already staring, and there is fear in his eyes, causing my own to multiply. I notice things happening much too quickly, and I brace myself for impact. Emmett is losing control of the vehicle as Edward takes my hand in his.

The vehicle hits Edward's side, and we start to fishtail badly, and before I know it we're in the wrong lane of traffic, and our car is tipping...

Everything goes black for a few moments, or so it seems.

I smell smoke...

There's a pain in my head and my leg...

"... stuck, I can't get her out ... Bella, baby, can you hear me?"

I think I hear sirens and more gunshots.

"Edward, we have to go." It's Riley talking.

"I can't just leave her." Edward cries.

He sounds so scared, I don't like that.

The cops are coming, and I think I'm stuck upside down, but he has to go. Otherwise, they'll get him.

Everything is blurry when I manage to open my eyes just enough to see him.

"Fuck, Bella, you're alive!" he gasps.

"Go." I croak out.

He shakes his head, "You're stuck, I can't."

"Go...please," I beg.

I can't see Jasper, but I'm pretty sure it's him who talks next. "We can come back, Edward, we have to go. The cops are almost here, and Carlisle just showed up."

"Go Edward..." my eyes are closed, when did that happen? I open them to find my favorite green.

He kisses my cheek and squeezes my hand. "I promise, Bella..."

No, no, the darkness comes back and swallows me under.

Edward is gone.

AN: much closer to the end... One maybe 2 chapters left. I'll try to get the next chapter written but it might take a few, if you follow me on FB you should know why. -Ta ta for now.