Hey everyone! I don't think I'm going to be able to update for the next couple of days so get this- I ended up combining THREE chapters. That's right- THREE. I also kind of felt bad for how I left things the last time hehe. The next few chapters are written and I can't wait to share them with you. I'll probably be begging to get to my computer so I can post them, haha.

Thanks for reading and for the reviews. Comments make me all fuzzy inside, lol, so keep it up. It's amazing how much they can brighten your day.

I hope you all like this chapter. I'm a little scared! Let me know what you honestly think.

"No!" Alice screamed, leaping up to run to me. Jasper stopped her, holding onto her tightly. A wave of calm drifted through the room but it didn't appear to help anyone.

Edward still stood in front of me. He was actually paler than usual. There was no emotion on his face; he just stared at me.

I couldn't bear to look at the rest of them.

"This is your final decision?" Aro questioned me in a confused voice.

"Yes," I whispered, looking at the floor.

"Bella," Emmett pleaded, "don't do this. You can be one of us. Think about it. Please, Bella. For Edward. For us."

I'd never heard Emmett speak like that before. I looked up and, if I still had a heart, his expression would have broken it.

"Please, Bella," Carlisle said softly, "think about it some more. This is a very big decision to make and I'm not sure you're in the best state right now..."

I ignored him. My mind was made up.

Aro walked over to me and stroked my hair. "Forever is unappealing to you, is it?"

Edward fell to his knees in front of me. "Bella," he groaned, barely audible, "I'm begging you. Don't leave me."

For a moment, I nearly agreed. The hurt in his eyes was comparable to mine. But I couldn't live for eternity without Edward as my love; I didn't want to. His guilt would eventually subside and he'd leave me again. I couldn't stand the pain all over again. This was the only way for me now.

"I've made my decision," I said firmly.

"You don't have to do this," Carlisle said in a soothing tone. "Aro agreed to let you go if you become one of us. He won't go back on his word or hurt any of us."

Looking over at Edward, I sighed. "I love you, Edward... I always have. But I can't bear to live forever if it's not with you. So now I want this, more than anything. I'm sorry if that upsets you. It's my decision." I sniffled and rubbed my nose. "I love you. Forever."

Edward was still kneeling, motionless. He stared off into space, no longer looking at me. Maybe he was rejoicing over the fact he'd no longer have to feel responsible for my welfare. It didn't matter now. All that mattered was that he was safe, along with the rest of his family.

I stood up and walked over to the door I knew led deeper into Aro's chambers. I looked at him expectantly and he chuckled.

"Bella, no!" Alice screamed, successfully running over to me and pinning me in the tightest hug imaginable. I think I heard a few more bones break. "Don't! Don't! You're upset, you're angry. That's all understandable. But you just can't do this. Please. You're my best friend!"

"She's made her choice," Aro said calmly. "She's already done it."

With a gentle but firm gesture, he pulled her off me and grabbed my arm. Before I could blink, I was in a pitch black room, alone with Aro.

EPOV

What have I done?

My only desire in life was to make Bella happy. Somehow, I ended up destroying her. I barely recognized this broken girl that sat beside me, answering questions in a monotone.

It didn't surprise me when she defended us. It did surprise me, however, when she claimed I never loved her.

I jolted with shock, certain I'd misheard. Alice glared at me, her eyes flashing. Her thoughts were screaming at me.

I told you, Edward. I told you she didn't think you loved her. What have you done?

Exactly. What have I done?

We'll straighten this out, Edward. She likely thinks Aro will hurt one of us. I'll take care of it. Carlisle's thoughts didn't help the fury brewing inside of me.

Jasper sent out waves of tranquility but it didn't help. Looking around the room at my family's tortured faces, I realized it didn't help anyone.

Then Aro gave her the choice to decide her fate. I spoke without thinking and said she shouldn't be a vampire. That only left one choice left. Death.

And of course, being Bella, she picked it. If my heart still functioned, it certainly would have stopped beating then.

I pleaded with her; we all did. But she was like a stone wall- impenetrable and unyielding. She'd made up her mind, she kept repeating.

And then she told me she loved me. She said she couldn't live without me. She couldn't live for eternity without being mine. And then she walked away.

I knelt there, staring off into the distance stupidly. I tried to find the words I wanted to say but there were none. I was shocked into speechlessness. I never imagined that this was how things would turn out. I knew that day in the forest she believed me but I hoped over time she'd realize what I'd done and come to terms with it.

Only now did I realize how wrong I was.

When I finally stood and turned, she was nowhere to be found. Alice was clawing at a sealed door, sobbing hysterically and shrugging off Jasper's soothing hands. I looked around in a daze. What happened?

Esme had to be lowered down onto a chair carefully. Carlisle looked distraught and lost. I'd never seen him look that way before, not even during the months that I was a lifeless mess.

It took me a minute to figure it all out.

Emmett's thoughts called out to me. The words caused my stomach to clench in unbelievable pain.

He's going to kill Bella now… How did this happen? How is Edward going to survive now? I can't believe this. I don't know what to do. Maybe there's some way we can just break down the door and take her. Maybe I could…

I stopped listening. Aro had taken Bella. Bella was about to die. My Bella.

All because of me.

BPOV

I wasn't afraid, surprisingly. I was anxious for it to be over.

"Bella," Aro whispered in my ear, "one last chance to change your mind. I really do not desire ending your life. You are a rare commodity."

I said nothing. Instead, I craned my neck so that my vein poked out prominently. I was ready. I knew that if Aro legitimately had any misgivings before, the aroma and sight of my blood would quickly squash them.

And yet he surprised me. He placed his cool hands on the sides of my face and kissed my forehead gently.

"Poor, beautiful creature. You're like a wounded animal in the jungle. I could never hurt you."

I nearly cried out in agony then. He wasn't going to hurt me?! I needed him to bite me, to suck the life out of me. I didn't want to go on feeling this way anymore.

But then relief flooded over me when he gently moved my head to the side, once again exposing my pulsating vein. I could feel his cool breath just inches away from my flesh. I shivered from the sensation.

It'll all be over soon, I kept telling myself.

His sharp teeth then pierced my skin, gently at first. It hurt slightly, like getting pricked by a sewing needle. Slowly, he added more pressure. I could feel my blood draining, my heart thumping with the involuntary flow of adrenaline. It sounded like loud drums in my ears, getting louder and faster by the minute. My body was once again telling me to be scared but, like always, I was unaffected.

I bonded with my father more than I ever dreamt I could. I had loved a beautiful god. I had a great year in the arms of an angel. I had met my best friend, who had brought me back to life. I received more than I ever deserved. That one slice of heaven was all I needed. I could accept this now.

With a frightening growl, Aro clamped down violently and harshly on my neck. My vision became blurred and I felt increasingly light headed. The scent of my blood wafted up to my nose, nauseating me and making me feel dizzy. Pressure increased on my throat and an involuntary sob fell from my lips. The burning at the site of the bite was unbearable but I closed my eyes, trying to remember every detail of Edward's face. His amber eyes. His crooked smile. His kiss.

The end was near; I could feel it.

Before the blackness descended over me, I felt one tiny tear trickle from my eye.

Goodbye Edward.

Sizzling pain coursed through my veins. Burning liquid ice trickled along, sending my body into convulsions. It felt like scorching glass was being pumped by my heart, filling up my body and tearing its way along.

I was shaking in pain, freezing and yet burning up at the same time.

So this is what death feels like, I thought to myself, coming out temporarily of the black fog.

I heard a voice faintly somewhere above me. I knew somehow whoever it was wasn't talking to me. I could barely make out a word; nothing else existed now but the pain. It was excruciating.

My run-in with James was nothing in comparison. The burning had been isolated to my hand alone. Now my entire body was racked with pain, involuntary moans and cries escaping from my mouth.

I called out for Charlie, for my mother. I called out for Jacob to save me. I even, God help me, called out for Edward. I called out for him the most.

I wondered when the agony would be over. Surely I'd been like this long enough. When would it stop?

"Bella."

My eyes slowly opened but they quickly clenched shut; the light hurt too much.

"Bella."

I ignored my name.

"This is the end of your first day. Be thankful. I've seen worse."

Through my pain, I couldn't grasp the words. For a second, I pondered the significance but then another seizing cramp of pain rolled me under.

My lungs felt as though they were being clenched in hard fists. I sucked in oxygen but felt I could never get enough; I was suffocating. The thought sent me into a mild panic, my body thrashing around in fear; someone had to hold me down for a while until I relaxed again.

A strange sensation sizzled from my chest down to my belly… almost like a painful tickle. My heartbeats sounded strange, even to me.

What was happening? Why was it taking me so long to die?

I got lost in the pain once more, losing track of all around me. I noticed a man lingering by me a few times but I ignored him. I didn't care who or what he was.

The minutes stretched on into hours. I felt like a heavy stone being dropped into endless darkness. Diamonds flashed in my vision, each one as painful and as bright as the last. I wondered if this was hell.

Memories of Edward flood back. I saw him laughing with me in the meadow, glittering like a god in the sun. I thought of his cold, hard body pressed against mine the first night he stayed over. I remember how he loved the color blue against my skin. I thought about when he kissed me goodbye before he left.

Another ripple of agony sent me into convulsions. My heart was somehow louder now and yet it sounded like it was slowing. My ears were roaring; it sounded like I was under water. I briefly wondered if I was. I couldn't recall where I was anymore.

Who was I again? I could barely remember my name. Where was I? Was I dead?

A wave of pain ended my thoughts and I gave in, not allowing my brain to think anymore.

And then suddenly it stopped. I was Bella again.

The tortuous, inexplicable pain finally ceased. I felt like dancing. I was finally dead!

But then I looked around at my surroundings and noticed I was in a damp, dark room alone. I could hear scratches of sound all around me but I didn't understand. My throat burned in a sensation I'd never felt before. It was excruciating and yet numb at the same time. I forced down a swallow and marveled at the feeling. It reminded me of a time I had strep throat as a kid. It was almost like velvet coated my throat.

I realized this was the room Aro had led me in before. Now, however, I could make out every minute detail. Had a mysterious light been added in, unbeknownst to me? I doubted it; it was a small, bare room with no windows. I'd see a lamp.

I dismissed the thought, figuring that I had previously been too caught up with my impending death to truly observe my surroundings.

Again, I took note of my pesky throat. I had to get a glass of water soon.

Something was nagging at me but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

The most important question of the entire situation reverberated though my mind which made me want to cry out in frustration more than anything else.

Why was I still alive?

Aro POV

The child had requested death. I knew I was fully within my rights to carry out the law and swiftly deal with her termination. But for the first time in a long time, I felt legitimate affection for her. She was an innocent little child, stranded and hurt.

I saw into the depths of her brown, liquid eyes and noticed how she looked at Edward with unadulterated longing. I felt the block of her mind and marveled at her strange ability. I knew she was capable of great things. How she eluded our talents was beyond me.

I was intrigued by her. I found myself thinking of what a fascinating addition she would be to us. Her talent, whatever it ending up being, would undoubtedly be extremely helpful in our pursuits. But she had been so decidedly against becoming one of us that I wondered how I'd ever be able to coerce her into joining… willingly.

Certainly, she wouldn't desire to live with the Cullen family. She appeared to be quite devastated because of their unexplained abandonment. Maybe it would be easier, then, to convince her to stay. I certainly knew how to be convincing. And once she saw that everything she wished would only be at her fingertips, how could she deny me? Whatever she wanted, I'd be happy to oblige. Bella would be my child, my woman, my jewel.

I chuckled to myself when I was informed that she had awakened. She was going to be furious. I had not done what I promised to do. I spared Isabella and turned her into a creature of darkness, against her will. But someday she'd thank me and I was determined to make it soon.

EPOV

I gave up tearing down the door an hour or so ago. It was of no use now. I had my back against the wall, contemplating where it all went wrong. I knew who was to blame. Me. If I hadn't been so arrogant in thinking I knew what everyone deserved, I could have allowed myself to be happy for a long, long time.

Instead, I ruined it. In the process, I broke the only creature I'd ever loved. I broke up my family. I broke my heart.

And now she was dying, if not dead already. All because of me.

My thoughts ceased functioning. I was no longer present. I just sat there, slumped, waiting for merciful death to take me.

Alice suddenly stopped her incessant sobbing and looked over at me, her eyes incredulous.

Her eyes glazed over and I knew she was having a vision. Whatever it was, I didn't care to see it. I blocked out all thoughts and focused instead on the blood-stained stone floor.

A heavy weight clasped my shoulder. I looked up into Carlisle's sympathetic eyes.

"I'm sorry, Edward," he whispered. "I wish there was more I could do."

We couldn't stop her he whispered in his mind, his tone sad and quiet.

I said nothing, fixing my gaze on the floor instead.

"Shouldn't we leave now?" Rosalie asked quietly.

I saw Carlisle nod, but he was still staring at me. "We should."

"I'm not leaving," I muttered.

Carlisle opened his mouth to respond but was quickly distracted.

With a shudder, Alice came back to the present. I looked over at her and was surprised to see her standing there with a grin on her face.

"Alice? What is it?" Carlisle sounded panicked; he thought she had lost her mind.

I can't lose another child, Carlisle sobbed in his head. I felt a small pang of remorse but it evaporated. At that stage, I truly was devoid of nearly all emotions.

Alice walked over to me quickly, crouching down and hugging me fiercely.

"She's alive," she whispered in my ear. The rest of my family looked at one another, confused expressions matching my own. "Aro turned her. He couldn't bear to kill her. He finds her too interesting."

I met her eyes. Elation washed over me. Any qualms I'd had about Bella turning into one of us were quickly forgotten. As long as she existed, that was all that mattered.

And to think that now she was like me- unbreakable, immortal. I needed to see her. I needed to hold her and beg her for forgiveness and never let go again.

The dead organ I'd once called my heart almost throbbed with joy and love. For the first time since I'd said those disgusting words to Bella in the forest, I felt happy. Complete. We would have another chance to love again. I would have another chance.

I jumped up to my feet and returned Alice's hug with enthusiasm. Emmett laughed joyfully and embraced Esme, practically jumping with excitement.

She was alive!

I stepped back from Alice's arms, looking expectantly at Carlisle, waiting for whatever plan he had in mind to save her. I was surprised to see a somber expression darkening his face.

"He's not going to let her go, Edward."