"Before you, Bella, my life was like a moonless night. Very dark, but there were stars—points of light and reason… And then you shot across my sky like a meteor. Suddenly everything was on fire; there was brilliancy, there was beauty. When you were gone, when the meteor had fallen over the horizon, everything went black. Nothing had changed, but my eyes were blinded by the light. I couldn't see the stars anymore. And there was no more reason for anything."

This quote from New Moon is my absolute favorite from the books, and I believe it gives a perfect prelude to this coming chapter very nicely.

But be warned readers, vampire nudity lies ahead.

Enjoy.

Chapter 3: The culmination of Some 100 Odd Years

Edward's Point of View

I was broken out of my reverie by a slight movement beside me. I quickly lifted my head away from the clammy stones and glanced worriedly at Jasper. This was the first time he had stirred in days. He met my gaze in silence, his eyes reflecting back the darkness and despair of my own. I had been blocking his thoughts with as much power as I could muster, I knew they were just as dark as my own and I also knew I could hardly stomach my own burden, let alone double that.

Jasper's eyes stole quickly to the door, and I picked up on the whisper of footsteps that were quickly approaching.

The foot thick steel door slid open as if it was made from mere wood. Three darkly cloaked figures strode in, one small and androgynous, the other two tall and dark.

I looked down at the floor, not wanting to meet their eyes, but not before I saw Felix wink and smirk at me, like he was sharing some inside joke the two of us shared. I concentrated even harder on blocking everyone's thoughts around me, especially his.

Jane spoke then; her voice at that moment was the most hated thing in the world to me. 'Aro sends his greetings, he hopes all is well with the both of you.'

Jasper snorted, and his thoughts suddenly broke through and leapt out at me, my mental barriers could not hold out the violence and pure hatred concealed within. 'He regrets that this arrangement continues to be necessary, and wants me to remind you that your confinement is completely your doing. All you need do is swear to serve and you will both be free.'

'Servitude is not exactly my idea of freedom.' Jasper spit out, his face a mask of contempt. 'You have no right to keep us here, by your own laws this is wrong! We broke no rules!' I could feel him tensing beside me, preparing himself to spring. I put my hand on his chest, my head still drooped down, and shook my head. 'No Jasper, think of Alice.'

He snarled and flung my hand away. 'It's exactly Alice of who I think! If I were no longer their prisoner then they have no leverage over her, she could find a way out and go back to Carlisle and Esme! Away from this hell…'

I shook my head slowly, hands absentmindedly playing with the hem of my pants. 'I know Alice's mind, the moment that your future vanished hers would be over as well.'

Felix clapped his hands loudly. 'Very good Edward, keep your brother in line, we wouldn't want any accidents to happen. That would be such a loss.' The sarcasm fairly oozed from his lips. Jane smiled beside him, clearly enjoying being a witness to our torture.

Demetri spoke for the first time. 'We are to take that as a no?' Jasper leapt to his feet, a guttural growl tearing from his lips as he reached for Demetri. He was dropped to the ground before took another step, writhing in agony as Jane smiled peacefully at his tormented form.

'Waste of time.' Demetri whirled and left the room, leaving Felix and Jane behind.

Jasper howled, and I could not tell if it was with pain or frustration. Jane let another minute go by, then, with Jasper curled into a fetal ball on the floor, his body shaking in agony. Then her smile slipped and she inclined her head in our direction. 'Same time tomorrow, then.' She turned and glided silently from the room.

Felix started to follow, then winked in my direction. 'I think I'll ask the lovely Bella to dinner again, I think she's starting to grow rather fond of me.' He barked a laugh and then whirled out the door, cape swirling, pulling it shut behind him. I never raised my eyes from the cuff of my pants.

I wasn't aware how much time had passed when I was thrown roughly back against the wall, Jasper's hands gripping the collar of my shirt. 'Wake up Edward! How can you just sit here day after day and do nothing? We could take them, they lower their guard more and more every day in front of us! We have to do something!'

I couldn't meet his eyes, which I knew were frantically searching my face for any spark of life. I spoke in the barest of whispers, though I knew Jasper would have no trouble hearing me.

'Don't you see? I already have done something, I've done far, far too much.' The anguish inside me spilled out and into my words. 'The moment I first laid eyes on Bella I have done nothing but destroy her life, taking it from her in inches. I stole her heart, I robbed her of her humanity, and now…the crime is complete.' I twisted my fingers into my hair, tugging on it in anguish.

'The last place she would ever have wanted to be and here she is, because of me!' I roared the last word, shoving back against Jasper so forcefully that he was knocked to the ground.

I flew to the door and slammed my fist into it, leaving a dent that was half a foot deep. 'This door could never hold us, if I knew that I could save Bella I would be through it in an instant! But I have never saved her! Only pulled her down farther into the abyss.'

My voice broke, and my temper soon followed.

'If Aro even thinks for even one second that we're going to make a fight of it, he'll finish Bella and Alice before we can even fight past one of his guard. I've heard his mind. He considers Bella and Alice his now, his to guide and command. He will not let them leave him, he would rather they were dead. The only reason we're still alive is to assure Bella and Alice's compliance.

My eyes became glazed over and glassy. 'I have done nothing but pull an angel from heaven, I will not have her death on my hands, I will not move one toe out of line if it will cause her any more trouble.'

Jasper was on top of me in a blur, his hands on my shoulders as he slammed me against the door, leaving the indent of my head and shoulders next to the fist shaped dent. I made no move to stop him, and his thoughts flung his anger at me like the crashing of waves upon an unbreakable shore.

'Edward you have to snap out of this.' His voice was low, his every syllable pronounced slowly, edged with the tip of a dagger. 'Bella needs you, all she ever asked of you was your love, and this is how you repay hers? With your self righteous guilt? You've given up Edward. You will just lie down and die, you'll let Aro keep Bella and twist her and make her into a mockery of her former self!' He roared, his face mere inches from mine.

'Wake up!' He slammed my shoulders back against the steel door. I refused to meet his eyes, mine never leaving the stone floor, making no attempt to fight back or even to protect myself. My lips barely moved as I whispered, my voice expressionless. 'I've ruined her.'

Jasper let go of me and I slumped to the floor, my back sliding down the door.

He spit on the ground next to me, and the steel was razor sharp in his voice. 'You are no brother of mine.' He left me where I lie and retreated to the darkest corner of the cell. My eyes never left the ground. But still, some part of me, locked deep inside, remembered…

I wove the Volvo through the streets of Forks, I knew my destination and the way there by heart, which was a good thing as I could barely stand to take my eyes off Bella sitting in the seat next to me. She was dressed in a white, form fitting travel dress which Alice had picked out. As soon as I had gotten her into the car and away from all of our well wishers, I pulled out a white silk scarf and turned to face her.

'Bella? Do you trust me?' She studied me for a moment, her eyes flicking to the scarf then back, a quizzical smile touching the corners of her lips. 'Of course I trust you Edward.' Her eyes gazed lovingly into mine, and it was like the skies had opened after a storm and the sun had returned, that was the only way I could think to describe the way that she made me feel.

'And you accuse me of dazzling you.' I murmured softly as I reached over and covered her eyes with the scarf, then knotted it gently in the back. I buckled her seatbelt for her and quickly stepped on the gas, leaving the house far behind.

When the road ended, I pulled my car over and was out the door and around to Bella's side before she even realized we had stopped. I opened her door and reached in, unbuckling her seatbelt for her and taking her hands, helping her to step from the car. She looked around, even though the gesture was made useless by the scarf that blocked her vision. I laughed when her nose crinkled as she sniffed the air.

'Hmm, I smell trees…' She sighed and pouted. 'I'm no good at guessing Edward, we could be anywhere in Forks, the whole area is just trees and rain. Can I take the blindfold off now?'

I laughed louder and swept her off her feet and into my arms, my laughter abruptly cutting off as I felt her soft body against my chest. Her heartbeat, so close to where mine should be, sent an electric jolt through my body. I was suddenly all too aware of how close she was. It was like my entire body was alive with some sort of electric current, I had not felt this particular sensation since the first time we had touched. I closed my eyes, images suddenly popping into my head of what we were about to attempt. I heard something between a growl and a soft moan and with a start I realized that it was coming from me. Bella's weight shifted in my arms. "Edward? Is something wrong?' She lifted her hands to the scarf to pull it away.

'No my Bella, everything is wonderful.' I gently pushed her hands away from the scarf. 'Just lay back and enjoy the ride.' I started to run lightly through the trees. My thoughts were racing faster than my legs, and I had to make a conscious effort to come back to the present. Running Bella smack into a tree at an ungodly speed was not the way that I wanted to start off my wedding night.

Before I was ready, we were at our destination. Reluctantly I set Bella on her feet. I stood behind her, then leaned down and rested my head on her right shoulder. I couldn't resist taking a long whiff of her hair, my left hand playing gently with a strand of her hair.

'Are you ready to see the number one honeymoon destination for vampires and their new wives, Mrs. Cullen?' I thrilled to the sound of those words, she was mine, forever mine, my wife. She would never belong to anyone but me.

'Yes.' She whispered.

I lifted both hands to the back of her head and undid the knot that held the scarf over her eyes. Holding each end in either hand, I slowly lowered the scarf, letting Bella see the scene before us. 'My lady, may I present to you, your wedding night accommodations.'

My whole body was tense, waiting to see if she would like what she saw.

'Oh Edward.' She gasped. 'It's our meadow…'

We were indeed standing in the middle of our meadow, and twilight had just fallen.

This whole past week, while Bella was fast asleep, I had been sneaking away from her bedroom to prepare the meadow. The trees on the fringes of the cleared space were speckled with twinkling yellow Christmas lights, which looked for all the world like millions of tiny fireflies surrounded us.

In the middle of the meadow I had placed a large white tent. Right now the sides of the tent were rolled up to reveal the inside. Taking up the entire interior of the tent was an enormous bed. The sheets and pillows were all a fluffy white, and there were 4 dark posts sticking up from each corner that supported an intricately wrought open iron ceiling.

Next to the stream I had set a brand new, white mini grand piano.

I started to get nervous; Bella had not said a word since I took off the blindfold. I stepped to her side and gestured grandly to the meadow, then picked up her hand and lightly brushed my lips over it. I stole a glance at her and raised an eyebrow.

Bella suddenly shook her beautiful head, her brown hair rippling in waves, and she suddenly came back to me. 'Edward I absolutely love it! It's so gorgeous!' I closed my eyes and grinned, thrilled that she appreciated my handiwork.

She turned and threw her arms around me, her body pressed tight against mine as she leaned up on her tiptoes to kiss my lips. A sudden warmth started at my lips and spread throughout my entire body. I kissed her back eagerly for a moment, then reluctantly pulled away.

I heard a sigh escape from Bella's exquisite lips. 'Edward, you can't push me away tonight. Tonight you belong to me.' Once again I felt the familiar electric jolt run through my body as I heard Bella claim me.

I chuckled tenderly, tilting Bella's pouting face up to mine. 'I do belong to you tonight Bella. But I have a few more events planned before I give myself over to you completely, so please try to be patient.'

The smile stole back onto my angel's face as I spoke. I took her hand and led her to the piano. 'Please let me play for you Bella.' I slid onto the piano bench and patted the bench next to me.

Bella slid into place on the seat and she twined her leg around mine, her delicate foot resting on top of mine. I shuddered at the closeness of her leg to mine. 'Bella, you give me far too much credit. How can I play for you with such distractions as you are releasing on me?'

I glanced around for some sort of a distraction, and suddenly the meadow felt incredibly hot. Not like a cool, breezy summer night should feel like at all. I loosened my white shirt collar and unbuttoned the top, hoping that the breeze would help to cool me down.

Bella watched my movements, a mischievous smile touching the corners of her mouth.

I groaned. 'Bella please, I have been working on a new song for you for a long time, please please behave yourself and let me share it with you.'

She weaved her fingers into my hair and tugged gently. My head automatically leaned toward her, my eyes half closing in pleasure.

'So that's how you're going to play it, huh? You're not the only one who can play dirty.'

I opened my eyes and turned my stare fully onto her. I gazed deeply into her eyes, all the while thinking with all the fiber of my being how much I loved her. I smiled that half crooked smile that I knew she loved.

Bella's face went blank and her mouth fell slightly open as she stared back, and her hand fell slowly away from my hair. Ha, I thought, I still got it.

Smiling triumphantly, I turned back to the piano.

'Edward, that was completely unfair, you shouldn't dazzle me like that.'

I turned the full force of my eyes onto her again, leaving her breathless. 'There is going to be plenty of dazzling going on tonight Bella, so you better get used to it now.'

I set my fingers on the keys and began to play Bella's new song. Out of the corner of my eye I watched as Bella became undazzled, her heartbeat returned to normal and she smiled brightly at me as I played.

She leaned her face close to mine, exhaling sweetly. 'I never thought any music could be more wonderful than my lullaby.' She murmured, letting her eyes drift shut as she listened to the intricate, soft melodies. A tear trickled down her cheek as the song reached its climax, then softly faded to the close.

I caught the tear gently on my fingertip and left my hand against her face. 'I love you Isabella Cullen, my Bella, now and always.'

Before she could respond I leaned in, and at first I just gently brushed her lips with mine, but then, as I began to let go of myself, my lips moved more greedily against hers. I placed my hand on the back of her head, my fingers losing themselves in her hair. I felt her body tremble against mine as I parted my lips and ran my tongue over her bottom lip.

I knew that another moment of this, and I would never be able to resurface. I let me hand slip from her hair and pulled away. She just sat there, eyes closed, a radiant smile playing across her face, and she whispered my name.

I reached my hand into my dress pants pocket and pulled out the small object that I had placed there earlier, back at the house.

'Open your eyes, my love.' Bella's eyes obediently opened and she eyed my closed hand suspiciously.

'Edward…did you buy me something? I thought we'd agreed on this point. No presents. It's enough for me that I have you.'

I raised my free hand and put my finger against her lips. My eyes rolled back in my head as her tongue flicked out and licked the tip of my finger. 'You are utterly insatiable.'

I sighed. 'Let me give you this one gift Bella.' My eyes bored deep into hers, pleading with her. 'I want you to have this, so that you can always know my love for you. If we are ever separated, even for the briefest of moments, I want you to have this physical reminder that I love you, and I will always come back to you, no matter what might stand in my way.'

Bella giggled. 'You're hopelessly dramatic Edward. I don't need a physical reminder of your love, or of you. And I don't ever plan on being separated from you, so it's really not necessary.' She must have seen the heartbroken look on my face, because she quickly added. 'But of course I'll accept. Let me see.'

I frowned, why did this girl have so much trouble accepting a simple gift from one who loves her so? I shook my head. 'Silly Bella, give me your hand.' She obediently held her hand out. 'And close your eyes.' She shook her head, then closed her eyes and mumbled something about theatrics.

Ignoring her mumbled comment, I opened my hand and deftly attached her gift to her wrist. 'Ok, open your eyes.'

She held her wrist out in front of her face, and twisted her wrist this way and that, studying the gift.

'It's so…complex.'

I sighed. 'Complex was not really the reaction I was looking for there Bella.'

She laughed, and the dark cloud lifted from above me. 'It's very lovely though, Edward.' The bracelet was indeed complex, it was made from silver and was very slender, but the silver had been worked and twisted into complicated patterns.

'I had it made specially by an old jewel crafter in Ireland. I was told he was the very best. The patterns that make up the bracelet are endless, just like my love for you, Bella.'

She groaned loudly but threw her arms around me once again and whispered, her lips touching my ear. 'You are the utterly ridiculous one Edward, but God help me, I love you.' She kissed my earlobe and then gently nibbled on it. 'I love you.'

Abruptly my body was on fire again with electricity, and I knew it was now or never. I was on my feet in an instant and I swept Bella into my arms and moved swiftly toward the tent. Bella gasped in shock at my sudden movements.

I had her laid down in the middle of the bed before she could say one word. Her eyes were suddenly alight as she reached up for me. 'Not yet, my love, I think the occasion calls for a little privacy.' She shook her head, and I knew exactly what she was thinking. Here we are out in the woods, in the middle of nowhere, and he thinks we need more privacy.

I smiled her favorite crooked smile and began to unravel the sides of the tent, pulling the white silk fabric down and tethering it to the ground, encompassing us in our own little white world. She reached for me yet again, but one last time I shook my head. 'Allow me one more small theatric.' I pulled a cord, and the entire ceiling rolled aside to reveal the dark night sky that was awash with bright stars.

I gestured above us to our star speckled ceiling. 'A view that befits you, my lady.'

Bella glanced up, the starlight dancing in her eyes. 'It is very nice.'

I slowly undid the rest of the buttons on my shirt. Bella's eyes swiftly shifted to me, her gaze following my hands. 'Silly Edward, like the stars could ever outshine you.' I let my shirt fall open, then shrugged out of it.

I stepped closer to the bed. 'Come here, my blazing meteor.' Bella rose to her knees and moved over to the edge of the bed, I met her there and looked deeply into her eyes, losing myself. Bella was right about one thing, those cold, distant stars could not compete with the beauty that was before me now.

I took her face gently in my hands, studying every inch of her stunning face. 'You have never realized how truly beautiful you are, Bella.'

I realized the moment was finally upon me. This gentle, radiant creature in front of me was giving herself over to me, completely trusting that I would not harm her. Bella's absolute faith in me at this moment gave me a confidence I had never before possessed.

Bella shivered as I undid the clasp on the back of her dress. I laid my cheek against hers. 'Are you cold?'

'No.' She whispered, her voice certain. 'All I feel is anticipation.'

All of a sudden I recognized that I was shivering as well. My hands were at my waist, and before I entirely realized what I was doing I was stepping out of my pants and underwear. Comprehension dawned slowly on me as I discovered that Bella had been similarly undressing herself while I was.

Bella was looking at me shyly, her cheeks bright red with the blush that I loved so much. 'Looking at your husband naked is not a crime Bella, you don't have to be embarrassed.'

I laughed as I noticed that I had subconsciously flexed my muscles in an obvious attempt to impress my new wife.

I pushed Bella playfully back, off her knees so that she landed in the middle of the enormous bed. I climbed on top of her and let myself fully look at her for the first time. After that, I couldn't tell how much time had passed, but I had stopped breathing as I studied her beautiful form.

I glanced down and realized that Bella was quickly becoming uncomfortable under my piercing gaze. 'I'm sorry Bella.' I nuzzled my nose against her neck, then kissed the hollow of the throat. 'It's just…I've seen countless works of art before, and many were crafted by masters of their arts, but I know now that none of them could have ever had a subject as completely flawless as you.'

She was blushing furiously again, and I was absolutely and hopelessly in love with her. I grinned down at her, proud that I could make her blush so.

She scowled at my grin, infuriated at her bodies' reaction to my words. She smirked. 'At least my body isn't the only one suffering a very obvious reaction.'

I didn't need to glance down to confirm which exact bodily reaction of mine to which she referred. 'I'm not ashamed. I've been to medical school two times, and it is a perfectly natural male reaction. Especially when he is so close to something this spectacular. My eyes again traveled over her body, drinking it all in.

Bella tangled both hands in my hair and pulled my face within inches of hers. 'Edward, just shut up for once and kiss me.'

'Your wish is my command.' I whispered softly, before giving my angel her wish.

For the first time since I had been with Bella, I gave myself completely over to the kiss. I moaned as I felt her gasp with the intensity of the kiss. There was a small voice in the back of my head, urging me to be cautious and to go slowly, but I knew that voice would not control my actions tonight.

My hands ran up and down the sides of her body as our kiss deepened. Down her shoulders, against her fingertips ever so lightly, then on to her deliciously soft legs, until I reached her knees. And then, just as I had been burning to do again ever since that night when I returned to Bella after I had purchased our bed, I grasped her legs and hooked them around my waist.

I pushed myself closer to her body, moaning her name as my erection brushed against the inside of her thigh. I could hear Bella's heart, it was thumping faster than a hummingbird's wings. I was afraid that it might leap out of her chest.

I pulled away from our kiss and laid my ear against her heart, listening to its frantic rhythms. Bella kneaded her hands into my hair and tugged my face back to hers, kissing me passionately again and again. My hands fell from her legs, though she kept them tightly wrapped around my waist. I let one hand trace haphazard patterns across her stomach, then I moved it tentatively to her breast.

Bella arched her back and whispered my name, and the movement pushed her lower body closer to mine. It was my turn to shudder as the incredible heat between her legs pushed against my hardness. I felt as if I would explode if she made the slightest movement.

I covered her breast with my hand, my thumb stroking her as I leaned in and trailed kisses across her collarbone. I whispered so softly that I was not even sure that she could hear me. 'Bella, are you ready?' She ground her hips against me, and I growled low in my throat, my entire body consumed by a fire such as I had never known. Not even my newborn vampire thirst could compare with this voracious fire I now felt.

Her liquid brown eyes met my own, and she nodded, her lower lip trembling slightly.

I kissed her lower lip, again and again, as I placed my hands on her upper thighs, spreading her legs apart a little more. I fought a violent urge to enter her quickly as I felt her heat pressed against me.

I whispered my love for her over and over in between the kisses I rained on her lips. Ever so slowly and gently I pushed myself inside of her. I trembled head to toe with the intense waves of pleasure that now rolled over my body. Bella whimpered softly and I immediately froze, letting her grow used to having me inside her.

Gradually I could feel Bella's body relax, and I lowered myself over her, supporting my weight with my arms, one on either side of her. I began to thrust gently against her. The utter ecstasy I felt at this moment was unlike anything I had ever imagined. I had never felt such warmth and pleasure in all my long century of existence.

When Bella arched her back and pushed her hips out to meet me, I completely lost control. I grabbed her shoulders roughly and held her body down as my thrusts intensified recklessly. That small voice in the back of my head warned me that Bella would be horrified at my actions, yet incredibly, she called my name out loud and pushed her hips up frantically to meet mine.

I groaned Bella's name deep down in my throat. I knew I could not hold out much longer, the pleasure was intensifying almost to the point of pain. Bella reached for me then, and her nails dug into my back as her hips thrust themselves urgently against me and I knew she was reaching her climax. I pushed myself deep inside of her and growled her name as I came quickly after her.

I threw myself down beside her, this was the first time since I became a vampire that I understood what it felt like to be tired. But it was the most wonderful tired in the world. I grabbed Bella up in my arms, holding her tight to my chest. I whispered gently to her that she was the most wonderful thing in the world.

It was at this exact moment that I truly believed, beyond a doubt, that heaven was waiting for me. No real monster would have ever been given a delicate angel such as my Bella.

We lay in each other's arms, a content and satisfied silence surrounding us. She may have slept. I lost all concept of time as I held her.

Bella was the first to break our silence. 'Edward?' I tenderly smiled down at my angel. 'Yes?' She took a deep, steadying breath. 'Its time Edward. I am ready.'

I laughed softly. 'Bella, you have to give me a bit longer than that, you just gave me the most wonderful time of my life, but I think I need a few more moments before we can start again.'

Bella blushed furiously and took a deep, steadying breath. 'No, Edward. Well, I mean yes, Edward but that is not exactly what I meant.' She was beginning to get flustered.

My eyes narrowed as I studied her hesitant face. She must have found some courage deep down because her voice took on a new resolve as she spoke again.

'You promised. We have fulfilled one another's conditions, and now I want to be with you. You have given me the most amazing experience today, earlier when you married me, and then when you gave yourself completely to me tonight. I want this perfect day to be my last, clearest memory. It's my decision, and I am ready. Change me.'

She sat up and folded her arms across her chest, her mouth set in a firm line, her eyes betraying the nervousness which she felt.

I shocked even myself when I finally spoke. 'You're wrong Bella. It is not your decision.' She opened her mouth to protest, but I held up my hand, my eyes pleading with her to hear me out. 'It is your decision, and mine. And I agree with you.'

Her mouth gaped open, and I allowed myself a tight smile at her stunned expression.

'You're really…your willing to change me? Right now?' Her voice retained some of its hesitation, but there was also a new edge of hope.

I nodded. 'You are my life now, and always, Bella. I can no longer deny you anything.'

I gracefully pushed myself off the bed and went to a chest that was sitting against one of the tent's walls. I lifted a light dress from inside for Bella, and a pair of cotton pants for myself. I pulled the pants on, then held the dress out to Bella, who obediently lifted her arms and let me slide the dress onto her.

I pulled Bella to her feet, and searched her eyes deeply with my own, looking for any signs of fear or hesitation. We stood like this for I know not how long. Her rich chocolate brown eyes gazing into my soft butterscotch ones.

Finally she took my hand. 'I love you Edward.' I enclosed her warm, alive hand in my own, and simply repeated. 'Bella, you are my life.'

I swept her off her feet and placed her gently back onto the bed. I sat beside her, my hand never letting hers go. I knew the time for questioning her decision was past, resolution radiated from her very core. She had, after all, made the choice a long time ago. It was only I who had hesitated.

'Let me have one moment Bella. One last human moment.' Her eyes sparkled with laughter at my use of her old phrase and she relaxed her head back onto the pillow, giving me my time.

I must have kissed every part of her body, starting with her toes, which made her giggle and blush. I paused, looking up from my attack on her feet, memorizing the glorious reddish tint to her cheeks. I slowly kissed my way up her body, locking away every delicious scent in my memory, relishing the scent of her blood which so tormented and yet sang to me.

All too soon I was done with her fingers, her arms, her torso, her breasts, her soft and creamy neck. I gazed at her in wonder. Her luxurious hair was fanned out around her head, just like it had been that sunny day when I had secretly watched from the forest as she lay on her blanket and slept.

She put her hand up to my cheek, calling my attention back to the present. I shook my head to clear my thoughts, and realized with a shock that I was almost excited. Not for the fact that I was taking Bella's humanity, her warmness, her normal life from her, but because I would soon get to share my entire world with her. I would no longer have to be so cautious, always careful around her. I could finally relax and let her share in my true self.

I grinned, and Bella grinned back. She leaned up and quickly kissed me, letting her lips linger, then she fell back onto the pillow. I took a deep, steadying breath, preparing to hold my breath until I was finished.

When I opened my eyes again, Bella was staring anxiously into my face, and her lip trembled ever so softly. At this first sign of real fear of the transformation I was about to put her through, my resolve almost crumbled.

I gave her the most reassuring smile that I could muster, then, not being able to help myself, I kissed her trembling lower lip one last time.

'Edward?' My eyes flew to hers at the sound of my name. 'Take care of me, please.'

I gazed into her lovely brown eyes for the last time. 'Always, Bella, forever.'

The sun was just beginning to dim the light of the stars as I held my breath. I lowered my face to her neck, then, concentrating on my love and absolute need for Bella, I bit her neck.

I knew she would feel no pain at first, so I quickly moved to her delicate wrists, then to her ankles, then back to her neck for one final bite. Despite all my best efforts, the delicious scent of her blood invaded and assaulted my senses. I curled my hands into fists as I resisted my ultimate temptation. The burning in my throat was pure agony. I knew that Bella did not feel the burning pain yet, but it would quickly come. I needed to get her back to my house.

If I still had a heart, it would have died inside of me as I saw the first traces of pain cross Bella's face. She murmured my name and held her hand out for me. I grabbed it with both of mine, holding tight as a sob wrenched from my throat. The next second the scent of her blood hit me like a brick wall. It was mouth-watering, exquisite. I hated myself for thinking that way.

Bella whimpered, and her hand squeezed mine. I swooped her up and into my arms, my body screaming at me to taste her dripping blood. Such a waste. The blood that seemed to be tailor made for me so that I could never resist nor forget. Resist, I would, but I could never forget.

I started to run with Bella in my arms. The Volvo would not be fast enough. Only I could get Bella to the safety of my house before I became the monster that I had always known lived inside of me.

I had brought down an angel such as that. How had I dared?...I buried my face in my hands.