So, my holiday break is officially over, as might be the case for you. Therefore, I decided to post this chapter to maybe ease your transition into return to school. Enjoy!

Chapter 3

The car ride was mainly filled with silence. Jasper drove a stolen yellow Porsche down the Italian highway, heading rapidly to Volterra. I saw that he occasionally turned his head to look in the back seat, where I sat. I'm sure my nervousness was really affecting him.

Alice sat in the passenger's seat, her eyes closed. Jasper gazed at her, placing his hand lightly over hers. "Any change, Alice?"

Alice sighed, her hand grasping Jasper's firmly. She lifted her head, and though I couldn't see her expression, I was sure that it would show no sign of happiness.

"None at all. He's still going to walk into the sunlight, right next to the clock tower," Alice turned her head to face me. "Bella?"

I grabbed my knees, pulling them against my chest as I bit my lip in nervousness. "Hmmm?"

Alice sighed, her eyes darting around, not knowing where to focus. I brought my hand to her chin, turning it slightly to the right so that she was looking at me.

Her lips pulled into a small smile, though there was really no happiness in the expression. "Thanks," she said quietly. "First of all, I'm sorry I didn't believe what I was hearing, I just-"

I smiled. "It's alright, Alice. I would have thought I was crazy if I heard strange voices," ah, the irony, I thought grimly to myself. I had heard a voice, and my desire to hear said voice drove me to go through the stupid act of cliff jumping which got this mess started.

Alice grinned. "Thank you, Bella." She paused, developing a thoughtful expression. "Do you think you would be the one to stop Edward?"

My smile was short lived. "I… I don't know, Alice. I want to do whatever possible to keep him safe, but do you think he will respond well enough to my voice? I mean, you couldn't believe what you were hearing, so why would Edward?"

Alice closed her eyes, shaking her head slowly. "I don't know, Bella. Edward's future is cloudy, and several paths for the effects of his actions are possible at this point. I think something may be wrong with me…"

Jasper squeezed Alice's hand gently. "That's not true." I felt the need to look away. Moments like this with Alice and Jasper were extremely personal, and a small gesture seemed much more private due to their immense amount of love for each other. "Maybe a decision hasn't been made, hmmm?"

Alice sighed, accepting that as a possibility. I stared out of the window, seeing a small town on the top of a hill. I became curious about the small town, which caused Jasper turned to look at me because the of the change in my emotions.

"What is that place on the hill?" I questioned softly.

Alice looked around at the scenery, trying to find what I was talking about. Finally, she noticed the only interesting hilltop, as the other hilltops were just that, the tops of hills with nothing on them. "That is Volterra," she said.

Jasper continued his swift driving, weaving effectively around large trucks so that we could reach the small town. "What's our plan, Alice?"

Alice sighed, obviously unsure. "Do you have any ideas?"

Jasper shook his head sadly. "He'd hear us coming. And what would we say to stop him? That Bella is alive? He wouldn't believe us in the slightest," he muttered.

Alice spoke in agreement. "He's too stubborn for his own good." I thought I may have imagined it, but I swore that Alice and Jasper both gazed at me shortly after that had been said. I idly wondered why, but concluded that it didn't matter, seeing as my life had effectively ended.

"What if I stop him?" I said, realizing that Jasper and Alice would probably fail at their attempts to stop Edward.

Alice looked at the backseat once more, her eyes unable to see where I was. "What about what you said earlier?"

I shook my head. "It doesn't matter. He has to be safe, any way possible. Do you two really think that you can stop him?"

Alice frowned. "We'd simply make it worse, Jasper. Bella's presence does change things, don't you think?"

Jasper nodded, keeping his eyes on the road as he maneuvered us towards the edge of the city gates. "It really is our only chance if she attempts it. The sunlight will cause us to work our way through the alleyways. We'd be wasting time we don't have."

Alice sighed. "I guess you have to, Bella." We pulled to a stop, having been signaled by one of the guards at the gate.

Jasper rolled down the window, staring up at the human. "Yes, sir?"

The guard froze, seeing Alice in the passenger seat. His eyes widened slightly, and he gulped. "Eh, no cars, please, only tour busses. Park with the others," his heavily accented voice shook slightly as he gestured to a sea of cars in various colors, the sunlight shimmering off of their hoods.

Jasper sighed, extending a gloved hand with a pile of bills. "This is a private tour, sir."

The guard eyed the money before snatching it quickly. He stealthily signaled our car on, pocketing the bills in his coat.

Jasper sped through the gate, turning onto a street. People jumped out of the way, avoiding the car that was dangerously cutting them off. "Bella," Alice spoke with a deep sense of urgency. "You need to float, or whatever it is you do, to the clock tower, okay? You will find Edward standing in the shadows there. Please, stop him however you can."

I nodded, but then realized they couldn't see my reaction. "All right."

"We'll drop you off as close as we can get to the square, which, by the looks of it, will be directly across from the clock tower," Alice said. I was now bouncing slightly, my nerves getting the better of me.

Jasper quickly turned a corner, skidding to a stop. I took this as my cue to leave, and swiftly left the car, finding the large square immediately. A large mass of people was covering the square, and I tried to get higher in the sky, so that I could see the clock tower.

Spying the large, old stone tower with a clock that was rimmed with Roman numerals, I began to speed up to reach my goal. The people below me were dressed in mostly red, families and tourists creating the majority of the mob.

I reached the tower, and lowered myself, so that I practically stood on the street. To my right, a sun filled street dotted with the occasional police guard in addition to the people in red. To my right, the same exact scene. However, looking slightly ahead, further on, I discovered that a small alley was tucked in-between the clock tower and another old building.

I took a deep breath and sped to that shadowy alley. "Edward!" I shouted, wondering if it was any use if he could hear me out of the several minds and conversations of the crowd of people.

Standing in the edge of the shade was Edward. I shouted his name once more, traveling closer to him.

My memories really hadn't done him justice at all. His bronze hair was blowing in the wind slightly, his shirt next to his feet so that his contours of his chest were exposed. His palms were facing outward, his mouth twisted into a small smile. His eyes were closed, his face holding only an expression of peace.

"Edward!" I shouted once more, next to him now. I growled, pushing his shoulder back slightly in an attempt to place him further away from the sunlight. I continued pushing in vain, my hands either pushing against him weakly, or traveling completely through his muscular form.

He stiffened, keeping his eyes closed. However, he quickly had a huge smile on his face. "Bella," his mouth formed the words, though I could not hear him say them. I groaned, yelling his name once more.

The same smile was stuck on his face. "Edward, stop! Don't do this!" I shouted louder than I ever had, pushing against him once more.

He wouldn't listen.

I stepped away from him, then with a new wave of hope, flew straight at him with as much force as possible.

I had not felt myself hit him, yet I hadn't quite felt myself travel through him completely. What baffled me more was that I had apparently been turned around as I hit him. I was now facing the square, as opposed to facing Edward.

I gazed around hesitantly, looking for him. But, as I turned around, I realized my feet were planted firmly on the ground. What's going on, I though to myself softly, completely worried. Where was Edward?

Bella?

I froze. That was Edward's voice. I stepped further into the shadows of the alley, and looked down at my feet. This wasn't my body at all… it was pale, masculine. Edward? I questioned to myself.

Bella, how is this happening?

Oh my god, Edward! Can you hear me?

Yes, and I'm quite confused. What are you doing? Surely I'm going crazy…

You aren't crazy, I promise. I was thrilled at hearing his voice, which I had craved for months.

Then why am I hearing your voice? You should be dead, not controlling my actions. I can't even walk! He sounded frustrated now.

Of course, I thought stupidly to myself. He's hearing his dead ex-girlfriend's voice in his head and he can't move!

Wait….

Edward, you can't move?

No, I can't. Otherwise, I'd be back at the edge of the shadows.

I frowned at this, or, more accurately, Edward's body frowned at this. Sorry, Edward. I have to do this…

Do what, he questioned angrily.

I didn't answer, yet walked at a human pace through the alley, walking as far away from the sun as possible.

Why am I doing this? He asked in desperation. I felt a faint pulling on the muscles on my legs, as if a small part of me wanted to turn back to the square.

Edward, I'm stopping you from making a mistake. I began to speed up to a human jog as I continued through the maze of streets.

Suddenly, Alice appeared in front of me, her face in complete shock. I saw this happening, yet I found it impossible… she thought to herself.

"Edward?" She wasted no time pulling me into a large hug. "I'm so sorry."

Well, sorry isn't going to bring Bella back, now is it? Edward thought bitterly.

I scowled and returned the hug gratefully. Though Alice obviously knew it wasn't me, I had wanted to envelope her in a hug since I had seen her in my kitchen. I let her pull me along as we walked to where I assumed Jasper was with the car.

Of course he'd be here with her. Jasper would never allow Alice to come here alone. Edward's thoughts reminded me of Alice and Jasper's gentle hand holding in the car, and how they acted next to each other on the plane. I remembered a time when Edward would treat me with as much love, if not more, than Jasper and Alice had displayed. Though, it was all a ruse, which I had stupidly fallen for.

The thought brought renewed grief, which I knew Edward could feel.

We turned a corner, and Jasper stood, leaning against the side of the Porsche. His face was twisted into pain, but he quickly replaced it with a smile when he saw me, er, Edward walk into view.

He came to our side and gave me a pat on the back. Why is he feeling confusion? He thought curiously.

He shrugged and got into the driver's seat. Alice gracefully placed herself in the passenger seat, while I sat in the backseat.

"Alice," I spoke carefully, and was slightly shocked when Edward's voice formed my words. "Can you sit back here please? I need you to restrain me."

Alice raised an eyebrow. I sighed. "I promise, I will explain everything in a moment. I just need you to do this for me, as a precaution."

She shifted around and worked her way to sit next to me. She shook her head before gripping my forearm firmly. I smiled and realized I had no idea how to leave my current position.

I took a deep breath and slowly felt myself break apart from Edward's body. I moved so that I sat on the alternate side of Edward.

"Edward?" I said cautiously, quietly. Jasper jumped slightly, but then a knowing glint was seen in his eyes through the rearview mirror.

Edward stiffened, and turned to face where I sat. "Oh my god." He whispered, staring at me directly in the eyes.

Alice leaned over to the seemingly empty spot to Edward's right. "Thank you, Bella."

Edward gazed at her skeptically. "You can see her, too? Hear her, too?"

Alice nodded, then paused. "I can hear her. But neither Jasper nor I can see her. We both thought we were going insane."

Edward returned to look at me, his eyes once again gaining direct contact with my own. He reached up his free hand hesitantly, as if I might disappear. He brought his hand to my cheek, stroking it gently. The softness of his touch against my cheek was so blissful; it was easy for me to imagine that he still loved me.

"I missed you," he said softly. I leaned over, resting my head on his shoulder. I didn't even need to focus about going through objects or not, the decision was natural, and both were now easy to accomplish.

I sighed, and I noticed Alice staring at him questioningly. "You really can see her, can't you?"

He nodded, his eyes filled with sadness. "Bella, why'd you stop me?"

I sucked in a breath, and gazed up at him sadly. Alice returned to her position next to Jasper, holding his hand as he drove.

"You'd be making a mistake. You have a family who cares about you, and your distractions… death really isn't all its cracked up to be," I gave him a small smile, trying to lighten up the mood.

He shook his head, looking as if he might cry. "Bella," the way he spoke my name gave me a slight shiver. "I love you. It was a lie, and I was being extremely stupid. I-" He paused, trying to find the right words. "I wanted to save you from myself, as cliche as that sounds. My presence in your life would have hurt you, possibly killed you," Jasper flinched, "and stopped you from having a normal human life. Though, my absence seemed to have caused your death, an ironic twist. Bella, I love you, and I'm sorry."

I had watched him during his entire speech. His face held emotions that I could only describe as love and sincerity. "I love you," I murmured, knowing full well that I could never stop loving him. I knew I had all eternity to figure this out, to wonder if he really was being truthful.

He lifted my chin so that I was looking directly at him. "Bella, why'd you stop me, then? I could be with you right now…"

I sighed. "Your family needs you, and I am here," I argued. "I'm sitting next to you, and I don't have any immediate plans to change that. I'll be here as long as you want me," I said quietly, examining his face to see if he really wanted me here. Though, at the moment, it seemed as though it did.

"Always," He said, pulling me closer to him. I sighed contently against his chest, realizing how our roles had completely changed.

Where as I had been the one who aspired to be a vampire like him, he was now the one to wish to be as I was, so that we could be equals. And, like he had been as I was human, I was never going to let that happen.

"So you really can see me when no one else can," I said softly. I sat up to see his reaction.

"Yes, I can." He paused, thoughtful. "Why do you think that is?"

I shrugged my shoulders, and shifted so that I was sitting in his arms. I had been without him for far too long.

Alice turned to look at Edward, noticing that one of his hands was extended rather awkwardly in the open air, though, in reality, it was wrapped around me, embracing me. "How did Bella stop you? I couldn't quite see that part," she murmured at the end, her eyes filled with interest.

Edward gazed at me curiously. "I heard her say my name, and felt her try to push me back away from the sunlight. I merely brushed this off as the wind. Then, I felt a strange pull, and I lost control of my body. I could try to walk around, but it wouldn't happen." He paused, looking at Alice now. "I thought I was going crazy, which I very well may still be. I could hear her as she was in control, walking us back to you."

Jasper pulled to the side of the road, and I noticed we were at the airport. Alice, Edward, and Jasper got out of the car; Edward held the door for me as I swiftly left the car. He did realize I didn't need the door opened, that I could simply pass through it, didn't he?

I walked next to Edward, and kissed his cheek. "I'm sorry for acting like a scary ghost," I muttered.

Edward grinned, "It's okay," he said softly. His expression changed quickly. "I love you, Bella," he said, his eyes burning into mine as he spoke. I couldn't question it any longer. The way he spoke, and the way he held me, showed that he really did love me.

"You were speaking the truth in the car, weren't you?" I asked. He nodded, bringing a smile to my face. "Good. You really shouldn't lie to a ghosts…" I murmured.

He frowned. "I wouldn't say ghost. I think angel suits you more."

He gestured to my white dress with a smile. I would have been blushing. "I love you, Edward. But, I don't have any plans to cross over to see if I am an angel." I said softly, resting against his side as we headed to the gate. My words were completely true. I hadn't any reason to choose to cross over while I was with Edward, my personal piece of heaven.

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AN: So, I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I did. I'm sorry to disappoint those of you who wanted Edward to die, but seriously? You wanted EDWARD CULLEN to die?!?!?! I could never allow that to happen! He is far too important for that! :)

Alice and Jasper looked at Bella after Alice said "He's too stubborn for his own good" because they were thinking of when Edward chose to leave Bella to make her safe. A very rash decision that he was too stubborn to change, no matter how much the rest of his family disagreed with him.

And, for those of you who were wondering, Edward can see Bella because they are "soul mates". Cheesy, yes, but I thought it made sense, and it helped to move the story along.

Thanks for reading and please let me know what you think!