It's been a long time, but I've decided to write this story. I've finally figured out the story's path, and I'm rather excited, so I'd appreciate the comments, suggestions and critique!! Thank you so much!!!

Edward's POV

The house was well decorated…mum was feeling under the weather, and, with that flu out there, I didn't think it smart to throw the party.

"Oh no, dearest, that Victoria girl's coming, isn't she? I hear bells ringing in the near future!" she coughed into her handkerchief and I held her.

"In your condition, I can't imagine you dealing with a party in your house..."

"Nonsense, now turn around," she ordered, and she did what she's always done when I'm nervous. She kisses the back of my neck and holds me around my shoulders. Her arms feel like the safest place in the world.

I tapped her hand, releasing her, my other hand running over her forehead. My mother was a beautiful woman, so beautiful it was inconceivable how any man could run out on her. It happened, and I'll always be there for her… but she mustn't surrender to this beast of an influenza. I don't think my heart could bear it.

I rushed up to my room, where Amelia was ironing my clothes.

"Oh, thank you Lia! It looks superb."

She wiped sweat from her forehead, adjusting her skirt and smoothing her blouse. Lia's been like an aunt to me since I was born, and I love her as such. "Not to worry, Sir Edward, this is sure to impress the object of your affection effortlessly."

My ears turned a deep shade of crimson as I rushed out to the bathroom to bathe. I smoothed my hair while the water ran over my head, and I took out my absolutely best soap and ran it quickly over my skin, as it was getting darker and I was not yet dressed.

Unfortunately, upon rushing, the soap slipped through my fingers and onto the floor, and my foot landed precisely on top. In the next instant, I was tumbling to the floor, my head hitting the side of the tub. I didn't lose consciousness, which was good, but I was very dizzy. I lifted my head, groaning, and looked into the mirror. I saw a red welt forming on the side of my head, right by my right temple. Frustrated, I walked out, knowing that I could do absolutely nothing about it.

My mother insisted on helping me, even in her weakening condition. She swayed to and fro, yet she denied any sort of difficulties. I admired her strength for me, and she must know what this meant for my heart and my life. I planned on courting Victoria tonight. I saw myself marrying this woman of my dreams, making children, living a life that was looked upon and desired upon sight.

"My angel, what happened to your head?"

I cleared my throat, "Nothing mother…"

"Oh, sweetheart, don't be nervous! You'll be just fine. And you look so handsome," she added, her hands clasped in front of her, her eyes welling up. "I'm so proud of you."

That was all I needed. I walked out, welt and all, to begin greeting my guests.

I rushed downstairs, as carriages pulled up by the dozens, many people I did not know and many I did. Romania Swann was the daughter of the most successful business owner in town, and she arrived looking as nothing less than the daughter of the richest man. Her escort was George Sampson, who was the best student of our class. Both of them, among the rest of my fellow classmates, wore an alarmed expression as the gazed upon my head. I learned to ignore it.

Student after student filed into our home, and the band began to play music, and little by little, teenagers filed onto the dance floor. The danced the traditional moves, and I watched as couples in love danced with motivation while those that came alone danced desperately, hoping to attract someone else.

Anxiously, I waited by the door, holding a white rose corsage in one hand, wiping the sweat from my brow with the other. It seemed impossibly hot, yet no one else seemed to notice.

At last, I saw a brown sturdy horse carrying my beauty straight towards my house. She rode side-saddle, sporting a red dress pleated with intricate lace. Her face was powdered, complimenting her very fair complexion. Her lips were a blood red, and her hair was pulled into a bun, random strands framing her face. She was a vision, to say the least.

I cleared my throat, which seemed particularly scratchy tonight, and walked up to her, holding the corsage out for her wrist. She blushed, slipping on the corsage before whispering, "I'm so nervous… You look so handsome!"

At that moment, I forgot about that welt and my throat and my still throbbing head and linked my arm with hers. "You're beautiful." I left it simply at that, and we danced the night away. Her friend, Anthony, followed close behind, but I think the person he was looking for was sitting by the pond, fixing up his tux.

"So what inspired this little shindig?"

The hand resting on her lower back pushed her closer so that my mouth was right by her mouth, "Oh… just a need to begin closure…this is our last year here. I'll be going off to study literature…"

"No way, I'm going to study literature." The moment she said it, I stopped dancing. I kissed her right there, and it didn't matter who saw us. She kissed me back, the wetness of it all making it more and more sensual and less appropriate for public.

I coughed once, after kissing her, and I apologized.

"Are you okay?" she asked, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, with a hint of worry in her tone, making her look even sexier.

I sniffled, reassuring her that I was fine, that it was just the pollen in the flowers. She smiled, and I took her hand, walking out to the gardens. The gardenias, lilacs, and blossoms enveloped us in aromas that calmed our senses and my coughing for the time being, and I was glad.

"Victoria…"

She paused, her eyes glistening in the moonlight. "Yes, Edward?"

I let go of her hand, searching my pocket for the cool metal band.

"I was wondering… I know we don't know each other very well, but something about you makes you enticing, makes me want to know more…"

"I'd love to be yours. Make me yours…"

"Not tonight, I can't tonight… I'd love to make you mine every single day and night for as long as I live, but I can't right now. All I can do," I stopped, slipping the ring out of my pocket, "is give you this. Does that sound enough, my beautiful angel?"

Her eyes watered, and I knew that I had her. At last, I had her. I kissed her forehead, which felt so warm and I felt so cold. I shivered, and she held me.

"You don't look fine, Edward. You really don't…"

I heard a scream come from the house, and I saw Lia running out of the mansion towards us, and I knew the beautiful moment I'd had was over.

"Sir Edward, come quickly! Your mother, she's convulsing!! She just won't stop!!"

The last thing she ever said was that she was proud of me.

For the woman in my life that I lost, I gained another. For the woman that gave birth to me, I gained one that would hold my children.

Or one that I'd hoped would eventually.

God knows that never happened because the following morning I got as close to ending up in the morgue with my mother as anyone else could get.

That is, until I met Dr. Carlisle.