Marry me? I still wasn't sure I was hearing him correctly. The idea had honestly never crossed my mind before. I mean, my whole life I was told I should save myself for marriage, but then I was never allowed to form any sort of friendship with someone of the male gender. I'd never considered marriage to be a part of my future. It was such a foreign concept to me. My parents were married, but we know how that ended....

"Isn't it a bit soon?" I asked, chewing on my lip. Stalling. His expression was pleading and panicked, devoted and frightened all in one. He always kept such a calm mask on his face, but his eyes gave everything away. His eyes were always so intense, so full of emotion. Any girl would feel blessed to have a boy look at her the way Edward looked at me.

He snorted. Or maybe it was a scoff. It was not a sound I'd heard from him before. His lips twisted and his brow furrowed, and an instant later I found myself in his arms, my head tipped back and his lips at my throat. "If I offered to change you, right now, right this very minute. What would you say?"

I didn't have to think about it. "Yes. I...I'm yours." I stammered. The delicious sensation of his lips on me clouded my mind with lust.

He let out a harsh breath and I felt his open mouth, mere centimeters from the delicate flesh of my neck. His breath was cold as he panted. My heart was pounding, wondering if he would actually do it.

"You're ready now?" I nodded and heard him swallow audibly. I knew the venom was flooding his mouth. His sweet scent was stronger than usual and coherent thought was almost lost to me.

Against, his lips pressed against the skin directly over my pulse point and I steeled myself for the feel of his teeth, but it never came. He kissed the flesh there languidly, sucking gently, and I grew dizzy, the edges of my vision blackening.

Then he was gone. Only his hands remained at my waist to steady me as he chuckled darkly. "Breath, Bella." I sucked in a deep breath and my senses came flooding back to me. The day seemed brighter, the colors so vivid they hurt my eyes. I could hear so much more, even over the sound of my pulse pounding in my head. Once he was sure I was steady, he let go and looked me in the eye.

"You are so ready to give up your life this instant in order to spend eternity with me. Yet you're offended by the idea of marriage? Marriage is nothing in the grand scheme of things. But this..." He gestured to himself. "There's no coming back from this. This is permanent."

"I know." I whispered. "I just think we're too young?"

Edward threw his head back and laughed. It would have been a beautiful sight if I hadn't been so confused. He was right, I was willing to give up my human life in order to spend eternity with him. There was no hesitation in that decision. What was it about marriage that was making me pause?

"You may be young, but Bella. There is nothing I want more than to call you my wife. That much I am sure of. What we have is so much more, but this is important to me. I'll give you what you want. I'll give you eternity, but I need to have your hand. I need to know you're mine, before God and everyone." He stepped back quickly as if something had just occurred to him, and his voice was laden with nerves as he asked his next question. "I mean, you do want me for eternity, right? It's not just the immortality is it?" His throat contracted as he swallowed nervously. He pulled his phone out, glancing at the screen with frustration, before pressing a button and shoving it back into his pocket.

"Alice." He said simply as he looked back up at me. "I don't want to know how this ends. I don't want any outside forces influencing either one of us. This is the crux of everything, Bella. This is just between me and you. I can't imagine eternity without you by my side. I can't go back to that unending night that was my life before you lit up my world. I promise to love you forever...every day of forever. Please tell me you want that too."

My entire body was vibrating. Emotions coursed through me and I felt that if I spoke, everything would come crashing down. Of course I wanted that, with him, and I think a part of me still didn't believe he could possibly share the same desires. His words had flooded my mind and woven their way through me, finally soaking in and inflaming my heart with so much love I thought it would burst.

"I do." The words left my lips as a mere whisper, and my legs finally gave out as I crumbled to the floor of the meadow. He didn't catch me. Edward was as still as a statue, a look of disbelief on his perfect features. "Yes." I sobbed. "Yes." I smiled through my tears, sure that my face was a mess. I thought fleetingly of how nice it must be to not have to deal with things like tears and snot as a vampire.

In the time it took to wipe my eyes, Edward was on his knees in front of me. His hands grasped my arms a fraction too tight, his expression desperate. "What did you say?" He demanded in a harsh whisper.

I nodded frantically. "Yes."

A breathtaking smile erupted on his face. "Yes? You mean it? You'll be my wife?"

"Yes, Edward, yes. A thousand times, yes." Later I would blush in embarrassment when I realized I'd quoted Pride and Prejudice. The words just came to me, with no thought of their origin.

He held me to him as he stood, his arms embracing me tightly as he laughed and sobbed, the smile never leaving his face. We kissed and we touched, sharing this most important moment completely immersed in each other. Our fingers traced each others' features, memorizing every millimeter for the millionth time. The knowledge that I'd made this wonderful man this blissfully happy only multiplied my own joy at being loved so dearly by him. We had both given ourselves to each other completely. With perfect love and perfect trust, we belonged to one another.

The sky had begun to darken before we reluctantly pulled ourselves out of our little bubble and decided we should head back to the car. I was wrapped around Edward as he loped through the woods when my stomach growled loudly, even to my ears. His torso shook with laughter. "We still have a date tonight. You need to eat!" He called over his shoulder to me. I simply pressed my face into his neck and nodded.

We refused to stop touching. We held hands across the console the entire way to Port Angeles, as Edward insisted there was no place suitable in Forks for a first date. His arm wrapped possessively around my shoulders as the hostess greeted us. Edward was completely oblivious to her advances as she tried to catch his attention. He only had eyes for me. When the waitress came to take our order, I went with the first thing I saw on the menu – mushroom ravioli. Edward's lips and whispers against my skin distracted me too much to be able to concentrate on something as mundane as food. I couldn't tell you how the food tasted or what Edward had ordered. He fed me little bites from both our plates, but the only thing I was interested in tasting was him. It was a good thing he'd thought to ask for a more private table.

Next he took me to a little confectioners shop and I was literally like a kid in a candy store. They had every kind of candy imaginable and Edward smiled as he watched me. He insisted on buying me more sugar laden sweets than I knew what to do with. Every time I commented on how delicious something sounded, he got it. I learned quickly to keep my mouth shut, but we still ended up leaving the store with several pounds of candy. I indulged in a piece of peanut butter fudge as we walked to the car and stifled a moan as the chocolate melted on my tongue.

Both of us felt so carefree, it was as if nothing could bring us down.

We retreated back to my apartment, and of course Alice was there waiting for us. She was practically vibrating with excitement.

"Alice." Edward warned her, before she could launch herself at me. I smirked up at him and stepped forward, opening my arms. She was my best friend and I knew how much her brother's happiness meant to her. I could stand to let her shower us with congratulations – for a little while at least.

Sure enough, she blurred across the room into my arms and bounced on her toes as she hugged me. The squeal she let out left my ears ringing. Then she quickly moved on to her brother. He rolled his eyes as he hugged her, but I knew he was probably feeling as excited as she was, only he hid it better.

"Can we keep it just between us for now, Alice?" He asked her.

"Of course! I'm just so happy for you both. Of course I've seen this coming, just not this soon. For a little while there, it looked like you were going to say no, and that would have crushed him, Bella. But then you said just the right words to her...and oh my goodness, there's so much to plan!"

"Alice!" Edward and I both yelled at the same time, effectively shutting her up.

She stared at us with wide eyes before erupting into giggles. "Sorry! You just have no idea how long I've been waiting for this. To see you both so happy..." She gave us a watery smile. "I took the liberty of moving some more of your clothes and other things over here. You already practically live here, and I know now you're not going to want to leave her side unless absolutely necessary. You two have a good weekend, and I'll see you at school on Monday." Alice patted Edward on the cheek and looked at us both with a happy sigh, a look of pride shining in her eyes.

"See you Monday, Alice." Edward chuckled. I gave her another hug and then she left us in peace, the soft click of the door closing was the only sound.

When we finally made eye contact, I couldn't help but smile and hold out my hand for him to take. He quickly secured the door and then his hand was in mine as I led him back to the bedroom. We each took our turns in the bathroom changing and getting ready for bed. Then I was home as I snuggled into his chest with the covers cocooned softly around me, guarding me from his frigid body temperature. I longed for the day when that would no longer be an issue.

We laid in silence for a while, my hand resting on his chest as it rose and fell evenly with unnecessary breaths.

"Promise you won't ever leave me again, Bella." He murmured into my hair. I lifted my head in order to look at him, surprised by his sudden vulnerability.

"Never." I vowed.

"I thought I was doing the right thing, letting you go. I wanted you to have a chance at a normal human life and I knew if you stayed, that would never happen. It was one of the worst mistakes of my life." He told me with utmost sincerity. "You don't know how happy I am that you came back. I couldn't bear it if you left again."

"I'm afraid you're stuck with me now, Edward...for eternity." We both smiled at the thought.

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

~~**~~

Monday morning came too quickly, and Edward and I were loathe to pull ourselves away from our hideaway in order to face the purgatory that was high school. I truly didn't understand how the Cullen "children" could subject themselves to this kind of torture on a regular basis when they didn't have to. Surely there were a million other things beautiful, wealthy immortals could do with their lives. Don't get me wrong, I was grateful they did, because otherwise I wouldn't have them in my life. However, when the day came that I joined the family in eternity, Edward and I would be having a serious discussion about how we could better spend our endless years.

Edward and I were still flying high from our whirlwind engagement. It was so much more than that, and yet I couldn't find words to describe it. It was almost as if we fully recognized each other as mates. There was an acceptance there now, with no doubt, no fears, just complete contentment and acceptance that we belonged to each other.

I still didn't sleep well, my mind plagued with nightmares of both the human and supernatural kind. Of course I felt safer in Edward's arms, but the danger we were all in weighed heavily on my mind, and I couldn't expect to completely overcome what I had lived through in such a short time. Years of emotional trauma could not be wiped out in months, even if I had finally found my place in life and the love of my existence.

The students still stared at the freak who had been absorbed into the untouchable Cullen clan, wondering what mousy little me had that they didn't. Sneers and whispers followed us, and I was glad, for once, that I did not possess my vampire's sensitive hearing or ability to read minds. I'd happily stay unaware of what was actually being said, though I knew the gist of it. It was only when we passed Lauren Mallory that I felt Edward's body vibrate from a growl too low to be heard by human ears. However, she did seem to pale a bit when she saw the murderous glare directed at her. Once we had passed her, he leaned down to whisper in my ear. "Stay away from Lauren. If she tries to get you alone, you scream. Do you understand me?"

I rolled my eyes and nodded. Did he not realize I had a vindictive vampire hunting me? A mere human teenage girl wasn't exactly instilling fear in me. Lauren had it out for me from day one, and she'd done nothing. As far as I was concerned, she was all bark and no bite. Other than being the alpha female of the junior class, there wasn't anything she could do to me that I couldn't handle. Her snide comments were nothing more than words.

Classes continued as they always had, certain subjects capturing my attention more than others. I could see that I was mostly caught up and no longer stressed about passing for the year. My brain was fried, but I could do two more weeks. The summer loomed like a welcome oasis in a hot desert. Other than finally starting my job at Newton's, there would be nothing else to detract from my time with Edward, and the rest of the family. It would be nice to finally earn a paycheck. I hated feeling like I was taking advantage of my adoptive family, even if they assured me they had more money, and time, than they knew what to do with. It made them happy to care for me and make sure I could concentrate on my education. They ensured there would be plenty of time for work later in my life, if I so chose. With more than a century's worth of savings and investments, along with Alice's ability to predict trends in the stock market, they had enough money to support a small country for several years, if not more. While I understood all of this on a rational level, there was just a part of me that would always have problems with accepting money and gifts. It was just one of the ideals my father instilled in me from birth – chastity, charity, and humility – three of the seven virtues. Edward and I were still at an impasse over my car situation. I wanted my truck fixed and he insisted I needed a new vehicle. Not that I even needed a car. Edward simply drove me wherever I needed to go. He just wanted to spoil me. Maybe one day I would let him.

The weather was hot and muggy, the majority of students opting to remain indoors for lunch. The four of us didn't let it deter us from our usual picnic outside. After all, it's not like it would bother the three of them, they couldn't sweat, and Edward was my own personal air conditioning. Alice informed us there would be thunder storms tonight and that tomorrow would be sunny. Which meant I would be at school by myself.

"You could always stay home with me." Edward murmured suggestively in my ear. Though I'm sure he wouldn't mind the extra time with me, I knew the need to protect me was the main reason he brought it up.

"I can't miss any more school, Edward, you know that. Two more weeks and we'll have plenty of time together." I assured him.

"Not if you're working with Newton every day." He sneered. I bit back a chuckle at Edward's jealousy over Mike Newton. Apparently the boy had less than pure thoughts about me, but to my face he'd been nothing but kind. I was sure he and Jessica were perfectly happy and whatever thoughts Edward might have heard were merely the fleeting fantasies of a hormonal teenage boy.

"You know Carlisle will only let me work three days a week. There will be plenty of time for us."

"I know." He agreed reluctantly. Sometimes the intense need we had for each other could be suffocating. Not that I would change anything of course, but the depth of his feelings for me often took my breath away. With one smoldering glance I was rendered speechless. I'd seen similar exchanges between Alice and Jasper and assumed this was the norm between mated pairs. It was such a strong, intimate connection that no words could really describe it. Edward was so terrified something was going to take me away from him, and honestly I think it was that thought that convinced him I should eventually be changed. Naturally, I would be more durable in vampire form.

We hadn't told anyone about our engagement, and I wasn't sure when we would. There was no ring, and I didn't really care. We had pledged ourselves to each other and if we never had a real ceremony, it wouldn't make a difference in how I felt. We had discussed some details over the weekend. Edward wanted to marry as soon as possible, but the idea of being a married high school senior was hard to swallow. I thought the summer after our senior year would be a better time, and he eventually agreed. Alice had been not so subtle about leaving a stack of wedding magazines in my bedroom. They ended up under my bed. It just wasn't something I was ready to immerse myself in considering all the other things going on in my life at the moment.

The rest of the day passed quickly, though the last period of the day, gym, seemed to drag on forever. I ended up on the floor no less than three times and had elbowed one of my classmates in the eye. Coach Clapp should have learned by now that involving me in any team sports was not a good idea.

I walked out of the locker room with Alice to find Edward scowling at someone down the hall. It was Lauren. She must be having some really vile thoughts in order to get him so riled up. I never would understand it. How someone could be so mean to another person without any provocation was beyond me. Apparently, my presence was enough to cheer him up because he gave me a beautiful smile and greeted me with a searing kiss before taking my bag and escorting me out to his car. Alice and Jasper rode with Emmett regularly now since Edward basically lived with me.

"I'm going to cook dinner for you tonight." Edward informed me as I settled down at the kitchen table with my homework.

"You don't have to do that."

"I know, but I want to." He kissed me quickly on the side of my head before taking the seat across from me. We'd learned quickly that if we sat next to one another, very little studying got done.

My little apartment felt more like a home than any place I'd lived with my father. The atmosphere was warm and having someone there, who cared for me as Edward did, made all the difference. I'd always dreamed that one day I would have a happy life, and I was finally beginning to think that might just be a possibility. Maybe dreams really could come true, and I'd have my happily ever after.