A/N: A long chapter to make up for my absence ;) enjoy.

Disclaimer: The characters of Twilight are owned by Stephenie Meyer. The original content and ideas of this story are those of TheGirlNtheYellowShoes.

Closing Credits

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."

I awoke later to hushed voices and when I sat up I nearly fell off the bed from the rush to my head.

Edward's arms shot out and grabbed me. "Silly girl, you can't even sit up on a bed without being a threat to yourself." He chuckled.

I sighed.

"Yep, that sounds 'bout right," I heard Maggie say with a light laugh.

My eyes widened and I looked up to see her standing at the end of the bed, beside Carlisle and Mr. Thoroupe.

"Maggie," I breathed, steadying myself on the bed. A smile spread across my face and the three men laughed.

She walked over and sat beside me, "Hi Bella." She smiled too, "How are you feeling?"

I nodded, "I'm relatively calm... good, I guess." still smiling.

She chuckled, "Good, we've missed you at the house." I furrowed my brow at her.

"But it's only been..."

"Four days?... yeah... too long." she said cocking an eyebrow at me.

My face went white, I felt the color drain. How long had I slept?! When had I first woken up?!

"Relax dear, everything is fine. Be glad you slept through the drama of them finding the slaughter house." She raised her eyebrows as if she was trying to tell a spooky story. I felt myself involuntarily shudder. Edward's arm reaching out to touch my shoulder lightly. I turned to meet his eyes and they were so warm, calming me internally.

"Girl's... are you okay for a moment? We need to step out and talk." I looked up to meet eyes with Mr. Thoroupe, who looked thoroughly concerned.

I nodded.

"Sure dad, we'll be right here." She said sarcastically. I smiled, Maggie reminded me so much of Callie when we were 17. So mature for her age, yet so full of life. Maggie was a friend to everyone and so full of love and charisma. When she wasn't mothering me she was making me laugh so hard I'd actually cried a couple times.

The men left after a hesitant moment and disappeared down the hall. Maggie got up and tiptoed to the door, peaking out before closing it all the way. She walked over and opened the drapes to let in more sun and I squinted at the rush of light.

"What in the world happened?" She said rushing back to the bed and jumping on it to sit in front of me. It was clearly gossip time.

I shrugged. "I don't know exactly. Except that Edward saved me." I eyed her cautiously, not knowing how much she knew.

"They found three of the kings men in the woods, including Jameson. They said Edward found them all three slaughtered and you barely alive." I just listened to her and nodded.

"Well, then I guess that's what happened," I shrugged. "The last thing I remember was Jameson shoving me into a tree and ripping my dress."

She froze and stared at me, "Oh heaven's Annabella." She had a look of guilt on her face. "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have left you alone."

I shook my head quickly, making myself lightheaded. "No," I coughed out, "Don't say that. I'm glad you weren't there. I couldn't imagine having something happen to you too." I looked at her and grabbed her hand on the bed, "I'm fine and it's over." I nodded reassuringly.

She stared at me, "You're so strong." She didn't seem to understand, "To protect Isabella and risk getting yourself hurt." She sighed and looked at our hands.

"I'm going to miss you so much Bella," She said finally. I just nodded. Knowingly.

"I'm going to miss you too." I said a minute later.

We sat there in a long silence before she finally helped me to stand for the first time in days and helped me to dress in an outfit she'd brought. I noticed my things laying across a chair by the window. I started to speak, pointing in their direction...

"Dad brought it over. Everyone thinks it would be best if you stayed here until you left. After what happened with the kings men... They left this morning you know." She said before I'd began.

I just stared at my things on the chair.

"Everyone is coming over for dinner in an hour or so, some what of a farewell if you must."

I turned from the chair to look at her wondering when they were supposedly expecting to try to get me home and how. They had clearly been working on this for a few days. She summoned me to sit on a chair by the washbowl so she could run a brush through my hair.

"Why is this going about so quickly now?" I asked.

Maggie sighed, "King Henry didn't understand what it was about you that made his men so interested." I froze at her words. "Dad's afraid he may summon you to court if we don't get you out of here." She finished brushing my hair as I just stared at her through the mirror. He would try to take me? I felt my stomach twist into knots. I had no interest in "bedding" Mr Tudor and even less interest in losing my head, though it seemed like the easy way out of a forced life on the court. I quite like my head on my shoulders where it belongs. I'd leave kissing the chopping block to Anne.

After we were done getting ready we sat by the window and I stared out onto the lawn. There had been such a turn in the situation and I felt so lost, so helpless and I was actually sad to have to leave.

A light knock at the door brought me out of my trance and I turned just in time to see Maggie open the door and come face to face with Edward. She smiled at him and looked at me, "See you downstairs," She raised her eyebrows before slipping behind him.

I just stared in his general direction.

"I'm sorry, I should have told you myself." He said after a moment and I had to wonder again if he could read my mind or something, considering he always seemed to know things. Then I wondered if perhaps he just had phenomenal hearing like in the books. Curse stupid knowing books... or my extensive imagination... which ever comes first I guess.

I half nodded half shook my head. "It's fine. I understand." I said, turning back to stare out the window.

"You do that a lot you know." He said walking over to me, putting a hand around my waist.

"Do what?"

"Stare into the distance as if you're missing something."

I sighed and turned around to face him, "I'm actually thinking about what I will be missing in about 12 hours." I smiled at him sadly.

The turn of events between us had shifted so quickly. I didn't know exactly how he felt about me and I wasn't even sure how I felt about him either. All I knew was it was killing me that I didn't have the time to find out.

He pulled me close to him with his one arm, cautious against my ribs and brought his other hand up to my chin, bring his face down to meet mine. His lips grazed my cheek as he closed his eyes, my own fluttering shut as his lips grazed mine and he took my top lip into his mouth. He kissed me for a long minute before pulling away, yet again leaving me breathless. He stood with a proud grin plastered across his face before his gaze shifted to the window.

I turned to see Isabella skipping ahead of her mother up the road.

"That little girl is so excited to see you," He said smiling and shaking his head in disbelief.

I watched her careless form as it waltzed up the road to the manor, a smile spreading across my face. I'd learn to love this little girl as if she were my own. It was almost impossible not to.

"It's going to break her little heart when you're gone," He sighed after a short silence.

My smile instantly subsided and I felt my eyes fill with tears at his words and the thought of Isabella once I was gone. I would miss her just as much...

"Don't worry my Bella," He said pulling me closer to him and wrapping his arms around my waist. "I'll make sure she is safe and well taken care of," he whispered into my neck before his lips met my skin. I felt my knees go weak as my head rolled back to meet his shoulder behind me. He held me up and smiled against my skin.

"I love that I have that affect on you." He breathed. I tilted my head towards his and he brought his lips away from my neck, shifting my body slightly to look at my face. I looked at him longingly. I wanted him. I only hoped he wanted me just as badly. "Not now." He whispered after a moment as a small smile twitched on his lips.

We gazed at each other for a long time as thousands of unspoken words shifted back and forth between us. "Come, we shouldn't keep Isabella waiting," He said eventually, smiling and leading me towards the door.

When I reached the stairs I just looked at them. My body was still extremely achy and I was unsure if I'd make it down them. Edward saw the contemplation on my face before picking me up and carrying me down.

"Thank you," I whispered into his neck just before he sat me down. A crooked grin danced across his face and I felt my heart flutter, like a new butterfly that had yet to find it's rhythm. He cut his eyes at me and raised his eyebrows in surprised. I blushed. Stupid - vampire - freebies.

We walked into the living area and a huge shriek came from the couch. "BELLLA!!!"

I laughed and looked over to see Isabella spring up and rush towards me, she hit me at such a force it rocked me backwards and I winced in pain. Edward grabbed my waist to steady me, eyeing the little girl in irritation. I rolled my eyes and laughed before picking her up and setting her on the opposite hip from my broken ribs.

"Hi Darling," I said when her face was even with mine.

"Is that such a good idea?" Mrs. Thoroupe asked, looking surprised.

Isabella and I both looked over at her and I nodded. "I'm okay." I said smiling.

She relaxed and nodded in return, "It's good to see you well, Annabelle."

"Thank you." She was the only one that didn't call me Bella, but I'd become accustom to her Annabelle... It was what my mother used to call me.

Isabella wasted no time going on a tangent about her day and how she'd gone to the market. We all stared in disbelief as this little tiny child's voice filled the room with barely enough room for a breath here and there. Everyone sat back down as I carried her over to the end of the couch listening with content and giving her an occasional face of surprise at her comments about things that had happened, but ten minutes later the conversation shifted.

"Bella, where have you been? I have been so bored without you..." Isabella started rambling, everyone began to laugh, "well... accept for the visit from Lana, but..." My eyes snapped back in her direction widening in horror and I nearly dropped her as my knees went weak. Everyone stared in shock.

"Who's Lana?" Maggie said after an awkward moment, furrowing her brow in confusion. I inhaled a jagged breath staring at Isabella as she looked back at me, cautiously, as if she knew.

"Maybe you should put her down for a moment." Edward said eyeing me worriedly.

I walked over and sat in a chair, placing her on my lap, looking intently at her as Dr Cullen walked into the room and stood observing what was going on.

"Isabella... where did you see... Lana?" I asked, my voice cracking on her name.

She smiled up at me, "I saw her in the garden, where we always play. She told me to tell you to stop being so stubborn all the time. I don't know what that means, of course. But I told her I would tell you." I felt my eyes begin to fill with tears and Isabella's smile fell.

"Is that mean?" She asked, confused.

"No darling." I paused, "Have you seen her before?" I was frightened and also confused, myself.

She nodded, furrowing her brow. "I saw her the night you fell from the sky," She said looking up at me with an innocent expression. Before her eyes widened at her comment and she looked around the room worried she might be in trouble over saying that in front of company.

I felt myself begin to shake.

"Did she...... Did she say anything to you then?"

She nodded excitedly, "She told me someone special was coming to visit and..." She stopped.

"And what little Bella?" I whispered. She looked at me surprised before a huge smile washed over her face, obviously pleased by my words.

"She said to tell you that your heart locket is under a board at the foot of her bed." She shrugged. "And to tell you she's sorry she took it, but she really did mean to give it back to you before the trip to California."

My mouth fell opened and I gaped at her. After a moment she was out of my arms and I was staring at where she had been sitting. The room was all too silent, accept for a lone sobbed that escaped my chest. I looked up to meet 7 confused sets of eyes and one pair of eyes that were knowingly sad.

"I'm so confused, who is Lana? And what is California?" Maggie asked again shaking her head looking between Dr Cullen's arms, where Isabella was now cradled, and me.

I looked at her, not knowing how to answer, before a little voice said, "That's Bella's sister."

"What?" Maggie asked in surprised.

There was a long silence as everyone waited for a response. I looked up to meet her eyes finally before I choked out, "My dead sister," bringing my hand up to my mouth and clasping it over it.

7 pairs of eyes turned to shock before I fled the room and broke through the back door of the house out into the yard. I felt my knees go weak and I stumbled to the ground. I stared down at a lone flower starting to bloom. I thought I might be sick as I started to gag, but then I realized I'd had nothing of real substance for days so there was no point.

"Bella?" I heard after a moment. Dr Cullen knelt beside me and I looked up at him.

"I'm so sorry. I... " I shook my head. "I had to get out of there."

He nodded. "I understand."

He eyed me cautiously, "if you don't want to do din..."

"No," I cut him off panicking. I had already grown so weak since I'd been here, physically and mentally. I had to force myself through this. Especially if I'd have to go back to a world where I'd have to do it regardless. "I'll be fine. I just need a moment." I assured him.

He furrowed his brow looking at me intently. "Okay." He said after a couple of minutes before getting up.

I went to stand after him and he helped me to my feet. I brushed my dress off before turning back towards the house. I thought about the confused little girl sitting inside probably horrified about what had just happened and my heart broke. I took a deep breath in, ignoring the pain and walked in ahead of Dr. Cullen.

When I rounded the corner into the living area everyone was standing around Isabella. I walked over to her and peaked around Mr. Thoroupe.

She met my eyes immediately, her face red and stained. I smiled at her lightly. "My little Bella, don't cry." I whispered as everyone moved and I went to knell in front of her on the couch.

"I.."

"You have nothing to apologize for, " I cut her off and whipped away her tears with my hands. "I'm a little hungry, how about you?" I smiled at her again.

This time she smiled too and nodded as I held out my hands, picking her up again. She laid her head on my shoulder once in my arms, "I'm going to miss you when you're gone Bella."

"I'm going to miss you too, but you know, we're all linked by this." I said putting my hand over her heart, "and you will always be in my heart." She smiled before lifting her head. In that moment I realized just how much I had changed in the past three weeks.

"And at least Lana can come visit you," I said before heading into the dinning room, my eye catching Edward's as I walked passed him.

Dinner was relatively quiet to start off with, but once everyone was comfortable again the conversation flowed. Adam and Maggie kept reminiscing about the past three weeks and all that had happened. Isabella occasionally mumbled to herself and I wondered if maybe she was talking to someone we couldn't see.

Edward sat beside me and half way through the dinner he took my hand under the table, calming my nerves.

Once it was over we said our goodnights, in hopes of seeing each other one last time in the morning. I had learned how Dr Cullen and Mr. Thoroupe were going to try to get me home and after having already been out to the area myself, even if it was a feeble attempt, I didn't know if this was going to work.

It still felt as if everything was moving so quickly. I felt like I was nearing the closing credits to my life's movie. I was trying to draw it out as long as possible, but more than 2.5 hours leaves nothing to the imagination apparently. And in my world, you definitely needed one.

After I'd gotten ready for bed there was a knock at my door and Edward peaked around it. I smiled at him as I crawled under the covers and he walked in, closing the door behind him. He came over to the bed, taking off his coat and shoes before also slipping out of his shirt.

I gaped. His physique was dreamy. I felt my cheeks burn and when I finally looked up to meet his face he was glowing at me. He raised an eyebrow and lowered it quickly and I blushed even more.

"Oh Bella," He laughed before crawling under the covers next to me. He pulled me close to him, breathing in my scent and I baked in the sunshine of it all.

It felt good to be wanted like this, by a man. Jake had never wanted me this way, he'd never loved me this way. A small part of me also knew that this probably wasn't real either. A figment of my imagination, but for the moment I yet again did not care.

His hands roamed my body and his eyes grew in surprise when he realized my nightgown was pushed up my thigh. His hand grazed the skin where the bundle of fabric was and I gasped. He smiled and ran his hand along that line until it came to rest at the back of my thigh, he inched the fabric up even more before grabbing my leg just below my butt and sliding his hand back down, pulling my leg up and over his hip in the process. His cool hand made my skin burn as the rest of my body grew ecstatic at his touch. I groaned and leaned back towards the bed causing him to roll slightly to keep his body close to mine.

I closed my eyes as his nose touched my jawline and traced it up to my ear lobe before I took a jagged breath in. I felt that crooked grin grace his lips against my ear and it made my knees go weak even though I was already lying down.

"You are so beautiful," He whispered. My eyes shot open and I didn't have to roam far to meet his gaze.

"you are," he whispered his nose grazing my own.

"No... you are." I whispered back before my hands finally came up to caress his chest. He moaned against my touch and his head lolled for a moment before it came back to my face and his lips touched mine. I inhaled again taking in the lilac and honey before pulling his lip back into my mouth for the second time. He rolled atop me, moving between my legs and holding himself up over me, his hand making its way back up the back of my leg, stopping once at my calve and once on my thigh before he plunged it under my night gown and caressed my bottom. He pulled me up towards him and I felt him at my middle. I gasped arching my back into his chest as my hands went up to meet his hair, trying to push him closer to me. His tongue came out to meet my own in one instant and we both moaned again before he pulled away.

I didn't fight it. I just collapsed onto the bed gasping for air, ignoring the pain in my side as he rolled over beside me. "You're going to destroy me." He breathed.

I smiled at the thought that was impossible and turned to look at him. He gazed back at me, his green eyes piercing right through my soul.

"I want you.... I want all of you." I blurted out suddenly. He froze. His eyes widening before he groaned and leaned back into the bed staring at the ceiling. I furrowed my brow, not understanding what I had done, what I had said. I'd ruined it when the realization of what I had said sunk in.

I started to sit up, propping myself up on my elbows when he rolled over on his side and propped himself up beside me, "where are you going?" He looked half panicked, touching his hand to my waist.

"No where," I whispered. I was so confused.

"Bella..." He sighed and brought his hand up to my face, tracing from my healing wound down my temple, across my cheek and bringing his hand to rest on my lips. "I can't." He said simply.

I felt my mask come up for the first time since I'd come to the God forsaken place. I could feel my face go blank and I could see the concern on his face when it changed.

"It's not what you think." He said, putting his hand to my cheek. "I would love that.... more than anything... but... I can't because I might hurt you."

I just stared, all of a sudden I was even more confused than before. I broke my gaze with him to look down towards the fire thinking. What had I missed? That's when it hit me.

Strength.

I turned back to look at him, the understanding showing in my eyes. I was hoping it was showing more than the pain. I nodded lying back down on the bed.

He pulled me into him and caressed me lightly, obviously feeling defeat and disappointment, much like myself.

I felt myself start to doze off, not wanting to because of what little time we had, but knowing I couldn't seem to fight the forces of nature around Edward.

"Maybe one day my Bella... Maybe one day." He whispered as I slipped into unconsciousness.