Previously…

He smiled at me and took his phone out of his pocket. "Say cheese."

"Say what? Oh." I smiled when he held his phone up to take a photo and waited as he snapped a picture. Then I shuffled round to his side to look at the photo. He exited the screen and tossed the phone to me.

"I'm going to get the pizza," he said as he walked off.

I rolled my eyes and navigated carefully through the various apps he had on his phone. I had stolen this thing a lot so I knew what I was doing and it didn't take me long to find the most recent photo he had taken. I opened it and blinked at the picture of me on the screen. I wore my traditional cheesy grin, my eyes curious and my head cocked to the side like a puppy. Then, I zoomed into my forehead and read what Edward had written there in black marker pen: Property of Edward Cullen.

I smiled and shook my head, before sending it to my own phone and then setting it as Edward's screensaver.

****

Well I was sixteen when suddenly

I wasn't that little girl you used to see

But your eyes still shined like pretty lights

And our Daddies used to joke about the two of us

They never believed we'd really fall in love

And our Mammas smiled and rolled their eyes

And said 'oh, my, my, my'

-Mary's Song (Oh My My My), Taylor Swift

Foundation of Memories

Chapter 4- Seal of a Promise

Bella POV

A while later, Edward and I lay in each other's arms as the sun started to sink behind the horizon. We had finished the pizza a while ago – all except for the olive; both of us thought that the olives were secretly slugs – and were now playing I Spy while gradually eating away our midnight supplies. What? Midnight was only… four and a half hours away… "I spy with my little eye…" I started, looking around, "something beginning with… t."

"Tree?" Edward asked boredly.

"Yay! Well done. Your turn." I giggled.

"I spy with my little eye something beginning with… t. Don't think too hard about this one."

"Tree?"

"Woo hoo, point to Bella," Edward said without enthusiasm, which just made it even more funny.

I laughed. "I spy with my little eye something beginning with t?"

"Tree?"

"No! Turtle! I win." I poked my tongue out at him childishly.

He looked at me. "Bella. Where are you seeing this turtle?"

I pressed his nose like a button. "You're a turtle!"

"Jeez, I think Emmett drugged our pizza. You're not usually this high on deep pan cheese and hunks of meat."

I took a deep breath in an attempt to calm myself down. "Maybe I just like being with you?"

A wide smile lit his face up. He wiped it off pretty quickly and then said, "I spy with my little eye…"

"Something beginning with t?" I finished for him.

"Mmm… Let's play something else?" he suggested.

I rolled my eyes and gestured pointedly to the lack of things to do around us. "Like what? Tag?"

"Truth or dare?"

I pouted. "Last time we played that you made me drink straight vinegar," I pointed out.

"There isn't any vinegar about at the moment," he shot back.

"Why don't we just… talk?" I sighed.

"About what?"

I rolled my eyes. "Anything. We're best friends, we're supposed to be able to talk and… stuff."

"And stuff?" Edward repeated. "That sounds… vague."

I shoved him gently. "You know what I mean."

Edward smirked. "No I don't." He smiled gently when he saw on my face that I was serious. "Okay. Let's talk."

I threaded our fingers together, and realised that I didn't really have anything to say. I sighed and rested my head on his shoulder. "Maybe… maybe we should go back to I-spy?" I suggested.

Edward didn't reply so I looked up at his face to see him deep in thought. "What's the matter?" I asked.

Edward rolled away slightly and left a long silence before answering. "Look, Bella, there's something I should tell you."

I edged closer to him and took his hand in mine. "What? What is it?"

He looked into my eyes. "No matter what, we're still friends, right?"

"Forever," I vowed, even though the word 'friends' didn't seem like enough to me.

He took a deep breath and blew it out through his teeth, turning round to face me. Suddenly I realised how truly important whatever he was about to say was to him.

I put my palm on his cheek and looked at him seriously. "What's wrong Edward? I thought we didn't have any secrets?" Huh. Hypocrite.

"Nothing's wrong," he assured me. "It's just…" He sighed. "I really like you, Bella. As… as more than a friend." He ducked his head, as though he were admitting some kind of terrible weakness.

I felt my heart race and my hand slipped from his face to take his hand in mine. "I…" I started.

"I'm not finished," he cut me off, still without looking at me. "Since I'm telling you this, I may well get everything out in the open." He finally met my eyes and then he said, slowly and surely, "Bella, I'm in love with you." He cupped my face in his hands. "I love you; and I have for years. That's why I kissed you. That and the fact that I cannot bear it any more. Being so close to you but… distant at the same time. I know that you probably don't feel the same way so I can stick being friends. I just wanted to get it out there. Because I need you, Bella. I love you."

For a long time, I was speechless. I stared blankly into his eyes and his beautiful green orbs searched mine for the answer to an unasked question. When he realised that I wasn't going to react to his words, though, he smiled uncertainly and said, "So… I-spy?"

I blinked once and then launched myself on to his lap, pressing my lips against his. I let my hands leak into his hair and kissed him passionately, sweeping my tongue over his shocked bottom lip, pleading for entrance. I rubbed circles on his cheek, trying to coax him into relaxing and responding. He moaned and unfroze, moving his lips back against mine and pulling me closer while simultaneously lying back down again.

"I thought I was the only one," I breathed when I finally pulled my mouth from his. "God, why didn't you tell me?!" I pressed myself closer to him. "I love you too. I love you so much."

"Really?" He sounded disbelieving.

"Of course," I whispered. "Why else would I put up with all of your crap?"

He chuckled lightly and then ran the pad of his index finger across my forehead.

"I think I'll get it tattooed on," I mused.

"It is permanent marker," Edward admitted like a guilty child.

I giggled and lifted my chin so that I could kiss him again. This kiss was different from the previous few we had shared. It was short and sweet, but it spoke volumes; it told me how much he wanted this and, in return, I told him how much I wanted him. It was the first moment in my life that had been perfection.

"I love you," I breathed when I pulled away, just because I could.

He grinned and shut his eyes blissfully, touching his forehead to mine. "I love you too. Best V-day ever?"

"Best day ever," I said. "Period."

Edward opened his eyes again and looked at me adoringly. "What else have you been hiding from me?"

I shook my head and stroked my finger down his face. "Nothing. I couldn't hide anything from you."

He quirked a brow. "You hid that secret pet worm from me in third grade."

I groaned, embarrassed. "You still remember that?!"

"Uh-huh."

"But Roger was supposed to be your birthday present that year! I couldn't just tell you about your present!"

Edward chuckled and then sighed wistfully. "It's a shame you killed him. A pet worm called Roger is every third-grader's dream present."

"I didn't kill him," I defended myself indignantly. "Mum killed him." I frowned as I remembered my Mum sucking Roger into the vacuum-cleaner as she lectured me on how unhygienic it was to keep a worm under my bed.

"It's the thought that counts, I guess." He rolled off of me then, and I felt lost when his body was gone from mine. "That reminds me…"

I sat up and watched as he hunted through the bag. "What?"

"I got you a present," he admitted as he searched.

I felt the disapproval look seep on to my face. It was in my tone, too, when I started to reprimand him, "Edward…"

He turned and rolled his eyes at me to shut me up.

I sighed and clamped my mouth shut as he continued to look. Eventually, he made a little 'ah hah!' noise and turned back to me with a little box in his hand. I eyed it warily. "I hope you didn't spend much money."

He sat opposite me and took my hands in his spare one. "I wanted to make this special. Really special. So… I asked Alice what kind of gift was good for girls. She said that it's more the thought that counts." He blew out a deep breath and pressed the box into my palm. "So I thought a lot and I decided to give you something… meaningful. It's not just jewellery, Bella," he murmured, and then he let go of my hand, chewing nervously on his lip.

I bit down on my own bottom lip and pinched the sides of the box together and nervously opened it. I looked down at the jewellery inside and felt a gasp pass through my lips. It was a necklace, with a simple silver chain. From the chain hung a beautiful heart-shaped crystal pendant. It was cut into a million facets and threw rainbows even in the dim light from the almost-invisible sunset. I inhaled in a low gasp. For a long moment, all I could think was: he has to take it back- it's far too much. But then I remembered what he had said: It's not just jewellery, Bella. As the truth dawned on me I looked up at his face, feeling a tear slide down my cheek. I opened my mouth to speak, but I couldn't find the words. So I swallowed and then whispered, "You're giving me your heart?"

He nodded slowly, his eyes connecting with mine. "You've had it for years now; you stole it when we were twelve. But I wanted to give it to you as well."

I was speechless as tears leaked from my eyes.

He took the necklace from my hand, linking it carefully around my neck. Then he looked back at my face. "Don't cry," he said softly, wiping the pads of his thumbs under my eyes and catching the tears.

"I… don't know what to say…" I said hoarsely.

Edward's lips parted slightly as his eyes wandered down to mine. Then he said, just as softly, "Say you'll be mine forever."

"I will," I vowed. "Forever, and ever, and ever-" I had intended to continue until I ran out of breath, but he cut me off by pressing his lips to mine; the seal of the promise of our forever. As we kissed, I felt a fresh water drop fall on my face and mingle with my salty tears. I didn't care. The rain wouldn't ruin our special moment.

By the time we pulled apart, both breathing heavily, the few raindrops had turned into a heavy shower. Edward groaned as he pressed his forehead to mine. "Great," he muttered. "Just perfect."

I giggled. "It doesn't matter. Did you think we were gonna get a whole night without rain? Not in Forks, Edward."

He smiled at me. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For being so damned perfect." He kissed me again, short this time. "I love you."

I beamed; those words made my chest swell with happiness. How on earth had I been so lucky to get him? And keep him for forever? "I love you."

Edward's smile got bigger and then he lifted his eyes to the sky. "Look," he said, taking my hand in his as he pushed away from me slightly. He lifted our hands to the sky and used my finger to trace the dim rainbow that fractured the pink sky.

I smiled. "I remember when you used to tell me that the sky went pink because it was blushing."

"I remember when you used to buy that shit," Edward laughed, shaking the rain from his hair.

I looked up at him. "I believed everything you told me."

"I know."

We were both silent for a long moment, and Edward brought our hands down. He broke the peace first. "Do you remember the first night I came into your room at night? And you thought I was a burglar?"

I smiled and nodded. We were fourteen at the time, and my first long-term boyfriend, James, had just broken up with me; by text and everything. I looked up at him. "You held me all night while I cried."

"I have a confession," he said in a small voice.

"Which is?"

"That wasn't the first time," he admitted.

I blinked, surprised. "It wasn't?"

Edward shook his head. "I used to watch you sleep all the time. If you left your window open I would sneak in and sit on the chair by your window. Sometimes for hours at a time." He looked down at our linked hands, a hint of pink on his cheeks. "I used to imagine how I would tell you… how I felt. I promised myself every night that I would tell you the very next day. But I never did. I told Emmett every day though." The corners of his mouth lifted. "God, he got annoyed with me. He came close to telling you himself."

I smiled. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I couldn't tell you before," he explained as though it should be the simplest thing in the world. "But I sure wish I had."

I lifted his hand to my mouth and kissed his palm. "Me too." Then, I shivered in his arms.

He looked down at me, concerned. "Maybe we should go sit in the car? At least until the rain goes?"

I shook my head stubbornly. "I don't want to."

"Bella, it's getting dark, and late and cold. I don't want you catching anything because of me."

I rolled my eyes at his concern. "I'm fine."

Edward smirked at me then, and I saw the familiar glint of mischief in his eyes.

"What are you planning?" I asked in my best 'whatever it is, don't do it' tone.

He did it anyway. He got to his feet, lifting me easily in his arms.

"Edward!" I shrieked. "Put me down! Now!"

"I'm taking you to the car."

I sighed. "Look, I'll go to the bloody car if that's what makes you happy! Just please put me down!"

He grinned and put my feet back on the ground, placated now that he had gotten what he wanted. "Come on then."

I glanced back at the meadow, which was hidden by a few trees. "What about the stuff?"

Edward shrugged. "We ate most of the food and the lid's on the hamper now. Besides, I've got all I want to take." He winked at me.

I rolled my eyes and reluctantly followed him back to the car. "That was so cheesy, you know," I said.

He caught me as I stumbled over a tree-root. "Nothing but the truth babe."

I pulled a face. "Don't call me babe. It's so…" I searched for the right word.

"Common?" Edward suggested.

"Yeah."

"What can I call you?"

I thought for a moment. "You think of something."

"Baby?" he said and I shook my head. "No… Sweetheart?" He laughed as I pulled a face. "Guess not. Cutie pie? Hey! You don't have to push me! Darling?"

I laughed. "That is so old-married-couple."

"Will you settle for anything?" he asked as his car came into view.

I shook my head. Then, as Edward opened my door for me, I pursed my lips. "Actually… how about Bella?"

"Bella?" He quirked a brow at me playfully. Then, he glanced over my shoulder and his eyes widened.

Instinctively, I glanced over my shoulder as well, in time to see a van speeding right at us. It took less than a second to register in my head that the van was going to collide with Edward's car… and I was standing right in between them. I drew in a shocked breath, frozen to the spot with fear. Then it all happened so fast.

I felt someone pull me from behind; Edward. He threw me at the forest and I hit a tree trunk with such force that I was winded. But that wasn't what was at the front of my mind. As my breath whooshed out of my chest, there was an ear-splitting screech and a loud crash.

I pulled myself to my feet, ignoring the stinging pain in my wrist, and looked back with wide eyes. I instantly wished I hadn't. Edward had dived into the passenger seat of his Volvo to avoid being caught between the two vehicles, but the van had gone into the side of the car at such a high speed that the Volvo had been pushed up against a tree and almost completely crushed.

I heard myself scream his name but I wasn't conscious of doing it. I ran over to the other side and tried desperately to pull the door open but it was stuck, as was the door behind it.

As I hauled at the wreckage, the numbness slowly faded away and realisation set in as sobs shook my body and Edward's name fell repetitively from my lips. I suddenly felt very sick, but I didn't let it stop me. I grabbed a tree branch from the ground and smashed the window, climbing inside and ignoring the way the broken glass cut at me.

"Edward," I rasped over and over, crawling to his body and shaking it. Tears streamed down my face as I tried to wake him. With shaking hands, I reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, calling 911.

I have no idea how I managed to splutter what had happened and where we were, but I did. Then, I sat with Edward, the rusty smell of blood turning my stomach even more so as I held his wrist in my hand, my sanity hanging solely on the slow, weak pulse that ran through his veins.

~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X

Hi guys! I am so sorry it took me so long to update but you would not believe how unbearably difficult this chapter was to write! I had five pages written but I hated all of it so I deleted it and started from scratch and changed everything and I'm still not thoroughly impressed with it. Haha it's the grudge thing again ;)

The good news is that I do kind of know where I'm going with this now… so there should be more frequent updates :D If you doubt me because of my awful updating as of late, then just check out the A/Ns at this stage in any story I've written. At around about chapter 3/4 I always get stuck. I abandoned THWTLAL for a while at this stage and VTN as well… I guess it just takes a while for it to fit together in my head :)

Now… if you're a reader of any of my other stories then you'll already know this but I'm going to tell you again.

I'm running some more awards at my awards site and nominations are now open! So please go to twilightallhumanawards(DOT)webs(DOT)com and nominate your favourite fanfictions; I really need some more nominations to make this a worthwhile competition. I would be very grateful to anyone who mentions it in A/Ns etc as well (hint, hint) ;) lol Thank you all so much :)

And that's all I have to say for now, I think… I'm going to go and update VTN now. Yes, that's right- a double update!!!! :O this is very rare for me :L

So… I really hope you liked this chapter (though maybe not the end…) because it is the biggie and it was hard and I needed to do it justice :L

Please tell me your thoughts? :)

Thank you so much for sticking with me

Steph