Author's Note

Please forgive any spelling and/or grammar errors. I hope you enjoy it, please let me know what you think!

So I've always sort of felt Edward's theme song is Half a Man by Dean Lewis. If you've not heard it, give it a listen, because I feel like it explains why he and Bella can't ever work. I played that song on repeat for this chapter.

I know everyone wants/expects Bella to go after Edward, but honestly, that's just way too out of character for her to do. If he'd come back during her newborn year when her temper was still a bit of an issue – then yes, definitely. But not at this point. Hopefully, you still enjoy how it progresses.

Also, much is left unsaid and not discussed between Edward and Bella here. They will talk more later, but only once the wounds aren't so fresh and festering. Besides, she has other things on her mind by the end of this chapter.

PS I'm not Stephenie Meyer, so I don't own anything :(

Ch 8

The urge to flee was nearly all consuming. Only the shock of conflicting emotions held her in place. But it kept her still long enough for Edward to continue, yelling, "You ruined her soul – you destroyed it!"

Her soul?

That's what he was complaining about?

Her ire was mollified just the tiniest bit. Barely. But enough for her to remain outside. Obviously, she was going to be the topic of conversation, and there was no way she wasn't going to be included in the discussion. Besides, she was still herself, so clearly her soul was just fine.

"It was the only way to save her. Go on, see for yourself," Jazz ordered stiffly. Never had Bella ever heard him sound so disappointed or affronted.

She watched as an array of emotions crossed Edward's face and wondered what all Jazz was mentally telling him. Probably, it was a carefully edited version, given his recent desire not to hurt his brother. Though after that comment from Edward…

Finally, after nearly a minute, Edward turned to Bella again, contrition painted across his face in giant, impossible to miss, streaks.

"Bella," he breathed, her name a benediction. The reverent tone shook her to the core, but didn't entirely eliminate the lingering hurt and annoyance caused by his immediate reaction or his prolonged absence.

She waited, wondering precisely what he had to say for himself, and thinking it had better be good. But he paused, not saying more. Then a frown flashed across his face, and the strange pause continued.

Alice's face scrunched and she growled in annoyance, her eyes distant even as she interacted with her brother.

"Stop it, Edward," Alice demanded, stomping her foot dramatically. Bella glanced from Alice to Edward and suddenly knew exactly what was happening. "I warned you," Alice added, shaking her head.

Emmett abruptly laughed, breaking the mounting tension as the booming echoes of his mirth filled the air. "You can't use Alice to find the best thing to say anymore, Eddie-boy. Bella will pick up on it when you try," he announced, having deciphered the situation as well and having no qualms about sharing the problem with everyone.

"Are you trying to manage me?" Bella asked quietly, anger making it difficult to form the words. How often had he done that in the past? Used Alice's gift to say just the right thing instead of being honest with her. Was it all a lie?

"No! I just don't want to hurt you worse than I already have," Edward quickly denied, moving to kneel before her in a flash. His hands caught hers up as though they were the most delicate glass, and he cradled them gingerly, so lightly she could barely feel his touch, as he frankly admitted, "I don't know how to do any of this. I should have been here, but I didn't know. I don't want to mess it up worse."

"Then try being honest," she instructed sharply.

"What do you mean she doesn't remember me?" Edward suddenly asked, dismay contorting his features as his head snapped round to stare at Jazz.

Jazz remained silent, but looked pointedly at Bella. Probably, he was instructing his brother to ask her directly. At least that was what had better be going through his mind.

Edward carefully withdrew one of his hands to rub his forehead in a way that suggested he was experiencing one hell of a headache.

Good. She was annoyed enough to wish that on him.

"Bella, can we talk…alone?" he requested, ochre eyes pleading with her to give him a chance to explain without all of the distractions and comments from their audience.

Bella debated saying no, but honestly she wanted answers. There was so much he needed to account for.

Besides, she couldn't truly sort her heart out until this happened.

"Yes," she said, standing swiftly.

They walked side-by-side for some ways. The pace was frustratingly slow, but every time she picked up the pace, Edward's hands would instantly shoot out as though to steady her. Did he honestly believe she was going to trip? As if she even could now!

"I'm sorry," he said suddenly, coming to a stop. Bella guessed they'd finally reached the point where he could no longer hear his siblings' thoughts.

"For what?" she asked, feeling a prickling trepidation skirt down her spine signaling that his apology was not going to be for the right thing.

"That this happened to you," he replied, remorse dense enough to suffocate her – if she'd still needed to breathe.

"You're sorry about the wrong thing," she stated flatly, crossing her arms. They felt like a shield capable of protecting her against whatever unwanted words would next spill from his lips.

"Yes, I usually am where you're concerned," he said gravely.

Weird.

"I wish you had been given the opportunity to live the life you wanted for yourself," he continued, determined to explain his comment.

"I am, and I was – at least until you left," Bella said bitterly. Why was wanting this life such a bad thing? Why couldn't he simply be happy that they could really be together, and that it could last forever?

"Maybe you don't remember, I was well informed that you don't, but that's not quite true," Edward claimed. When he noticed she was about to argue, he acknowledged, "You wanted to be one of us, and I discounted your desire."

At least he was owning up to making high-handed decisions and not letting her decide her own fate. That had to mean something.

"My soul is just fine, Edward," she insisted, huffing a bit that he would ever doubt the fact or come up with such an absurd notion – particularly one that he would let dictate his actions and jeopardize his chance at happiness.

Shockingly, Edward nodded, accepting her statement.

"I still love you," he said plainly, a wealth of emotion visible on his face. Bella swallowed, suddenly uncomfortable by the sight of it. "I never stopped."

"You left," she whispered, unable to reconcile the opposing thoughts and acts. They seemed too much a contradiction, and one she was beginning to think she might not ever be able to get past. Not now that she'd stopped defining her happiness around Edward's presence in her life.

"I didn't want to risk another accident where you were hurt again, only next time it wasn't just a cut," Edward said imploringly, taking her hands once more. Again, she could barely detect the pressure of his fingers. They held no more substance than a feather. "I thought by leaving, by sacrificing my own happiness, I was proving my love for you."

"I…."

Did she love him still?

His arrival had reminded her that she had. With her entire heart even. But she wasn't the same person. He'd been gone from her life for over a year, and so much had happened. Maybe if he'd never gone and turned her when she'd wanted, nothing would have changed, but he'd made a different decision.

And now here they were.

"We can take things slowly, ease back into it," Edward suggested hopefully, as though recognizing her hesitation. "I know I have a lot of making up to do. Just give me a chance to atone. Please, Bella."

"I need some time to think. Besides, Carlisle and Esme would probably like to see you," Bella said, trying for time. It didn't matter that she'd been anticipating his return for months and months. Having him actually here was confusing.

Pain wrinkled Edward's forehead as his head dropped forward in resignation and his eyes closed. But he nodded acceptance, as though he didn't really expect forgiveness from her.

The act brought forth fresh memories. Times when Edward described himself as a monster, and Bella insisted he didn't see himself clearly. She didn't think she'd ever realized it before, but Edward hated himself. Truly despised what he was. Much as Rose did. And Bella had worked very hard to convince him that he was wrong. But how could he believe her when he was already convinced of the alternative?

That struggle had taken up a significant portion of their relationship. What else was left when that was eliminated?

"I truly am sorry, Bella," Edward repeated, bringing her hands to his mouth and brushing a fleeting kiss across the back. There was no spark. No tingle. Nothing. She wasn't even sure he'd actually allowed his lips to truly touch her skin. "For not treating your choices with the respect they deserved. I won't make that mistake again – I swear."

Finally. Finally, he'd said the right thing.

But did it matter? Jazz had asked her to figure out if she still loved Edward. And right now, with the memories trickling slowly in, quietly rejoicing in having Edward take back all of the hurts he'd unintentionally wounded her with, the answer wasn't clear.

"Thanks."

Every memory and feeling she could recall experiencing from the moment she met Edward played out in her mind. Over and over again she combed through them, sorting them into various boxes as she tried to decide how she felt about everything. It all appeared different when colored by her new perspective on life.

She'd been doing it for several hours already when Jazz found her, still standing perfectly still where Edward had left her a few miles from the house. After such a lengthy absence, she was certain the others were all discussing her back at the house. Perhaps if she waited a bit longer, they'd have grown bored and moved on so she didn't have to listen to it.

He waited, testing her emotions a bit before asking, "Where's your head at?"

"I don't know," Bella admitted bluntly, then winced, rushing to correct, "but I –"

"If you don't know where your head is at, then you certainly don't know where your heart is," he said gently, letting her off the hook. She hadn't meant to be indelicate to their situation. Sometimes it was just too easy to be open and honest with him. Luckily, he seemed to get it. "I'm just checking on you."

"Edward asked if we could take things slow," Bella admitted, not knowing if he'd shared that tidbit with the others, but knowing Jazz deserved to hear it.

"I thought that might happen."

"Well?" she demanded, having expected it to provoke some sort of emotion from him, but he just smiled softly.

"Don't you think you owe it to yourself to see?"

"What about you?" Bella asked, studying him. Not a single emotion slipped past his guard. It was infuriating after experiencing everything for so long. She felt bereft, and suddenly adrift in a vast ocean.

"I'm not going anywhere," he promised, quickly reassuring her, "either way, I'm here for you."

"Did you come here just to tell me that?"

"No, actually," he said, furrowing his brow and shuttering slightly, as though shaking off unwanted drops of rain. "I needed a break from all the negativity in the house."

It took Bella a second to understand, then she asked, "I take it the reunion isn't going well?"

"Carlisle is furious with Edward. I'm not sure I've ever felt him this angry."

"Did he yell at him?"

"Not aloud, but judging by the emotional climate, Edward had no trouble hearing him quite clearly."

Bella felt a perverse bit of satisfaction flare up at the knowledge. Jazz chuckled quietly beside her, likely having sensed it.

"Surprised you didn't rip Eddie's balls off," Emmett said by way of greeting when she returned.

Edward looked swiftly at her, a self-deprecating smile on his face, but it slowly faded as he took her in. Sadness or mourning was the only way she could describe the expression he wore, though she had no idea what had triggered it this time.

Deciding to ignore it for now, Bella dryly admitted, "I was tempted."

"Here, let me help you," Edward said, racing to her side and slipping an arm around her waist as she went to navigate the elaborate maze of bones and spiders Alice and Emmett had gotten to decorate the house with for Halloween.

The two Cullens had decided to go all out this year and ordered a fortune's worth of gags off Amazon. Most of the boxes had arrived earlier that morning, but they'd gotten no further than dumping the array on the floor before discovering their ideas for themes didn't mesh. Emmett wanted to make the house look like a grisly murder scene straight out of the Volturis' greatest fantasy, but Alice insisted it was too on the nose. Esme had gotten fed up with listening to them and challenged them to a pumpkin carving contest – whoever won would decide how the house was decorated.

That had been what they were working on when Edward arrived.

"I don't need help," Bella informed him bluntly, shaking off the supportive arm. "Sorry," she muttered, having heard the sharpness in her own tone and seen the resulting hurt flash across Edward's face.

But really, did he honestly think her incapable? She was a vampire for crying out loud!

"She could probably kick your ass, Eddie," Emmett mocked, not the least bit ashamed that she'd done the same to him on numerous occasions. Of course, he'd been winning a few lately now that her newborn strength was gone.

It had been great while it lasted, but honestly she was glad. Mostly because her eyes had finally settled into the golden butterscotch shade that the other Cullens' possessed. She had no desire to ever see the red again. It had been beyond disturbing.

"I still can't read your mind," Edward said moodily, his frown deepening.

"Well, that's a relief," Bella sighed, a tension she'd not realized she'd felt about that easing from her.

"For you, maybe," Edward gripped.

"Do you need to cheat to talk to me?" she bristled, glaring at him.

Part of her recognized that she was picking at him unnecessarily, but she was still angry and he seemed willing to take it as penance. Watching him roll over and not defend himself was not the reaction she wanted, but she didn't know what she did desire. Actually, it wasn't that she wanted a fight, not really. But she didn't want to walk on eggshells either.

The family was finally all together. It shouldn't feel so awkward. It wouldn't have if Edward hadn't run off the way he had.

"No," Edward answered tightly, "but it would be nice to have some insights since you're not really known for sharing what's on your mind."

"If I wanted you to know, I'd tell you," Bella retorted.

"Anyone up for staging corpses?" Emmett asked loudly, interrupting before their verbal sparring could escalate further.

"Sorry," Edward muttered, "yeah, that's a good idea."

The rest of the evening was rather stilted and awkward, but Edward was sincerely trying. Bella wondered if he'd been so prickly earlier because things hadn't gone well with Carlisle, or if he was truly upset with her. He did seem to be finding it difficult to adjust to her being a vampire. He kept expecting her to need his help or react a particular way, then was disappointed when it didn't happen.

There were numerous apologies sprinkled in throughout the night as well, and even a bit of laughter when they sided against each other over how to decorate the house. Bella was firmly with Emmett, while Edward preferred Alice's vision of what it could be. Apparently Edward wasn't a fan of morbid. Esme suggested that it reminded him too much of his own nature and offended his delicate sensibilities. The gentle teasing had finally broken some of the tension, and they'd had some fun with the project afterwards.

Though Jazz was noticeably absent through it all.

It wasn't until their usual training time the next day that she saw him again. The knot in her chest instantly loosened. She'd not realized how worried she was that he'd not keep his promise to stay until he was in front of her again.

Bella knew at once that it was a blatant sign that she'd developed a few trust issues after her experience with Edward.

They'd barely started when Edward suddenly exclaimed, "What are you doing?"

Jazz had just tossed Bella over his shoulders by her neck. She landed with a solid thud, then used her lower half to spring back to her feet.

"Sparring," she answered, shaking off his attempt to check her over. He stopped immediately, but Bella noticed how lost he looked. Without really thinking, she asked, "Did you want to join?"

"No, I don't think I could handle hurting you," Edward replied at once, sounding horrified by the prospect.

"I'm a vampire. You can't hurt me," Bella declared.

"No, I suppose I can't," he said meaningfully, returning to the house without another word.

Bella almost called after him. Almost. Because honestly she didn't want him to ruin her fun. Nor did she want anyone intruding on her time with Jazz. But she hadn't meant to hurt Edward either. She'd not meant anything by her statement. But clearly he'd read into it deeper than she'd intended.

Uncertain, she turned to Jasper. He had a single golden brow raised, silently asking what she wanted. How come he didn't need words to read her?

Open book.

That was the phrase her mom used to use to describe her. All of her thoughts had always been readily available on her face for those around her, yet Edward couldn't figure her out.

It was too much. She needed a break after the last twelve hour emotional rollercoaster with Edward, and Jasper was right there, ready to distract her.

"Again," she urged, bracing for his attack.

Afterwards, she felt much calmer and relaxed. Those feelings only intensified when Edward smiled at her and said, "You're quite good."

"You were watching?" she asked, surprised after the way he'd abruptly left.

"Couldn't help myself," he admitted sheepishly, running a hand across the back of his neck. He seemed so young and innocent then. Almost a real teenage boy.

"Can you fight?" she asked, wondering why no one had ever mentioned it before when they'd told her everything else.

"Yes, but I'm only good because I cheat," he said, a coy smile flirting about his lips. It was easy for her to imagine why she'd been so taken with him, especially if she'd ever gotten a glimpse of this playful side.

Ordinarily, Edward seemed to be moody and brooding and overprotective. He didn't seem to know how to relax. And his perfection seemed to make him belong on a pedestal, far out of reach. Bella wondered if part of her fascination and determination to be with him was because the idea of holding someone like Edward's interest, when he was so remote with everyone else, had made her feel special.

If so, it wasn't a recipe for long-term success. It would also explain why she'd struggled so much when he'd cast her aside and taken off.

"At least you admit it," she sighed, shaking her head, but smiling.

Edward had a different sort of charisma than Jazz possessed, more blatant and in your face. But he also seemed more inexperienced and insecure, which made him more approachable than most vampires. He also simply looked younger than the rest of them.

Jasper definitely didn't look like a boy. He was fully matured with a honed physique, thanks to his time in the military. Now that she wasn't constantly surrounded by high school boys, it was easier to shed expectations and develop her own preferences.

"I tried to fight Victoria," he informed her reluctantly, breaking her free of the mental comparison she'd been engaged in. "That's where I've been since leaving Forks."

"You found her?" Bella gasped. Carlisle would be thrilled. Jasper too. They'd each brought up the idea of taking the fight to her before she had a chance to come after Bella. But if Edward had already taken care of the problem –

"No. I've searched everywhere. Literally traveled the globe searching for her. I thought even if I wasn't with you, I could do something to make you safer," Edward confessed, moving to sit on the sofa of the family room, and gesturing for her to join him though neither were uncomfortable standing. Probably, it was to practice being human.

Or he'd forgotten again that she wasn't human anymore.

"It didn't work," she said casually, wondering if he would do a better job of reacting than he had previously.

He did. His smile was genuine, and the impact it had on her thoughts was staggering. Though it didn't last more than a fraction of a second. Nothing more than the bittersweet longings for a childhood dream, and just as intangible.

"No, but you're glad I failed," he mused, snagging a lock of her hair between his fingers.

There was no point in denying the truth, so she said nothing.

He rubbed her hair carefully, shifting it this way and that so the light coming in through the window reflected off it and they could both see the strands of red and black interwoven with the chestnut and chocolate brown. It was a curious act, not a romantic one, and Bella wondered if even her hair had changed. Did he recognize anything about her at all?

"What did we used to talk about?" she asked suddenly, needing to know if there existed a connection between them after everything.

"I would ask what you're thinking," he answered, gaze going distant as he visited memories she'd long let go of.

Was that it? He just wanted to know about her because she was an anomaly? Wasn't there anything more substantial?

"Did we have similar interests?" she asked, a bit more forcefully.

"Music," he replied, frowning.

One thing. He could only come up with one activity to connect them.

Had it been because she was human and couldn't do what he enjoyed, or were they really that dissimilar?

She never lacked for finding things to do with Jazz. In fact, there were times she wished the days were even longer so they didn't have to stop just because Emmett was bored and wanted to wrestle or Alice had invented a new game for everyone to try out.

"I liked watching you cook too," he added, sensing her distress.

"I don't eat anymore," she said flatly.

Could they hunt together? Probably not. Given the way he reacted to her displaying her new vampire nature, it wouldn't go over well. Hell, even Jazz couldn't hunt with her, but maybe –

"No," he agreed, looking troubled himself.

Bella shook off her last thought, not willing to travel down that path quite yet, and asked, "Did we fight about things?"

It was nearly a minute before he answered, but when he did, she thought it was because he was trying to be as honest as possible. "I was always worried my world was too dangerous for you. When James went after you, we fought about Charlie and the best way to protect you. I didn't think you understood us well enough to listen to your ideas. As usual, I was wrong.

"Mostly, though, we fought over your life. You wanted me to change you, but I didn't think you understood what you were asking for or giving up – not really. We also fought because I wanted you to have traditional human experiences, but you'd always insist they weren't important to you."

He'd wanted to decide her fate for her. Because she was too young to know her mind? That didn't sound like a healthy, equal relationship. People dictating to their children and pets, not partners.

Prom. She suddenly remembered being devastated that he'd made her go to prom and that he'd laughed when she'd mistakenly believed he was making an event out of turning her.

And other normal human experiences? Like what, college? She was going to do that next. It was something that was just as easy to do as a vampire.

So what else was there?

Having a family? She'd practically raised her mom then looked after her dad. She'd already had her fill of being a parent.

After those responsibilities, how was she supposed to gossip about boys or shopping. It sounded more like torture than anything fun or entertaining. So what other experiences were there for her to want to go along with?

"We were only together for six months. There wasn't really time to have all the normal fights couples have, and our circumstances were a bit unusual," Edward said blankly, watching her closely. No emotions crossed his face, and she wondered if he was viewing their relationship the same way she was.

"I was grounded," she said suddenly.

"Yes, after you were hurt in Phoenix. Summer was half over before Charlie relented," Edward said fondly, but Bella was stringing the sequences of events together in her mind, and it wasn't making the same picture that Edward was seeing.

It'd been spring break when she'd gone to Phoenix – about a week after she and Edward had their first real, honest conversation. Then she'd been grounded for the next three months – half of their entire relationship.

"We only saw each other when you came over to do homework," she verified, needing to see if she remembered correctly.

"Apart from prom, yes. Though I'd come back and stay with you while you slept." So they were only together while she was unconscious and unaware.

"I don't sleep anymore," she countered.

"No," he agreed mournfully.

"Did we have fun together?"

His eyes closed, and the words were barely audible when he spoke, even to her enhanced ears. "When we did things with the family, yes."

That made sense. She still loved being with each and every member of the family. Of course that had been true before as well.

"Anytime when it was just the two of us?" she asked, an image of what it would be like to be with Edward now forming in her mind.

"It was always such a struggle for me, but yes, at night."

"Because we were together?" she said, hoping he caught the innuendo. Had that been what he'd meant about staying with her while she was grounded? Had they bonded that way? She didn't think she'd forget something like that, but with the change, who knew…

"No," he denied emphatically, looking almost horrified by the thought of them being together sexually. "We couldn't do that. Of course not. We'd just talk until you fell asleep, then I'd hold you and listen to you talk."

"I don't sleep anymore," Bella repeated, once again discrediting the only other thing they apparently used to have going for them.

Edward looked so remorseful at the reminder that Bella simply had to try one last thing. One last ditch effort just to know for sure.

"It's not a struggle now," she said, bracing herself as though going into battle. Determined to see this through, she ordered, "Edward, kiss me. Really kiss me."

"Now?" he asked, almost panicked as he glanced around, but no one came to his rescue. As far as Bella knew, no one else was home and Jazz had probably taken off after their sparring to give her and Edward a chance to sort things out.

"Yes," she answered firmly, scooting closer to him to make it easier.

He did, and she remembered that he had trouble denying her anything she asked since she rarely made any requests of him.

But it was far from a real kiss. He was cold. Immovable. A statue. It felt like kissing a corpse for all he reacted. Frustrated, Bella grabbed him, tugging him closer and running her tongue along the seam of his lips.

An instant later he'd jerked back, startled and clearly concerned for her safety.

She had her answer. He'd never get past the innocent human he'd first fallen for – not that he'd ever really opened up to her either. But still, the one who's blood he craved even more than he'd craved the person who's veins it ran through.

Edward was only half a man, and he was so caught up in hating himself, he'd never really open up to her or let her in. It was pointless to expect that to change. Not when he couldn't accept himself – couldn't accept being a vampire, or see that it wasn't this huge tragedy.

He had demons chasing him that Bella couldn't vanquish. And honestly, she didn't want to try. Not anymore.

Now, she just wanted the happiness that beckoned her.

But one look at Edward and she just couldn't voice any of her thoughts aloud. He was beyond gutted. Beyond devastated. He looked like a man on fire. Burning on a pyre of broken dreams and mistakes.

"Excuse me," she said, stilted and awkward before she fled to the fresh air of the porch.

Only to find Jasper on the swing they'd been sitting on together the day before. She was about to apologize when Edward was suddenly there, lunging at Jasper.

Her eyes could barely track it as the two vampires threw punches and kicks, limbs flying in quick succession. They rolled and struck out, thunder splitting the yard and surroundings. But as quickly as it started, Jasper caught Edward in a headlock, bringing it all to a standstill.

"Whatever you're thinking, you know it wasn't like that. Nothing happened," Jasper stated harshly, jerking Edward in a way that must have been painful. A crack formed along his jaw, and for the first time Bella understood just how easy Jazz had always been on her – and why he'd been able to survive intact with as many scars as he had.

"You wanted it to," Edward accused angrily.

"It's Bella's decision, not either of ours. And if you were honest with yourself, you know everything has changed," Jasper stated reasonably, far calmer than even a moment before. He must have been shoving Edward's emotions away with considerable effort in order to be so calm himself.

Just as abruptly as the fight started, Jasper was shoving his brother away and walking out of sight without a word.

And Bella let him, knowing when she found him later, and she would, it would be with the air cleared. She couldn't put off what she needed to do. Not after that.

Edward sank onto the bottom step of the porch, his head falling forward as he clasped his hands together, not looking at her.

"I stopped loving you long before you returned," Bella said as gently as possibly, "and I'm just not the girl you left."

"You don't blush anymore," Edward murmured, but she thought he was really saying she didn't have an alluring, irresistible scent to him anymore.

"I don't need someone to take care of me anymore," Bella said flatly, willing him to see her as she was now, and not the memory he was dwelling on.

Reluctantly, he nodded, agreeing, "No, you don't."

"I don't think that's what you really want in a partner either," she added tentatively. The ground beneath her felt a bit precarious, as though she didn't quite have the right to make the observation, but she was an indestructible vampire now. Rocky terrain could do nothing to her.

"What do you mean?"

"We were each other's first relationship. It was practice to get the kinks out. I need someone who sees me as I am, and you need someone strong enough to stand up to you and not let you dictate everything."

"Ouch," he exclaimed, visibly taken aback by her blunt assessment.

"Am I wrong?" she demanded, seeking an honest answer from him.

"No, you're not," he eventually admitted, and though she could still clearly see his pain, he said, "and right now your someone is waiting for you."

Jazz was waiting for her? Had he known she'd come to him? Because of course she would. He was her mate. Her perfect match. He'd been there all along, waiting for her to recognize the truth.

Her breath caught with that knowledge, but it didn't prevent her from moving, edging rapidly towards the man she should have known all along was meant for her.

"Bella," Edward called, halting her, "is this the life you saw for yourself?"

"It's all I ever wanted," she answered honestly, not waiting even a second longer before rushing to join Jasper.