Well, here it is folks. The much awaited for final chapter. I love you all so much, I didn't think I could do it! A special thanks to my first reviewers, who told me to finish this romantic story. Please, review for me guys. :) Thank you.

EPOV

Guilt and horror battled in my chest, colliding whenever my Bella cried out. I ran toward the smoke, growing larger quickly. Nathan had been going in circles, so he wasn't anywhere near as far away as he'd thought he'd been.

Another pang hit me in the gut. He'd been harmless enough, but even a newborn vampire would shift into attack mode at the scent of blood.

Bella was beginning to squirm in my grip, lips clenched together and face white. I could feel her slight frame cooling as I ran. I never wanted this to happen this way. I wanted to be the one to change her, if anyone. Being mauled by a baby vampire had not been my idea of a peaceful change.

I broke through the trees into the clearing behind my house, and raced inside. Flying up the steps to my room, I lay her gently on the towels Alice had laid out on my couch when she'd seen us coming. She entered the room behind me, torment and sorrow warring for expression.

"Oh Bella," she whispered, trailing two fingers across Bella's brow. Her eyes opened.

Gasping, she reached for me. I held her tightly to my chest, kissing her neck. She moaned deep from her throat. Bella was drenched in sweat and panting. I smoothed her hair away from her face, longing to stop the fire in her.

Alice, behind me, stiffened and stared into space. I looked at and into her, seeing myself and Bella, Carlisle in the background, watching curiously. I (Edward) sunk my teeth into Bella's shoulder, directly into Nathan's wound. Slowly, her writhing slowed, and she relaxed peacefully.

Carlisle walked in. "Edward, I have a theory,"

I nodded to Alice, "I think I know already."

I looked into Bella's unfocused eyes. She shuddered under me as another particularly bad wave of pain rippled through her body.

"Bella, love, can you trust me explicitly?" She nodded into my shoulder, clenching her teeth so forcefully I could hear her molars complain. "I'm going to bite you, alright?"

Her head sprung from my shoulder, staring into me. Her chest was already heaving with effort of drawing breath. "W-why?"

"It will help, Alice has seen it." I stroked her hair, biting back my cries of sorrow at the sight of her in such deep agony.

Bella nodded weakly, digging her head into my shoulder again. Her body kept heating up, then cooling off, and it was taking her strength. I kissed her lips gently, and opened my mouth over her torn skin.

The aroma wafting off didn't bother me, but the scent of her ignited a burning sensation in my throat. I was confident I wouldn't hurt her as I sunk my fangs into her hot flesh.

Her blood filled my mouth, making my tastebuds sing in ecstasy. I only took a swallow of what was there, then pulled away. Alice handed me a rag to wipe my face; usually I was a very neat eater, but the wound was quite large, and it was still bleeding. After using it, I pressed it to Bella's shoulder.

She gave a little whimper. I watched, worried, wondering when my venom would take effect. She didn't look to have much time left to her. The mauling had been so severe, and she had lost so much blood already. Would she survive?

BPOV

The moment Edward's cool teeth punctured my flesh, a cooling sensation started to spread, slowly. The fire in my veins growing stronger, I didn't know how much longer I could fight off the screams.

My head flung back as a more painful flame flooded my body and a muffled shriek forced out.

I could hear soft conversation above me, and clung tighter to Edward, feeling hot, then cold. It continued in such a way for what felt like hours.

Then, I noticed a change. A cold so deep it almost burned as bad as the heat was racing along the fire, putting it out. The cold kept me in its grip, still painful, but no longer an agony.

I wondered if this was the end of it.

Pulling away from Edward, I looked into his worried eyes, which were tinged red from my blood. He stroked my hair, caressed my face, kissed my cheeks.

"I know it hurts, Isabella, it's only another day or two." His voice was fraught with misery, most likely at my pain.

"Edward," my voice came out clearer than I'd thought it would.

His eyes froze on mine, startled. "Yes, Bella?"

"Where did the pain go? I'm not dead, yet." I knew this last because I was still breathing, if with difficulty.

Edward pulled away to look at me. "What are you talking about? You should be writhing in agony."

"It still hurts," I said, hurrying to explain this curious event, "But it's not like fire. It's like there's this numbing, bitter cold racing through me." I shivered.

Carlisle moved Edward gently aside. His fingers brushing my skin in examination sent currents of lightning-like cold fire down my spine. I pulled back, shaking uncontrollably.

Edward moved to sit beside me on his couch, pulling me against him. I closed my eyes, incredibly tired.

I dozed off, comfortable in his marble grip. I opened my eyes as another wave of pain rolled over me, still not as intense as before. I found myself in Edward's bed, snuggled into him. I squeezed my eyes shut once more. Breathing was becoming a chore.

This was so draining . . . I kept dozing off, then waking up. Suddenly, I sat up, gasping for air. I hadn't realized I wasn't breathing anymore.

Edward pulled me back down beside him, stroking my arm soothingly. "It won't be much longer, now, love."

I shuddered, leaning closer. My heart pounded ferociously, speeding up. I pressed my face into his shirt, breathing his scent that was so comforting. I could feel myself falling . . .

My eyes flew open, a strangled breath sucked in. I felt my heart give one last shudder. Then, nothing.

Edward's gentle hands settled on my shoulders, turning me to face him. "Bella?"

I looked around the room curiously. It was pitch black, with no moon or stars in the overcast sky outside, but I could see just fine.

The air had a different smell to it; I could taste everything in my nose it seemed. The musty smell of the carpet, the detergent on the sheets beneath me, and Edward, inches from me now.

"Isabella, love, can you hear me?"

I turned to look at him, eyes wide. "Hm?" I smiled, then threw my arms around him; we both ended up on the floor, due to my new strength. "It's so different. But wonderful."

He hugged me tightly, then kissed me. This kiss wasn't gentle, it wasn't careful. Our lips explored each other, parting and closing in perfect sync. Now that air wasn't a necessity, I didn't have to worry.

We were interrupted by a cough from the door. I shot into an upright position, letting Edward up.

All the Cullen family stood there, grins displayed. Alice ran over and swept me into a hug. Then, Emmett stole me away and hugged me so tightly, I had to try my own strength.

"Ouch, Bell!" He pushed me away. I winked, smirking.

Esme rushed over to embrace me. "Oh, Bella, finally!"

"You've missed so much, Bella. First, not three hours into your transformation, your dad stops by to tell us you died-" Alice prattled on and on as Carlisle, then Jasper congratulated me.

"Wait, what? I died?" I could feel my mouth fall open. I dropped onto Edward's bed, legs crossed.

Alice rolled her eyes. "I think that's somewhat of a given, Bella. We couldn't leave you alive. I had Emmett and Jasper fabricating evidence. I'm afraid we'll have to get you a different car . . . the Volvo exploded. There's shrapnel all over the road."

I stared blankly at her. "How did I die? The version Charlie knows, please."

Edward sat beside me, arm around my shoulders lovingly. "We had to have you die in a way that wouldn't leave a body. We decided a violent car wreck was the only way. The car was blown up, so much so that there wasn't much left. No big enough pieces to tell what's what."

I was shell-shocked. "I'm dead."

"It had to happen sometime, Bella." Edward crooned softly, playing with a strand of my hair.

"How long have I been out?" I asked, suddenly dying -no pun intended- for a change of subject.

Emmett pretended to count on his fingers. "Let's see, drop the nine, carry the two, divide by four . . . About two days." He grinned. Rosalie slapped the back of his head.

I nodded. "Thanks," I had an urge to see myself. I stood and crossed to the mirror Edward had on the back of his closet door.

At first, I was furious. I thought Edward had a picture of some supermodel up on the back of his door. Then, as Edward came into view behind me, I realized - it was me. Where I'd had angles - harsh excuses for curves - before, I now had soft lines. I looked like more of a woman. My hair still brushed the bottom of my shoulder blades, but now it hung in perfect waves with a bit of curl to the end. The angles of my face were more mythical, like something of a fairy or nymph. I half expected to have pointed ears. My eyes were wide and black, with perfectly angled brows above them. My lips were full and even, and my complexion was creamy alabaster.

It was then I noticed the tickle in the back of my throat. I swallowed, thinking it dry. Then, I realized what it was:

Blood thirst.

I spun to face Edward, finding us alone in the room. I didn't quite know how to phrase what I needed.

Instead, though, he traced a finger along the lavender shadows I now had under my eyes. "You look thirsty. Shall we hunt, my love?"

I grinned, baring my teeth. "Let's see what I can do."

We took off into the woods, running quickly. I laughed in exhilaration as I pulled ahead. After a moment, Edward called, "Wait up, Bella! You're too fast!"

"Too fast?" I smirked, stopping and spinning to greet him. "No, not me! Me, Bella, faster than Edward Cullen?" I let a hint of sarcasm flavor my comment.

He grinned and kissed me again. I could kiss him forever, now. The thought made my lips curl against his.

I pulled back, a curious, warm, and sweet smell meeting my nose. I could feel all my senses zone in on the spot it was coming from.

My tongue snaked out to moisten my lips. I moved silently, but quickly toward the luscious scent. I crept through the bracken, eyes trained on the wolverine rustling in the dry, leaves. Before the creature could suspect anything, I'd jumped it and sunk my fangs deep into its neck.

The sweet blood pulsed into my mouth, igniting a blissful high. Like bubbles were rising in my chest, it felt so good.

I stood, licking a fleck of blood from my lips. Now that I was a vampire, the scent didn't bother me anymore. It excited me.

Edward came up behind me and captured my waist. "Why a wolverine? It's so small." he questioned, an eyebrow perfectly arched.

I lifted my chin. "Because it was there, and I'm a thirsty newborn." I pulled away from him, walking swiftly.

Edward followed, but I kept my gaze stubbornly ahead. Another scent hit me in the face, pulling me into a crouch, then sending me flying toward the bobcat.

It tasted so much better than the wolverine. Nothing could compare to the rich, supple, filling flavor!

I spent the night that way. I would catch an animal's scent, and hunt it. Edward caught a mountain lion or two, but was content to watch me feed.

As the moon began to set, Edward fetched me from my most recent kill. I'd managed to find another bobcat, and was reveling in the ecstasy.

He pulled me against him and kissed me fiercely, playing against my lips with his tongue. I pulled away coyly and ran back toward the house.

Edward caught my wrist and stopped me in his backyard. "Bella, wait." He stroked my tangled waves back from my face.

"There's something I need to talk to you about." I could sense something deeper behind his words, but I waited patiently.

He pulled a slightly familiar looking black velvet box from his shirt pocket. I stared at it, willing it to give up its secrets. Stupid stubborn box.

Edward saw my look and laughed, throwing his head back, the moonlight outlining each feature. "Oh, my silly Bella." he pulled me to him and kissed me quickly, then took a step back and slid to one knee. "I want to do this properly, so no fussing, please."

I couldn't breathe anymore. I pressed my hand to my throat.

He took my left hand, kissing each fingertip deliberately. "Dearest Isabella, you could never fathom the depth of my love for you. The thought of one moment away from you makes me ache so fiercely." His deep, sparkling gold eyes penetrated to my soul. "Bella, love, I swear to love you, to never hurt you, and to cherish you - all forever. Would you please consent to become one with me in matrimony? Till death do us part," he added mischievously.

All my apprehension flew away. We were spending forever together anyway, why not make him happy? I had my greatest wish, and now I wanted to grant him his.

Edward opened the box. Inside it, resting gently on crushed velvet, was his mother's ring. He slid it on my finger and kissed that, too. Now I have two diamonds, but the one I'd die for was kneeling before me, pleading.

"Please, Bella?"

I dropped to my knees, heedless of the white capris I still had on. I threw my arms around him, and felt his own encircle me. I kissed his neck, then pulled back to cradle his face in my hands. "Edward Cullen, I could live forever, and never find anyone I want as much as I want you. I could never find anyone I love as much or as deeply as you. Yes, Edward, love. I will marry you, and love you as long as I live."

A grin lit his face as he pulled back to kiss me so deeply, I was seeing stars. He stood, still hugging my waist and twirled us around beneath the moon.

Forever with Edward. Now that sounds like a life to live.