Author's Note:

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

I hope you enjoy this chapter and I would appreciate it if you could leave me some feedback in a review.

This chapter is dedicated to AngelVanguard.

"This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning."

Winston Churchill

12th September 2005

-Flashback-

Bella smiled to herself as she felt a familiar pair of strong arms cradle her to their cool chest. She was a strange sort of creature, finding comfort in the icy touch as opposed to shying away from it.

"Are you awake love?" A velvet voice whispered in her delicate ear.

"Mmmm," was her intelligent reply – she really didn't do mornings, especially when she would much rather spend it in bed with a rather charming vampire.

A small chuckle escaped his lips but was quickly silenced when Bella's own lips found them and pressed into their perfect outline. She felts as though she could spend a lifetime kissing Edward. Time seemed to stop completely as his love was reflected in the movement of his unyielding lips. All too soon, however, he pulled away and stared deep into her eyes, almost as though he was able to see her soul too.

Bella recognised her own chocolate brown orbs reflected in his eyes – there were currently her favourite colour, topaz, light from his recent hunting trip with the rest of his family.

"I'll take that as a yes," he replied before continuing, "Do you want to go to our meadow this morning?" She loved how he said our meadow. Ever since, that first visit Bella had fallen in love with the grassy clearing in the forest and they often visited it to escape the problems in every day life for a few hours.

"Of course, but can I have a human moment first?" The realisation dawned on her that she probably had morning breath and instantly became embarrassed thinking back to how she hadn't thought of that when kissing Edward a few minutes ago. The heat rushed to her cheeks, revealing her signature blush. Edward simply caressed the splashes of pink, cooling her face with his icy fingertips.

"I love it when you do that," Edward's smooth voice interrupted the silence "and by the way, your breath is still minty from brushing your teeth last night." A smirk playing on his lips.

"I thought you couldn't read my mind!"

"Silly Bella, I have spent so long studying that beautiful face of yours that I have learnt to read your emotions, seeing as I can't read your mind." His eyes only showed compassion, instantly soothing her earlier worries as she closed the small space between them; crashing their lips together. His lips felt firm yet soft against her own and were as though there were meant to touch hers.

Bella's heartbeat rapidly increased and no doubt Edward could hear it, as his lips curled up into a smile before he suddenly had me in his arms and moved at vampire speed to the kitchen.

Oh the perks of having a vampire for a boyfriend.

The bell rang, startling Bella from her daydream. She couldn't tell you anything that Mr Banner had said all lesson. Quickly shoved her books in the aged orange rucksack, Edward slung it over his shoulder before grasping her hand in his. The cool touch always brought a sense of relief that Bella had been aching for the entire lesson.

The couple made their way through the swarming corridor of students, avoiding the scrutiny of the teens who still couldn't believe that they were together.

Bella felt invincible walking with the God-like creature beside her but that was short-lived when Edward announced he was buying lunch.

"Edward, you know I hate you spending money on me."

"Lunch is hardly expensive, Bella, and it's a necessity to keep you alive. " He replied smoothly.

"Yes but I can pay for it myself you know," She countered, pouting. It was at that point she made the embarrassing discovery that her purse was in fact empty, the last of her money having been spent on the groceries.

She groaned, tipping her head back in defeat and Edward knew he'd won this battle, a smug smile creeping onto his face - she would have gone without lunch just to keep him from spending his money.

"And anyway if you died, I would too so technically you need to eat to keep me alive." Edward continued, a crooked smile appearing on his lips, pleased with his logic but also making light of the serious words he had said.

Of course she'd do anything for Edward, that's why he'd stooped so low as to use that card and Bella reluctantly agreed to accept the tray he'd already piled high with food.

Taking a chunk out of the apple, Bella considered her future with Edward. She thought of three options, the first being that she could stay human and continue her relationship with Edward how it currently was. The downside being that they would never be able to progress to more intimate things and her self-esteem rose it's ugly head as it told her Edward wouldn't want her when she was her Grandmother's age either.

Secondly, Edward could change her. It would resolve the clumsiness and she would finally feel able to stand by his side as an equal. Best of all they would be together forever – huh, sounds kind of cliché but at least Edward would be able to promise that in the literal sense. The biggest problem on Bella's behalf, of course, would be saying goodbye to her family and friends. Not forgetting the persuasion of Edward to commit to this idea either.

Lastly, they could both go their separate ways. For Bella this was barely worth considering as she truly believed that Edward was the only person that could make her complete. She'd heard Edward's theory on her being his exact brand of heroin but he was like her oxygen.

Unknown to Bella, Edward had spent endless hours contemplating the last option during his time next to a sleeping human girl. Was there not someone more deserving of her love in this world? A human out there who could offer her a happy and normal life?

Edward loathed the fact that he was too selfish to give her up; he would never be able to forgive himself if he had to take away her innocent, caring soul in return for inhumanly beautiful, dead body.

The silence quickly became too much for Edward who was still unable to get used to her silent mind.

"What are you thinking?" He murmured softly, breaking her reverie.

"Ummm..." She desperately tried to come up with something to say, not wanting to tell Edward about what she was really thinking. It would make him mad. She knew his opinion on her immortality.

"I was wondering why apples only come in red or green, "She abruptly replied quickly spotting the apple in her outlaid palm. Geez Bella, real smart reply – he'll definitely believe that.

"Bella you are a terrible liar," Edward scolded playfully "What are you really thinking?" He continued more softly, his sweet breath fanning her face.

The dazzling rapidly became too much for Bella to handle as she blurted out, "Our future!"

"Oops!" She soon realised what had just flown from her lips, slapping a palm over her mouth as though she could lock away the words that had already escaped.

A hint of ancient sadness flashed in Edward's eyes before he quickly composed himself – his face masking any real emotions.

"What about our future," he responded coolly, feigning innocence.

A scowl graced Bella's face; he knew fully well what part of their future she was asking about.

He raised his eyebrows, wishing for her to continue. Sighing in frustration she replied "I'm not going to live forever you know."

"And..." Edward's lack of worry over the matter angered Bella. In her mind it was as though he didn't love her enough to want her around forever. The traitorous tears began welling up in her eyed so she tilted her head away from Edward, allowing her hair to create a shield. A rebellious tear escaped though, leaving a trail across her pale cheek. Suddenly, an icy fingertip trapped the tear in its path before raising her chin to look at the owner.

Edward's face was no longer reserved; all Bella could see was the raw pain that he had been hiding from her.

"Bella," Edward whispered roughly, finding her hand and rubbing circles on the back of it, just a bit too quickly for it to be comforting.

"We've had this conversation so many times before, you know why I can't change you – it would be criminal to destroy such a beautiful heart and soul. Can't we just enjoy your human years together?"

"But I don't want to ever be apart from you Edward," Bella responded in a mutter, her voice choked from the recent tears.

"Let's not have this conversation in the cafeteria," Edward said with a little more composure, the mask firmly back in place, reminding her of where they were. It was so easy to forget about things such as school with Edward – as though they were in their own untouchable bubble.

"Just promise me one thing," she asked softly, "You will change me if I'm dying."

There was just a slight hesitation before Edward replied even more softly than she had and Bella strained her human ears to catch what he said, "Bella, I love you and I will always. Don't ever forget that."

Present Day

It pains Bella to dredge up each and everyone on this memories but it is the last time she will consciously do it.

She cannot begin her new life until she has relived every kiss, every touch, every word spoken between them. He may not have these moments etched onto his memory, but she certainly will.

It's different living these occasions again, for she cannot believe all the promises he made –they were broken in a matter of seconds. Those very seconds destroyed her trust in people, her reason for living and her soul. It seems ironic really, he was so obsessed with protecting Bella's soul yet he shattered it so carelessly without her reaping the benefits.

What would Edward feel if he saw his precious human as she is now: lifeless. That isn't Bella in the mirror – a young girl with permanent dark rings under her sunken in and empty eyes, a frail body that is wasting away and lanky, flat hair. Would he be guilty that he caused this? Or wouldn't he even think twice? After all he doesn't care about her now – she was simply a distraction, another hobby to fill a few months of his never ending life.

The most difficult memory to relive is fast approaching. Bella has never consciously thought about it because the pain it would bring could cripple even the strongest of men. That doesn't stop it constantly replaying in her sleeping mind though; taunting her, teasing her.

You have been warned….

13th September 2008

Edward led the fragile girl into the unwelcoming shadows of the forest but she didn't worry – not with her own personal protector. He wore a guarded expression and had been acting quite cautiously since the conversation with his family earlier in the day.

Seeing as Edward kept avoiding the discussion about their future, Bella had decided to take matters into her own hands and held a meeting at his house. It wasn't just Edward that was an important part of her life after all; there were strong relationships with the other members of his family, Alice especially.

The whole family was keen for Bella to become a vampire with the exception of Rosalie. She still believed that the human was selfish for wanting to give up her chance of a normal life when the rest of them had no choice in the matter.

One part of the conversation, however, seemed to strike a raw chord with Edward: having a family. Rosalie spoke of how she always wished to have a child, but Bella was never really the type that longed to be a mother; it seemed she had never developed 'motherly instincts'.

Bella hadn't thought too much of it at the time, putting it down to his broody nature but on reflection he had barely muttered more than a few words to her since.

Unknown to Bella, Edward's sharp mind was in turmoil. The last few days seemed to reveal the harsh reality of their relationship. On one hand he knew that leaving Bella would cause her a serious amount of anguish and that it would be hard on him too. She had a human mind though and if removed himself from her life then she had a chance of freedom, happiness. Maybe she would go on to have a family and he couldn't stop the images that accompanied this thought: Charlie watching baseball with his Grandkids, Bella in a successful job; her selflessness helping others and finally his true love in the arms of another man; kissing passionately. He winced internally at that, easily being able to connect the resemblance of his imagined man with Jacob Black.

The only other option he could see was changing her since she was so adamant about not ageing. The picture of an angel like girl graced his mind; her brown hair luscious and the red eyes gleaming at him. Could he live with taking her soul away though? Know for the rest of his existence that he had essentially murdered a beautiful and pure girl? It seemed like the ultimate act of selfishness in his opinion.

Bella suddenly found herself in a part of the forest that she didn't recognise – she would have no clue how to return home without Edward as her guide.

Abruptly, he dropped her arm from his iron grip before staring seriously into Bella's eyes. What she saw before her was surprising; his eyes were pitch black and deadly, eerily similar to their first encounter in Biology.

His gaze continued to burn a hole into her before finally a detached, monotone voice sliced through the tension, "We're leaving."

The words brought a sense of relief to Bella – that's what he must have been so worried about over the past few days. The sudden decision was slightly shocking though as she began to think of ways to break the news to Charlie.

"Ok, where to? Will you help me pack? Alice has made my wardrobe so much bigger now!" She replied, chuckling slightly. The realisation of his reasoning behind his moodiness had left her with a sense of giddiness.

"You're not coming."

What? He was leaving me behind? I must have missed something here – Edward would never leave me. Bella's mind was almost working in slow motion, as though she was intoxicated and couldn't quite grasp the meaning of his words.

"Don't you want me to come?" She managed to choke out.

"No." There was no emotion in his voice – this wasn't the Edward that she knew.

"But w-why not?" Her words were stuttered as she attempted to keep hold the wails that were desperate to burst from her chest.

She braced herself as she stared Edward straight in the eye, awaiting his answer. His next few words where the pivot point that her entire world rested upon.

"I don't love you." Four words shattered her heart into a million pieces and she sunk to the cold, damp forest floor, no longer able to withhold the pained cries that shook her body.

The words alone would not have kept her from aimlessly running through the forest, tripping and stumbling in an attempt to catch up but the pure honesty that she saw in his eyes.

Edward Cullen didn't love Bella Swan.

She curled herself into a ball in a pitiful attempt to hold her trembling body together and cried. She cried for all the times he had kissed her. She cried for all the memories with him and his family. She cried for all the touches that had been shared. She cried for what their future could have been and she cried for all the times he said he'd loved her.

A/N: Let me know what you think! Thanks for reading,

CrazyLittleWriter