Bella

Edward played tour guide for the next two days, showing me around the city. The entire city seemed alive with color and I was enchanted by all new things I saw and learned. Edward, of course, was very knowledgeable about local customs and practices and he described everything to me in his beautiful voice. My favorite place was the open air market. There were so many things to see and smell and hear there that my senses were overwhelmed. I loved seeing all the exotic animals on display. Especially the monkeys-I had laughed in delight at their antics and Edward had smiled down at me indulgently.

I bought a few things to take home to Charlie. I wanted to make sure he knew that I had really come here, even if he was in the dark about the actual reason. That evening Edward took me around the city, showing me some of the native celebrations. I felt much more secure with Edward by my side and was able to enjoy nighttime in the city so much more because he was with me. Sharing all these moments with Edward made me so happy; I never wanted this time to end. He sang me to sleep every night and I was sad when Friday morning came.

"Are you okay?" Edward asked. I had been quiet since we had gotten on the plane, trying to store away all my memories of this very happy time. He noticed my preoccupation.

I smiled up into his beautiful face, cataloging that memory as well. "Yes, it's just kind of sad, leaving Rio. It felt like we were in our own little bubble and now I have to share you with everyone else. But I am glad that I got to make so many new memories with you." I kissed him on the cheek and smiled up into the melted gold of his eyes.

"I was thinking the same thing. Like we were the only two people in the world." He rested his cheek against my hair and we were quiet for a long time.

I fell asleep somewhere on the flight and Edward woke me up just before we landed in Juneau. He rented a big black car that looked like it would be very fast and we made our way to Denali.

I stared out the windows on the way, though we were driving so fast I couldn't really see anything. I was lost in my own thoughts anyway. I didn't know what kind of reception I was in for with the rest of Edward's family. They had been caused a lot of pain and problems since I had entered his life, especially lately; would they blame me for what had happened on my birthday? What about Jasper? Would he avoid me even more than he did before? I hoped he wouldn't.

"What are you thinking?" Edward asked after we had driven for a while.

"Just thinking about seeing your family again." And them seeing me.

"Why does that worry you?" I realized that I was twisting my hands together in my lap.

"Do they blame me? You know, for everything that happened? If it hadn't been for my birthday none of this would have happen-." I didn't get to finish my sentence before Edward had wrenched the car over to the shoulder of the highway and screeched to a stop. He flung the car in gear before taking my face in his hands. His eyes burned down into mine with startling intensity.

"Don't ever, ever blame yourself for what happened Bella! Do you hear me?" He sounded almost angry. I nodded, though he still held my face.

"You did absolutely nothing wrong. If there is anyone to blame in all of this, it is me." I opened my mouth to tell him that I was part of it too but he stopped me before I could speak.

"Shhh! Listen to me. I am the one who caused all this pain-for you, for me, for my family-by leaving in the first place. I wanted so badly to keep you safe, for you to be happy that it blinded me to how much it would hurt the both of us." He shook his head sadly.

"What happened on your birthday was an accident and I blew everything out of proportion. I thought I was doing the right thing and there was nothing in the world that would have been able to change my mind. But don't ever take this on yourself, okay?" I nodded again. He kissed me softly and then pulled me into his embrace.

"I will never be able to apologize enough for what I put you through and I will never stop trying to make it up to you."

I didn't want him to be saddled by his guilt. He deserved to be happy, not wallowing in self-reproach.

"Just having you with me now is enough." I said softly. He shook is head in denial of my statement and kissed me on my forehead.

He let me go and pulled the car back onto to road. He reached over and took my hand in his. Feeling his cold, hard hand in mine was reassuring. I could face anything in the world as long as Edward was by my side.