Edward

We spent the next two days exploring the city. Bella was fascinated by the native customs and by the locals in native dress. We wandered through an open market and she was delighted by all the different and varying wares offered by the street vendors. There were exotic fruits and vegetables on display as well as various animals-birds, monkeys, even some fish-and Bella was captivated by them.

She bought a few souvenirs to bring home for Charlie. At night I took her through the streets to witness some of the native festivals. The city at night teemed with life and Bella drank it all in.

Seeing everything through the filter of Bella's eyes gave me a greater appreciation of the city than I had ever had before. Her enjoyment of her surroundings, hearing her gasps of delight at things that were new to her made me glad to be able to give her these experiences. I wanted to give her more times like this, to see the whole world again through Bella's eyes. I wanted to give her everything.

Each night she fell asleep in my arms and I wished that Friday would never come. Having Bella all to myself made me loath to share her with others again. But Friday morning came too soon and we made our way to the airport. Bella seemed quiet on the plane.

"Are you okay?" I asked. For the millionth time I wished I could read her mind.

She looked up at me and smiled. "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." She kissed my cheek and smiled again.

"I was thinking the same thing. Like we were the only two people in the world." I rested my cheek against the top of her head and we sat in silence for a long time.

Bella fell asleep on the plane and I woke her up before we landed. The plane set down in Juneau and we rented a car to make the drive to Denali. Bella spent most of the ride looking out the windows. I saw her twist her hands occasionally in her lap.

"What are you thinking?" I asked.

"Just thinking about seeing your family again."
"Why does that worry you?" I could not understand why she would be apprehensive to see my family. They loved her.

"Do they blame me? You know, for everything that happened? If it hadn't been for my birthday none of this would have happen-." Her words were cut off suddenly as I whipped the car to the side of the road and slammed to a halt.

I took her face in mine and forced her to look in my eyes.

"Don't ever, ever blame yourself for what happened Bella! Do you hear me?" How could she even be thinking such a thing? She nodded in my hands.

"You did absolutely nothing wrong. If there is anyone to blame in all of this, it is me." She opened her mouth to speak but I cut her off.

"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." I shook my head; she should never feel to blame for what happened, ever.

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?" She nodded again. I gently kissed her lips then pulled her across the console of the car and held her to me.

It never occurred to me that she would think she was to blame for any of this. Of course, knowing Bella I should have expected it. She was ever the martyr. But I could not allow her to shoulder this responsibility. This one was mine to bear. She had borne so much already and it was all my fault.

"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."

"Just having you with me now is enough." She said softly. I shook my head and kissed her forehead.

She was wrong. I had hurt her so much. I would do everything in my power to make sure that she was happy from now on. It would be my mission, my purpose in life.

I released her and put the car in gear and pulled back onto the highway. I reached over and took her hand in mine. We drove in silence again but it seemed like she was more relaxed, though still deep on thought.