Edward lined up the small objects on the arm of his couch. The pencil next to the outstretched violin string, the necklace and quill next to that. He examined the ancient artifacts of his happy childhood with Cara before looking down at the book with a heavy sigh. I wish I never kept this. Or even so, I wish Bella hadn't stopped wearing it. For as I look down at the vacant ring, I think of Cara, purely out of a reluctance to think of Bella. This was meant for Cara. In my mind, unfortunately, it will be hers always since she was its rightful guardian for an achingly beautiful moment in time.
They got home late, no one was quite certain where the time went but it went. It was only another few hours before his mother rose again in a zombieesque manner and left to try to visit her husband once more. Edward never spoke to anyone about his father's last words and had no intention to. In his mind, they would not be his last words. In fact, he had a hard time believing any of it happened. It seemed to be a dream. A hauntingly beautiful dream that lingered in the corners of your memory the next day. But there was the ring. The ring which he kept in his pants pocket in a tiny velvet box he found later when he got home.
His mother left frightfully early in the mornings and stayed until well after dinnertime, so they developed a habit of moving to the same bed. He woke up earlier than she did and considered going back to sleep when he saw her. Her snowy knees were curled into her chest and her head rested happily on his outstretched arm. He moved a locke of hair away from her cheek, exposing a little more of her perfection. She moved a little, adjusting her hips and sliding her hands along his waist, holding him tight. His heart melted. He kissed her head and watched as her eyes slowly opened.
"My love." She purred and nuzzled her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes once more. He smiled at her.
"I love you... More than anyone else in the world, my darling," he stroked her shoulder, "absolutely anyone." His bliss lulled him to sleep. When he woke, the smell of tea and the turning of pages tingled his senses.
Cara sat next to him, a thick book spread against her thigh, a small teacup resting on a small table beside the bed. The bridge of her nose supported thick framed glasses.
"Oh..." She pulled the up on top of her head and put the book aside, "good morning."
He smiled at her, reached a hand to her head and guided the glasses back down her nose, "I never knew you wore those."
"Just in the morning. I can see much better later on."
"They suit you." He held her hand, "As everything does, my dear. You are always beautiful." He kissed her, the growingly familiar feeling building up once more. He wanted her, she felt the same desire. The only thing between them was the discovery of the appropriate moment. And after a few minutes of careful kisses and soft touches, they found their moment and took it.

~~~/~~~

29 August 1918,

She is beautiful.
She is pure.
She is sweet.
She is delightful.
She is brilliant.
She is holy.
She is mine. The pensive nature of this statement was expressed by the dark dot proceeding it.
I want so much for her.
I wish I could take her away from all this horror.
I wish

It stopped there, dark ink pressed into the curve of the 'h'.

Edward stroked Cara's bare forearm when he awoke. She breathed slowly, making the thin sheet covering her chest rise and fall in rhythmic patterns. He slowly inched away and off the bed, retrieving his pants and pulling them on before leaving the room as quietly as possible.

About a half hour ticked by before Cara stirred blissfully as she opened her eyes. Her hand fell upon Edward's empty pillow beside her, making a piece of paper topple to the mattress. She rubbed her eyes and read it.

"My darling love, Cara" she looked at it with a questioning stare as she turned it over to a blank side. She looked at the bed to a path of flower pedals and smiled as she rose from the bed, pulling Edward's shirt over her head and smoothing it out so it covered her like a dress. She walked to the door and picked up another piece of paper, "You are the best friend," through the door and halfway down the hall, "Anyone could've asked for." She smiled, walking to the end of the hall. "You are…" she opened the door to the outside and followed the pedals to the steps of the storage room, a slip of paper rested on each step. Sweet. Adorable. Captivating. Breath-taking. Magnificent. Precious. Tender. Sensual. She smiled at each one and took a note that was wedged into the door of the storage. "but most of all, you are…" She squeaked the door open. Edward promptly began playing the song he wrote for his beloved so many years ago. Cara walked down the steps, passing numerous notes that have only one word: Perfect. The room was illuminated with tall white candles that sat on the piano. Edward stopped playing when she stood before him. He took a deep breath and stood, holding her left hand.

"Cara Vivas, I love you more than anyone else in the world. And I will always love you more and more every day." His heart raced as he lowered himself to one knee. His heartbeat was audible as he reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring. He felt his mouth form the words but all he could hear was his heart race. He looked deep in her eyes, shiny with newly-formed tears. She nodded and he heard her speak that beautiful word.

"Yes."

The ring fit perfectly on her finger. I always noticed that it was just a little too wide for Bella.

...

Hello to all my lovely readers! In this chapter, we start to see the beginning of Edward compare Bella and Cara. Why is this important you may ask? I think you know: Edward is making himself fall back in love with Cara based on what he wrote. Why is this a problem (besides the fact that he's already got a family) you may ask? Well, you must wait and find out. Also, this is the first chapter that they consummate their love for each other. Not to be a spoiler, but you'll see this happen quite often. Edward and Cara will have a very highly physical relationship, much like Rosalie and Emmett were described to have... except that this was only their first time so they're not quite yet all-nighters just yet. But still, it's very physical which, you guessed it, is important. Watch for it. Also, they get engaged! Yey! And yes, this is the same engagement ring that Edward received from his father with the special instruction to give it to his best friend. It's beautiful, I know, I wrote it (not to be conceited or anything). But pay close attention to the last line. It means that Edward felt that the role of his wife (which the engagement ring represents) fit perfectly for Cara and was too much for Bella. So keep that in mind as we near the ending chapters. Thanks so much for reading! Cheers!