The next forty years passed quickly. Edward and I were never apart for more than a few days. My new life was perfect. I was finally able to enjoy my immortality.

"Happy birthday Bella!" Alice gave me a big hug.

It was October the fourth. I was 108 years old. We did not often celebrate birthdays anymore. They always insisted on celebrating mine. I had a suspicion that they still felt guilty for my fifty years of loneliness.

"Don't be difficult."

"Who me? Difficult? Never." I laughed at her and Edward laughed at me.

"Very funny Bella." Alice smiled in spite of herself.

"We are going to Anchorage to pick up Bella's present." Edward smiled.

"We will be back in time fore the party."

"Oh Alice! Not another party." I whined.

"Don't ruin my fun."

"Fine."

"Now off you go."

Edward took my hand and we walked to the warehouse sized garage. They had had to expand their garage after I showed up to accommodate my airplane and snow mobile habits.

I walked toward my super cub but Edward pulled me toward his Astin Martin Vanquish.

"We're driving?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Wait and see please."

I climbed into the passenger side. We sped down the highway at speeds that would have terrified a human. Vampires loved to drive fast. We reached Anchorage in a few hours. It was raining and the car felt like a safe place away from the world.

We drove to the airport and turned toward the lake. We stopped in front of a restored Grumman G44 Widgeon sea plane. It was very elegant with curved lines and a red paint job. It was a piece of another age.

"Oh Edward!"

"Do you like it?"

"It's beautiful."

"I'm glad you think so."

I jumped out of the car and had to work at keeping a human pace. I walked out onto the dock and climbed into my new airplane. The interior was tan leather and glossy wood. Edward climbed in after me smiling.

"Thank you."

"It's from all of us."

I sat in the pilot's seat and smiled even wider.

"I'll meet you back at the house." Edward kissed me and left me to my fun.

I took off of the lake. The ride was smooth with very little turbulence. I made it in about an hour and landed smoothly on the lake nearest the house. There was a new dock just for me at the short. The whole family waited for me to taxi over to them.

I jumped out and hugged each one of them.

"Thank you so much."

"I knew you'd like it." Alice chirped.

The house was decorated for a party. Alice could not be reigned in. I was too happy about my present to care when she pulled me up the stairs and dressed me in a red dress and heels.

It was still raining when Edward returned and put the vanquish in the warehouse.

"You look very nice." Edward commented as he walked in from the rain.

"Alice." I said her name as an explanation.

"Did you enjoy your flight?"

"Very much." I beamed. "I've never had a sea plane before."

The rest of the Denalis trooped in out of the rain. Tanya hugged me.

"Happy birthday Bella."

"Thank you."

The party was really just an excuse to decorate, dress up, and get together with friends and family. Everyone talked and laughed together. I was having a wonderful birthday.

I went outside and sat on a rocking chair on the wrap around porch. Night was my favorite time. I loved the colors and the peace. I liked being isolated up in the mountains, but I knew we would have to move soon. Carlisle was working in Juneau and only came back for my birthday.

I knew that they wanted to go back to Forks so that we could all be together again. Esme missed us. But I was not supposed to go back. I would have to speak with the wolf pack and prove I wasn't dangerous.

"What are you thinking?" Edward sat in the chair beside me.

"I'm thinking about Forks actually."

"We don't have to go if you don't want to."

"I want Esme to be happy."

"You are a Cullen now. The treaty should apply to you too."

"We shall see."

The party broke up near dawn which came very early this time of year in Alaska. Alice was putting the house to rights, taking down the decorations and putting away the candles. I changed into my jeans and a purple sweater. I put on my hiking boots to keep up appearances.

"What are we doing today love?"

"We are going to go for a flight."

"Where are we going?"

"I think we shall go to Dillingham out to lake Aleknegik."

"I've never been there."

"That's why we are going. I went up there once with the super cub and it was beautiful."

"Let's go." He took my hand and walked to the lake and my waiting sea plane.

A few hourse of flight time later and we were over Aleknegik. I could see the dilapidated houses of the village and the wildlife on the mountains. The water was clear beneath us. There were lodges and people fishing everywhere.

I flew low over the water and landed in front of the remains of a cabin. Edward and I followed game trails and hunted. We flew back stopping in Port Alsworth for gas. I even let Edward fly for about an hour.