"Isabella Swan!" Alice's voice screeched over the phone, and I held it away from my head to minimize the damage to my eardrum. "I told you to get two dresses! Prom is in a matter of hours, you know…and I'm not a miracle worker. I don't even want to know what happened to it."

"It's just really wrinkled, Alice. I'd press it, but I don't think the fabric would do well under a hot iron." I tried to add some sorrow to my voice. "Please? This might be the only time when I'll ever ask you to do a makeover."

She sighed dramatically. "How soon can you be over here?"

"Let me just say goodbye to Charlie and grab my overnight bag."

Charlie had been relatively good-natured about me stumbling in only a few hours earlier, with an equally exhausted Kim at my side. Once we had answered all of the typical parental questions — yes, we had fun; no, we didn't drink — Kim hugged me goodbye and went home for some shuteye. I envied her as I crashed on my own bed, knowing I would have to wake up in only a few hours and beg my vampire best friend for her beauty services.

Charlie seemed more cautious about this prom, asking me more questions.

"Is Edward going to be at this dance?" he finally asked me point-blank, his face stern but his concern shining through. I appreciated his protectiveness, but I didn't have time to try to explain my current emotions about Edward — I still couldn't quite figure it out myself.

"Yes, dad…he has a date," I said, grabbing some string cheese and an apple for the ride over, unconsciously trying to keep my left hand with the ring from catching his eye. "I'm going with Alice. It's a girl's night. No boys allowed," I added for good measure.

"Well, okay," he seemed reluctant. "Are you sure you don't want to come home after the dance, Bella? Or go to the school's after-prom?" I shook my head no and he sighed. "Well, be careful…I know what happens after these dances sometimes."

"Dad," I started. "Nothing's going to happen. Just a typical slumber party with Alice. Although, I may have to watch a really girly movie or something." I laughed and shuddered dramatically.

Charlie seemed to relax. "Dr. and Mrs. Cullen know you're spending the night, right?" I nodded. "Okay, Bells. Have fun, and I want you home by lunch tomorrow. You need to catch up on sleep and homework."

"I will…don't worry."

"Be careful, Bells."

"Always am," I said with a grin, echoing his typical reassurance.

My grin slowly faded as I made my way to the Cullen house. The ring on my finger seemed to get heavier and heavier the closer I got. I knew I would have to answer some tough questions tonight, and I was steeling myself for it. Somehow, I had the feeling that tonight was going to be very unusual.

I was so lost in my thoughts, I barely noticed when I passed right by the obscure turn-off for their driveway. "Damn!" I exclaimed, slowing to a halt and putting the truck in reverse. I really needed to convince them to make their driveway more obvious for mere humans like myself.

Alice was waiting for me when I rumbled up into the clearing by the house. She opened my door and practically carried me inside, she was so eager to get started. Her hair was already pinned up in sleek, tiny curls around the nape of her neck, by her ears and on her forehead. Each curl was secured by a pearl pin.

"Bella, your hair," she wailed, lifting one scraggly curl and dropping it. "You get in the shower and tame this mess while I pick out a few dresses from Esme's closet. You're closest in size to her."

The heat of the water helped to lift me out of the fog of sleepiness I was in. The four showerheads didn't hurt either — I loved Alice's shower. I borrowed her lilac shampoo and body scrub and made quick time of it. Vampires were impatient, and I preferred it when Alice didn't hover over my shoulder to hurry me along.

I wrapped the fluffy towel around myself and ran a brush through my clean and moisturized locks. In all honesty, I wasn't looking forward to tonight, but I would try to have fun for Alice's sake. She and I never got to have fun together anymore.

I heard a soft knock at the bedroom door and had to laugh because Alice never usually cared about my privacy. I tiptoed over and opened it, saying, "Alice…"

Edward stood there, already dressed in his tux, his eyes and mouth wide with surprise. I squealed and wrapped the towel around myself more tightly as he stood there in shock.

"Oh! Sorry…I…uh," he stammered, unable to tear his gaze from my body. "I thought you were Alice coming to the door. I smelled lilac…" His voice trailed off. "I'll come back." And in a flash, he was gone. I closed the door again, red-faced.

Yes, tonight would be very unusual indeed.

***

"Edward's already left to get little miss Tamaria in the Vanquish, so we're going to have the Volvo. Maybe I'm a sadist, but I'm curious how their date will go…should be interesting," Alice said, taking one more glance in the mirror. She was flawless in her black satin dress, channeling some 1920's sophistication with the ensemble. She had outfitted me with a simple lavender dress that Esme had once worn to a hospital gala, and straightened my hair, putting small braids throughout, with purple ribbon woven in. They matched the ballet flats that she had put on me, with ribbon that laced up on my ankles.

"Now, let's accessorize you."

"Do we have to?" I asked in a defeated tone. "I think I look fine."

"Well, I don't think you need a necklace, but definitely some earrings and a bracelet." Flashing over to her dresser, she was back before I could retort. "Oh, these will go perfectly."

I slipped the bracelet on and took the earrings from her, just wanting to get the primping over with so we could go and hang out. I was putting in one earring when she stopped me with a touch of her cold hand.

"Bella, what's that?" She pointed to my ring. "I noticed it earlier…I've never seen you wear it before."

My blushing face betrayed my casual tone. "Oh, this? It's just a ring." I laughed carefully. "Why? Do you have all of my jewelry memorized and catalogued in your head?"

"Of course," she acted like this was nothing strange. "But it's gold…it doesn't match the silver in the rest of your jewelry. Do you want me to keep it here in my jewelry box so you don't lose it?"

"Oh, it's okay…I'm going to wear it."

"But it doesn't match."

"I know…but I still want to wear it."

She arched her eyebrow at me. "Bella Swan...your cheeks are bright pink, and I haven't even put blush on you. What's the story with the ring?"

"Jacob gave it to me." I paused, and looked at her warily. Alice grinned, probably surprised that I would so easily accept a gift, but her smile faltered a bit when I continued. "We promised ourselves to each other last night. I'm going to marry him."

"Oh, Bella," Alice's tone was hushed, overwhelmed. I couldn't read in her eyes whether she was sad, angry, disappointed. "That's…I'm…" I cringed, awaiting her reaction. "Sorry, I'm just surprised. Did Jacob imprint on you?"

"No, he hasn't." I couldn't keep the worry from my voice, and I sank down on the edge of her bed. She sat next to me, studying me with concern.

She lifted my hand and gazed at the ring. "Wow. And you still said yes. Are you sure about this?"

My lips curled in a smile, despite my worry. "Yes, I am." I turned to her, meeting her shining eyes. "I love Jacob. I can't imagine my life without him. If I only get a limited amount of time with him, then I'm going to treasure that time as much as I can. I know it's risky, but I know I'm making the right decision."

I awaited her reaction, and it wasn't what I expected. Her face broke out into a huge smile, much to my surprise. "That's wonderful! I'm so happy for you!" She pulled me into an embrace so tight I had to gasp for air before she released me. "Ooh, a wedding! I have so many ideas already…you have to let me help you plan!"

I laughed. "We aren't planning to actually go through with it for a while, Alice. At least a few years, probably."

"Even better…I'll need plenty of time for some of the things I want to do," she grinned, before leaping to her feet. "Oh, you have to tell Esme and Rosalie this!" Grabbing my hand, she pulled me down the stairs. I tried to see if she was faking any of the enthusiasm, but it all seemed sincere from what I could see.

"Bella! You and Alice look wonderful," Esme's caramel voice exclaimed, her smile slightly lopsided due to her scarred cheek. "I made you a snack so you wouldn't get too hungry tonight." She motioned toward a plate of cheese and crackers and fresh vegetables — I giggled, because Esme was always obsessed with feeding me. Carlisle gave me a knowing look and wrapped his arm around the waist of his wife.

"Esme," Alice interrupted. "Look at Bella's hand."

"Have you hurt yourself?" Rosalie's asked warily, while Esme took a deliberate step back, holding her breath. Carlisle furrowed his brow in concern.

"No, she hasn't," came Jasper's call from the other room. "I'm not feeling the need to kill her right now."

The Cullen ladies laughed and stepped toward me once again as Alice grabbed my hand and held it in their faces.

"See? Look!" Alice was brimming with excitement.

"Alice did a nice job with your manicure, Bella," Esme said sweetly, looking at her petite daughter with confusion. "Lavender looks lovely with your skin tone."

Finally, after a long pause, Rosalie asked, "What's the story with the ring? It reeks of werewolf."

Alice couldn't stand the suspense any longer and burst, "Bella and Jacob are engaged!" I cringed inwardly, waiting for their disappointment or their words of warning. Just like with Alice, though, I was pleasantly shocked.

"Oh, darling!" Esme exclaimed, "How marvelous! You must be so happy!"

"I am," I murmured, allowing my wide smile to finally overtake my face.

"Jacob is a very lucky young man," Carlisle added warmly.

"How did he ask you?" Rosalie demanded, grabbing my hand for a closer look at the ring. "It's so unique! This is a very large amethyst!"

I couldn't stop the blush from rising as I stammered, "He just kind of…asked."

Jasper appeared in the doorway and snorted. "Judging from your embarrassment Bella, I don't think we really want to know the real answer to that question." He crossed over to me and gave me a quick, surprising hug. "Congratulations, little sis."

He broke away and we all stood there in silence, avoiding the uncomfortable question.

Leave it to Emmett to break up an awkward moment with another one.

"Did I hear right?" he exclaimed, bounding into the kitchen from God-knows-where. "Is our little Bella getting married? To a werewolf?" He whistled and spun me around in a squeeze. "Good luck telling our emo brother that!"

"Oh, I wasn't going to," I said, feigning seriousness. "I was just going to let one of you break the bad news when he reads your minds." Emmett's joking grin faded and I couldn't keep a straight face, even about such a sensitive subject. "I'm kidding, Emmett."

"I knew that." Emmett's temporary smile, along with those of his vampire family, quickly went away as the reality of the situation set in.

Looking around at the suddenly serious expressions, I asked the loaded question that I wasn't sure I wanted an answer to — "How am I going to tell Edward?"

No one spoke…they just exchanged worried glances.

"Am I doing the right thing?" I said aloud, mostly to myself.

Carlisle was at my side in a flash. Almost at the same time, I realized that the rest of the family had left the room, giving the two of us some privacy. I was unprepared for a serious conversation with Edward's father, but it looked like that's exactly what was going to happen.

"Bella, may I speak frankly with you?"

Wide-eyed, I dipped my head in the affirmative as my pulse spiked from my nerves. "Please do."

He paused, seeming to consider his words carefully.

"I know you care about Edward, but you can't allow his reactions to dictate your decisions. You two are in this situation because of his choice to leave. The consequence of that decision is that your heart is no longer his. He's the one who has to live with that. You shouldn't have to."

Immediately, I protested to protect Edward from his father's harsh scrutiny. "That sounds so selfish, Carlisle…how can I ignore how he feels? My heart belongs to Jacob, yes, but Edward has made it clear that his heart is mine for the taking. I need to care for it, for him. I can't stand to see him hurt!"

"Bella," Carlisle's voice and eyes were sad. "That shouldn't be your burden to bear. It pains me to say this about my own son, but Edward is not being fair to you by grasping onto this last link he has to you. He knows you're a decent person who loves him. Regardless of the level or nature of that love now, he knows that you'll do whatever you can to avoid hurting him. He's taking advantage of that."

"But I'm taking advantage too," I cried, grabbing a paper towel and carefully dabbing my eyes to avoid smudging Alice's makeup job. "I'm happy with Jacob, but I just can't let Edward go. I'm being horribly self-centered…Jacob should be enough for me. He is enough for me…but…there's still Edward."

Carlisle shook his head. "Bella, think about this for a moment. Is it possible that you're holding onto Edward, not because you can't live without him, but because you want to protect him from pain?"

I was quiet for a moment, letting his words soak in. "Well, I do want him in my life," I started. "I do love him…like I love Alice and you and Esme…"

"Like Alice and me and my wife? So, you're saying you no longer want him in a romantic way at all?"

"That's right," I said slowly, carefully, then more firmly, "I don't."

"You understand that my family will have to leave in a few years to relocate to a new home?" It was as much a statement as a question. I nodded. "How do you feel about that?"

"I'll be sad, of course," I exclaimed, "but I know I'll see you every so often throughout my life. I'm…actually really lucky because I feel like I'm getting it all. I'm not going to give up my human life…Charlie…but I'm still going to be a member of your family too."

"You'll always be like a daughter to me," Carlisle murmured, agreeing. "But the fact that you'll only see Edward periodically throughout your life doesn't make you any sadder than the idea of seeing Alice as often."

Again, I carefully considered my answer before shaking my head no.

"So he's truly a friend to you, and only that. There's nothing wrong with things being that way. It sounds like you've already started to let him go." He lifted my chin so he could meet my tear-filled eyes, and I could see the hurt in his expression. "He will have to live with that reality…it was his action that caused it to be. But his pain…" Carlisle faltered, and I heard the handsome man's voice shake for the first time. "Bella, you have to understand how agonizing it is for me to see him suffering like this. I know he brought it on himself, and I know its hurting you as well, but he is my son. I will do anything I know to minimize his torment. I'm trying to tell you what I think would be best for both of you, but I'm especially worried for Edward."

"I know," I sniffled.

"If you turn him away now, the pain he will go through will be acute. But I think it would be much worse for him to face you every single day with hope in his heart, when he'll never have you. And you know as long as he has hope, he will never leave Forks…he will never leave your side again."

"I never thought about it like that…" I cried softly as he took my hand and comforted me in a fatherly way. "But I can't be blameless in this. His pain is as much my fault as his. I've been holding onto him when everything else in my brain and in my heart says I should have already let him go."

"That's because Edward's manipulations are working on you well," Carlisle murmured. "He doesn't even realize that's what he's doing, because he's so singularly focused on getting what he wants, but he knows exactly how to pull your strings."

"He's not…" I started, but trailed off when I realized the truth in his words. The realization set off another round of quiet tears.

"I'll tell you something I told my son not so long ago, when he came to me seeking advice about changing his ways, righting the wrongs he had made with you when he left and broke your heart." I stopped crying for a moment and looked at Carlisle, his golden eyes warm and concerned for me. "I told him that vampires are a static species, but that if he is strong enough to overcome his bloodlust, then he can change in other ways as well. I still believe this to be true. His heart's desire can change…it's not irrevocably set with you. He believes you were his mate, but true vampire mates are not set in stone until the relationship is consummated. Yours wasn't, I believe?"

I couldn't help the pink from tingeing my face as I shook my head and barely squeaked out a "no."

Carlisle smiled at my embarrassment, and said with conviction, "Then I believe with all of myself that his fractured granite heart can love again someday."

My chin wavered as I considered his words, and thought back to my original reaction when he'd secured his prom date. I had responded poorly, without thinking. "I love him so much, Carlisle. He's amazing and perfect and I'd like him to be happy," I whispered. "But it can't be with me. I can't see him in that way anymore."

"I know," he said softly. "Bella, you may never have thought about it, but this situation is like what your own parents experienced. Many years ago, your mother had to make a similarly difficult decision. Your parents were deeply in love, but in the end it wasn't enough. The relationship had become impossible. If your mother would have stayed, they would have been lying to themselves every day and trying to convince themselves that they were happy together. So she let him go, to give them both a chance to find happiness."

I inhaled shakily, the truth in his words hitting home.

***

The parking lot of the only hotel in Forks was filled with cars. I nervously walked with Alice into the front lobby and followed the signs back to the hotel ballroom where Forks High School held their prom. The large reception area was decorated with more tasteful and expensive prom embellishments than the small reservation prom I had attended the previous night. A live band played for the crowd. At my side, Alice was brimming with excitement as she took in the sights on the dance floor.

"I love this song, Bella…let's dance!" she crowed, pulling me into the swarm. I followed only because her grip was like steel, and because I didn't think I could keep it together if I saw Edward just yet. Dancing would be a distraction…an unpleasant one, but a distraction all the same.

Alice looked like she stepped right out of a choreographed music video, of course. I tried to feel the beat and move accordingly, hoping I didn't look silly. I didn't have Jacob to sway me along to the music this time, so I trusted my own sense of rhythm.

I saw Alice look over my shoulder and hide an amused smile, so I had to turn and see what she found so funny.

Mike Newton was a foot behind me, his hands in the air, "dancing" with me while I was unaware. When I turned and caught him, he beamed unembarrassed and tried to move closer. I put my hands on his chest and kept him at a distance, but I didn't reject him. Mike had suffered enough at my expense…I couldn't humiliate him by turning him down yet again.

His smile was wide as we both shuffled our feet to the music — he actually laughed aloud a few times. Alice stood next to me so he was dancing with both of us. After a while, I found myself smiling too. Mike was a decent guy, and it made me happy to see him having such a good time. In only a few months, the members of my class would go their separate ways to college, and I realized I'd miss my overly flirtatious, if not clueless, buddy.

The song ended, and I surprised us all by pulling Mike in for a quick hug. "Thanks for the dance, Mike. You're a great friend." Spotting Jessica watching us warily, I pointed her out. "You should save the next dance for your date. I think she's waiting."

Mike looked happier than I had seen him in a while as he walked to Jessica and pulled her, squealing, into a close embrace for their dance.

The next song started and I found myself moving in response to the deep bass beats. Angela came up through the crowd to give me and Alice a hug, and soon Katie joined our little group of girls. We giggled and acted silly as we moved. Tyler, Katie's date, came up and put himself in the middle of our small circle, busting out some exaggerated moves that had us all whooping and laughing.

The band took a breather and the music switched seamlessly to CD for a few songs. The first that came on caused the crowd to cheer excitedly — it was a popular line dance that I didn't know. Apparently, I was the only one.

"It's easy, Bella," Alice encouraged, grabbing my arms and putting me in front of her.

"Yeah," Angela enthused, moving to the music. "If you listen, they actually tell you how to move. It's four steps to the left, then four to the right…" She demonstrated.

"And then you kick four times," Katie added.

Soon I had it down, which surprised me. Something else that surprised me was how much fun I was having. Alice and my other friends had totally taken my mind off of my worries. We continued to move through the next four upbeat songs before they slowed it down for a couple's dance.

"Let's get something to drink, Alice," I said as my other friends found their dates for the dance. We wove our way through the couples to the edge of the dance floor.

I stopped at the refreshment table, grabbing some punch and breathing deeply, glad to be out of the crowd of closely pressed bodies for the moment, but feeling slightly exhilarated by the dancing and eager for more. Fanning my heated skin, I surveyed the room and sipped my icy beverage. Several hundred students and their dates filled the area. I saw Angela and Ben, swaying slowly to the beat, lost in a sweet kiss. Jessica and Mike were talking as they danced. Tyler was saying something funny to Katie, and she grinned in amusement. Off the dance floor, Eric was holding court with a crowd of friends, all sharing a laugh about something he was saying.

Looking around at the couples, I thought about what Jacob might be doing at that moment. Probably in wolf form, running laps around the reservation, I mused. I wondered if he was thinking of me. Absentmindedly, I twisted the ring on my finger, a coy smile playing on my lips. It hadn't even been 12 hours since we had parted, but I already missed him.

I continued to slowly pass my gaze over the room as my reverie faded and I came back to the present.

Finally, I saw Edward.

He was politely standing next to his date and her group of friends. They weren't dancing. I noticed that all of the girls were overwhelmed by his presence, and all of the guys maintained a noticeable distance. Tamaria kept glancing up at him, as if she was trying to include him in the conversation, and he would nod and offer a few words. Almost as if he felt my gaze on him, he looked up. Our eyes locked from across the room, and I felt my nagging worry reappear. Carlisle had given me the essential knowledge and confidence to have an inevitable conversation with Edward, but preparation didn't necessarily mean anticipation. I was dreading it. I didn't want to have such an important talk here at prom, but I knew that if I waited until tomorrow, I'd find an excuse to delay it another day, and then another, and all the time I'd be prolonging his quiet suffering.

Luckily, Alice distracted me. "Come on, Bella! We have to get our photo taken!" She grabbed my hand and dragged me over to the corner of the ballroom, where a photographer had erected a generic silver blue background with balloons and sparkle. It was so vulgar, it was hilarious.

"Where are your dates, ladies?" the exhausted looking man leered at Alice.

She pulled me against her, snaking her hand around my waist. "She is my date," Alice smirked, as the man's jaw dropped and I giggled. We stood in front of the backdrop, holding onto each other like every other prom photo taken that evening. Both of us had mischievous grins on our faces as the camera flashed. I couldn't wait to see how it turned out.

The band took back over for another set of songs, and I heard myself exclaim, "Let's dance!" With a delighted squeal, Alice and I hurried back to the dance floor.

***

Two hours later, I sat at the edge of the dance floor with my slippers off, rubbing my aching feet. Next to me, Angela groaned and stared at her stilettos with dread.

"I'm going to have to put these back on sometime tonight," she whined, wriggling her painted toes. Angela pointed to Alice, who was still going strong in the midst of the crowd. "How does she do it?"

"She's not human," I said, laughing at my own joke.

Katie limped over to us and collapsed in the chair across from me. "Rub my feet, Bella," she moaned, kicking off her own shoes. "They're about to fall off."

I laughed and grabbed her foot. "Shouldn't Tyler be doing this for you?"

She sighed in relief at my hands. "Eeew, no way! Tyler and I are just friends. I don't expect anything from him. Besides, he's been flirting with Edward's date most of the night." My eyes widened at her words and I dropped her feet. Craning my neck, I searched the room until I found Edward. He was still standing on the outskirts of Tamaria's group of friends, but his date was solely focused on Tyler, who was leaning in to whisper in her ear. As she laughed, she also inched further away from a bored-looking Edward. I wondered when she realized that Edward was not interested, and was glad that she had Tyler's attentions to keep her feelings from being too hurt.

Alice joined our group, her eyes vibrant and excited from dancing. "I'm having so much fun tonight, girls!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands together. We groaned in response, flexing our sore legs and feet. From the corner of my eye, I saw Alice's smile fade slightly, and her eyes glaze for a moment. Only someone who recognized the look would have noticed anything different, and a moment later, her grin returned just as vibrantly, as though nothing had happened.

The crowd in the ballroom was slowly beginning to lessen as the night went on. Our small group of girls sat watching the Electric Slide and holding our own private conversations. I put my shoes back on and tied the lavender ribbons around my ankle, contemplating asking Alice if we could leave soon. I was getting pretty tired, and I was missing Jacob. I wanted to go back to the Cullen home, curl up wearing Jacob's ratty flannel shirt and get some needed rest.

Before long, the first soft strums of a love song began and Ben immediately came to get Angela. He bent to kiss the foot she was massaging before helping her stand. I saw Tyler leading Tamaria to the dance floor, and at that exact moment, Alice stood and announced that she had to use the restroom. I rolled my eyes and began to stand to accompany her, but she turned to Katie instead. "Come on, Katie," she said, grabbing our friend's hand and pulling her to her feet. "I need your help with my hair." As she began to walk away, she shot me a wide-eyed, almost panicked look and motioned toward Edward, who was now standing alone in the opposite corner of the room.

I focused on the breathtaking form across from me. As I stared, his head rose until he met my eyes. I stood. Almost as if we were guided by unseen forces, we both began walking slowly together until we were inches apart.

The moment had arrived, and I had to summon my courage. I couldn't keep putting this discussion off. I knew that if I couldn't accomplish it in this exact moment I may never find the strength to do it.

"Dance with me?" I asked quietly, keeping my face stony as he nodded with hope shimmering in his golden eyes. "I…I need to talk to you."

"I was wondering why Alice has been blocking me all evening," he said grimly, the hope fading as we found a more secluded corner of the dance floor. Carefully, he ran his hands around my waist and drew me against him. I grasped onto his neck and stared into his eyes boldly, confident that I could keep my wits against any potential dazzling.

We swayed quietly for a few moments, something indescribable flickering across Edward's handsome face as he regarded me and the way I fit in his embrace. I physically ached in his arms, from a sense of sadness for what was, what might have been. I wanted to treasure the feeling of his arms around me, because I knew it would soon be a memory. But first, I had to state my piece. Carlisle was right...I didn't want him to hurt any more than he already did.

And that's why I had to let him go.

I took a deep breath, and Edward smiled at me sadly.

"I can't read your mind, Bella," he said softly, "but I don't think I'm going to like this conversation."

"Probably not," I murmured. "But I hope you'll understand it someday." Taking another deep breath, I began, in a voice much more confident than I actually felt. "We've been avoiding this talk for too long, Edward. I've probably been selfish for neglecting it for so long, but I'm only human." The corners of Edward's mouth twitched, but his eyes looked anything but amused. "So…I think it's time we just put it all out there …once and for all. No more beating around the bush."

"Well, okay then," he said carefully. "I'll go first. You have to know that I love you. You're everything to me, and if it takes an eternity to prove that to you…" He steeled himself. "Well, if an eternity is what you want, then I'm prepared to give it to you."

"You'd change me," I gasped, taken off guard. "If I came back to you, you'd change me?"

"In a heartbeat," he said, "or rather, the lack of one."

"Edward…" I breathed, shocked. "No…"

"Why? Wasn't that always what you wanted?"

I shook my head. "No…I wanted you, not immortality. But a necessary part of having you was having immortality so I could enjoy eternity with you. That's the only reason I wanted to become a vampire. When you went away…well, I didn't have my reason anymore."

"I will never forgive myself for leaving you," he said, hushed.

"You have to," I said, squeezing my arms around him lightly. "I do."

"You're far too decent for me," Edward said quietly. "But I still hope that you'll remember what we had."

"I do remember it, Edward," I said, my voice wavering and tears springing to my eyes. "I'll never forget it. But I also remember that you left. I remember the pain. And I remember someone coming along and fixing me. He took me out of the darkness and I found the sun again. That's where I choose to be — in the brightness…with Jacob." Letting go of his neck with my left hand, I held my trembling fingers under Edward's gaze. "I'm wearing his ring. I'm going to marry him, Edward. Someday, I hope we have children together. And in the far off future, I hope to grow old with him."

Edward's head dropped, and I knew if it were possible, his eyes would be swimming with tears. He looked completely broken.

"I love you, Bella."

My tears spilled over and flowed freely. "I know. And I will always, always love you too, Edward."

"But it will never be enough."

"Edward?" I said softly, my own heart breaking at the sight of his pain. "This is what you always said you wanted for me. You wanted me to remain human, to hold onto those ties with Charlie, with my mother. You wanted me to be happy. Well, I am, Edward." He looked up at my words, his expression unreadable. I couldn't help the smile on my face, even through my streaming tears. "I'm so happy. And it took me going through a lot of pain to get here. But I'm so glad I did. I know what they say about hindsight, but knowing what I know now…I'm…glad…that you left me. If you hadn't broken my heart, I wouldn't have found this perfect happiness."

He sighed and looked over my shoulder at nothing in the distance. "I'm sorry to be so selfish," he said quietly. "I know how you've suffered because of my actions."

"And I know how you've suffered because of my indecision," I said. "But I don't want you to suffer any more, Edward. I know happiness can happen for you…it happened for me. Out of the pain of losing you, something beautiful grew. I don't expect you to understand it at first, but I think the same thing is in your future; something beautiful."

"You're the only something beautiful I'll ever want," he murmured, his usually confident voice quieted by the intensity of his emotions. "But I know you're in love with him. You are happy, aren't you Bella? Truly happy?"

I nodded, knowing in that exact moment that it was an absolute truth.

He paused to take a deep, unnecessary breath, looking as though he were preparing himself. "Then all I can say is that Jacob is the luckiest creature who ever existed." His arms tightened around me in a hug, which I returned with a soft cry.

"Edward, you can have your heart back. Even though you think it belongs with me, it doesn't. It's not mine to care for anymore." I pulled away to look into his eyes. "I hope that someday someone will cherish it even more than I have."

I leaned up and gently pressed my lips against his in a chaste kiss. He tightened his arms around me again.

"I can't let you go," his voice came out in a sob.

"Yes you can. I've done it…I know you can too. I'm releasing you from any sense of obligation you have toward me." He shook in my arms.

"I should…I know I should...but…"

"You have to," I cried, clinging to him. "Otherwise we'll never be truly free."

Free.

I froze in Edward's arms, realization whirling around me like a mighty wind.

I haven't…been…free. This whole time, I had still been tied to Edward by a fragile, but stubborn link.

The sounds of the dance around me faded as memories of previous conversations came to the forefront of my mind and began replaying.

Jacob telling me about Collin's imprint — "Well, you know that Collin imprinted when we were at the beach on Saturday…it was good timing. Charity had just been dumped by her boyfriend, so she's much more receptive to the imprint than we expected."

Jacob and I discussing Paul and Rachel — "What did she tell her boyfriend? I know they weren't together long, but she seemed pretty into him a few weeks ago." "It wasn't an issue. I guess she went back to school for her finals and found out he was cheating on her. She was totally free for someone to come along…"

Edward's words to Jacob during our outing — "I'll let go of her heart as soon as she lets go of mine. But until she forces away that piece of me that still occupies her heart, you'll never fully have her."

"Bella? Bella!" Edward's voice brought me back to reality and I was aware that he had been talking, but I was still overwhelmed with comprehension. Wide-eyed, I stepped back, away from him, my stomach clenched in knots.

"What?"

I forced myself to focus when I saw the acute anguish etched on Edward's marble face. He was struggling to find words.

"I was just saying that I can see how much this is hurting you. That was never my intention, I promise." His left hand let go of my waist and he pinched the bridge of his nose, squeezing his eyes shut tightly. Bella…I love you more than I think you'll ever know. But, if you want me to let you go…I'll do it. I'll do it for you."

"You will?"

"I'm not as hopeful as you for my future, but I'll always trust what you say, because I know it comes out of love for me. I only wish it could have been enough. I only wish…" He shook his head. "But what is done is done. All this time, I've been holding onto hope, but perhaps for the wrong thing. I've hoped that you would come back to me. But I think I'm finally realizing that will never happen. Maybe I should hope that I won't hurt forever. Maybe I'll find a sense of peace."

"Oh, Edward," I murmured, almost silently.

"You believe that this can happen for me…so maybe I can find some hope in that." He took my hand and kissed my palm. "Bella…I won't hurt you any more. I won't bind any piece of your heart to me. I'm…I'm breaking those ties. So you can be free."

"You're…letting me go?"

"Yes."

"Truly?"

His eyes were heartbroken, I could see that, but he still mustered up a brave smile.

"Yes."

I wept softly, but my lips still curved into a smile of immense gratitude.

He summoned up whatever strength he could and uttered two words that brought it all back to the beginning for me.

Be happy," he whispered, just like he had told me in my head all those months ago when I was finally seeing Jacob for what he truly was.

"Oh my God," I whispered, my breath coming in gasps.

I knew where I had to go. What I had to do. Without another word, I turned and sprinted out of the dark corner where we had been dancing, running at full-speed toward the door. Alice was walking into the ballroom at that exact moment and grabbed my arm as I started to pass.

"Alice!" I cried, and she looked at me knowingly.

"Thank you for being kind to my brother, Bella. He will get past this in time...I can see that already. He just needed you to let him know that you had moved on." Alice gazed into the distance and a familiar shimmer crossed her eyes. A moment later the vision ended. She looked at me with all the love a friend could have and simply stated, "Don't worry Bella, he'll find happiness, I promise."

I looked behind me at Edward, who had fallen to his knees in the darkness across the room, his hands tangled in his bronze hair and his face twisted in anguish. However, his eyes remained on me, and I could see that they were resolved — he was already trying to make peace with his decision.

Without tearing my eyes away from him, I squeezed my petite friend's arm. "Go to him, Alice," I said softly. "He needs you."

Before I turned away, Edward took a deep breath, struggling in an effort to collect himself. He nodded toward me, as if saying, "Go on." He was giving me the permission I needed to continue putting one foot in front of the other, running away from him and toward my destiny.