Thanks for all the wonderful reviews. I didn't expect this response! Since my beloved Sherry is enjoying some time off, I asked others for help. Thanks to Jackonscupcake and lulabelle98 for helping me out with this one. Thanks to opheliasmuse for giving the idea for this chapter in the first place. Go read their work. It's awesome!


- Edward -

Her face. I have known it for years and would recognize it anywhere. Heart-shaped, with the biggest brown eyes that look right into your soul. Her lashes long, when she blinks it's always a flirtation. Her lips, I have longed for an eternity to kiss them.

Beautiful.

.

She is so tiny, I could fold myself around her easily. I dreamed about having her in my arms. Fantasized how her skin would feel underneath my fingertips, underneath my lips. But I can only watch. She doesn't notice me, doesn't know that I exist. Doesn't want me.

Unreachable.

.

I'm leaving Forks. Going to Dartmouth to learn to be a doctor. I'm going alone. The others will scatter, too. But not her. She is staying in Forks and will commute to Seattle. She is happy, she says. Wants to stay with her father, she says. She has missed him for so long in her life. She is so caring and selfless.

Inconceivable.

.

A party. A last goodbye before we will shatter. A bonfire and beer. We banter and talk and I end up next to her. Feeling her body tense against mine. She is quiet today, avoiding my gaze. She doesn't want me and I have to accept that. She is not mine to keep. But I will miss her so much.

Unattainable.

.

A play fight with Jasper, I am pushed off guard and off balance. Falling, I fall into her. She catches me, her tiny hands on my frame. Shocked, worried. She sets me upright again. Puts me in my place. Away from her, at a safe distance. I apologize, laughing. Hiding my pain behind my smile.

Inconsolable.

.

More beer, more time. The coil in my stomach dissolves in the alcohol. When they dance, I get up too. Reaching out, I hope she will accept. Her hesitation tears through my soul. She doesn't want me, but wants to be nice. Because she is. Always nice.

Caring.

.

She moves like water. Fluent, fluid. Her hips mesmerizing. Her arms enchanting. Her gaze inviting, but she never looks at me. I still dance with her and revel, enjoying the moment. I want her. So bad. I yearn.

Seducing.

.

The music slows and she starts to leave. I cannot allow this. I must feel her, if only for once. I will regret it forever if I let her go. Her hand disappears in mine, her skin as warm as I imagined. I gently pull, trying to look hopeful instead of desperate. She looks back, eyes wide as ever.

Expecting.

.

Her body against mine. She is so tense I feel sorry for holding her. My hands carefully on her back until her head nestles in the crook of my neck. And then I understand. She relaxes in my embrace and my heart soars.

Victorious.

.

We dance, moving together to the sway of the music. Her body pliable, fitting perfectly against mine. She sighs deeply, then seems to holds her breath. I wait, but can't wait any longer. Then when she takes a breath to speak, the words burst from my mouth before I can stop them.

"I love you."

.

Her gaze open, confused, she is still for an impossible moment. I am sure I did wrong. Blew my chance in the most impossible way. Rude even, by speaking before my turn. I start to pull away, but this time it is her stopping me. And she speaks.

"I love you too."

.

Time seems to stop as I look at her mouth, moving to say the words I have dreamed of forever. My gaze moves to her eyes, sparkling in the firelight. Happy, so happy. I have rarely seen her like this. Suddenly nervous, I am aware of my arms around her.

Searching.

.

Her eyes close her smile is so big, then her head burrows once more in the crook of my neck. A perfect fit. I exhale in relief, my heart hammering. This. My hand in her hair, it's as soft as I imagined it would be. Silken strands between my fingers.

Home.

.

Around us, our friends look on as we sway, not paying heed to the beat anymore. We are dancing to the music only we can hear. I want her alone. Tugging on her hand, I invite her to walk with me. Along the beach, the moonlight our only guide. Linking my fingers through hers. Finally.

Connection.

.

We don't talk. Words aren't needed, nor wanted right now. We walk along the shore, the wind keeping us company. I am bursting with energy, could run I'm so happy. Instead, I squeeze her hand and she squeezes back. In the dark, her eyes shine. I cup her face, taking my chance for the second time tonight. When our lips connect, all else falls away. This is it.

Perfection.


What do you think... worth continuing?