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Acceptance - Buyer's approval of the goods supplied at their invoiced price, signified by the act of taking delivery, and/or use, of the goods without protest.

BPOV

"Bella, I'm immortal. I haven't aged a day since I was thirty years old."

It takes a moment for my brain to truly grasp what my ears have just heard. At first, I thought Edward said he was immoral and I was trying to come up with an argument against his declaration. I mean, most people wouldn't refute his claim, considering he's a workaholic who pays for his sexual needs to be taken care of, but I know the real him . . . at least, I thought I did.

Immortal, though? How is that possible? It can't be, unless I've somehow wound up in one of those sappy fantasy romance novels that Alice is always shoving in my face to read.

I know that I'm not, though, and Edward looks pretty serious, even more serious than usual. In fact, now that I look at him more closely, he looks . . . scared.

From the corner of my eye, I see his fingers stretch out to touch me, but he quickly pulls them back. It breaks my heart that he's afraid to ask for the acceptance and comfort he needs because he assumes I'll reject him.

Will I reject him? Can I?

I love him.

I've already confessed my feelings to him so I can't really take them back unless they've changed all of a sudden. The crazy thing is that I don't think my feelings for him have changed.

Edward is frantic as he brings me out of my thoughts. "Please, Bella, say something. Anything!" His voice is anguished and he's clenching his fingers into such a tight fist, I fear his bones will break. My instinct is to soothe him, but I still have questions that must be answered.

"How, Edward? How is that possible?"

I watch as he picks up the box from his office and places it in his lap. His elegant fingers carefully open the lid before holding it out for me to take.

I can't help but feel apprehensive as I take the box from him, not knowing what's inside.

Almost like he can read my mind, Edward reassures me. "There are just a few things from my past in there; things that meant something to me before I was changed. Sometimes, I look at them when I want to remember how I used to be." His voice suddenly becomes soft, almost shy, when he adds, "I've never shown anyone these things before."

Knowing how special these items are makes my movements slow but determined as I take out each one, studying it before laying it on the bench beside me. There are car keys which he explains went to his favorite possession when he was human. His face lights up in a way I've never seen as he describes his love for his rare, gold Mustang Cobra Jet; I can't help but desire for him to look that way because of me someday.

His birth certificate is inside, as well as the obituary for Edward Cullen, Sr. I briefly think back to Esme, sitting by the window, waiting for a husband who'll never return, and I have to force down the lump in my throat. Making a mental note to ask more about his mother later, I resume my investigation and find a driver's license from 1977, pictures of him and Rosalie as children, as well as pictures of his parents. I couldn't hide my surprise, though, when I unfolded a thin piece of paper, yellowed by age, which was clearly a love letter.

"That was from Angela, the only real girlfriend I ever had in my human life. I keep it as a reminder that I was once capable of love."

When I look up at Edward's face, I see his features change with every emotion he's trying to suppress: sadness, pain, and regret are the most prominent, but it's the flicker of hope and, possibly, something deeper, that captivates me.

"Bella, I know what I've said sounds insane - but when I tell you how I became immortal, you must listen to everything I say before you react. I promised you answers and I'll give them to you, as long as you're really ready to hear them."

I take in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Somehow I know that after this, nothing in my life will ever be the same. Am I ready for that?

Absolutely.

Squaring my shoulders, I nod my head, signaling for Edward to begin his story.

"Bella, I know you must've noticed things about me - things that are different from you or others that you know," he begins.

Of course, I have; I'm not an idiot. This man has fucked me crazy, but I've never seen him eat or drink. Apparently, he also has supersonic hearing and never sleeps. That's not normal, but what would that make him, then?

I feel Edward's strong hands take my own, probably in an attempt to make me focus on what he's saying. My mind is working overtime, though, and the crazy possibilities from earlier take over.

I see it before I hear it. It's like his lips are moving in slow motion as they form the words, "I was bitten", and I let out a gasp. I don't even need to hear the actual words, though, to know what he's saying.

Everything hits me at once - every question, every observation, every difference between us. The truth settles around me and I know. Somehow, I think I've always known.

My voice is barely a whisper, but there isn't a doubt in my body when I interrupt his story and say, "You're a vampire."

EPOV

It feels as though the world has stopped turning and everything has paused. Nothing moves and nothing changes, as I wait for what feels like an eternity for Bella to react to her statement.

How did she guess what I am? Why is she not running away?

Her eyes are like melted chocolate as they stare at me, swirling with curiosity and wonder. I'm not sure I like that.

"Say something, Edward. Is it true? Are you a . . . a vampire?"

Finally, I find my voice.

"Yes, Bella, I am."

Even though she's already guessed my secret, she still lets out another gasp but quickly covers her mouth with her hand, like she's trying to push the sound back inside.

Of course, she's scared.

I turn my body away from her to sit forward, my elbows on my thighs, while I hide my face in my hands. I haven't felt ashamed of what I am in a long time; having made peace with my fate years ago. Although, I've made many mistakes in the past, I've always been able to accept them as being part of a vampire's life.

Seeing that Bella is afraid of me, though, makes my dead heart turn to dust. I'm not sure what I expected. In fact, I should be happy that she's scared. It's not like I expected her to still want me after this conversation. She shouldn't want to be with me but I can't help but wonder what it would be like if she did.

"Will you finish your story, please?"

"What does it matter?" I ask, still not looking at her.

"What do you mean?

"Do you really want to know, Bella?" I turn back to face her, masking the desperation I feel in my eyes with the seriousness of our situation. "Believe me, I want nothing more than for you to know the real me but, make no mistake, I'm a monster."

"I'm not afraid of you."

"Well, you should be!"

Bella flinches and I know I'm an asshole, but she has to know the truth. This isn't a fairytale.

"After years of practice, I've become very good at controlling myself - controlling my thirst - but it's still dangerous for you to be with me. I'm not a good person, Bella; I'm a killer. I've killed many people, including other prostitutes, and have never thought twice about it. I survive on the blood of animals but sometimes I lose my restraint. I don't want that to happen with you. You have to decide if you can accept me this way and still be with me. If you can't, I'll understand. I'll bring you home and never bother you again but you must promise not to tell anyone, not even Alice, what I've told you today."

Even as I say the words, I know they're false. I could never leave Bella completely. I'd never let her see me but I'd always be near.

"No!" I think even she is surprised by her outburst.

Bella clears her throat and begins again. "Did you get the note I left for you at the hotel?"

"Yes," I answer, unsure of where she's going with this.

"You read it? All of it?"

"Yes, Bella. I read it right before I saw the newspaper headline about Tanya."

"Then, you already know that I love you and I'm not going to let you leave me brokenhearted. I'm in love with you, Edward, and that means I accept you, no matter what you are."

I close my eyes as her words wash over me, revitalizing me like fresh water to a man dying of thirst. I'm not ready to open them again for fear that this is all a dream. With her words, I've become too hopeful. If she rejects me after this, I'll never survive.

When her soft hand cradles my jaw, I lose my resolve and open my eyes.

"I want to know everything," she whispers, so I finish my story because I can deny her nothing.

Bella listens intently as I tell her all about my life with Jane and then with Carlisle. I don't hold anything back as I speak of vampire wars and the killing of both humans and other vampires. I see her body relax a bit after I tell about killing Jane and then finding Carlisle. She never shows the judgment that I expect - that I deserve - and I marvel at how well she seems to be taking this information.

When my story ends, we both remain still inside our intimate bubble. I watch as Bella absorbs my words, dissecting them and making them fit. I'm not sure how long I wait but, eventually, she looks at me and smiles.

"Thank you for telling me everything. I still can't believe there's this whole other world out there."

"Bella, you can't tell anyone that vampires exist, not even Alice."

"I won't tell her. But, what about Rose and McCarty?"

As the words leave her mouth, the color drains from her face before she continues. "Oh, shit, is Rosalie a vampire, too? She is, isn't she? Who bit her?"

"Yes, my sister is also a vampire, but now's not the time for her story. McCarty, though, is still human."

She ponders something for a moment before tentatively sliding her delicate fingers between mine. "That means there's hope for us."

"What do you mean?" I ask, closing my hand around hers.

"Well, if McCarty and Rose can make their relationship work, considering their differences, then there's no reason why we can't do the same. That is, if you want there to be an 'us'."

"Did you notice the condition I was in this morning when I stormed into your apartment?"

"Of course. You looked like hell."

"That's because I was in hell thinking that you were dead, that I'd lost you forever. When I left you in the penthouse, I ended up in Canada with Carlisle. I was a wreck, Bella. He'd never seen me so distraught before and was worried about me. I didn't know what was wrong with me; I didn't recognize what I was feeling until Carlisle helped me understand. That's when I realized that I love you, too."

Bella's eyes fill with tears and her smile is blinding. "You love me?"

"I do, but it's not that simple for me, Bella. I haven't had these feelings since I was human; I'm a bit rusty and I don't know how to make this work. As soon as I recognized my feelings for you, I rushed back to Seattle only to find your note and the newspaper. I panicked. I almost killed an innocent man because I was so enraged. My emotions and, therefore, my actions run either hot or cold, there's no middle ground. You need to fully understand what you're getting yourself into, Bella."

Her giggle is music to my ears as she says, "Well, if I haven't run off screaming yet, I don't think I will, Edward."

I relax my body for the first time in days, it feels like, and smile at her. "I can't express enough how huge this is for me. Please be patient with me. I want to make you happy but I'm simply not used to putting other's feelings before mine. I'm a selfish bastard but I'll try to be better . . . for you."

"If we're together now, does that mean we can kiss?" she asks shyly. "Or is that some vampire rule that can't be broken?"

"You're the first woman since Jane that I've kissed. I've always been worried that my venom would seep into a woman's mouth if we kissed. There's also the concern that my razor-sharp teeth would bite through someone's tongue or lips." I try to smile to soften the blow of my words.

"So, that's why oral sex is out," Bella replies, sounding defeated.

I can't help but laugh loudly and it feels good, really good.

"Yes, that's why I have the 'no oral sex' rule. That and the fact that my come has venom in it also makes it dangerous for my partner."

Bella scoots up to me and then climbs onto my lap, straddling me. My arms wrap around her waist and pull her closer to me while my dick instantly hardens.

"You know what I think, Edward Cullen?" She peppers soft kisses on my cheeks and jaw, purposely avoiding my mouth.

"I think it feels so fucking good to be able to touch you again." I grab her ass with both hands and rub her covered pussy over my erection.

Bella hums in response. "I agree. I also think that practice makes perfect so . . . kiss me."

A growl rumbles in my chest and my grip on her ass tightens. "You're killing me, woman. But, since I'm going to hell anyway . . . "

A/Ns:

Jiff: That last line is JK's favorite Twi-line, btw. We just had to use it!

Jenny Kate: I LOVE it! Ray-Ban wearing Edward with his cocky smirk. UNF! Squeezing in a Twi-line here and there is fun.

Jiff: It is! That one fit perfectly, I thought. Of course, I could be biased.

Jenny Kate: Something else we find fun is shaking up the canon characters/couples. Some of you have asked about Carlisle and when he'll enter the story, but we already introduced him in Chapter 12. As for Carlisle and Esme being together, they have never met. Edward and Rosalie's father was Edward, Sr., and as you know, he passed away a long time ago. Carlisle and Esme's paths have never crossed, and they won't, for obvious reasons. Carlisle is a father figure for Edward, but not his actual father...mortal or immortal. Hope that helps keep the storyline straight and clears up any questions that might have been lingering.

Jiff: Please, don't hesitate to ask us questions in your reviews if you're confused about something. We'll answer them as long as it's not spoiler-related! :-)

Jenny Kate: So, what did you guys think of the chapter? There was some pretty heavy talk going on.

Jiff: Yes! Some big things happened here, including those three little words we were hoping to hear soon!

Jenny Kate: I'm a vampire?

Jiff: Kiss my ass. No, wait, those aren't the words either. You know which ones!

Jenny Kate: Oh, you mean . . . "I love you"? *makes kissy sounds*

Jiff: Of course, that's what I meant! *twirls and throws flowers to everyone*

Jenny Kate: I'm sure you guys have some opinions/thoughts on how Bella handled the whole vampire revelation and we can't wait to hear 'em!

We appreciate all of you who read, review, and rec our story! And, a BIG thank you to our awesome beta, Mauigirl60!