Disclaimer: All characters are wholly owned by Stephenie Meyer, and only appear here for entertainment purposes. No copyright infringement is intended.

Author's Note: I've gone about this process backwards, and am having the work beta'd after I completed it and posted some of it. So things may change if you've already read them and I found I wrote something particularly boneheaded. I hope you'll bear with me and read it again.

Many, many thanks to my beta TwilightMomOfTwo, who brings out the best in my work. Read her story "Resurrection". You won't be disappointed.


Ch 2. – Moving Out

The sight of Isle Esme receding in the distance sent a number of feelings tumbling through me. Who could feel good about a peaceful, wonderful, romantic vacation coming to an end? At the same time, I was eager to see my mom, as well as sad about the coming visit. What if this really was the last time I'd ever see her? The predominant expression on my face must have been sadness because Edward leaned down to whisper in my ear.

"We'll come back again, love. It won't go anywhere. It's in the family."

I didn't answer, but gave him a small smile of thanks and reached up to brush my fingers softly across his cheek, before taking one last look at the lovely island.

When we arrived at the airport in Rio de Janeiro, we called Renee to tell her we were coming for a visit. Fortunately they had returned to Jacksonville a few days after the wedding. We timed our arrival for sundown, and it was late evening when Edward pulled the rental car into Renee's driveway. If my hip had allowed, I would have been bouncing in my seat in my eagerness to see my mom. Edward laughed as he listened to my racing heart and told me to calm the hummingbird down before it had a heart attack. Before I could get out of the car the front door exploded open and Renee burst out, followed by Phil.

"Your mother must have exceptional hearing," Edward observed.

"No, knowing her she's been waiting in the front room all evening." I laughed as I pushed the door open.

In the ensuing week after my injury, the hip had settled into a nagging ache that flared up on occasion. It was also quite inconvenient as my struggles to get out of the car illustrated. The hip brace was hidden under my green skirt, but I had to lift my leg with both hands to swing it out of the car.

Renee's happy squeal of greeting came to a dead stop as she saw the crutches. "What happened?" she cried in alarm.

Edward was quickly there, helping me out of the car. "I'm sorry, Renee. We were riding ziplines," he explained as he handed me the crutches.

"Tsk, Bella." Somehow she put years of patiently picking me up and brushing me off into that one word. I gave her a sheepish grin and a shrug of my shoulders. "Oh, I don't care I'm just so happy to see you!" she gushed and threw her arms around my neck.

"I'm fine, Mom," I reassured her, my eyes getting a little misty. The feeling of contentment I felt was second only to what I felt when Edward was with me. Wanting to memorize every curve and line on her face, I wished I had a video camera so I could bring the sound of her voice and the way she moved home with me.

"Well, let's get you into the house," she declared and stepped back to give me room to maneuver.

"Phil, how is the team doing?" Edward called from the trunk where he was getting our suitcases. Phil stepped over to give Edward a hand, and was effectively diverted into his little world.

Mom pulled me into the living room, helped me onto the couch and began telling me about the meditation class she was taking. At the moment they were studying something she called the "golden light meditation". Somehow it was supposed to get her in touch with her energies and cleanse the body of impurities. I tried to keep up with her nebulous descriptions of how the chi should flow through the body. All the while, I couldn't pull my eyes away from her. Every movement and quirk that she made I tried to commit to memory.

Then in a sudden shift she checked to make sure the men weren't within earshot and spoke in a stage whisper. "So how was the honeymoon night?"

I scrambled, trying to catch up with her. "Oh, fine, Mom," I stammered.

"Not too scary? I know I gave you the talk years ago but that never really prepares you for it."

"I was pretty nervous," I admitted.

"I was too," she smiled. "But as long as you love each other it'll be alright."

"Yes," I spoke softly, running a finger over the polished heart I wore around my neck. "Edward is pretty wonderful."

She sat smiling at me, looking at my face. I reached out and took her hand and answered with my own goofy smile. Suddenly we both burst out laughing.

"Come on, Bella." She stood up and pulled me to my feet. "We'll need to fix your bed so you and Edward will have a place to sleep tonight."

The room that would have been mine if I had moved to Florida with Renee and Phil was about the same as it was the last time Edward and I came to visit. That time he had "slept" on the couch in the living room. The bed and the desk stood in opposite corners of the room, and my boxes of things from Phoenix were still stacked in the closet and along the wall.

"Will you be okay with your twin bed?" Renee asked. "If Edward isn't comfortable we have the couch in the living room."

"We'll be fine, Mom." I didn't mention that Edward was quite comfortable spending almost every night with me in my twin bed in Forks.

After Renee helped me put fresh linens on the bed, I couldn't resist going through some of the boxes. The trip down memory lane was inevitable when I found my collection of posters and some old scrapbooks and photo albums. There were pictures of me in horribly outdated clothes and haircuts and numerous photos from ballet class. The parade of my life marched before me – birthdays, family get-togethers, school plays, a piano recital – all the mundane events that marked my life. Hidden in one of the albums were pictures of Renee and myself from the last vacation we had taken together. We looked so happy in the pictures, I felt a tear starting in the corner of my eye.

"I guess you're going to be moving out, aren't you?" Renee spoke, not sadly, but in a matter of fact fashion. The subject came so fast I couldn't think of what my story was going to be. I never could get anything past her.

"Yeah, I guess so," I sniffed, and set down the album I was leafing through.

Renee sighed. "I had hoped you would move back in once Phil and I were settled, but now that you're married that would be silly."

My brow puckered as I remembered what the story was. "Well, Edward and I kinda need to find a place to live and get settled before school."

"Then why do you seem so sad about it? You've been watching me all night long like I was going to disappear or something."

"I have?" my voice squeaked, and I cleared my throat.

Renee nodded. "You're just starting the next step of your life, sweetie. It was going to happen sometime. I loved our time together, but sooner or later you were going to leave the nest." She sat down on the bed next to me and put her arm around my shoulders.

It was such a reversal of roles for us; usually I was the one comforting her. I put my arms around her and buried my face against her neck, taking several breaths to calm myself. Joining Edward as a vampire made absolute sense to me, and I'd wanted it from the moment I realized we loved each other. Unfortunately the consequences of that decision were not as concrete before. With reality staring me in the face, I wondered what I could tell her, and of course, there was nothing that could be said. The truth was I might never see her again because as a newborn I would want to kill her, or the transformation might leave me so different I wouldn't be recognizable as her daughter anymore.

I wasn't normally a morbid person, but it was worse than how I'd imagined being at her deathbed would be like. If she were dying, death would be taking her away from me and I would have no choice in the matter. Instead I was making the choice to leave her and I couldn't tell her that I was leaving, or why.

"I always missed you," I sighed. "Then Edward came along, and I didn't want to move back anymore. I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry, sweetie." Renee gave my shoulder a squeeze. "Life is like that. When I left home, something like that happened to me too. I was just going on a trip up the Pacific Coast with a girlfriend. Then I met your father." Renee smiled. "I didn't want to go back home either."

I mulled that over for a bit, wondering how closely I was following in my mother's footsteps. "Did you ever regret doing what you did?"

"Not really, no. Oh, wait," she frowned as she backtracked. "I suppose I must have, otherwise we wouldn't have left Forks, would we? Well, besides that, I don't think I spent too much time regretting things. I figured since there're plenty of things that go wrong, it would just take up the entire day. Your grandmother was always after me to get serious about life before it got serious with me – her words."

Renee cocked her head to the side. "I don't think you have to worry about making my mistakes. You're already starting off in a different direction, going to college after high school instead of haring off on a trip across the country. I think you'll do just fine."

"Did Grandma like Dad?" I wondered, still comparing our two lives.

"I don't really know," she admitted. "When we were married, I sent her a picture from the wedding, but she never answered and never really got to know your father. I'm just glad I got to go to your wedding because she never came to mine."

"She didn't?" I was surprised; my grandmother hadn't seemed that cold to me.

"Not really her fault," Renee corrected. "Your father and I were in a bit of a hurry, and she couldn't get away from work. She wasn't that sentimental when I was growing up, but once I came home with you she actually became more bearable. So all in all, it turned out okay."

A gentle knock at the door brought our attention to Edward standing there. In a nod to the climate of Jacksonville, he had donned a polo shirt and shorts, and the sight of him helped to ease some of my disquiet.

"Phil is getting ready for bed, so I thought I would see how you were doing," he informed us. His eyes fell on the open boxes and a smirk touched his lips. "Are you unpacking, love?"

I gave him a weak answering smile. "Just reminiscing a little. Are you ready for bed?"

Edward faked a yawn and stretched. "I am if you are."

Renee thought for a moment. "Wait a minute." She left the room. Edward sat down on the bed, pulled me into his lap and nestled me in his arms. I sighed as the feel of his arms around me helped dispel the rest of the melancholy feelings. Renee returned to the bedroom with a small jewelry box. She sat on the bed and opened the lid.

"The hair combs we gave you at the wedding were from Grandma Swan. This is something I found at a crafts fair in Seattle after I married your father. I want you to have it now." She took out an exquisite silver brooch – it was a swan, graceful in stillness, yet alive with wings poised above its head as it prepared to take flight.

"It's lovely, Mom," I breathed.

"I was sillier back then," Renee explained. "It was supposed to be symbolic, and meant I was no longer an ugly duckling. I had grown into a swan and was ready to try my wings."

Renee placed the brooch in my hand. "And now, so are you," she said quietly.

"Okay, Mom, now you're going to make me cry," I complained. Moisture gathered at the corner of my eye as I pulled her close.

Edward spoke up. "I would have to disagree, though. Bella has never been an ugly duckling."

Renee laughed and pulled the two of us into a warm embrace. "I'm so glad you found each other. You have no idea how lucky you two are. It will be fine, Bella. Just remember to call once in a while and it will be perfect. You'll come back to visit when you're able."

I took a breath to steady myself. That was not a promise I could give right now. "You're the greatest, Mom. I love you so much."

In my mom's small house, Edward couldn't help but hear my conversation with Renee. Later, after he and I had settled in bed for the night I asked him what he was thinking. We lay facing each other on the narrow bed, just enough light coming through the curtains that I could make out the shape of his face.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" he asked. "You know, you don't have to leave your mother behind."

I thought about the implications of that. It was Edward's second option – to stay together but for me to stay human. I could have my parents and my friends as if we were a normal married couple. That is, until we all started noticeably aging and Edward wasn't.

"We've gone over this before," I insisted. "I could have what? Maybe five or ten years more? We'd eventually have to move away when people start wondering how you stay so young while my hair is going gray. No, if it has to happen, I'd like it to be now rather than later."

Edward stroked my hair, pensive. "When I was created, it was easier. There was no one to leave behind. Rosalie had a hard time too." He sighed. "I just don't like to see you sad or giving things up for me."

I found his face with my lips. "I know you do. I'll probably be sad for a while, but I'm still sure. Mom was right; it's time for me to fly. As long as you're with me, I'll be fine."

"Besides," I said between kisses. "If I stay human, we'll never be able to...you know." I felt a flush rise in my cheeks, and I was sure he could feel the heat coming off my face. "What kind of married life would that be?"

"You and your hormones," he joked.

"Now admit it. That was your first time too. Maybe you don't have hormones, but now that you've had a taste, would you be satisfied to let me stay human? I know you have the self-control of a monk but…would you be happy?"

Edward thought about that for a while, then turned his face into the pillow and groaned.

"That sounds like no."

He lifted his head and gave me a gentle kiss. "You're right. I want to be able to show you, in all the ways there are, how much I love you."

I stroked his cheek with my fingers. "I want to be able to show you too."

He sighed. "I still feel like I'm being selfish though."

"You're not being selfish if I want it too."

"It is if, in the giving, I receive far more than what I gave, and still manage to take away something in the process."

I shook my head, trying to wrap my head around his convoluted thoughts. "You always find some way to blame yourself, don't you?"

"I only take the responsibility that is mine," he persisted.

"Which you think is just about everything," I argued. "You know, I think I might change my major to psychology."

That surprised him. "Why psychology?"

"If I'm ever going to understand how your mind works, I'm going to need all the help I can get."

He chuckled, then bent closer to kiss me. "We have a long flight tomorrow, love. You'd better get some sleep." He settled me closer into his chest, and began to sing my lullaby. Calmer now, I let him soothe me to sleep.

The next day, for old times' sake, I got up and made breakfast for Renee and Phil. Before Phil went off to work, I got out my camera and had him take some pictures of Edward and Renee with me. Still feeling nostalgic, I rescued a few things to take back to Forks – a couple of the scrapbooks and photo albums. The dolls and things could all go to Goodwill.

We had some time before our flight that evening, and Renee wanted to show us a little of Jacksonville. We were fortunate that thunderstorms were forecast for that day, so we had good cloud cover. We went to the Jacksonville Riverwalk in downtown, and ended up at Renee's favorite - The Tree Hill Nature Center - which had extensive butterfly gardens. We both laughed at the number of butterflies that settled on Edward's skin. They must have been attracted by the unique way his skin reflected light.

When it was time to leave for our flight, Phil was still at work. Edward put our things in the car and I stood close to Renee, drinking in the sight of her face again.

"I'll see you again, silly," she said with a laugh.

I pulled her close, my voice thickening already. "Take care of yourself, Mom."

"I will. Love you."

Squeezing her tight, I tried to communicate all the love I had for her in one hug. I took a deep inhalation, committing the scent of sunscreen, facial soap and moist skin to memory. "Love you too," I whispered.

She stroked my hair for a moment and patted my back, then she had to break first, because I wasn't about to. "Gotta go, baby." She gently turned me towards the car.

Renee stood in the driveway, waving goodbye. Staring out the back window, I waved for as long as I could see her, until we made the last turn. Then I turned around and leaned into Edward's shoulder and wiped the tears as they gathered at the corners of my eyes. I expected I would be doing a lot of crying over the next week as I left my human life behind. It didn't seem to matter that this was all premeditated. Each goodbye would take a little piece of me with it. It was a good thing I didn't have that many close friends or this would be a long, unbearable process.


After the long flight from Florida to Washington, I was pretty tired. As soon as I had buckled my seatbelt I was asleep and didn't stir until we were back at the house, and Edward was kissing me awake.

The whole family was waiting in front of the house. Alice bounced to the car as I groggily tried to emerge from it. "Welcome home!" she caroled, lifted me out of the car and threw her arms around me.

"Thanks, Alice," I answered. "Thanks, everybody." I was too out of it to be embarrassed by the attention, but I was sure it was in the back of my mind somewhere. Edward unloaded the car as I pulled out my crutches and started hobbling up to the front steps.

"Bella, did you fall down again?" Of course it was Emmett. The crutches were probably all that was saving me from one of his crushing bear hugs.

"You could say that," I mumbled as the color climbed up my face, and Emmett guffawed.

"Welcome home." Carlisle and Esme greeted us warmly as they embraced us. Jasper and Rosalie were more reserved but sincere as they welcomed us.

Now that I thought about it, this was my first time home with my in-laws. From the stories I'd read, young brides would normally be nervous about moving in with their husband's family. However they were usually girls who had grown up completely in their parents' house and for whom this was their first time truly away from home.

Many couples might find a place of their own immediately after getting married, to take the time to grow together without interference from the parents. But considering my coming…alterations…it seemed a good idea to have the family around me. I already felt quite comfortable with Edward's family and they made it seem so easy, I sometimes forgot they were vampires.

"Not so fast." Edward's voice was right behind me as I set the crutches on the bottom step. He plucked the crutches out of my hands and scooped me up in his arms. "One more threshold to go," he smiled down at me, and carried me upstairs to his room. Actually, now I could say 'our room'; that was going to take some adjustment. He set me down in front of our bed and kissed me. "Be right back," he said and left to get the luggage.

Alice appeared at the door with one of the suitcases. I knew how strong she was but it still looked out of place to see this petite little girl easily carrying with one hand a trunk that must have weighed fifty pounds.

"Did you have fun?" she asked as she set it down with a thump.

I sat down on the bed. "Loads," I smiled. "The island is amazing. I would think you'd want to move down there."

"Too much sun. But it's fine for a visit." She sat next to me and pointed at my crutches. "Is that from…"

I blushed scarlet again, but Alice was my sister now. "You didn't...see?"

Alice rolled her eyes, "I'm not going to look in on your honeymoon, silly! I just made sure you came home safe, so I wasn't sure how you got that."

"Um, yeah, it was from that," I said, wishing we could drop the subject as my face flamed.

Alice shook her head at me. "That was very dangerous, Bella. You're more than just a danger magnet. Who else would turn their honeymoon into an extreme sport?"

"I know." For a moment I couldn't take my eyes off my toes, but I remembered something. "Hey, if it was going to be so dangerous couldn't you have packed something a little safer? Just about everything in that suitcase was going to give him ideas."

"This was your show, so I wasn't going to send you down there unarmed," she smirked. "At least you weren't hurt too badly. How did he take it?"

"You know him," I rolled my eyes. "But he took it better than the last time I got hurt."

"Good. I've been telling him to lighten up for years. Well, the sooner we change you the better." She looked around Edward's room. "So what do you want to do with this place?"

I looked up, confused. "What do you mean?"

"This is going to be your room too. Don't you want to make it look like a girl lives here?"

"Oh, I hadn't thought about that."

I looked around the room. With the exception of the bed, Edward's room had not changed much from the first time I had visited. The walls were still hung with the thick cloth to improve the acoustics. Bookshelves were still stacked floor to ceiling with CDs and some vinyl LPs, and the space age sound system occupied one corner. Everything was arranged meticulously as was Edward's habit.

Then I noticed something new. One shelf had been cleared of music. There were pictures and some other things that I hadn't seen before. I got up and hobbled over to take a closer look. There was a cap from a bottle of lemonade, a CD I had given him, and several framed pictures. A picture of Edward and I dancing at the wedding was set in a dark wooden frame. Edward was beautiful as always in the dark tuxedo, and for once I didn't look so plain dancing next to him, with my hair piled high before tumbling down my back, and the shimmering white satin flowing down to the floor. The warm feeling that welled up surprised me. I was so happy to be married to Edward now, I felt ashamed I had put up such a fuss over the event itself.

Alice stepped noiselessly to my side to look at the pictures with me, so I turned and gave her the biggest hug I could manage while balanced on one leg. "Thank you for my wedding, Alice," I spoke into her hair. "You were right. I just wish I could remember more of it, I was so nervous."

Alice gave me a satisfied smile. "I said you'd thank me. I'm glad it didn't take fifty years though."

"It's a good thing I didn't take that bet," Edward's voice came from the door, as he brought in the other suitcase.

"We were just thinking about a little redecoration." Alice gave him a mischievous grin. "We'll need to throw out some things to make room for Bella's stuff."

I saw Edward's eyes widen a bit. It seemed that human or vampire, males had territory issues and I moved to head off Alice's teasing. "Oh, I don't need a lot of space. And you've seen my room; I'm not much of an interior decorator."

Edward smiled, "It's alright, love. I've already cleared space for you in the closet. I know that, unlike some people, you don't feel the need to add a new wing to the house just to store your clothes." His grin widened as he spoke. Alice stuck her tongue out at him.

I hitched myself over to my trunk and started rummaging through it. "Alice, we're going to have to find a place to store most of the things you packed for me. I don't think we'll have the right weather in Forks to wear most of this stuff."

"Oh, I can think of some things you'll have a use for…later," she said, a wicked smile on her face.

"Gah, is that all you guys can think about? Between you and Emmett, I swear I'm going to die of embarrassment." I wished, just once, I wouldn't blush so easily. I changed the subject. "Okay, enough. Let's call Charlie and let him know we're coming over tomorrow to move my stuff."


I felt a little guilty, not being able to help. It was my stuff after all, but hobbling around on crutches didn't allow for it. Not that I had much to move. I wasn't bringing the entire contents of my room to Edward's house. He had more than I would ever need, as well as a bigger bed, so I just had personal items to pack, such as my books and my clothes. I only had a few CDs now, having destroyed my collection a year ago. One good thing about not having much money was you didn't accumulate a lot of crap for when it came time to move.

Charlie had given Edward a bit of a hard time when we arrived and he saw my hip brace and crutches. "What the hell happened?" he stormed. "You've only been married for a week and you already broke her?"

Edward gave a guilty start. "I'm so sorry, Charlie, we were riding ziplines when it happened," he explained with a look of embarrassment. I wondered if I would ever be able to act as well as he could. This secret life thing wasn't going to be easy. "I was right behind her but wasn't fast enough when she lost her hold. I'm just happy it wasn't more than a dislocated hip."

"Geez, and here I thought you were the responsible one." Charlie made a disgusted noise. Responsible compared to Jacob was the unspoken thought. I saw the tightening of Edward's jaw, but he said nothing. He started pulling boxes out of the car and carrying them into the house.

After my meager belongings were packed, I sat on my bed for a while and looked around the room. The toy chest with my old toys in it would stay, and my ancient computer would go to a worthy charity or be recycled. The rocking chair was the one sentimental item coming with me; Edward would sit in it for hours watching me sleep during the early days of our relationship.

Charlie walked up the stairs and into my room. He was looking a little forlorn, and I wasn't far behind. I had hated this room when I first moved to Forks. It reminded me of everything I had left behind in Phoenix – sunshine, summer heat, shorts and flip-flops...and my mom. But over the last year, the hours Edward and I had spent talking, cuddling, fighting and making up here had changed the feel of the room. I would always remember it with fondness from now on.

Charlie sighed as he sat on the bed next to me. "Got everything you need?" he asked.

"I guess so." I cast my eyes about the room.

"Well, if you forget anything you still have a key. I won't change the locks."

"Thanks, Dad." I knew what I had to say, but I didn't want to say it. A new fissure threatened to open in my chest, and I wasn't looking forward to it. I just had to blurt it out. "But it might be hard to come back from New Hampshire to get it, you know?"

Charlie blinked. "New Hampshire?"

"Edward and I were thinking of moving there a little early to set up housekeeping. Then maybe see a little of the East Coast before school starts."

"Oh." The disappointment on his face was obvious. "But you guys just got back from your honeymoon. Don't you want to hang out and enjoy your last summer before starting school?"

"Dad, school starts in less than a month, and we have to find a place to live and stuff. So maybe a week or so. We don't have that much time."

Charlie put his arms around me and squeezed. "No, we didn't have that much time," he muttered.

I closed my eyes and squeezed him back. "I'm sorry I won't be here to take care of you."

"You know, I managed just fine before you moved up here."

When I opened my eyes I couldn't see anyway. I wiped my face on his shirt like I had as a little girl. "I love you, Dad. I'll miss you."

"Love you too, Bells," he answered. After a moment, he cleared his throat. "And if Edward ever makes you unhappy…"

"Dad!"

"I'm just putting it out there."

"I know, I know."

Just then Edward's footsteps sounded on the stairs. "That's everything, love," he announced.

Charlie let go of me and turned towards Edward. "Bella tells me you guys are leaving for school already."

"Yes, I hope that's alright. We have less than a month until school starts, so there's no sense waiting for the last minute." Edward smiled. "We'll come visit when we can. Perhaps during Christmas break."

Charlie stood and helped me to my feet. "You better," he grumped. "Well, Bella, at least I had you for a couple years. Try and call every so often, okay?"

"I will, Dad." I had to take a breath or two, as I could feel the waterworks starting up.

"I'll take care of her, Charlie," Edward said and picked me up in his arms to carry me downstairs.

Under his breath Charlie muttered, "I've heard that before, too."


Charlie stood at the front door seeing us off. I somehow managed to hobble back to the car, stow the crutches and close the car door without getting hysterical. As soon as Edward sat behind the wheel, I buried my face in his shoulder and surrendered, one tear escaping before I could brush it away. With a concerned look on his face, he put his arm around me, whispering comforting words while rubbing my shoulder.

Was it only one and a half years ago that I had moved up here? And for half of one year I was practically catatonic. Though I'd never taken an interest in it, I found myself wishing I had gone fishing with him after I moved up to Forks. Between his fishing on the weekends, and my spending every waking moment with Edward or Jacob, school or work, we hadn't had much father/daughter time.

Although as I thought about it, there were many companionable mealtimes once I'd taken over the kitchen. I didn't count the weeks I was grounded as quality time, since we weren't on great speaking terms then.

I was walking away from my life. My mom and dad and my friends. I knew it was something I had to do to move on to my new life, but that didn't make it any easier.

Edward stayed fairly quiet during the drive home from Charlie's house, trying to comfort me. By the time we had reached the turnoff to the Cullen's home, I had mostly calmed down.

"Are you sure?" he asked softly.

I sniffled a little. "I'm going to miss them. I wish there was a way they could know about us without being put in danger. What if they never told the secret? Remember when I first figured you out? I was never going to tell anybody."

"The Volturi…"

"Yeah, I know," I sighed. The Volturi didn't make exceptions, and didn't give second chances. The few humans that knew about them were either destined to become one of them, or would become dinner. Once again, for me there was no turning back.

I thought for a moment. "Do you ever wish you could go back?" I asked. "To being human, I mean."

"For a while in the beginning, I did. I hated being a monster, even though I was ridding the world of human monsters. I resented what I was, and wished I could go back."

He pulled my hair back from my face and kissed my cheek. "But if I were human, I would have died before meeting you. And there is nothing in this world that I wouldn't do to be with you. Even having to be a monster."

"The same goes for me." I replied. "I'd give up my life to be with you."

Edward sighed and pulled my head towards his. "I still wish I could become human for you, and not the other way."

"Thanks Edward. I know you would."

Now that I was officially moved out of both parents' houses, a sense of finality hit home and a sigh escaped me. A small hollow feeling opened up in my chest at the thought that I might never see them or spend time with them again. Never again to hear Charlie's sigh of contentment after a good meal, or help Renee keep her life in order.

Yet that was the price I was prepared to pay. Edward had said it might be possible to have contact with them once I gained control over myself, and while part of me yearned for it, another part wasn't sure it was a good idea. Besides, with the wedding, with the last goodbye, I had done what I could to give them a happy resolution with me. Now, all that remained was to take the final step into Edward's world.

I gazed up at my favorite view in the world – Edward's marble-smooth face with the tousled bronze hair going in all directions – and gave his arm a squeeze as he drove. The smile he turned on me helped wash away the melancholy feelings like sunlight burning off the fog, replacing the sadness with excitement and a little trepidation. What kind of vampire would I be? How soon would I be able to live a normal life like they did? As usual, no sooner did one question get answered than several more popped up to take its place. I gave my head a little shake, to regain my focus. Edward was all the reason I needed for my decisions, and very soon he would be mine for all eternity. As long as I had him, I could take whatever fate decided to throw at me.


To be continued...

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