Once again, it's Friday in Australia. For me that means posting a new chapter, for you that means you get to read along and let me know what you think.

I want to thank Pieuniek for her friendship, support and help with this story, and Chandra for her Beta skills. I appreciate you both more than you know.

Here it is:

Chapter 11 – Will You?

Today Bella, the rest of her family, and I were going to be going swimming out at the lake and waterfall by the floating beds. The best part about it was that I could go in a normal pair of swimming trunks and not have to worry about covering my tattoo. They hadn't seen it yet, but they knew about it and that was all that mattered.

We'd been in Eden for going on a month now, and I can say it's been the best month of my very long life. We'd had so much fun getting to know each other. The best part was that I was granted access to go with Charlie and Renee on a couple of jobs to see what it was like.

Renee's job was all about stealth.

I'd been given a leather cuff that had a green stone sewn into the middle of it to aide in my cloaking attempts. Renee had taken me down to earth with her and flown me to a small community in the Midwest. We'd landed outside of town so that I could activate the device; after we'd walked to a small house near the center of town.

In this house was a couple with a teenage daughter. Renee had told me that this particular girl was going to be given a scholarship to the school of her choice for medicine. She wanted to become a doctor and then come back home to help all of those in her community. She was family and goal oriented, so all she had to do was stay on track. It was unfortunate for her that a new family had moved into town with the typical bad boy son; he was trying to pull her off course. Thankfully for Renee, this young girl was smart and she was listening to the subtle prompts Renee gave her while she was sleeping to stay away from this boy and keep to her track.

It was fascinating to watch Renee work, because not only did she give these subtle prompts to her while she was sleeping, she also was subtle while she cleaned up after the girl. She was a mother through and through, and that's what made her a perfect Guardian Angel.

Charlie's job, however, was all about helping the dying and the grieving, even if they didn't know it.

Once again being flown to a small town, this time in Australia, Charlie took me to the hospital. Cloaking ourselves from the eyes of the living we walked through the hospital to the cancer ward, and not just any cancer ward, but that of children. This almost stopped me in my tracks; it was hard enough when Carlisle worked in the hospital and I visited, but I wasn't sure I could go in there when one was going to die.

Charlie placed his hand on my shoulder and squeezed. "It'll be all right, son. These are the hardest, but sometimes also the easiest because children accept it more readily than the adults do."

I nodded and followed him down to a room at the end of the hall. In this room was a little boy, no older than seven or eight, with his parents and younger sibling. I could tell that he was tired, and when we walked in he looked up at us. That surprised me.

"I've been here before, Edward. I'm not just here on the day that they die, sometimes I come every day for a few days beforehand; it helps them prepare for what is coming. Sometimes they tell, sometimes they don't, but it always helps them," Charlie explained.

Once again nodding, I watched as Charlie placed his hand on each of the boy's family members, relieving some of the weight that they felt. He walked over to the boy and started talking to him, letting him know that things were going to be okay, his family would be fine and he'd finally be out of pain.

The boy, whose name was Sam, nodded along with what he was saying. He understood that it was his time to go and he was ready. Charlie then came and stood next to me; we watched as he was careful as he said goodbye to his parents and sibling, although you could tell they knew what was happening. When he was done he closed his eyes and slipped out of the land of the living. As the monitors beeped, and the medical staff scrambled, his soul floated out of his body to come and stand next to us.

"Right, Sam, ready to go?" Charlie had asked.

"Yes. My family will grieve and move on, and I already feel better," Sam replied.

"Good, now you will be taken to Limbo for your mandatory debriefing, but after the waiting period you'll be free to reincarnate into another child. You won't remember any of this, however," Charlie advised.

Sam nodded and indicated he was ready to go. Charlie grabbed both of us by the arm and towed us out of the hospital, where he then flew us to a door in a remote part of the country.

"Every country has one of these hidden somewhere, Edward." I nodded. "This here is the doorway to Limbo and it's as far as we can go."

I turned to Sam. "I hope your next life is a long and prosperous one, Sam. Live, be happy, and love."

He shook my hand. "Thank you, Edward, and thank you, Charlie, for all your help." Then he turned and walked through the door.

After those two experiences, my awe and respect rose for Charlie and Renee. They were something to aspire to be.

"Edward, baby?" Bella called. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes, love. I was just changing into my trunks."

We walked downstairs together to meet the rest of the family, then left out the front door. As we were walking I thought about one of the other things that had been happening.

While I was planning my surprise for Bella with the help of Charlie, it became evident to us that she and Renee were planning something too.

Bella knew that while here I wasn't using my mind reading as much, so it was easier to hide what she and Renee were planning; they'd sit at the dinner table together after dinner, with a pad of paper between them. It was entertaining to watch because Renee was acting like a giddy school girl, laughing and giggling with Bella.

"What has you so lost in thought today?" Bella asked.

Shaking myself from my thoughts, I replied, "Nothing, love, just trying to work out what you and your mother have been up to that's all."

She gasped, "You won't peek, will you? It's important to me, please, Edward?"

I shook my head. "No, baby, I promise I won't peek. I love being able to be surprised by you."

She sighed, letting out a big gust of air. "Thank you, Edward. I promise, though, that it won't be much longer."

We arrived at the lake while I assured her that I could wait as long as needed.

We spent the morning playing around in the water before adjourning to have lunch. We were enjoying our food when Samail asked something that I thought to be odd.

"Edward, did you know that your tattoo is emitting a low hum?"

I looked over my shoulder, trying to see what he was talking about. "It shouldn't be. I haven't ever known it to hum before. The Volturi never said anything about that."

"Hmm," Mikail hummed while she took a closer look. "I don't think it's anything to worry about. It could just be affected by the atmosphere here in Eden. It is slightly different to your earth's atmosphere." But the look she shared with Samail said something else. I decided, however, to let it go.

I trusted them and if it was something to worry about they'd let me know.

"Well, as much as I want to spend the day with you guys, Samail, Mikail, and I have something to do," Amos lamented. "Have a fun day, guys, and we'll see you at your home later."

With that the three of them got up, and after giving hugs and kisses left to do whatever it was they were going to do.

"Edward, I want to lay down for a while. Can you take me up there to that floating bed please?" Bella asked.

I looked to the one that she pointed to. "Sure, baby."

Once I had Bella up there she told me that I should go play with Seth. She just wanted to rest.

While Bella rested, Seth and I played as many earth games as I could remember: 'Hide and Seek', 'tag', and I threw in a few annoying ones, too, like 'I Spy' and 'ring around the rosie'.

When we were ready to go home, Bella asked to be brought down. I jumped up to the floating bed, placed her on my back, and jumped down. She didn't want to walk home so I carried her piggyback style, chasing Seth as he'd run ahead of us.

Renee, Charlie, and Alison laughed at us as we played. Once Charlie joined in, it was on for young and old. Charlie chased Seth while I put Bella down and chased her. We ended up running all the way there.

Arriving home we walked in to find Amos, Mikail, and Samail sitting in the living room. They had serious but happy looks on their faces.

"Edward, Bella," Samail called, "Can we have a word with you for a moment please?"

We nodded and watch as Alison sat with Amos, giving him a small kiss. Charlie and Renee took a sleepy Seth upstairs to get him ready for a nap by giving him a bath and grooming out his feathers.

Bella and I made our way into the room and sat on a loveseat facing all of them; we exchanged a small look before turning our gaze toward them.

"What's going on, everyone?" I asked at the same time Bella blurted out, "Is this about why you left earlier?" I guessed she'd noticed the look they gave each other earlier too.

"We'll answer both of your questions, but first, yes, it is about why we left earlier," Amos began.

Mikail looked straight at me. "Edward, we thought it odd that your tattoo was reacting to our atmosphere or our presence or whatever it was earlier. We didn't want to worry you so we acted like it wasn't a big deal."

"Well, I did notice that there was more not said, especially when I saw that look shared between you two." I saw Bella nodding from the corner of my eye, agreeing with me.

Amos sighed. "Yes, I thought that was the case. We wanted to go look for some things in the library. Bella hasn't taken you there yet, has she, Edward?"

I shook my head and gave Bella a small stink eye, to which she laughed at.

"Okay, remind me to take you there." Alison laughed at us. "So what did you find out?" she directed to her husband and grandparents.

"Edward," Samail started. "We went in search of a reason as to why your tattoo would react as it did."

I nodded, understanding that they were worried.

"What we found was very interesting," he continued. "It would seem that you are affected by angel magic."

My brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"Your tattoo; it seems that while being made with implements able to pierce vampire skin – most likely of angel origin – it also is imbedded with angel magic, or our life force," Samail concluded.

Bella gasped. "You mean that this tattoo has an angel tear in it? That's what activates it and allows him to eat?"

They all nodded. "It's also why it's affected by being here in Eden," Mikail said. "So there is nothing to worry about. What is concerning is how the Volturi got a hold of something strong enough to pierce vampire skin."

"I think," I started. "What is more concerning is where they get the angel tears from."

Bella, following my line of thought, dismissed my automatic thinking. "No, Edward. Angel tears given under duress won't have those magical properties. They have to be happy tears. So whoever is helping them is doing so willingly."

I breathed out a sigh of relief, but was interrupted by Amos.

"You don't think…" he breathed.

"I don't know… Could it be possible?" Mikail asked.

"It would explain a lot, but not why she hasn't…?" Samail finished.

Bella and I looked between them as they went back and forth.

"Oh for goodness' sake." Alison got up, went to the bookshelf, and came back again. Opening it up to the page that she wanted, she handed it to me. "Edward, please. Have you ever seen this woman?" She pointed to a delicate looking angel who looked a lot like my Bella, and I'm shocked I didn't put it together after meeting her.

"That's Didy!" I exclaimed. "She's the mate of Marcus of the Volturi, pretty much a queen of our race." Then it clicked. "That's your Didyme and she's an angel, right? Every time she was in my presence she had to hide what she was."

"Yes," Mikail stated with a sob. "That's where my little girl is. She's happy and mated and she's helped the world the best way she knows how by getting one of the most dangerous creatures to feed better. I am so proud." With that she burst into tears.

"I wonder then…" Amos mused. "Did they get the metal to make the tattoo gun from her Angel Blade?"

"No," I answered, having everyone turn to look at me. "The letter that they showed me…" They were quick to interrupt but I held up my hand to cut them off. "Sorry, I forgot that only Bella knows this story.

"Aro, Marcus, and Caius told me a story that they were visited by someone from the future way back in 4000 B.C. with a letter from the gods explaining that they had to change their feeding habits. This person came with instructions on how to make the ink for the gun and the materials to make the gun itself. I've actually seen the letter. Now I understand, someone from here must have gone down at that time to do so."

"Oh. How have we not heard about this?" Amos exclaimed.

"Because we didn't need to be informed, that's why," Samail cut off any arguments. "If we needed to know we would have been told. Gabriel would have facilitated this and it's in our best interest not to ask."

We all nodded, knowing he was right.

"Can I ask, what is an Angel Blade?"

"This is an Angel Blade," Charlie stated, walking down the stairs. "Made of the only material known to kill angels, the name of which I don't know." He placed the blade on the table in front of me. "And Edward is right, because that right there is Didyme's blade. I found it buried in your backyard, Samail, when I was a child, with a note to only reveal it when the time is right."

I picked up the blade, which looked more like a dagger. It was shiny silver, with a very sharp point. It also hummed with power. I could understand why it was so deadly.

"Edward," Charlie started again. "The note also said that it had to be handed on to the mate of the next Earth Angel. That would be you; you are to wield it with great care, because not only will it kill angels, but all manner of creatures as well. Those not in the know must not know. Understand?"

I nodded. This was a very powerful weapon and I would be extremely careful with it. For now I placed it back down on the table. Looking up, I could see a mixture of feelings on the faces of everyone.

"Edward," Bella murmured. I turned to look at her. "Next time we go to earth, I want to see Didy please. I want to meet my great-grandmother and find out why she hasn't been home," she pleaded with me.

I held her to me, hugging her tight. "Of course, my beautiful girl. We'll go soon, I promise."

She held me back just as tight, shuddering a little.

"Now that we've established that. The reason we brought this up is because we have a gift for you, Edward," Amos began.

I looked up, wondering what it could be.

"Once we figured out what was enabling you to eat, we went over to the artisans and had this cuff made for you. We had it infused with angel tears," he continued.

It was a leather cuff, with a heart surrounded by wings engraved onto a metal plate attached to it. They'd had one wing and half the heart inked in red and the other inked black.

"There's a significance to this?" I asked.

"Yes. It's to depict the fight between good and bad that everyone goes through every day. Even us. But this one is special, Edward. While you wear it, you will be able to sleep," Samail explained.

"What?" I exclaimed.

"Yes," Samail answered. "At night, after your mate has found slumber, this will activate and allow you to sleep as well. I figured it was something you longed for, a respite from the world."

"God, yes! Thank you." They all laughed at my response.

I put it on straight away, getting up to hug them in thanks. I couldn't wait to try it.

Bella sniffled and I looked back at her.

"Don't worry, my love, happy tears. But in the spirit of giving I have something for you as well." She went over to Renee, who I hadn't noticed had come in the room and took a grey, round ball from her. "This is what I have been working on with my mother, Edward."

Handing the ball over to me she continued, "This here is a Soul Projector; it connects to the other person or people holding onto the other one. Only two are ever linked. Anyway, just grab the top and twist it one hundred and eighty degrees."

With smiles I saw everyone take a step backward, for what I didn't know but I did as I was told.

Once the top was twisted, there was a flash of light and then I was face to face with two people I hadn't seen in nearly one hundred years.

"Hello, Son," they stated.

I choked out a tearless sob. "Mother, Father."

~*~HS~*~

After the initial introductions, they left Bella and me alone to talk to my parents. I sat with Bella on the loveseat, the ball in one hand with my other wrapped around her shoulders and Bella's hand on top of the ball.

I kept placing small kisses on her head and temple because I was so overwhelmed with this present; apart from herself, this is the best present she has ever given me. Seeing my parents, being able to talk to them again and knowing that I could talk to them whenever I chose was just the icing on a very wonderful cake.

I was so lost in my overwhelming thoughts that I missed what my mother was telling Bella.

"…When he came inside he was wet from head to toe, madder than any wet hen I'd ever seen and screaming at the top of his lungs." She giggled, Bella giggling along with her while peeking up at me.

I rolled my eyes for good measure, being chastised by my mother for my efforts.

"So, Mother, Father, what have you been up to? Where are you?" I asked, trying to get my mother off of my youthful exploits. They were embarrassing.

They both laughed at my attempt to change the subject, as did Bella.

"Well, when we passed, we were informed of what you had become thanks to your mother," Dad started.

"What? I knew, even on my deathbed, that he was destined for something or someone GREATER than dying could accomplish. And look, now he's mated to the most beautiful angel I have ever seen. He's going to live a long time and even give us grandchildren. I can't be happier," Mother argued as Bella blushed at her compliment.

"She's right, you know," I whispered to Bella, which made her bloom that much pinker.

"Oh, he's just how I raised him to be." Mother sniffled. "I'm so proud."

"Anyway," Father continued. "We realized that you wouldn't be joining us in heaven and we had no desire to be reincarnated, but didn't just want to sit around all day either; that's not us. We were informed that they needed two people to help out with those that have just crossed. So we took them up on their offer."

"Oh, so you're the new guardians in Limbo?" Bella asked.

"Yes, sweet girl," my mother answered. "We are, and we enjoy it very much. Helping all those who cross over. That lovely boy Sam that you helped Charlie with had nothing but wonderful things to say Edward."

Bella looked at me with pride. She had heard the story and was ever so pleased about the results.

"Thank you, Mother. It was a great learning experience."

Suddenly there was a jingle on their end of the line.

"I'm sorry, Edward." Father sighed. "But that's the alarm for our door. We need to go and help the next one through."

"But at least now we can talk anytime. Just carry that ball with you wherever you go, okay?" Mother finished.

"I will. I can't wait to talk to you again. I love you, Mother and Father."

"We do too, Edward. And you as well, Bella dear. Bye, bye for now." With that my mother and father were gone.

Before Bella could say anything, my mouth was on hers, my hands in her hair, and I was just kissing her stupid. What she had done for me was give me back two of the people who had meant the most to me. I could contact them any time I wanted and tell them one more time that I loved them. I was so overcome that I had to stop kissing her and put my head in her lap to sob.

After a while Bella pulled me up. "Come on, my love. Let's go up to bed; you can sleep and work through everything that has happened today in your subconscious."

"Okay, love, I just need to check in with Charlie before coming up there." She nodded and left me to head to Charlie and Renee's room.

Charlie answered after I knocked on the door. "It'll be ready by the time you guys get up in the morning. When I'd learned what she had done, I didn't think you'd want to wait long."

"Thank you, Charlie, and you're right. I'll take her there after breakfast."

I went upstairs after saying goodnight, to find my angel already asleep. I showered, changed into pajamas, and climbed into bed. It wasn't long until I drifted off into a peaceful slumber.

~*~HS~*~

The next morning I hurried Bella through breakfast. I could tell she was getting a little impatient with me because I was pushing her along.

"Edward," she huffed. "What is your problem this morning?"

"Nothing," I stated as she glared at me. "All right, I have a surprise for you but I want to get there as quick as possible please?"

"Okay. Why didn't you just say that?"

I just shrugged. "It's a surprise for a reason."

We left the house then, me towing her along. She thought it was funny that I was now almost running.

Before we got to the little pathway, I stopped her and put a blindfold over her eyes, picked her up, and continued on to the Looking Pool hut. Once inside, I placed her on her feet and took a look around.

It was beautifully done. Charlie had really come through. There were tall pillar candles all around the room, giving it a wonderful glow. They'd placed a red carpet circle around the base of the Looking Pool. Flower petals were scattered all over the floor in many hues of colors, and I could see what looked like fairy lights, although upon closer inspection they were actual fairies, and they were singing. I smiled at them and they all smiled back.

The best part, though, in the middle of the Looking Pool on a little bamboo boat, was the fede ring that I had commissioned for Bella. It was made of the same material that the Angel Blade is made of, with a heart-shaped red Angel Stone in the middle. It was stunning.

"Edward, can I take this off now?" she asked, pointing to the blindfold.

"Hmmm, I don't know, Bella. I may have other uses for it," I thought out loud.

She giggled at me. "Please, Edward. I want to see my surprise."

"Okay, love, hang on a second. Let's just get you into position." She giggled again but I ignored her as I dragged her next to the Looking Pool and got down on one knee. "Now, love. You can take the blindfold off now."

Bella took it off right away and gasped as she looked around. She saw the fairies, the petals, and the carpet before she even looked into the Pool. When she did she let out another small gasp as her right hand came up to cover her mouth. She looked down at me, with tears gathering in her eyes.

I lightly held her left hand in mine, looking straight into her eyes, and said what was in my heart.

"Isabella," I murmured. "My life before you was long, unending, unchanging. When you walked into my classroom that first day, and I realized you were my mate, my life bloomed out before me. There would be love, there would be laughter, and there would be days where we couldn't be without each other. I saw you in every single thought because I knew that I could never be without you. You are my life, my love, and my salvation.

"I love you, Isabella Swan. I promise to love you forever – every single day of forever. Will you do me the great honor of marrying me?"

Bella paused just slightly to wipe the tears from her face. "Oh my goodness, yes, Edward," she squealed while flinging herself at me. Placing kisses all over my face, she continued saying yes, like she couldn't say it enough.

I reached up, placing my hands on her face, and brought her lips to mine, sealing our engagement with a kiss. Standing up, I pulled the ring from the Looking Pool, placed it on her finger, and gave it a small kiss before kissing her again.

I would like to take the time to rec a couple of stories.

First Pienuniek's Twilesque. It's how we met and I'll never forget that. FFN ID: 9728841, and under her author name Pienuniek on Ficpad. It's Twilight, with a twist.

This one is complete but she has started posting the sequel, Parallax, which is completely written. FFN ID: 11594608, again under her author name on Ficpad.

And lastly, from one of my fave authors, Drotuno. If you haven't read her work, please do. Her latest one just finished had one of the best Edwards I've ever read, I just wanted to give him squishy hugs. A Few Tables Away will give you all the feels. FFN ID: 11436441. This one is all human.

Thank you, and I'll see you again next week.