Welcome to the next to the last chapter! Hope you enjoy.

Thanks so much to everyone for all the love this story has received. I've had a better response to it that I ever thought possible!

Kira POV

The first thing that came to mind as my head began to clear up was that heaven was awfully dark. In all the stories and movies, heaven was alway bright and cheery, with angels and pearly gates. All I could register was the dark. I was disappointed, somehow.

Maybe, I was in Hell. That could be it, but then again, I thought hell was supposed to be warmer. If anything, I was just a tad cold.

So, it was too dark for heaven and much too cold for hell. Now I was confused.

Then I felt it. It was a mind numbing pain, radiating from my chest down into my arms. It felt like someone had tried to punch a hole through my chest. That decided it for me. Hell, I had to be in hell. Heaven could never hurt this much...

Seth POV

I must have fallen asleep at some point, since I was lying on the bed Esme had brought into the room for me, so I didn't have to leave Kira's side to sleep. Not that I voluntarily used it much, but when I did manage to fall asleep at Kira's bedside, someone always made sure I ended up in the bed, tucked in all warm and cozy.

I woke up slowly, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. I could hear the slow, steady beep of the machine currently keeping Kira alive. She must not have flatlined during the night, since I had not been awakened by that accursed high-pitched sound, alerting us to Kira's body, once again trying to give up.

Fortunately, Carlisle was not the type to give up. He had assured me that he would continue to resuscitate her back to life until his actions were no longer successful. Her body would have to well and truly give up before he would.

With my eyes finally open, I focused my gaze onto my mate's face. She was extremely pale, but still more beautiful than anyone I had ever seen in my life, or would ever see. With the most intoxicating blue/white eyes...

Blue/white eye?!

Her eyes were open. She was blinking slowly and looking right at me. A look of confusion and fear crossed over her face, as she tried to reach a hand to me. I rushed to her side, almost tripping of the blanket still twisted around me.

"Carlisle!" I screamed, taking her hand. "Kira, Kira honey. You're awake. Stay still. Wait until Carlisle gets here."

Seconds later, Carlisle was in the room, followed closely by Jasper and Alice.

"Well, look who finally decided to join us." Carlisle joked, standing at Kira's side. "Don't fight the breathing tube. I'm gonna check you over very quickly before I take it out."

Kira nodded, staying as still as she could. Carlisle peeled back the bandage on her chest. The wound was significantly smaller than the last time he had checked it. It was still there, but you could tell her body was once again healing itself.

"Looks like your body has finally joined the party. You're healing again." I said with a smile.

"So it would seem." Carlisle agreed, bandaging her. "At this rate the wound should be healed completely in a day or two." He unhooked the breathing tube from the machine, turning it off, then looked Kira in the eyes. On the count of three, I need you to blow out as hard as you can." Carlisle counted, then pulled the tube out. Kira coughed a few times, but could breath on her own. "You had us worried."

"Sorry." Kira said softly. Her voice was weak and hoarse. I had never heard anything so wonderful.

"What happened?" She asked

I squeezed her hand. "What do you remember?"

Kira closed her eyes and took several slow breaths. You could tell she was still very weak and was desperately trying to remember. "I was here. No one was letting me help with the party, so I ran out to check up on Leah and Ryan. They were having a picnic in the woods. When I got there, Ryan was holding a gun to Leah's head. I shifted and ran out to help her and... That's all I remember."

"You got in between the gun and Leah. Ryan shot you in the chest." I replied.

"Leah?" She asked, concerned.

"She's fine. I got there before Ryan could do any more damage."

Kira nodded. "How long have I been out?"

Carlisle smiled down at her. "Almost two weeks. If it hadn't been for multiple blood donations from Sam and Paul, you wouldn't have made it. Even with their blood, it was touch and go."

Carlisle stepped aside and Jasper took Kira's hand. Tears formed in Kira's eyes as she reached for her father.

"Don't you ever scare me like this again." He said jokingly as he embraced his daughter.

"No promises." Kira replied, crying into her father's chest. "But I'll try."

When they stepped apart, Alice hugged Kira gently, then the three vampires left the room, allowing Kira and I a moment alone. No doubt they would tell everyone Kira was awake and the room would soon be visited by many more people.

Kira turned to me, tears still in her eyes. I held her to me, allowing my own tears to fall. "I love you so much Kira."

"I love you too." She replied.

We held each other for a few minutes, then I pulled away from her gently so I could look into her eyes. "You and I now have more in common."

"Ryan?" She asked. She knew what I was talking about. I had killed a person.

"He was dead before anyone could get to me. Emmett and Edward took care of it for me...after." I stood and paced the room slightly. "But you know the strange part? I feel bad. I'm sorry I killed him. He was trying to kill my sister and almost killed you, but I still feel remorse for killing him. I don't understand it."

Kira sat up and I rushed over to tuck a few pillows behind her so she could stay up. I returned to my seat and took her hand again. She smiled down at me.

"You feel bad for killing Ryan because you're a good person. Even though he tried to kill Leah. Even though we tried to kill me and would have killed as many of the pack as he could. You did what needed to be done, but feeling remorse for doing it is what makes you a good person. And I love you for the good person you are."

I hugged her again and once again knew for sure that everything would be alright. It had to be, since we had each other. Nothing else mattered.

To Be Continued...

I've only got one more chapter left. This story is almost over. Hope you've enjoyed the ride. I know I have. I'll get the final chapter up as soon as I can get it out of my head and onto my computer...