Everything belongs to Stephanie Meyers

20. DEAL

My world appeared perfect, more perfect than it had ever felt in my existence. That was for this night, at least. My family had left on a hunting trip and would be gone over night. Having an entire night alone with Bella, and I was elated. It seemed that we never had enough time to be ourselves, just her and I.

With all that was occurring around us lately, we needed this night to forget, to emerge ourselves in us… just being us. These are the words I pleaded to her;

"For this one night, could we try to forget everything besides just you and me?" I pleaded. "It seems like I can never get enough time like that. I need to be with you. Just you."

I said this to her as she drove as slow as a snail to my empty house. Attempting desperately not to laugh at her slow pace, a smile broke across my face every now and then. This was a night I had been waiting for, a night we hadn't had in quite a while, but urgently needed. I longed to be alone with her as there were a few details that needed our attention, a few things I we would needto work out.

Excitement spread within, as she turned up the driveway to my house, knowing this would be the night that could change everything. If things went as I planned them, our relationship would change forever, and she would be mine forever.

As she cut the engine, I was at her door, opening it for her. Lifting her from the cab with one arm, slinging her bag out of the truck bed and over my shoulder with the other. My lips found hers as I kicked the truck's door shut behind me.

Without my lips leaving hers, I swung her up so that she was cradled in my arms and carried her to the house.

Kissing her eagerly, I was delighted to have the house to ourselves, with no distractions. Having a plan, something I had put off long enough, having my family here would have ruined that. Stepping into the entryway, the kissing continued. Letting my guard down the urgency flowed threw me. With the possibility of getting my way, I was comforted, making me less anxious.

With a slight chuckle, I pulled away, holding her at arm's length.

"Welcome home," I said.

"That sounds nice," she said, breathless.

Setting her on her feet, she wrapped both arms around me in protest.

"I have something for you," I said in a casual tone.

"Oh?"

"Your hand-me-down, remember? You said that was allowable."

"Oh, that's right. I guess I did say that."

Chuckling at her reluctance, she was so stubborn. She was going to accept my gift.

"It's up in my room. Shall I go get it?"

"Sure," she agreed, winding her fingers threw mine. "Let's go."

Scooping her up excitedly, I flew up the stairs to my room. Setting her down in the doorway I darted to my closet.

I was back before she had taken a step, she ignored me and went to the bed, plopping down on the edge, and then slide to the center. Curling up in a ball, she wrapped her arms around her knees.

"Okay," she grumbled. "Let me have it."

I laughed, she was so predictable, but she would like this gift, as long as I didn't mention where it really came from.

Climbing onto the bed to sit next to her, her heart was pumping loudly, anxious about the present, no doubt.

"A hand-me-down," I reminded her sternly.

Pulling her left wrist away from her leg, touching the small silver bracelet placing a small charm opposite the wolf, I gave her arm back.

She examined it carefully. It took a moment for her to realize that the small charm was a heart shaped diamond. A crystal is what I would tell her it was –if she asked –she could never know what was really hanging on her arm. Okay, it was unfair of me not to disclose the truth, but if she knew the truth she would never accept it, and I needed her to have some sort of diamond from me. It made me feel better knowing it was there, silly as that sounds, I'm still an old-fashioned man.

"It was my mother's." I shrugged, innocently. "I inherited quite a few baubles like this. I've given some to Esme and Alice both. So, clearly, this is not a big deal in any way."

She smiled ruefully at my assurances.

"But I thought it was a good representation," I continued. "It's hard and cold." I laughed. "And it throws rainbows in the sunlight."

"You forgot the most important similarity," she murmured. "It's beautiful."

Such a relief to have her accept a gift from me, and she had taken it quite easily. This gave me hope that my real surprise for the evening may go better than I'd anticipated.

"My heart is just as silent," I mused. "And it, too, is yours."

She twisted her wrist so the heart would glimmer. "Thank you. For both."

"No. Thank you. It's a relief to have you accept a gift so easily. Good practice for you, too." I grinned.

She ducked into me, ducking her head under my arm and cuddling into my side. This was perfection, she'd accepted a gift from me, and even though it was under false pretenses, she would never find out. Having her accept it pleased me beyond believe. It was blissful to finally give her a present. Could this night possibly get any better? Waiting for the right moment, I knew it could.

"Can we discuss something? I'd appreciate it if you could begin by being open-minded."

What was this? Open-minded, what was on her mind? "I'll give it my best effort," I agreed, with a degree of caution. This night was supposed to be about her and I, nothing else.

"I'm not breaking any rules here," she promised. "This is strictly about you and me," she cleared her throat. "So… I was impressed by how well we were able to compromise the other night. I was thinking I would like to apply the same principle to a different situation," she paused.

"What would you like to negotiate?" I asked, smiling. Funny she would have something to discuss with me, when I was wracking my brain to figure out how to bring up my negotiations.

She hesitated, making me nervous.

"Listen to your heart fly," he murmured. "It's fluttering like a hummingbird's wings. Are you all right?"

"I'm great."

"Please go on then," I encouraged, curious.

"Well, I guess, first, I wanted to talk to you about that whole ridiculous marriage condition thing."

"It's only ridiculous to you. What about it?"

"I was wondering… is that open to negotiation?"

Frowning, not this again. "I've already made the largest concession by far and away –I've agreed to take your life away against my better judgment. And that ought to entitle me to a few compromises on your part."

This changes my plans for the evening, my hope was that she was softening to the idea of marriage, but apparently that's not about to happen.

"No," she shook her head. "That part's done deal. We're not discussing my… renovations right now. I want to hammer out some other details."

Where was she going with this? "Which details do you mean exactly?"

She hesitated. "Let's clarify your prerequisites first."

"You know what I want," she already knew what I wanted, what else was there?

"Matrimony," she made a face as she said this.

"Yes," I smiled, wide. "To start with."

Since she brought this subject up, and clearly she has something on her mind that she would like, then I saw no harm in throwing in a few more requests.

Her expression was shocked. "There's more?"

"Well," I said as I calculated. "If you're my wife, then what's mine is yours… like tuition money. So there would be no problem with Dartmouth."

"Anything else? While you're already being absurd?"

"I won't mind some time."

"No. No time. That's a deal breaker right there."

I sighed. "Just a year or two?"

She shook her head… her lips frowned. "Move along to the next one."

"That's it. Unless you'd like to talk cars…"

Grinning, I really only had one demand, and that was marriage. But, since she wanted to negotiate other things, what would it hurt to add a few more requests to my list. Taking her hand I began playing with her fingers waiting for a response.

She was unresponsive, making me fairly nervous.

"I didn't realize there was anything else you wanted besides being transformed into a monster yourself. I'm extremely curious."

Attempting to analyze the situation, I'd rather not be surprised by her again.

She paused staring down at my hand on hers. I stared at her waiting for her to begin, but she would not look at me. Her cheeks began to turn scarlet red.

I brushed her cheek with my finger. "You're blushing?" I asked, curious. "Please, Bella, the suspense is painful."

What was this? What was so bad she was afraid to ask me? There was nothing, not one thing I could think of.

"Bella," I pleaded.

"Well, I'm a little worried… about after," she admitted, finally looking at me.

My muscles retracted automatically. "What has you worried?"

Here was one subject that was unappealing to me, and one I wished not to discuss this evening. But, if this had her concerned, perhaps she was changing her mind on the whole transformation.

"All of you just seem so convinced that the only thing I'm going to be interested in, afterward, is slaughtering everyone in town," she confessed, I winced at her choice of words. "And I'm afraid I'll be so preoccupied with the mayhem that I won't be me anymore… and that I won't… I won't want you the same way I do now."

"Bella, that part doesn't last forever," I assured her, relieved that was all she worried about. I would never allow her to do anything she would regret.

"Edward," she said, nervous about something, she would not look at me again. "There's something I want to do before I'm not human anymore."

Waiting for her to reveal her secret, she wouldn't. Surprised, shocked and anxiety, those were feelings she'd raised in me before, and I didn't want to have them again.

"Whatever you want," I encouraged, anxious and extremely curious.

"Do you promise?" she muttered.

"Yes," I said, as there was nothing I wouldn't give her. This was a silly conversation and she had no reason to be insecure about asking me. "Tell me what you want, and you can have it."

She hesitated, turning several shades of red now. What could this possibly be? What had her so worried? Shocking me again was unacceptable, but I was unable to figure this out.

"You," she mumbled, barely coherently.

"I'm yours," I smiled, that was easy enough.

She took a deep breath and shifted forward so that she was kneeling on the bed. She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me.

Kissing her back, I was bewildered. Gently kissing her willingly, my mind resided on what it was she truly wanted. She already had me, so where was she going with this statement? This wasn't making any sense to me.

Suddenly her trembling her hands unlocked from my neck, making her way to the collar of my shirt. Shaking as she attempted to undo the buttons on my shirt. Freezing, her conversation suddenly caught up with me, shock spread once again.

I pushed her away at once with what I was sure was a disapproving look on my face.

"Be reasonable, Bella."

"You promised –whatever I wanted," she reminded me.

"We're not having this discussion," I glared at her while refastening the buttons she managed to open. Unbelievable, she'd done it again, utterly astonishing me, being the last thing that would occur to me.

"I say we are," she growled. She moved her hands to her blouse and yanked open the top button.

Grabbing her wrists and pinning them to her sides, I had to regain control here.

"I say we're not," I said flatly.

We glowered at each other. Where had this come from? What was she thinking?

"You wanted to know," she pointed out.

"I thought it would be something faintly realistic."

"So you can ask for any stupid, ridiculous thing you want –like getting married –but I'm not allow to even discuss what I…"

While she was ranting, I pulled her hands together securing them in one of mine, putting the other hand over her mouth.

"No," I said angrily. She had utterly lost her mind. What would I say to this?

She took a deep breath as the blush began to spread across her cheeks again. She struggled to look away from me, but I wouldn't allow it. Her eyes began to water as she pushed her face to the side away from me.

Sighing, I took the hand from her mouth and put it under her chin, pulling her face up to look at me.

"What now?"

"Nothing," she mumbled.

Gazing at her reaction for a long moment as she attempted to look away. To my shock and dismay… she was horrified by my reaction… I'd embarrassed her.

"Did I hurt your feelings?" I asked.

"No," she lied.

Quickly, I pulled her into the circle of my arms. Cradling her between my shoulder and my hand, stroking her reassuringly against her cheek. What a monster I truly am.

"You know why I have to say no," I murmured. "You know that I want you, too."

"Do you?" she whispered voice full of doubt.

How could she not know this? "Of course I do, you silly, beautiful, oversensitive girl," I laughed once. "Doesn't everyone? I feel like there's a line behind me, jockeying for position, waiting for me to make a big enough mistake… You're too desirable for your own good."

"Who's being sill now?"

"Do I have to send a petition around to get you to believe? Shall I tell you whose name would be on the top of the list? You know a few of them, but some might surprise you."

That was the truth. There remained many boys who wanted her, some who were waiting for us to break up. The thoughts I heard on a daily basis rang threw my mind.

She shook her head against my chest. "You're just trying to distract me. Let's get back to the subject."

I sighed. This was a closed subject, she knew why. She knew there was no way this could happen while she was still human. To discuss this was useless… there's no way I would agree to this… nothing she could say that would change my mind.

"Tell me if I have anything wrong," she said. "Your demands are marriage" –she had trouble with that word- "paying my tuition, more time, and you wouldn't mind if my vehicle went a little faster," she raised her eyebrows. "Did I get everything? That's a hefty list."

"Only the first is a demand," I was having difficulty keeping a straight face. "The others are merely requests."

"And my lone, solitary demand is…"

"Demand?" I interrupted, horrified. Demand? How could she demand something such as this? She couldn't expect me to risk her in that way… I wouldn't… I couldn't.

"Yes, demand."

My eyes narrowed.

"Getting married is a stretch for me. I'm not giving in unless I get something in return."

Leaning down I whisper in her ear. "No," I murmured. "It's not possible now. Later, when you're less breakable. Be patient, Bella."

"But that's the problem. It won't be the same when I'm less breakable. I won't be the same! I don't know who I'll be then."

"You'll still be Bella," I promised.

She frowned. "If I'm so far gone that I'd want to kill Charlie –that I'd drink Jacob's blood or Angela's if I got the chance –how can that be true?"

"It will pass. And I doubt you'll want to drink the dog's blood," I shuddered at the thought. "Even as a newborn, you'll have better taste than that."

She ignored my last statement. "But that will always be what I want most, won't it?" she challenged. "Blood, blood, and more blood!"

"The fact that you are still alive is proof that that is not true," I pointed out.

"Over eighty years later," she reminded me. "What I meant was physically, though. Intellectually, I know I'll be able to be myself… after a while. But just purely physically –I will always be thirsty, more than anything else."

Having no response. What could I say? This was a true statement, but how would I make her see that it wouldn't always be that way?

"So I will be different," she concluded unopposed at this moment. "Because right now, physically, there's nothing I want more than you. More than food or water or oxygen. Intellectually, I have my priorities in a slightly more sensible order. But physically…"

She twisted her head to kiss the palm of my hand.

Taking a deep breath, how would I explain this? How might she see my point of view on this subject? We couldn't… I wouldn't… the danger was far too great.

"Bella, I could kill you," I whispered.

"I don't think you could."

She had to see, she had to know, this simply wasn't a possibility while she was still human. Lifting my hand from her face, I reached quickly behind me grabbing one of the iron roses off the headboard of the bed.

Holding it up in the palm of my hand for her to see, I closed my hand briefly, my fingers contracting gently, I opened my hand.

Without a word, I offered her the crushed rose. It was a cast of the inside of my hand, like a piece of play dough. A half-second passed, and the shape crumbled into black sand in my palm.

She glared at me. "That's not what I meant. I already know how strong you are. You didn't have to break the furniture."

"What did you mean then?" I asked harshly, tossing the handful of iron sand to the corner of the room; it hit the wall with a sound like rain.

Watching for her response intensely. That demonstration was all the evidence I needed to prove my point on this subject.

"Obviously not that you aren't physically able to hurt me, if you wanted to… More that, you don't want to hurt me… so much so that I don't think that you ever could."

I started shaking my head before she finished.

"It might not work like that, Bella."

"Might," she scoffed. "You have no more idea what you're talking about than I do."

"Exactly. Do you imagine I would ever take that kind of risk with you?"

She stared into my eyes for a long moment. There would be no comprises tonight, not for something such as this. It was decided and the answer remained now and would always be no.

"Please," she finally whispered. "It's all I want. Please," she closed her eyes.

How could she do this to me? How could she utilize that word? Surely she knew the power she possessed when she pleaded with me. How could I even consider such actions? Would it be possible? Could I keep from killing her? No, the answer was always, no.

"Please?" she whispered again, her heartbeat picking up pace. "You don't have to make me any guarantees. If it doesn't work out right, well, then that's that. Just let us try… only try. And I'll give you what you want," she promised quickly. "I'll marry you. I'll let you pay for Dartmouth, and I won't complain about the bride to get me in. You can even buy me a fast car if that makes you happy! Just… please."

Impossible circumstances… that's what I faced when it came to her.

Tightening my arms around her, astounded I was even considering this. My selfish side was considering what I would get in return. The things I really desired… more time, college, and to be married. Was all that worth this? "This is unbearable. So many things I've wanted to give you –and this is what you decide to demand. Do you have any idea how painful it is, trying to refuse you when you plead with me this way?"

"Then don't refuse," she suggested breathlessly.

Having no response, I had no idea what to say. Having no plan to oppose this.

"Please," she attempted that word again.

"Bella…" shaking my head slowly.

Resist… resist her pleas was the mantra playing over and over again in my mind, while my lips where moving back and forth across her throat. My breathing became ragged as her heart was beating out of her chest.

Stop…

Resist…

It was useless…

She took full advantage of my sudden weakness and when my face turned towards her, she twisted in my arms till her lips reached mine. Seizing her face, attempting to push her away, mustering all my strength, I couldn't.

It was hopeless.

My mouth –not gentle this time –had a brand new edge of desperation kissing her. She locked her arms around my neck straining me closer to her. The heat from her body washed over me, flooding my frozen body. Flames shoot threw me and the urgency took completely over. My mind sparked with the electrical current that was suddenly making is way threw my body. I wanted her… needed her… all of her.

She broke the kiss gasping for air, greedily my lips moved to her throat. Possibility swept threw me… I had enough strength… it could work. She was right, there was no way I could hurt her. As I pressed my lips against her throat, I was positive we could do this. Doubt no longer lingered in my mind, replaced by stimulation.

With steady hands this time, she got through all the buttons on my shirt. I felt euphoric as the sparks flew from her touch. My entire body was burning hotter and hotter clouding my brain. She ran her fingers along my chest sending bolts of electricity threw me. The pleasure was unbearable… it couldn't continue… but I couldn't seem to stop her… or myself for that matter.

Pulling her mouth back to mine, I was just as eager as she seemed to be. One of my hands remained cupping her face, while the other arm was tight around her waist, straining her closer to me. I wanted her closer… as close as we could possibly get. Any reasonable thoughts flew out the window at this moment. My only thoughts were to…

She attempted to reach the buttons on her shirt… stopping me in my tracks.

Sanity… slipped its way back into my mind, providing me the ability to think straight for a moment. Quickly, I took advantage of my sanity, before it was too late. Grabbing her around the wrists, I pulled her hands above her head, placing a pillow there.

Moving my lips to her ear again. "Bella," I murmured, struggling to say the words that were required of me. "Would you please stop trying to take your clothes off?"

"Do you want to do that part?" she asked, confused.

"Not tonight," I answered softly. My lips moving slower, against her cheek and jaw, the fire was disappearing.

"Edward, don't…" she started to argue.

"I'm not saying no," I reassured her. "I'm just saying not tonight."

She thought about that while our breathing slowed.

"Give me one good reason why tonight is not as good as any other night," she was still breathless.

There were plenty of reasons, but the ones that stood out most in my mind were the ones I couldn't think of. If we were going to do this, there would be a lot of things to prepare for, and we just weren't ready for that now.

"I wasn't born yesterday," I chuckled in her ear. "Out of the two of us, which do you think is more unwilling to give the other what they want? You just promised to marry me before you do any changing, but if I give in tonight, what guarantee do I have that you won't go running off to Carlisle in the morning? I am –clearly –much less reluctant to give you what you want. Therefore… you first."

Being truly selfish, I would not give her what she wanted, until she was willing to give me what I wanted. Compromise… such a beautiful word.

She exhaled with a loud huff. "I have to marry you first?" she asked in disbelieve.

Wrapping my arms around her, I began kissing her again. Absolutely positive this was not the wisest action at this moment. Far too persuasive, but I was unwilling to hear her answer to my proposition.

"I think that's a really bad idea," she gasped when I let her breathe.

"I'm not surprised you feel that way," I smirked. "You have a one-track mind."

"How did this happen?" she grumbled. "I thought I was holding my own tonight –for once –and now, all of a sudden…"

"You're engaged," I finished. Saying that out loud was exhilarating.

"Ew! Please don't say that out loud."

"Are you going back on your word?" I demanded, pulling away to read her face.

She glared at me, trying to ignore the smile that spread across my face as her heart accelerated.

"Are you?" I pressed.

"Ugh!" she groaned. "No. I'm not. Are you happy now?"

I smiled revealing all of my teeth. "Exceptionally."

She groaned again.

"Aren't you happy at all?"

Kissing her again, certain I wouldn't want an answer. Even if she lied, I would clearly see through it. Desiring for her to be just as ecstatic as I was. Knowing I would not get my way, I was hoping she was, at the very least, happy.

"A little bit," she admitted when she was able to speak. "But not about getting married."

Eternity… this is how I could spend eternity. If this were enough for me, then why was it not enough for her? I could literally spend eternity kissing her, why did she not feel the same?

Kissing her again. "Do you get the feeling that everything is backward?" I laughed in her ear. "Traditionally, shouldn't you be arguing my side, and I yours?"

"There isn't much that's traditional about you and me."

"True."

Kissing her again, until her heart was racing and her skin was on hot. Knowing I shouldn't be doing this, for she was having enough trouble with control tonight, but I couldn't seem to get enough of her.

"Look, Edward," she murmured, as I kissed the palm of her hand. "I said I would marry you, and I will. I promise. I swear. If you want, I'll sign a contract in my own blood."

"Not funny," I murmured.

"What I'm saying is this –I'm not going to trick you or anything. You know me better than that. So there's really no reason to wait. We're completely alone –how often does that happen? –and you've provided this very large and comfortable bed…"

"Not tonight," I said again.

"Don't you trust me?"

"Of course I do."

Pulling the hand I was still kissing, she pulled my face up to where she could see my expression.

"Then what's the problem? It's not like you didn't know you were going to win in the end," she frowned and muttered, "You always win."

"Just hedging my bets," I said calmly.

Wishing she would drop this subject, I really didn't want to have to explain myself.

"There's something else," she guessed, her eyes narrowing. She continued to glare at me. "Are you planning to go back on your word?"

"No," I promised solemnly. "I swear to you, we will try. After you marry me," wishing she would just let this go. Explaining it seemed silly and old-fashioned.

She shook her head, and laughed glumly. "You make me feel like a villain in a melodrama –twirling my mustache while I try to steal some poor girl's virtue."

Flashing my eyes at her, quickly dropping my head. I began kissing her collarbone.

"That's it, isn't it?" A short laughed escaped her lips, more shocked than amused. "You're trying to protect your virtue!" she covered her mouth with her hand to hide the giggle that followed.

Leave it to Bella to get things all wrong as usual. But since she was pressing the issue, I would have to explain myself.

"No, silly girl," I muttered against her shoulder. "I'm trying to protect yours. And you're making it shockingly difficult."

"Of all the ridiculous…"

"Let me ask you something," I interrupted quickly. "We've had this discussion before, but humor me. How many people in this room have a soul? A shot at heaven, or whatever there is after this life?"

"Two," she answered immediately.

"All right. Maybe that's true. Now, there's a world full of dissension about this, but the vast majority seem to think that there are some rules that have to be followed."

"Vampire rules aren't enough for you? You want to worry about the human ones too?"

"It couldn't hurt," I shrugged. "Just in case."

She glared at me through narrow eyes. Aware that my beliefs are old and come from a time long past, it didn't matter, they were still my beliefs.

"Now, of course, it might be too late for me, even if you are right about my soul."

"No, it isn't," she argued, angrily.

"Thou shall not kill' is commonly accepted by most major belief systems. And I've killed a lot of people, Bella."

"Only the bad ones."

I'm certain the bible doesn't include exceptions to this rule. At least I've never read any. It states 'thou shall not kill', there are no exceptions that I saw.

I shrugged. "Maybe that counts, maybe it doesn't. But you haven't killed anyone…"

"That you know about," she muttered.

I smiled, but otherwise ignored her attempt at humor. "And I'm going to do my best to keep you out of temptation's way."

"Okay. But we weren't fighting over committing murder," she reminded me.

"The same principle applies –the only difference is that this is the one area in which I'm just as spotless as you are. Can't I leave one rule unbroken?"

Applying the list of things I've done in my past, and there's a hefty list, I was spotless in one area of my life. Just as spotless as her and I wanted to remain that way for at least one thing.

"One?"

"You know that I've stolen, I've lied, I've coveted… my virtue is all I have left." I grinned crookedly.

"I lie all the time."

"Yes, but you're such a bad liar that it doesn't really count. Nobody believes you."

"I really hope you're wrong about that –because otherwise Charlie is about to burst through the door with a loaded gun."

"Charlie is happier when he pretends to swallow your stories. He'd rather lie to himself than look too closely," I grinned at her.

"But what did you ever covet?" she asked. "You have everything."

How could she not know this one? She was my desire and with no thought for anyone but myself, I scooped in and took her. It was unfair, devious, selfish, the most selfish thing I've done in my existence.

"I coveted you," smiling darkly. "I had no right to want you –but I reached out and took you anyway. And now look what's become of you! Trying to seduce a vampire," I shook my head.

"You can't covet what's already yours," she informed me. "Besides, I thought it was my virtue you were worried about."

"It is. If it's too late for me… Well, I'll be damned –no pun intended –if I'll let them keep you out, too."

That was the truth, as I knew it. She was an angel who belonged in heaven, and I would do everything in my power to make certain she made it there. They couldn't keep her out because of my selfishness.

"You can't make me go somewhere you won't be," she vowed. "That's my definition of hell. Anyway, I have an easy solution to all this: let's never die, all right?"

"Sounds simple enough. Why didn't I think of that?"

I smiled at her, until she gave up with an angry humph. "So that's it. You won't sleep with me until we're married."

"Technically, I can't ever sleep with you," I smiled at her.

She rolled her eyes. "Very mature, Edward."

"But, other than that detail, yes, you've got it right."

"I think you have an ulterior motive."

My eyes widened innocently. "Another one?"

Having plenty of ulterior motives, this one was the most important at the moment.

"You know this will speed things up," she accused.

Attempting not to smile. "There is only one thing I want to speed up, and the rest can wait forever… but for that, it's true, your impatient human hormones are my most powerful ally at this point."

Wanting her to be my wife… yes, I really desired for that. But, as for the rest of it, I never wanted that. Never wanting for her to join me in that way. Being my wife, I was certain it would provide me more time. And time, was my greatest weapon, the longer she was human, the longer I had to convince her to remain human.

"I can't believe I'm going along with this. When I think of Charlie… and Renee! Can you imagine what Angela will think? Or Jessica? Ugh. I can hear the gossip now."

I raised an eyebrow at her, as she fretted over our impending marriage.

"It doesn't have to be a big production. I don't need any fanfare. You won't have to tell anyone or make any changes. We'll go to Vegas –you can wear old jeans and we'll go to the chapel with the drive-through window. I just want it to be official –that you belong to me and no one else."

"It couldn't be any more official than it already is," she grumbled.

"We'll see about that," I smiled complacently. "I suppose you don't want your ring now?"

This was my plan for the evening. Somehow I wanted to get that ring on her finger. I wasn't sure how I would accomplish that, but she did a pretty nice job arranging that for me. It couldn't have worked out better had I arranged it myself.

She swallowed hard before speaking. "You suppose correctly."

Laughing at her expression. "That's fine. I'll get it on your finger soon enough."

She glared at me. "You talk like you already have one."

"I do," I said. "Ready to force upon you at the first sign of weakness."

"You're unbelievable."

"Do you want to see it?" I asked, excited.

"No!" she practically shouted, disappointing me. "Unless you really want to show it to me," she amended.

"That's all right," I shrugged. "It can wait."

This could wait –I knew that she would accept it from me sooner or later. The timing wasn't important, knowing she would wear it one day would be enough for me.

She sighed. "Show me the damn ring, Edward."

Shaking my head. "No."

She studied my expression for a long moment. Attempting to keep my pleasure hidden, not wanting her to know how excited I was.

"Please?" she asked quietly, touching my face with her fingertips. "Please can I see it?"

Looking at her suspiciously. "You are the most dangerous creature I've ever met," I muttered.

Getting up, I went to the small bedside table, and was back on the bed before her heart beat once. Sitting beside her with one arm around her shoulder, in my other hand was a little black ring box. This was my wish for tonight, managing to get this on her finger. Balancing the box on her left knee.

"Go ahead and look, then," I said abruptly.

She brushed her hand over the tiny box, stalling.

"You didn't spend a lot of money, did you? Lie to me, if you did."

"I didn't spend anything," I assured her. "It's just another hand-me-down. This is the ring my father gave to my mother."

"Oh," surprise crossed her face. Pinching the lid between her thumb and forefinger, it didn't open.

"I suppose it's a little outdated," my tone playfully apologetic. "Old-fashioned, just like me. I can get you something more modern. Something from Tiffany's?"

"I like old-fashioned things," she mumbled, as she hesitantly lifted the lid.

Nestled into the black satin was my mother's ring, sparkling in the dim light. The face was a long oval, set with slanting rows of glittering round stones. The band was gold –delicate and narrow. The gold made a fragile web around the diamonds.

She stroked the shimmering gems.

"It's so pretty," she murmured, mostly to herself, surprised.

"Do you like it?"

"It's beautiful," she shrugged. "What's not to like?"

Moments, such as these, were what I would've dreamed of –if I could dream. Being here, in this moment, with her about to put my mother's ring on –was completion. My world couldn't get better than this. The emotions running through me were indescribable. There were not enough words on this planet to say what I was feeling.

I chuckled. "See if it fits."

Her left hand clenched into a fist.

"Bella," I sighed. "I'm not going to solder it to your finger. Just try it on so I can see if it needs to be sized. Then you can take it right off."

"Fine," she grumbled.

She reached for the ring, but I was quicker already having it in my hand. Taking her left hand in mine I slid the ring into place on her third finger. Holding her hand out, we both examined the oval sparkling against her skin. It looked unbelievable right on her hand, and if I had a heart it would have swelled ten times the size.

"A perfect fit," I said, indifferently. "That's nice –saves me a trip to the jeweler's."

Hiding my enthusiasm was difficult and I was certain she saw right through me. Not concerned, she was mine, agreeing to marry me, the ring would soon be on her finger, where it would remain forever.

"You like that, don't you?" she asked suspiciously.

Shrugging, acting nonchalant. "Sure," I said, casually. "It looks very nice on you."

She stared straight into my eyes, attempting to see the excitement I was hiding. And, it was difficult to hide, sitting here with her wearing my ring. Wanting to jump out of my skin… shout from the rooftop that she agreed to marry me, but I knew she wasn't as happy as I was, so I wouldn't. Allowing my mask to slip, the excitement was overwhelming, unable to hide it any longer.

Kissing her my breathing became ragged as did hers. Her heart was jumping from her chest when I moved my mouth to her ear to whisper softly.

"Yes, I like it. You have no idea."

She laughed, gasping a little. "I believe you."

"Do you mind if I do something?" I murmured, my arms tightening around her.

"Anything you want."

Letting her go I slid away.

"Anything but that," she protested.

Ignoring her, I took her hand and pulled her off the bed. Standing in front of her I placed my hands on her shoulders. Strategizing all day for the right moment my plan would be appropriate, and without any contemplating on my part, she had done it for me. Making this easier for me than I had predicted.

"Now, I want to do this right. Please, please, keep in mind that you've already agreed to this, and don't ruin it for me."

"Oh, no," she gasped as I slid down onto one knee.

"Be nice," I muttered.

She took a deep breath.

"Isabella Swan?" I said looking up at her. "I promise to love you forever –every single day of forever. Will you marry me?"

She paused staring into my eyes for a long moment. After a few painful heartbeats she finally answered me. "Yes."

"Thank you," I said.

Taking her hand I kissed each of her fingertips before I kissed the ring that was now hers. My world was now absolute, my existence complete, she had said yes, making me the happiest man on the planet.

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