Disclaimer: All the Twilight stuff belongs to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended. I'm just playing in her sandbox.

~oooOooo~

Chapter 12 Relatives & Reunions

Edward slipped quietly into her room.

BPOV

I was having the best dream. Edward was holding my hand and stroking my hair and we were lying in our meadow in the sunshine. I felt his cool kisses on my cheek. He kept calling my name and asking me to open my eyes, but if I did that he would disappear. I didn't want to wake from this dream, it seemed too real, but he just kept calling to me. "What, what?" I answered annoyed. I didn't want to leave my meadow and this voice just would not stop calling me.

"Bella, love, open your eyes," the silky voice said again. It was trying to trick me, trying to lure me away from my meadow by imitating Edward's silky soft voice. I was not so easily fooled.

"Go Away."

I attempted to shout, the meadow starting to fade and my anger at whoever was ruining this for me, ruining my time in my meadow with Edward. I saw him so rarely anymore and I need him now.

"Bella, please open your eyes, sweetheart."

The impostor spoke again. No one was going to drag me away from my meadow with Edward. No one~

"Go away! GO AWAY! GO AWAY!" I shouted.

My meadow was interrupted by what sounded like doors opening and voices arguing. It sounded like Jacob and my dad and I thrashed out at them, I needed them to go away and quit disturbing Edward and me in our meadow. The voices stopped, but it was too late. My meadow was gone, Edward was gone. I began to sob uncontrollably. I opened my eyes to see my father's face and Jacob standing beside him. There were bright lights everywhere and I seemed to be lying down. Realization dawned on me.

The crash.

I had popped an uncontrolled wheelie and the bike had come back on me. I remembered tumbling and crunching and the heat of the engine on me, then nothing, nothing but darkness and cold. The angel was with me at the wreck . . . I had felt it . . . something was pulling me towards it, forcing me to stay . . . and I wanted to stay, I wanted it so badly. I had fought against the blackness, for the angel. It seemed like it was Edward, I smelled him. I could hear him and taste him. It was so real. I could feel his cool lips on mine. I would stay for him, I would do anything for him! My father kissed my forehead as Jacob held my hand. I sobbed uncontrollably. Finally I could bear it no longer and I cried out to him.

"Edward!" I screamed, "Edward!"

"He's here, Bells, he's here," Jacob said to me. I looked at him like a cornered wild animal. I could not understand what he was saying. "He's here, Bells, do you want me to get him for you?" Jacob asked.

"Edward is here?" I asked.

I must have looked wild, they were doing all they could to calm me, a pained look on my father's face. "Yes, he's here," Jacob affirmed as he tried to sooth me by stroking my hair.

"Go get him, please, I need him!" I screamed. "GET HIM NOW!"

My father nodded to Jacob and Jake left the room quickly.

~oooOooo~

EPOV

I backed away from her slowly, never taking my eyes off of her. Charlie and Jacob rushed in, insisting that I leave. She was sobbing, screaming for me to go away. My heart was breaking. I left the room and walked slowly down the hallway to the hospital exit. Esme and Carlisle quickly followed me, their minds shouting to know what had happened. As we crossed the street to the hotel, I turned to them, venom streaming down my face.

"She told me to go away. Screamed for me to go away," it was all I could say. I turned and continued to my room at the hotel, at least to Alice and Jasper's room where my things had been stored. Alice had purchased clothing for me and my cell phone and wallet were there. I just wanted the wallet. I just wanted to disappear, a flight to Italy, perhaps . . .

Alice was waiting in the room. "Edward, wait!" She demanded. "I can't see clearly for some reason, but you need to just wait a few minutes, please don't leave yet," she begged.

"What do you want from me, Alice?" I all but screamed at her, "I have nothing left. These three weeks I have been on alert, not knowing if I was going to need to change her at any moment, sensing if she ever started to slip away. I would have changed her, Alice! I would have fucking changed her and she wouldn't have wanted it! I could have made her life a living hell, forever! She doesn't want me!"

I was shaking now, sitting on the edge of the bed running my hands through my hair, tears streaming down my face. It was like this that Jacob found me as he burst into the room. I refused to even listen to his thoughts, I drowned out all their thoughts, all my family's thoughts of worry and not wanting to lose me, and disbelief that Bella really felt that way. I barely noticed when Jacob burst into the room and stood right in front of me.

"Edward, she's asking to see you," he said. It didn't register with me. He repeated himself, louder and more forcefully, "Cullen! She sent me here to get you. Get your ass back over there or do I have to force you?"

I looked up at him in disbelief, his words didn't make since to me. She had just ordered me away, screamed for me to get out. His mind was racing and his thoughts backed up his words. I saw her in his mind, asking for me. No - demanding that he go and get me. I was off the bed and back at the door to her room before anyone realized what had happened, human speed be damned. She wanted me, whether it was to yell at me or order me out of her life or slap me, I had no idea. I didn't care. She wanted to see me and regardless of what happened, I would be near her at least one more time. It was worth it.

I hesitated at her door, bracing myself for what might happen. I stepped into the room and her eyes froze on me. "Edward," she said. It was the faintest of whispers. Her father stood on the other side of her bed from me, helplessly looking on.

"Edward, please!"

Her eyes beckoned to me. I didn't have to be asked again. I crossed the room to her and sat at the edge of her bed, not knowing what to expect. I never in my life needed to be able to read someones' thoughts as badly as I needed to know what was going on in that silent mind of hers. She took my hand in hers and my heart melted. She didn't seem angry with me, yet . . . she seemed, she seemed happy. She seemed like she was overjoyed to see me. I timidly leaned forward and kissed her ever so softly on the forehead, my eyes never leaving hers. She locked her arm around my neck and grabbed onto my hair as she sobbed uncontrollably. "You're here! It's really you! I thought you were here, but I was dreaming of our meadow and I didn't want to wake and loose the dream! Oh, Edward, you're really here!" she continued to cry.

"Yes, love, I'm here. I love you, sweetheart. I'm right here."

I spoke the words softly to her and kissed her lips. I heard the door softly shut behind me, as Charlie, convinced she wanted me in the room, gave us some privacy.

"I thought I would never see you again, Edward, I missed you so much!"

"I'm so sorry about that, sweetheart. I'm so sorry I left you, sorry I lied to you," I said.

"Edward, I . . . "

I cut her off with a finger pressed to her lips. "Please let me say this, Bella. I'm so sorry I lied to you. I told you that I didn't love you and nothing could be further from the truth. I do love you. I have always loved you and I always will. I thought I was protecting you from my world, giving you the chance to have a normal, human life. I'm so very sorry. I made a choice for you that I had no right to make. Please, please forgive me. Please let me be a part of your life. Please don't ask me to leave you. You belong in my life, Bella, and I honestly don't know how to live without you sweetheart."

She looked at me through those bottomless brown eyes and pulled me close to kiss me. My lips molded to her soft, warm lips so gently, then nuzzled her neck tracing kisses from the corner of her lips to her collar bone as she held me close.

"Please Edward, please don't ever leave me again. Promise me. Promise! I have to know, somehow - I have to know that you won't leave me again, I could never survive - I wouldn't want to."

I looked into the deep chocolate eyes that I loved more than life itself. They were pleading with me, begging me for some sign that I could be trusted to stay with her.

"Marry me then," I heard myself saying to her quietly, "Isn't that the human way to commit and always know that I'll be there?"

"Are you asking me?" she said shyly.

"Yes, God help me this isn't the way I wanted to do it. I have fantasized about a romantic afternoon in our meadow and soft kisses, but yes Bella . . . Isabella Marie Swan, will you do me the honor of taking me as your husband and becoming my wife . . . Marry me."

With no hesitation in her voice, she answered me.

"Yes."

The look on her face was absolutely stunning. Her soft eyes burned with a fire that the tears flowing from them had no effect on. If she were able to, I knew that her arms would have been so tightly clutched around me they might have even hurt. I gently slipped my hand under her shoulder, trying to give her the feeling that I was holding her and cupped her face in the other. Slowly, without jarring her, I bent to kiss her lips. It was a short kiss, gentle, light. In spite of the burning smell of blood in the room, all I noticed was how soft her lips were how she still smelled of freesia and strawberries, how warm her breath was. Unwilling to leave her touch but wanting to continue, I reached into my pocket and produced the ring my father had given my mother. I gently slipped it onto the third finger of her left hand, kissing it once it was in place.

"I have had this ring with me every minute of every day since I left you, thinking of you, clinging to it as a reminder of you and the promise of the life we could have had. Bella, I have always been only yours."

"Marry me then, here in this room - right now, Edward. In case . . . I want to know that I was yours and you were mine. I want to be Bella Cullen . . ."

My mind raced. I will not loose her now. I would change her if need be. Yes, yes I would find a way. I would never deny her anything again. Anything.

"Yes love, we'll be married today. I promise. You sleep, I'll make the arrangements."

Her soft hand gently squeezed mine as my thumb traced circles on her knuckles. I could not look at her. I wanted her more than anything else in the world, but I wanted her because she loved me, not because she was afraid she was going to die. Never out of fear. After minutes or seconds that felt like hours, I lifted my gaze to meet hers. There was nothing but love in her eyes but I had to ask - "Are you sure Bella?"

"I have never been surer of anything in my life Edward and I don't think its just me that wants this. I don't think you're giving me this because you don't think I'm going to make it . . . I want you no matter what happens and I know you want this too. Edward, I love you and I know you love me."

"Bella - I won't loose you again. I won't ever be parted from you - and if something goes wrong and you start to slip away from me - I leaned in, my voice almost a whisper, meant for only her to hear - I will change you."

I heard a sharp intake of breath, I thought, I couldn't be sure. She had drifted off to sleep, but I hoped she had heard me. I gently kissed her eyelids and left to make the arrangements that would join our lives as husband and wife.

As I came out of her room, Alice was waiting for me. She is jumping up and down and squealing with excitement despite the dire situation. Alice will be Alice, or perhaps she has seen something of the future that I don't know - maybe she knew that Bella would be alright . . . I hoped that was it.

"Anyway, Alice. We're going to be married today, here. We can't do much, but I know you know the perfect touches to make it special for her. I'm calling Jenks to do the legalities and get the license and I'll find a justice of the peace and purchase wedding bands if you'll pick them up for me. I can't leave her, Alice," I stated. I smiled at her as I dialed my phone and started to make this happen.

My dream.

Jacob ducked back in the room with Bella when I came out and I was sure she would want to be the one to tell him of our plans. Carlisle, Esme and the rest were in the waiting room with Renee and Charlie. Removing the phone from my ear, I slowly walked towards the waiting room and called to them -

"I have an announcement to make to all of you. I've asked Bella to marry me and she said yes."

- gasps-

Renee brought her hand to her mouth and moved toward Phil with her arm around him as though she needed his support to stand. Emmet and Jasper were beside me in the blink of an eye hugging me, patting me on the back, congratulating me, their smiles almost as big as the one plastered on my face. Even Rosalie kissed my cheek and said, "Well done brother!" Carlisle shook my hand and told me he wishes the circumstance was happier but congratulations. He already thought of her as his daughter. Esmes arms surrounded me, unspoken words of love radiating from her.

Renee said nothing. Nothing at all. I thought she was in shock and I nod to Carlisle to check on her. He and Phil walked her back to the row of seats by the wall and she clung to Phil's hand as Carlisle held her other hand, he needed no instruments to measure her pulse and pressure. After all, vampire has some perks. I walked over to her and sat beside her taking her hand and looking her in the eye.

"I really love her, Renee, and I will take care of her. She needs this right now. She needs something to hold onto and fight for." I looked into her eyes begging her to understand. "I'm sure this isn't the wedding you had wanted her to have and I know it is out of place in these surroundings, but you can have another ceremony later. Anything you and she want and I won't ever complain about any of it."

She looked up at me and slowly spoke, "You have always been who she wanted, Edward. I know that as well as you do. You two are meant for each other, two very old souls who belong together. I'm glad you're there for her."

"Thank you, Renee."

I felt eyes burning into the back of my head. He looked on incredulous as he overheard my words to Renee. Charlie's thoughts shouted in my head. Fire. There was fire in Charlie's eyes as I stood to address him.

"Charlie, could I speak to you for a minute, please in private?" I asked politely.

I turned and headed to the patio and he followed. When he had passed thru the door and was outside with me, I turned to him. "I know what you think of me Charlie and right now I don't care. She wants this. She needs this and I'm willing to get her anything and everything she wants, including giving her me. She wants to know I won't leave her again. She needs a concrete symbol of that to hold onto. She's fighting for her life Charlie, you know that. If this is what she wants I'm giving it to her right now. Today. Please don't fight me on this. I want your cooperation, but she is conscious and consenting, we are both of age and we are doing this regardless."

"How can you give her hope and then take it away," he fired back, his body tense as though he wanted to deck me.

"I am taking nothing away. I love her, Charlie," I calmly stated staring him directly in the eye. He took a deep breath, asked me what time I planned to do this and walked off towards the parking lot.

We all assembled in her room. The justice of the peace had arrived half an hour early to discuss the ceremony and make sure the proper documents were in order. Alice had arrived with well, Alice is Alice. I was glad that I had arranged for a suite for Bella at the hospital. I was able to dress for the wedding without having to be far from Bella and with the french doors opened it would give room for people to observe our vows. The black suit and tie that Alice had purchased for me fit perfectly, of course, and the flowers she put into Bellas hair and by her bed were all shades of blue wildflowers allowing me the illusion of being in our meadow together.

The last rays of sun shone in the window as the officiate began - but this was not the ending, the twilight that came at the close of day. This was a beginning for us - and I could see the joy here above all the despair. She would survive one way or another, human or vampire, and we would be together for all time, as I knew now that we should be.

I adjusted her bed so that she was sitting up slightly, as she smiled at me and took my hand. Her eyes brightened and she seemed to show a new found strength. Her grip was firm and she was positively glowing. The blush in her cheek was stunning. She looked at me with all the love and strength of commitment that I had been a fool to downplay before.

"You look amazing in that suit, Mr. Cullen." she smiled shyly at me.

The foolish grin that overtook my face had gained a permanent home. It spread ear to ear and I leaned in to lightly kiss her lips.

"Excuse me! No kissing! You are not to that part yet, brother," chuckled Emmett.

The justice stepped closer to begin the ceremony. He offered a few words of hope and prayer then asked who gives this woman to be wed. I choked. I had wanted this to be so perfect for her - nothing needed to dull her happiness at this moment, and as I started to ask Phil to step forward, Charlie entered the room with Sue close behind.

"Sorry I'm late. It took longer than I thought to find a suit."

Bella was radiant. Charlie stepped up and took her hand, kissed it, and returned it to mine.

"Take care of her, son. She's my everything."

We continued without interruption, speaking the vows that had been handed down since the beginning of time. When we vowed for as long as we both shall live I sensed a shudder in the room. Bella never felt it, it was too subtle, but her condition was still critical and the humans in the room were beside themselves with worry. Alice smiled. She knew. She knew that either Bella would survive on her own or I would change her - the decision had been made in my mind and whatever vision it brought to her, she was bouncing up and down with happiness and excitement that could scarcely be contained.

We were man and wife. She was my wife. She looked up at me, gripping slightly to my hand, and said . . .

"Come here, husband."

With that I leaned in and kissed her. It was a gentle kiss but not chaste. It held all the love and longing and hope that was filling me. As her soft lips moved with mine, my tongue traced hers asking for entry. Her eyes opened and she stared directly into my eyes - never had I done this before. I repeated the act, my tongue gently sliding in between her now parted lips. It was different now - I was different. Being with her didn't scare me as I knew I would not, could not ever hurt her. We kissed gently, but more intimately than ever before. I heard the shuffling of our family in the room, made uneasy by the duration of our embrace and I moved to pull away from her, if only far enough to gaze at her glowing face. There were congratulations all round, but I only saw her. She drifted to sleep shortly, having only the strength to sign the marriage certificate, hold Jacobs hand for a moment, and kiss me one more time before falling fast asleep, exhaustion taking over.

~oooOooo~