My first instinct is to think it'll go wrong again. I try not to get my hopes up, but it's impossible not to. I'm not going to live much longer without this heart. I'm scared to die, and so many people would be hurt if I did. I wish someone didn't need to die for me to live, but I'm not ready to go, and I'll honor their sacrifice.

"When will we know for sure?" I ask, finally breaking the silence.

Emmett's back and just as thrilled as Edward. Both refuse to think this could go wrong again.

"It'll be perfect, Bells," my brother says.

"We'll know more within the hour. The heart is in Portland, and Dr. Callahan should be landing there soon to procure it."

An hour seems like an eternity, and it passes just as slowly as I figured it would. I'm an anxious mess every time Edward's phone rings and prepare myself for bad news, but it doesn't come.

Everything is going according to plan, which means I undergo the prep for a transplant. They give me medicines, and Jane finally helps me clean up. Then there's more waiting. Once Dr. Callahan looks at the heart, they're taking me to the OR, and it's starting to feel like maybe this will work out.

"Do you have any questions, sweetheart?" Edward asks, holding my hand.

I have about a thousand. "How long after will I wake up?"

"It depends on your body. You'll probably have a breathing tube in when you first wake up, but once you're alert and can breathe on your own, we'll pull it."

"I'm going to be in pain, aren't I?"

He nods, smiling sadly. "The price of the surgery, I'm afraid. But we'll control it with meds."

"Can you guys stay with me?"

"We'll have to wear gowns and masks, but we'll be with you most of the time. I think it might be a good idea if we slept in a hotel just so you can get the rest you'll need."

I nod, knowing I can live with that as his phone rings again. I hold my breath as he answers, and when he smiles, I breathe out.

"Sounds great, Callahan. I'll get her to the OR soon."

He hangs up the phone, and I ask, "So, it's okay?"

"It's a perfect heart—an athlete's heart. It should give you decades, beautiful. Now, I've got to go call and make sure the OR is ready. Just hang tight for me."

He leans down, kissing my forehead before he goes. I can't believe this is actually happening. It feels like I'm walking on glass, waiting for a crack to appear, but … I'm not going to.

I'm going to live.

Emmett snaps his fingers, bringing me back to reality. "You okay, kiddo?"

I nod quickly. "Yeah, yeah, just …"

"Overwhelmed?" he asks.

"Kind of. Em, I'm going to survive. I could have decades now, not months. I'll be able to feel human again. I know it'll be hard at first, and I'll always have to be careful, but … I'm not going to die at twenty-three."

He smiles. "No, you're not. I'm going to have years to annoy you."

I laugh softly as Edward slides the door open. "I can't wait."

"We're going to take you down within the next twenty minutes."

"Can I call Carlisle and Esme and Jasper and Alice? I know it's late, but I want to tell them I love them—just in case."

I trust Edward, but things happen, and I want to hear their voices again. Emmett pulls out his phone because mine is long dead and dials Carlisle and Esme first.

"Emmett, any news?" Carlisle asks as he answers.

"It's Bella, and yes, the heart is good. I'm going in soon, but I wanted to say that I love both you and Esme."

"Oh, we love you too, Bella," he says. "Here's Esme."

"Hi, honey," she says. "Are you ready?"

"So ready." I sigh. "I can't wait to feel better."

"Aside from being in some pain, you should notice a remarkable difference soon after waking up," Carlisle says. "We'll be there once you're more alert and can have visitors."

"We love you so much, sweetie," Esme says. "I can't wait to see you."

"I love you both. I'm going to call Alice and Jasper now because they're taking me soon."

"We're so happy for you, Bella," Carlisle says. "We love you."

"Love you, guys," I say, hanging up and dialing Jasper's number.

The call goes about the same way, but I ask them to give the boys a hug for me and to tell them I can't wait to see them once I'm doing better. Everyone is so happy, and I feel so excited to give them good news for once.

I'm going to live and can finally look toward a future.

And it looks so bright.


Thanks to May, Nole, Fran, Brier, and Meg for prereading and Sally for Beta'ing.

Hi. Sorry. I suck. Regular updates will resume.