SM planted them, they're hers... but let's water 'em and watch them grow.

BOOK 2 :THE DAY IT ENDED

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The days I spent with my family before my life ended were enormously intense, and powerfully consuming. They were an incredible mixture of beauty, uncertainty, belonging, loneliness, passion, and doubt. I had made my decision to leave my human life behind and join this family. I was overjoyed to immerse myself in being bonded to something that was bigger than anything I had ever known before. I'd never felt more alive. I realized my mortality had value in the person I would become, and I could not waste it waiting to find out if I would survive alone. I knew that I could follow my own path to serenity. I'd proven it by trusting in myself and my mate. I chose to thrive with the promise that I would finally be myself.

Edward's love had brought me to a place where I would have what I wished for during those lonely nights alone everywhere I'd lived. I'd laid in bed countless nights wondering why I was out of place, and always hiding myself from people. I didn't know that the life I'd known wasn't for me until Edward brought me into his world. I'd found the other half of my soul in him, and with it, he brought the answers to every question. I couldn't fit into the world because I wasn't meant for it. I didn't have to accept that this journey of stumbling through life was all I could expect. Life was ending for me. Eternity would be exceptional.

My human life was nearly over, and I was looking forward to forever with rose-colored glasses. I didn't know the storm was coming. My happiness in immortality would depend on whether I could carry my family with me. Whether their faith in me was well-placed would be the question. Knowing that I could change the course of my family's fate at any time, for the better or for the worse, was a weight I wasn't sure I could carry, but I didn't have a choice. They were pieces of me, essential to my existence. Should I allow them to have such faith in me? Was I a fraud? Or was I one step ahead, without even knowing? They all seemed to think I could judge their path. I hoped I wouldn't lead them in the wrong direction. I hoped we could protect each other from disaster, but how could I prevent the inevitable by simply existing?

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After making her decision to walk away from her human life, the tension seemed to have left her. We spent some time talking about our immediate plans for the next few days. These days might be hard on her and I was prepared, though I knew that she was usually sanguine about her choices, once they've been made. I built a fire while she took a few human minutes to shower and change into the pajamas that Alice had left in the bathroom for her. We climbed under the electric blankets and spoke of inconsequential things until she fell asleep around 1am. She stirred a few times, seeming restless in sleep, but calmed after she was reminded of where she was. I wondered if it would take her long to remember in sleep that she was not alone anymore. She looked so beautiful, even with her furrowed brow, but especially as she drifted off again with a sigh and tiny smile. Knowing I'd put it there filled in the empty spaces that were lacking during our separation. I would never take her smiles for granted.

She awoke 7 hours later and stretched before opening her eyes and turning to me, looking content. I'd set my book of Shakespeare's sonnets aside 20 minutes ago when her breathing began to change, signaling her oncoming consciousness.

"*How would, I say, mine eyes be blessed made, by looking on thee in the living day," I whispered.

"Very smooth." She smirked, and I couldn't hide my smile in return. "I'm happy to see you too," running her thumb along my brow and down my cheek, never breaking eye contact. She looked dreamy, and warm, and I felt very lucky to have her. "What's on the agenda for today?" She asked, stretching again.

"Well first off, it's breakfast time for the human," that reference earned me a quiet chuckle, "and then I believe Carlisle wanted to have a word with me, and Alice wanted to discuss your wardrobe with you. Afterwards, I was hoping you'd be amiable to taking a run with me? The property is extensive, with several hills and valleys. And it will be partly sunny." I winked.

"I'm amiable to time in the sun," she said, and kissed my hand before rolling off the bed and stretching her arms above her head. I couldn't take my eyes off of her; her silhouette mesmerizing. She didn't look back as she walked past me and to her suitcase, which was open next to the sofa. I stared at her as she crouched over it picking through it for clean clothes. She had no idea the self control it took for me to stay rooted in place and keep my hands to myself.

After we'd made our way downstairs and into the kitchen we found Jasper helping Esme with breakfast. Actually, he'd taken over, as she squeezed orange juice for Bella. He smiled, passing Bella a plate of bacon eggs and toast. Bella held the toast in front of her and looked at him, impressed.

"I held it over the flame, like I used ta when I was human. I forgot that I knew how t' make eggs and bacon."

"She makes me remember things too." I said. It was endearing the effect she had on our family.

"It's true, I caught a flash of memory while I was pulling dinner out of the oven last night." Esme said while she washed the pans.

"What do you remember, Edward?"

"Well last night when you attacked me with the pillow-"

"You exaggerator!"

I smiled at her outrage, "I remembered running around my mother's parlor in Chicago, and my mother shooing me out. I remember that, when I took you to the dance in Forks, I once had to escort her to a function while my father was working. There was that time in Port Angeles when I took you for ice cream and wiped your chin." I tucked her silky hair behind her ear and noted her goosebumps.

"I remember that." She nodded, blushing. "You said you recalled your mom doing that for you once when your dad took you both. How old were you?"

"Eight or nine I believe."

"We didn't have ice cream where I lived," Emmett stated as he passed through the kitchen from the mud room. "If we happened to get some snow, we could put some sugar on it, or some jam. But that was rare where we lived, in the sticks and twigs." He finished, mussing Bella's hair as he passed. She swatted him and missed.

"That reminds me, Edward. If you plan a property tour, would you mind checking on the trees we planted at the edge of the south-eastern ski trail? The one that abuts our property line? They've had a few decades but I'd like to have an idea of whether to make any improvements."

"Of course, Esme."

Upstairs, Alice was planning on what to do about Bella's clothing situation. She had nothing, but Alice didn't foresee Bella putting up a fuss at the expense of it. That might be an unexpected side effect of our coming together again. I'd have to ask her about that later.

Bella pushed her plate away with very little left on it. "Ugh, that was good. I don't remember the last time I had a proper breakfast."

"Are you finally ready to admit pop-tarts aren't real breakfast?" I asked in mock excitement. She attempted to pinch my stone skin in retaliation, and the ridiculousness of it made me laugh. So in essence she'd succeeded, which I knew she liked. Afterward we parted at the stairs, she to Alice who was waiting for her at the top, and me to Carlisle's study. His first shipment of crates had arrived and he was deep in the stacks, arranging his personal library.

"Good morning Son, I wondered if we might discuss Bella's decision?" He smiled widely at the memory of mine and Bella's conversation. Everyone in the household heard it, obviously. At my gesture for him to begin, he gave me his thoughts as he continued to arrange his books. "I believe she's made a sound and logical decision. Had she decided to continue her human relationships, we would without a doubt support her, but the stress she expressed that she had received from both of her parents in the past, is not conducive to regaining her health and strength. I'm sure you've noted her gaunt appearance, not that she was of a very substantial weight to begin with. I'd like her to gain back 10 to 15 pounds before the change, so that her body is more able to handle the transition."

"Agreed. I don't think it will be a problem to build her strength up again. I'll be sure to engage her in outdoor activities and provide her with opportunities to snack along the way."

"Excellent. I wager it may take her several weeks to accomplish this."

"Probably, but she's stubborn and goal oriented. So she'll put in her best effort if you provide her with a timeline."

"8-12 weeks would suffice."

"I'll discuss it with her while we tour the grounds today. Anything else?"

"One other thing." Carlisle hesitated, and took a seat on the sofa, inviting me to sit as well. "Alice sees Charlie possibly coming to visit. Mainly to speak to you. He's going to be angry at the disappearance and probable death of his daughter. She states that he will react less aggressively, and in the long run become more accepting of her death, if he sees you suffering in grief as well."

This possibility was not a pleasant one to consider, and stopped me short. "So I'll have to play the part of the grieving boyfriend." I didn't want to have to remember Bella's near demise, but there may not be a way to avoid it.

"Yes son, if his plans to come to Connecticut become more clear, I'm afraid you'll have to. I'm sorry."

"I understand." I said quickly, staring at my hands. "We'll have to hide Bella for a while, where she won't be tempted to comfort either of us."

"Perhaps Emmett and Rosalie can provide a distraction if these events come to pass, I'm sure they wouldn't mind. We'll need Alice and Jasper here to help run interference, and the two of you will be expected to be especially upset at the loss of your friend."

When we had decided on a tentative plan I went to find Bella in Alice's suite. Alice's rooms were larger than ours, and decorated in a modern regency style. A fire was roaring for Bellas benefit which I appreciated. From what I could glean from the thoughts around me, the two of them were facing each other on a large wing back sofa, negotiating Bellas clothing options via web and magazine. Alice noted that if she didn't mention fabric types, Bella was less resistant to her mecanations, which made Alice quite pleased. She was planning on buying Bella the necessities today, and ordering or fashioning the rest herself in the coming weeks.

Rosalie, on the opposite sofa, was flipping through a magazine and considering what Carlisle had suggested. She saw the logic in taking Bella away from a situation with Charlie, and saw the task as being for the good of the family. It was odd, not encountering resistance from Rosalie, and I found myself feeling grateful. Listening to Emmett's thoughts about her change, in the way she views my relationship with Bella and Bella in general, was shocking. Even more impressive was the way my brother stuck up for his family. I was indebted to him, though all he cared for was the harmony he'd brought to the household by overcoming Rosalie's tenacity. I would never bring that up with Rosalie directly, but I would find a way to repay Emmett someday.

"Emmett will want to buy a new TV for his man-cave, along with the ESO expansion. While Charlie is here, he can drive Rose and Bella to a few shops for summer wear." Alice gave me a toothy grin as I stopped in the threshold of her open door. "Hello Edward!"

"Hello, am I interrupting?"

"Only a little, I have Bella's preferences outlined." She looked to me and smiled before thinking, "If I annoy her enough about wearing heels, she'll compromise by allowing flats to be added to her wardrobe."

Manipulative pixie. "Bella, she wants you to agree to wear flats. If you agree she'll leave you alone about the heels, and then we can be on our way." Alice's face was pure outrage, and she pinched the back of my arm in retaliation. "Ow!" She giggled at my pain.

"Hey, be nice. If that's all you want then fine. I agree." She stood and rubbed the spot Alice had pinched. Worth it, I thought, as Alice winked at me; a smug expression in place.

*a line from sonnet 43 by William Shakespeare

This chapter picks up where the last book left off. Rosalie's slow burn continues, we see more of a harmonious family dynamic and how Bella fits into that, and we see a bit more of the Edward who is actually attracted to Bella. Which was hinted at in the books, but rarely seen. Like a Sasquach. The rating on this book may change in a few chapters. There will be warnings for more mature chapters and the lemony bits can be avoided easily. But we'll see. Feedback on that would be appreciated.

Music is I Love You by Said The Whale, because of their dysfunctional sibling affection. They're not always prim and proper in my world. Jasper, and particularly Emmett, aren't just placeholders in my story. They are actual people with backstories. Shocking. I'm unsure if ill be continuing to choose music to go along with my chapters. I didn't have time to even listen to any while I wrote the first 20,000 words. We'll see.

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Any feedback is appreciated!!