Hey everyone! So...this chapter is about two weeks late. Sorry about that. Real life is hectic af and honestly the ff. net glitch situation with my chapters was seriously pissing me off. It seems to fix itself after a couple of weeks but I have no idea what causes it which is super annoying. Soooo if you're missing updates or not seeing chapters that might be why idk. ANyway, Thank you so much to everyone who keeps coming back and enjoying this fic!

Throughout the spring, Edward insisted that Bella spend a few hours every week on college applications. She called the whole thing unnecessary and whined each time, but gave in anyway when she saw the happy expression on Charlie's face. And the approval Edward was earning for the endeavor. When she started resisting, after the 15th application, Edward shrugged and began filling them out for her, in a perfect recreation of her handwriting. In April, the rejections began to arrive in thin white envelopes. In many cases, she had simply missed the application deadline. Several bore the seals of prestigious Ivy Leagues and equivalents, which made her scowl at Edward. He was unapologetic.

The weather seemed to shift overnight, summer barrelled into them - warm, sunny, and humid. Edward had to spend more and more of Bella's work days hiding from the sunlight in the trees. When he drove her to Port Angeles for her classes, he found somewhere shady to park and stayed in his car. In the hours he waited, he followed Bella through the thoughts of others, but her classmates hardly seemed to notice her. The very first day, Edward had been horrorstruck to hear the distant, grating mind of Mike Newton, but his path rarely crossed with Bella's. Jessica Stanley and a few other former Forks High students were around too, but none of them thought of Bella.

She passed her final exams for her two classes with flying colors. Afterwards, Edward took her straight back to his house, where Esme had cooked a celebration feast. The cake was two tiers, enough for a 100-guest wedding. Bella barely made a dent, and took the leftovers home for Charlie to bring to the station.

On a beautiful spring day, Bella sent Edward hunting while she worked. He was still reluctant to leave her, and she pretended not to share his feelings. He still hadn't left for more than a day, and Bella dreaded the nightmares that threatened when she had to sleep without his arms around her. But his eyes were too dark and bruised for comfort, so she ordered him away.

The nursery had a near-constant string of customers now. The approaching summer weather made her sweat after just a few minutes in the greenhouses. For the first time since moving to Forks, Bella wondered what had become off all the shorts and tank tops she'd left behind in Phoenix. Phil had paid off the mortgage on the house. As far as Bella knew, it was sitting empty, all of her things collecting dust and cooking in the heat without the air conditioner running on high.

She wasn't alone on the property again until after closing. With Edward to help, the daily shut-down process took no time at all. But by herself, Bella spent the last hour of her day cleaning and locking doors and returning things to their proper place. The world around her buzzed with life. Birdsong and gentle breezes through the trees, insects swarming the neat rows of potted flowers. It was so serene, she felt a bit angry when the distant rumble of an engine disturbed her.

The sound was strangely familiar, and Bella peered through the locked front door at the driveway. Jacob parked her motorcycle next to her truck, the noise abruptly cut off.

Bella unlocked the door and stepped outside. He looked nervous, yet determined, his posture slightly hunched and his gaze barely meeting hers.

"Hey," he said.

"Hi."

Jacob rubbed the back of his neck.

"What's up?" She prompted.

He took a deep breath and forced himself to look at her. "I wanted to apologize for what I said at Harry's funeral."

Bella blinked.

"I'm sorry," he rambled, "It was horrible and I didn't mean any of it. Not what I said about the Cullens and especially not what I said about you."

"Jake, I know," Bella said calmly, "it was a bad day, I'm not holding it against you."

His eyebrows drew together. "You should be."

She shrugged. "No point staying angry. I know you didn't mean what you said."

He nodded, his eyes suddenly shining. "Yea…it's been a rough few months."

A tangle of guilt curled in Bella's stomach. These had been some of the happiest months of her life, but her friends just a few miles away were entrenched in their grief. All this time, she'd been slowly pulling away from her human life, without any thought for those she left behind - except for Charlie.

"I'm sorry," she said.

Jacob gave a small, weak smile, "we miss you. Especially Seth and Embry. And did you hear? Emily had the baby, just a few days ago."

The news rocked her sense of time, it felt like a hundred years since she'd stood in Emily's yard as the pack celebrated her happy news. "No, I hadn't heard, that's wonderful."

"Yea," Jacob's dark expression lightened, "a boy."

"What's his name?"

"Levi," he said proudly, "Levi Harry Uley."

Bella smiled, "I think in a few years they'll be a whole gang of Harry's and Harriet's running around La Push."

"It's nice…It feels like a new beginning."

His unexpected visit suddenly made sense, and Bella felt a sense of relief. A new beginning rather than an ending, the idea was enchanting.

"You should come see him in a few weeks when they're ready for visitors," he said, "Emily would like to see you."

"Sure, I'll bring some food."

Jacob nodded, then looked around nervously for a few seconds. Finally he gestured towards the bike and said, "um, I brought your bike, thought you might want it."

"Oh, thanks," Bella hesitated, "but you should keep it."

He narrowed his eyes, "it's yours, you paid for it."

"You did all the work," she insisted, "besides, can you imagine Charlie's reaction if I brought that home? I'd never see the light of day again."

Jacob hummed, considering.

"You should give it to Agnes," Bella suggested, "so you can ride together."

Jacob stared at her. "Really?"

"Of course."

"Um, okay…thanks. She'll like that," he said shyly. "I guess Edward can afford a couple brand new Ducatis if you change your mind about bikes."

She chuckled, "yeah, but he'd make me wear a helmet."

"Probably a good idea," Jacob teased, "you humans are quite fragile."

Bella rolled her eyes, unable to help the smile coming over her lips. Jacob smiled back, and the sight warmed the inside of her chest. It felt like a return to the way they always should have been - friends who loved each other, but never took anything further. Bella and Edward were like one soul in two bodies, the same for Agnes and Jacob. But all of them had tiny pieces of themselves still free to give to other people. Bella gave a piece to each of the Cullen family, the largest piece to Charlie, a slice for Renee, but there was something left over for her Quileute friends too.

"I'll come down to the reservation soon," she promised. "I'd like to meet Agnes, if I can."

His whole face lit up. "Yea, that'd be nice. She reads all those old books too, I think you'll get along."

"Edward likes cars, does that mean you two will be BFFs?"

Jacob gaped.

"Just kidding," Bella smiled.

Relief relaxed his features for a moment, then his nostrils flared and his head whipped sideways to stare into the forest.

"What?" Bella asked, instantly tense.

"Your vampire's back," Jacob said calmly, "the reek burns my nose."

His tone held none of the malice of Harry's funeral, just a teasing lightness. As if he was astonished that she could bear to be in Edward's presence. She glared at him.

"Don't be prickly, I'm sure I stink like a wet dog to them."

"Everyone smells perfectly fine to me," Bella grumbled.

Jacob huffed in amusement, then turned to walk back towards the bike. Bella took a few small steps forward, as he revved the engine and disappeared down the road. A second later, Edward was by her side. His cool fingers brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. Cool breath spread across her face as he pressed a kiss to her temple. Her eyes drifted shut, her body leaning against his automatically.

"How was your hunt?" She asked.

"Too long. I missed you."

Bella slowly opened her eyes and looked at him. She lifted onto her toes and kissed him lightly on the corner of his mouth, his sweet scent filling her lungs. "Me too. It was so busy."

"I heard," Edward said gently, "what did Jacob want?"

"He apologized and offered me my motorcycle, but I turned him down."

"Why?"

"It would just be a reminder, and it belongs with him. I told him to give it to Agnes."

Edward smiled, his sharp teeth flashing. "That's very kind of you."

Warmth rose to Bella's cheeks. She pressed her face against Edward's collarbone and mumbled, "Charlie would've flipped if I took it anyway."

"He never knew?"

"No," Bella said, "He thought I'd gotten even more clumsy when I kept coming home with stitches and bruises while I was still learning. I fell a lot." Her hand lifted to the faint scar just behind her hairline, from the very first time she'd tried riding the bike. The memory was fuzzy. She hardly remembered the fall now, but her body recalled the relief of hearing Edward's voice once again.

Edward's fingers gently parted her hair. When he found the little white line, his other arm tensed around her. "Jacob was thinking something, feeling guilty about helmets."

"Yea, reckless," she admitted.

A pained groan rolled out from his chest. "Jesus, Bella."

"It's fine," she said.

"It is now, but…" he struggled for words, "I need you safe. Do you understand that?"

"Yes. That's why you should change me, dummy," she said teasingly.

Edward didn't laugh. He didn't even smile. Instead, he placed his hands on either side of her face and stared at her so intensely she felt like she'd disappeared into a world of liquid gold. Her pulse thrummed against his palm, hot and strong. "I will, after you marry me."

The sweetness of his breath made her dizzy. "Not fair."

"Your heart is flying," he informed her. A smile lifted the corners of his mouth. "Are you alright?"

She nodded slowly, dazed the whisper of his words across her skin.

"Good, do you mind if I do something?"

"Anything," she breathed.

His hands slid away as he took a step backwards.

"Anything but that."

He ignored her, and put his hands on her shoulders. "Please, remember you've already essentially agreed, and don't ruin this for me."

Bella groaned as he sank gracefully to one knee.

"Be nice," he murmured.

She took a deep breath.

"Isabella Swan," he started. His voice was so thick with love that it cut straight down to her soul, through all the resistance. He looked up at her through long, perfect lashes, his eyes somehow both soft and scorching. "I promise to love you every moment of forever. Will you do me the extraordinary honor of marrying me?"

Bella couldn't seem to catch her breath, and she stared in silence for long enough that Edward's smooth expression started to crack with worry. He reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and withdrew a small box. The sight of it only increased the hammering of Bella's heart against her ribs.

"This was my mother's," he explained. His long fingers opened the box, revealing a ring. It sparkled in the light, despite the dappled shade of the trees. Dozens of tiny diamonds set in a sunburst pattern. Bella's hand shook as she reached to touch it. Edward chuckled self-consciously, "I know it's old-fashioned, like me. I can get you something more modern, if you'd prefer. Something from Tiffany's."

"It's so pretty," she breathed.

Edward's face lit up with a grin, "do you like it?"

She nodded dumbly once again, stroking the century-old stones, still shining like the day they'd been cut. "It's beautiful."

"I'm glad you think so, does that mean…?"

"Yes," she whispered.

Edward's eyes drifted shut and he rocked backwards on his heels for a split second, then surged forward. One of his arms caught her around the waist, lifting her off her feet and crushing her against his chest. An uncontrolled laugh rumbled from his chest. "Yes," he echoed giddily.

Bella's chest felt like it would burst open as Edward set her down and carefully pulled the ring from its place in the box. When he reached for her hand, Bella reflexively clenched it into a fist. "Wait, I…I'm not sure I'm ready to tell Charlie just yet."

Even that didn't interrupt Edward's happy mood. The perfect smile seemed to brighten the entire world. "I'm not going to solder it onto your finger. Just let me make sure it fits."

She nodded and her hand loosened. He supported her left wrist with his right hand, while the other carefully slid the ring onto her third finger. For a few seconds, both of them watched silently as she tilted her hand side to side.

"Perfect fit," he said quietly. "Saves me a trip to the jeweler's."

Bella nearly fell over at the expression on his beautiful face. It held all the joy of an angel witnessing the dawn of creation. He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to each of her fingertips, then to the ring that was now her's.

.oOo.

When they arrived at Bella's house - Edward dissatisfied as always with the truck's speed - Bella returned the ring to its box before she went inside. A few hours later, when she retreated to her bedroom for the night, Edward was waiting for her, and she slid it back onto her finger. This quickly became their routine. She wore it only when they were alone, and never at work for fear of damaging it.

During the day, when her finger was bare, Bella felt the absence of the antique band like a strip of cold on her skin. The sight of her hand without it began to aggravate her, and she spent what seemed like hours simply admiring the fine stones as they twinkled in even the dimmest light. She liked the way it looked when she turned the page of a book, and gripped the truck's steering wheel, and rested her hand on Edward's chest. Each morning, it became harder and harder to return it to its box.

A week of limbo was all Bella could tolerate, and all she could expect Edward to endure. On Sunday, Julia gave her the day off, and the weather was gloriously bright and sunny. They hiked to the meadow, Edward carrying a backpack full of the picnic lunch Esme had packed for Bella, several books, and lots of water. They found a shaded spot in the grass, beneath the enormous branches of an ancient Garry Oak tree, and settled in to enjoy the entire day.

Within half an hour, the bright blue sky turned grey. Thick clouds roiled above head, like the surface of the ocean. They looked close enough to touch, and the first cracks of thunder made Bella's bones rattle. The warm weather that had brought a sheen of sweat to Bella's skin as they ascended the mountain dropped in a few seconds, sending a cold shiver across her skin. The sky opened, soaking the entire forest. Edward packed all their things in a few seconds while Bella hunched over her book to keep it from getting wet.

Bella glowered at the sky.

"Come on," Edward urged, "I'll get you home."

"It's not the rain," Bella said, "But I think this means it's time to do something very unpleasant…and possibly dangerous."

Edward's eyes widened in alarm.

Bella grinned at him and extended her left hand between them, tiny raindrops ran through the pattern of diamonds on her finger. "We have to tell Charlie."

The concern shifted instantly into glee, Edward's crooked smile somehow even more beautiful with the water in his hair. "Highly dangerous."

"It's a good thing you're bulletproof."

Their laughter disappeared into the noise of the storm. They were entirely soaked when they got back to the Volvo, even Edward's speed was not sufficient to escape the torrent. Alice had a change of clothes ready for her when they returned to the Cullens' house. Bella used the enormous, luxurious shower in Edward's bathroom and let Alice blow dry and brush out her hair

"Bella," Alice asked calmly, "do you love me?"

Edward glared at his sister. Bella choked. "W-what? Of course I do!"

"Hmm, then why can I see you two eloping without inviting me?"

"I don't know!" Bella said shrilly, "you're the expert on your visions, you tell me!"

Alice turned her gaze on Edward, who held up his hands. "I was only considering the possibility. Anything Bella wants."

"Well, Bella?" Alice asked.

The question had not crossed her mind. She'd been so hung up on the concept of marriage, she hadn't had much time to consider wedding. Her stomach turned a bit when she imagined the type of wedding Alice would envision. The entire town staring at her, wondering if she was pregnant or just insane. But she wanted her parents there, maybe Julia and her Quileute friends, and the rest of the Cullen family.

Alice groaned. "Great, wolves at the party. How am I supposed to operate like this?"

"The rest of us find ways to manage," Jasper said from the other end of the couch.

"No you don't," Alice said, "you're all completely dependent on me for your survival."

Bella felt a slight tug in her hair and a breeze on her face. Then Alice squealed as Jasper returned to his seat with her firmly in his lap, a steel arm wrapped tightly around her waist. "We'll see about that."

Edward rolled his eyes and offered Bella a hand. "Let's go, they're about to get embarrassing."

On their way out of the house, Esme and Carlisle stopped them. Bella flushed bright red while Edward's parents congratulated them on their engagement and admired Elizabeth Mason's ring on her finger. With the renovations on the house complete, Esme had turned to working on her summer garden. The driveway and walkways now cut through a lush field of flowers and glasses. A thousand insects buzzed over blooms in every color of the rainbow.

Edward whipped the Volvo around the twists of the driveway, then pulled onto the main road and accelerated enough to make the engine roar. She stared at the ring around her finger rather than looking out the window. Even with the rain pounding against the car, the gold and diamonds shimmered beautifully.

"I have a few more pieces of hers," Edward said, his voice tangling with the soft melody from the speakers. "Jewelry mostly. I've given Esme and Alice a few things over the years."

Bella hummed, "that's nice."

"Esme was wondering if you would want those things now, she's happy to hand them over."

"Of course not," Bella scoffed.

The corner of Edward's mouth lifted, "I didn't think so, but the ones I still have are for you."

"I'm not much into jewelry."

"I know. But maybe you'll change your mind by the time we reach our hundred-year anniversary."

His attempt to disarm her worked fantastically. The thought sent a hoard of excited butterflies fluttering in her stomach. It was a good distraction from the nerves of their upcoming conversation with Charlie. Edward opened her door and took her hand as they walked up to the front door. They followed the drone of the TV into the living room and found Charlie in his usual seat. A regional news channel played at a low volume, but Charlie was mostly focused on the sudoku puzzle in his lap. He looked up at them and his eyes widened very slightly at their unified stance.

"Um, dad," Bella started, "can we talk to you?"

Charlie closed his eyes for a second, took a deep breath, turned off the TV, then carefully folded his newspaper and tossed it on the coffee table. "Sure."

Edward and Bella sat side by side on the love seat. When Charlie looked them over, his gaze settled on the diamond ring. The expression on his face made Bella's chest ache, like he was waiting for her to disappear from right in front of him. Bella looked to Edward, willing him to start speaking so she wouldn't have to.

He took her hand and said, "Chief Swan, we have some good news."

"Really? Good news? That's why Bella's sweating bullets?"

"I'm not sweating!" Bella insisted, scrubbing a hand across her forehead.

Edward chuckled, "she's nervous because she thinks you won't approve. And I know I've done this out of order. Maybe I should have asked your permission first, but Bella has already said yes. I love her more than anything, more than my own life, and - by some miracle - she loves me too. Enough to agree to marry me." He paused and took a deep breath that Charlie and Bella both subconsciously copied. "So, I hope we have your blessing."

Charlie looked between the two of them and the ring, not speaking for several moments. Finally, he mumbled, "I knew this was coming." His eyes locked on Bella's. "All I want, all I've ever wanted - in the entire world - is for you to be happy. Is he gonna make that happen?"

"Yes." Bella nodded frantically.

"You sure?"

"I am one hundred percent sure."

"This isn't just a, um," he huffed and flushed, "cover-up, for an unplanned situation?"

Bella took a moment to process, then felt her face go bright red. "What?! No! No, no, no!"

"Okay, okay." Charlie's coloring returned to normal as he waved his hands in surrender. "I believe you."

Edward's hand rubbing tiny circles between Bella's shoulder blades. The touch kept her calm, but neither of them spoke. It felt like Charlie had something else to say. He stared blankly at the dark TV.

"Ha!" His sudden laugh cut through the silence. Bella jumped in her seat. "Ahahaha!"

Edward tried to suppress his grin, but Bella stared at her father in confusion. "What's funny?"

"Fine! Get married," Charlie said between peals of laughter. "But good luck telling your mother!"

.oOo.

Bella spent the next several days avoiding any thoughts about Renee. She didn't think her mother's reaction was so inevitable as Charlie believed. A few years earlier, it would have been entirely predictable: an emphatic condemnation of any long-term commitment before you've 'really lived', as she loved to say. But now, Bella was unsure. Her mother had settled happily into her second marriage, but maybe that would only confirm her feelings about her first. Bella had only spoken to her a few times since Edward's return. And most of those conversations were dominated by Renee's pregnancy.

Rather than thinking about her mother, Bella reached out to Emily, who told her to come over any time she wanted to meet the new baby. Bella spent the morning cooking three different casseroles - knowing they'd be gone within hours if the wolf pack came visiting - a salad, and some blueberry muffins. Edward helped her cook, but left so she could take a shower.. He kissed her thoroughly, before pointing out that her friends on the reservation probably wouldn't appreciate her smelling like a vampire when she arrived.

Somehow, Sam was even more in love with Emily than before. He only took his eyes off her a few times, to look at their child with the same enraptured adoration. The baby - Levi - was squishy and sweet, and entirely content bundled up against Emily's chest. Bella gently stroked the top of his head, covered in a mess of black curls, and introduced herself to him. Seth, Leah, and Embry appeared from the woods about half an hour into their visit, just as the food finished reheating in the oven.

Seth was the only one to insist on a turn with Levi. He cradled the little bundle against his chest and bounced around the porch. The sight was a bit silly, Seth was nearly as tall as Jacob now, the baby about as big as one of his hands. But Bella was glad to see his cheerfulness had returned slightly since the day of his father's funeral. Embry sat beside and finished three plates of food while they listened to Emily and Sam recite an endless saga of tiny moments from their son's first weeks.

Bella hadn't even realized she was still wearing her engagement ring until Embry pointed it out, walking with her up the driveway to her truck.

"Nice ring," he said casually.

Bella looked down at her hand, her face heated. "Oh, thanks."

"Congratulations. When's the big day?"

She shrugged. "I'm not sure. I'll probably give in to Alice and let her plan a huge thing, just so I don't have to make any decisions."

"Hmmm...a bloodsucker party."

"Some humans too," she said, "and wolves too, if they're brave enough."

Embry scoffed, "you just name the date, vampire girl."

A light, fuzzy feeling ran around Bella's ribs. Even barrelling towards a future that would take her far away from Forks and all the people she loved there, these easy friendships felt like a warm hug on a cold day.

"Um, maybe before the end of this year," he said, "I'm moving to Idaho in January."

"What's in Idaho?"

"Boise National Forest. I applied for a work year with their outdoor education team and I got accepted."

"Sounds exciting...Ranger Embry."

"Junior Ranger Embry at best, but it'll be fun. I'm glad to get away from here for a while."

They'd reached her truck, and the wind whistling through the trees brought a light drizzle on from the ocean. Bella opened the door and slid into her seat. "That's great, I'm really happy for you."

"Thanks." He rubbed the back of his neck shyly, "Um, I haven't told Jake yet, so..."

"My lips are sealed," she assured him.

Embry nodded. "I'm happy for you too. You have the same lovesick look on your face as the rest of them. Good for you."

As Bella drove through the sleepy village of La Push, she looked up and saw a pair of motorcycles weaving along the cliffside road. Their silhouettes gave them away, one covered in the bulk of a large jacket, the other larger than any normal human had any reason to be. Jacob and Agnes didn't stop, she doubted they even noticed her. But she felt a flutter of happiness in her chest at the sight of them. This community would take a while to recover from Harry's death, but there was joy and love and celebration here too. The feeling bolstered her courage as she drove back to Forks through the weak rain.

Bella took another shower when she got home, and found Edward in his usual sprawled position on her bed when she returned. He smiled and reached for her hips, to pull her into his arms.

"No, no," Bella teased, squirming out of his reach.

Edward pouted like a disappointed demigod.

"I've decided to call my mom, don't distract me."

When she went downstairs to the phone, Edward followed her closely. He played with a strand of her hair while she dialed the number and waited for Renee to answer. Bella was mentally drafting her voicemail when her mother picked up at the last second.

"Hello?"

"Hey, mom."

"Bella, hey!" Renee exclaimed, "how's it going?"

"Good, good," Bella stalled nervously. Edward gave her an encouraging smile, "Um, I have some exciting news."

"Oh?"

"Edward proposed. We're getting married."

Silence echoed down the line. Bella shifted closer to Edward. "Mom? Did you hear me?"

"Yea, yea, I heard you. That's great, baby! When did this happen?"

"Just recently," Bella said vaguely, "but we've been talking about it for a while."

Renee chuckled, "you're just like your dad, always wanting to think things through before you make any big changes."

"I guess."

"Have you chosen a date yet? I assume it's going to be up in Forks. You might want to wait until next summer so you'll have a better chance at good weather."

Edward tensed, more than a year was far too long for both of them.

Bella swallowed. "We're hoping it'll be before the end of this year. Maybe August? Alice will be able to throw something together by then."

Renee's answering hum of consideration made Bella's fingers twitch nervously. "It'll be a lot with the new baby."

"Right, right," Bella blurted, "October or November? Would that be easier, if he's a few months old? You'll have lots of help when you get here, I promise."

"Hmm, the weather won't be very nice in the fall," Renee said.

Bella didn't explain that dreary weather was a Cullen family requirement, so she pointed out, "you hate the weather here all year long."

"True. October then. I'm glad you called actually, Bella," Renee abruptly changed subjects. "I was hoping you'd do me a favor."

"Of course. Anything, mom," Bella replied automatically. Beside her, Edward efficiently masked the displeasure from his face.

"So, I'm around thirty weeks now," Renee started, "and I was hoping you'd be able to come down before the baby arrives? Phil's been so busy with work, he's going to take next school year off as paternity leave, but he wants to get everything set up for the school before the birth. And his parents have been wanting him to come visit. I thought you could come down and help me get things set up? Just for a week or two. You can bring Edward!"

Blinking, Edward looked at Edward. He nodded in encouragement and whispered, "whatever you want."

Bella cleared her throat, "Sure, mom. Um…let us pick out some dates and I'll let you know soon. Is that okay?"

"Great! Just let me know when. Oh, you're a lifesaver Bella! Already the best big sister anyone could ask for."

Big sister, the words rattled through Bella's mind. They didn't feel real. She couldn't make them fit with the mental image of herself. She responded hesitantly, "I want to help however I can."

"I know, baby. You're the best!" The words made Bella's face heat, but her mom didn't expect a response, "Call me when you have your flights! I'm so excited!"

"I will. I love you, mom."

"Love you, too. Bye!"

The phone went silent and Bella returned it to the cradle. Without thinking, she turned and pressed herself against Edward. Her face nuzzled into the crook of his neck. One of his hands cradled her head, the other rubbed gently up and down the column of her spine.

"Will you come with me to Jacksonville?"

"Of course, if you want me there."

Bella nodded minutely. "You'll have to stay inside. Hide from the sun like a real vampire."

Edward chuckled against her hair. "I'll manage. Maybe Alice can find us some cloudy days."

"In Florida?" She asked doubtfully.

He shrugged. "Either way, I'm with you."

The words surrounded her like a heavy blanket, and the needling discomfort in the back of her mind receded. Edward's arms around her made the world feel very far away, like they'd slipped into another version of reality where nothing could touch them.