All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer

I decided to go for a quick walk to clear my head soon after we arrived home. The house was devoid of all tension for the first time in weeks. Couples could be found everywhere cuddling and enjoying one another's company. It was not really something I wanted to be around given what I was going through in my own personal life.

I took my time as I circled the front yard before I ventured to the back. There, leaning against a fence in the corner of the yard, stood Edward. He seemed lost in thought. His face seemed incredibly sad. My heart broke, knowing I was partially to blame.

Suddenly, he ran his hands roughly through his hair and let out an ear-piercing growl. I flinched slightly, but did not halt my approach. He banged his fists down on the fence, nearly breaking it in two, before he buried his head in his hands.

I wanted to cry, but no tears would come. I bit my lip nervously. I was but a few feet away. I observed him flexing his hand and bending his arm. Upon closer inspection I saw a few crescent shape marks on his forearm.

"Are you hurt?" I asked concerned, no longer able to keep quiet.

He turned around startled, and looked at me with wide eyes. "Bella." He breathed. "How long have you been here?"

I ignored his question as I came to stand next to him. I took his arm into my hands and gently caressed his wounds with my fingertips. "Are you hurt?" I repeated.

He shrugged pulling his arm free. "I'm fine. They just sting a little."

I frowned. "If you had let me help this never would have happened."

I small, sad smile crossed his face. "It's nothing. You're safe that's all that matters."

I shook my head at him. "Over protective fool." I mumbled under my breath.

An expectant quiet fell over us as we both leaned forward against the rail of the fence. I didn't know where to start exactly. Guessing from the silence, he must have felt the same way.

"So." He finally said breaking the silence. "I assume you're here because you've made your decision."

It did not escape my notice that he refused to look at me. He kept his eyes trained forward staring unseeingly into the trees.

"I have." I supplied in a soft voice.

He sighed, closing his eyes. His body visibly tensed as he waited for me to explain.

"Edward." I said barely above a whisper. I reached out and took one of his hands in mine. Still he kept his eyes forward, but I could feel his fingers close securely around mine. "I owe you an apology."

He snapped his head in my direction. He looked shocked as he shook his head back and forth. "I'm the one who needs forgiving. Not you."

"No." I shook my head looking down at our clasped hands. "I should have trusted you more—trusted in us more. You have never given me any reason to doubt you. I've behaved so badly." I whispered ashamed of my actions over the last few months.

"Bella. Oh my sweet, Bella love." He paused. I glanced up at him as he continued. "I should have listened to you and heeded your council. I just didn't see it." He stopped shaking his head angrily. "No, all the signs were there. I just didn't want to see it. I'm so sorry. It was wrong of me to dismiss your concerns so freely. I could have prevented so much by simply listening and trusting you more. You have to know, I didn't kiss her. She has always been nothing more than a close friend." He clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes dangerously. "Was a close friend to me." He muttered angrily through clenched teeth.

"No one is innocent in all this." I muttered soothingly. I didn't want to force him to give up his friendship with Tanya. If he chose to, then that was one thing, but I would not force his hand. I had to trust him if this was ever going to work. "She is a part of who you are. Whether I like it or not, you two have a history together and a special bond." I sighed. "She's right. Lasting friendships are rare among our kind. Maybe you should consider."

"No." He cut me off. "After everything she has done, how can you expect me to forgive her? Unless…" He hesitated averting his eyes from mine, but not before I saw the grief hidden within. He flexed his jaw and swallowed hard. "I've caused you so much pain. I would understand if you chose to leave me. I wouldn't stop you." He vowed, his voice was low and broke once at the end.

"I've known worse pain," he turned his head to look at me once more with curious eyes, though I could still see the sadness within, "in losing you once before. I do not wish to ever feel that way again. I cannot live without you. I have tried and failed. But I want you to know that it is your choice and yours alone. I will not interfere if you want to remain friends with Tanya, if you chose to stay with me."

He searched my eyes for a brief moment before he swiftly leaned in crashing his lips to mine. I was too shocked at first to respond, but soon the shock faded as the pleasure took over. As he deepened the kiss I felt his passion and love wash over me. My hands, on their own accord, traveled up his chest and wound in his hair, pulling him closer to me. I moaned softly as I felt his tongue enter my mouth. It felt like years since I had tasted him. My memories did not do him justice. We pulled away after a long time. We were both panting.

He reached forward cupping my face with one of his large hands. "It is I, Isabella Marie Swan, who cannot live without you. You are the only one I have ever loved, or will ever love, as long as I am on this earth. I promised you forever, and I plan to keep that promise if you'll allow me."

I smiled. "There's nothing I want more." I pulled him down for another kiss sealing the deal.

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We left Alaska the next day leaving everyone else behind. After all that had happened we decided to spend some time together traveling. Our family understood and promised to let us know where they were going to relocate as soon as they decided.

Edward had forgiven Tanya, blaming himself as much as her, for what happened. He had made it very clear that he no longer trusted her, and didn't know if he could ever be a close friend to her again. They had parted on relatively good terms. There was no need to burn bridges. They had helped us in our time of need, and we were all very grateful for what they had done.

We were currently in Germany enjoying the vast countryside. We were staying in Munich for a few days before moving on to Salzburg, Austria. I had always wanted to travel through out Europe and Edward was making my dream come true.

I sat on our private balcony of the villa he had procured for us. It was a beautiful day out, and I was enjoying the scenery.

"I was thinking."

I turned to find him leaning casually against the doorframe with his hands crossed across his chest. I got up and joined him wrapping my arms around his middle.

"A dangerous hobby for you." I chided.

He chuckled wrapping his arms around my waist pulling me tighter to him. He leaned down and I felt his sweet breath at my ear. "Maybe we should head back to the States."

I pulled away slightly to better read his face. "Why? Are you not enjoying yourself?"

"Of course I'm enjoying myself, I'm with you." He smiled crookedly. "I was just thinking that there was a promise you gave me some time ago that you have yet to fulfill."

"What promise?" I asked raising my eyebrows at him.

"To become my wife." He smiled warmly. "You also promised not to make me wait too long." He added immediately.

I smiled. "And how do you propose I do that Mr. Cullen? It will take months to plan everything." I muttered scowling at the mere thought.

"There's always Vegas." He suggested with a sly smile. "We could be there within 24 hours." He supplied hopefully.

I bit my lip, loving the idea. "Alice will kill us."

He shrugged. "This isn't about her. This is about us. I can take care of Alice." He assured me.

I smiled, debating.

"Come on Bella." He whispered, his lips once again at my ear. "I want you as my wife. I don't want to wait any longer. I want to make love to you—share every part of myself with you—forever. What do you say?"

I took a deep breath pulling back to look him in the eye. There was so much love there it stunned me.

I smiled. "Let's got to Vegas."

He picked me up bridal style, swinging me around as he pressed his lips to mine. "You just made me the happiest man alive." He breathed as soon as his lips left mine.

I smiled, and then laughed. We turned our heads to the bedside table. Both our cell phones were ringing. Edward let me go as he made his way to the bed. He picked up our phones, and turned them completely off without answering them. I raised an eyebrow at him.

"You can't avoid her forever. She's going to see where we're going. I wouldn't put it past her to show up."

"I know." He laughed shaking his head from side to side. "But at least this will buy us a little time."

I laughed as he once again scooped me up in his arms. My life had turned out better than I had ever hoped. It was strange to think that just weeks before my world seemed as though it were ending. I was currently happier than I had ever been. A new level of trust existed between us. There was nothing we kept form one another, no matter how small. I was with the man I loved, and would be for the rest of my existence. That thought made me smile as I leaned forward, kissing the love of my life full on the lips.

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END! Hope you liked it! This is it for now. I might do a fourth installment once Breaking Dawn comes out. We will see. So…NO SEQUEL…At least not for now!