Bella POV
The first thing I was aware of was the movement. The familiar all too fast movement. I thought I was dreaming. Remembering the flight-like race through the forest, holding onto his stone cold back for dear life. I could feel that hard coldness. I felt it all around me. It was as if I were in his arms again. He was holding me as I drifted his cold skin a blessing to my fevered body.
I remembered the fear than. My last thoughts as I was taken away by the doctors. Charlie had been screaming my name, and so had someone else. Had Renee been there?
I wondered if I were dead. Had the disease taken me? I could feel the icy touch of my guardian angel. Had he followed me too? Why didn't he ever keep his promises to me? I didn't want him to die just because I had. I had told him that. He was so stubborn.
I felt my lips curl into a smile at that thought, and then the darkness subsided and he was there.
"Edward?" I managed to speak, my voice hoarse and cracked.
The movement had stopped now. I could see that he stood holding me deep in a forest, the moon the only form of light.
"Bella?!" he sounded surprised and I wanted to reach up to him, but I felt too weak. Instead, he pulled me closer to him, his coolness enveloping me.
"I'm so glad you're awake." He breathed. "I didn't want to do this without you knowing."
I tried to move the muscles in my face to show him that I was confused, but I couldn't even manage that, so I hoped he could see it in my eyes.
"Do what?" I asked.
He smiled, his eyes sparkling with emotion and I reveled in it.
"Shh, Bella. Just for now." He put his cold fingers to my lips. "Are you alright? Are you cold at all?"
I shook my head, continuing to gaze into his butterscotch eyes. I wasn't cold at all. I was warm just by being with him. It didn't matter that his blood ran cold making his body as cold as ice. I was warm just by his presence. My heart beat faster and pumped more warm blood through my body to compensate.
That's when I remember again. I was sick. I was supposed to be in the hospital. But instead I was outside, surrounded by trees and in the arms of my angel. It didn't make sense.
"Edward," I struggled to talk, my mouth felt like it was full of mothballs. "Why are we here?" I managed in one breath.
"I busted you out." He gave me his crooked smile, but it didn't reach his eyes.
I started to feel a little panicked. I could die outside. That's why I'd been kept in a bubble for the past few weeks. What was Edward doing? Didn't he want to protect me? I loved being with him. I loved the feel of the fresh air in my lungs again, but I wasn't ready to die yet. I still had so much to look forward to.
Edward sensed my distress, and gripped me tighter.
"There's been a change of plans, my love." He said his voice thick with emotion.
I immediately understood what he meant, and my heart started pounding against my chest and echoed in my ears.
"Are you scared, Bella?" His voice was so distressed I couldn't bare it. I had to help him. I had to make this easier for him.
"No…" I whispered. "…just…excited."
He frowned, and his eyes were full of grief.
"Did Alice tell you…" I paused, finding it hard to say. He stopped me before I had to.
"Yes, love."
My heart grieved for him, for everyone I'd ever known. I had never thought it would happen this way. I thought I could disappear and eventually come back when I had gained control. Now I could never see my family again. I would be dead to them.
"I didn't want to do this to you, Bella. You understand now just how much I never wanted to change you. But I don't want to lose you either. I can't just watch you die." His voice broke, and I felt the tears in my own eyes. I cried for him because he could not.
"I don't want to die from this illness, either." I whimpered, cuddling myself against him like a child.
"I won't let you." He promised, and then he leaned over and his icy lips met mine.
I gathered the last of my strength to reach up and hold him around his strong neck, kissing him without wanting to stop. The tears streamed down my face as I held onto him with all I had.
Edward…Oh Edward… My thoughts ran rampant with his name and only his name.
There was nothing forceful about this kiss- my last human kiss- it was gentle and soft. It was a goodbye to my former life. It was his goodbye to my warm body, the pounding of my heart, the softness of my skin. My mortal presence in this world.
We parted and I breathed again, remembering how hard it had been to do so lately. Because I was sick. Because I was dying.
"Are you ready, my love?" Edward's voice trembled. Was his fear as great as my own? I nodded, swallowing hard.
"Such a bad liar." His crooked smile returned and I did my best to smile too. But I had used up all my strength. I could feel myself slipping. I needed it done soon.
"You realize you won't be able to see Charlie or Renee again. They will think that you died here." He had calmed his voice down for my benefit. It was sturdy and serious.
"I know." I tried to sound like him, but my voice cracked with my sorrow.
I'm so sorry Charlie… Renee… Jacob…
"It will hurt, Bella." This time he didn't disguise the emotion in his velvet voice which was full of anguish.
I quickly nodded, gritting my teeth. "I know. I'm ready."
He sighed, deeply.
"All right." I felt his arms grip me tighter.
"I love you my beautiful, human girl." He said, softly.
"I love you too, Edward." As my words left me I felt his lips brush across my neck. I held my breath, and then, I felt the fire start to run through me.