Alice chattered in my ear throughout the entire flight about how I would love New York, how the sheer number of people would overwhelm me, how the stores were amazing and oh-so-posh, but there was absolutely nothing that could prepare me for my first glimpse of the city. We landed at Newark Airport, and I was able to see a bit of the impressive skyline from my aisle seat. New Jersey, in fact, looked to be just as impressive and populated as New York. I knew that my eyes were probably too wide for my face, and Emmett's snickers let me know that I looked every bit the tourist that I was.

The train from the airport into the city dropped us three stories underneath Madison Square Garden, but I could feel the energy pulsing above me. Not for the first time, my gaze went to the silent boy by my side. He had been to the city before, of course, but his experience did nothing to temper his anxiety. On top of millions of strangers, he also had to deal with the most important audition of his life. My heart went out to him, but then stopped completely as the escalator deposited us directly on the sidewalk on Seventh Avenue.

It was almost midnight, and yet the number of people I saw could easily have populated our tiny city of Forks. I didn't have time to catch a breath before Esme took one of my hands and Edward took the other. They led me through the pressing crowds of people to a waiting taxi. Carlisle pushed Emmett forward to ride with us, and stayed back for the next taxi with Alice, Rosalie, and Jasper. As we pulled away from the curb, my eyes caught Alice's, and she waved merrily. I wanted to wave back, to smile like everything was okay, but I was aware that I probably looked like a cartoon puppy dog with my fearful eyes and nearly quivering chin.

The buildings towered over us like menacing giants, the gleaming windows appeared to be evil eyes watching our journey to what Esme called the "Upper West Side, please." The driver made conversation with Emmett in the front seat, and found out that it was my first trip to the big, bad city. He asked Esme if it was okay to drive up Broadway and my ears perked up just a bit. Edward's thumb gently caressed my palm, and I knew he'd seen my momentary excitement. I turned and offered a small smile, letting him know that I was okay. I was scared to death, but okay.

Our detour onto Broadway dumped us into the middle of a lot of traffic. I gaped at the cars, most of which were yellow cabs just like the one I occupied, but only for a moment. The flashing lights of Times Square stole my attention completely, and I rolled down the window to get a better look. And just like that, I fell in love. This thrumming, smelly, fashionable, glittering, rude, crowded, cultured, and terrifying city was my new home.

Our hotel was, without a doubt, the fanciest place I had ever seen outside of the Cullen house. The décor was even similar, with the clean lines, crisp whites, and rich browns. Because of our tourist detour, the other taxi had arrived before us, so Alice was bouncing by the elevator while Rosalie examined her nails with a bored expression. I was effectively separated from Edward as the girls linked their arms through mine and dragged me onto the elevator. I turned in time to see his face, the expression a mixture of sadness and amusement, and I promised him "later" with my lips. The sadness dispersed.

I suffered through Alice's excitement and Rosalie's good humor with as much patience as I could muster. The next day was Edward's audition, however, and I wanted nothing more than to run to his side and talk him down from the ledge on which I was sure he stood. Plans for an early morning shopping trip, a brief walk through the park, and lunch were made before Alice let me slip through her clutches. Both girls wore identical amused expressions as I tripped across the carpet in my haste to get to the door.

I froze on the threshold, startling into movement only when the door closed on my heels. Edward was pacing the hallway, pulling at his hair and muttering under his breath. At the sound of the door, he looked up and met my gaze.

"I was trying to decide if I should knock or just wait." His vulnerability pulled at my heart, and I moved to his side.

He curled his fingers through mine immediately, and we both heaved a sigh of contentment. My newfound love for this city did not temper my fear any more than his sincere desire to attend Juilliard banished his anxiety.

I wanted to tell him about my letter—the letter I had carefully tucked into my suitcase. Not knowing if he wanted me here with him was driving me crazy, and I knew all I had to do was ask. I just... I just felt he had enough to worry about, and adding one more concern to his ever-growing list would not be fair of me. Instead, I followed him silently as he led me to the bank of elevators.

The doors opened to a glass lobby, and I gasped as I realized we were on the roof. A garden spread out before us, lit by twinkling fairy lights, and I allowed him to pull me forward. Together we sat, high above the traffic and the noise. In one direction I could see Lincoln Center, and in the other, Central Park. Somehow, the knowledge that this incredible collection of trees, lakes, birds, statues, picnic tables, and soccer pitches could survive amongst the craziness of the city gave me hope that perhaps so could I.

"I probably don't need to tell you that I'm going crazy here," Edward murmured.

I stroked his fingers gently with my thumb. I was going crazy myself, but for a different set of reasons. I resolved to get him through his audition the next day, and then I would tell him about NYU. If he wanted me with him, then I would be there. If he didn't... Well, New York was a huge city, and I could see now that I could survive here on my own and never even have to see him. It would hurt. Oh, God it would hurt! I could give Edward the room he needed to spread his wings, and maybe, even without me, he would soar.

We spent the rest of our time together in silence. I didn't need to speak for him to know that I was there, with him and fully supportive. Occasionally, I could feel his fingers dance over my skin and knew he was practicing his chosen piece in his head. The sensations sent shivers up my spine, but I squelched it with effort. The night wasn't about me, or my uncontrollable feelings for Edward; it was about supporting him during his most terrifying hour.

My love for him threatened to spill over at any moment. As I studied his serious face, sad eyes, and riotous hair, I wanted nothing more than to pull him into my embrace and confess the very depths of my devotion. Instead, I gave his hand a tiny squeeze and said, "You should sleep."

His quiet sigh said that he agreed with me, so we stood in silence and he led me back to my room.

Of the many things I considered priorities during my visit to New York, shopping fell absolutely, one hundred percent, dead last. Alice, however, convinced me with knowing eyes that I needed something stunning to wear to the audition. Rosalie, with shining eyes and uncharacteristic excitement, talked me into visiting a salon with them after we found the "perfect" blue sweater. Apparently, though he never would have said so to me, Edward thought I looked lovely in blue.

And so, it was with great trepidation that I stood outside the audition hall in my tighter-than-usual turtleneck and my fluffier-than-usual hair, listening to the strains of Edward's music through the door. He'd been torn about the piece he'd chosen and had sent Emmett and Alice away with shaking hands because their praise was too effusive and their excitement too nerve-wracking. They meant well, and we all knew that, but silence was where Edward found his courage.

As I listened to the fiery chords, I knew he'd never played better. I didn't have a clue when it came to music, but I did know how it made me feel. And somehow, Edward's notes, drifting through the solid oak, wrapped me in warmth and passion. I felt almost as if he was playing to me alone, and if I listened hard enough there would be a message for me.

Most of me believed I was hearing my own love for him in those notes—that he felt my adoration, and it strengthened him. There was a tiny fragment of me that prayed, however, that his love for me was the true message. Warmth flooded me and tears prickled my eyes as I realized that I could never be prouder of him than I was at that moment. Whatever came after would be a direct result of the bravery and dedication that had brought him here to face his fears and his feelings of inadequacy.

If Edward could throw off eighteen years of anxiety to speak to me—if he could swallow his abject terror of meeting new people and put his entire future into the hands of three strangers—then surely I could find the courage to tell him how very deeply I cared. I absolved that I would tell him, as the glow of his victory lit his face. I would find my own determination, show him my letter of acceptance, and tell him that I never wanted to be without him.

I could feel the eyes of his parents on me as I nodded in satisfaction. The music drifting through the wood had changed, and the lilting melody wrapped me in comfort and strengthened my conviction. Whether he was playing my love for him, or his love for me... well, I decided it didn't matter. The simple fact remained that there was love, respect, adoration, devotion, and that was more than enough.

Suddenly, there was silence and I felt my stomach clench. I strained to hear the murmurs coming from within the auditorium, but I couldn't make out a single word. Esme and Carlisle stepped forward, and Esme took one of my hands in hers.

"Bella, you beautiful girl," she whispered. "I can see it shining in your eyes. I don't know how you did it, but you reached him when no one else could. Don't be afraid to share in his victory, because it's yours, too."

I glanced at Carlisle to see if her assignment of glory offended him. Carlisle had been beside Edward through every step of the journey, had cried with him and held him when he had nightmares. How could she give me the credit?

"You loved him when you didn't have to. You looked past his shortcomings and encouraged him to overcome," Carlisle assured me. "The love of a parent is unconditional. Your understanding and support was something he never thought he'd find outside of his family. Of course this is a victory for you, as well. I know you'll feel the same pride we do when he comes through that door."

Edward appeared in that moment and, despite his parents' wishes that I greet him alongside them, I stepped back to let them have their moment. Carlisle was right, though. I thought my heart might burst as I took in his beaming face, and listened to his whispered conversation with his father. I twisted my hands in my hair as I remembered my resolution to confess...everything, and I waited for him to notice me.

As if he heard my heart's cry, he looked up and met my eyes with his own burning gaze. He gently untangled himself from Carlisle's embrace and was in front of me before I could take a breath. It was written all over me; I was sure my eyes were shouting my exaltation. He caressed my cheek, and I opened my mouth to speak. The words were there, but before I could voice them, his mouth was covering mine.

His glorious, matchless, velvet mouth stole every declaration, every intention, and I found myself lost with no hope of ever being found. I reached up and wound my fingers through his tousled hair, caressing the nape of his neck. I couldn't think, couldn't fathom for even a moment the courage it must have cost him to kiss me. All I could do was lose myself in his embrace as I felt my knees begin to give way.

I couldn't control the sigh that escaped me, and my cheeks begin to burn with both passion and embarrassment. I dimly heard Emmett's return, and nearly whimpered when Edward tore his lips from mine to face his brother. Alice had appeared beside us and had a mischievous smile on her face. She was speaking, I was pretty sure to Edward, but I heard nothing. Her mouth was moving, but I could only reach with a shaking hand and touch my tingling lips.

I still had no idea what was going on, but I did know that I could never again hide my feelings for him. My love was painted all over my face, and I would not cover it. He was looking at me, searching my eyes. Whatever he was seeking, he found it because he leaned forward and pressed his lips to mine once more. This time, I whimpered. I could hear Emmett chuckling, but nothing could harm me as long as I was in the arms of my beautiful boy.

"I have something to show you," I said breathlessly as he pulled away.

Edward was leaning forward as if to kiss me again and, as much as I wanted that, I needed to tell him everything more. Alice and Emmett were watching curiously, and Rosalie and Jasper were headed in our direction. This did not warrant an audience, so I took his hand and led him down the hall and around the nearest corner. For once, Emmett and Alice respected our needed privacy and did not follow.

His eyes were full of questions, so I just pressed my acceptance letter into his hands. A small smile quirked his lips and I knew he thought I was passing him a note. My heart pounded in my chest as he dropped his eyes to the page, and leapt to my throat when his gaze snapped back to mine almost immediately. His eyes were wide and filled with... was that wonder?

"You'll be here, too?" His eyes were shining with unfettered joy, and I felt my heart burst.

"If that's okay with you?" I asked timidly, still afraid to believe that he might just love me, too. There was the distinct possibility that I would just be a security blanket for the rest of his life. I loved him so much that I would be whatever he needed me to be.

"Okay?" he choked. "Bella, I don't want to spend a minute without you. Ever."

The world seemed to stop in that moment. It wasn't what I had prayed to hear, but it was certainly closer than I had ever dreamed possible. Tears welled in my eyes, and I blinked them back with effort. I had to express my thoughts, to let him know that I wanted to be with him, but only if he wanted me there. "I don't either, Edward. I wasn't sure, though... You're doing so well, and I know you'll make wonderful friends here. I don't want to ever keep you from—"

My words were cut off by another fierce kiss, and I felt myself go boneless.

"You have never kept me from anything!" he whispered fiercely, and my eyes rolled back at the feel of his warm breath on my ear. "You are the one I wake up for every morning. You gave me the strength to beat the anxiety and the courage to pursue a dream. None of this would have happened without you."

At those words, I felt my self-control snap back into place. There was no way that I was going to allow him to belittle his own accomplishments. He had worked so hard to overcome his disorder, was still working every day.

"Edward, you give me too much credit. I believed in you, yes. But you learned to believe in yourself. You have no idea what you look like in my eyes, Edward. To overcome the panic attacks, to struggle against your shyness... You've got more courage than the rest of us combined. Knowing that you count me as one of your friends... well, it's the most amazing feeling in the world."

I watched as he processed my words, and his face fell. My heart couldn't take this workout, as it dropped at the sight of fresh sadness in his eyes. It stuttered and started again when he spoke.

"You are the best friend I have ever had, Bella. But you have to know that it's more than that. I am so in love with you that it hurts when you're not near me."

I felt as though I had no air left in my lungs. My head was swimming, and I wondered if I was in a lucid dream. Those words! The words I had prayed to hear. The very words that I had intended to say to him. And he spoke them so calmly, so earnestly, that I had no choice but to believe him. My Edward, my beautiful, shy, awkward, brilliant boy said that he loved me.

I gasped for breath so that I could declare my own feelings, but he was looking at anything but me. I could see that he regretted speaking, but he didn't try to take the words back so I knew that he truly meant them. He was scratching furiously at the back of his neck, dragging his fingers through his hair, and muttering softly to himself about erasers.

"Edward, look at me please!" I said.

There was no way that I would allow him to believe that he was alone in this. The moment his eyes met mine, I launched myself into his arms. I wanted to feel his lips on mine again, but I was too impatient for him to catch up, so I began pressing kisses to every inch of his face that I could reach.

"I love you, too!" I assured him, when I could find my voice. "So much, Edward! You have no idea."

"I love you, Bella," he told me again, and I knew I would never tire of hearing those words fall from his beautiful mouth. I had hoped to give my Edward the courage to fly, but it was I who was soaring.