d my face; his eyes  too dark, it had been so long since hed left me  searched my expression minutely.

Lets get out of here, he suddenly suggested. Lets go to our meadow.

It sounded very appealing. I guess I dont have to hide out anymore, do I?

No. The danger is behind us.

He was quiet, thoughtful, as he ran. The wind blew on my face, warmer now that the storm had really passed. The clouds covered the sky, the way they usually did.

The meadow was a peaceful, happy place today. Patches of summer daisies interrupted the grass with splashes of white and yellow. I lay back, ignoring the slight dampness of the ground, and looked for pictures in the clouds. They were too even, too smooth. No pictures, just a soft, gray blanket.

Edward lay next to me and held my hand.

August thirteenth? he asked casually after a few minutes of comfortable silence.

That gives me a month till my birthday. I didnt want to cut it too close.

He sighed. Esme is three years older than Carlisle  technically. Did you know that?

I shook my head.

It hasnt made any difference to them.

My voice was serene, a counterpoint to his anxiety. My age is not really that important. Edward, Im ready. Ive chosen my life  now I want to start living it.

He stroked my hair. The guest list veto?

I dont care really, but I . . . I hesitated, not wanting to explain this one. Best to get it over with. Im not sure if Alice would feel the need to invite . . . a few werewolves. I dont know if . . . Jake would feel like . . . like heshould come. Like thats the right thing to do, or that Id get my feelings hurt if he didnt. He shouldnt have to go through that.

Edward was quiet for a minute. I stared at the tips of the treetops, almost black against the light gray of the sky.

Suddenly, Edward grabbed me around the waist and pulled me onto his chest.

Tell me why youre doing this, Bella. Why did you decide, now, to give Alice free reign?

I repeated for him the conversation I had with Charlie last night before Id gone to see Jacob.

It wouldnt be fair to keep Charlie out of this, I concluded. And that means Rene and Phil. I might as well let Alice have her fun, too. Maybe it will make the whole thing easier for Charlie if he gets his proper goodbye. Even if he thinks its much too early, I wouldnt want to cheat him out of the chance to walk me down the aisle. I grimaced at the words, then took another deep breath. At least my mom and dad and my friends will know the best part of my choice, the most Im allowed to tell them. Theyll know I chose you, and theyll know were together. Theyll know Im happy, wherever I am. I think thats the best I can do for them.

Edward held my face, searching it for a brief time.

Deals off, he said abruptly.

What? I gasped. Youre backing out? No!

Im not backing out, Bella. Ill still keep my side of the bargain. But youre off the hook. Whatever you want, no strings attached.

Why?

Bella, I see what youre doing. Youre trying to make everyone else happy. And I dont care about anyone elses feelings. I only needyou to be happy. Dont worry about breaking the news to Alice. Ill take care of it. I promise she wont make you feel guilty.

But I 

No. Were doing this your way. Because my way doesnt work. I call you stubborn, but look at whatIve done. Ive clung with such idiotic obstinacy to my idea of whats best for you, though its only hurt you. Hurt you so deeply, time and time again. I dont trust myself anymore. You can have happiness your way. My way is always wrong. So. He shifted under me, squaring his shoulders. Were doing ityour way, Bella. Tonight. Today. The sooner the better. Ill speak to Carlisle. I was thinking that maybe if we gave you enough morphine, it wouldnt be so bad. Its worth a try. He gritted his teeth.

Edward, no 

He put his finger to my lips. Dont worry, Bella, love. I havent forgotten the rest of your demands.

His hands were in my hair, his lips moving softly  but very seriously  against mine, before I realized what he was saying. What he was doing.

There wasnt much time to act. If I waited too long, I wouldnt be able to remember why I needed to stop him. Already, I couldnt breathe right. My hands were gripping his arms, pulling myself tighter to him, my mouth glued to his and answering every unspoken question his asked.

I tried to clear my head, to find a way to speak.

He rolled gently, pressing me into the cool grass.

Oh, never mind!my less noble side exulted. My head was full of the sweetness of his breath.

No, no, no,I argued with myself. I shook my head, and his mouth moved to my neck, giving me a chance to breathe.

Stop, Edward. Wait. My voice was as weak as my will.

Why? he whispered into the hollow of my throat.

I labored to put some resolve into my tone. I dont want to do this now.

Dont you? he asked, a smile in his voice. He moved his lips back to mine and made speaking impossible. Heat coursed through my veins, burning where my skin touched his.

I made myself focus. It took a great deal of effort just to force my hands to free themselves from his hair, to move them to his chest. But I did it. And then I shoved against him, trying to push him away. I could not succeed alone, but he responded as I knew he would.

He pulled back a few inches to look at me, and his eyes did nothing to help my resolve. They were black fire. They smoldered.

Why? he asked again, his voice low and rough. I love you. I want you. Right now.

The butterflies in my stomach flooded my throat. He took advantage of my speechlessness.

Wait, wait, I tried to say around his lips.

Not for me, he murmured in disagreement.

Please? I gasped.

He groaned, and pushed himself away from me, rolling onto his back again.

We both lay there for a minute, trying to slow our breathing.

Tell me why not, Bella, he demanded. This had better not be about me.

Everything in my world was about him. What a silly thing to expect.

Edward, this is very important to me. Iam going to do this right.

Whos definition of right?

Mine.

He rolled onto his elbow and stared at me, his expression disapproving.

Howare you going to do this right?

I took a deep breath. Responsibly. Everything in the right order. I will not leave Charlie and Rene without the best resolution I can give them. I wont deny Alice her fun, if Im having a wedding anyway. And Iwill tie myself to you in every human way, before I ask you to make me immortal. Im following all the rules, Edward. Your soul is far, far too important to me to take chances with. Youre not going to budge me on this.

Ill bet Icould,  he murmured, his eyes burning again.

But you wouldnt, I said, trying to keep my voice level. Not knowing that this is what I really need.

You dont fight fair, he accused.

I grinned at him. Never said I did.

He smiled back, wistful. If you change your mind . . .

Youll be the first to know, I promised.

The rain started to drip through the clouds just then, a few scattered drops that made faintthuds as they struck the grass.

I glowered at the sky.

Ill get you home. He brushed the tiny beads of water from my cheeks.

Rains not the problem, I grumbled. It just means that its time to go do something that will be very unpleasant and possibly even highly dangerous.

His eyes widened in alarm.

Its a good thing youre bulletproof. I sighed. Im going to need that ring. Its time to tell Charlie.

He laughed at the expression on my face. Highly dangerous, he agreed. He laughed again and then reached into the pocket of his jeans. But as least theres no need for a side trip.

He once again slid my ring into place on the third finger of my left hand.

Where it would stay  conceivably for the rest of eternity.



EPILOGUE  CHOICE

JACOBBLACK

Jacob, do you think this is going to take too much longer? Leah demanded. Impatient. Whiney.

My teeth clenched toge