eaded when he moved his mouth to whisper in my ear  but his breathing was just as ragged as mine.

Yes, I like it. You haveno idea.

I laughed, gasping a little. I believe you.

Do you mind if I do something? he murmured, his arms tightening around me.

Anything you want.

But he let me go and slid away.

Anything but that, I complained.

He ignored me, taking my hand and pulling me off the bed, too. He stood in front of me, hands on my shoulders, face serious.

Now, I want to do this right. Please,please, keep in mind that youve already agreed to this, and dont ruin it for me.

Oh, no, I gasped as he slid down onto one knee.

Be nice, he muttered.

I took a deep breath.

Isabella Swan? He looked up at me through his impossibly long lashes, his golden eyes soft but, somehow, still scorching. I promise to love you forever  every single day of forever. Will you marry me?

There were many things I wanted to say, some of them not nice at all, and others more disgustingly gooey and romantic than he probably dreamed I was capable of. Rather than embarrass myself with either, I whispered, Yes.

Thank you, he said simply. He took my left hand and kissed each of my fingertips before he kissed the ring that was now mine.




21. TRAILS

IHATED TO WASTE ANY PART OF THE NIGHT IN SLEEP, but that was inevitable. The sun was bright outside the window-wall when I woke, with small clouds scuttling too quickly across the sky. The wind rocked the treetops till the whole forest looked as if it was going to shake apart.

He left me alone to get dressed, and I appreciated the chance to think. Somehow, my plan for last night had gone horribly awry, and I needed come to grips with the consequences. Though Id given back the hand-me-down ring as soon as I could do it without hurting his feelings, my left hand felt heavier, like it was still in place, just invisible.

This shouldnt bother me, I reasoned. It was no big thing  a road trip to Vegas. I would go one better than old jeans  I would wear old sweats. The ceremony certainly couldnt take very long; no more than fifteen minutes at the most, right? So I could handle that.

And then, when it was over, hed have to fulfill his side of the bargain. I would concentrate on that, and forget the rest.

He said I didnt have to tell anyone, and I was planning to hold him to that. Of course, it was very stupid of me not to think of Alice.

The Cullens got home around noon. There was a new, businesslike feel to the atmosphere around them, and it pulled me back into the enormity of what was coming.

Alice seemed to be in an unusually bad mood. I chalked it up to her frustration with feeling normal, because her first words to Edward were a complaint about working with the wolves.

Ithink   she made a face as she used the uncertain word  that youre going to want to pack for cold weather, Edward. I cant see where you are exactly, because youre taking off with thatdog this afternoon. But the storm thats coming seems particularly bad in that general area.

Edward nodded.

Its going to snow on the mountains, she warned him.

Ew, snow, I muttered to myself. It was June, for crying out loud.

Wear a jacket, Alice told me. Her voice was unfriendly, and that surprised me. I tried to read her face, but she turned away.

I looked at Edward, and he was smiling; whatever was bugging Alice amused him.

Edward had more than enough camping gear to choose from  props in the human charade; the Cullens were good customers at the Newtons store. He grabbed a down sleeping bag, a small tent, and several packets of dehydrated food  grinning when I made a face at them  and stuffed them all in a backpack.

Alice wandered into the garage while we were there, watching Edwards preparations without a word. He ignored her.

When he was done packing, Edward handed me his phone. Why dont you call Jacob and tell him well be ready for him in an hour or so. He knows where to meet us.

Jacob wasnt home, but Billy promised to call around until he could find an available werewolf to pass the news to.

Dont you worry about Charlie, Bella, Billy said. Ive got my part of this under control.

Yeah, I know Charliell be fine. I didnt feel so confident about his sons safety, but I didnt add that.

I wish I could be with the rest of them tomorrow. Billy chuckled regretfully. Being an old man is a hardship, Bella.

The urge to fight must be a defining characteristic of the Y chromosome. They were all the same.

Have fun with Charlie.

Good luck, Bella, he answered. And . . . pass that along to the, er, Cullens for me.

I will, I promised, surprised by the gesture.

As I gave the phone back to Edward, I saw that he and Alice were having some kind of silent discussion. She was staring at him, pleading in her eyes. He was frowning back, unhappy with whatever she wanted.

Billy said to tell you good luck.

That was generous of him, Edward said, breaking away from her.

Bella, could I please speak to you alone? Alice asked swiftly.

Youre about to make my life harder than it needs to be, Alice, Edward warned her through his teeth. Id really rather you didnt.

This isnt about you, Edward, she shot back.

He laughed. Something about her response was funny to him.

Its not, Alice insisted. This is a female thing.

He frowned.

Let her talk to me, I told him. I was curious.

You asked for it, he muttered. He laughed again  half angry, half amused  and strode out of the garage.

I turned to Alice, worried now, but she didnt look at me. Her bad mood hadnt passed yet.

She went to sit on the hood of her Porsche, her face dejected. I followed, and leaned against the bumper beside her.

Bella? Alice asked in a sad voice, shifting over and curling up against my side. Her voice sounded so miserable that I wrapped my arms around her shoulders in comfort.

Whats wrong, Alice?

Dont you love me? she asked in that same sad tone.

Of course I do. You know that.

Then why do I see you sneaking off to Vegas to get married without inviting me?

Oh, I muttered, my cheeks turning pink. I could see that I had seriously hurt her feelings, and I hurried to defend myself. You know how I hate to make a big deal out of things. It was Edwards idea, anyway.

I dont care whose idea it was. How couldyou do this to me? I expect that kind of thing fromEdward, but not from you. I love you like you were my own sister.

To me, Alice, youare my sister.

Words! she growled.

Fine, you can come. There wont be much to see.

She was still grimacing.

What? I demanded.

Howmuch do you love me, Bella?

Why?

She stared at me with pleading eyes, her long black eyebrows slanting up in the middle and pulling together, her lips trembling at the corners. It was a heart-breaking expression.

Please, please, please, she whispered. Please, Bella, please  if you really love me . . . Please let me do your wedding.

Aw, Alice! I groaned, pulling away and standing up. No! Dont do this to me.

If you really, truly love me, Bella.

I folded my arms across my chest. That isso unfair. And Edward kind of already used that one on me.

Ill bet Edward would like it better if you did this traditionally, though hed never tell you that. And Esme  think what it would mean to her!

I groaned. Id rather face the newborns alone.

Ill owe you for a decade.

Youd owe me for a century!

Her eyes glowed. Is that a yes?

No! I dont want todo this!

You wont have to do anything but walk a few yards and then repeat after the minister.

Ugh! Ugh, ugh!

Please? She started bouncing in place. Please, please, please, please, please?

Ill never, never ever forgive you for this, Alice.

Yay! she squealed, clapping her hands together.

Thatsnot a yes!

But it will be, she sang.

Edward! I yelled, stalking out of the garage. I know youre listening. Get over here. Alice was right behi