any more official than it already is, I grumbled. But his description didnt sound that bad.
Only Alice would be disappointed.

Well see about that. He smiled complacently. I suppose you dont want your ring now?

I had to swallow before I could speak. You suppose correctly.

He laughed at my expression. Thats fine. Ill get it on your finger soon enough.

I glared at him. You talk like you already have one.

I do, he said, unashamed. Ready to force upon you at the first sign of weakness.

Youre unbelievable.

Do you want to see it? he asked. His liquid topaz eyes were suddenly shining with excitement.
 No! I almost shouted, a reflex reaction. I regretted it at once. His face fell ever so slightly. Unless you
really want to show it to me, I amended. I gritted my teeth together to keep my illogical terror from
showing.

Thats all right, he shrugged. It can wait.

I sighed. Show me the damn ring, Edward.

He shook his head. No.

I studied his expression for a long minute.

Please? I asked quietly, experimenting with my newly discovered weapon. I touched his face lightly
with the tips of my fingers. Please can I see it?

 His eyes narrowed. You are the most dangerous creature Ive ever met, he muttered. But he got up
and moved with unconscious grace to kneel next to the small bedside table. He was back on the bed
with me in an instant, sitting beside me with one arm around my shoulder. In his other hand was a little
black box. He balanced it on my left knee.

Go ahead and look, then, he said brusquely.

 It was harder than it should have been to pick up the inoffensive little box, but I didnt want to hurt him
again, so I tried to keep my hand from shaking. The surface was smooth with black satin. I brushed my
fingers over it, hesitating.

You didnt spend alot of money, did you? Lie to me, if you did.

I didnt spend anything, he assured me. Its just another hand-me-down. This is the ring my father
gave to my mother.

Oh. Surprise colored my voice. I pinched the lid between my thumb and forefinger, but didnt open it.

I supposed its a little outdated. His tone was playfully apologetic. Old-fashioned, just like me. I can
get you something more modern. Something from Tiffanys?

I like old-fashioned things, I mumbled as I hesitantly lifted the lid.

 Nestled into the black satin, Elizabeth Masens ring sparkled in the dim light. The face was a long oval,
set with slanting rows of glittering round stones. The band was gold  delicate and narrow. The gold
made a fragile web around the diamonds. Id never seen anything like it.

Unthinkingly, I stroked the shimmering gems.

Its sopretty,  I murmured to myself, surprised.

Do you like it?

Its beautiful. I shrugged, feigning a lack of interest. Whats not to like?

He chuckled. See if it fits.
My left hand clenched into a fist.

 Bella, he sighed. Im not going to solder it to your finger. Just try it on so I can see if it needs to be
sized. Then you can take it right off.

Fine, I grumbled.

 I reached for the ring, but his long fingers beat me there. He took my left hand in his, and slid the ring
into place on my third finger. He held my hand out, and we both examined the oval sparkling against my
skin. It wasnt quite as awful as Id feared, having it there.

A perfect fit, he said indifferently. Thats nice  saves me a trip to the jewelers.

 I could hear some strong emotion burning under the casual tone of his voice, and I stared up at his face.
It was there in his eyes, too, visible despite the careful nonchalance of his expression.

You like that, dont you? I asked suspiciously, fluttering my fingers and thinking that it was really too
bad that I had not broken myleft hand.

He shrugged his shoulders. Sure, he said, still casual. It looks very nice on you.

 I stared into his eyes, trying to decipher the emotion that smoldered just under the surface. He gazed
back, and the casual pretense suddenly slipped away. He was glowing  his angels face brilliant with
joy and victory. He was so glorious that it knocked me breathless.

Before I could catch that breath, he was kissing me, his lips exultant. I was lightheaded 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
behind me, still clapping.

 Thanks so much, Alice, Edward said acidly, coming from behind me. I turned to let him have it, but his
expression was so worried and upset that I couldnt speak my complaints. I threw my arms around him
instead, hiding my face, just in case the angry moisture in my eyes made it look like I was crying.

Vegas, Edward promised in my ear.

 Not a chance, Alice gloated. Bella would never do that to me. You know, Edward, as a brother, you
are sometimes a disappointment.

Dont be mean, I grumbled at her. Hes trying to make me happy, unlike you.

Im trying to make you happy, too, Bella. Its just that I know better what will make you happy . . . in
the long run. Youll thank me for this. Maybe not for fifty years, but definitely someday.

I never thought Id see the day where Id be willing to take a bet against you, Alice, but it has arrived.

She laughed her silvery laugh. So, are you going to show me the ring?

I grimaced in horror as she grabbed my left hand and then dropped it just as quickly.

 Huh. I saw him put it on you. . . . Did I miss something? she asked. She concentrated for half a
second, furrowing her brow, before she answered her own questions. No. Weddings still on.

Bella has issues with jewelry, Edward explained.

 Whats one more diamond? Well, I guess the ring has lots of diamonds, but my point is that hes
already got one on 

 Enough, Alice! Edward cut her off suddenly. The way he glared at her . . . he looked like a vampire
again. Were in a hurry.

I dont understand. Whats that about diamonds? I asked.

 Well talk about it later, Alice said. Edward is right  youd better get going. Youve got to set a
trap and make camp before the storm comes. She frowned, and her expression was anxious, almost
nervous. Dont forget your coat, Bella. It seems . . . unseasonably cold.

Ive already got it, Edward assured her.

Have a nice night, she told us in farewell.

 It was twice as far to the clearing as usual; Edward took a long detour, making sure my scent would be
nowhere near the trail Jacob would hide later. He carried me in his arms, the bulky backpack in my usual
spot.

He stopped at the farthest end of the clearing and set me on my feet.

All right. Just walk north for a ways, touching as much as you can. Alice gave me a clear picture of their
path, and it wont take long for us to intersect it.

North?

He smiled and pointed out the right direction.

 I wandered into the woods, leaving the clear yellow light of the strangely sunny day in the clearing behind
me. Maybe Alices blurred sight would be wrong about the snow. I hoped so. The sky was mostly clear,
though the wind whipped furiously through the open spaces. In the trees it was calmer, but much too cold
for June  even in a long-sleeved shirt with a thick sweater over the top, there were goose bumps on
my arms. I walked slowly, trailing my fingers over anything close enough: the rough tree bark, the wet
ferns, the moss-covered rocks.

Edward stayed with me, walking a parallel line about twenty yards away.
Am I doing this right? I called.

Perfectly.

 I had an idea. Will this help? I asked as I ran my fingers through my hair and caught a few loose
strands. I draped them over the ferns.

Yes, that does make the trail stronger. But you dont need to pull your hair out, Bella. It will be fine.

Ive got a few extras I can spare.

It was gloomy under the trees, and I wished I could walk closer to Edward and hold his hand.

I wedged another hair into a broken branch that cut through my path.

You dont need to let Alice have her way, you know, Edward said.

 Dont worry about it, Edward. Im not going to leave you at the altar, regardless. I had a sinking
feeling that Alice was going to get her way, mostly because she was totally unscrupulous when there was
something she wanted, and also because I was a sucker for guilt trips.

Thats not what Im worried about. I want this to be what you want it to be.

I repressed a sigh. It would hurt his feelings if I told the truth  that it didnt really matter, because it
was all just varying degrees of awful anyway.

 Well, even if she does get her way, we can keep it small. Just us. Emmett can get a clerical license off
the Internet.

I giggled. That does sound better. It wouldnt feel very official ifEmmett read the vows, which was a
plus. But Id have a hard time keeping a straight face.

See, he said with a smile. Theres always a compromise.

It took a while for me to reach the spot where the newborn army would be certain to cross my trail, but
Edward never got impatient with my pace.

He had to lead a bit more on the way back, to keep me on the same path. It all looked alike to me.

 We were almost to the clearing when I fell. I could see the wide opening ahead, and thats probably why
I got too eager and forgot to watch my feet. I caught myself before my head bashed into the nearest tree,
but a small branch snapped off under my left hand and gouged into my palm.

Ouch! Oh, fabulous, I muttered.

Are you all right?

Im fine. Stay where you are. Im bleeding. It will stop in a minute.

He ignored me. He was right there before I could finish.
Ive got a first aid kit, he said, pulling off the backpack. I had a feeling I might need it.

Its not bad. I can take care of it  you dont have to make yourself uncomfortable.

Im not uncomfortable, he said calmly. Here  let me clean it.

Wait a second, I just got another idea.

Without looking at the blood and breathing through my mouth, just in case my stomach might react, I
pressed my hand against a rock within my reach.

What are you doing?

 Jasper willlove this, I muttered to myself. I started for the clearing again, pressing my palm against
everything in my path. Ill bet this really gets them going.

Edward sighed.

Hold your breath, I told him.

Im fine. I just think youre going overboard.

This is all I get to do. I want to do a good job.

We broke through the last of the trees as I spoke. I let my injured hand graze across the ferns.

Well, you have, Edward assured me. The newborns will be frantic, and Jasper will be very impressed
with your dedication. Now let me treat your hand  youve gotten the cut dirty.

Let me do it, please.

He took my hand and smiled as he examined it. This doesnt bother me anymore.

I watched him carefully as he cleaned the gash, looking for some sign of distress. He continued to
breathe evenly in and out, the same small smile on his lips.

Why not? I finally asked as he smoothed a bandage across my palm.

He shrugged. I got over it.

You . . .got over it ? When? How? I tried to remember the last time hed held his breath around me.
All I could think of was my wretched birthday party last September.

 Edward pursed his lips, seeming to search for the words. I lived through an entire twenty-four hours
thinking that you were dead, Bella. That changed the way I look at a lot of things.

Did it change the way I smell to you?

 Not at all. But . . . having experienced the way it feels to think Ive lost you . . . my reactions have
changed. My entire being shies away from any course that could inspire that kind of pain again.
I didnt know what to say to that.

He smiled at my expression. I guess that you could call it a very educational experience.

The wind tore through the clearing then, lashing my hair around my face and making me shiver.

All right, he said, reaching into his pack again. Youve done your part. He pulled out my heavy
winter jacket and held it out for me to slide my arms in. Now its out of our hands. Lets go camping!

I laughed at the mock enthusiasm in his voice.

 He took my bandaged hand  the other was in worse shape, still in the brace  and started toward
the other side of the clearing.

Where are we meeting Jacob? I asked.

Right here. He gestured to the trees in front of us just as Jacob stepped warily from their shadows.

 It shouldnt have surprised me to see him human. I wasnt sure why Id been looking for the big
red-brown wolf.

 Jacob seemed bigger again  no doubt a product of my expectations; I must have unconsciously been
hoping to see the smaller Jacob from my memory, the easygoing friend who hadnt made everything so
difficult. He had his arms folded across his bare chest, a jacket clutched in one fist. His face was
expressionless as he watched us.

Edwards lips pulled down at the corners. There had to have been a better way to do this.

Too late now, I muttered glumly.

He sighed.

Hey, Jake, I greeted him when we got closer.

Hi, Bella.

Hello, Jacob, Edward said.

Jacob ignored the pleasantry, all business. Where do I take her?

Edward pulled a map from a side pocket on the pack and offered it to him. Jacob unfolded it.

 Were here now, Edward said, reaching over to touch the right spot. Jacob recoiled from his hand
automatically, and then steadied himself. Edward pretended not to notice.

 And youre taking her up here, Edward continued, tracing a serpentine pattern around the elevation
lines on the paper. Roughly nine miles.

Jacob nodded once.

When youre about a mile away, you should cross my path. That will lead you in. Do you need the
map?

No, thanks. I know this area pretty well. I think I know where Im going.

Jacob seemed to have to work harder than Edward to keep the tone polite.

Ill take a longer route, Edward said. And Ill see you in a few hours.

Edward stared at me unhappily. He didnt like this part of the plan.

See you, I murmured.

Edward faded into the trees, heading in the opposite direction.

As soon as he was gone, Jacob turned cheerful.

Whats up, Bella? he asked with a big grin.

I rolled my eyes. Same old, same old.

Yeah, he agreed. Bunch of vampires trying to kill you. The usual.

The usual.

Well, he said as he shrugged into his jacket to free his arms. Lets get going.

Making a face, I took a small step closer to him.

 He bent down and swept his arm behind my knees, knocking them out from under me. His other arm
caught me before my head hit the ground.

Jerk, I muttered.

 Jacob chuckled, already running through the trees. He kept a steady pace, a brisk jog that a fit human
could keep up with . . . across a level plane . . . if they werent burdened with a hundred-plus pounds as
he was.

You dont have to run. Youll get tired.

Running doesnt make me tired, he said. His breathing was even  like the fixed tempo of a
marathoner. Besides, it will be colder soon. I hope he gets the camp set up before we get there.

I tapped my finger against the thick padding of his parka. I thought you didnt get cold now.

I dont. I brought this for you, just in case you werent prepared. He looked at my jacket, almost as if
he were disappointed that I was. I dont like the way the weather feels. Its making me edgy. Notice
how we havent seen any animals?

Um, not really.

I guess you wouldnt. Your senses are too dull.
I let that pass. Alice was worried about the storm, too.

It takes a lot to silence the forest this way. You picked a hell of a night for a camping trip.

It wasnt entirely my idea.

 The pathless way he took began to climb more and more steeply, but it didnt slow him down. He leapt
easily from rock to rock, not seeming to need his hands at all. His perfect balance reminded me of a
mountain goat.

Whats with the addition to your bracelet? he asked.

I looked down, and realized that the crystal heart was facing up on my wrist.

I shrugged guiltily. Another graduation present.

He snorted. A rock. Figures.

A rock? I was suddenly reminded of Alices unfinished sentence outside the garage. I stared at the bright
white crystal and tried to remember what Alice had been saying before . . . about diamonds. Could she
have been trying to sayhes already got one on you ? As in, I was already wearing one diamond from
Edward? No, that was impossible. The heart would have to be five carats or something crazy like that!
Edward wouldnt 

 So its been a while since you came down to La Push, Jacob said, interrupting my disturbing
conjectures.

Ive been busy, I told him. And . . . I probably wouldnt have visited, anyway.

He grimaced. I thought you were supposed to be the forgiving one, and I was the grudge-holder.

I shrugged.

Been thinking about that last time a lot, have you?

Nope.

He laughed. Either youre lying, or you are the stubbornest person alive.

I dont know about the second part, but Im not lying.

 I didnt like having this conversation under t