Home, with the Cullens. Safe, sitting in Edward’s embrace.

Te thoughts of the town and Jacob were so painfully fresh in my mind. The Volturi had ruined a lot and we had probably caused a war by killing those who came.

“What are you thinking, love?

How could I tell Edward what I thought about the last few weeks? A fresh wave of tears began falling and I snuggled closer into Edward’s chest. Thankfully, he took my tears as not wanting to talk about my thoughts, and did not press the subject.

I felt Edward’s cold lips leave a trail of kisses from my ear to my collarbone, and back again. Then his cool breath tickled my skin as he hummed my lullaby. Gently placing me on the bead, I began to feel tired.

“I don’t want to go to sleep,” I complained.

“You’ve had a long day and you need to rest for tomorrow.”

“Please?” I whispered. I looked into his eyes with a hopeful look plastered on my face. After several seconds of silent staring he looked down at our entwined hands – defeated.

Smiling, I pulled him onto the bed next to me so I could lie next to him. “Edward, what’s tomorrow?”

A soft chuckle escaped his lips and the vibrations sent chills through my body.

“What?” I demanded as I felt my cheeks flush scarlet.

“Tomorrow is September 13th.”

“Oh,” was all I could manage. Where had the time gone? My birthday was tomorrow – I would be nineteen! And Edward, with all his perfection, was stuck seventeen for all eternity. Everyday put more age between us. I wanted to be changed now, but there was so much left to do. Marriage was first, and I also needed my last few human experiences. Upset didn’t even begin to cover my feelings about tomorrow.

Tears began to form again and I wished Edward wouldn’t notice. Inevitably, he did. I felt his arms tighten around me, pulling me closer.

“It’s okay, love. We have all the time we need. We will hide from the Volturi as long as we need to.”

“I’m sorry, Edward, I’ve ruined everything.”

He held me even closer and began humming my lullaby again. I didn’t complain. My eyes grew heavy and I let my body drift to unconsciousness.