She had not given up on me, even after I’d abandoned her.

My eyes shot open as I processed the enormity of the image.

Bella had never given up on us, my life, our love, or our existence together. Was it even right to consider this? To doubt her? No, it was not. It was ridiculous even. I could fight. I could not give her up so easily, either. If I had never left her, Jacob Black would be a friend and nothing more. The future was still undetermined. I had a place in her heart. One that I would not vacate easily. She’d chosen to love me by her own volition. I would fight for her and for my survival. Italy changed everything. She’d chosen me…

I felt suddenly affirmed. I sighed in resigned annoyance as I did my best to ignore my already blooming regret.

Instead, I intently concentrated on my strategy.

I wanted to be strong for her now. I could not fail her, again. I continued to reason with myself, feeling a wash of reassurance move through me as I considered my various options.

The feeling was so profound; I turned my head to search for Jasper. I felt almost giddy now.

I took another deep breath again and rolled up my window. I chuckled to myself, shaking my head at the thought of how any human could keep up with my or any vampire’s, vast ranging, frequently changing moods and emotions. It was ludicrous. Rarely, if ever, had a human had the opportunity to try before now, before Bella. Bella! I glanced at the clock. It was six fifty-seven. Three minutes.

Observing my surroundings, I whipped off the shoulder onto the dark road heading back to her home. It was raining again and the wet grass spattered thick mud against my bumper. I would have to clean that later…

Thankfully, I had not traveled too far. Pulling down her road, one minute to spare, I slowed my speed carefully. I didn’t want to drive too recklessly on Chief Swan’s street.

I stopped at her house with a sense of new energy.

I loved her now and I would always love her as much as I could. I had a strategy. We would make plans. We would leave this place and start a life together.