Edward's POV

“Bella, do you remember me?” I spoke as quietly as I could without it being too low for her to hear. She was quiet for a grueling six seconds and if my heart were still beating, it would have stopped with the agonizing anticipation.

“I… I think I should…” Although her voice, speaking directly to me, almost made me sing the hallelujah chorus, the content made me ache. She was careful not to damage my self-worth, and I knew that against my will my expression twisted into a dejected grimace. She looked down at her hands suddenly, obviously feeling guilty for not recalling who I was, and all was silent again.

“Oh, Bella, it’s all right. Really.” I tried to soothe her, attempting to mask my own dismay.

“I’m sorry,” she responded in almost a whisper. I could hear the pain in her voice.

“No, please don’t apologize. You did nothing wrong.” She didn’t respond. More than ever before, I wished that I could read her mind. If I only knew what was going on in that thick skull of hers there may be a way for me to prompt her memories. She looked up from her hands, finally, and apologetically stared into my eyes.

I could feel my insides melt as our gazes met and locked, and I could have stared into the pool of her chocolate eyes until the end of time. My darling, my love, my heart- I wanted to tell her- you make me whole.

Carlisle cleared his throat to interrupt our minute of silence; reminding me that time was crucial. Her face shot toward his.

“Bella, we should call your father.” Her brow creased with confusion again.

“I don’t understand. How can we call him if he’s so far away?” She spoke slowly.

“Dear, you live with your father, here. In Forks.”

“We’re in… Forks?” Carlisle seemed reluctant to answer.

“Yes.” She was quiet again and I never removed my eyes from her face. She grimaced, almost looking disgusted.

“Forks. Me. In Forks.” She laughed, sounding a little hysterical. “That is… low. What kind of a sick jo-” I cut her off by walking out a little too quickly. I couldn’t hear anymore. Of course she didn’t want to be here. I could already tell that the first vision Alice had of Bella in Phoenix was now waiting to play out flawlessly.