“We’re moving to Tennessee. All nine of us are,” Edward said. The second part was true. Of course all nine of us were moving. However, the first one was a complete lie. There’s no way we could move to sunny Tennessee.

“Wow. Well, Bells, at least it’s sunny down there,” Charlie joked. I laughed, but I could hear an edge of hysteria in it. I knew Edward heard it, and Alice, who now stood beside us, probably did too. Nevertheless, I’m sure no human could hear it. I wonder if Serena could hear it . . . .

“We really should go now,” Renée said. “Promise me you’ll call, Sweetheart.”

“I promise,” I said while crossing my fingers behind my back. I’m not entirely sure that I would be able to call her. Or any of my human friends and family. I hoped I could, but I really doubted it.

Then I gave Charlie and Renée a tight hug and said I loved them. Alice, Edward, and Serena hugged them, too. Well, Serena didn’t hug them since she was still a baby and couldn’t possibly put her arms around them, but they hugged her.

Then they left, and I felt a cloud of depression seep over me. That was the last time I’d ever get to see them.

“Edward, is there any way I could ever see them again?” I asked, trying to choke down my tearless sobs.

“No, love, I don’t think so. I’m sorry,” he said and wrapped one arm around me. The other was holding Serena.

“What about when they’re . . . dying?” I asked, my voice breaking on the last word. “Could I see them then? Please, Edward?”

“Fine. Maybe then. But that’s it okay?”

“Okay! Thank you so much Edward!” I exclaimed, truly happy with the news. Seeing them once more is better than never seeing them again.

“Anything for you, love. You know that. But I will have to ask Carlisle, okay?”

“Of course! Let’s go asked!” I dragged him over to where Carlisle was sitting and chatting with Tanya.

“Carlisle, can we see you in your study for a moment?” Edward asked.

“Sure, kids, what’s the matter?”

“We’d rather discuss it privately,” I said.

Carlisle nodded and we went up to his study/office.

“What’s on your mind?” Carlisle asked as soon as we entered his office.

“Carlisle, Bella would like to see her parents once before they die. We thought it would work out if she saw them while they were on their . . . deathbed. But we wanted to see what you thought of it,” Edward explained. Carlisle contemplated that for a while, and then gave us our answer.

“Well, I don’t suppose there’d be any harm in that. But you have to be sure that no one else sees you, alright Bella?”

“Yes, that’s perfectly fine. Thank you so much, Carlisle!” I said.

“You’re welcome, darling. Also, remember, they aren’t going to die for quite a while, Bella.”

“Yes, I know. That’s a good thing, though. I want them to live a happy and long life.”

We went back down to the party after that. I had no doubt in my mind that all the vampires heard that, but that didn’t really matter. As long as the humans didn’t hear, it’s all good. And I’m positive none of the humans heard.

By nine, most of the humans had left. All the vampires left around ten. However, one of the nomads, Garrett, stayed. I knew that he stayed for Kate. The two of them had been inseparable all night. I’m fairly sure he’s going to move in with the Denalis and adopt their lifestyle of feeding on only animal blood. I hope it all works out for the best.

Around eleven, Serena started looking tired. I realized she’d been up for so much longer than she should’ve been. Edward and I carried her upstairs to our room and put her in her crib. Then, something amazing yet shocking happened.

“Daddy!” said Serena. Edward’s eyes went wide and his jaw dropped. My eyes went wide, too, but my jaw stayed intact. Then she said, “Mommy!” This time my jaw dropped as well. “I love you!” she squealed.