suddenly struck me that I was
really here； in Edward's arms； however fleetingly； and that we were not—at
this exact moment—about to
be killed。
〃Oh； Edward；〃 I cried； and I was sobbing again。 It was such a stupid reaction。
The tears were too thick
for me to see his face again； and that was inexcusable。 I only had until
sunset for sure。 Like a fairy tale
again； with deadlines that ended the magic。
〃What's wrong？〃 he asked； still anxious； rubbing my back with gentle pats。
I wrapped my arms around his neck—what was the worst he could do？ Just push
me away—and
hugged myself closer to him。 〃Is it really sick for me to be happy right now？〃
I asked。 My voice broke
twice。
He didn't push me away。 He pulled me tight against his ice…hard chest； so
tight it was hard to breathe；
even with my lungs securely intact。 〃I know exactly what you mean；〃 he
whispered。 〃But we have lots of
reasons to be happy。 For one； we're alive。〃
〃Yes；〃 I agreed。 〃That's a good one。〃
〃And together；〃 he breathed。 His breath was so sweet it made my head swim。
I just nodded； sure that he did not place the same weight on that
consideration as I did。
〃And； with any luck； we'll still be alive tomorrow。〃
〃Hopefully；〃 I said uneasily。
〃The outlook is quite good；〃 Alice assured me。 She'd been so quiet； I'd almost
forgotten her presence。
〃I'll see Jasper in less than twenty…four hours；〃 she added in a satisfied
tone。
Lucky Alice。 She could trust her future。
I couldn't keep my eyes off of Edward's face for long。 I stared at him；
wishing more than anything that the
future would never happ