dont be afraid", i murmured. "We belong together." I was abruptly overwhelmed by th truth of my own words. This moment was so perfect, there was no way to boubt it. His arms wrapped around me, holding me against him...It felt like every nerve ending in my body was a live wire. "Forever," he agreed.

For some reason, my temper was hardwired to my tear ducts. I usually cried when I was angry, a humiliating tendency.

Over my pile of ashes

I’ve chosen my life — now I want to start living it.

I said it would be better if we weren’t friends, not that I didn’t want to be.

no one had to tell me anything. I know what I am

So, instead of panicking, I closed my eyes and spent the twenty minutes' drive with Edward. I imagined that I had stayed at the airport to meet Edward. I visualized how I would stand on my toes, the sooner to see his face. How quickly, how gracefully he would move through the crowds of people separating us. And then I would run to close those last few feet between us - reckless as always - and I would be in his marble arms, finally safe.