Author's Note: The characters belong to Stephenie Meyer. I just borrowed them for fun.

"Just try," she'd said. "Please," she had begged me. Well, I had tried a lot of things for Bella's sake, but most of them hadn't worked out! I'd tried to stay away from her. I'd tried to leave her. I'd tried to prevent her from being frightened or injured. I'd tried to keep her away from Jacob Black. And I had failed miserably at all those objectives. I hadn't been able to do those things, and my botched efforts had caused both of us so much pain. What was I thinking? I'd have to talk to her again and disappoint her. Explain that as much as I desired her, we just couldn't even try what she wanted so much while she was still human. I'd have to make her understand. I could persuade her to forgive me, and maybe she'd even still marry me. I wouldn't hold her to that promise, of course...

There were so many things I wanted to give Bella! She deserved everything. I wanted to grant all of her wishes the way her presence in my life had fulfilled mine. Even when what she wanted was nothing, when she ordered me not to give her any gifts, I went along with her absurd attitude. Now the one thing she asked me for, which I'd somehow agreed to give her, was something I wasn't sure I could give. What had I gotten myself— both of us— into?

By this time, my agitation had driven me to slip carefully out of bed and begin pacing around the room. I glanced at Bella and reached over to stroke her hair as she slept. Her beauty filled me with gratitude, calm and a longing to return to the space next to her, already warm from the nearness of her body. I took a deep breath and savored her complicated, tantalizing aroma. My throat reacted powerfully, but it didn't trouble me. I leaned over and pressed my lips to her forehead. The sweet heat felt wonderful. Was there any way I could make it work?

After all, I reminded myself, some of the things I'd tried were successful. Some of the things I'd tried with Bella were extremely delightful. It would be so easy to become complacent and assume that my concerns were excessive, that I'd pull off the impossible again. I let my mind fill with a vivid memory. I could remember those moments so clearly, the image was so sharp, that all the emotions I had experienced then swept through me again. The first time I had kissed Bella, so many thoughts and feelings had been swirling in my mind and body. Dizziness and raging thirst from prolonged exposure to her intoxicating scent. Giddiness and wonder from the unbelievable but incontrovertible evidence that she had seen my inhuman appearance and horrible power yet still trusted me and wanted to be close to me. Tingling from her touch on my face and hands and arms. Exhilaration from the run back to her truck. Curiosity about exploring more new sensations. Hesitation about frightening her, hurting her. Even more hesitation about pushing myself further into her life, where I didn't belong. There was only one thing to do with all of these unfamiliar but delicious feelings-- worship the one who inspired them. Show how her I cared about her, not just with words, but with my touch. Let lips do what hands do, I thought. Romeo was not a good role model, but some of his instincts were right on target.

I was getting off track. Think, think, think, I told myself. My mind was bouncing from terror at the thought of harming Bella to apprehension at having to tell her that I couldn't go through with it to a warm thrill at the idea of her joy and excitement if I could hold her in my arms and not hold back anymore. Of course, I had to hold back or our first night together would surely be her last night on earth. I ground my teeth together in frustration. How was I going to sort this out?

I listened to learn if any members of my family were back. If Carlisle, Jasper or Emmett were free, maybe they could advise me. Or inform me that Bella's request was out of the question. I had to talk to them tonight so that I could re-open the topic with her in the morning if necessary.

Carlisle was reading in his study. I headed down the hallway, smiling to myself at how very strange my errand was. Did boys usually go to their fathers for advice on how to make love? Surely no vampire ever had faced my particular problem. But if anyone could answer my questions, it was Carlisle. More than anyone else in the world, he understood what both humans and vampires could and couldn't do.

Carlisle heard my approach, recognized my step, and invited me to enter. Come in, Edward. How are you? He smiled warmly as I sat across from his desk. You look…excited. What has happened?

"I have to talk to you," I said. Yes, what is it? I heard his loving readiness to hear what was on my mind and continued, keeping my eyes on my hands in my lap. "Bella agreed to marry me."

How wonderful! His happiness exploded immediately into the room, but I kept talking.

"But she asked for something, and I agreed, but I don't see how I can do it!"

I heard his confusion and impatient demand for further information as I paused for a moment. "She wants me to make love to her… while she's still human."

Author's Note: This is my first work of fan fiction and I would love to hear what you think-- good or bad!