Eclipse (Twilight, #3)

by Stephenie Meyer

Sometimes the right thing for one person is the wrong thing for someone else.

It was strange. Even though he was in this bizarre form, this felt more like the way Jake and I used to be—the easy, effortless friendship that was as natural as breathing in and out—than the last few times I’d been with Jacob while he was human. Odd that I should find that again here, when I’d thought this wolf thing was the cause of its loss.

“But I thought it was a good representation,” he continued. “It’s hard and cold.” He laughed. “And it throws rainbows in the sunlight.” “You forgot the most important similarity,” I murmured. “It’s beautiful.” “My heart is just as silent,” he mused. “And it, too, is yours.”

“Bella,” he murmured, his voice warm and velvet. “Would you please stop trying to take your clothes off?”

“Charlie is happier when he pretends to swallow your stories. He’d rather lie to himself than look too closely.”

“It doesn’t have to be a big production. I don’t need any fanfare. You won’t have to tell anyone or make any changes. We’ll go to Vegas—you can wear old jeans and we’ll go to the chapel with the drive-through window. I just want it to be official—that you belong to me and no one else.” “It couldn’t be any more official than it already is,” I grumbled.

“I suppose you don’t want your ring now?” I had to swallow before I could speak. “You suppose correctly.” He laughed at my expression. “That’s fine. I’ll get it on your finger soon enough.” I glared at him. “You talk like you already have one.” “I do,” he said, unashamed. “Ready to force upon you at the first sign of weakness.” “You’re unbelievable.”

“I promise to love you forever—every single day of forever. Will you marry me?”

“What’s up, Bella?” he asked with a big grin. I rolled my eyes. “Same old, same old.” “Yeah,” he agreed. “Bunch of vampires trying to kill you. The usual.”

“Do you ever get tired of lying to yourself? You have to know how aware you are of me. Physically, I mean.” “How could anyone not be aware of you physically, Jacob?” I demanded. “You’re an enormous monster who refuses to respect anyone else’s personal space.” “I make you nervous. But only when I’m human. When I’m a wolf, you’re more comfortable around me.” “Nervousness and irritation are not the same thing.”

You know, Jacob, if it weren’t for the fact that we’re natural enemies and that you’re also trying to steal away the reason for my existence, I might actually like you.”

“You’re such a bad liar, you’ll believe anyone who has the least bit of skill.”

I can’t blame either of you for something I made necessary. I may gain forgiveness, but that doesn’t let me escape the consequences.”

THIS is what team edward is all about

“I can be noble, Bella. I’m not going to make you choose between us. Just be happy, and you can have whatever part of me you want, or none at all, if that’s better. Don’t let any debt you feel you owe me influence your decision.”

I need these boyfriends to be boyfriends

“I don’t care that it’s cold here. I don’t care that I stink like a dog right now. Make me forget how awful I am. Make me forget him. Make me forget my own name. Fight back!”

“No, he won’t turn on me,” Edward said, answering the question in Victoria’s head. He used her distraction to slide closer. “You provided us with a common enemy. You allied us.”

Sam is trying to get him to phase back to his human form. That will make treating him easier.” Carlisle smiled slightly. “I’ve never been to veterinary school.”

“Well, it appears that there’s not much left for us to do. Odd,” Jane said, apathy creeping back into her voice. “We’re not used to being rendered unnecessary. It’s too bad we missed the fight. It sounds like it would have been entertaining to watch.”

Part of being a Cullen is being meticulously responsible.”

I see visions of outcomes, not the reasons and thoughts behind the decisions that create them. It’s outside the mind, not an illusion, either; reality, or at least one version of it. But Jane and Edward and Aro and Demetri—they work inside the mind. Jane only creates an illusion of pain. She doesn’t really hurt your body, you only think you feel it. You see, Bella? You are safe inside your mind. No one can reach you there. It’s no wonder that Aro was so curious about your future abilities.”

I’m so sorry you have to choose between two good things.”

He was himself enough to tease me.” “Tease you?” I echoed in shock. “Yeah—in between insulting somebody’s mother and taking the Lord’s name in vain, he said, ‘Bet you’re glad she loves Cullen instead of me today, huh, Charlie?’” I turned back to the fridge so that he couldn’t see my face. “And I couldn’t argue. Edward’s more mature than Jacob when it comes to your safety, I’ll give him that much.”

Edward was really… nice. He seemed as worried about Jacob as you are—like that was his brother lying there. The look in his eyes…” Charlie shook his head. “He’s a decent guy, Bella. I’ll try to remember that. No promises, though.” He grinned at me.

“He’s like a drug for you, Bella.” His voice was still gentle, not at all critical. “I see that you can’t live without him now. It’s too late. But I would have been healthier for you. Not a drug; I would have been the air, the sun.”

“I used to think of you that way, you know. Like the sun. My personal sun. You balanced out the clouds nicely for me.” He sighed. “The clouds I can handle. But I can’t fight with an eclipse.”

“You know I love you.” “I know,” he breathed, his arm tightening automatically around my waist. “You know how much I wish it was enough.”

If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger.’”

I cannot live without my life! I cannot live without my soul!’”