Midnight Sun

Back in Bella’s room, Alice has made friends with Renée. When Bella finally wakes up, she wants to know what happened. Once he is alone with her, Edward explains what happened while Bella was unconscious and what their story about Bella’s accident will be. He also explains how much he struggled with her blood, saying, “it was impossible…to stop. Impossible. But I did” (617). In return, Bella apologizes for tasting so good to Edward. They kiss, setting off Bella’s heart monitor. Renée returns, but Bella insists that Edward stay with her, and he pretends to go to sleep. Bella and Renée are glad to see each other, although they quickly fall into their usual pattern of Bella consoling Renée. Renée points out that Bella has particularly good friends in Forks in the Cullens, but Renée also announces that she and her husband are going to settle in Jacksonville, Florida. She expects Bella to want to move with her, but Bella immediately turns her down, insisting that she wants to live in Forks. Bella even admits to her mother that Edward is part of the reason. Renée realizes how in love Bella is with Edward, thinking that she might be too much like Charlie, but Bella convinces Renée that it is not so serious. Renée leaves to call Phil, leaving Bella alone with Edward again.

Edward tells Bella that he is surprised she does not want to move to Florida, but she points out that he would be stuck inside all day. Edward introduces the idea that he might not be able to stay with Bella, which immediately distresses her. Bella begs Edward not to leave her, and Edward promises, even though he knows he plans to. He insists that he is a danger to Bella, just as Bella insists that he is the reason she is alive. Bella wants to know why Edward did not just let her become a vampire, saying she wants to be one. Edward still thinks Bella risks too much, and he refuses to end her life, as he believes he would be doing by turning her into a vampire. They are unable to resolve this fight. Bella even hints that Alice might be able to turn her, so eventually Edward calls the nurse in to give Bella more pain medicine. Edward resolves to stay with Bella, at least until she is fully healed.

Bella stays in the hospital for another six days. She speaks with Charlie on the phone often, and Charlie is angry with Edward. Edward avoids having serious discussions with Bella. When they return to Forks, Edward internally agrees with Charlie, who blames Edward for everything that happened. When Edward visits Bella in recovery at home, he is careful to never bring up their discussion about her future.

Back at school, Jessica wants to know more gossip about the situation, but Bella doesn’t say much about what happened. Alice plans to distract Bella with prom, and Edward is happy to make one last good memory with Bella before he leaves. He tries to stay hopeful, imagining a human future for Bella. He thinks, “I had a vision—not like Alice, not a true prophecy. It was just a probable scenario. This vision created an intense kind of ache throughout my entire body; it was half agony and half pleasure. I envisioned Bella twenty years from now, maturing gracefully into middle age” (639). Bella is initially hesitant at getting so dressed up. She agrees once she realizes Edward is involved, although she does not know where they are going. On their way to the dance, Charlie calls Edward to tell him that Tyler Crowley showed up to the house expecting to take Bella to prom. Edward finds this hilarious.

When Bella realizes that they are going to prom, she is furious, but she reluctantly agrees to go. There she has fun dancing with Edward, but after a while, Jacob Black shows up. He cuts in to dance with Bella, and Edward realizes that Jacob thinks Bella smells strange. Jacob reluctantly brings a warning to Bella from the Quileute tribe, saying that they will be watching. After Jacob leaves, Bella and Edward head outside, and Edward notes that, “twilight again […] another ending” (655). Bella reveals that she had hoped Edward was dressing her up to finally change her into a vampire, but this idea only makes Edward feel more pain. In the end, he resolves to stay with Bella, but only if he is sure it is not hurting her.