Hi! So I really loved the Twilight Saga. The ending was good, even though it did a deus ex machina. However, like everything that comes to an end, I wished it continued. So, because I'm an aspiring writer, I considered writing what I imagined would be the fifth book which would start a few months after BD ended. I decided to title it Solstice, since the title of each novel is really appropriate for the context. The reasoning for Solstice is because it's Latin for sun and standing still. This fanfic-novel consists of about forty chapters including an epilogue. The chapters themselves will be shorter than the ones you've read in the Twilight Series since this is a fanfic, however the format, plot, etc, will depict that of a novel. Also, I tried to mimic how SM writes. Disclaimer: Obviously, I'm not Stephanie Meyer. If I were, I'd be getting paid for writing this story and it wouldn't be posted up on here. Anyway, hope you enjoy the story:

Solstice

"'Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?'
'That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,' said the Cat.
'I don't much care where -' said Alice.
'Then it doesn't matter which way you go,' said the Cat.
'-so long as I get somewhere,' Alice added as an explanation."

-Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

PREFACE

There's not enough words to describe how I felt. A few that quickly came to mind: Terrible. Sick. Deplorable. Ashamed. Repulsive. Remorseful. Hideous. Evil.

Nope, that about sums it up.

1. BIRTHDAY

I was nothing short of breath as I ran through the forest, trailing always behind Edward. I eventually reached our private meadow. I took a whiff of fresh air and the aroma of bluebells, phacelias, valerian, wild roses, thimbleberry, and blue lupines filled my nostils. Staying motionlessly stiff like a statue, I watched Edward glitter like a million crystals as the sun's rays bounced off his skin. After three years of being together, Edward continued to dazzle me. Watching him in the sun still left me completely breathless, figuratively speaking since I didn't breathe half the time anymore. It seemed strange to think it has been a whole year since I heard my last heart beat. Three hundred and sixty-five days, four hours, twenty-three minutes, and nine seconds to be exact.

Today, I turned one in vampire years. I would stay forever looking like eighteen and I couldn't argue with that since my husband would never look a day over seventeen.

"Happy Birthday, Bella." Edward sang as he stared into my eyes. In a fraction of a second later, his lips were against mine.

After two long minutes, I reluctantly forced myself to pull back. "Thank you." My voice replied like ringing bells. "I think now Emmett can beat me in an arm wrestling match. Pity. I'll miss being the strongest."

Edward chuckled. "It doesn't happen just like that. Your newborn strength slowly wanes. You might have noticed it lately in the past three months."

He was right. I had been feeling weaker. Not a whole lot, since I could still crush a massive rock into grains of sand with my bare hand. It was about one-sixteenth of a fraction less every few weeks. It was hard to detect, but I could tell I wasn't as strong, physically, as I had been when I was just a couple of months old. Mentally, I was as sharp as ever. My shield was an impenetrable force that could stretch as far as to cover the entire town of Forks where I lived; existed, being the precise term. Edward's extra gift was that he could read minds except for mine. Only when I allowed my shield to be let down could Edward get a glimpse at what I was truly thinking.

Also, after a diet of just animal blood since I was changed, my irises had finally diluted into a nice shade of golden butterscotch. That was a plus, since I didn't have to worry about freaking myself out anymore with my red eyes if I happened to glance at my reflection.

"Do you want to see your present?" Edward asked, standing there appearing all innocent. Not to mention, god-like.

One thing I knew I had to get used to when I signed up for immortality was my family's generosity. They loved handing out presents. When I got back to our cottage, I could only imagine my whole closet filled with a completely new wardrobe, a gift from Alice, of course. Since I'd been changed, I hadn't worn a single thing twice thanks to her. I'd even grown accustom to wearing silk chiffon blouses...on occasion.

"Sure." I tried to say with exuberance as I answered Edward's question. He, however, saw right through me.

"Don't worry, you'll love it." Edward reached into his pocket and pulled something out in one swift move. In less than a second, it was in my palm.

I immediately opened my clamped hand. It was necklace with three heart-shaped rubies encased in gold in the center. I realized the three hearts symbolized mine, Edward's, and our child, Renesmee's heart. I held it up so I could let the stones sparkle in the sun. "It's beautiful. Can you help me put it on?"

Edward reached out his hand and I let the necklace fall. Once he grabbed it, a moment later it was around my neck.

I felt Edward kissing right below my ear as I looked out into the forest seeing if I found anything out of place. I lost focus and turned around to reach for his lips. He bent down on his knees and I quickly followed until we were both on the ground. Before I realized it, the sky was becoming dimmer by the minute.

"They aren't going to be happy with me." Edward stated through his clenched teeth. "It's almost dark out and the others haven't given you your gifts yet."

"Ugh!" After considering what would happen if I never left the meadow, I stood straight up. I didn't want Carlisle and the rest to come looking for us and then stumble upon this.

"I'm sorry, you know Alice." Edward replied after we slid back on our now grass stained clothes. Once he grabbed my hand, we then stared sprinting to the main house.

I heard the music crystal clear coming from inside when Edward and I arrived home. "A party?" Of course.

"Just the family…and Jacob."

I pouted. While Edward still had a hard time swallowing the idea, Jacob was part of the family ever since he imprinted on Renesmee. It would only be a few short years until he would legally become our son-in-law.

He noticed my frown. "What, did you have anyone else in mind?"

"No. I-I…" I stumbled on my words. I did that frequently when I was human. Apparently, it didn't get lost in the transformation as it still happened if I became flustered.

"You're not a newborn anymore, that's something worth celebrating, right?"

I bit my lip, hard. It would have bled if I wasn't so invincible. "Even though, I practically skipped that part because of my super self-control." I paused for a millisecond. "But, you're right to an extent, I guess."

Edward crookedly smiled and gestured his hand toward the door. "After you."

"BELLA!" Alice screamed as she gracefully came running like a gazelle towards me. She gave me a huge hug. "Happy Birthday!"

I couldn't help but grin. "Thanks." I looked around the room. Everything was the same except for some added lights and music playing in the background. I thought Alice would have gone all out. Maybe celebrating vampire birthdays were different from human. I mean that's obvious. It's not like I was expecting a birthday cake.

"So, since Edward got you here so late…." Alice shot Edward a quick smirk. He made a face in return. "We will open presents tonight and do whatever you like Bella and then tomorrow we'll all hunt."

"Works for me." The thirst in my throat was getting unbearably harder to ignore. I was glad to hunt soon.

Esme, my mother-in-law, handed me a box wrapped around with a red ribbon tied in a bow. "This was picked out with help from Carlisle, Rosalie, Emmett, Jasper, and myself." She paused. "The red ribbon will give you a hint."

Inside were keys. I ended up with a red Porsche, one to match Alice's canary yellow. I was now a proud owner of two ostentatious, sport cars. Some days, I missed my old 1953, faded red pick-up truck until I remembered I could go fifty billion times faster in the Ferrari.

"Our cars are twins!" Alice sang in an octave higher than normal. Though, mine would be slightly different with added features since it was brand new. Not to mention, Rosalie probably tinkered with the car as well, adding extra unnecessary parts to it.

The car, which had reserved a spot next to my Ferrari, was the present from every vampire in the room except Alice, who got me the clothes, and Edward, who gave me the necklace that still hung around my ivory neck. Jacob gave me another charm for the bracelet he had gotten me when I was still human. This time it was a silver crescent moon. My gift from Renesmee was a drawn picture of everyone. Her ability was as good if not better than someone majoring art in college. I glanced back down at the picture. Renesmee decided as a joke to give everyone fake fangs except Jake and herself. I thought that was a nice touch.

After a few hours, I wanted to leave so I could spend time with Edward at our cottage. Jacob would take Renesmee for the night, but I knew I wasn't about to be let off that easy.

"One more thing Bella," Emmett began to say as I was just seconds away from grabbing the door knob. "I think it's time for another rematch." His smile was twisted. There was no way I was going to refuse.

"Fine. I'll still win. What will that be... five hundred to zero?"

Emmett growled. "You, me, outside."

"Uh-oh, I'm scared."

Emmett led the way while everyone else followed behind in unison.

We arrived the same place we always do our matches. Outside. We never wanted to risk breaking any of Esme's favorite antique furniture.

Jasper had moved past us all and ran into the forest. In less time than it is to blink, he was back with a smooth rock the size of a coffee table.

I placed my elbow on the stone and Emmett did the same. He exerted all his force in tying to push my arm down. For the first time ever, Emmett was able to slightly move mine lower. However, I quickly slammed his arm down without a second thought. The rock split in two.

Renesmee, who was standing in between Edward and Jacob, clapped her hands together. "Good job, mommy!"

I turned to face my daughter. "Thank you, honey." I looked back at Emmett and smiled, flashing my bright white teeth. "Have you had enough, yet?"

Emmett growled at me, again.

"Is that a yes?" Edward asked, chuckling.

"I'm getting closer." Emmett said with a touch of vexation in his melodious voice. While patting his curly, black hair back into place, he faced me. "In a few months, I'll be able to take you and you'll only be as strong as Alice."

"HEY!" Alice stuck her tongue out to Emmett.

"I mean that in the nicest way possible," added Emmett. He then stormed back inside the house. Rosalie, his mate, trailed behind him.

Edward and I said our goodbyes to the others who remained. We then ambled, swiftly, towards the cottage. It would be just the two of us for the rest of the night.