It is interesting to see how one sentence can be viewed so many different ways!

When I read it I simply took it as an acknowledgment that not all vampires live forever. In just one year Bella has seen James, Laurence, Victoria, and the army of newborns destroyed. Because of Jasper's stories, Bella knows that vampires will be killed in power struggles. And then there are the Volturi.

What with Bella being so accident prone and a magnet for danger I think part of her is pessimistically aware that even as a vampire there is a possibility she won't live forever.

this is precisely how i read it as well! though i see the value in all the discussion here...

...perhaps now we should disect the word "eternity"?

Why did I get a perfect visual of that just now??? so funny!

That's exactly how I took it. Although it did make me pause for a moment. Hopefully I'm not just being overly optimistic!

When I read the sentence I just got the impression that Bella doesn't count her chickens before their hatched. She knows what she wants but she also recognizes that things can happen that you don't want to have happen, such as Edward leaving in NM. I think she is just being cautious and trying to not to allow herself complete joy over being married/being with Edward and changed until it's all actually done and she is passed the newborn problems etc..and problems with her family possibly.

Yes, I would agree with you here, Lady Narcissa. She has been in so many life/death situations, why would being a vampire change that? She fears for Edward's life when he has to deal with Victoria. She knows that vampires are not indestructible.

Ponder this: isn't it interesting that now that we know the outcome of BD, the word "conceivably" can take on an additional meaning?

LOL...very, very good Lisa314...you are quick my friend...yes conceive...

oh the quick wit of TMs!!!

The line didn't bother me ... all I saw it as was that simply Bella's immortality had not happened yet. He kept saying he would be the one to change her when they got married ... but they were not married yet, he could still change his mind and not do it and the others could bow out on their end of saying they'd assist when she was ready. I dont think it had anything to do with Jacob or any uncertainty.

I must be on another planet. This is another part of the book where I cry -- because to me she is finally accepting the ring! She is going to tell Charlie and make it official and wear the ring instead of giving it to Edward to hold. She accepts it (the ring and the marriage) and she is ready to make this commitment public for Edward ! I always felt so sorry for Edward when she started on the marriage-hating rant. Come on... how could she say no to Edward when he tells her "I'll love you forever. For every single day of Forever!"
-only a vampire can love you forever

OME who could resist him anything?

I just realized something reading your post. You talked about "make this commitment public". Edward has lived in the fringes of society for almost a century. He even rolls his eyes at Rosalie's numerous weddings. Now he is in love and wants to shout it out. He says, isn't this what it's suppose to be like, being in love? He is so excited to do boyfriend stuff like walking her to class and eating lunch in the cafeteria in front of inquiring minds that want to know. How exciting this must be for him to be able to stand in front of family and friends and publicly profess his love for her. And then to hear her do the same. This is more than being old fashioned. This is wanting to show the world that you are the happiest man alive, and Bella is finally allowing him to take that stage. He know longer has to hide who he is or what he feels.