Balance Score Card Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Balance Score Card - Essay Example of the management in terms of implementation of the strategy balance scorecard is often used by the management to analyze whether the objectives have been properly implemented or not. Balanced score card is the most popular tool of performance management. Balanced scorecard helps the manager in keeping a track on the progress of the activities and matching them with the desired level. In this project the balance scorecard of the Coca-Cola Company has been made on the basis of the four different perspective and objectives of each perspective. Different types of metrics have also been used to let in building the balanced scorecard. Performance management is very important for every company. It enables the management to assess the performance of the company and also helps the company to analyze the loop holes or the room for improvement. It helps the management to identify the direction in which the organization is moving. It helps the organization to perform better by enabling the organization. The performance management is done on the basis of various tools of performance management system. The performance management system helps the organization to plan control and measure the performance of activities of the organization beforehand. The different performance management system used for performance management are balanced scorecard, activity based management, quality management, economic value added etc. among the various performance management system the most popular methods are balance scorecard, activity based management and economic value added. Activity based management is done by analyzing those activit ies which adds value to the organization. This is done on the basis of activity based costing. It mainly focuses on reducing the cost and increasing the value received by the customers. The economic value added method enables the organization to analyze the overall performance of the organization. In this method the financial measures are used to measure the

Financial Crisis and Their Possible Solutions Essay

Financial Crisis and Their Possible Solutions - Essay Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that financial crisis affected most parts of the world. It began in the US after the Difficulties in the US submarine market that had rapidly rocketed and spilled all over the world. Bordo et al find that the frequency of the financial crisis is higher than the previous one and can be comparable only to the Great Depression. It had detrimental impacts on different sectors of the economy in all countries. Reinhart, Reinhart and Rogoff have, in the past years documented the effects of the banking crisis that are typically proceeding by credit booms and asset price bubbles. They note that on average 35% real drop in housing prices stretch over a to almost six years. Equity prices fall over 55% over a period of 3 years, while output in those countries fall by 9% in two years, unemployment increases by 7% in four years while an 86% debt increase based on the pre-crisis level. Many models have documented the effects of the financial crisis. Adrian and Shin, Brunnermeier have documented a thorough review of the events preceding the financial crisis in late 2007 and early 2008. They note that the seeds of financial crisis can be traced back to the low interest rates policies adopted by the Federal Reserve and other world central banks after the collapse of the technology stock bubbles. The need for the debt securities by Asian banking institutions aided in fuelling the economic crisis. Acting as financial intermediaries, banks channel funds to potential investors. Through the process of borrowing and lending, they benefit from a diversified portfolio of risk sharing. They also act as monitors (Diamond, 1984) and streamline loans to well-organized customers (Gorton and Kahn, 1994) and other vital roles in maturity transformations. This implies that in crisis, every banking institution becomes concerned. For instance, Dell Aricia and Rajan (2008) provide that banks’ grief contributes to a decline in credit and low GDP .Fur ther evidence provides that those sectors, which heavily depend on external financing, perform relatively dismal during the banking crises. These effects are stronger and severe in developing countries. In addition, the report note that over the last two decades, banking sector continues to be complex in its modes of operations. For instance, banks use various instruments to hedge risks. However, despite the complexity banks have remained sensitive to the panics and runs. Gorton (2008) note that holders of short-term liabilities feared to fund banks as they the anticipated losses in the sector could have in their securities. The recent research proposes two theories to give a tentative explanation on the causes of the bank panics and runs. One argues that panics are undesirable events caused by random withdrawals unrelated to the changes in the real economy. Bryant (1980) and Diamond and Dybig (1983) note that agents have uncertain needs that relates to consumption. If other deposit ors believe and can even further establish the slightest of evidence, then all the agents will find it rational and imperative to redeem their claims from banking institutions and will cause the panics and banks’ runs. Another theory explains that banking crises are natural outgrowth of the business cycle. An economic slump will reduce the value of the bank resources, heightening the possibility that banks are unable to meet

Louis Pojman’s We Don’t Deserve What We Earn Essay Example for Free

Louis Pojman’s We Don’t Deserve What We Earn Essay Merit and desert are two terms that are always in opposition to one another. While merit measures value in terms of success or failures, desert presupposes that value is not only measured in terms of success or failure but also the intentions must be assessed. Desert asseses â€Å"whether or not one had good or bad intentions, whether or not one was responsible for the success or failure†. While it is tempting to decide on issues with regards to their value in terms of the intentions of doing them as well as the success or failure of the object to meet our specific demands, I do believe that we merit is the best way of making a decision; we deserve what we earn. Athlete who has been training for long hours everyday deserves to win a race because of his attempt to train, and not marely because he is tall or has some long strides. Merit presumes that a person deserves something provided that he has some qualities. This is in contrast to desert which assumes a person to deserve something given that he attempts or does something. The criterion for deciding whether we deserve what we earn may be either through merit or desert, but one fact is that we generally deserve what we earn. The society itself is full of pointers to the fact that we get what we â€Å"saw†. To begin with, the laws governing our actions in the society show a justice. The concept of justice is found in most cultures and religious institutions. An ancient Greek poet, Simonides, defined justice as â€Å"giving each person his due† an idea which is unequivocal in the ancient Greek laws which also defined justice as giving the people what they merited. This idea of justice is also evident in most religions. The concept of the final judgment done on the basis of ones goodness or badness cuts across all religions; in the Hindu scriptures the notion of reward got after reincarnation is portrayed as being proportional to the person’s deeds. This same idea is also exemplified in the Quran and explicit in the Hebrew and Christian bibles. The bible for example states that what a person sows such shall he reap. In the current world affairs, we can look at the US election as one indicator of the criteria by which the society measures its values. We can decide to look at Obama as deserving the win from two perspective, from a meritorious point of view or from a desert based point of view. If we look at it from a merit-based point of view, then we can say that Obama deserved the win because he planned well, mounted a successful campaign machinery and was successful in convincing the young people, many of whom voted for him. On the other hand, we can decide to say that Obama deserved to win because he represented a minority community which has been oppressed and so deserved to win the election on this ground. Reference Pojman, L. Merit: Why do we value it. Journal of Social Philosophy. New York. Vol 30:83-102.

Factors Affecting Pricing Decisions

Factors Affecting Pricing Decisions The market type of Lux is monopolistic competition. This type of market has many buyers and sellers due to the low barrier of entrance into the market and this makes the market more competitive. Example of the competitors like Dettol, Safeguard, Protex and others will sell differentiated products of soaps, at different prices in the market. The factors that affect the pricing decisions of Lux are the demand of the market and the taste of customers. In order to get hold of the heart of the consumer, Lux Soft Touch Beauty Bar has clearly stated its target market beauty soaps. Literally, Lux Soft Touch Beauty Bar is more towards female market. From the official website of Lux, it stated that Luxuriate in the sensation of moisturized skin with LUX Soft Touch liquid soap beauty bar, one of Luxs coveted skin care beauty secrets. Enriched with the exclusive Silk Protein Extract and Cherry Cream, it forms a light creamy layer, which covers your skin, helping to hold in the moisture that dry skin needs. Like a goddess dressed in a silk gown, youll leave for the day with self-confidence, feeling elegant and in command. From the above-mentioned, we can clearly see that Lux Soft Touch Beauty Bar is more for female that provide protection to their skin and make their skin smoother after using it. This is different from the other ordinary soaps that declare on anti-bacterial. This makes the female consumers more loyal to Lux. Since there are loyal customers on the market, the demand of will also increase or make a constant in the long run. And due to this, the price of Lux Soft Touch Beauty Bar will not confront to the huge changes of price in the market. 2.2.2 New Product pricing strategies In order to extend the line for its new product to sell in the particular market, market penetration should be the new product pricing strategies of Lux in order to increase sales and demand in this competitive world. To penetrate the market, Lux will not have any problem because its an existing brand with high reputation in the current market. But the following things should consider: Penetrating the brand of Lux means adding some new and attractive features on the product and also taking into consideration the effective communication which will turn into a new value proposition for the product. In order to increase more sales Lux should concentrate on the appropriate reduction of cost which will directly lead to gain leadership in price. Once price will be reduced more and more consumers will attracted to buy the particular product. Moreover by reducing the price of the particular soap Lux will again have growth in their product and it will be very helpful to survive in the competitive market. Lux will also have to do product development for the product line extension and it will be done through by introducing new body wash soap with an existing name and it will also launch new products like introducing Lux face wash all this will ultimately lead to increase in their sales and again to grab the new target market audience for the product. This strategy not only to increase the profit for the company but also to produce new products in the existing market for brand awareness to the consumers which will have greater impact on the consumer to buy the particular product at very low price and again to boost the sale for the personal care product. 2.2.3 Product Mix Pricing Strategies Lux is currently using product line pricing. Since Lux is a large brand, it manufactures many types of product. Therefore it needs to set price steps between various items in a product line based on: Cost differences between products The difference cost of products will affect the price of the products when market. The range of products includes beauty soaps, shower gels, bath additives, hair shampoos and conditioners. Customer evaluations of different features The customers of Lux are more on female. Therefore, Lux should always need to attract the attention of its target market to make sure they will consume the product of Lux. Competitors prices Lux are not only soap in the market, therefore it needs to take consider of the price of competitors when pricing its product. This will make a competitive advantage to Lux. Besides, Lux is also using product bundle pricing. They combine the Lux soft touch beauty bar 3 in 1 and offer the bundle at a reduced price. Pricing bundles of products sold together. 2.2.4 Price Adjustment Strategies The price adjustment strategies relate to all the strategies implemented by an organisation that takes into account the differences between customers and rapidly changing. Lux is using international pricing strategies. Lux is an international product and brand over 100 countries, so its priced differently for each of the countries. For example, the price of Lux in Malaysia is slightly expensive comparable to South Africa. This is because the economic level of South Africa is lower than Malaysia. Besides, Lux also uses promotional pricing techniques. The normal bundle of Lux soft touch beauty bar is 3 in 1, but sometimes, in order to increase demand, Lux will make it into 4 in 1. This will increase the consumer consume more unit of Lux soft touch beauty bar when this promotion.

benefits of technology :: essays research papers

Ever since it developed, there has been controversy over whether or not mechanical inventions benefit our lives. Doug Rennie’s article, â€Å"Faxed to the Max†, says â€Å"the timesaving devices we created give us more freedom to do what we want have instead imprisoned us in our own technology.† Although this may be true to some people, everyone has the power to resist technological devices. People can chose to use these tools to enhance their lifestyles, like they can chose to use a hammer or a saw for a project; they don’t necessarily need it, but it would save time and energy. It is the ability to mistreat these inventions that makes some people uneasy towards about using technology in their daily lives. Although it can be abused in many ways, technology used properly is a tool that aids in education, health and communication.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Our physical health has benefited greatly from technology. Through inventions like the pacemaker and artificial limbs, a tremendous amount or people have had better physical conditions. This biological technology is not favorable to all. Some say that it is better for nature to do its work and people should not interfere. The spread of new inventions can soon get out of hand. For example, if we have the ability to clone humans, our lifestyles will change. People will abuse this power by being careless about their health. They believe people think technology can save them in the end, so they can exercise less and eat more unhealthy foods. On the other hand, curative inventions have saved lives and allowed people to lead healthier ones. There can be ways to make technology accessible to only certain people, but there is no reason to stop the usage of these medical products if they can help save lives. An example of one of these products is the pacemaker, invented by Canadian electrical engineer, John Hopps. Because the heart stops beating when it cools, he found that mechanical or electric stimulation could make the heart start up again. Since then, many were given healthier lives. Prosthetic limbs have also played a great role in helping the lives of amputees. Artificial limbs with sensors and microchips have recently been designed so that these people can maintain an active lifestyle rather than being confined to wheelchairs.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Technology plays a very important role in the communication of people today. With the touch of a button, the Internet and the cellular telephone can allow us to transmit our message to someone on the other side of the planet.

It Doesnt Matter Summary :: Nicholas Carr Article Summary

Electricity, the telephone, the steam engine, the telegraph, the railroad andÂ…..IT? In his HBR article, "IT Doesn't Matter," Nicholas Carr has stirred up quite a bit of controversy around IT's role as strategic business differentiator. He examines the evolution of IT and argues that it follows a pattern very similar to that of earlier technologies like railroads and electricity. At the beginning of their evolution, these technologies provided opportunities for competitive advantage. However, as they become more and more available Ââ€" as they become ubiquitous Ââ€" they transform into "commodity inputs," and lose their strategic differentiation capabilities. From a strategic viewpoint, they essentially become "invisible." Carr distinguishes between proprietary technologies and what he calls infrastructural technologies. Proprietary technologies can provide a strategic advantage as long as they remain restricted through "physical limitations, intellectual property rights, high costs or a lack of standards," but once those restrictions are lifted, the strategic advantage is lost. In contrast, infrastructural technologies provide far greater value when shared. Although an infrastructural technology might appear proprietary in the early stages of buildout, eventually the characteristics and economics of infrastructural technology necessitate that they will be broadly shared and will become a part of the broader business infrastructure. To illustrate his point, Carr uses the example of a proprietary railroad. It is possible that a company might gain a competitive advantage by building lines only to their suppliers, but eventually this benefit would be trivial compared to the broader good realized by bu ilding a railway network. The same is true for IT - no company today would gain a cost-effective competitive advantage by narrowing its focus and implementing an Internet only between their suppliers to the exclusion of the rest of the world. To further shore up his "IT as commodity" theory, Carr cites the fact that major technology vendors, such as Microsoft and IBM, are positioning themselves as "IT utilities," companies that control the provision of business applications over "the grid." Couple this IT-as-utility trend with the rapidly decreasing cost of processing power, data storage and transmission, and even the most "cutting-edge IT capabilities quickly become available to all." Although IT may seem too diverse to be compared to commodities such as electricity and the railroads, Carr points out three specific characteristics that guarantee rapid commoditization: IT is a transport mechanism; IT is highly replicable; and IT is subject to rapid price deflation.

The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 39. TheHappily EverAfter

â€Å"So it was a combination of things there at the end, but what it really boiled down to was†¦ Bella,† Edward was explaining. Our family and our two remaining guests sat in the Cullens' great room while the forest turned black outside the tall windows. Vladimir and Stefan had vanished before we'd stopped celebrating. They were extremely disappointed in the way things had turned out, but Edward said that they'd enjoyed the Volturi's cowardice almost enough to make up for their frustration. Benjamin and Tia were quick to follow after Amun and Kebi, anxious to let them know the outcome of the conflict; I was sure we would see them again – Benjamin and Tia, at least. None of the nomads lingered. Peter and Charlotte had a short conversation with Jasper, and then they were gone, too. The reunited Amazons had been anxious to return home as well – they had a difficult time being away from their beloved rain forest – though they were more reluctant to leave than some of the others. â€Å"You must bring the child to see me,† Zafrina had insisted. â€Å"Promise me, young one.† Nessie had pressed her hand to my neck, pleading as well. â€Å"Of course, Zafrina,† I'd agreed. â€Å"We shall be great friends, my Nessie,† the wild woman had declared before leaving with her sisters. The Irish coven continued the exodus. â€Å"Well done, Siobhan,† Carlisle complimented her as they said goodbye. â€Å"Ah, the power of wishful thinking,† she answered sarcastically, rolling her eyes. And then she was serious. â€Å"Of course, this isn't over. The Volturi won't forgive what happened here.† Edward was the one to answer that. â€Å"They've been seriously shaken; their confidence is shattered. But, yes, I'm sure they'll recover from the blow someday. And then . . .† His eyes tightened. â€Å"I imagine they'll try to pick us off separately.† â€Å"Alice will warn us when they intend to strike,† Siobhan said in a sure voice. â€Å"And we'll gather again. Perhaps the time will come when our world is ready to be free of the Volturi altogether.† â€Å"That time may come,† Carlisle replied. â€Å"If it does, we'll stand together.† â€Å"Yes, my friend, we will,† Siobhan agreed. â€Å"And how can we fail, when /will it otherwise?† She let out a great peal of laughter. â€Å"Exactly,† Carlisle said. He and Siobhan embraced, and then he shook Liam's hand. â€Å"Try to find Alistair and tell him what happened. I'd hate to think of him hiding under a rock for the next decade.† Siobhan laughed again. Maggie hugged both Nessie and me, and then the Irish coven was gone. The Denalis were the last to leave, Garrett with them – as he would be from now on, I was fairly sure. The atmosphere of celebration was too much for Tanya and Kate. They needed time to grieve for their lost sister. Huilen and Nahuel were the ones who stayed, though I had expected those last two to go back with the Amazons. Carlisle was deep in fascinated conversation with Huilen; Nahuel sat close beside her, listening while Edward told the rest of us the story of the conflict as only he knew it. â€Å"Alice gave Aro the excuse he needed to get out of the fight. If he hadn't been so terrified of Bella, he probably would have gone ahead with their original plan.† â€Å"Terrified?† I said skeptically. â€Å"Of me?† He smiled at me with a look I didn't entirely recognize – it was tender, but also awed and even exasperated. â€Å"When will you ever see yourself clearly?† he said softly. Then he spoke louder, to the others as well as to me. â€Å"The Volturi haven't fought a fair fight in about twenty-five hundred years. And they've never, never fought one where they were at a disadvantage. Especially since they gained Jane and Alec, they've only been involved with unopposed slaughterings. â€Å"You should have seen how we looked to them! Usually, Alec cuts off all sense and feeling from their victims while they go through the charade of a counsel. That way, no one can run when the verdict is given. But there we stood, ready, waiting, outnumbering them, with gifts of our own while their gifts were rendered useless by Bella. Aro knew that with Zafrina on our side, they would be the blind ones when the battle commenced. I'm sure our numbers would have been pretty severely decimated, but they were sure that theirs would be, too. There was even a good possibility that they would lose. They've never dealt with that possibility before. They didn't deal with it well today.† â€Å"Hard to feel confident when you're surrounded by horse-sized wolves,† Emmett laughed, poking Jacob's arm. Jacob flashed a grin at him. â€Å"It was the wolves that stopped them in the first place,† I said. â€Å"Sure was,† Jacob agreed. â€Å"Absolutely,† Edward agreed. â€Å"That was another sight they've never seen. The true Children of the Moon rarely move in packs, and they are never much in control of themselves. Sixteen enormous regimented wolves was a surprise they weren't prepared for. Caius is actually terrified of werewolves. He almost lost a fight with one a few thousand years ago and never got over it.† â€Å"So there are real werewolves?† I asked. â€Å"With the full moon and silver bullets and all that?† Jacob snorted. â€Å"Real. Does that make me imaginary?† â€Å"You know what I mean.† â€Å"Full moon, yes,† Edward said. â€Å"Silver bullets, no – that was just another one of those myths to make humans feel like they had a sporting chance. There aren't very many of them left. Caius has had them hunted into near extinction.† â€Å"And you never mentioned this because†¦ ?† â€Å"It never came up.† I rolled my eyes, and Alice laughed, leaning forward – she was tucked under Edward's other arm – to wink at me. I glared back. I loved her insanely, of course. But now that I'd had a chance to realize that she was really home, that her defection was only a ruse because Edward had to believe that she'd abandoned us, I was beginning to feel pretty irritated with her. Alice had some explaining to do. Alice sighed. â€Å"Just get it off your chest, Bella.† â€Å"How could you do that to me, Alice?† â€Å"It was necessary.† â€Å"Necessary!† I exploded. â€Å"You had me totally convinced that we were all going to die! I've been a wreck for weeks.† â€Å"It might have gone that way,† she said calmly. â€Å"In which case you needed to be prepared to save Nessie.† Instinctively, I held Nessie – asleep now on my lap – tighter in my arms. â€Å"But you knew there were other ways, too,† I accused. â€Å"You knew there was hope. Did it ever occur to you that you could have told me everything? I know Edward had to think we were at a dead end for Aro's sake, but you could have told me.† She looked at me speculatively for a moment. â€Å"I don't think so,† she said. â€Å"You're just not that good an actress.† â€Å"This was about my acting skills?† â€Å"Oh, take it down an octave, Bella. Do you have any idea how complicated Ms was to set up? I couldn't even be sure that someone like Nahuel existed – all I knew was that I would be looking for something I couldn't see! Try to imagine searching for a blind spot – not the easiest thing I've ever done. Plus we had to send back the key witnesses, like we weren't in enough of a hurry. And then keeping my eyes open all the time in case you decided to throw me any more instructions. At some point you're going to have to tell me what exactly is in Rio. Before any of that, I had to try to see every trick the Volturi might come in with and give you what few clues I could so you would be ready for their strategy, and I only had just a few hours to trace out all the possibilities. Most of all, I had to make sure you'd all believe that I was ditching out on you, because Aro had to be positive that you had nothing left up your sleeves or he never would have committed to an out the way he did. And if you think I didn't feel like a schmuck – â€Å" â€Å"Okay, okay!† I interrupted. â€Å"Sorry! I know it was rough for you, too. It's just that†¦ well, I missed you like crazy, Alice. Don't do that to me again.† Alice's trilling laugh rang through the room, and we all smiled to hear that music once more. â€Å"I missed you, too, Bella. So forgive me, and try to be satisfied with being the superhero of the day.† Everyone else laughed now, and I ducked my face into Nessie's hair, embarrassed. Edward went back to analyzing every shift of intention and control that had happened in the meadow today, declaring that it was my shield that had made the Volturi run away with their tails between their legs. The way everyone looked at me made me uncomfortable. Even Edward. It was like I had grown a hundred feet during the course of the morning. I tried to ignore the impressed looks, mostly keeping my eyes on Nessie's sleeping face and Jacob's unchanged expression. I would always be just Bella to him, and that was a relief. The hardest stare to ignore was also the most confusing one. It wasn't like this half-human, half-vampire Nahuel was used to thinking of me in a certain way. For all he knew, I went around routing attacking vampires every day and the scene in the meadow had been nothing unusual at all. But the boy never took his eyes off me. Or maybe he was looking at Nessie. That made me uncomfortable, too. He couldn't be oblivious to the fact that Nessie was the only female of his kind that wasn't his half-sister. I didn't think this idea had occurred to Jacob yet. I kind of hoped it wouldn't soon. I'd had enough fighting to last me for a while. Eventually, the others ran out of questions for Edward, and the discussion dissolved into a bunch of smaller conversations. I felt oddly tired. Not sleepy, of course, but just like the day had been long enough. I wanted some peace, some normality. I wanted Nessie in her own bed; I wanted the walls of my own little home around me. I looked at Edward and felt for a moment like I could read his mind. I could see he felt exactly the same way. Ready for some peace. â€Å"Should we take Nessie †¦Ã¢â‚¬  ‘That's probably a good idea,† he agreed quickly. â€Å"I'm sure she didn't sleep soundly last night, what with all the snoring.† He grinned at Jacob. Jacob rolled his eyes and then yawned. â€Å"It's been a while since I slept in a bed. I bet my dad would get a kick out of having me under his roof again.† I touched his cheek. â€Å"Thank you, Jacob.† â€Å"Anytime, Bella. But you already know that.† He got up, stretched, kissed the top of Nessie's head, and then the top of mine. Finally, he punched Edward's shoulder. â€Å"See you guys tomorrow. I guess things are going to be kind of boring now, aren't they?† â€Å"I fervently hope so,† Edward said. We got up when he was gone; I shifted my weight carefully so that Nessie was never jostled. I was deeply grateful to see her getting a sound sleep. So much weight had been on her tiny shoulders. It was time she got to be a child again – protected and secure. A few more years of childhood. The idea of peace and security reminded me of someone who didn't have those feelings all the time. â€Å"Oh, Jasper?† I asked as we turned for the door. Jasper was sandwiched tight in between Alice and Esme, somehow seeming more central to the family picture than usual. â€Å"Yes, Bella?† Tm curious – why is J. Jenks scared stiff by just the sound of your name?† Jasper chuckled.†It's just been my experience that some kinds of working relationships are better motivated by fear than by monetary gain.† I frowned, promising myself that I would take over that working relationship from now on and spare J the heart attack that was surely on the way. We were kissed and hugged and wished a good night to our family. The only off note was Nahuel again, who looked intently after us, as if he wished he could follow. Once we were across the river, we walked barely faster than human speed, in no hurry, holding hands. I was sick of being under a deadline, and I just wanted to take my time. Edward must have felt the same. â€Å"I have to say, I'm thoroughly impressed with Jacob right now,† Edward told me. â€Å"Thewolves make quite an impact, don't they?† â€Å"That's not what I mean. Not once today did he think about the fact that, according to Nahuel,Nessie will befully matured in just six and a half years.† I considered that for a minute. â€Å"He doesn't see her that way. He's not in a hurry for her to grow up.He just wants her to be happy.† â€Å"I know. Like I said, impressive. It goes against the grain to say so, but she could do worse.† I frowned. â€Å"I'm not going to think about that for approximately six and a half more years.† Edward laughed and then sighed. â€Å"Of course, itlooks like he'll have some competition to worry about when the time comes.† My frown deepened. â€Å"I noticed. I'm grateful to Nahuel for today, but all the staring was a little weird. I don't care if she is the only half-vampire he's not related to.† â€Å"Oh, he wasn't staring at her – he was staring at you.† That's what it had seemed like†¦ but that didn't make any sense. â€Å"Why would he do that?† â€Å"Because you're alive,† he said quietly. â€Å"You lost me.† â€Å"All his life,† he explained,† – and he's fifty years older than I am – â€Å" â€Å"Decrepit,† I interjected. Heignored me. â€Å"He's always thought of himself as an evil creation, a murderer by nature. His sistersall killed their mothers as well, but they thought nothing of it. Joham raised them to think of the humans as animals, while they were gods. But Nahuel was taught by Huilen, and Huilen loved her sister more than anyone else. It shaped his whole perspective. And, in some ways, he truly hated himself.† â€Å"That'sso sad,†I murmured. â€Å"And then he saw the three of us – and realized for the first time that just because he ishalf immortal, it doesn't mean he is inherently evil. He looks at me and sees†¦ what his father should have been.† â€Å"You are fairly ideal in every way,† I agreed. He snorted and then was serious again. â€Å"He looks at you and sees the life his mother should have had.† â€Å"Poor Nahuel,† Imurmured, and then sighed because I knew I would never be able to think badly of him after this, no matter how uncomfortable his stare made me. â€Å"Don't be sad for him. He's happy now. Today, he's finally begun to forgive himself.† I smiled for Nahuel's happiness and then thought that today belonged to happiness. Though Irina's sacrifice wasa dark shadow against the white light, keeping the moment from perfection, the joy was impossible to deny. The life I'd fought for was safe again. My family was reunited. My daughter had a beautiful future stretching out endlessly in front of her. Tomorrow I would go see my father; he would see that the fear in my eyes had been replaced with joy, and he would be happy, too. Suddenly, I was sure that I wouldn't find him there alone. I hadn't been as observant as I might have been in the last few weeks, but in this moment it was like I'd known all along. Sue would be with Charlie – thewerewolves' mom with the vampire's dad – and he wouldn't be alone anymore. I smiled widely at this new insight. But most significant in this tidal wave of happiness was the surest fact ofall: I was with Edward. Forever. Not that I'd want to repeat the last several weeks, but I had to admit they'd made me appreciate what I had more than ever. The cottage was a place of perfect peace in the silver-blue night. We carried Nessie to her bed and gently tucked her in. She smiled as she slept. I took Aro's gift from around my neck and tossed it lightly into the corner of her room. She could play with it if she wished; she liked sparkly things. Edward and I walked slowly to our room, swinging our arms between us. â€Å"A night for celebrations,† he murmured, and he put his hand under my chin to lift my lips to his. â€Å"Wait,† I hesitated, pulling away. He looked at me in confusion. As a general rule, I didn't pull away. Okay, it was more than a general rule. This was a first. â€Å"I want to try something,† I informed him, smiling slightly at his bewildered expression. I put my hands on both sides of his face and closed my eyes in concentration. I hadn't done very well with this when Zafrina had tried to teach me before, but I knew my shield better now. I understood the part that fought against separation from me, the automatic instinct to preserve self aboveall else. Itstill wasn't anywhere near as easy as shielding other people along with myself. I felt the elastic recoil again as my shield fought to protect me. I had to strain to push it entirely away from me; it took all of my focus. â€Å"Bella!† Edward whispered in shock. I knew it was working then, so I concentrated even harder, dredging up the specific memories I'd saved for this moment, letting them flood my mind, and hopefully his as well. Some of the memories were not clear – dim human memories, seen through weak eyes and heard through weak ears: the first time I'd seen his face†¦ the way it felt when he'd held me in the meadow†¦ the sound of his voice through the darkness of my faltering consciousness when he'd saved me from James†¦ his face as he waited under a canopy of flowers to marry me†¦ every precious moment from the island†¦ his cold hands touching our baby through my skin†¦ And the sharp memories, perfectly recalled: his face when I'd opened my eyes to my new life, to the endless dawn of immortality†¦ that first kiss†¦ that first night†¦ His lips, suddenly fierce against mine, broke my concentration. With a gasp, I lost my grip on the struggling weight I was holding away from myself. It snapped back like stressed elastic, protecting my thoughts once again. â€Å"Oops, lost it!† I sighed. â€Å"I heard you,† he breathed. â€Å"How? How did you do that?† â€Å"Zafrina's idea. We practiced with it a few times.† He was dazed. He blinked twice and shook his head. â€Å"Now you know,† I said lightly, and shrugged. â€Å"No one's ever loved anyone as much as I love you.† â€Å"You're almost right.† He smiled, his eyes still a little wider than usual. â€Å"I know of just one exception.† â€Å"Liar.† He started to kiss me again, but then stopped abruptly. â€Å"Can you do it again?† he wondered. I grimaced. â€Å"It's very difficult.† He waited, his expression eager. â€Å"I can't keep it up if I'm even the slightest bit distracted,† I warned him. â€Å"I'll be good,† he promised. I pursed my lips, my eyes narrowing. Then I smiled. I pressed my hands to his face again, hefted the shield right out of my mind, and then started in where I'd left off – with the crystal-clear memory of the first night of my new life†¦ lingering on the details. I laughed breathlessly when his urgent kiss interrupted my efforts again. â€Å"Damn it,† he growled, kissing hungrily down the edge of my jaw. â€Å"We have plenty of time to work on it,† I reminded him. â€Å"Forever and forever and forever,† he murmured. â€Å"That sounds exactly right to me.† And then we continued blissfully into this small but perfect piece of our forever. the end