TwilightFanfiction

The Angel

2009-03-24T20:53:00.000-07:00

You Can Read the Original Here:

All Credit Goes to the Original Author:

The Angel

Jasper’s Good Deed

I dropped my tote bag on the sidewalk and sank down onto the pavement, exhaustion threatening to pull me under right there on the side of the street. And wouldn’t that have been flattering, passing out like a drunk on the curb? I held my head in my hands; I didn’t care. Who cared what anyone else thought? Nothing mattered anymore, nothing but the cold, hard truth.

I had nowhere else to hide.

Oh, I was very good at pretending I had some meaning, some purpose in life. All the people at work thought I had it together, because I never missed a day out of the year, not even on Christmas. And I went to school, to a community college in this big, wretched city of Seattle. Again, the teachers and students there thought I had a life. Or maybe they didn’t—how could someone show up for every class period and have a social life?

Whatever. Whatever they thought they saw, it wasn’t the real thing. It didn’t matter what my boss—

But wait. I no longer had a boss.

I sighed, dragging my bag towards me and rummaging through it for the little slip of paper that had wrecked my pretense of stability. My notice, the notice my boss had given me that morning.

When he’d called me into his office, I hadn’t suspected anything out of the ordinary. Sometimes Mr. Harding—my boss—summoned his workers to hand them a new schedule. But that was certainly not what he handed me today.

"I’m sorry, Elise." To his credit, Mr. Harding did look regretful. "But we just can’t support so many workers."

I’d sat in the chair opposite him, holding the paper in my numb hands. "But—why are you firing me?" The implication had been: why me? I come to work every day. Why my job?

"You’re a great worker. Excellent, in fact. But, your job just isn’t necessary to this restaurant. I’ll give you your next paycheck, I promise."

What else could I say? I couldn’t change his mind. So I’d just gotten up, put the paper in my bag, and walked out.

Of course, I knew that wasn’t the only job in the entire city of Seattle. I knew that. With my work ethic, there wouldn’t be any trouble getting a new occupation.

It wouldn’t have been such a blow if I hadn’t have dropped all my classes at college to start working full-time at the restaurant. Now, not only was my income shot, my GPA was, too. Perfect.

Breathing in deeply, I realized I was quickly becoming icy cold on the sidewalk, the winter sludge that always piled up this time of year seeping into my boots. The long brown coat I was wearing insulated me somewhat, but not enough to knock the chill off. I laid my head on my arms, drawing my knees up to my chest and resting my arms there. The flimsy scarf around my neck hung down onto the ground, its end wet and dirty.

Ever since my parents died two years ago, life had gone from horrific to not much of a life at all. I went through the days in a stupor, going through the motions. The minute I stepped away from my dad's casket, my heart had shut down. It was like I'd entered one of those badly-filmed black and white movies, or a boring dream. I hadn't woken up from the dream yet.

Wake up, Elise,
I had told myself over and over. Face up to the pain.
But I couldn't shake myself up; I couldn't stand the piercing sorrow that filled me when I remembered my mom and dad. Someday, I would get over their deaths. Right now, I had to survive getting a new job.
"I can't," I moaned, staring through my fingers at the bright red and green signs in the store windows across the street. How could I move on? I was having trouble hauling my body off the sidewalk. Snow would be a good motivator, because even in this desperate state I didn't think I would sit still while I got buried in snow. Of course, I couldn't be sure-- I'd endured a lot in the last eighteen months.
Somewhere down the lane, a trendy boutique was playing an upbeat version of "Deck the Halls". I blinked. It was Christmas, wasn't it? My least favorite time of the year. There were too many memories about Christmas that hurt me. After all, it had been Mom's pet peeve to decorate the tree just before Christmas Day, and to have the same kind of turkey every year for dinner...
I shut my eyes, swallowing back the lump in my throat. I still missed them, every day, every minute.
Most people got past the grieving process after a few months, but I guess because I never really grieved my emotions were permanently stuck in the early stages of mourning. After two years, you'd think I'd be able to smile when I thought of the Christmases I'd shared with my parents. Instead I had this hollow ache where my heart should have been, a pain that was spreading into my other body parts. My arms wrapped around my knees hurt, then my legs.
Somehow, no one had ever asked me if I was okay with my mom and dad's deaths. I had relatives, but they lived far away and couldn't leave their own lives to bolster me up. My parents' friends helped me if they could, but their help came sporadoically in the form of cards or small amounts of cash, not comfort or kind words. And I shouldn't want consolation. I was nineteen years old, for heaven's sake, I thought angrily. I didn't need anyone's pity.
But I did. I did need a shoulder to cry on, very badly.
There wasn't anybody there, though. Nobody knew how wounded I still was, and I accepted full responsibility for that. If I had let someone know the first second I'd felt numb inside, I could have gotten help. Now it was too late for counseling, or hugging, or whatever it is that alleviates a mourner's pain.
What was I going to do?
I scrubbed my eyes with the back of my hand, ashamed at the tears forming. I couldn't cry in public, not like this. I had to get home to my apartment and surrender my last paycheck to my landlord. Then I had to surf the internet for job ads, or apply for welfare, which I might have to do anyway if I didn't get a job immediately.
Even though my mind was telling me these things, my body didn't move. Alarm made me frown; was I losing it for real? Had I just decided to sit on this street corner till I froze to death? Sounds good to me, I thought bleakly. What else am I going to do? Grin and bear it?
For the first time since I sat down I noticed the people walking by, staring at me. Some of them looked nervous, like they were scared I was an escaped asylum patient. Others cast me concerned glances, probably wondering if I needed help. Still more just walked on by, not paying attention to me at all.
I stared at the feet moving in the street, my feelings morose. How nice for these shopppers, that they had somewhere to go, to their families and friends, or boyfriends and girlfriends. I'd never had a boyfriend, and never wanted one, but as I watched the couples strolling down the sidewalks, I wondered if I'd missed out on a very good thing. Would a boyfriend make my pain easier or harder to deal with?
Oh well, my thoughts were just idle speculation. Guys hadn't shown much interest in me. I was too pretty for my own good-- boys only wanted to look at me, not get to know me. Correction: I had been pretty, before the funeral. Now my appearance was akin to a smoker's.
I bowed my head again, my hair falling in chunks through my fingers. Had anyone in the history of Washington, no, in the history of America, been more alone than I was now? Not likely.
Crying silently, shivering as the tears cooled on my face, I dimly heard the voices of the people passing in front of me. Most of the phrases were happily mundane. Normality: something I longed for.
"Honey, let's set up the tree tonight?"
"All right, baby. You want the kids to help with that?"
"Oh, dude! We so need to put that in our next podcast!"
"Yeah, totally! That's an awesome idea, Anna.
"...and Eva said she'd like that little set of napkin rings in the store at the mall, remember?...."
"I've got a lot to do today. Jean likes to have the house all nice for guests, you know."
"...never gonna get all this stuff done!"
"It's okay, sweetie, Mommy will get you a new one."
Amid the rushing steps and mixed voices, I heard one conversation clearly. The pair of feet I assumed the voices belonged to were walking less than a foot from me.
"Look at that, Jasper. Esme would like that, for the front door, you know the one she had last year looked a lot like that."
"We're supposed to pick up the watch for Carlisle, Alice. Focus."
"It'll take me ten minutes to fetch the watch. You buy the wreath, then wait here."
"If you think so. But I'd rather get out of here quickly."
"Don't be such a Scrooge." The woman's voice was getting farther away.
The man's voice chuckled. "Bah, hum--"
The pair of feet stopped, directly in front of me. He must have droppped something, I thought indifferently. But that must not have been the case, because the feet didn't resume their long stride. He just stood there. Why was he standing still, and right in front of me?
Anxious, I lifted my face to look at him.
It was all I could do not to gape.
The man looked to be about my age, only the main difference was he was too astounding for words, and I looked like I'd been pulled backwards through a shrub. Tall and muscular, this man had a body most college-age guys would kill to obtain. Not to mention he was dressed in up-scale clothes that without a doubt cost more than my last paycheck. He was blonde, with skin to match his hair. He was so pale he was almost white, and his fair coloring accentuated the dark circles under his eyes. And his eyes. They were the strangest shade of brown I'd ever seen, more like a light amber, set in incredible bone structure. His eyes were mesmerizing.
Even if I'd wanted to, I couldn't look away.
He was staring straight at me, his beautiful face full of an expression I didn't understand. It was a blend of intensity, shock, and deepest anguish. And, to my astonishment, pity.
How could this complete stranger, especially this stranger, feel pity for me?
My hands twisted in my lap, expressing my discomfort with the stranger's stare. He continued to gaze at me, oblivious to my disbelief. We remained like that, a wintry tableau, for several breath-taking moments, while all around us the activity of Christmas Eve went on. Finally, he seemed to realize how eccentric his behavior was. "I--I am sorry," he said, his breath coming out in soft clouds. "I'm really, terribly sorry."
Maybe he was just apologizing for acting so odd. That would be what most people did, try to be as polite as possible after they creep someone out. But that didn't stop the tears from pouring out of my eyes. The way he'd said it made me think of all the nights when I'd wished for just one person to tell me they were sorry my parents had died, and mean it.
"Oh, I'm sorry," I said, around the sobs in my chest, "but--" I couldn't say anymore.
Embarassed, I searched frantically for a tissue as I cried. The man hastily pulled out his own handkerchief and offered it to me, and it felt like a wave of reassurance came with the cloth.
"Thank you," I gasped, and buried my face in the stiff white square.
I could speak in a few minutes, calming down enough to do more than try to breathe. And he was still there, the unbelievably gorgeous man with his unbelievable kindness.
I sighed. "I think I ruined your handkerchief."
"Don't worry about it. I have more." He smiled fractionally. My breath hitched in my throat.
"Thank you so much. I--I don't know--" It was so weird, and hard to explain. "Just, when you--you see," I decided to start from the beginning, "my parents died a couple years ago, and, well, I just feel so horrible this time of year. Christmas was Mom's favorite holiday. It's just so hard." I sniffed; I was going to get through this speech. "And when you said you were sorry--I don't know...it just made it all come unglued." I smiled too, hoping I wasn't scaring him.
The beautiful man said nothing, but the sympathy in his eyes almost sent me into another convulsion of sobs. I looked down, struggling to form coherent words, something to prevent him from going away with the understanding that I was clinically rude and insane.
Unfortunately, I didn't have time to reorganize my thoughts. A long white hand flashed into my vision, dropping a sizeable number of green bills into my lap. The one folded in half on the outside was a fifty. "Oh, no--" I began, but he cut me off.
"Please. Take it." His amber eyes were earnest.
"But I can't--"
"I have more." He grinned suddenly, but the smile faded as soon as it came. Turning, he moved his feet to start walking. Then he hesitated. "Do take it. And...don't be afraid. You will live through this." He sounded like he didn't say those kind of dramatic things often, as if he felt awkward.
The next thing I knew, he was gone, lost in the crowds of Christmas shoppers. He was gone in a flash, just like the pain in my heart. Where was the agony I'd felt earlier? It was like the man had taken it away with him, blowing it into the wind.
How could I ever be grateful enough for what that man did for me?
Tremulously, I wiped my eyes and flipped open the wad of bills. I couldn't believe what I saw. Did they really still make bills these large? In a state of incredulity, I counted out the numbers. Five hundred, one thousand, two thousand, three thousand and fifty...
Five thousand. I had five thousand dollars sitting in my lap.
I was choking up once more.
"Thank you," I whispered, to the snow falling gently onto my head.
My rent, my groceries for the week--for the month-- and who knew what else, all paid off. How rich was that man? To whom had I just spilled my heart out? A millionaire, or a millionaire's son? A famous actor, maybe? I hadn't recognized him, though I would never, as long as I lived, forget his face.
His beautiful face.
The face of an angel.

A Honeymoon of Change

2009-03-22T20:55:00.000-07:00

Written By:JustSomeIdeas
You can Read the Original Here:
All credit goes to the author

Forward:

A different take on the first part of Breaking Dawn. What happened if Bella never got pregnant? What if she was “changed” while on her island honeymoon? The following story is form Edward's point of view.

This story begins during Edward and Bella's honeymoon.

Edward and Bella have already made love for the first time. Now, three days after that encounter, Edward is still unable to forgive himself for the physical pain he believes he has caused his fragile Bella. Bella on the other hand wants nothing more than for him to believe her when she says that she felt no pain and to once again be together as husband and wife. Bella insists that it was one of the “happiest moments of her life.” That being Edward's wife, being with him, makes her complete. Edward is unwilling to listen.

The newly married couple has spent little time together over the last three days.

Chapter 1

Sitting on the overstuffed couch with my head in my hands I can hear Bella turning on the kitchen faucet. The pipes let out a slight moan before the water rushes out and splashes against the sink basin. There Bella stands slowly washing the dish she just used for dinner. Methodically, she moves the sponge in circles around the plate. My sensitive vampire ears pickup no other sound of movement. I casually look over my shoulder to see Bella staring out the wide kitchen window. Her face void of emotion. The dish cradled in her hand spotless. All the water has drained from the sponge she clutches, and yet Bella's dainty hand continues to orbit the plate. It is if she is in a trance. Now more than ever I wish I knew what she was thinking.

Here I sat silently, head in my hands, as Bella ate her dinner. And now I continue to sit, a statue of pain, a statue of agony. How could I have given in? How could I have been so careless? To cause her such pain, if only for my pleasure. How could I have done that to her? I professed to love her, to keep her safe and all I have done is hurt her. She keeps trying to tell me otherwise, but I know that she is just trying to protect me. God only knows why. Our making love was a mistake.

Before that night I would have sat across from my love while she ate. Laughing at the look she always gives me when I stare too long while she is chewing. Using those moments while her mouth is full to tease her. Sick as it may be, I always love watching her cheeks turn crimson with embarrassment. A visualization of the forbidden blood that flows in her very human body. I had always insisted on accompanying Bella while she ate. I never wanted her to feel alone. But Now, things have changed. How can I be in the same room as her? Such an angel. Me, a constant reminder of the mistake she made. The monster she married.

My throat begins to burn. My reminder, if the bruises covering her delicate body weren't enough, of the monster that I am. That I always will be. How will I be able to face her for the rest of her life? I feel so ashamed. My brain told it would be the wrong thing to do, but I foolishly listened to our combined hearts. What should I do? What can I do? The burn swells in my throat again and I know that I can't ignore it any longer. I need to hunt.

Chapter 2:

“I'm going out to hunt.” I quietly say as I reach for the door. Bella doesn't say anything. Still washing that plate. Still in her trance. Slowly I turn the handle, ready to take my leave. Walking through the door I feel the warm sand give slightly under the weight of my feet. For a moment I wish it was quicksand. That the earth before our honeymoon suite would give way and consume me entirely. Then Bella would be free of me. I would no longer be the cause of Bella's pain. But alas, I know this will not happen. Only wishful thinking.

I stop for a moment and breathe in the night. It is a typical, warm, tropical night. I can taste the salt that hangs in the air. I also can smell a flock of birds nesting to the east. The smell reminds me of my purpose. I am thirsty. While a small flock of birds will not quench my thirst I know it curb it. Again, I fill my lungs with the tropical air. It looks like the birds are the largest game on the menu tonight. Rather than taking off at my usual vampire speed I walk slowly towards the grove of palm trees. My prey lay sleeping, I have no fear of waking them. All the while I am thing of my precious Bella. She is my life. I must figure out a way to make us work. Maybe Carlisle will have an answer when we return home. In my distraction I almost trip over a large piece of beached driftwood. I can empathize with it. There it lay twisted and broken. Twisted and broken like my soul, if I had one. Taking solace in it's appearance I kneel down and sit on the weathered old branch.

I forget my hunger as I stare at the waves crashing on the beach. Like the beginning of a new day they keep coming. They remind me that in the end tomorrow will always come. We must, not I must find a way to right things. I promised my love that I would never leave her again. I know how much pain that action caused us both the first time. I silently make a vow to myself, while I will not leave, I will never hurt her again.

Just then I hear the sound of footsteps consciously nearing me. The wind picks up and I can smell the sweet perfume that is Bella. Her steps are light, almost unauditable against the warm white sand. The waves helping hide her aproach. If only I knew what she was thinking. I would know what to do next. Is she afraid of me? What could she be doing out here? Did she decide to go for a walk not expecting to find me on this branch? I strain my ears for a clue as to her next move. As to mine.

Chapter 3:

There Bella stood. Her features softly illuminated in the moonlight. She was like a vision. No, more than a vision, a goddess, standing before me. A goddess draped in deep blue lace. The ensemble was obviously something of my sister Alice's choosing. The outfit an attempt to entice me. As if Bella alone wasn't enough, as if she needed any help. The thought of Alice fluttering through a lingerer store in Paris looking for things that I might like filled my head. She would be commanding the sales staff in prefect french as they trip over themselves trying to accommodate this obviously important customer. Alice enjoying every second. Even though we are not related by blood, and she is Bella's best friend, the thought of my sister doing this disturbed my old fashioned sensibilities. I looked away from Bella to the white sand below, shaking my head from side to side in an attempt to dislodge the image from my mind.

Out of the corner of my eye I could see Bella fall to her knees. Before I could say a word, “you don't love me. You don't want me,” Bella cried. “How could you think...” My voice stopped short. Her red rimmed eyes looked up at me with astonishment. Maybe even a hint of vexation. “You can't even look at me.” She whispered. She sound tired, worn down. “What? I... oh no you thought?” I smiled. A smile she has always said she can't stay mad at. She had misconstrued my actions. My love thought I was looking away from her. Shaking my head at her. Rejecting her. Who could reject such a vision of perfection? I had just sworn to never hurt her again and of course I managed to do so in less than ten minuets.

In a flash I was on my knees. I quickly wrapped my arms around Bella's body. She was trembling and I could feel her warm tears on my cheek. “I love you, I love you, I love you.” I professed, but she didn't or wouldn't hear me. I knew that I had to act. I had to change this downward spiral of hurt and rejection we were sliding down. Actions speak louder than words. That old adage came to mind. Now I was going to test that statement. In that moment I leaned down and pressed my lips to hers.

I started kissing her gently, sweetly at first. “Oh Edward.” She moaned. There in the moonlight we continued to kiss. All the tension and worry of the last few days began to melt away. The passion in our hearts growing. Bella intertwined her hands in my hair, pulling me to her. Her grip on me was stronger than it had ever been. And I allowed it. In fact, it spurred me on. I wrapped one arm around Bella's slender torso. The other I used to explore her body. Oh, how I have missed the feel of her skin. What had only been three days felt like an eternity. My lips moved from that of my love's to her neck. I kissed her neck allowing my mouth to trace her collarbone under her soft skin. I could feel her pulse quicken. Bella's body arched even harder into mine filling any gaps that still existed between the two of us. I inhaled deeply. Her scent was intoxicating. Suddenly, the sweetness of her scent traveled down my throat igniting the fire of my thirst. I never wanted anything more in my life then I wanted Bella in that moment.

Chapter 4:

The smell, the closeness of our bodies, all of it was too much for me. My vampire urges took me over. They possessed me. I was no longer Edward Cullen, gentle, proper, vegetarian. I was Edward, thirsty vampire. Suddenly my mouth closed over the nape of Bella's neck. The feeble human skin was no match form my razor sharp teeth. Teeth doing what they were designed to do. What I was designed to do. Feed on the weak, on the human. Before I could realize what I was doing, my teeth penetrated Bella's tender skin. I could feel my mouth fill with her warm succulent blood. Blood more delectable than any other I have tasted in my almost one hundred years of existence. The feeding on her felt right. Reason escaped me. In my mind she was no longer Bella, just prey. I swallowed quickly. Eager to devour another mouthful. I couldn't get enough. My body seemed electrified by her essence. I continued to drink her sweet nectar.

Nourished and revitalized the craze of feeding began to subside slightly. Savoring the nectar, my consumption slowed. My feeding was more like sampling a fine wine now. I rolled the blood around in my mouth allowing it to coat all my taste buds. Enjoying the various subtleties therein. Unlike wine, I dare not waste a drop by spitting it out. This was more delectable and rare than any vintage ever created. I could not waste a drop. It was then that I realized what I was doing. This no longer being the passionate embrace of two lovers. This, Bella, by no means being prey. This is my love, my wife, my life. Bella's hands no longer held me to her. Instead they lay limp by her sides. Her body lifeless in my ridged arms.

“Bella!” I frantically screamed.

No answer. All the self control I had exhibited over the past couple years gone in one moment. I was a monster. Only a monster could destroy the way I just had. Wost of all, I had enjoyed it. Savoring every drop. I knew I had to do something. Carlisle had guided me through saving Bella when she was bitten by James in Arizona. I know what I have to do. I have to remove the venom from her body before it is too late. How had I blocked the taste from my memory? Such an amazing... “NO,” I screamed out loud trying to stop my thoughts.

“Control yourself.” I ordered.

After what had just happened, what I am thinking now, I know I don't posses the will power to save her. If anything I will only destroy her completely. My only choice, aid Bella in becoming one of us. A vampire.

Chapter 5

I can almost hear Carlisle's voice urging me to get Bella into the house. I half turned in the hopes of seeing him behind me. Unfortunately, he is nowhere to be found. Abruptly, I am griped by the fact that here on the island we are utterly alone. I am completely terrified. Like a boy afraid of the monsters under his bed, I needed my adopted father. Carlisle would know what to do. He knows what to do. If only I had stayed with him during the transformations of Esme, Rosalie, and Emmett. Then, I would be better prepared for this moment. I never stayed. Though I empathized with what they were going through, I could never bring myself to be in attendance for the transformation. I knew if I remained it would only bring back memories too painful for me to relive again. In an attempt to keep Carlisle from thinking me weak, I had always insisted that I didn't want to be in the way. That he could better care for our newest member of the family if I was away. Oh how I wish I had faced my fears and stayed. If not for myself, then for my love that lay cradled in my arms.

“Get Bella inside!” I hear again. This time Carlisle's voice is louder. More insistent. He is right. Or rather the allusion of him in my head is. Maybe my subconscious knows that I am not strong enough to do this on my own. That is why I keep hearing my mentor. Whatever the reason I am great full for the guidance. “Edward, you need to get Bella inside.” The voice commands again. And the voice is right, I can take better care of her once inside. Or at least I can attempt to make her more comfortable. In one quick movement I am on my feet holding Bella firmly against my hard cold chest. Her body is still warm. Technically still human. Still the Bella I know. I close my eyes in concentration, an attempt to permanently etch the sensation of our bodies pressed together into my memory. I take one last deep breath, I want to remember her unique scent too. “Edward.” Carlisle reminding me not to linger. With that, I open my eyes and take a step towards the house. As we near the door I can hear my cell phone buzzing on the kitchen counter. Funny that my vampire hearing hadn't noticed it on the beach. Though I guess I was otherwise distracted. The sound of the phone's vibration against the tile seems both angry and urgent. Only seconds after the buzzing stops it begins again. Alice must have seen what I had done. By now she has most likely told the family and one if not all are currently calling. I enter the house, ignoring the frantic vibration in a hurry to get Bella to our bed.

As I lay her down a small gasp of pain escapes from her lips. It occurs to me that this is the first sound she has made. Strange. I have been told that it is not uncommon for those going through the change to continuously wail in pain. We all have explained the feeling as being consumed by flames. Bella lets out another whimper. Even though my heart is already stone, it aches seeing my love in pain. I must do everything in my power to help her. To ease her pain. Like it was yesterday, I can remember the feeling of my own transformation. The feeling of flames consuming my body as it slowly turned to stone and ice. Here she lay shuttering in pain. “I love you.” I whisper. “I'm sorry. I never meant to do this to you. Hold on. It will all be over soon.”

Suddenly I realize that the buzzing has stopped. As much as it pains me, I leave Bella's side, dashing to retrieve the phone. I know that I must speak to Carlile. He will tell me what to do from here. Unfortunately, I am too late. The continuous calls from my family have worn down the battery. Why had I not just answered the phone when I first heard it ring? I had thought us alone before but now we truly are. Possibly stuck in our own private world for a year. Maybe more. For Bella will be in no state to travel. Certainly not by plane. Maybe if we are lucky she will be able to go without feeding long enough for an ocean voyage, but that could take the better part of a year. I head back upstairs to sit vigil next to Bella.

I begin thinking about what I should tell Bella. For she already knows so much about our kind. I try to think about the frame of mind she will be in. Hunger or rather thirst is the driving force all vampires are governed by their first year. The need to satisfy the urge is so strong that for many it is all consuming. For a lucky few the urge is more manageable. But for most, the first year is a loss. Three hundred and sixty five days encompassed by two actions feed and a paranoid drive to keep ones self alive. I remember my own newborn existence. I would categorize it as the darkest year of my life. Carlisle was always patient with me. He worked had to keep me from the human population. Encouraging me to partake in his “vegetarian” lifestyle. I desperately tried to head Carlisle's teachings, fight my urge to kill. Kill humans that is. Here on the island, far from any humans, I will be able to do the same for Bella. At least we have that going for us. Newborn vampires have notoriously veracious appetites. My only hope is that there is enough prey on the island to sustain the two of us. I had always wondered why Carlisle and Esme ventured here alone. Previously, I had believed it was to getaway from the “children,” most likely that was part of it, but having experienced this place I now know that this paradise could never sustain Emmett's appetite, let alone our entire clan.

Chapter 6:

I continue to sit, watching, waiting. It has been two and a half days since I lost all control and bit Bella, ending her human life. Every time she makes a sound, my body stiffens in the knowledge that this was all my doing. I am the cause of her agony. She looks so helpless laying curled up on the bed. If I could absorb her pain I would. Oh how is wish Jasper was here to send her soothing vibrations. Anything to lessen her hurt. I want nothing more than for her pain to end, but I also worry what that end will bring. Much of our human memory is gone after the change is complete. I worry about what she will remember, and consequently who those memories will make be. I worry about Bella not trusting me, not that I can blame her after what I did. I worry that she will be so angry that she will not except my help. I worry that my momentary lapse in judgment may lead to the destruction of us both. Whatever our fate, there is no going back now. Every time she winces, I verbally keep reminding us both that it will be over soon.

Dawn breaks across the sky. A new day. Or rather, for our kind, another sunrise in a continuous day. Pushing it's way through the sheer curtains, light begins to fill the room. Everything is a bright white. Not your typical setting for this real horror movie playing out. My body glistens in the new morning sun, so does Bella's. In the dark of the night, I had not noticed her features changing. I reach out for her, touching her left hand with mine. Our rings make a small click as they meet. No more do I feel the soft, warm, and inviting flesh that I had loved so. She is now cold like me. Her face more angular than before. Her once soft and supple body now hard as stone. While she is beautiful it is a different kind of beauty.

Softly Bella's porcelain eyes lids begin to flutter, like the wing of a butterfly on a warm summer day.

“Bella.” I say in my usual tone.

Bella winces at the sound of my voice withdrawing her hand from mine. What else could I have expected? She may not want to talk to me, but I know I have to help her. I must rectify what I have done.

“Bella.” I pause momentarily before adding “My love.”

Again she winces. Only this time she brings her hands to her head using them to cover her ears. Of course, I forgot how strange the heightened senses all vampires possess can be at first.

“Bella.” This time I whisper.

Her head turns in my direction. Slowly she attempts opening her eyes.

“Hold on.” I say remembering to whisper. “Let me find something to cover the windows.” In a flash I retreat into the bedroom across the hall returning with a comforter. I hang the heavy blanket as best I can over the windows. Light still manages to peak through the corners, but I am confident that the amount is negligible.

“Bella, try opening your eyes again my love.”

Bella's eyes begin to open. They are a deep crimson. A stark contrast to the white that had just surrounds us. She must be wild with thirst. Yet wild doesn't describe the look I see in her eyes. No, not wild. The look that I see is something altogether different. Bella's eyes are filled with fear. Cautious not to make any sudden moves, I watch as the emotion in her eyes change from fear to puzzlement.

“Bella.” I whisper again and she slowly tilts her head even closer to me.

“It's me, Edward.” I continued softly. “Are you okay? It's all over. Bella please... say something.”

“Edward?” Her voice is both hoarse and musical all that the same time. The new sound obviously bewilders her.

“Oh, Bella.” I gingerly exclaim as I take her hands into mine.

She is now siting. Our eyes meet holding each others gaze. Their is still love therein.

“The pain.” she mutters. Or what passes as muttering for a vampire.

“I know, I'm sorry. I will spend the rest of my life apologizing if that what it takes.” I profess.

“Edward, what happened?”

She is desperate for answers. I can't bring myself to say aloud what I did. I open my mouth, trying to force out an explanation. It is as if my voice has been stolen. I try again, still nothing. Then I hear her sing, “Am I? Am I one of you?”

“Yes Bella, I am so sorry, I never meant for this to happen." Deeply I inhale, "Yes. Yes you are a ... Vampire.”

Chapter 7

Bell seemed surprised she was actually a vampire. While, yes I was vehemently opposed to the idea, what did she think? Did she think I would let her die? Or maybe she thought I had saved her as I had before? I looked up, hoping her expression held the answer. She was no longer looking at me. She was examining her hand in wonder. I moved from her to the window.

“If you think you are ready I will remove the covering from the window so that you may have the full effect?”

“I think so.” She said. Only, the tone in her voice was more convincing than her words.

I began removing the thick bedspread. I started at the far corner in an attempt at easing the transition. Attempt is the operative word, for no sooner had I grabbed hold of the tapestry it came crashing down to the flood. The room was again filled with light. Our bodies aglow. A gasp of surprise came form Bella. I assumed it was the commotion or the unfamiliar sight of her own body sparkling in the sunlight that led to her utterance, but when I turned around I was astonished to see she had a sheet pulled over her. Tightly clutching it just under her neck. As much as I tried, I was unable to stifle my laughter. After all that had transpired the last few days she was worried about her, her modesty. Yes, she was still my Bella.

“Oh darling.” I managed to say between laughs.

Bella did not seem to find the situation humorous. A low growl began to emanate from her.

“Really Bella, it is quite funny if you think about it.” She apparently was not going to think about it. In fact the growl was beginning to grow louder.

“Bella, it's just after all that has happened the thing that you are most concerned with is being in a negligee in front of your husband. A negligee that you yourself put on.” This apparently was not the right thing to say. Bella was now in a low crouching position.

“Bella, I'm sorry. I in no way meant to offend you.” I forgot how touchy newborn vampires could be.

“You are a vision of beauty.” While this is true, I was hoping that her sense of vanity was also overactive. If so this may appease her.

Again I was wrong. Bella's anger had grown. In the blink of an eye she was soaring through the air. She landed on me hard. Not being able to read her mind I had had no idea that attack was coming. Bella continued to swing at me. It was like fighting Emmett. There was no planing behind her actions only brute force. I know I am incapable of overpowering a newborn, but maybe I can out wit one.

I try to get my arms around my angry wife. Maybe the combination of that and me telling her just how much she means to me will calm her. I position myself so that I am standing up straight. I use my added height to gain some leverage and I am able to wrap my army around Bella's upper torso.

I love you, I swear I wasn't laughing at you,” I breathlessly say.

“No, than who were you laughing at? Or were you laughing with me?”

“Ouch,” I exclaim as Bella swirly around pinning me between the wall and her firm body.

There must be another way to distract her from her rage. She is a newborn fixated on an act. It then dawns on me that she is a newborn, a newborn who has yet to drink.

“Bella my love...”

“Don't call me that,” she interrupt.

“Bella I just thought..”

“You just thought what?” Interrupting again.

“I thought that you might be hungry.”

All of a sudden, the attack stops. Bella is no longer couching. In stead she is reaching for her neck. The diversion worked.

“Bella, you mush be parched. Why don't we go outside and hunt.”

Chapter 8

I know a negligee is certainly not hunting attire, but after Bella's overreaction a moment ago I can not decide if it would be best to mention this to her or allow her to go out as she is. This decision to re-alert Bella to her state of undress weighs heavy on me. In fact, it is a harder one to make than when I decided to go to the Voltaire to ask them to help me die. It seems like what ever my decision, she may be angry with me. I hope reminding her to change is the right one.

Gently I clear my throat. “Um Bella... You may wish to change into something more conductive to hunting before we leave.” I brace myself for the possible scuffle to follow. Thankfully the scuffle never comes, rather Bella smiles sweetly at me.

“Thank you for reminding me. You never did let me go with you. What should I wear?” Her new voice is light and musical.

I can't help but think of Alice. This would be her dream. Bella actually welcoming some form of fashion advice. Albeit, the fashion is for hunting, yet I know it would make Alice happy. I have to remember to tell this story to my sister. She will be sorry she missed it. On second thought, maybe I shouldn't. For if Alice had her way, our entire clan would have matching hunting uniforms. They would all be vary fashionable, and updated regularly. How I hope this thought hasn't turned into a vision for her.

“Edward did you hear me?” A slightly impatient Bella says.

“Oh sorry dear, I was just thinking how much Alice would love to be here to dress you for your first hunt. Just wear something comfortable. Something you can move in.” I say.

Bella smiles at the mention of Alice's name then trots over to the closet. She studies the items hanging in front of her, eventually deciding on a light blue tank top and khaki shots. I too should change out of the clothing I have been wearing for several days. I reach into the dressed beside me and remove a green lightweight cotton shirt and khakis as well.

“Bella, I'm going to give you some privacy to change. I will be downstairs also changing. Just come down when you are ready.”

“Privacy? You're my husband right?”

“Yes...” I answer a little cautiously.

“Then why would you need to leave?”

It is all I can do to keep my emotions from showing on my face. These mood swings are going to take some getting use to. Hopefully, she wont be like this her entire first year. “No reason dear.” I say with a forced smile. “I want to check on something.” Ya, I like my sanity. “Please just meet me downstairs when you are done.” Before she can answer I am down the stairs.

Human Bella always was careful walking downstairs, not vampire Bella. Vampire Bella seems to float down them effortlessly. Almost like a well trained dancer. No, better. In a flash she is beside me.

“Shall we hunt?” I say.

“If it will stop this burning in my throat then the sooner the better. Wait, but how will I know what to do?”

I can't help but smile. Smile, not laugh. “Dear, just watch me and mimic what I do.”

Bella exits behind me. I stop for a moment and inhale deeply. “Do you smell that?” I ask.

“I think so. I smell something sweet and light.” Bella looks unsure, but she continues. “And there, past those trees, I think there is something not as sweet but it smells bigger if that is possible. Is it?”

“Yes, very impressive. Now remember, watch what I do. I will bring the prey back to you so that you may drink before you try for yourself. I'm sure that you must be very hungry.” I dash off in the direction of the lighter, sweeter smell. Most likely a large rodent of some sort. As I near the animal, yes a large rodent, I feel a sudden gust of wind and see a quick flash of light. I stop abruptly to see Bella has beaten me to the animal and is already feeding.

“I'm sorry,” she says, after she has drained the animal of it's blood, blood that is now dripping from the corner of her mouth. “I was just so thirsty. I don't know what came over me.”

Wow, her instincts are good I thought to myself. “That's okay. It is important you build your strength.” Though if she gets much stronger, I may be seriously injured if she gets upset again.

“Why don't we continue hunting.” I suggest. “Build up or strengths.”

Chapter 9

Our thirst satisfied, Bella and I made our way back to what may be our for home for some time.

“Does everything feel this different?” Bella inquired.

“I'm not quite sure what you are asking.” I replied.

“You know, everything. The sun is brighter, the sand warmer, and sounds, it's like everything is happening right next to me.”

“In all honesty, my pre vampire memory when it comes to my senses is a bit fuzzy. For instance, I remember my mother making a chocolate cake for my birthday, and yet no matter how hard I try I can not conger up the memory of it's taste.” My words were slow as I fixated on the memory. “If it is any constellation, I do remember my first few days as a newborn. I remember that the world seemed more, even with all the voices bouncing around in my head.”

“It does seem different to me.”

To my surprise, Bella reached out taking my hand in hers. Her cold hard fingers were different than the warm and soft human ones I had once held. Still I reveled in this show of affection. Oh how I urn to be close to my wife.

Bella stopped me, a little too forcefully, from entering the door. “You know,” she mused, I can't remember if you ever carried me over the threshold.”

“Well Mrs. Cullen, I did, but if you like I will gladly do it again.”

Bella wrapped her arms around my neck. I lifted her and carried her over the threshold. I took a few steps inside then leaned forward to put her down. Bella's arms remained locked around my neck.

I can't begin to express the immense joy I was feeling. Not only was Bella my wife, but she remembered that she is and she apparently still wants to be. I decided to risk it, the close proximity too tempting, I leaned in to kiss my wife. Bella's grip began to tighten around my neck once again as she kissed me back. She is kissing me back! Our hands move over each other's body. Her touch feels so different than before. Though different, the feel is exhilarating. I can only imagine how the differences feel to her. I don't want to stop. I want events to continue down the track they are going. Effortlessly, I lift Bella into my arms and carry her up the stairs.

Here we stand at the foot of the bed.

“Well Mrs. Cullen?”

“Yes Mr. Cullen?”

“I have fulfilled my duty as your new husband in caring you over the threshold. I have also attested to my desire with a kiss.”

“I believe Mr. Cullen, you could call that more than just a kiss.” She said with coy smile.

“I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Do you think there may be something else you might enjoy?” To my surprise, using her newborn strength, Bella pushed me on to the bed with such force that the bed frame let out a very loud crack.

“Are you okay?” Bella asked obviously worried. She started to lean over me to see if she had caused me any damage. I reached out pulling her body to mine and rolling on top of her. “Never Better.” I answered with a coy smile of my own.

“Well in that case Mr. Cullen, what do you say we...” Something inside me couldn't wait for her to finish, I began kissing my love again.

Things are so different now, and on so many levels. For one, we are now the same temperature. Our first night together, our only night together, I could distinctly feel the separation of our two forms. No matter how close we have held each other in the past, we couldn't seem to break through that separation. Now, our bodies intertwined feel like one. I am unable to tell where my body stops and Bella's begins. For another, I don't have to worry about holding back , I will now be able to love my wife with necklace abandon. Seeing as it is only two o'clock in the afternoon, I intend to fully make the most of our first night together as vampire husband and wife.

Chapter 10:

And thus is how are days continued. At first light I accompany Bella as she satisfies her monumental apatite. As for myself, I am only hunting every three days in fear of us decimating our food source before Bella is ready to leave our peaceful island. Something that is a constant worry for me. Once her apatite is fully satisfied, we enjoy the warm sunlight on our bodies as we walk back to our temporary home. A luxury not available to us back in Forks, or anywhere else with a human population for that matter. I can not remember the last time I spent so much time outdoors without worrying about being seen by others not of my kind. I find the experience utterly relaxing. Bella seems to have picked up on my relaxed nature and her newborn “angst” has also appeared to bend. It has become our little ritual for me to carry Bella over the threshold every time we reenter our abode. If I were a mer mortal I may have already tired of the action, but seeing as I am not, seeing as my back will always be strong, my arms never weak, I revel in the happiness it seems to bring my new bride. In a flash we are up the stairs and out of our close. Spending much of the daylight ours naked in each others arms.

The moments in between have been spent answering Bella's many questions. They run the gambit from personal things like who she was, is, and will be, to more mundane topics like those we covered in school. She appears determined not to forget her past. One day she lay fixated on an image in her head until she finally linked a name to it. When she asked “who is Charlie,” I explained that Charlie was or rather is her father. She was mortified at the fact that she had forgotten her own father. I explained that our previous memories are much like swiss cheese. Some wholes are bigger than others. The memories that are now these wholes are in many cases lost for good.

“Emmett's brain is full of these wholes,” I explained. This brought on a few chuckles.

“But how come I can remember all of you and not my own dad?” she asked.

“Honestly, I don't have the answer. Maybe it is your brains way of protecting you. Maybe you remember the vampires in your life because then you know which of us are safe, not a threat. I wish I had a better answer for you. For the time being you will have to settle for hypothesizes.”

“Edward, I just don't like not knowing.”

“I know darling, I know. Speaking of Charlie, you can't tell him what you have become, what do you want to tell him? If anything at all.”

“Edward, I think he will notice the changes.”

“Bella, I didn't mean that. What I meant was do you want him to know that you are 'alive,' so to speak?”

“What? I... I don't know. What do you think?”

“I in no way meant to bring this up prematurely, maybe it would be best if we table this discussion for Carliles.”

“Ok.” She answered a little glum.

I decided to change the subject, test what I hope to be a rather large whole.

“Bella?”

“Yes.”

“Do you remember a boy (for he is nothing more than a mere boy, okay maybe a ware boy, but a boy none the less,) named Jacob?” Her eyes looked off to one side. Searching hard for some memory to go with the name.

“I think I remember having a friend by that name when I was a kid. Ya, why would you bring up somebody from so... long ago?”

“No other memory, nothing more recent?”

“Why? Is he important?” Here voice somewhat worried, as if she forgot another important family member.

“No, if you don't remember him than it's not important.” I could not keep the smile off my face. The smile seems to be reassuring to Bella.

“I have another idea why don't we go out for a walk.”

I, in a pair of very European red swim shorts, and Bella in a retro medium blue bathing suit we decided to go for a swim. I reall can see why this place is so special to Esme. The water is so clear I can see the glowing effects of the setting sun radiating off of Bella's shimmering body. The sea is a rainbow of color. Pink, Orange, and Purple, can be seen all around. The volominous clouds being mirriored in the water. Never in all my life could I imagine the magic that I have experienced on this island, not to mention over the last year. I wade over to the shallower water where Bella stands. Water is still rolling off her body, an indication that she had only recently moved to the lower area. Our eyes lock, and without feeling myself move, the gap between us closes. We pressed our lips together and I can taste the sweetness of her lips despite the salty sea water. She wraps her lags around me and I carry her to the shore. Like Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr in the iconic seen in From Here to Eternity, we make love on the beach with the waves gently lapping over our feet and legs.

Chapter 11:

It occurred to me one morning as we were walking along the beach that I have no clue what day it is. Not just skipping a day or two, like when you write a check and the person behind the checkout counter tells you it is the 15th not the 11th, but how long have we been here? I know we had been here for four days before I changed Bella, but how long has it been since then. Weeks, months? I stopped in my tracks. I tried to think of how many sunrises we have seen, but they all seemed to blur together in a haze of warm color. With my cell phone dead we had no way of knowing where time stood. Bella appears to be doing better every day. She doesn't act like a typical newborn, in fact if I didn't know any better I would say she was at least ten months old, maybe even a year. No, it can't be. Have we been here that long? No. My thoughts were then interrupted by the gentle touch of my wife's hand on my shoulder.

“Edward?” Her voice soft, concerned.

“Bella, I am sorry. I did not mean to cause you concern. I was just trying to remember what day it is.”

“Oh.” She said her voice still soft. Her had slowly slid from my shoulder and was now resting by her side. “Why does that matter?” she continued.

“What it matters is we can't stay here forever.”

That was apparently the wrong thing to say. Bella's eyes began to darken as the anger rose within her.

“Are you tired of me already?” The words spat out of her mouth, dripping with venom. I reached for her hand only for her to pull it back further away from me.

“Can't stand to be alone with me anymore. You created me, turned me in to this.” She waved over her body with the hand I had tried to hold. “And now what? You can't wait to be rid of me.” I could hear the hurt in her voice.

“No Bella that is not it at all. You've got it all wrong. I...”

“Do I? Do I have it all wrong? Tell me what do I have wrong?”

“Well for starters.” Her accusations hurt. I was now yelling back. “I love you. Yes, I turned you into what you are now. I have apologized for that. If there had been a way for us to spend eternity together without me changing you, maybe I would have been stronger, but I wasn't. In no way do I wish to be rid of you, even with how you are acting now. I only realized that I had no clue how long we have been here, I'm being practical we can't stay here forever. Our families must be besides themselves with worry. While Alice has most likely had visions and know we are still alive it is not the same.” I took a deep breath. Yelling at Bella is not something I am accustom to. Immediately, I felt ashamed for doing so. Taking another deep breath I steadied my voice. “I am sorry for yelling at you. It is just that we need to find out how long you have been a vampire. We need to find a way to return home.”

Bella was no longer looking at me. She was looking down at her feet as she moved them nervously.

“Bella, do you understand what I am saying?” I reached out and took her hand. This time she didn't shrink back.

“I love you Isabella Cullen, do not ever forget that.”

Her eyes met mine. “I love you too. I was just afraid that you were unhappy with the person I have become. If you leave me, I will have nobody.”

I took my wife into my arms, gently stroking her hair. It was warm from the mid morning sun. The warmth enhance her sweet smell. I inhaled filling my lungs. “That will never happen.” The words poured from my heart and out my lips so lightly I was unsure if she had heard them. I looked down to see her smiling up at me. She lifted herself up on the tips of her toes and kissed me.

Silently we continued our walk along the beach, our arms wrapped around the others torso. Bella was the first to break the silence. “Edward?”

“Yes my love.”

“I think I saw an emergency radio in the closet while I was unpacking. You know, when we first arrived.” It was obvious that she didn't want to leave the safety of the island but in admitting what she had found she was also admitting that I was right. It was nearing time for us to leave.

“Now why had I not thought of that? Of course my father would be practical and have an emergency kit. What do you say we go see if the batteries still work?”

Sure enough, there is was. A black flashlight radio combination with a crank on the side.

“What do you say we give her a whirl and see day it is?” Bella's face was covered with worry. When she saw me looking at her she forced herself to smile. “Now Bella, you know this won't change a thing. I love you and look forward to spending the rest of eternity with you. The only difference between here or there is I will be occasionally sharing your attention with the other members of my family. I'm sorry, our family.” She smiled back at me and nodded for me to continue. I gripped the handle firmly and began turning it. The flashlight light up and a melody in Spanish sounded from the speakers. I continued cranking the radio. Knowing Carlisle the radio was probably already tuned to the local station. With anticipation, we both sat on the floor waiting for the song to finish. After a few minuets an announcer with a strong accent stated the name of the song we had just listened to. He then continued on about the weather and some local gossip. It was like he knew we were listening and was going to make us sweat it out. Finally, he announced that in two days some sort of annual fair would be occurring.

“What is he saying?” Bella had taken French in high school.

“He said that the festival was in two days,and announced the date. We have been her for almost five months.” I think we were both surprised at how much time had passed. I guess it's true what they say, "time passes when your're haveing fun."Chapter 12:

“Are you sure?”

“Sure of what?” I said as I kissed the top of Bella's head. We were enjoying a day in the sun. In fact, the last days we would spend basking in the sun's rays uninhibited. Our bodies aglow, we lay on the beach, the wave gently tickling our toes. Oh, how I could stay here forever, but the logical side of me tells me that can't be. I was hoping this would not come up again until after nightfall. Until we had to leave. All I want to do is enjoy this day, pretend that our eminent departure isn't so close.

“Don't play dumb with me Mr. Cullen. You know exactly what I am talking about.” Bella said rather matter of factley. She really is adorable when she gets frustrated like that. I leaned in a little closer, my right shoulder just barely touching hers.

“If the what you are referring to is that of us leaving this island, then yes, yes Bella, I know what you are referring to. Yet some how that does not change the situation. We have been over this time and time again, we need to leave. We need to return home.”

“We have all eternity to leave. All eternity to spend with your, oops... our family. What is another day, week, or even month?” She was now pleading with me. Pleading as if her life depended on it.

“And Bella my love, what's not to turn that month into two months, or three, or a year? We need to return to Forks. While I would love nothing more than to stay lost here with you for all eternity Forks is our home. I am sure that your father is worried about you. You may or may not remember, but he is a police officer. If Carlisle was unable to come up with a story as to why we have not returned home that he found believable then Charlie might be using his connections to find us. While he would never find us here, the family could be under suspicion. You know it's time.”

“But...” Bella's voice began to waver. “But, what if I... what if I'm not ready?” I sat up and pulled Bella onto my lap, cradling her in my arms. Not being able to read Bella's mind I would use the pace of her heart and her breathing to gauge her emotions, but since her transformation I have to try harder to read her. My sister Rosalie is the only other vampire I knew, well knew of, before her change. The change seemed to put her already overinflated opinions of herself into overdrive, but not my Bella. One things for sure, becoming a vampire didn't increase Bella's confidence in herself. She was worried about her own self control.

“Bella you are ready.” I insisted.

“No Edward I'm not. I haven't even seen a human, how do I know I won't kill the first one I see?”

“And how will you get over that here? Do you want me to sail on over to the closest island, kidnap one, then bring it back here so we can see how you will react before we set sail?” She almost seemed to be pondering the idea.

“No Bella, we must leave. We have been over this before. We will set sail once it is dark. All you have to do is let me know when you think you might be getting thirst and I will head for the first available piece of shoreline. We will only hunt in the wee hours of the morning when there are the fewest number of people out. I will stay with you at all times. I will try to set a course so that the boat can continue on it's own while the sun is out while we remain bellow deck away from anybody who may see us. I have long sleeves and gloves just in case I have be out in the sun to alter our course. It should take about a week for us to get home to Forks depending on the winds.” Bella was no longer looking at me, her eyes cast down to the sand. Cupping Bella's cheek in my hand I lifted her chin and our eyes met.

“Bella, I know that you are strong enough to do this. I have faith in you.” She began to interrupt me, I lay one finger over her succulent lips stopping them just as they began to open.

“Now darling. Why don't we forget all about tonight and just enjoy the next four hours or so that we have left. You really are beautiful. Especially in that bikini.” Saying the last part with a devilish grin. Using my hand that is still on her cheek I guided her face closer to mine, then I leaned forward myself and kissed my beautiful Bella.

Chapter 13:

The sky is ablaze in shades of orange and pink. Wispy, white, puffs, barely passable as clouds punctuated the shifts in color. It is like no sunset I have ever seen before. Truly a sight to behold. If I were a painter rather than a musician, I would be inspired to bring out my brushes here and now. Capture the image for all time. Without the ability I am registered to sit here for another minuet in an attempt to sear what may be the second most beautiful image into my mind. Maybe when we return home I will compose a song. Though I will be hard pressed to create a melody capable of doing nature's wonder justice.

Small foot steps approach me from behind. I turn to see the first most beautiful image approaching. How did I get so lucky? How could somebody so perfect in every way settle for being my wife.

“You know... we could stay.” Her words soft, barely audit able. Well at least to human ears. I instantly feel guilty for denying Bella what I know she desperately wants. Knowing, that our departure is for the best does not seem to curb the guilt I feel.

“Bella, we're, that is the boat, she's already packed.” Like this would stop her from wanting to stay.

“I know. You just looked so happy. I was hoping maybe you changed your mind.”

I reached up, taking her strong yet dainty hand into my own. I tug gently on her hand guiding her down next to me on the soft, white, sand. We sit on the warm sand, continuing to watch the sun make it's decent. Not once do we speak. Just enjoy the beauty of mother nature in the presence of each other. It isn't until the colors are engulfed by the darkness of night that we finally rise. Stars begin twinkling overhead signaling that it is time for us to go. We could easily make it to the boat before either one of us would be done snapping our fingers, instead we linger then laggardly made our way to what is to be our new home for the next week.

I lift Bella onto the deck, where she takes a seat toward the back of the boat. I scurry about the boat readying everything for our departure. With a few more adjustments of the sail the boat begins to pull away from the dock. The wind is stronger tonight than most. Almost as if mother nature agrees it is time for us to be on our way. I look to my wife. She is watching as the only home we have known as husband and wife fades in the distance. I am no longer capable of seeing the island, yet Bella continues to stare in it's direction.

“Bella.” I whisper.

“Shhh..” Also a whisper.

I stand over her in silence, waiting for her to make the next move.

“Sorry Edward. I just didn't want to miss the last glimpse of the island.”

“No need to apologize my love. You could still see it from here?”

“Yes.” She says shocked. “Couldn't you?”

“No. I lost sight of the island just before I said your name. I guess I need to get my eyes checked.” I chuckled a little at the last part, in an attempt to break the tension. To think, a vampire going in for an eye exam.

“The stars are really amazing out here. That's another thing I will miss when we get back to Forks.” I wish Bella would look at the positive side of all this.

“It is the smog and city lights that prevent the stars from shining as they do here. I can not wait to show you the stars in Alaska.”

“Alaska! I thought we were sailing to Forks?” Bella was now on her feet staring at me.

“Our current course is set for Forks. I did not mean to startle you. What I meant was that you will love the stars in Alaska when we visit. And no, I have not made any plans for us to visit Alaska, but one day.”

Bella's was off guard and I seized the opportunity to surprise her. In vampire speed I picked her up in my arms. I did not calculate that her reaction would be a defensive maneuver and quickly found myself flying in the air about to land head first into the ocean. In a matter of seconds, I found myself engulfed by the dark and salty water.

“Edward! Edward where are you?!?”

“I am right here love.” I said as I pocked my head up out of the water.

“I am so sorry. I didn't mean to...”

I cut Bella short. “No my darling. It is I who should be apologizing. I didn't mean to trigger a fight or flight response. I only thought I would be nice if I surprised you. Note taken, no more surprises.”

“I don't know what happened. I didn't even know what I was doing until I saw you hit the water.”

“Bella, do you mind if we table this discussion for a moment and would you help me back onto the boat?”

“Oh! Yes! I'm sorry. Here take my hand.”

If she wasn't a newborn vampire, nothing would be more humiliating than having your wife pull you out of the open ocean like a rag doll.

“Thank you for your assistance. If you don't mind, I an going to go below and change.”

“I could help you with that.” Bella had a smile in her voice. I raised one eye brow and smile back at her. This time we didn't linger. We were below the deck before we could even think about snapping our fingers.

Chapter 14:

“Edward?” Her voice was soft and low.

We were laying on the small bed below deck. Bella's head was resting on my chest as she traced small circles on my body. We both hadn't spoken for some time, just laying there enjoying each others company. The sun was beginning to set and it would not be long now before we will be able to go above deck and enjoy a little fresh air.

“Yes my love.” My voice not much louder than hers had been moments before.

“I think I may be getting a little thirsty.” She almost sounded embarrassed as she said the last word. As if admitting this was some sort of defeat. She knows how long it has taken me to be able to sustain from hunting for longer lengths of time. I guess like all children, she is in a hurry to “grow up,” so to speak.

“Of course. We have to be careful, can you make it a few more hours?”

“Yes.” This time she spoke with more confidence.

“Marvelous. Once the sun has made it's final decent, I will set a course that will bring us closer to the coast. I will keep my eye out for ports at that time. On second thought, maybe you should be the one to keep and eye out. Your eyesight is slightly better than mine.” I said with a little smile.

“Don't worry love. I will be with you the whole time.”

I wrapped my arms around Bella giving her a slight squeeze. Her apprehension about the possibility of being around people is obvious. I wish there was more that I could say to reasure her. She has made great strides and while she has her moments, most of the time I even forget that she is a newborn.

“But, but what if I smell something that I can't resist, and take off after it? I am faster than you.”

The fact that she is even asking these questions shows that she is not a typical newborn. That she still has regard for human life, unheard of. Oh, how I wish Bella saw here self the was she is, the way I see her. Maybe explaining this to her will help.

“Yes. If you decide to take off I will not be able to catch you. The thing you do not seem to realize is that while you may still be a newborn, in many ways you don't act like one. The fact that you still hold regard for human life is unheard of. I know you are scared, but most wouldn't even have the presence of mind to even have these thoughts. You are truly something special.”

She looked up at me. If we have the ability to cry, I think she would. I cupped her face with me hand and leaned in to kiss her. Our kiss was sweet and tender. Using all my resolve, I kept it at just that, a kiss.

“Bella, you will need your energy to hunt. The thirstier you are the harder it will be for you to resist if we come across any... humans.” Crestfallen, her face fell back onto my chest.

“Not to worry, my darling. All will be alright. It looks like the sun is almost set. What do you say we go above deck and look for a nice quiet port?”

I don't know how much time passed until we found that nice quiet port. From our boat, I scanned the shore line looking for signs of humans milling around. Sight and smell came up a blank. This appears to be a small fishing village. The type where everybody goes to bed not long after the sun sets and are up again just before the sunrises. I couldn't have planed for a better spot for Bella's first hunt off the island.

I directed our boat to the dock and tied it off. Bella appeared to be a Whiter shade of pale.

“Bella, we will take it nice and slow. The town is quiet, everybody appears to be sleeping.” I reached out and she out her hand in mine.

“I'm just scared I'll hurt somebody.”

“I know. We will stay together. Everything will be fine.”

“Everything will be fine.” She repeated, like a mantra giving her strength.

With that, we walked at human speed, just in case anybody did see us, along the edge of the water. Once we reached the edge of town, hand in hand, we darted into the countryside in search of something to quench Bella's thirst.

It only took a few seconds for us to come across a small farm. Several cows stood sleeping before us. While I knew that these animals were most likely precious and extremely valuable to the little farm I didn't want to tempt fate. As a rule, my family does not eat the property of others, especially because we have so much, but I considered these special circumstances. I wanted to get Bella back to the boat and be on our way as soon as possible. I knew that one of the large animals would be enough to quell Bella's hunger and I would be able to drink any blood that remained. I pointed to the oldest of the three animals. I knew she wouldn't taste as good as the other two, but her loss would be the least detrimental to the farm. Bella was at the cow's throat in a flash. It must have a slightly odd taste, for Bella winced as she began drinking. I kept watch as she drained the animal of almost all of it's blood. Once full, she backed away and motioned for me to finish her. There wasn't much left. It took very little time for me to finish.

Faster than any human eyes could see we were back to the edge of town. Quietly, we made our way back to the boat. Bella went below deck while I untied the rope from the dock. I glanced over my shoulder, the town was still. As we sailed through open waters I breathed a sigh of relief that nobody in the town would be the wiser of our visit.

Chapter 15:

“It's almost time.” I said with maybe a little too much excitement in my voice as far as Bella is concerned. The look I was being given indicated as much. We have been sailing for the better part of five days. With every sunset I can feel her disappointment about our eminent arrival home. I know this can't be easy on her, but the situation is not as destitute as she makes it out to be, she is letting herself be ruled by her insecurities. I have a feeling some things will never change. Even becoming a vampire could not give Bella confidence.

“Now Bella, don't pout.” Actually, I love the way she looks when she pouts. The only problem is that it is so hard to say no to here when she is pouting. The way she thrusts her bottom lip forward with a slight tremble. So supple, even now as it is as hard as stone. I know she does this on purpose, why else would the lip of a vampire quiver? Though this isn't something I intended to let on about. I would hate to never see that protruding bottom lip again. But I digress.

“Bella my love, I promise everything will be just fine. You have nothing to worry about.”

Suddenly Bella was on her feet. “Just fine! Nothing to worry about! Edward, these aren't things you can promise!” Her words sharp with anger, or is it fear.

“Darling, I may not have the ability to see the future like Alice, but I know you. I have faith in you. Not to mention you will not only have my support, but the support of our entire family. You are more controlled than anybody could imagine. Last night, when I directed you away from that human scent, you did not attack me or fight me, you let me lead you away. That is a very advanced thing to do. So yes, I do believe that everything will be just fine, that there is nothing to worry about.” I said this all with as much confidence as I was able to muster. any lack of conviction would only worry Bella.

“Believe and promise are two very different things.” Unfortunately, Bella's voice was still sharp.

“I know.” My voice slightly lower.

“Do you?” Here voice more questioning than heated.

“Yes.” With total conviction.

“I wish I was as confident about returning to Forks as you are.” The edge in her voice was beginning to falter.

“Well actually, we will not be returning to Forks exactly.” I could see the glimmer of hope in Bella's eyes as I said this. “I think it will be best if we return a little further north than Forks. There is a private dock that I have not seen in use in years. I believe that it is the dock for a vacation home that is rarely used. I know Alice will have a vision of our change in plans and know where to meet us. We have no way of knowing what explanation was given for our prolonged absence. In meeting Alice, if not the whole family, in a more secluded location we will know what to expect when we return to Forks. We would not want to blow the anybodies cover in returning without crutches if they said one of us had been hurt of anything of the such. It is not a rick we should take.”

“Okay.” Was all Bella could say. She sounded Like a small child who has just conceded to not having ice cream tonight.

I reached out to her and she came to sit on my lap. Her bottom lip began protruding ever so slightly. Before it could begin to quiver, I took hold of it with mine and begun kissing my beloved Bella. We stayed like this for quite some time enjoying the feeling of our lips together. Without disconcerting our mouths, Bella slid off of my lap guiding me off the bench and onto the deck of the boat. For a second I thought about how much I missed the sound of her heart's increased beats during moments like these. I could never share these thoughts with Bella. It was my doing and it is something I will always have to live with. Bella's hands began running up my back brought me back into the moment. With the stars shining bright above us, we made love until just before dawn.

A haze of light beginning to manifest to the east signaling the last night of our honeymoon, so to speak. Reaching across Bella, I grabbed our clothing. I took a moment to untagel our garments then hadded Bella her dress. She slipped the lightweight dress she had been wearing earlier over her head, then made her way bellow deck. I pulled on my shorts then walked around the boat making final preparation for what is to be our last day at sea. By sundown tomorrow I will be guiding the sail boat to a dock in Washington.

Chapter 16:

The topography has changed greatly. No longer is the view from our porthole windows that of palm trees and the sun drenched shores of California. Large conifers now shoot up not far from the coastline. The sky has also darkened drastically. A light drizzle is falling from the increasingly ominously looking clouds. Despite the drizzle I take Bella's hand, leading her outside. The cloud cover gives us the luxury of enjoying the view from above deck rather than underneath it. My maps put us along the coast of northern Oregon. A climate much related to that of our home in Forks, Washington. All this similarity make me excited. We are almost home.

I do not need to possess my bother Jasper's power to feel and alter emotions to feel the apprehension and fear radiating off of my wife. A minute ago, Bella walked silently over to the back of the boat. There she stands, obviously longing to be where we have been not where we intend to be. I walk over to her and wrap my arms around her frightened frame. If she was still human I would be concerned by the cold of her skin. But alas, she is now like me, forever cold. I will miss the warm and inviting feeling her skin once exuded. I an attempt at helping her, I whisper words of encouragement and confidence. Confidence not only in her but in our shared future. She is silent. She leans her head back against my chest, taking in a long deep breath. An obvious attempt to calm herself. At this moment I wish I had the abilities of my brother Jasper. For if I did I could fix the situation. I hate seeing my love so tortured. Especially when I know not only is it my fault, but that there is nothing I can do to rectify the situation.

I lean my head forward slightly to give Bella's head a small kiss. Maybe it would be best to give her some time to think.

“Bella my love. I am going to give you some time to be alone with your thoughts.”

She turns around to look at me. Her fears written all over her face. If vampires could cry I think she would be. I give her a crooked smile.

“No! Please don't leave me.” Her voice is strained.

“Alright.” I say pulling her back into my arms.

“I can stay for a little while longer than I must go check the sails. We are almost home.”

“I know. Do you really think things will be okay?”

“Yes. I don't need Alice's abilities to know our future.”

We stand in silence for a little while longer.

“Darling, I really must go and check on everything.”

I give her another kiss on the head as I remove my arms from around her.

The rain has begun to pickup, as has the wind. I yell over my shoulder to Bella suggesting she take cover downstairs. I see a flash of light as she moves at vampire speed bellow deck. The increase in wind out weighs the increase in rain. Suddenly, the boat lurches forward. If we continue at this pace we should be at our destination in two maybe three hours. I check everything one last time as I make my way to be with my wife.

Time seems to be passing faster than I would have thought. I begin to recognize various landmarks through the porthole.

“Bella we are getting close. I need to go up above so that I may guide us to our destination.” Bella just nods at my statement. I give her hand a little squeeze reassure her, and head up above. Even with the rain and wind the sailing is surprisingly smooth. I hear a creak on the stairs as Bella ascends, making her way to my side. I put one arm around her while I steer with the other.

“Not long now my love. Maybe fifteen minutes.” To my surprise she is smiling.

“So what brought on this change?”

“Oh don't get me wrong, I am still terrified, I am just trying to be brave.”

I can't help but chuckle at her statement. As we draw nearer, my vampire eyes can see something wildly bobbing around on the dock. For a moment I am panic stricken, thinking to myself, oh great this is the one time this family decides to use their vacation house. My fears are quickly gone as I realize the bobbing is not that of a small boat, but that of a small person on the dock. Only one person could bounce with that much exuberance, my pixie of a sister Alice.

“Look.” I say to Bella, pointing in the direction of my overly excited sister. Just then the bouncing becomes more of a dance. She is now twirling around like a Whiling Dervish. The smile on Bella's face is no longer forced but genuine. I guess we both have had the same assumption. If Alice is this happy then she has had a vision, everything will be alright. I guided the boat into the cove and lined it up to the dock. Disembarking, I grab the rope in an attempt to tie off the boat. I say that because before I am finished even making one loop around the metal bracket Alice was soaring over me and onto the boat. Looking over my shoulder I see Alice locking onto Bella in a firm embrace. To my surprise, Bella's arms remain at her side.

“Oh my gosh. I am so happy, excited, delirious even. Imagine all the things we can do now. We don't have to worry about you getting hurt anymore. Here I have a list.” All said at the fastest vampire speed I have ever come across. Alice then proceeds to pull a scroll out of her pocket. When she unrolled it it came to about three feet in length. She begins reading off the list.

“Shopping, Shopping on line (you know that the Internet connection is faster at 4:00am,) You can finally participate in base ball, anything girls vs. boys we now have even numbers, then there is”

“Alice!” I scream. In her excitement she does not hear me and continues to rattle off activities.

“ALICE!” I scream again, this time a little bit louder. She turns to me with an offended look on her face.

“Oh, you. You don't even talk to me right now. You keep Bella from me for like what, five months and now you come here and yell at me. I don't think so mister. In fact you can just hop back on that boat and sail away. My best friend and I will be just fine without you.”

“Alice, please. Look at Bella, you see she is a little...” Before I can finish my sentence I hear my brother, her husband, finish it for me.

“Scared.” His voice has a note of caution to it.

Just then Jasper sends waves of calm in our direction. The tension in Bella's body obviously lessens and her shoulders relax. I realize that I hadn't even seen Jasper on the dock. I was too busy watching Alice flutter about. I look to where he had been standing to see who else may be waiting for us. There stands Carlisle, shaking his head at the behavior of his children. Or maybe at me.

I leave Bella with my siblings and walk over to my father. My head is down. I am ready for the the speech. The speech for the disappointment I know he must feel. Disappointment for losing control. As I near him he reaches his arms out to me. We hug. A hug that ends with a pat on the back. I am the first one to speak.

“ Carlisle, I know how disappointed you must be in me. I am sorry that I failed you.” I would continue, but I see Carlisle raise his had, indicating me to stop.

“Edward, you have not disappointed me. I have always been proud of you and all that you do. We knew this was going to happen sooner or later. Either way you were going to change Bella.”

“But, I lost control. I attacked a human. I attacked Bella. It was not like we were at home and on a decided upon day. No, I lost control! I attacked!”

I can not begin to explain the depths of despair I feel for disappointing Carlisle. He is my mentor.

“Son, the only way I would be disappointed in you for for what you have done is if you hadn't changed Bella. If you did not posses the will power to stop yourself before it was too late. Before destroying her. That my boy is the only way I could have been disappointed in you.”

“But” I began to speak but Carlisle cut me short.

“In no way have you disappointed me. You are far too hard on yourself. Your self loathing is not good for you. Especially for somebody who can live forever. Not another word on the matter.” Carlisle's tone was stern, but not angry. I know he means what he says. I am truly lucky to have him not only as a friend and mentor, but as a father.

“Now what do you say we go and rescue your wife from my other children?” He says with a wink.

Chapter 17:

“Alice, Jasper, will you please go wait by the car? I would like very much to speak with Bella.” Carlisle said in his usual manner.

“But why does he get to stay?” Alice whined, all the while pointing at me.

“It's not fair. I want to know what happened too.” Not only is Alice whining, she is pouting too.

“Alice dear, you have had copious visions about Edward and Bella. You know more of their story than anybody other than them. I just need to go over a few details with them before we return home. There we will discuss their absence, together as a family. Now go to the car. Do I make myself clear?”

Jasper put his arm around his wife, leading her to Carlisle's black Mercedes, waiting just beyond the dock.

“Bella.” Carlisle's voice, smooth and caring. A pitch he uses often at the hospital when trying to sooth a patient.

“Bella, I would like to speak with you for a moment, if I may.”

Bell nodded her head up and down in response.

“Before you do Carlisle, may I ask what explination you have given for our prolonged absence?”

“If you do not mind I would like to speak with Bella for a few moments, then we will address your question.”

Knowing Carlisle has a reason for all he does I replied with a polite, “Of coures.”

They took a seat not far from where I am standing. Not sure what to do with myself, I stepped of the boat, sitting on the edge of the dock. My vampire ears could hear all they say, not to mention that I can still read Carlisle's thoughts from this distance, but I decided to at least give them the air of privacy.

Listening to the sounds in the distance, I tried to quiet my mind. Occasionally I heard parts of their dialog. Mostly it was Bella talking. Explaining what had transpired of the last five months. From time to time, her words seemed to catch in her throat. Especially when speaking about things of a more intimate and personal nature. Each time this happened, Carlisle stopped her, asking another question. I know how embarrassed my wife gets and I am grateful that it is my considerate father asking the questions and not some other, less tactful members of my family who shall remain nameless. Emmett. A number of times Carlisle's thoughts were shocked at how advanced her self controlled Bella is. He directed these to me. I nodded my head in answer to each of his questioning thoughts. He wasn't ready to fully bring me in to the conversation, yet still wants my input. Many conversations worked this way with the various members of my family. They always want me to read their minds when it is convenient for them. Finally, Carlisle called for me to join them.

As I walk to them I am hit by a sudden stream of thoughts. They are that of my sister, Alice. Her thoughts are urgent and fast.

“You better wrap this up soon. Like I said, I have lots of time to make up with my bestfriend and we still have to talk to the rest of the family before we can. Come on boy. Tic, tic, tic, times a wasting. “

At that moment I spun around giving my sister a dirty look. For one with an eternity to live, how can she be so impatient?

Reaching my wife and father on the boat I took my seat next to Bella.

“Now Edward for your question. We decided to wait a couple of weeks before telling Charlie anything. Alice had a vision of you changing Bella, but because she no way of knowing how the change was going to effect Bella's personality the futures of both of you remained hazy for the three days it took for the change to run it's course. Alice had several conflicting visions in that first week.”

I raised one eyebrow, curios as to what these visions were and how they could effect our future so drastically.

“What those visions were is not important. What is important is that after that first week Alice's visions were consistent. It was at that time that we decided to tell Charlie, as-well-as anybody else who asked the story we concocted. We told everybody that while on your honeymoon you ran into an old colleague of mine. He was working at a hospital/ clinic about twenty miles from where the two of you were honeymooning. The story continued, that you Edward had accompanied me on some volunteer work I had done with him over the summer, several years back. You being a aspiring physician worked along side me in the clinic. Helping any way you could. My old friend became very impressed with your knowledge and willingness to help, so when he say you again he invited you and your wife to the join him for lunch at the clinic the following day. You both were so taken with the work being done that you decided right then and there to offer any assistance you could provide. We told people that after that first day, the two of you decided to take a year off of school to volunteer at the clinic.”

We both stared wide eyed at Carlisle. That was some elaborate story.

“And Charlie believed this?” I asked.

“Charlie was mad that I let the two of you prolong your education. I explained how this would be a feather in your cap for getting into medical school, not to mention what an experience this is for Bella. I also told him that phone service is dicey at best where you are and that you called me so that I could call Charlie and make the proper arrangements with your school. I told him that I had spoken with the school and they were going to count this experience towards your credits. That was the part that finally convinced Charlie.”

I have got to hand it to Carlisle, he is quite imaginative when he needs to be. And this does make for a good cover. It gives Bella an entire year to hide from the human population of Forks. Also, all physical difference in Bella can be explained by time. Her now perfect vampire features can be attributed to being older, shedding that baby look as they say. We will realistically only know the people of Forks for four years longer, tops. Then we will be off starting anew.

“Maybe we should be getting home. I think the natives are getting restless.” Carlisle said in a joking tone. Looking at the Mercedes I could see Alice hanging half out of the car as Jasper tried to restrain her.

“Okay Alice.” I called to her.

“We will be on our way.”

Alice stopped strugling against Jasper, sitting up with a wide grin spread across her face.

“No need to rush on my account. We can all leave when ever you're ready.” She said coyly.

“Thank you Alice. I think we have keep the others waiting long enough. While you may be the definition of patience, I'm not sure if the others will be so understanding.”

At that, Carlisle erupted with laughter. “Enough you two. Alice, I am on my way. Bella and Edward will sail the remaining twenty miles home and we will all meet again at home.”

Bella and I watched as the black Mercedes faded into the distance. I readied all the necessary gear. Bella joined me at the wheel. I can feel the corners of her face upturned in a smile against my chest. “Happy my love?”

“Yes.” Looking at her beautiful face, I can tell she means it.

“See, I told you everything would be alright.”

Epilogue

It has been a decade since Edward transformed Bella into a vampire, changing their lives forever.

Not long after Bella and Edward returned to forks and had decided a new place to live, they were visited by members of the Volturi. The ancient guard were disappointed to see that Bella was now indeed a vampire. Aro, Marcus, and Caius had hoped to surprise the Cullens and find them harboring a still human Bella. They intended to use the fact that she was still human to their advantage. Such an act of defiance would leave the Volturi no other choice than to destroy the Cullen coven. Of course, if a select few with desired powers begged for mercy, and joined their guard, then they would be willing to spare them. Only some would have to be destroyed. They would say, not out of malice, of course, but to set an example. Seeing as Bella was very much a vampire, the Volturi had no other choice than to return home to Italy. While the Cullen clan had and has never had any desire to over take the Volturi, they still view their existence as a threat. Adding Bella to their ranks, only make the threat that much stronger in their minds.

Bella became part of the continuous loop that is high school, collage, repeat. Only now the Cullens were introduced as Carlisle, Esme, and their six adopted children. All of who happened to be couples themselves. Actually, people always discovered that they were couples later. The "children" were not introduced that way. The story of the childrens' origins changed so that Bella and Alice were biological siblings, upon Alice's insistence. Rosalie and Jasper remained as siblings and biological relations of Esme's. Emmet and Edward being so drasticly different in appearance were said to have been adopted individually. Not that any of this really matters. Like always, the clan kept to themselves and didn't care what the rest of the world, the rest of the human world that is, thought of them.

Each person had a different reaction to Bella's change. Alice was ecstatic that her best friend and reluctant shopping partner could be at her disposal twenty four hours a day. Well, that is when Bella wasn't with Edward. Jasper, was happy that his wife was happy. Only, his new sister's impressive self control made him feel inadequate. Jasper to his credit used these feelings to his advantage to strengthen his on willpower. Always looking at the bright side, Emmet was thrilled that he could now unleash all his pranks and tomfoolery without hurting Bella. Though he did miss making her blush. Rosalie, was less enthusiastic than her husband, Emmet. Rose was mad at Edward for changing his wife. When she discovered that Bella held no ill will toward Edward for doing so, she was even angrier with her new sister for being so nonchalant about the change. After much prodding from Esme, Rosalie finally warmed up to Bella. Esme herself was happy to have another daughter. Especially one who was still just eighteen and needed the guidance of a mother. Esme was also glad to see her eldest son so happy, after so many years of loneness. Carlisle loved Bella for all the reasons his wife did, only he was also intrigued at the possibility of adding to his study of vampire kind. Bella was the first newborn vampire that he knew who knew about their kind before her transformation. To Carlisle, this was truly something worthy of study. Lastly, Edward. Edward knew that no matter what his wife said, he would forever feel guilt for changing her. He also knew that their love is eternal. That without her change, she would die before their love would. Without this change, a love so strong could never live up to it's fullest potential.

The End

Where'd you go?

2009-03-06T19:22:00.000-08:00

Written By:retroninjachick
You can read the original here:
All credit goes to the original author

Where’d you go?

I took another deep breath, my eyes shutting close, as I took in his scent, my head buried as deeply as possible into his chest. I could barely take the pain as he rubbed my back soothingly, whispering in my ear. I shook my head, clutching on to him like if my life depended on it. My body shook with more tears, as a sob broke through my lips, my heart aching.

“Bella, I’ll come back.” He whispered. I shook my head, burying my face deeper into his chest. I felt so weak and vulnerable. All the other wives, and mothers could let their sons, fathers, brothers, or husbands and boyfriends go, but I felt like I was the only one who couldn’t seem to let go. I tightened my hold on him. If he left I didn’t know what I’d do to myself.

“Bella, you have to let go.” He breathed into my ear, I could feel the panic, and straining in his voice. So reluctantly, I lifted my teary face from his chest, my tiny arms tightening even more to him. His green eyes bore into mine as he cradled my face in his hands, his thumbs passing under my eye, washing the tears away. Last night had been an emotional night, full of passion, and ‘I love you’ everywhere.

“Edward, please stay.” I begged hopelessly, my heart hurting, and tugging in my chest. The pain passing through my veins, and my knees buckling. I was past desperate now, and my heart rate was uncontrollable.

“Bella, I will come back to you.” He said sternly. I let another sob escape my lips, as he bent down his head to press his lips to my own. This kiss was not passionate, it was harsh, and needy, stern and firm, and panicky, because deep inside we both knew this might just be the end. It was the deal with the devil. When he finishes his training, he would officially be in the war, and then there was no turning back.

I let my arms leave his waist, only to wrap around his neck. I pulled him as tight to me as I could, even if it hurt, I didn’t care. I wanted his lips tattooed on mine if I had to. He finally pulled away, kissing me one more time. I let my head fall to his chest again, as he wrapped his arms around my waist, lifting me in the air. I wrapped my legs around his waist, like a child. That’s exactly what I felt like.

I felt like a child, being cared for by her protector. I couldn’t help but be comforted in his arms. I felt as Edward’s hands moved up to the strap of my tank top. I hid my face in his neck, as he traced with his finger, the twists and lines of his printed name. The tattoo was worth it, and I will forever hold it with me. My father freaked out when he saw the elegant scrip reading Edward on my shoulder. He said that we weren’t sure what love was, that we were just two crazy kids. But he didn’t know. No one knew. We weren’t two crazy kids, we were two people in love.

No one understood but us.

I let his cool fingers trace the name over and over, until they blew the whistle. I sobbed again as the wind hit my face. Edward pressed me to him one more time before placing my feet back on the ground. I was ready to beg, to crawl on my knees for him. I was way too desperate, but I knew there was no point. He couldn’t back out now. And everyone knew that once Edward got an idea he went with it, he was as hard headed as me. I looked away from his gaze, my hair hitting my face, as my shoulders shook violently with the sobs.

“Bella, look at me.” He whispered. I didn’t listen, the pain too much to take. “Bella look at me damn it.” He said more sternly, his voice shaking. When I looked up at him, his green eyes were smoldering, full of tears to the brim, as he looked at me with an untold promise. I let more tears escape my eyes.

“The hardest part about this is leaving you.” He whispered, with so much emotion, that I felt my heart break further. Another sob broke through my lips. He let one small tear run down his cheek, and I stood on my toes, cleaning it with my lips. The salt taste of Edward’s tear was like a medicine to heartbreak. It was my medicine.

“I love you.” I whispered.

“No baby, I love you.” He whispered as he brought me to his chest once more. The whistle blew as the men started moving. I pulled away placing a tender, whisper of a kiss on his lips.

He looked at me once more, before pulling his sleeves up, my name as well scripted perfectly on his forearm. I smiled sadly as he started to back up, throwing glances at me as he reached the green jeep. I waved after him, my knees buckling as Esme stood next to me, her arm wrapped around my shoulder. All I could do was whisper the words I had been saying all week.

“Come back.”

-:-

“All I’m saying is that if he’s going to get me something for our anniversary, it could have been something less kinky.” Rosalie said, raising her hands in the air. Alice chuckled, sipping some more of her tea.

“Oh Rose, you enjoyed every minute of it.” Alice giggled. Rosalie, winked at her, with a secrete smile. I sat there numbly, staring at the table cloth.

There hadn’t been any news this week on how Edward was doing. So far the training was brutal, and I had been getting letters from Edward the past month. With every letter it was like a blessing, a hope, a promise that he would come back to me whole. Rosalie, Alice and Esme had been taking turns staying with me. I was taking it horribly. Alice and Esme, Edward’s own mother, and sister were taking it better than I was. They were able to pray and move on, while I only sulked and cried myself to sleep night after night.

The worst part was the he wasn’t even in any danger. It was just training, but it was the fact that if Edward passed the training flawlessly and soon enough, they would send him off to war and then there really was no turning back. I was overreacting for almost nothing, but at the same time it was something. He could be gone.

“Dear are you alright?” Esme’s hand tenderly brushed my own, as she called my attention. I looked up at her worried expression.

“I’m fine.” I said softly. Alice and Esme glanced at each other briefly, both knowing that I was the exact opposite of fine. Alice sighed, putting her tea down on the table.

“Bella, there should be a letter coming in soon this week.” Alice said, trying to comfort me. It had no such affect. I knew that it would only bring my hopes up, and if there was no letter this week, it would only make me panic further.

“I’m sure there will be.” Rosalie tried to assure. I sighed shifting in my seat, as my finger traced circles on the white table cloth.

There was no way of assuring what they were saying. In the least I could hope, I could pray, and I could wish, but that doesn’t mean it will come true. These past weeks, all I could do was depend on hope. I would hope that he would write me a letter, and then I would hope it would arrive. His letters were the only thing keeping me sane, and once one would arrive it was like a whole different shift in my mood. I would cry of happiness and relief.

But then of course, an hour later I would cry all over again, and go back to praying that he was fine. It was hard, and I was pretty sure I was driving everyone insane. My cousin Emmett had even stayed with me. I grew so dependent on him, because sure Alice and Rosalie could hug me, and Esme could whisper soothing things to me, but I needed a close feel to Edward. I needed someone who I could pretend is Edward.

I was always close to Emmett, he was like my brother, especially when he moved in during high school after his parents died in a fire. Because of this, I was his sister, and he was my brother. Emmett was a man, with strong arms, cute dimples, and a masculine scent. Of course it was not even close to Edward’s scent, and he was nowhere near close to even looking like Edward, but strong arms, trust, and a foundation is what I needed. And when I would fall asleep with my cousin’s arms wrapped around me, his t-shirt smelled of man, and I could go to sleep peacefully.

I know it made no sense, but in my head, the small explanation I had, was what kept me going, and what kept me calm when Edward’s letters weren’t here. Rosalie didn’t mind in the least, that her boyfriend was practically living in my house, because she and Alice could just live there as well with all the visits they gave me. I felt weak and vulnerable with their help, but at some points, I could care less.

Plus Rosalie didn’t mind living with me, and she didn’t mind Emmett living with me, or Emmett babying me, or taking care of me and not her. She didn’t mind the fact that when we sat on the couch, it was me who was bundled up in his arms. In fact, she would sit on the other side of me, and rub my back, as well hugging me. At first she was upset about it, fighting with Emmett, but a talk with Alice and Rosalie straightened up. I don’t know what it was Alice had said, and like everything else…I didn’t care.

“Bella?” I looked up at the call of my name, my eyes disconnected. “Are you ready to go?” Alice asked. I nodded softly, moving the untouched plate of food away from the edge of the table, as I got up from my seat.

“Can I go to the bathroom?” I asked quietly. Esme’s eyes softened as she nodded. I could see the sadness in her green eyes, but I usually avoided her eyes. They were just like Edward’s, and as much as I loved Edward’s eyes, seeing my mess in Esme’s green orbs, was hurtful. Those eyes were only allowed with his face, and features. I couldn’t look at Esme’s eyes without breaking. I ducked my head, as I walked past Alice and Rosalie, into the restaurant. They had gotten a table outside, for the breezy air, but it did no good for me. I walked past the waiter’s sympathetic looks.

Angela knew what I was going through. Her husband Ben was in the army as well, and it was nice to have someone to talk to, someone to relate to, but the fact that Victoria knew, and gave me pitiful looks made my veins boil. I ducked her looks as well and walked straight forward. It’s like the whole world knew what was wrong with me. Then again, Forks was very small. Victoria looked away, placing the menu back in another table as I walked past her to the lady’s room. Of course she’d be working here.

Victoria never liked me since her boyfriend James had a thing for me, but it seems that when she found out about Edward, she softened up, knowing what it was like to lose someone you loved. Though I hadn’t lost Edward…..yet.

I took a deep breath as I locked myself up in the small stall all the way in the end of the bathroom. I sat on the toilet, the top down, as I brought my knees up to my chest, wrapping my arms around my legs. I rested my head on my arms, my thoughts overwhelming me.

I remember when Edward told me he was going off to war. Before that, everything had been fine. We were two kids in love, always together, best friends, and attached by the hip. We had moved in together, and we were in love, everything was fine. He was always happy, always smiling. We got along perfectly. We worked in a studio, as photographers. He had met me like that. We had met at a wedding, I was studying photography, and I had gone to the wedding to help the photographer and his cousin Jessica was the one getting married. We hit it off, and well after dating for two whole years, we opened our business together, and moved in. I was 21, and he was 22.

A year later, this year, on his birthday, he decided to tell me about his thoughts on joining the army. I freaked out. I screamed at him, and threw the dining table over, I hit him, I did so many things. I couldn’t get the thought in my head. Why would he want to do that? Why would he want to join the army? I didn’t get it, until he explained it to me. His father Edward Sr. had died at war.

His mom, a lonely widow, always told Edward stories about the war, and how his father was a great man. Edward and his dad were like father like son. A perfect combination and they were like best friends when they were together.

When Edward turned fifteen his father died at war. He was a general, a great one at that. Jackson Whitlock was Edward Sr.’s best friend, and partner, and his son Jasper Whitlock as well was interested in the war, to join. That’s how Jasper and Alice met.

Of course, after Jasper’s father past away, it had the opposite affect on him. He decided not to join the war, unlike Edward who decided he would join. It became official that he would join the army, and three months after I freaked out, they called him out. Turns out he had signed up way before he told me, and was supposed to start training. That was one of the worst fights we’d ever had, and it made me shudder just at the thought of it.

After everyone got over the whole fight, Edward and I dedicated our last month together, to ourselves, isolated from anyone else in the family. I thought Esme would freak that her son now joined the army too, just like her husband. But instead, she was calm about it, already having experience and preparation for something like this.

Edward said that he loved our business, but he felt this would open up new possibilities for us, and that he would felt it was his duty. He proposed to me during that month, and of course I said yes, but I wasn’t going to marry him until he came back. There was just no time for that.

So of course, Alice went all out, and she’s been preparing the date, and every detail that she could come up with for the wedding. The wedding will be when Edward returns home. He comes back in December, --if he makes it that long—for three weeks, and during that stay, we will be married, and enjoying a small vacation. I didn’t keep my hopes up for that though, knowing they would be crushed if it all happened otherwise. I sighed, my eyes prickling with tears. As weak as I feel, I knew that this has all made me a tougher person…for better…or for worse.

“Yeah, did you hear about that?” I recognized that as Tanya’s voice. As the door creaked open to the bathroom. I kept my feet up and made sure to make no sound or movements.

“I did actually, I felt kind of bad for her.” That was definitely Lauren Mallory. At first sight, Tanya and Lauren seemed like complete and total Barbie bitches, but they weren’t that bad. They could be nice, but both were women with ambition, gossip, and dreams to be in LA not Forks, Washington. They both were selfish, envious, and bitches at times, but could be kind. They just had their moments, like any other woman.

“Well, I didn’t.” Tanya contradicted. I strained my ears, my brow furrowing at their latest gossip. “I knew he’d leave her at some point.” Tanya said, and I could just imagine the smug smile on her lips.

“Yeah, but Tanya….the war? If he wanted to leave her, he could have broken up with her.” Lauren contradicted, her voice sympathetic. It was then that it dawned on me what the subject of this new scoop was. Me.

“Sure he could have.” Tanya disagreed. I felt my skin boil. They didn’t know. No one knew. Edward loved me. He did. They just didn’t have anything better to do. Yet somehow, their conversation still got to me.

“Tanya, look, if Edward was going to lie just to get away from her, he might as well have said he was gay. I mean, the war? That would be a lazy and stupid excuse.” Lauren insisted.

“Maybe he would rather die than be with her.” Tanya challenged. I could hear Lauren’s heels as they clacked on the floor with her pacing.

“I don’t think so Tanya. The way Edward would look at Bella….it was crazy. He loved her. He really did. I remember how they would look at each other. I’m telling you Tanya, there is no doubt in this universe that Edward Masen was head over heels in love with Isabella Swan.” I felt my eyes soften, and a small, sad smile appear on my face. Maybe they did know.

“Yeah, he loved her enough to die at war.” Tanya said coldly. It was then that I couldn’t take it anymore. Lauren was fine, she did nothing wrong, but Tanya…..

I let my feet fall from the toilet, as everything in the bathroom went silent. I opened the stall, and with that walked out, to see the terrified faces of Lauren and Tanya. Tanya looked like she wanted to burry herself somewhere. She looked guilty.

I walked forward, stopping front of them to give them a sharp, and hard stare. Tanya looked away, her gaze falling on the counter. I then continued to walk forward and out the bathroom, my face stone hard as I ignored Victoria’s stares.

None of them knew.

-:-

“Bella, look, there was a letter!” Alice’s voice rang through the hall, as my head snapped up. We had just gotten home from the restaurant, and I had dodged their questions, all through the car ride home.

“Bella?” Alice called. But I was already next to her, my heart racing and my veins pulsing as I took the letter out of her hands. She stared at her empty hands, blinking.

“Thank you Alice.” I said as I ran to my bedroom. I locked the door behind me, needing privacy to open the new letter. I felt my heart racing, the new hope coming. Though I was scared to what might be written inside. I blinked a couple times, my body opening up ready to swallow in the new relief that might come just to make me sane for at least a couple hours. I’d give anything to be sane again. I closed my eyes, before I unfolded the paper, my eyes reading every inch of it, from the name, Edward Masen to the date. I finally took a deep breath getting to the base of the letter.

Dear Bella,

How much I miss you baby. I write again, and again every week to you in hopes that you would be alright. I promise I’m fine. So far everything has been going great, and I’m still whole. How’s Emmett? He’s not drinking all my beer is he? I want that fridge full when I get back. Tell my mother and sister I said hi, that I’m fine, and that I love them. I want you to know most of all Bella, that I love you. I know I write it every time, but I need you to understand, that I love you. It’s not the same without you. I wake up every morning waiting to see you next to me, but you’re not here. I miss you, I need you, and most of all I love you. Do me a favor and please be happy. Be happy for us, for me. I’ll be back, I promise, and I will write to you every chance I get. I love you, I love you, I love you.

Love,

Your Edward.

Ps: I can’t wait to get home and make you mine officially. I’m tired of being the only one in the group without a ring.

I put my hand over my mouth to stifle the laugh. Every time he’d send me a letter, I would manage to smile, or at least give a chuckle, so now I clutched the my hand over my mouth, the relief washing over me, and the excitement pouring in my veins, the love filling my heart, and the tears streaming down my face. I clutched the letter to my chest.

I missed him deeply.

-:-

“You’re going on a date?” Rosalie asked. I looked up from Emmett’s lap to see Esme smile. She was dressed nicely in a black simple dress, showing off her legs, which should have been full of cellulites, but instead were youthful. She had her hair in waves flowing down on her shoulders, and small simple black purse, with a nice necklace. Alice raised an eyebrow at her mother as she looked up from her magazine.

“Mom, you didn’t tell me.” Alice said, hurt clear in her voice. Esme sighed, walking up to her daughter, and sitting next to her.

“Alice, it’s been years, and when he asked me out to dinner, I just got excited. I think I might like him.” Esme tried to explain. Alice looked down before glancing back up at her mother. She sighed.

“Whatever makes you happy mom.” Alice said sweetly. Esme hugged her.

“So what’s his name?” Rosalie asked from the end of the couch. She had my feet propped up on her lap, as my head rested on Emmett’s lap. He played with my hair, soothing me.

“His name is Carlisle Cullen.” Esme said with a smile. Rosalie’s brow furrowed as she looked down at the floor, deep in thought. She finally looked up at Esme.

“Isn’t he that new doctor?” Rosalie asked. Esme nodded with a small smile, her eyes sparkling. I couldn’t help but feel happy for her, but at the same time, I wondered how Edward would take it.

“Now, Esme, I don’t have to give you the birds and bees talk to do I?” Emmett said teasingly, but with a serious face. Esme rolled her eyes at him as Alice and Rosalie laughed, I just smiled slightly.

There was a sudden knock on the door. Of course he’d pick her up here. Esme lived here now, just like Alice, Rosalie and Emmett. They had their own rooms too.

“Well, that should be him.” Esme said, getting up to fix the hem of her dress. I could see she was pretty nervous. “Wish me luck.” She whispered. Alice smiled at her mom, getting up to fix her hair.

“Good luck mom.” Alice said sincerely. “Have fun.” Esme smiled, before kissing her forehead, and walking to the door. I could hear a smooth voice greet her as the door clicked close.

“My mom is dating more than I am.” Alice said with a laugh. I laid my head back on Emmett’s lap, with a smile.

“You’re not dating because you have a boyfriend.” Rosalie laughed. Alice blushed, looking down at her lap.

“Yeah, speaking of your boyfriend, Alice, where is he?” Emmett asked. Jasper and Emmett were good friends, they and Edward always got into trouble, but lately, Jasper had been caught up at work. He worked as a teacher at some upper class fancy school, and midterms were coming soon, so he was on overdrive with the kids. It didn’t help that all the teachers were after the gorgeous new young history teacher. It also didn’t help that the students as well lusted after poor Jasper.

“He had some meeting with the principle over a fight that took place in his class.” Alice said with a sigh. Emmett snorted.

“Please, with Jasper there, the fight probably didn’t last. If that boy could calm me down he can calm down two 17 year old boys barely finishing puberty.” Emmett said with a roll of the eyes. Rosalie giggled.

“Actually it was two girls,” Alice said with a nervous chuckle. “Tops were ripped off.” She added. Emmett looked at her, blinking, almost waiting for her to say, ‘just kidding’. When Alice didn’t, Emmett looked away and back to the T.V.

“No comment.” He said. I always enjoyed Emmett’s sense of humor, but it seemed that Alice’s story left even him swimming with questions that he preferred not answered.

“Bella did you send Edward your letter?” Alice asked. I nodded softly.

I had sent him my letter. I mentioned how it was hard to be without him, how much I loved him, and what I wanted to do to him when he got back, and I joked about how I would make sure that he had a ring around his finger to flash his buddies. Of course, after I sent it, I felt hollow as I realized I’d have to wait for another letter to arrive. It was already November, and Thanksgiving was right around the corner.

I don’t think I could take this anymore.

-:-

I walked past the cereal section; Emmett’s armed wrapped around my shoulder, and his other hand holding Rosalie’s hand. I pushed the cart forward. Today we had gone grocery shopping, with all of us living in my apartment, we needed more food. Of course I never ate, but with the dramatic weight loss, and all the lack of sleep I was receiving, and depression, Alice insisted I went out and bought some food. She was now forcefully feeding me, and she did everything she could to keep me out of my bedroom. I didn’t want to leave though. The whole room smells of him. His scent fills my clothes and the bed, and I barely wear my clothes anymore. I’m always wearing his shirt. I haven’t worn one of my own shirts for about a whole month.

I sighed as I hid my face a bit into the collar of his shirt. I was wearing his favorite button down shirt. The sleeves were pulled up to my elbows, and the first few buttons undone, showing my tank top under. I was going insane. Soon I would grow grey hairs.

“Bella, Emmett and I are going to get frozen pizza to cook tonight.” Rosalie said. I gave them a small little nod as Emmett unwrapped his arm from me, and walked off with Rosalie.

I felt so exposed. I had depended so much on Emmett when I wasn’t near Edward’s letters, and without his big strong arm around me, I felt weird, and out in the open which is the one place I didn’t want to be. I caught a glimpse of myself of the mirror in the meat section up ahead. I looked horrible. My hair was up in a knotted bun, messy, and covering most of my face with loose strands, that I hid behind. I was paler than usual, almost a chalky white, and I had dark bags under my eyes, my lips dry and pale as well, and my cheek bones more pronounced in a sick way. I had lost too much weight.

I sighed pushing the cart forward. Maybe I could get some new shampoo. I pushed the cart, with a bit of difficulty, from my weak arms, as I reached the shampoo aisle. I looked through the different kinds. There were a whole bunch of nice shampoos that Alice would approve of. There was a Dove one, with a new scent, and then there was this silky pink one with strawberries. That’s the one I used to use before Edward….left. My eyes scanned the shelf until they rested on one shampoo bottle that made my throat dry with longing.

Edward always liked ‘Head and Shoulders’, and he liked every kind, but his favorite was ‘Head and Shoulders Ocean lift’. He said it made him feel clean and fresh, and the smell was absolutely amazing, along with the way his hair would look after he used it. His hair was always perfect, but the shampoo gave him a silky look, and like I said the smell was wonderful, and I always loved kissing his head just to sniff it. He always said that it didn’t matter whether or not the shampoo was for dandruff, he liked it and that’s the point.

I knew it was a crazy idea, but I threw it into the cart, and I threw the conditioner along with it. I knew at this point I was definitely going insane, but anything that was remotely close to Edward was good enough for me. I may be wearing his clothes, but the more I wash them the least it smells less like him. With the shampoo I could always smell like him.

I felt like a kid stealing a cookie from the cookie jar, so after placing the shampoo and conditioner in, I turned the cart, ready to run for it, for some odd reason. I just didn’t want to have to give explanations. Suddenly in my haste, I bumped into someone. I mumbled a quiet sorry.

“No, no, it’s ok.” I looked up to Lauren’s voice. Her face was down as she picked up the conditioner that had fallen to the floor thanks to me. I felt my heart rate pick up. I wasn’t ready to talk to her after last time. She suddenly looked up at me, her conditioner almost falling again, as she gave a small gasp.

“Bella…” She said quietly. I looked away, my foot tapping on the tile floor. “Um…err…I…I…” She couldn’t come up with a sentence. I glanced at her, feeling the tension in the air. She finally sighed. “Bella I’m sorry.” She finally whispered. I raised my eyebrow.

“I really am.” She said with a small smile. “I know that you and I never really were much of friends, but what happened the other day in the bathroom…I mean…I…ugh…Tanya and I are grown women, we should have known better than to gossip like school girls. I really am sorry.” She said with a sad smile, her blue eyes sincere. I smiled softly at her.

“It’s ok…” I said, but it was a hushed sound. Barely a whisper. She sighed in relief.

“Again, I am sorry.” She repeated. “I know how much Edward loves you.” I noticed how she used present instead of past tense. It made me smile knowing that she believed he was still alive and that he really truly did love me.

“Thank you.” I whispered. Lauren smiled, with a small nod, before walking past me, a subtle truce and peace between us.

-:-

“Happy Thanksgiving!” Alice’s voice rang through the room. I hid deeper into the covers, inhaling deeply Edward’s shirt.

Today was not a day that I looked forward to. My mother had decided to call and come over to see us, but Alice had to stop her, saying that we weren’t doing anything because I could barely take it, that for my sake, we preferred not to have anyone over. The same thing went for my father. Now if this brought any hope that Alice would let me be, and leave me alone in my room, I was wrong.

She was still making us a dinner, though more subtle, with Jasper, Rosalie, Emmett, Esme, and Carlisle, Esme’s new….love interest if you want to call him that.

He was actually pretty nice. He was very good looking, perfect for Esme, and extremely kind. He didn’t give me those sad looks, of pity like most people did, and he wasn’t afraid to approach me like I was a disease, and that was a nice change for once.

I sighed getting up from my bed. Last night I had worn Edward’s boxers, and t-shirt. I wouldn’t even look at my clothes. I always just went straight for his. I grabbed a towel, heading to my bathroom, and doing the normal routines. Shower, using Edward’s shampoo, and then brushing my teeth, and whatnot. When I got out of the shower, Alice was in my bedroom. I looked at her, pressing the towel closer to my body. Alice smiled sadly, as she had her hands behind her back. She finally moved her hands forward, to show me what she was holding.

She had Edward’s black button up shirt. I raised my eyebrow at her. She sighed.

“I know you feel comfortable wearing his clothing. I’ll let you wear it Bella, but if we just add a couple changes to make it more feminine.” Alice said, carefully. I thought about it.

Alice was really trying and at least letting me in my comfort zone. As long as the scent was still in his shirt, she didn’t cut it up or something, than I was fine with it. I nodded, letting Alice go on ahead. She smiled, as she threw the shirt towards me, with a pair of jeans that were comfy enough for me. She gave me some underwear too, and I went into the bathroom to change.

I was happy that Alice was letting me be, and that she didn’t make a big deal out of this Thanksgiving thing. I walked out to my bedroom, and Alice for once, just had a brush in her hand, no blow drier, or make up kit. Just a brush. I sighed in relief as I walked towards her. She reached behind her, grabbing a safety pin and holding it in her mouth, as she turned me around. She worked on the shirt, and then attached the safety pin, making the shirt tighter around my torso that it fit. Edward was a whole lot bigger than me anyway.

She then turned behind her grabbing a wide and long piece of white silk, which she folded and then wrapped around my waist, making a bow. It looked nice, and the shirt still had Edward’s scent. She then untangled the knots in my hair, grabbing a pair of flats and throwing them at me, without another word. Then she was gone.

I took a deep breath, turning to the stereo. It has been like this the whole week. I barely need Emmett anymore. I just hide in the bedroom as I discovered new ways I could be connected to Edward. There were billions of pictures of Edward and me that we had taken, and they all reminded me of the good times, and I could see his face in every single one. I would look at those and cry, or I would use his scent from shampoo, or clothing, or the bed, or I would go to his stereo and just play his music.

Through the first month without him, I guess it really got to me so hard, that I didn’t even remember playing his music. I usually listened to his favorite CDs, or actually listened to the music he recorded of him playing piano. They were usually my birthday presents since he knew how much I liked them. For three whole weeks I just hid in my room not even looking at Emmett anymore, and past that theory and stage, and would just listen to his music, missing him more and more.

His letters still come every week, and I reply every week. And every time they arrive, I jump for joy, my heart speeds, and relief replaces the sorrow along with hope and excitement. I let my head hit the pillow as I closed my eyes, Gary Jules’s music playing through my head, replacing Edward’s soft melodies as they stopped playing. I sighed, letting the music sink me in. I remember how much Edward loved this song.

Their tears are filling up their glasses
No expression
No expression

Hide my head I want to drown my sorrow
No tomorrow
No tomorrow

I sang the song softly, my eyes closed, and my head swimming, as tears started to fall down the side of my face. I sniffled, reaching my hand up to wash them away. The music started to fade, as I seeped into a deep sleep.

And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I'm dying
Are the best I've ever had

-:-

“Alright, to a nice Thanksgiving.” Rosalie said as we all tapped our glass together. Carlisle smiled, looking at Esme. I think he might be in love with her, though it’s too early for that…there is something about the way he looks at her, it’s the same way Alice and Jasper look at each other…or the way Edward looks at me. I shook my head, looking down at the engagement ring on my left hand, shining in the light.

I took a deep breath before sipping from my drink. It was a soft wine, very sweet too. I sighed, putting the drink back in the table. I had never resort to drinking to solve any problem, and the day I do is the day something has gone completely wrong. Emmett being Emmett, started to eat off the turkey, already.

I looked around at everyone in the table. In the surface they looked so calm, so peaceful, and happy….but on the outside I knew they might as well be as bad as I was. The other day I caught Alice crying in Jasper’s arms, and one time when I was passing by the kitchen, I heard Esme praying for Edward, her sniffles signifying that she indeed had been crying too.

Emmett wasn’t smiling as usual, his best friend being gone. At first they were able to hide it, at least from me, since I was too busy with my own misery, but as I took the time to look around I realized just how broken we all were.

We were all just fucked up inside.

-:-

“It’s here.” Alice called from the kitchen. I felt myself spring towards my bedroom door, as I ran full blast to Alice. She didn’t even look up at me, she held the letter in the air, for me. I snatched it running back to my bedroom. It was that time of week again. Finally.

I sat on the bed looking at the white envelope. The stamp, being a bit crooked to the side, and the folded and worn out corners, and the fingerprints of a dirty man, probably being Edwards. I smiled to myself passing my fingers over the fingerprints. It was like touching his hand. Like really touching his fingers again…like if he had sent a piece of himself with me.

I sighed finally, with care ripping the envelope open. I took the white piece of paper out. Again I brought the paper up to my face for inspection, as I saw the dirty fingerprints again, and the few smudges of ink here and there. This note had been there with him. He had touched it. Again it was like touching a piece of him. I sighed finally reading the letter.

Dear Bella,

You know, sleeping out here is pretty hard. My back is probably damaged really bad…I’m going to need a massage. God Bella, I can’t wait. Only a week more until I finally get to come home and see you. It must be freezing back in Forks isn’t it? I wish I had a little piece of you here with me. Remember that picture of you and me I took along with me? Yeah, well I kind of maybe…probably lost it. Can you send me another one? The guys have been bugging me about who the beautiful girlfriend is. Well, I promise that the first thing I’m going to do when I get home is see you. Forget the whole town of Forks, and how they want to see us, I’m coming to see you, and only you. First thing I’m doing, so get ready. I love you with all my being and heart, remember that Bella. Forever, and with every fiber, I love you.

Love, your Edward.

Ps. I still can’t wait to make you mine officially.

Again, and like always, the tears fell over my cheeks. I felt the relief fall through my chest knowing he was safe, and only one more week until he was finally in my arms, safe and forever with me. I blew out a breath of air. He wanted a picture of me. A smile grew on my face as I jumped off the bed, my feet carrying me towards our desk. There I had an album full of pictures of us. I thought about what pictures to send to him.

There were so many, but I finally decided on two. I picked one that I knew would make him happy to see….the one with us kissing. It was New Years eve, and when the clock hit 12, Edward bent down to kiss me, and Alice snapped the picture. The next one, is one that shows both of us together. You could see my arms extended as I held the camera forward to take a picture of us both, as Edward stood behind me, his face down to my level, and his cheek pressed to mine, our faces both holding smiles.

I held onto the pictures as I turned to run out my bedroom, in search for paper and an envelope. But as I turned Alice came face to face with me, as she opened the door, slipping into my bedroom. I blinked, staring at her. She seemed uncomfortable, her hands together in front of her, and she seemed nervous. I shifted from foot to foot, my chest heaving up and down from the news I had just received from Edward. Alice finally glanced up at me, her mouth opening and closing as she struggled for the right words.

“Bella…” She started. I blinked, looking down at the floor. “Do you think….do you think you can show me the letters Edward has sent you?” I looked up at Alice shocked.

I hadn’t shown anyone those letters. They were conversations between me and Edward that I would later put away in an old shoe box. I didn’t know if I wanted to show them to Alice. But as I looked in her deep blue eyes, I could see the tint of emerald. The tint of emerald that belonged to Edward’s eyes. She was his sister, and I wasn’t sure if I could do that to her. She wanted to see the letters, and I could see the sorrow in her eyes, as her bottom lip quivered. She was scared. She was terrified, and she was upset. Maybe my form of sanity could help her too.

I smiled slightly, and nodded, turning on my heel, for the shoe box right under my bed. Alice sighed in relief as she sat at the edge of my bed. I brought the shoe box out, placing it on my lap, and taking the lid off slowly, the white envelopes filled to the top. Alice’s eyes widened, as I took out the first letter he wrote to me. I handed it to Alice but she shook her head. I looked at her confused.

“You read it out loud.” She said. I looked at her skeptically, before sighing, and clearing my throat. It had been a while since I talked.

“My dear Bella, you don’t know how much I miss you. It’s been about two weeks only, and in my first day I could barely sleep without you in my arms.” I cleared my throat again, my voice hoarse, as I avoided Alice’s gaze. “I miss you deeply, and I don’t know if I could go through with this, and without you. I miss waking up to your brown eyes. Instead I wake up to a loud whistle in my ear, and the black eyes of the furious eyes of General Manson.” I let out a low chuckle as Alice giggled along with me. “I know I’m only in training for now, but he’s really kicking my butt, especially when he found out who my father was.” I stole a glance at Alice. Her eyes softened at her father’s mentioning. “Apparently my dad was his General back when Manson was in training. He seems to have high respect for my father, but other than that the man is a robot with locked up feelings. But thinking of my dad makes me want to keep going further.” I sighed. “Then there’s you. When I think of you, I lose complete focus. One of these days I might get hurt.” I still felt strained when I read this part, especially saying it aloud. Alice rubbed my back. “But don’t pop a vein baby, I’ll be fine, I promise. I love you, forever, and ever, and ever, and as cheesy as it sounds, I really don’t think I can live without you. Love, your Edward. Ps, tell mom and Alice I said hi and that I love them too.” I took a deep breath. It was the first time I had read that aloud and it took a load off my chest.

I looked up at Alice’s eyes. They were completely teary, as she looked at me with a small smile.

“He’s really going through with this isn’t he?” She asked. I nodded sadly. Alice sighed, clearing a tear out of her eye.

“Read me another one.”

-:-

I was bouncing up and down with so much excitement, that I thought I would combust. Edward was here. He was finally here. I just couldn’t get the thought in my head. I didn’t care that Alice dressed me up today, or that Emmett made fun of me when I tripped out of bed. It didn’t matter.

I couldn’t stop grinning, and my heart was fluttering wildly, my legs and arms controlling their own movements. I was shaking.

“Calm down Bella.” Emmett said putting a hand on my shoulder. I just continued with my shaking as I waited in the airport for my man to come to us. They all received a break from training, and were sent over to their house for winter, to spend time with the family. I couldn’t wait for the next three weeks that I had with Edward. We were getting married, my dress being picked out, which Alice has yet to show me.

To be honest, I didn’t want Alice to show me anything that had to do with the wedding, because I wasn’t so sure it would happen. But it would happen. I would get my wedding with the man I loved the most, and that’s all I needed to hear.

Finally I heard the loud cheering, as the crowd ahead us parted, revealing a group of men, all wearing cameo pants, and a white t-shirt, bags in hands, or over their shoulders. He was in the front, his bronze hair impossible to miss, his crooked smile making my heart beat faster than should be healthy, and his green eyes so bright it hurt to look at them.

I couldn’t contain myself when I saw him. I ran. I squealed, and screamed earning glares and looks from everyone in the airport as I ran towards him.

He had stopped walking for a second, looking up to meet my gaze after hearing my squeals, and then that crooked grin appeared on his perfect lips, as he ran towards me as well. We both collapsed in each other’s arms, my legs going for his waist, my arms around his neck, as he grabbed onto me tightly.

I had a death grip around him, my tears into his neck. All the shirts, I had worn, or the shampoo, or the bed sheets, had nothing compared to his scent. They were not even close to how good the real thing was. I felt right at home, finally having his strong arms around me.

It was then I realized that I finally had him in my arms. The realization crashed down on me, as I sobbed and sobbed into his shoulder. I loved him, I loved him, I loved him, and I had missed him for far too long. And he was finally here. He was safe, and he was holding me.

I pulled my head away from his neck to look at his face, my fingers tracing every outline of his perfect jaw, chin lips, eyes, eyebrows, nose and cheeks. He was actually here. I felt a huge relief and excitement take over me. It was more powerful than when I would receive his letters. I felt perfectly at ease.

His eyes were wet as well as mine, his face glowing. I then did something I had been dying to do for months. I crashed my lips down hard on his. It was like heaven right in the middle of hell.

I had wanted to do this for such a long time, to feel his lips against mine, soft as petals, needy as a hungry wolf, and dancing like a ballerina. They were perfect, moving against mine in sync, in desperation, and if I didn’t pull away soon, I would do something very inappropriate. I pulled away as I heard the cheering behind Edward and I. Edward chuckled, reaching his hand up to wash away the tears from my eyes.

“Missed me?” He teased. I in turn did not laugh, but instead I cradled his face in my hands, and very sternly, whispered the three words I had been writing for over a month now.

“I love you.” I said looking deeply into his eyes. He pursed his lips, emotions running through his eyes like waterfalls.

“I love you.” He repeated, strongly. It was a very intense moment, and at that second those three words have never meant more. They meant so much that we didn’t have the voices to say anything more. I again, bent my head to kiss him wrapping my arms around his neck, as he still carried me, my legs tightening on his waist. My hair fell over my face a bit, and over his, working as a curtain to give us privacy, the curls that Alice had worked perfectly on, was soft against our skin, making the moment sweeter as his shampoo scent surrounded us. He pulled away his brow furrowed, as he leaned in to smell my shampoo.

“Is that my shampoo?” He asked with a smirk. I blushed, ducking my head. He laughed. Oh god, his laugh, how much had I missed that sound? It was like music to my ears. I closed my eyes enjoying the sound, as he leaned forward to kiss my collarbone. My white tank top gave perfect access, showing off my tattoo as well on my shoulder. I moved my hands down his chest, enjoying every feeling of him, as my fingertips traced his arms, until they reached his forearm, where my name was printed permanently.

He smiled kissing me one more time, making the butterflies in my stomach flutter faster.

“Alright, alright Cullen, show us the Mrs.” I heard a voice behind Edward. I lifted my head to see three other men, all were tall, russet skinned, with friendly grins. The one that had spoken had long black hair, wrapped in a pony tail. There was one behind him with short buzzed hair, a bit shorter than the first one, and more built. The last one was tall and lanky with hair almost up to his chin, black as well. Edward put me down, holding me by the waist, and tightly to his body as he moved my hair from one shoulder to the other.

“Guys this is my Bella.” Edward said with a huge grin. The first one looked me up and down, before sighing.

“Alright, you win this one.” He admitted. I looked confused at him, and then at Edward. “She’s a 10.” Edward laughed, again the sound comforting me, as I held onto him tightly.

“Bella this is Jacob, Embry, and Quil.” Edward explained. “They live down at La Push.” I nodded, smiling at the men. I really could care less as rude as it sounded. I just wanted to grab Edward and run.

“Edward?” Alice’s voice rang behind us. Edward turn, still holding me as his sister of a pixie ran towards him. He grabbed her in the air as she jumped, holding her with one arm, his other arm still holding me to him, refusing to let me go. Alice sobbed on his shoulder before looking up at him, he had tears as well as he kissed her cheek.

“You’re an idiot.” She said angrily jumping off of him. “You left Bella a mess. Do you know what she’s been wearing this whole time since you left?” She asked hands on her hips. She didn’t give Edward a chance to respond. “She was wearing your clothing! Edward! You’re clothing! Don’t you ever do something like that again!” She scolded. He laughed ruffling her hair.

“Edward?” Esme’s voice rang behind Alice, and Esme, embraced her son, again awkwardly since Edward kept his arm wrapped around me. She brought him in, whispering in his ear, as he hugged her close. Finally they pulled away and Esme kissed his cheek.

“Where’s Emmett and Rosalie?” Edward asked, both his arms wrapping around me. I leaned into his chest, taking in as much of this moment as I possibly could.

“They were just with us.” Esme said, turning around, her eyes roaming. “I don’t know where they went off to.”

“That’s ok, if you don’t mind, I’d like to take my fiancé out now.” Edward said with a smile. I felt myself grin, a real smile. The first one since he left. Alice winked at me.

“Sure…have fun…but use protection.” She said.

With that, Edward swung me over his shoulder and ran for it.

-:-

I giggled as his lips touched my shoulder, kissing the tattooed skin lightly. The chilly air was making me extremely cold as it hit my bare body. I hid deeper into the sheets, against his chest, trying to mold myself to the shape of his body. His lips moved up softly from my shoulder to my neck, leaving little butterflies in my stomach, and making my heart warm and beat at the same time. His lips than moved to my cheek, and up as softly as a feather to my forehead.

"I think this was our record time." He whispered. I giggled.

"Six rounds." I said. He nodded, his fingers trailing from my hip to my side, and playing with the skin of my lower back. "If you keep that up we'll go for round seven." I warned.

"I don't mind." He said seductively, his fingers slowly moving to my side, until he had a firm grip on my hip, his hand trailing down my thigh to my knee, and then to my calf, where he lifted it up and hitched my leg around his hip. "I have not had enough." He whispered, massaging my calf. I sighed, tired.

"Edward, we have three whole weeks for that." I said. He chuckled.

"Alright, alright." He said, closing his eyes. I watched his face go peaceful, his lashes forming shadows on his cheek, and a small, devious smile playing on his lips. How much I had missed that face, and that hair that was sticking up in all directions, just begging to be touched.

"You're not asleep are you?" I asked suddenly. He grinned, his eyes still closed.

"Nope." He said. I rolled my eyes, letting my fingers trace patterns on his perfectly sculpted chest. He opened his eyes slowly, knowing fully well that I was indeed not going to sleep soon. "You haven't told me yet."

"Told you what?" I asked confused at his sudden words.

"What have I missed?" He asked. I sighed, looking away.

"To be honest, I've been locked up in my own world to even notice." I admitted with a blush. He sighed, hugging me closer to his body, his lips pressing to my own.

It was a harsh kiss, full of need and desire. His tongue shoved into my mouth, and I really didn't mind at all. I kissed him back just as urgent, as his arms wrapped around my waist, and he moved to his side, pulling me on top of him. I ran my fingers through his hair, happy but still confused. He finally pulled away to breathe.

"What was that for?" I asked. He looked at me with a serious look.

"Promise me that you will never suffer like that again." He said. I was about to protest when he shook his head, looking at me more intently. "Promise." He said sternly. I finally sighed.

"I promise."

“Good.” He said, satisfied, as he tucked my head under his chin. “Now, nothing happened while I was gone?” he asked again. I thought for a moment.

“Esme has a new squeeze.” I said. He chuckled.

“Ah yes, you told me in the letter, though it was brief. Care to elaborate?”

“Well, his name is Carlisle, very sweet guy, looks like he really cares for her, and she really likes him.” I said, feeling guilty that I couldn’t exactly say more for I hadn’t really paid attention. Edward kissed my forehead.

“I need to meet this man.” He said.

“I guess you have missed a lot.” I sighed. He put his fingertips to my chin and lifted it up so that he could meet my eyes.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“Well, everyone else moved forward, things happened to them. You missed their stuff, their news, their promotions or new dates or whatever they did….”

“But you…..” he let the words hang in the air, frightened for the answer. I took a deep breath.

“As pathetic as it is, when you left, my world stopped. I didn’t do much. Maybe that’s not healthy, maybe it’s terrible. Like heroin, you can’t live without it once you’re stuck on it, and I was stuck on you Edward, once you left I was a wreck. Everything stopped until you came back.”

“I know the feeling. But promise me that—”

“We already went through that.” I interrupted, not wanting to promise again for something I wasn’t sure I’d fulfill. He smiled softly.

“Alright. But I want you to know that the same exact thing happened to me while I was away.” He said. I nodded.

“I know.” I whispered before kissing his throat. He groaned.

“It’s those little touches that drive me crazy for more.” He murmured, but I think it was more to himself than me. “Ok my love, time to go to sleep.” He said softly, playing with my hair. I pressed my lips to his throat once more, leaving them there as I smiled.

“I love you Edward.”

“I love you Bella. Goodnight baby.”

-:-

"I’m Carlisle.” Carlisle said with a pleasant tone as he shook Edward’s free hand, his other hand was holding onto mine.

“It’s great to meet you.” Edward said, just as kind.

“Yes, we’ve been expecting you young man. You know, you shouldn’t ever let a pretty young lady like Bella go again…ever.” Carlisle said with a grin. Edward laughed.

“Wouldn’t let her go, ever.” He replied simply. I smiled. “You better not do anything to hurt my mother.” Edward said with a teasing voice, but serious. Carlisle grinned, looking at Esme next to him.

“Wouldn’t hurt her…ever.” He said, still staring at her. I looked up at Edward, watching his green eyes. They squinted a bit, looking at Carlisle’s on eyes, then at Esme’s eyes. His eyes relaxed, but his brow furrowed as he studied Carlisle’s smile. When his whole face relaxed, and the corner of his mouth twitched upwards, I knew. I knew that he approved. Nobody else would have noticed, but I did. I noticed. Because I knew Edward like the back of my hand.

“Alright, boys, I’m going to get the food from the oven.” Esme said with a gentle smile.

“I’ll help you.” I said, I went up on my toes and kissed Edward’s lips. He chuckled against me.

“Bella, you’re just going to the kitchen.” He murmured as he let his fingers tangle in my hair, and pulled back to look at me. I shrugged with a grin.

“Still…”

With one more smile and another peck, I walked after Esme.

“That went better than I expected.” She said, letting out a big breath. I laughed.

“It did, he approved.” I agreed.

“Well, I don’t know about that…” she said looking down with a chuckle.

“But I do. He approved…trust me.” I smiled with reassurance. She shook her head with a small smile.

“You know my son better than I do.”

“….I know.”

“I’m glad.”

I couldn’t help but smile at her.

“Are you nervous about the wedding?” she asked. I thought about it. And I was nervous, but I was eager too. Eager to make him mine.

“It depends on which part you’re referring to.” I finally said.

“Obviously not the commitment.” She said with a grin. I laughed.

“Yeah, obviously not that. I guess it’s the ceremony itself, though Alice promised it’d be quick, and simple. A few friends. The honeymoon though…” I trailed off. Esme nodded.

“I’m sorry hon. It is a pity that the honeymoon won’t be something more….appropriate. I wish…I just wish you two had enough time to actually enjoy the celebration, and the ‘Newly-wed’ feeling.” She said with a sad smile. I shrugged.

“As long as I’m with him, I’m fine. I mean…that’s not how I imagined my first time getting married…or the honeymoon…but…it doesn’t matter. I’m ready to marry him anywhere.”

“I’m happy that you can say that. Beside’s the beach is a beautiful place to get married in.” she added. I grinned.

“I’m ready to marry him anywhere.”

-:-

The sun was hitting our faces brightly for the first time in Forks down at First Beach. My hands were sweaty, and the pastor was saying the lines, but I couldn’t hear him because my focus was on the green orbs before me. The waves were making the most beautiful music, and the beach was so peaceful, and bright. My dress was simple, moving with the wind swiftly and gracefully, as my hair played around on my back, but never on my face, Alice had made sure to clip it away from my face, decorating it with a flower.

I could see Emmett and Jasper standing as the best men with grins on their faces. My father and mother were holding hands, just staring at me. It was a miracle that they could get along after the horrible divorce, but this moment reunited them. I grinned watching Edward’s huge smile as he stared at me. It wasn’t a huge wedding, but there were a lot of people present. Alice had invited at least everyone in my family, and hers, plus anyone we went to high school went.

I didn’t really think about them though. My eyes were for Edward, and Edward only.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride.”

With those lines, I practically jumped him as I laughed freely, my arms wrapping around his neck, and my lips gluing to his. It was a dance I knew all too well, and still got excited for every time. He wrapped his arms around my waist, straightening up and picking me at least a foot off the ground. There was laughter and cheering in the background and my feet popped up as I held onto him closer.

I was wrong.

This is exactly how I want my wedding.

I finally pulled away, but he just leaned in to peck me once, twice, three times. I grinned as he put me down on the ground, holding my hand tightly as we walked through the crowd of people that were congratulating us.

“Introducing the new Mr. and Mrs. Masen!”

-:-

The reception was to be directly in the beach where Alice rented and decorated chairs, and tables, and even put a dance floor and paid a caterer. All the guests had given us their best wishes, and complimented us, some even wished Edward luck at war, which was something I didn’t want to hear on my wedding day. But it didn’t matter.

“Ok, simmer down, simmer down.” Alice said with a mic in hand which she got from the DJ. She laughed. “I know the food was delicious, but it’s time for the first dance as husband and wife. So Bella and Edward, get your cute butts up!” she said with another giggle. “This is a gift from all of us, to you.”

Edward stared at me, his hand gripping mine as he laughed at my expression. Dancing….great…not. With Edward? Hell yeah it was great. I finally sighed and let him lift me up as the wooden dance floor, which was so professionally placed on the sand, was cleared of people. I smiled as we walked towards the middle, waiting for the song to start. What song did they pick?

Love me tender,
love me sweet,
never let me go.
You have made my life complete,
and I love you so.

I smiled as I laid my head on Edward’s chest, closing my eyes. This song was like a lullaby.

Love me tender,
love me true,
all my dreams fulfilled.
For my darlin' I love you,
and I always will.

“Alice went with the King.” Edward whispered in my ear, kissing it lightly before laying his cheek on the top of my head, and locking his fingers together on the small of my back, hugging me closer. I nodded softly.

Love me tender,
love me long,
take me to your heart.
For it's there that I belong,
and we'll never part.

“Are you happy?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Me too.”

love me tender love me true all my dreams fulfill for my darling i love you and I always will
Love me tender,
love me dear,
tell me you are mine.
I'll be yours through all the years,
till the end of time
love me tender love me true
all my dreams fulfill

“I don’t want you to go.”

“Me neither.”

For my darling I love you ----and I always will

-:-

“Morning sunshine.”

I opened my eyes, letting them adjust to the light coming from the window. I blinked, stretching my arms over my head.

“Hmmm….” I groaned. “Take that light off.”

“It’s the sun honey.” Edward said while chuckling. I groaned once more, rolling over to my stomach, and burying my head into the soft pillows, the breeze of the open window hitting my bare back.

“I’m too sore to move.” I complained. “I don’t want to—”

Before anymore words could leave my mouth Edward jumped on the bed, half landing on me as I squealed. He laughed, wrapping his fingers around both my wrists, climbing on top of me, pressing his bare chest to mine, grinning from ear to ear. He leaned down to kiss me.

After a good while of some good smooching, he pulled away.

“I’m up, I’m up.” I breathed out. He laughed and slowly removed himself from me. I just flipped back over on my stomach again. He chuckled as I let my eyes flutter closed once more.

I felt as he scooted me over to him, wrapping his arm around my waist. I let him, feeling at home in his arms, and tired at the same time. Last night had been….the best honeymoon ever to put it lightly.

I smiled to myself as I felt his fingertips graze my skin lightly. His fingers traced the loops and swirls on my shoulder, full of black ink.

“Bella….what are we going to do after I get called out?” he asked. That snapped me alert. I flipped over, sitting up and wrapping the blanket around me.

“Don’t talk about that.”

“But we have to eve—”

“No.” I said, cutting him off. “We don’t.” my teeth were gritted, and there was an obvious frown between my eyebrows. I didn’t want to talk about that. “If we have to hit that subject it will be after my honeymoon. Don’t ruin this for me.”

He sighed, nodding his head in agreement.

“So….who wants pancakes?”

-:-

Time flies. It really does. It flies and you don’t even know it’s gone by. I hate it. I hate the fact that three blissful weeks can fly before my eyes without a warning.

Most of all I hate that Edward is leaving. I have been thinking about it, and I truly don’t understand why he would do such a thing. Why would he want to leave me?

Of course, I knew he didn’t want to, he just wanted to follow his father’s footsteps…but that was no excuse.

Was it worth it? Was it worth all of this? Did he not love me enough?

I loved him enough, he knew that. He knew it. He knew it because I never left his side. I put up with all this shit.

And with every passing thought, my rage grew stronger and stronger.

“Bella?” I turned around to stare at him.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, noticing my crossed arms and heavy breathing.

“You’re leaving tomorrow.” I stated.

“I know. I thought you’d want to spend the rest of the day with me…” he trailed off as my face got more hot by the second, though not as a result of embarrassment…but as a result of anger.

“Why?” I spat.

“Why?” he repeated confused.

“Why should I? Either way you’ll leave. The more I hold you the more attach I get, and the more hurt I’ll end up.” I said icily. He furrowed his brows.

“Are you—”

“I mean, do you not love me enough? I’m your wife Edward, you should stay here with me not leave me a wreck. And if you’re going to leave me a wreck, you might as well have not married me, that way it would have been easier!” I said my eyes narrowed and each word spitting out of my mouth harshly.

“Are you serious?! You’re my wife Bella! Meaning you should support everything I do—”

“Not when it’s going to hurt me!” I screamed, the tears running down my face as I lifted myself from the couch. “Not when it’s going to break me! Break us! Not when it could kill you Edward, God!” I threw my hands up to my hair, trying to hide my face. “We’re supposed to build a life together, be happy! You can’t just be my happy husband for three weeks and then leave!” I yelled, finally looking at his shocked face. “You knew I’d snap eventually because you knew it wouldn’t work out! You hurt me! And you knew it was going to happen! You—”

“I never meant to hurt you!” he yelled back, his face turning a bit pink. “I never meant to hurt you!” he repeated. “We were supposed to be happy when I got back, when—”

“Did you really think that would work?! Honestly?! Where does you going to war fit in with blissful happiness?!” I shot back.

“What is wrong with you?” he asked suddenly, his voice hoarse.

“You’re leaving me!” I yelled, dropping to the floor and placing my head on my knees.

It was a while before I felt his arms wrap around my shoulders…but I shrugged him off.

“Get away from me.”

And with that, I ignored his horrified expression, grabbed my keys and walked out the door.

-:-

It’s true I walked out last night, yes….I did….was it wrong…I’m not sure. But when I did walk out…when I made it to Esme’s house…I discovered something.

Something that could save us.

Something that could make Edward stay.

I didn’t go home last night. I stayed at Esme’s. I couldn’t handle seeing him with my condition.

But hopefully, with my new discovery, I could make him stay. Maybe….

If he didn’t stay….

I shook my head looking out the window, adrenaline rushing through my veins as I watched the passing cars. I had to make it on time.

I had to make him stay.

I had to.

My train of thought was cut short when my phone rang. Alice.

“Hello?”

“Bella?! Where the hell are you?!”

“Alice I’m on my way, Esme is driving me calm—”

“No Bella, Edward is worried sick, they’re leaving….like now.” My eyes went wide.

“What?” I gasped.

“Now!” Alice said.

“No. No. No. NO!” I shouted, causing Esme to jump. “Drive Esme! Drive! They’re leaving!” I shouted as I started to panic, my heart accelerating, and my head pounding.

“Bella run!” Alice said into the phone. I hung up and faced Esme.

“DRIVE!” I yelled. She did so, speeding as fast as possible.

I just kept yelling, my heart racing. Were we going to make it on time? Why didn’t I stay last night?

Oh my god.

“Bella, you’ll have to get off the car and run across the parking lot if you want to make it on time!” Esme rushed. She didn’t have to tell me twice.

I jumped out.

I ran.

And I ran.

I ran until I could make out Alice’s body.

I ran until I was sobbing so hard I couldn’t breathe.

I regretted it all.

I ran.

But by the time I made it there, it was too late.

He was in the car.

“Edward!” I shouted as he looked out the window of the green van.

“Edward!” I shouted again. I ran alongside the van causing people to stare at me, and the men to holler.

“Bella!” he shouted back, panicked. I sobbed.

This couldn’t be happening!

“Edward! I love you!” I yelled.

“I love you!” he yelled back. I couldn’t run anymore, suddenly tripping as my knees hit the ground.

My vision was too blurry to see the road they took.

“Wait!” I yelled after them. “Edward don’t leave me!” I yelled. “I’m pregnant!” I shouted.

But it was too late.

I didn’t even get to say goodbye.

Good Night

2009-03-04T23:44:00.000-08:00

Written By:Transitory07
You can read the original here:
All credit goes to the original author

Renesmee

Faint sunlight crept in between the tall and slender pines, making the landscape in front of the Cullen’s house look magical.

Renesmee loved sunsets. With her face pressed up to the glass window, the golden light flickered into her deep brown eyes.

However, that evening there was another reason why the bouncing auburn haired beauty was even bouncier than usual. Unaware that her Aunt Alice was passing by her and had rolled her eyes, she was just as unaware of her huge, muscular uncle sneaking up from behind until she was already arched high up on his back.

“Stop!!!” Renesmee shrieked as Emmett clutched her legs.

“Aww! What’s this I hear? Renesmee Cullen dispensing a big o’ bear hug from her favorite uncle?” Emmett hollered, not letting go. In fact, he made a swaying motion as though he intended to swing her onto the nearest sofa, which would’ve been right where Alice was examining various dress designs.

“Not now and my favorite uncle’s Jasper!”

A musical giggle burst from Alice as she watched Emmett’s grin fade into a scowl.

“Princess…” Emmett pouted.

When Alice suppressed her laughter at last, she asked Renesmee, “Why are you getting so hyped up about Jacob? It’s only been a few days.”

“Weeks.” Renesmee clarified, turning her head to look at Alice from over Emmett’s massive shoulder.

“One week.” Emmett corrected, shamelessly. “And if that mutt was too tired to stop by after his shift then you shouldn’t waste your time-”

Razor sharp nails digging into Emmett’s cheek forced him to gasp, though Renesmee’s nails weren’t sharp enough to damage his stony skin, of course. It was more surprise due to her reaction.

“Put me down!” Renesmee commanded through gritted teeth.

Emmett did so immediately.

“Don’t call him that.” was her next command as she stepped away from him with a disappointed frown on her face.

“Nessie, I’m sorry, it slipped.” Emmett was still apologizing as Renesmee climbed up the staircase to the bathroom.

“Could you be any more discrete?” Alice prodded Emmett with a toss of her head.

A menacing growl erupted from downstairs when Emmett passed his large hand over the dress designs, sending them flying in all directions.

“Rosalie?” Renesmee knocked on the door of the luxurious bathroom. “May I come in?”

“Of course.” came the melodic reply.

Renesmee pushed open the door to find her gorgeous aunt sitting on the stool in front of the golden rimmed mirror, organizing different hues of lipsticks. Renesmee closed the door and approached Rosalie, reaching out a hand to stroke her lustrous golden waves. Renesmee always enjoyed touching Rosalie’s hair. The golden shade reminded her of the sunlight.

“Are these new?” Renesmee trailed her eyes over the line of lipsticks.

Rosalie beamed. “Ordered them from Mary Kay.”

“Can I try one on?”

“Of course!” Rosalie was always gracious when Renesmee was concerned. She knew that somehow Renesmee had changed her.

Renesmee bounced onto the stool and began unclasping the tops of various lipsticks.

“These go better with your skin type, eye and lip color.” Rosalie pushed a quarter of the lipsticks towards Renesmee.

“Isn’t the whole point of lipstick that you cover up your natural lip color?” Renesmee asked innocently as she inspected a light violet.

Rosalie grinned. “Well, they have to match your features. Alice, for instance, prefers smoother colors. I go for the deep vermilion.”

Renesmee reached her hand behind her back to place her palm on Rosalie’s cheek, displaying an image of Alice’s mini features made up with onyx eye liner and shadow that created a smoky appearance to her eyes.

“I think she looks so pretty with her eyes painted.” Renesmee made her opinion known, though it was evident in the mental image she had just shared.

Rosalie nodded. “All of us are unique in beauty.” She paused. “I recently learned that.”

“Aren’t you expecting someone?” Rosalie inquired as she dabbed Garnet Frost on Renesmee’s soft lips.

Renesmee grinned against the lipstick. Aunt Rosalie and Jacob were not exactly on the friendliest terms. Even without her father’s ability, she could tell by the way Rosalie diverted her eyes that she was attempting to keep a straight face despite the unscrupulous thoughts that she was having towards Jacob.

“Right, he’ll be here soon.” Renesmee turned to face the mirror with a pout. She wished she had more patience.

Rosalie guessed her thoughts and laughed.

“You got the impatience from your daddy.”

Renesmee rolled her eyes. She was still trying to forget the annoyance she’d felt downstairs at Emmett’s comment.

Her eyes followed Rosalie’s hand as she reached for some violet eye liner and a brand new idea popped in her head.

“Rosalie,” she eyed her aunt suggestively. “Could you-?”

Rosalie tried to imitate Renesmee’s eye roll as she smiled widely. Rosalie was never one to reject a request for a make-over, no matter who asked.

“Yes, I do believe I’ve found a cure for irritation.” Renesmee mused internally.

A few minutes later Alice’s knock on the bathroom door interrupted the giggles erupting from inside.

“Nessie, your escort is here.” Alice kept light on the sarcasm as not to offend.

“She’ll be right there.” Rosalie replied.

Before her sat a jittery red-head that was having trouble keeping any emotion fixed on her face for too long.

“Oh, for crying out loud, why are you so nervous?” Rosalie questioned. “If it was someone as alluring as Emmett or as handsome as Edward or Carlisle out there but the wolf descendant? Puh-lease!”

But of course, she didn’t say this aloud.

“I’m not nervous.” Renesmee objected a second too late.

From down the hall came a very familiar husky exclamation.

“What are you doing to her in there?”

Alice knocked again.

“Rose, if you don’t open up, Jacob is knocking the door down to rescue Nessie from the torture fest!”

“Let him try!” Rosalie defied.

“No,” Renesmee stood up, smoothing out her black blouse. “I’m ready.”

Rosalie unlocked the door just as Jacob reached for the knob, swinging it wide open with a proud grin spread across her snow-white face. Alice and Jacob both stepped back to admire a cowering Renesmee who Rosalie pulled to her side.

Alice took in Renesmee’s perfectly set curls, delicately carved eyebrows, colored lips, eyes lightly specked with blue metal eye shadow and extended lashes with pride that matched Rosalie’s. Only not so arrogant.

“You are definitely not your mother’s daughter.” Alice gushed.

Beside her, the towering Jacob spoke with his eyes. They met Nessie’s brown eyes first and discovered the blue trimming around them, then they wandered to the rest of her face. Her naturally rosy cheeks were barely dusted with blush, probably with none at all. Jacob had never thought much about make-up on a girl. He thought the girls who wore too much were typically fake and snobby. “Typically like Blondie over there.” He thought to himself as he noticed the light touch of lipstick that had been put on Nessie. She wore nothing around her neck, leaving the milky white skin bare. Under the neckline began the trim of her black blouse that ran long, covering the waistline of her sapphire jeans. Jacob’s eyes delayed a minute longer around Renesmee’s waist where a belt defined the exact slenderness.

“Well,” He drilled his eyes back to Renesmee’s face, smiling brightly. “At least, I’m glad the dead cheerleader here didn’t turn you into one of her kind.”

Rosalie didn’t bother holding back a sharp hiss.

Jacob raised one eyebrow, tauntingly at Rosalie but Renesmee clasped her hand around his arm.

“You took forever.” She glared at Jacob while leading him away from the scowling vampire.

Everyone waiting in the living room lifted their eyes when Renesmee paraded down the staircase with her hand clutched around her werewolf friend. What Emmett, Alice and Jasper were waiting for was the return of Renesmee’s parents. Edward, in particular, had asked his siblings not to let Renesmee go out before saying good-bye to her daddy. Carlisle and Esme were both out; Carlisle at the hospital and Esme had gone to Olympia to inspect a house she’d been asked to decorate.

“Mom!” Renesmee bounded to the front door where her mother gazed up at her.

“Hey, baby.” Bella pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. “You smell good.”

Renesmee chuckled. “Aunt Rosalie did my hair and make-up.”

Bella widened her eyes in mock surprise. “And you endured that?”

Renesmee hugged Bella then passed over to her father, wrapping her arms around his waist. They had both been gone on a hunting trip for the past two days. Without Jacob or her parents around, Nessie had been able to do things that she wouldn’t have been allowed to do usually like watch Emmett wrestle with a grizzly or go with Alice on a shockingly short trip to Portland and back in her yellow Porsche. That was fun. They were back by dinner time when starting out in the morning. Those things, of course, were only kept between Nessie and her aunts and uncles.

Emmett winked at Nessie as she grinned at him over her dad’s shoulder. It was impossible not to forgive Uncle Emmett.

“So what did you do to pass the time?” Edward inquired as he rubbed Nessie’s back.

“Nothing much.” Renesmee tilted her head upwards just long enough to give Edward a docile version of his crooked smile before tightening her arms around his waist. “I missed you.”

Edward kissed the top of her head. “Uncle Jasper didn’t try to take a bite out of you, did he?”

Renesmee pushed against Edward’s chest, playfully. “Dad!”

“Well, she does look appetizing right now.” Emmett declared from the side in a serious voice.

Renesmee watched as Edward’s eyes drifted to Jacob standing awkwardly at the foot of the stairs. “He’s kidding, Jacob.”

“Where are you taking her?” Edward asked as Jacob slipped Renesmee’s coat over her shoulders.

“The beach.” Jacob answered shortly. Edward raised an eyebrow to something in Jacob’s thoughts but said nothing.

“Why do you keep taking her to the same boring places?” Bella prodded from her place on the sofa. She had picked up a book.

“I like the beach.” Renesmee protested.

“And you didn’t think going to the beach was boring.” Jacob tossed at Bella.

She diverted her eyes to the book in her hands. “Not every weekend.” She said curtly.

“I won’t let him keep me out too late, daddy.” Renesmee stood on her tiptoes to reach Edward’s cheeks as she kissed him good-bye. Sometimes Renesmee’s gestures really matched Bella’s and Edward would recall how Bella had always reached on the tips of her toes to kiss him and how she would always hug him around his waist as Nessie did now.

“That’s my girl.” Edward returned the kiss.

When it was Bella’s turn to be kissed, Nessie bounced onto her lap with a jostling movement that shook the sofa slightly.

“Will you ever be too big for that?” Bella exclaimed as Nessie folded her arms around her neck, planting a kiss on her cold cheek

“Nope.” Nessie chimed.

In front of the door Jacob watched with a sudden longing to feel what it’s like to have Nessie sit on his lap like when she was a baby.

“Oh Renesmee,” Alice whipped her head from the designs in her hand. “I almost forgot. You two are taking the car, right?”

Jacob frowned. “You all know I always run up here.” He said dejectedly only to irritate Alice. He might be half animal but he was considerate of what Nessie thought of him. Probably, Nessie wouldn’t mind but Jacob had become a bit more self-conscious about showing up all sweaty from his run.

“But Nessie can’t get fur all over her clothes.” Alice finished skeptically.

Bella scowled at her.

“Alice.” Renesmee groaned.

Scowling too, Jacob pulled the door open for Renesmee. “Don’t worry, Miss Fang, I brought my car.”

Bella watched from the window as Jacob opened the Volkswagen’s door for Renesmee and got into the driver’s seat.

“You know,” she said absently. “Renesmee’s just a big a cheater as her father is.”

Edward came to lope at Bella’s side. His hands encircled around her waist and he laid his head in the nook between her neck and shoulder.

“What do you mean?” He asked as though he hadn’t a clue to her reference of him.

“As if you don’t know.” Bella countered. “Emmett winked at her.”

“Really?”

“What was he thinking about?”

“He was thinking about how he called Jacob a mutt and how Renesmee was mad at him all day.”

“Right…” Bella replied with suspicion in her voice.

Renesmee stared up into the navy blue heavens from the passenger window.

“Wow. It’s really gotten dark.” She said dreamily. “I wish I could see the stars from here.”

“You get to see them from where I’m taking you.” Jacob smiled as he maneuvered down the road away from the classical mansion hidden in the deep forest.

“But they’re mostly hidden by the pines even though First Beach has fewer trees than here.”

“I said we were going to a beach. Not necessarily First Beach.”

Renesmee turned to stare at Jacob with fascinated eyes. “And not telling me is part of your plan?”

“Of course.”

Trees started to clear as they crossed into La Push. Renesmee kept her eyes on the different shades of blue and lavender spewed across the evening sky. Her mind seemed faraway and Jacob, though wondering where it was, could be more patient than her father ever could with Bella’s silent mind.

He continued maneuvering the steering wheel and from time to time sending discrete glances towards Renesmee. Sometimes she noticed and turned to smile at him. Other times she was lost in her own musings.

“Here we are.” The Volkswagen slid to a stop on the side of a road laden with forest on either side like every other road headed that way. “Taylor Point.” Turning off the engine, he got out and went around to open the passenger door. “Now we go down to Hidden Beach.”

“ ‘Hidden Beach’?” Renesmee raised an eyebrow. “Why does that sound perfect?”

Jacob chuckled as she stepped down from the car. “Exactly. I wouldn’t have Paul or Embry showing up on First Beach and ruining our moment.” He flinched at the last word, realizing that he had dubbed it inadequately. They had yet to have a ‘moment’. Yes, Nessie was sixteen now and already considered date-able by her parents and Jacob knew that she loved him just as thoroughly as he loved her but he had never asked her if she saw him in that sense. And with her staring up at him with that sweet face all made up in a new sophisticated look it was hard for him to think straight.

Alas, Nessie was gazing up at him with a quizzical gleam in her eyes that would not last long before she’d know the truth so he grasped her hand and started leading the way down to the beach. As they continued down a slightly cleared pathway, Nessie noticed the train of mushrooms growing against a hemlock. Her eyes were as sharp as human eyes could be but she accompanied Jacob’s sure steps without hesitation through the piney, salty forest.

Her wolfy companion also noticed her unwavering enthusiasm.

“You know, you’re much faster than your mother ever was on a trail.” Jacob commented at one point.

“That’s hard to imagine.” Renesmee laughed, unable to keep the vision of her stunning mother tearing through the forest near her house as she hunted.

“Why?” Jacob inquired. “She was human, after all. And slower than most.”

Nessie shoved against Jacob’s shoulder with actual force, though it might have looked playful. “She’s not slow anymore.” she chided.

There was a crescent moon that peeked in between the trees overhead, casting a silver trail across the moist soil below.

“And besides, Mommy confided in me that you weren’t any better at dancing than she was.” Renesmee completed her teasing as they pushed the brambles out of the way and the smell of seawater grew stronger. A swooshing sound met them at the cove.

“And it would matter to you if I was a better dancer because…?”

Renesmee didn’t answer as she walked past him and started descending to the shore. She turned around, lighting another teasing smile across her face when she got to the bottom. “Because I just may be pretty excellent at waltzing. My daddy’s been teaching me.”

Grounding to a halt, Jacob observed Renesmee turn around and gaze up at the moon before making her way closer to the slowly rolling waves. Her face was reflected by the moonbeam, casting light upon the arch of her perfect eyebrow, her dreamy brown eyes, her rose petal cheeks. “She’s really a mixture of Bella and Edward.” Two beings that would never leave his life. One that he had loved so strongly, and another that he’d resented, even hated at one point. But Jacob found that even the resemblance of Edward in Renesmee that came in the form of her reddish brown curls was mesmerizing, he had to admit.

“Come on!” Nessie was glaring at him from the water’s edge. Her shoes were off and cast aside. “I thought you were the guide!”

Incapable of hiding his excitement for being alone with Nessie and unable to conceal the pride of being the second fastest in his pack (the honor went to Leah), Jacob raced down to the shoreline, swooping down on Renesmee and knocking her over. She was quick to roll over and escape out of his grasp, though she didn’t laugh until she’d leapt on a small boulder a safe distance away from him. The tiny smirk on her lips faded and she drilled her eyes back up at the star encrusted darkness above.

“The tide is low.” She murmured.

Jacob approached the rock and climbed up behind her. There was barely room for both of them and he wrapped his long legs on either side of the boulder.

“Nessie, can I ask you something?” Jacob peered over Renesmee’s bronze curls at her face which was still pointed upwards at the stars. His eyes accidentally slipped to her ivory throat and he swallowed.

“Sure, you can ask me anything.” Renesmee cocked her head to the side but still did not turn to look over her shoulder.

What he intended on asking went around the lines of his most recent observation of her. What he asked instead was, “Is this okay?” while encircling her tiny waist with his large russet hands.

“It’s okay.” Renesmee replied in a carefree tone but she was slow in answering. The incredible warmth seeped in through her blouse the same way that her family’s chill reached her skin through her clothes. They were quiet for awhile, which was not normal for either of them. They always found something to say. Not that the silence bothered her much. It didn’t. Perhaps it was just the feeling that was off about the silence. It wasn’t natural. Kind of a stretch between awkwardness and strangeness…

If they were talking about the pack or about Jacob’s runs, her torturous make-over, even her fight with Emmett, that would’ve been normal.

Soon Renesmee felt too warm to be comfortable. She shed her jacket (which was a look-alike of Edward’s gray one) off, folding it in her lap.

“That’s better.” She thought as she felt the sea breeze against her face. A nice combination of chill and heat. Nessie leant her head backward so that it settled against Jacob’s shoulder. He wore a black short-sleeved shirt and she was thankful. She’d seen him with his shirt off a bunch of times but since that evening was already weird, if he’d left his clothes behind it would’ve been ten times weirder.

“It feels nice.” She murmured. “The warmth.”

Hearing this, Jacob didn’t know whether to hold her tighter or keep his hands loosely around her waist for fear of scaring her with the sudden proximity. Though a side of his brain doubted that Nessie would react badly to anything he said or did, another more rational side warned him of the consequences. Despite her being physically sixteen now, what if she was psychologically still too young to feel anything but friendship for him? He felt torn apart again, torn apart as he’d felt with Bella between the friendship and romance barriers. This time he wanted to act more wisely. Especially, since the object of his eternal affection was Renesmee. Bella had been special, of course. She had been his first love. But Renesmee was his imprint. Even if their destinies were entwined, one false move could still mean that he would lose her, right? Jacob could barely bear the idea of doing something to hurt Nessie and thus, having the Cullens keep her away from him forever. Naturally, he’d try with all his might to see her again if that happened, but for Nessie to not want to see him…?

“Jacob?” Nessie hesitated.

“Hmm?” Jacob asked, putting an end to his negative thoughts.

“I wonder if- never mind.”

“Just tell me.” Jacob peered around to see her face but she’d turned it the other way and was staring down at her hands clutching the jacket in her lap.

“If you don’t want to answer, I understand.”

“Nessie, if you don’t say it, I’ll pull you off this rock and pin down on the ground. Your hair and clothes will fill with sand and your Auntie Alice will hack you up.”

Renesmee smiled. “Sounds thrilling.” Then she sighed. “I wanted to ask you if, you know, when you were in love with my mother…” In the middle of the pause in her question, Jacob stiffened just a tiny bit. “What it felt like, I mean, how did you give her up or was it not so strong?” He’d never heard her struggle with her words before. She was always so articulate that he admired and felt ashamed at the same time for his lack of eloquence to match hers. However, he felt like asking why she wanted to know. Remembering all those times that he’d stood by Bella when she was in pain and miserable didn’t bring back painful memories for him. In fact, he rather enjoyed recalling the effortless feeling that their friendship had had back then. It was the memories that came afterwards, the ones with Bella dying on a bed in the Cullen house, of him pounding on her chest, trying to keep her breathing that pierced daggers into him now.

Renesmee didn’t know what to make of his silence. The only idea she had was that probably her question was indeed inadequate. Twisting around, Nessie placed her hand against his cheek. “Jacob?”

He saw her face drawn in a worried frown, her eyebrows pulled down almost in distress and then he saw why.

“No, it’s okay.” He clasped her hand, drawing it slowly down from his cheek. His eyes traveled to the small waves rolling onto the sandy shore. “It had been strong, what I’d felt for Bella.” He explained slowly. “She was the first girl I’d ever loved, ever looked at. But I knew she wasn’t mine all along and I acted stupid sometimes.”

“Mommy said that even when she was dying you still fought for her.” Renesmee took the opportunity that he’d made a pause.

Jacob didn’t answer. He didn’t know what to say.

“It hurts you, doesn’t it? Remembering?”

He still couldn’t answer.

“I really am sorry.” Renesmee rushed through her next words. “I only asked because this feeling is new to me.”

Jacob’s head snapped from the position it had been bent in.

“New?”

Renesmee nodded and bit down on her bottom lip.

“It feels weird.” She whispered. That was all she said.

“What do you mean?” Jacob slid one hand up her waist to rest on her shoulder, turning her slightly to see her face. But she instantly hid her face in his chest. Realizing that she did that whenever she was embarrassed about something, Jacob pressed his lips down to impede a laugh and brought his hands to her hair, stroking it. She looked adorable when embarrassed.

“I don’t know what it means.” Renesmee exclaimed in a voice muffled by Jacob’s shirt. “I just feel different with you now. And I don’t know if it’s because you’ve never been away from me for more than one day so-”

“Yes,” Jacob cut in. “That was excruciatingly weird.”

Renesmee pulled her head up. “But it’s weirder still that you were only gone a week and that I should miss you this much in such a short amount of time.” There was reason in her big brown eyes that could not be mistaken for insensitivity. Her lips pulled at the corners in a small smile and she raised her hand to stroke his chest. “I just became so used to you running around my house.”

Jacob sucked in a great amount of fresh sea air. “What you’re saying is..” He knew exactly what she was saying. Somehow she knew that at any given moment a strange, fire would incinerate between them. That given moment had come so soon. Jacob was half amazed. Renesmee would always continue to amaze him with her intuition. He cut himself off, rephrasing his statement. “You know that I feel it too.”

Renesmee bit down on her lip once more.

“Do you feel guilty?” She asked quietly.

“Not if you don’t.” Jacob responded with total honesty.

Renesmee just met his gaze for a moment, her hand still flat against his chest, his heart speeding sporadically underneath.

A wider smile crept across her face then, showing her perfectly straight and milky white teeth that glistened in the moonlight. “Daddy would be disappointed. He was much more articulate with his declarations.”

Jacob chuckled quietly. “Forgive my lack of romanticism, please.” He murmured.

Nessie pulled herself up in a more upright sitting position. Her hands crept up his chest to his nape and hid into his beautiful rich raven black hair.

“You are romantic in your own way.” She said, nonchalantly.

“I’m afraid that you may be too young, Nessie.” Jacob’s husky voice was serious.

“My parents think-”

“It’s not them that I’m worried about.”

Before she could think of the next question to ask, Renesmee discovered that she possessed the sudden urge to bring Jacob’s face closer to hers.

“It’s better not to think twice right now.” She decided as she touched her lips only lightly to Jacob’s.

“Nessie, what are you doing?” Jacob asked against her lips. His breathing had caught in his throat.

“Checking if it will feel weird.” Renesmee blurted out. Afraid that he would pull her hands from around his neck, she parted her lips around his. It wasn’t meant to last long and so she pulled her head back carefully, measuring Jacob’s dark eyes which were shining now.

“Okay, doesn’t feel weird. No need to worry about me.” Nessie said lightly.

Closing his eyes, Jacob slid off the rock. He started walking towards the water while Renesmee sat confused for a moment still atop the small boulder, before comprehension crossed her mind and she grinned.

“If you think I’m climbing down from this rock and going over there just so you’ll tackle me, you should know I’m smarter than that!”

Seeing that he didn’t turn around, not even to smirk back, Renesmee jumped down from the boulder. After putting her shoes back on she turned back in the direction of the forest.

When Jacob turned around, she was already making her way through the brambles.

“Nessie? What the-”

“I want to see what’s in here!” Her wind chime voice called back.

Tackling Nessie down was not exactly the idea he’d had in mind when he’d gotten up off the rock and gone to gaze out over the darkened sea. Jacob didn’t really know what he’d been planning to do when Nessie had caught up to him. Maybe say the words aloud- say his feeling out loud. Perhaps even bend over and gather her in his arms again. Kiss her again.

Now he just found himself hurrying after her, worried that she would get lost.

Without his animalistic eyesight, the forest would be a great deal darker and unfamiliar. Indeed, Jacob had only been there one time when he’d discovered Hidden Beach. The forest shone beautifully under daylight and he had to bring Nessie here when she could see the blooming wildlife and the starfish in the tidal pools.

“Now I just have to find her..” He groaned silently while whipping his head around, scanning the hemlocks and fern bushes. Sounds coming from the few nocturnal creatures scampering about the forest floor echoed in the growing night.

“Nessie, it’s getting darker!” Jacob called. No reply. “This is getting frustrating.” It made him nervous how he couldn’t even hear the sweeping sound of feet against the ground.

With a gasp, Jacob reached for the thing that had fallen on top of his shoulders, prying it off of him. Had he not caught a glimpse of the bronze wisps of curls shining in the moonlight he’d thrust the creature on the forest floor.

Renesmee’s big brown eyes widened with shock before she burst into giggles.

Jacob let out a long, exasperated sigh as he cradled Nessie in his arms.

“Alice taught me that.” Renesmee continued to giggle. But her laughter rapidly ceased when she encountered Jacob’s eyes boring down at her with a distraught set to them.

“Are you mad at me?” She asked quietly, placing her palm against his russet cheek.

At first Jacob’s frown seemed to not be ready to leave. Renesmee’s eyes went from wide to narrowed slits as he suddenly exploded in laughter.

“What’s so funny?” She demanded while struggling free out of Jacob’s arms.

Jacob set her down without hesitation, trying to breathe between the chuckles. “You just look so guilty!” He gasped.

Renesmee rolled her eyes and stalked past him into the thicket ahead.

“Nessie, you do realize that I could’ve thrown you down?” Jacob’s voice was more stable as it appeared just two feet behind her, making her release a tiny gasp.

“Why do you always sneak up on people?” She hissed, not lifting her eyes from the brambles ahead. Once they were pushed out of the way the winding road could be seen.

“I’m sorry but wouldn’t you know something about sneaking up on people?”

Renesmee didn’t answer as she continued towards the spot where Jacob had left the car. Her arms were folded over her small chest, her big milk chocolate colored eyes glaring when Jacob came out of the shrubbery. He made no move to approach the Volkswagen. They both seemed to stare each other down and Jacob considered how that looked…attractive coming from Renesmee. How she didn’t turn her face away whenever he made her angry the way Bella used to.

Renesmee, on the other hand, was secretly measuring how her werewolf friend looked especially sinister standing against the dark shadows of the forest with his midnight black hair cascading to his shoulders. At least, he would look threatening to any normal person passing by at that hour.

Biting back a laugh, she taunted “Aren’t you going to open the door for me or is that too gentlemanly for you?”

Jacob rolled his eyes and hurried to the passenger side of the car.

“Thank you.” Nessie muttered, climbing in.

Once he was inside, Jacob turned the key in the ignition and smirked at Nessie. “You’re the one who attacked me back there.” He pretended to scoff sarcastically.

Despite her teeth still pressing down on her bottom lip, a light chuckle was released. “Two can play at this melodramatic game. I am half vampire, after all.” She deliberately turned her head towards the window. The glass had chilled immensely. “If you didn’t like it, you should’ve let me know.”

Jacob grinned big in the rearview mirror.

During the drive back neither of them said much. Actually, except for a few banters about the classical music station that Nessie had turned the radio to, not a single word was uttered. Nessie watched out the window the thick clouds cover the stars pretty fast. She pouted a bit.

“I’ll have to ask Alice to take me to Seattle after school…maybe on Thursday. We could have dinner and see a movie so it’ll be late enough. Or if the weather isn’t clearing up we can drive to Phoenix over the weekend. There will be plenty of stars there.”

Jacob interrupted her musings.

“I’ll bring you back here during the day.” He smiled invitingly. “You up for some hiking?”

Renesmee grinned, suddenly remembering her argument with Emmett earlier. “It’s too bad I can’t bring Emmett. He’s loads of fun on a hike.” She laughed openly when Jacob stiffened.

“No, really.”

“What does he do, tear a tree in half to make a bridge for you over the river?”

Renesmee laughed again. “Precisely.” She didn’t have to hide the fact that she never did go just hiking with Emmett. Jacob didn’t need to know about that. He’d probably flip more than her parents would have.

Only one light was on throughout the who white house. Nessie recognized it shining from the living room. But she decided that she’d rather walk a few ways to the cottage.

The sight of Jacob getting out of the Volkswagen made her smirk.

“You really do take things into consideration, huh?” She teased, glancing discretely at a window high up in the white Cullen manor where tiny golden eyes were staring down from. Quickly, she fixed her gaze totally on Jacob’s face before he could look up as well.

Jacob stalked to her side and cupped her small ivory hand in his. He enlaced his fingers through hers protectively as they descended the grassy lawn into the surrounding forest.

“If Miss Cullen doesn’t mind, I’m far from complaining.”

Idly, Renesmee wondered if that name meant something completely different to him now than it had long ago.

An owl hooted and the tall hemlocks surrounded them. This forest smelled totally different from the other one.

“Jacob, why do you think my mom was angrier at you for imprinting on me than my dad?” Nessie asked at random. “I would think that it’d be the other way around.”

Jacob grinned, though he was taken aback by the question. “I would to.” After a pause in which he thought the answer over, he continued. “I think you should ask her yourself. She would give you a more accurate answer than I can.”

“I think I know why my dad didn’t get so mad.” Renesmee peered up at Jacob as they trudged on at a slower pace. “He knew you’d be good to anything you love. My mom knows that too but maybe she wasn’t so eager to accept because-”

“She’s your mom.” Jacob completed what Nessie made sound so under stable. “She thought I was taking you from her. Setting a claim on you.”

Nessie nodded.

Then she glanced up at his face again.

“You don’t hate him anymore, do you? My dad?” Her tone was casual somewhat. Jacob wondered, though, if it really bothered her more than she let on.

His throat twisted tightly and he halted. “I don’t.” He answered, bending his head to hold her stare. “How could I now?” With the hand that wasn’t holding Nessie’s hand he caressed the side of her ivory face from her cheekbones to her jaw, again taking into account how similar some of her features were to Edward’s. Those cheekbones especially.

“We love the same people. I did hate him viciously before…”

“I thought he was killing Bella.” But Jacob didn’t say that out loud. He didn’t think it necessary to pain Nessie like that. “But never think that I hate you, Nessie, it-” That possibility took the words right out of him.

Fortunately, Nessie cut him off with a playful grin.

“Silly, I know you don’t.” She jumped up to plant a tiny kiss on his cheek.

Jacob chuckled then sighed, feeling a tranquilizing calm taking over.

“So…” Jacob stalled as they walked deeper into the wood, nearing the center. “Do you want me not to think about the kiss?” His tone dropped an octave lower.

“Why?”

“Well, so your father won’t get the wrong idea.”

Nessie chuckled.

“My guess is he can already hear us.”

Jacob pretended to frown. “Ooh. Right. In that case, he’ll have to deal with my detailed memory.”

Renesmee’s ivory skin blushed faintly. “Don’t go overboard or it won’t be Edward Cullen you’ll have to worry about.” Her thoughts drifted to Emmett again.

Jacob’s eyes narrowed as he recalled the mention of her big uncle and he wondered if it was he who she meant. After a moment he shrugged.

“I’ll take the trade any day.” He gave Nessie a cocky grin.

She rolled her eyes. “Really?” She prodded. “Even against Emmett?”

Jacob nodded once. “If he breaks any of my bones I’ll have you as my daily visitor.”

“What about Rosalie?”

That cocky grin turned excited, full of adrenaline. Renesmee laughed, not needing a broader explanation.

Jacob untangled his hand from Nessie’s. She continued springing one step ahead of him and he wondered if she secretly felt nervous being with him. Was that why she was so eager to get home?

“Nessie.” He wound both his hands around her waist, pulling her slowly towards him. Even her stare seemed to waver. She glanced discretely to her right but he caught it. “Do I make you nervous?” He asked softly.

Renesmee’s deep brown eyes focused entirely on his face. She took a step back so that she could give the once over which made him feel slightly self conscious. A smile pulled at the corners of her mouth.

“ I do think it’s funny when people are intimidated by you.” Her hands raised to his chest but they traveled all the way up to his shoulders, her arm stretched all the way.

Jacob began to bend his head, focusing on the strawberry blush on Nessie’s left cheek.

“I think my parents are worrying.” Nessie declared quickly.

Jacob began to shake his head but she slid her arms from off his shoulders so he realized that this was her decision. Nessie wrapped those arms around his waist, however, hugging him.

“Thanks for tonight, Jacob.” Nessie whispered.

One of Jacob’s hands slid up her waist to her nape. Bending over, he kissed her perfect ringlets.

“Good night, Nessie.”

Renesmee turned around and dashed across the clearing, leaving her own personal werewolf wondering when she would let him return the favor.

Ardor

2009-03-04T23:43:00.001-08:00

Written By:x.Deni.x
You can read the original here:
All credit goes to the original author

Ardor

He let’s the heat take over, and strays away from the reservation, in search of her.

He needs her, he wants her, and he thinks she has finally figured out it’s what she wants too.

No, he didn’t want a camaraderie, he wanted love. He wanted a relationship. He wanted her.

The trees went swiftly past him, branches leering out as if to stop him, but he kept on running, running for her.

He changes back to normal form in midair as he runs for her house.

The moon was high in the sky.

He crept up the tree stealthily, before jumping into her open window.

Luckily, the bloodsucker isn’t there.

She blearily sits up, and seems to recognise him.

“Jake?” She mumbles.

He nods, the shadow of his frame matching him perfectly, and his silhouette brought out his huge form.

He walks over to her bed, and she reaches for him desperately.

“Bella,” He breathes, before gently capturing her soft, warm lips.

Mechanical

2009-03-04T23:42:00.000-08:00

Written By:Fireflamesinferno
You can read the original here:
All credit goes to the original author

“Blondie, where the hell’d you go?”

If her friggin’ nasty scent wasn’t smothered all over the mansion, I may have had a fighting chance at finding the Cullen’s resident Ice Queen. But unfortunately, wolf instincts come with a little side effect known as overwhelming of the senses. And considering Blondie had clearly made an effort to speed all over the house when she heard me approaching, solely for the purpose of masking her current location…

I stood in the middle of the living room, absently kicking the perfect white couch, probably denting the thing. The scent of sickly sweet amaretto and burnt wood swirled in the air, swelling strongly in every corner. Crap. I couldn’t catch the freshest trail with my gag reflex going.

It didn’t help that she was home alone.

The Cullen clan had left the day before on a hunting trip to Canada. And Bella decided to take Nessie with them. I wasn’t feeling entirely too pleasant about that in the first place, but the fact that they weren’t back yet was really bugging the crap out of me. I had spent all morning patrolling the woods, to no avail. They weren’t back yet, like Bella had said they would be. And that just plain sucked.

I had put up a huge fight about Nessie going in the first place. Bella wouldn’t hear it. She has mother superiority over imprinted soul mate, I guess. And she did say they would be back earlier that morning. But no, they weren’t. So I tried to find their trail. I tried their cell phones (who carries cells when hunting?) I even left a couple nasty voicemails that were sure to get me a couple well placed kicks to my shins. I had exhausted every research, and all before lunch, too.

So, tail tucked between my legs, I ran to the Cullen mansion, a man in need.

Why was Rosalie still here anyway? Why wasn’t she off hunting with her darling hulk and family? It was a conundrum, especially given her obsessive attachment to Ness.

Not that I cared.

“Damn it, Blondie, if you don’t come out from whatever slimy rock you’re cowering under, I swear I’m going to dent your BMW. Nice, big ol’ dent right in the middle of that shiny red hood.”

Nothing. Again.

She really enjoyed screwing with me. I stalked off to the garage, winding through the kitchen to the adjoining door. “I’m doing it!”

Kicking down the door seemed dramatic enough, so I did just that. The wood splintered open, hanging limply off the broken hinges. The sweet aroma of gas and grease and fresh wax wafted out of the room, putting up an effort to mask the obvious swell of amaretto and burnt wood that filled the whole damn house. I finally was able to breathe a little in comfort.

Stalking over to the crimson beauty that was nestled next to the Wrangler, I paused. I loved cars. And the M3 was a gorgeous little European piece. Smashing the hood in could break a little part of my heart, even though Ness basically owned the whole sha-bang.

I stood deliberating over that fact for a moment, long enough to note that the smell of something foul was especially strong here. “Barbie, come out, come out, wherever you are…”

With a snarl and the sound of rolling wheels, half of her emerged from underneath the BMW on a mechanic’s cart.

“Something wicked this way comes.” I smirked, crossing my arms over my chest. “I knew you couldn’t bear to part with your precious car’s perfection. God forbid you drive something crapped up.”

“What do you want, mongrel?”

It was all she said, and her glare looked as though it could cut right through me. Not that it could. Healing fast had its way with evil women.

I hated, no, loathed to admit it, but she looked sort of freaking hot. Her honey blonde hair was normally abnormally perfect. Because she lay across the cart, her hair was splayed out in a tangled halo. There was a small grease smudge on her right cheek, directly across from her beauty mark. She wore an especially grungy V-neck tee, one marked with even more grease spots. Unfortunately, it was damn sexy.

Of course, I immediately crushed these thoughts. She may have been gorgeous, but she was the devil in an angel’s body. Who smelled bad.

“Y’know, Barbie, when I said the whole slimy rock thing, I didn’t really think you’d be somewhere filthy. The apocalypse must be on the way. Your hair’s dirty.”

“Do you actually have a reason to be here or do you just need a break from the fleas?” She sneered at me, dropping a grimy rag on the cement. With a graceful kick, she rolled completely out and shifted to a sitting position on the cart.

I wrinkled my nose. Now I could smell her perfectly. Amaretto wouldn’t have been bad if it wasn’t mixed strongly with the smell of burning, smoke, and overly sweet almond. The concoction was absolutely disgusting. I couldn’t fathom how the hulk bloodsucker could stand to be near her.

“Yeah, they do itch.” I ran a hand through my unruly hair and scratched it fiercely. I heard her hiss in disgust. “Now, as much as I would love to give my new blonde joke a run, I kind of have this problem.”

“Hm. Don’t care.” She stood up in one fluid motion, like she was liquid. Stalking over to the drool worthy tool chest in the garage’s corner, she began fishing through a drawer.

“Yeah, you do. Where the hell’s Ness? Bells said they’d be back by now.” I crossed between the leech’s Volvo and Doc’s Mercedes to stop a few paces from her.

Rosalie’s facial expression remained visibly unchanged to the human eye as she continued to fish through a vast collection of wrenches. I noticed, however, that her jaw line tightened ever so slightly beneath that flawless, ivory skin.

“Don’t know.” She lifted up a hefty wrench, observed it for a moment, and then replaced it, taking another one instead. “And, even if I did,” she turned around with a wicked smirk crossing her full lips, “What makes you think I’d tell you?”

What a freaking bitch. Not gonna lie, I was sick of her attitude. I drew dangerously closer. Anger made my muscles tense tightly. I practically had to restrain myself from taking a swing at her perfect little face. And she was little.

I suddenly felt very side tracked by her proximity. Realizing I had never noticed how tiny she was in proportion to me, I felt even more bravado to prod the sleeping beast within. My hand slammed the drawer she had been fishing through shut, and I leaned forward, snarling in her face. “Why are you still here, Ice Queen?”

“None of you business, pup.” She hissed back just as vehemently, shifting to the right, moving away from my hold on the tool chest. My other arm shot out, efficiently trapping her against the chest. It was too hot in the garage, and I was beginning to feel very pissed off.

“Nah, I think it is. You won’t tell me where they are or what they’re doing.” She shrunk back against the chest, but her golden eyes challenged me, not unlike a wildcat. Or a wildfire. Anything that would freaking rip me to shreds at the snap of a finger. “So if I can’t know why they’re not back yet,” I continued, daring her to strike me, “Then I want to know why the hell you’re here.”

She lifted the small wrench she had been holding and shoved it against my chest like a pointer. Hard. The thing dug into my pecs like hell. “Read my lips, fleabag. None. Of. Your. Business.”

“Is it the jealousy thing about Ness, Blondie? Because, frankly, that’s becoming a little outdated.” She didn’t flinch, but I could see her eyes darkening with a color that looked almost red. Point for me. “Or, hey, I got one for you.” I smiled cockily, denting the tool chest slightly with my fist. “Did you just want to get me alone?”

She hissed at that, like a rabid cat, and the wrench hit the floor with a loud clang. “You wish, filthy mutt.”

I chuckled slightly, knowing I was close to an answer. For a brief moment, I studied her. Her harsh features were intensely fierce and edged with fury. She looked like she was seriously considering ripping out my throat. I wondered if I was pushing it way too far. But the smell of amaretto burnt wood was too strong and the way she sniffed at me derisively nudged me over the edge. “Oh, I know. Bet it’s marital problems. The Incredible Hulk not doing it for you?”

Before I could even fully vocalize the last word, I suddenly found myself slammed against the garage door, my spine bending awkwardly at the metal bracing, and a very tightly clenched fist around my throat. Rosalie stood before me, her eyes a pulsing, dark amber. Her teeth were bared and her chest heaved with hatred, despite the fact that she didn’t need to breathe.

I was highly disturbed that I actually found the whole look really hot. Like, really damn hot. She stared at me for a moment, severely contemplating an attempt at killing me. She wasn’t really strangling me yet, but I could see the lust for it in her eyes.

I became aware that my pulse was pounding with hot blood, and that I too was snarling, ever so slightly. The entire moment was so very animalistic, and freaking on edge. I considered making the move for her and jumping her in wolf form. “Try me, Blondie. Just try me.”

“Don’t you ever talk about Emmett and me again. Ever.” She squeezed my throat in emphasis, causing my veins to flood with even more throbbing. So there really was trouble in Cullen land. Wow, I hadn’t actually meant to hit her in the gut like that. But geez, how was I supposed to know? And at that point, I was so pissed at her anyways, and the garage was just so damn burning that it didn’t faze me that much.

I saw her gaze briefly flicker to my jugular, watching the pulse of blood there as she dug her perfectly manicured nails around it. I wasn’t about to pass up her moment of distraction.

With equal speed and force, I whipped her around by her arm and flipped her against the wall. Just as swiftly, I had her arms pinned above her head in one fist hold. I planted the other hand next to her head pressed my leg forward to keep her pinned. “Gonna suck my blood, leech? Go ahead, I’ll let you have a taste.” I offered my neck to her, thrusting my head over her should and against the wall.

It was then, that I became acutely aware of our position: her silken lips barely gracing my throat, my leg firmly planted between her splayed thighs, her chest still heaving against mine. Her frozen wrists suddenly felt scorching. I breathed against the cement wall, taking in her aroma. It suddenly occurred to me that it wasn’t exactly her smell that was disgusting, just the overwhelming intensity of it. Amaretto burnt wood wasn’t half bad. In fact, the scent was utterly wild. I forced myself to draw back ever so slightly, pulling away from those heavenly, unmoving lips. I look her straight in the eye. “What, no takers?”

She didn’t respond, and I realized she too was fully aware of the situation at hand. And not opposed to it. Which just about floored me. It was just so…so wrong. Her gaze was no longer infuriated. It was intrigued. Pissed off, definitely. But scared. Thrilled. Hazardous. Turned on.

I didn’t know what to do. Without ever drifting from her hard gaze, I hesitantly brought my right hand off the wall and placed it on the side of her hip. I pulled her flush against me and was too pleased to hear her make a small thrumming noise in the back of her throat. Slowly, I let my hand explore forbidden, frozen territory. She was a secret tundra, one I hadn’t realized how bad I wanted to survey until right then. Her stomach was flat, but strong. Her sides were so perfectly curved, but small enough for my large hand to encompass. I flitted past her breast to her collar bone, not brave enough to linger. Even if she would have let me, which I wasn’t entirely sure she would be opposed to.

Finally, I cupped her cheek and ran my thumb over her perpetually red, full mouth, feeling the crease in the top and the pillowy bottom. Oh, how bad I wanted to kiss her. How terribly, freaking bad. When I moved my hand back to cup the back of her head and feel her hair, I saw her tongue flit out and lick her lips slightly. Oh geez, that was just too much.

And suddenly, the boiling heat in my stomach turned to guilt and shame and something entirely too monstrous for me to comprehend. Damn, I wanted her. But we couldn’t. We shouldn’t. I couldn’t do that to Ness. To Emmett. To Bella. It was like driving a wedge straight between Rose and her family. I couldn’t do that to the Ice Queen, or to the rest of them. I didn’t love Rose, that was for sure, but I couldn’t screw with her life just because of some sort of sexual tension thing we had going. She needed to work out her own crap, and I didn’t need to add to the issue. We would never work out.

I leaned forward and kissed her forehead. The action was all I needed to tell her exactly what was going on in my head. She sighed with disappointment, strangely. “Damn it.”

“I know, right?”

Her chuckle rumbled deeply into my chest. Wow. She laughed. And not in a mocking way. She genuinely laughed at something I said. I smiled against her cold forehead. “Would have been damn good fun.”

She nodded slightly, and moved her hands from my relaxed hold. Placing one hand against my chest, she looked me in the eye, serious. “What are we going to do about…this?”

“No clue.” I sighed miserably. Oh damn, how I just wanted to kiss her. And do other things with her. “Not think about it in front of Edward and make a point of never being alone together?”

“That’s a start.” She toyed with the rim of my wife beater, her face slightly darkening. “And I need to fix things with Emmett.”

My stomach dropped. Damn, so I had been right on target. Good job, Jake. Be the asshole. We had to get over this. I knew she loved him. “And maybe be friends? Because it couldn’t kill us.”

She laughed again, which made me grin. I liked that sound a lot. Maybe I should focus more on being nice. Rosalie sniffed again, raising a statuesque brow. “Yeah it could. You still smell like a wet dog.”

Scratch that. Blonde jokes galore for the next twenty years.

Forbidden Love

2009-03-01T12:35:00.000-08:00

Written By:zanessaforever18
You can read the original here:
All credit goes to the original author

Forbidden Love

Love. Love is the strongest feeling you could ever feel for a person. To love and to be loved is the greatest gift of all. Love is what I feel for Nick. I couldn’t imagine my life without him. He is my rock, my soul, my everything.

My name is Renesmee Carlie Cullen. This is where my story begins. The story of my life. My story of…Forbidden Love.

Nick and I have been dating for about 6 weeks now. It was love at first sight.

I bet your wondering why our love is so forbidden? Well the truth is …. Nick is part of the Volturi. Yes I know that mean he is a vampire but I don’t care …. I love him!

Nick is a vegetarian vampire just like my family and I. the Volturi has tried many time to get him to kill a human but fail every time.

Our relationship has been kept a secret. Every two days Nick and I meet in the meadow and stay with each other for a few hours.

Everything was fine until the day we got caught by my parents. Nick and I were sitting in the meadow, me sitting on his lap. Just when he leaned down to kiss me my parents came running in and grabbed me out of his grasp. My dad was just about to pounce on him. I ran to him and wrapped my arms around his waist.

“NESSIE! GET AWAY FROM HIM NOW!” my dad shouted with fury running through his veins.

“No dad! I love him. I don’t care what you say or what you do… I will not let anyone hurt him”.

He went to pounce again. This time he made sure he didn’t hit me. Before he could get to us I held up my hand… shielding both of us. Dad crashed into the shield and got knocked to the ground. My mom ran over to see if my dad was okay. she helped him up.

“Nessie! How could you?” my mom shouted at me.

“You choose the Volturi over your own family?”

“No mom! I choose Nick over my family. Just like you did when you chose dad over Charlie and Renee”.

“That was different!” she argued.

“How? You loved dad just like I love Nick!... I going to stay with nick for awhile and”

My dad interrupted me “Nessie there is no way I’m going to let you go with him. I forbid you to be with him!”

I tear slid down my cheek. Nick pulled me closer.

“Nessie you have to make a decision… it’s Your family or Him” he spat.

I looked into Nick’s eyes.

“it’s your decision.. what ever you choose I will stand by you” He whispered into my ear. He was so sweet.

“You have to choose” my dad said.

I hated my dad right now. How could he do this to me? I hate him.. I hate him… I hate him!

My dad looked at me with sad eyes. He obviously heard what I was thinking. Right now I didn’t care what he felt. He hurt me.

“I have already chosen” I spat. “come on Nick lets go”

My mom collapsed to the ground sobbing. I hated seeing her so hurt. She wasn’t the one making me leave it has my dad. I would never forgive him.

I quickly ran over to my mom. I pulled her into my arms.

“I love you mom, I always will!” I whispered in her ear.

“I love you too Nessie”

I struggled to let my mom go. I got up and ran back to Nick. I turned back to my father and gave him a glare and then we disappeared into the trees.

That was the last time I saw my family. I sacrificed my family for love. Just like my mom did. All I can say is … Love is the greatest feeling you could ever feel.

Butterflies of Night

2009-03-01T12:34:00.000-08:00

Written By:Akumakami-Jada
You can read the original here:
All credit goes to the original author

Color adorns her pale skin

A dusty rose tint upon her face

As she tosses and turns, ever restless

Yet not a lock of hair falls out of place

Gradually her movements are ceasing

As she finally settles in

Her face and body are relaxing

And that’s when his battle begins

He watches as her breathing deepens

While he debates between wrong and right

The decision tears at him on the inside

Wearing away like a butterfly of night

She seems so serene, so peaceful

As she’s ferried away to her dreams

A world that’s not cruel or painful

Where there are no crimson blood pools or streams

Can he really take that away?

Why is it so difficult a fight?

She’s fragile yet so very tempting

An alluring butterfly of night

He knows what choice he should make

But he’s not ready to be the good guy

A selfish creature by nature

Can he leave her even if he does try?

Alas, time’s running out now

For he must depart at first light

But he stays, despite the danger

A foolish butterfly of night

While he’s there, he realizes one thing

He can deny his love for her no longer

A fact that is certainly most troubling

He always thought he was stronger

He wants her more than anything

But wishes not to drag her into his twilight

A mere human, her death is inevitable

A fleeting butterfly of night

A single word falls from her lips

And with that single word, his will shatters

His name whispered through the cloak of darkness

Leaving it torn up and in tatters

At first he thought she awakened

His presence would be an ill-received sight

His relief that he’s wrong is unwarranted

What has he to fear from a fragile butterfly of night?

Now his choice has been made for him

Thought it will bring all kinds of pain

But he knows if he tries to leave her

His will would still wax and wane

His path will not change nor waver

It’s wrong; of this he is sure

But he stands firm and resolute

To protect and love that which is pure

He’ll stay by her side as long as she wants him

Though he’s crossed the fine line between black and white

He’ll be with her, for eternity and forever

His Bella, his butterfly of night

Myths and Legends

2009-03-01T12:26:00.000-08:00

Written By:MoonlightSpirit
You can read the original here:
All credit goes to the original author

Bella POV

1 year. That's how many years it's been since we left Forks. Since I started my immortal life as a vampire. Since I had my daughter, Renessmee. And now the me and my family were returning, for summer vacation. Forks was the best place for a vampire to stay during the summer. Even throughout the summer, Forks was usually cloudy and rainy. The ideal summer vacation spot for a vampire that sparkled in the sunlight. We figured that we could get away with one more summer at Forks, without anyone suspecting that we never aged. Renessmee would be passing as my cousin, spending summer with us, Her rapid growth had sped up over the one year we were one and now she had stopped aging at the age of 16.

At this moment, Edward and I were walking casually down the streets of Forks. holding hands. Carlisle, Esme, Alice, Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie were back at the house while Renessmee had gone over to La Push in her new car- a bright blue Viper- to visit Jacob (Alice assured Edward that she didn't see anything...inappropriate happening between them. But that didn't stop him from calling every three seconds. Okay, that's an exaggeration, it was more like every half hour). Not much had changed in the one year we were gone. A few new stores had popped up, but that was it.

"Not much has changed, has it?" Edward asked me, reading my mind-not literally of course. I shook my head. Suddenly, I stopped short as a smell assaulted my nose. I glanced at Edward, who was looked at me, confusion on his face.

"I smell it to," he said, "Odd." What was odd was that, this was a sent I never encountered. It smelled human, moist-like the smell of rain after it's stopped- and salty, with a light floral scent. Edward and I continued walking, scanning the area for the source of the odd smell that was getting stronger.

"What is that?" I muttered, confused. Edward shrugged.

"I don't like this," he muttered, "I've never smelled something like this." Edward and I remained tensed as five people came down the sidewalk, walking the opposite way from us. Three of them were girls, about sixteen or seventeen. Two were blonde and the other was a brunette. Holding the hand of the brunette girl was a blonde boy. With them was an old woman with thick blonde curls. The three girls kept looking up apprehensively at the cloudy sky.

"Girls, don't worry," said the old woman in a hushed voice that wouldn't be heard by normal human ears, "I told you, this place is special. The water won't affect you here." Edward and I looked at each other with matching confused looks. What were they talking about? And something else was puzzling. The odd smell was coming from the three girls. Only them. The boy and old woman smelt normal. We passed them and continued our walk. Once the five of them were out of earshot, Edward and I stopped walking and he looked at me, his brow furrowed.

"You read their mind?" I asked. Edward nodded.

"But I can't believe it," he said, "In all my years of existence, I never thought..."

"What is it Edward?" I asked impatiently. Edward's eyes bored into mine as he said, "Those three girls, they're...mermaids."

Emmett Does American Idol

2009-03-01T12:24:00.000-08:00

Written By:ayden2408
You can read the original here:
All credit goes to the original author

Emmett does American Idol

Edward POV

“Emmett are you sure this is a good idea?” I asked Emmett probably for the thousandth time since we arrived here in Seattle.

About two weeks ago Emmett got it into his head that he was Americas next Top Idol. So here we stand in line waiting to receive his number he was next in line as he stepped up to the table he was handed his number.

Dude I am number 73 that is my lucky number I am so going to dominate this competition Emmett thought to me. The only reason that he brought me along was to hear what the judges thought of him. He was next to go in as I was thinking my phone rang I pulled it out of my pocket and saw it my the love of my life. “Hey love, how is the shopping extravaganza?”I asked her. My sister had taken her on a week long shopping trip before our wedding.

“Great, although I think Alice is taking the honey moon shopping overboard she has already bought me enough blue undergarments to last me a year.” the thought of her in any thing made me wish we would have gone to Vegas a long time ago.

“Oh don't worry I will make sure I pack you some comfort clothes because everything looks great on you.” “But that is not actually why I called you” “Well to what do I owe this pleasure” “Rosalie cant seem to get a hold of Emmett do you happen to know were to find him”

Emmett visibly stiffened next to me Dude I am so not her. If rose finds out about what I am about what I am about to do. Believe me I will hear about it for the next century. I really hate lieing to Bella but I gotta do what I have to do. “I think he went hunting for a little while” “alone” “yes he said he had some stuff to think about, well I love you my angel and I will talk to you when you get back” “ I love you too and you owe me big time for this one”

As Emmett entered the room you tell he was nervous without even having Jaspers gift. As he entered the room I tapped into everyones minds. Simon was thinking that Emmett had a chance. Paula wanted to strip him down and do some not so professional things to him. Randy just stood up and said “Yo, what up dawg?” the music started playing and Emmett started singing.

“I'm too sexy for my shirt too sexy for my shirt

So sexy it hurts”

Emmett ripped off his shirt and swung it around his head and hit Paula in her head her eyes were about to pop out of her head

“And I'm too sexy for Milan too sexy for Milan
New York and Japan”

And I'm too sexy for your party
Too sexy for your party
No way I'm disco dancing

Emmett through everything off of the table jumped on it and used it as a catwalk and started strutting his stuff

this made the judges back up all the way against the
I'm a model you know what I mean
And I do my little turn on the catwalk
Yeah on the catwalk on the catwalk yeah
I do my little turn on the catwalk

I'm too sexy for my car too sexy for my car
Too sexy by far
And I'm too sexy for my hat
Too sexy for my hat what do you think about that

Simon stood up and yelled “enough enough enough” Paula was the next to speak up and said “yeah you may have a nice body but you have absolutely no talent” Randy spoke next “ yeah lets just this competition is just not ready for all of your talent but nice try.”

Emmett walked out of the room looking like somebody just killed his puppy.

The Cullens' Computer

2009-03-01T12:21:00.000-08:00

Written By:TimelessParodies
You can read the original here:
All credit goes to the original author

It was a dark and stormy night... Alice Cullen was sitting on the Cullen's front porch, staring at the rain falling down all around her. A fork of lightning flashed, and she sighed. She was bored. Jasper, Emmett, Edward, and Carlisle were all out hunting. Bella was away somewhere, cooing at Renesmee, and Rosalie and Esme were buying groceries. Ever since Jacob had started visiting regularly, there'd been a strong nessecity to buy food... and air freshner. There was nothing to do, really. Being a vampire got so dull... There was another clap of thunder. Alice stared up at the sky, having had a sudden, and violent wish to fly.

"If only vampires could really turn into bats..." she grumbled. There was nothing to foresee, nothing to do. Life had fallen into a dull peace. The worst kind of dull peace there was. Every day they measured Nessie, perhaps went to see Charlie, bantered a bit with Jacob, tormented Jasper, and tried unsucessfully to make Bella wear something she'd picked out. It was a monotonous routine, and one that she wanted desperately to break... but how? Get the whole family to participate in a skit? ... Not likely. Simply kiss Jasper for a while? ... He was hunting. Play... Truth or Dare? Before she could get excited, however, she remembered the last time they'd so unwisely chosen to play.

"ALICE! Truth or Dare!?" Rosalie hissed. She stiffened, a wide smile playing across her face.

"Dare." She said fearlessly.

"I dare you to... burn all the clothing that you've purchased in the past three days." Alice gaped at her, hatred suddenly pounding through her veins...

Alice grimaced, and shuddered at the memory of the ashes coating her skin. Why not give Bella a makeover? No... That involved too much begging and pleading, since she couldn't force her to sit still now that she was a vampire... She didn't need one anymore, anyway... Repaint the living room? Terrorize the nearby squirrels? Ooh! Try uselessly to talk to Leah Clearwater!? She sighed again, as the pointless possibilities flowed through her mind like a river. The werewolves should be asleep right now, anyway... Edward. What was he doing? Esme? Maybe she should repaint the living room... It began raining harder, droplets bouncing onto her as they rebounded off the porch steps. Alice sighed yet again. She didn't want to have to wash this... might as well go inside.

Stepping into the house, a flash of blue light caught her eye. She turned to look at the source- a light green laptop, sitting there, abandoned, on the kitchen counter... She grinned abruptly, and threw herself onto the couch, grabbing the laptop on the way.

A dim light filled the Cullen's first floor as she opened it. Her hands hovered over the keyboard, unsure of what to type... a password was required. This was Edward's computer. Alice furrowed her brow, trying to concentrate... she closed her eyes... a hazy vision played behind her eyelids. Edward sitting here, pressing... VampireFrogsLoveNessie. She opened her eyes, slightly taken aback. What the hell was that about? She shrugged. It didn't matter anyway, so she typed in the password. The first thing that came up was a link to a classical music website. She chuckled, and looked at the internet homepage. A link to... instant messaging? She clicked on it quickly.

Log-In... she needed a password again. Instead of wasting effort, she simply made a new account with a flourish.

TinkerBella

Wait... TinkerBella? The A was meant for Alice, but now it looked like Bella's account... she erased it.

PixieGirl

That was better... Or should it be PixieLady? Nah... that sounded too old. She was only seventeen, technically. She logged on, and carefully scrolled through random conversations until one caught her eye...

Moony: No, seriously, though. I really DO think I should!

Murky: Ew... No. No matter how many times you tell me that you're 'male-model' material, I'm still going to say the same thing, Jacob!

Moony: But Leah! It's TRUE. You've seen me before, admit it.

Murky: I know I have, and I keep trying to forget about it... JACOB. Step away from the shovel. Get AWAY! AUGH! CRAZY WOLF WITH A SHOVEL! CRAZY WOLF WITH A SHOVEL!

Moony: You've earned this! TAKE IT LIKE A MAN!

Murky: I'M NOT A MAN, DAMMIT!

Moony: MWAHAHAHAHA!

PixieGirl: Oi... you wolves ARE weird...

Moony: ...

Murky: ...

Moony: PixieGirl... a Cullen, right?

PixieGirl: Yes, a Cullen...

Murky: The only one who could be a pixie is the shrimpy one. What's-Her-Name.

PixieGirl: Excuse me?

Moony: Alice, isn't it?

PixieGirl: Yes. Thank you for troubling to remember my name when you visit my home every day.

Moony: Why have you joined us today, Dear Little Friend? You're not normally on here, even though everyone else is...

PixieGirl: ?

Murky: It's not that hard, leech... the rest of the Cullens all have accounts... not that they're on my normal contacts, but...

Moony: Now, now, let's not be too... rude, Leah, dearest.

Murky: Shut up.

PixieGirl: Where do YOUR names come from anyway!? I mean... Murky!? Moony!? What the heck is THAT supposed to mean!?

Moony: Now, now... don't lose your temper on us, Alice Cullen.

Murky: Like... the opposite of CLEAR. Murky. Like... Clearwater, you know?

Moony: I'm just desperately in love with Remus Lupin.

PixieGirl: ... What, from Harry Potter?

Moony: Yes.

PixieGirl: ... You strange, strange little boy...

TheFriendlyGhost: Alice!?

PixieGirl: Yes? And who are YOU?

TheFriendlyGhost: What are you doing here!?

PixieGirl: Curing my boredom as... wait... if you're Casper... JASPER! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!? I thought you were hunting!

TheFriendlyGhost: We, um, stopped to... rest at Tanya's place in Denali.

PixieGirl: ... And you... DIDN'T invite me!?

TheFriendlyGhost: Edward wouldn't let me!

PixieGirl: Edward's there too? Oh, well, I guess I'll just go on and tell Bella...

TheFriendlyGhost: !? No, Alice! DON'T-

NotAlbino: ... Jasper?

TheFriendlyGhost: Hello, Bella.

NotAlbino: Could you please tell Edward to log on?

TheFriendlyGhost: I would, but Tanya's on one computer, Emmett's surfing porn on another, and that's all there is because Edward left HIS at home!

RedRose: Emmett's doing WHAT!?

TheFriendlyGhost: Kidding, Rosalie! I was KIDDING! What've you been doing, anyway, just watching the werewolves talk for the past... hour, about whether Jacob's smexy or not?

RedRose: I was already laughing, but then YOU came into the conversation...

Murky: You were spying on us, bloodsucker!?

RedRose: Anyone can 'spy' on you, Murky.

Moony: Now, now, let's not get our panties in a knot.

PixieGirl: Excuse me?

NotAlbino: Jacob, now is NOT the time.

Moony: What the hell!? I started this conversation anyway! You all just butted in rudely!

MoonyFollower: I second Jacob!

Murky: Oh, go AWAY, Seth!

MoonyFollower: Why don't YOU go away, Leah!?

Murky: Because I'm automatically better than you, twerp!

TheBigOne: What have I missed? Hi, Rose!

RedRose: Hello... Emmett.

TheBigOne: ... Why do you seem suspicious?

RedRose: Oh... no reason. I'm checking you computer's history when you get back.

TheFriendlyGhost: I was KIDDING, Rose!

RedRose: I. Don't. Care.

[Blondie has signed in]

Blondie: Hello!

Moony: ...

Murky: ...

MoonyFollower: ...

NotAlbino: ... Hello, Tanya. Is Edward there?

Blondie: Would you like me to let him use my computer?

NotAlbino: Would you? Thanks!

Blondie: ... Okay...

[Blondie has signed out]

MindReader: Did you need something, love?

Moony: Woah there, Eddie-poo... You KNOW it makes me blush when you call me that!

MindReader: ...

MoonyFollower: :D

MindReader: ... ANYWAY... Bella?

NotAlbino: Why would you go off to Denali without telling me!?

PixieGirl: Or inviting me!

RedRose: Or ME!

Murky: Or telling ME, so I could break into your fridge while you were away!

Moony: That was actually pretty good, Lee-Lee! :D

Murky: Call me that again, and I'll rip your throat out.

NotAlbino: Esme says "Leah, dear, you're welcome to our fridge at any time, just so you know that."

Murky: ... I was KIDDING, Mrs. Cullen. I actually DO have a house, WITH a fridge available...

RedRose: So does the dog you all call 'Jacob,' but HE always eats at our place.

Moony: My house is Paul-Infested.

Murky: Pity him, dammit! He has PAUL at his place!

NotAlbino: Why doesn't he eat at your house, then?

Murky: I'm his Beta, not his damn cook.

Moony: Why can't you be both, Leah?

Murky: I'm going to kill you...

NotAlbino: Renesmee would like me to tell you, Leah, not to kill Jacob. She says it would make her very depressed.

Murky: Why the hell should I care!?

Moony: That's so very kind of you, Nessie! (Make sure you relay that to her in an overly-done British accent) But shouldn't she be asleep!? She has to get enough rest, you know, Bella. She's not DEAD, like YOU. Tell her to go to bed, or I'll come at her with a Tickle-Attack!

Murky: ...

NotAlbino: I am her mother, Jacob, I know damn well how to take care of her, so stop lecturing me about her needs!

Moony: Geez! I was only offering a suggestion! You don't need to snap at me every time I take an interest in Nessie's life!

MindReader: Well, she'd ALWAYS be snapping at you then, you nosy dog.

RedRose: Tell Nessie that I'll do her hair in the braid that she likes if she goes to bed!

NotAlbino: I'm not bribing or threatening her, thank you very much! She's asleep now, anyway.

MindReader: Kiss her forehead for me, won't you, love?

NotAlbino: Of course.

TheBigOne: Yeah, yeah, yeah, we GET it! You all LOVE her! Now let's go back to the subject of whether or not Jacob is smexy, I got loads of nmaterial for that!

NotAlbino: WELL then! BE insensitive!

Murky: :D I agree with TheBrainlessOne! Let's go back a few subjects!

TheBigOne: THANK you, Leah... hey! That was uncalled for.

PixieGirl: It was funny, though.

Moony: Again... not bad, not bad at all, Murky.

Murky: I'd say he's a... six and a half on a scale of one to ten.

Moony: !?

NotAlbino: His rating went up when he became a werewolf, though. You know, the muscle...

PixieGirl: I'd have marked him a two before his first morph...

RedRose: He's got potential, if he lets his hair grow out again.

Murky: That's inconvenient for wolves, though.

PixieGirl: SACRIFICES MUST BE MADE FOR LOOKS!

TheBigOne: He's hot alright. I mean... he might even give JASPER a run for his money! Not me, though. Or Edward. Or anyone else, really. But I always thought Jasper was the least appealing.

Moony: -Blushes- You DO!? Thanks, man!

TheFriendlyGhost: ... What the hell?

PixieGirl: I find him to have a 'dangerous' look, and he's really a very good kisser! If you have a problem with my Jasper, EMMETT, I suggest you think twice before commenting! And I always thought your curly hair was girly!

RedRose: Watch it, PixieGirl. Emmett's my man, and therefore, I will defend him.

PixieGirl: Bring it on, Blondie!

NotAlbino: What are you talking about, is Tanya back?

Moony: No, see, Rosalie was Blondie before Tanya was Blondie. And Edward would be gone if Tanya was here. So... really, we all have a catfight to look forward to.

Murky: Then again, Jake... I'd have to say your ego makes your score drop to a four.

Moony: YOUR score would be a two!

TheBigOne: It would be a nine, and you KNOW it, pup.

Murky: ... Thank... you?

RedRose: What would I be, Emmett?

Moony: Oooooooooh... pressure's ON, leech! Gonna impress you leech lady!?

Murky: Oooooooooooh...

RedRose: ...

TheBigOne: Easy-Peasy, Rose! You'd be a ten!

RedRose: ...

Murky: ONLY a ten!? Damn, men know NOTHING!

Moony: Well what was he supposed to say!? Eleven!?

Murky: He should've said, "Rose, you're too far on the scale for me to comprehend."

TheBigOne: But that sounds like I think she's gaining weight!

RedRose: DO you now, Emmett!?

TheBigOne: NO! You're perfect, Rose, I love you!

RedRose: ...

Murky: SOMEONE screwed up badly...

NotAlbino: Edward would never do that.

RedRose: PSH! Edward waited 'till MARRIAGE, Bella! That automatically puts him in DEAD last on the most appealing list!

PixieGirl: True, you bring up a very good point, Rosalie.

TheFriendlyGhost: Am I first?

Moony: It's you, me, Emmett, Edward, and Jasper competing, isn't it?

TheFriendlyGhost: Yes...

Murky: Well, that just about sums it up! I say that it goes Jacob (purely because YOU don't smell disgusting, don't get your hopes up), Jasper (he has cool hair), Emmett (TheBigOne), and lastly Edward.

MindReader: Last!?

NotAlbino: You're first to me, and half the girls at school, Edward.

Murky: Brainless people, basically.

Moony: Gee, Leah. Are you SURE you aren't crushing on me? ;)

Murky: ... I've just expressed the desire to kill you TWICE, Mighty Alpha. I think it's safe to say that I'm physically attracted to you. Just something about your sweaty, copper skin, black eyes, and muscles...

Moony: ...

Murky: ... Makes me want to throttle you until your eyes roll upwards and out of sight, and laugh at the knowledge that I caused your death at the funeral.

Moony: I always knew you loved me.

Murky: No... that's not it. I have a passion for you. A deep, burning, ACHING hatred.

Moony: That's what I'm here for!

MoonyFollower: I'm getting uncomfortable with this sudden change of subject...

Murky: No one's making YOU stay, twerp!

MoonyFollower: PSH!

[MoonyFollower has signed out]

TheBigOne: Still mad at me, Rose? :'(

[RedRose has signed out]

TheBigOne: -sigh- Rosalie!

[TheBigOne has signed out]

MindReader: Good night, love... I see no point in staying if we're going to discuss Jacob's 'smexiness.'

NotAlbino: Good night, Edward.

[MindReader has signed out]

[NotAlbino has signed out]

PixieGirl: -GASP- JASPER! Is that YOU!?

TheFriendlyGhost: Yep.

PixieGirl: Awww! you came BACK!

TheFriendlyGhost: Yep.

[PixieGirl has signed out]

[TheFriendlyGhost has signed out]

Murky: ...

Moony: It's just you and me, then, Leah!

Murky: ...

Moony: Where were we before we were so rudely interrupted?

Murky: ... STEP AWAY FROM THE SHOVEL, BLACK!

Moony: ... -muahaha-...

What Else?

2009-03-01T12:19:00.000-08:00

Written By:surfgirl1
You can read the original here:
All credit goes to the original author

While standing in my room, I pick up my weathered copy of Wuthering Heights, and sit down in my rocking chair. After a few seconds of distracted reading, I slam the book shut with a frustrated sigh.

Edward was away hunting, along with the entire Cullen family, leaving me to be completely bored back home. It had happened before, sure, but somehow this time was even more boring. It was spring break, so its not like I had school or anything. Charlie was fishing, again, while Angela was visiting relatives in California. What was a girl to do?

An inkling of an idea came worming its way into my mind, but I tried to push it away. The Cullens didn’t exactly know all about me, and I didn’t want to ruin their trust by announcing it now. Finally the idea grew and took shape, and somehow looked so much better than at first.

Walking across the room, collecting stray pieces of clothing and paper as I went, I made my way to the stereo. Dumping the pile in the corner, where it wouldn’t be in the way, I switched on my speakers and plugged in my MP3 player. Finding the song I wanted, I put it on pause and went into my closet.

Even though Alice had ransacked and searched endlessly in my closet for something fashion worthy, she still hadn’t explored its deepest darkest secrets.

Reaching into a little used box in the corner, I pulled out some stretchy black dance pants and a blue camisole. Pulling them on, I felt the familiar feeling of anticipation enter my body. Walking outside, I no longer felt like Bella Swan, girlfriend to the amazing and dreamed of Edward Cullen, I was Isabella Marie, top dancer in my class.

Picking up the remote, I turned on my favorite arm-up song; Right Round by Flo Rida.

When the music started, I completely let go of all emotion except adrenaline. I danced for hours, completely forgetting about when Edward was coming back.

Finally, I reached the best song ever, Don’t Trust Me by 30H!3. Starting out slow, I made my way up to the chorus. I sped up, keeping my eyes closed as I moved. Finally the end, and I posed. I could only hold it for so long though, before I fell down giggling.

“Well. I think that was the best thing I’ve seen all day.” The velvety voice came from my rocking chair.

I spun, gasping, and toppled over. Before I could hit the ground, however, I was in his arms, back in the rocking chair.

“It’s amazing how graceful you are when you dance, yet when you walk you are a disaster. How come you never told me about this, love?” I hid my face in the crook of his neck, completely embarrassed. He must have felt my blush, however, because he lifted my chin up to make me look at him.

Smiling slightly, he spoke, “Alice saw it in a vision. I had to see it to believe it.”

Kissing my hair, he murmured, “I always knew you were amazing. You just had to see it.”

I relaxed back into him with a happy sigh. The weight of the secret was lifted from my shoulders, and I felt amazing.

“So. What else can you do?”

Wherever You Are

2009-03-01T12:18:00.000-08:00

Written By:I Have Alot Of Blonde Moments
You can read the original here:
All credit goes to the original author

Come out Moon

Come out Wishing Star

Come out, come out

wherever you are

26 year old Esme Evenson stood at the top of the cliff and gazed off into the horizon. She had nothing left, except memories.

I’m out here in the dark

All alone and wide awake

Come and find me

I’m empty and I’m cold

And my heart’s about to break

Come and find me

Even though she’d married Charles Evenson, she couldn’t keep her mind off the doctor that fixed her broken leg when she was 16.

I need you to come here and find me

‘Cause without you I’m totally lost

I’ve hung a wish on every star

It hasn’t done much good so far

I can only dream of you

Wherever you are

And now her baby was gone. She had nothing to live for anymore.

I’ll hear you laugh

I’ll see you smile

I’ll be with you

Just for a while

She’d been climbing a tree when she’d fallen and broken her leg. Her parents had rushed her to hospital and that’s when she met him. The person that she couldn’t get out of her mind. Dr Carlisle Cullen.

But when the morning comes

And the sun begins to rise

I will lose you

Because it’s just a dream

When I open up my eyes

I will lose you

She’d had alot of dreams, all centring around him. It was true, he was truly unforgettable.

I used to believe in forever

But forever’s too good to be true

I’ve hung a wish on every star

It hasn’t done much good so far

I don’t know what else to do

Except to try and dream of you

And wonder if you are dreaming too

Wherever you are

Without a second thought she flung herself off the cliff into darkness. She couldn’t feel anything, her body was numb. Then she heard a voice. The voice she’d dreamt of for 10 years. She’d found Carlisle Cullen again.

Suicidal Romantic

2009-03-01T12:13:00.000-08:00

Written By:kiss-bang-BAM
You can read the original here:
All credit goes to the original author

I wanted to hate him with every fiber of my being. I wanted to run until my legs gave out and I fell to my knees. I wanted to cry until I drowned in a pool of saltwater. I wanted to scream until my voice disappeared and my throat ached. I wanted to do anything but stand here and stare.

My eyes were glued to the picture watching their every moment in high definition. I watched him caress her biting my tounge until blood rushed forth and into my mouth. I watched her kiss him digging my fingernails into my palm until the skin screamed in protest turning a volient red and pulsing with pain.

I opened my mouth meaning to yell but only an airy whisper escaped not even a real word just a strangled sound. My eyes burned as tears finally pressed their way over my bottom eye lid refusing to be held back any longer. They were warmed against my cheek and their taste was harsh and demanding against my parted lips.

My breathing was no longer slow but instead it came in short gasps. That didn't get enough air to my lungs and made my head spin. I wasn't sure if I could even continue breathing. The first sob broke through my lips a loud, broken sound.

This they heard two heads rose to face me. Strawberry blond hair fell into the girls carmel eyes, my perfect full lips turned down into a frown, and her melted gold eyes displayed only smypthy not regret. His bronze locks were in a state of total disarray he seemed unsure of what to say but pushed the blonde, tanya away and made a movement to apporach me.

He reached out to touch me but I jerked away and did the one thing I should have done in the first place. I screamed like someone being reached for by a monster. That was what she was not the super hero of my fantasies but a monster from my wrost nightmares.

I felt two stone cold hands land on my shoudler pulling me away from him and pulling me toward them. I sobbed against the purple matieral of whatever my savoir was wearing.

I felt my feet come off the ground. I was being lifted, taken somewhere. A few seconds later I was being laid down against the cullens white living room couch. Someone sit down beside me rubbing my arm and whispering over and over that that they were sorry.

I looked up at the pixie like face of my hero, Alice. "How could he?" I said whimpering like child who's dog had just gotten hit by a car.

"I should have seen this coming." Alice scolded herself looking like she would cry with me if she could. Her eyes so much like his, a deep melting pot of gold. I couldn't stand it. My stomach turned and I thought for sure I would be sick.

"Alice I need to go." I choked out. Alice looked down away from my face.

"Bella will you be back?" Alice asked looking up her eyes displaying a deep hurt.

"No Alice, I don't think so." I replied looking away from her.

"Of course I understand." Alice replied picking me up again. I tried not to breath not wanting to smell that scent of vampire, not wanting to even feel their icy skin.

A wave of peppermint and tobacco washed over of senses as she settled me into the truck. The familar smell causing me to break out in fresh tears. How many times me and him had sit in my truck just like this. I bite down on my bottom lip and dug my fingers into my palm willing this pain to stop.

Alice drove me home driving rather slow as if to say good-bye without words. She never turned on the radio and she never said a word. At my house my helped me out of the truck and didn't even wave before turning and running toward the dark forest. I swear my heart almost stopped as my mind seen Edward not Alice retreating for forever.

I dragged myself into the kitchen of my home and up to the bathroom. I didn't even stop to look at myself in the mirror I just opened the cabinet and pulled out the three white bottles, sleeping pills, pain pills, random pills. I didn't care. I dumped their contents into a single pile. And ran the glass I used when brushing my teeth full of water. I dumped the first handful in my mouth and shallowed with water. Same with the second and the third.

My world blurred. I felt myself falling and threw my hands out in fornt of me grabbing at empty air trying to catch myself. I hit the tiled floor hard, my head bounced against the tile before tossing me into a blackness so dark that I wasn't sure it was possible to have light here.

I knew it was over. I couldn't remember my own name anymore. I couldn't remember how to breath. My chest hurt with my effort to get some air. I felt like I was in the middle of black jello. My body felt unattachted and my thoughts ran together with no clear path.

I let go completely not bothering to try and force breath within me anymore. I felt myself slip away as if someone had cut the last strings bounding me to the real world. Suddenly everything got cold and a sigh shuddered past my lips, my whole body shivered with the chill, and it was over.

Nessie goes to high school

2009-02-26T21:27:00.000-08:00

Written By: hugetwilightfan
You can read the original here:
All credit goes to the original author

NessiePOV

This was it. Today was my very first day of high school. I looked in the mirror, tucked a strand of curly red hair behind my ear, and walked out with my mom, dad, and all my aunts and uncles. “Nessie, are you sure you want to do this?” My mom said. “Yes mom I’m fine.” I replied. Me, my mom, aunt Alice, and uncle Jasper got in the yellow sports car, and aunt Rosalie, Emmett, Edward, and Jacob got in the jeep. Carlisle and Esme rode alone.

We now lived in Charlotte, North Carolina, after all the boyfriends who found out our ‘secret.’ It sucked. We moved here only a month ago, and settled in. We live in a small two story house. The first time we saw it, Alice screeched- “It’s so CUTE!!!”

As we pulled into the school parking lot, everyone stared, like always. It got so annoying, and my dad got so mad about what everyone was thinking. Me and Jacob whispered to each other, and stared at the building. It was okay…

We walked into the office, and got some directories. My locker was number 48. I waved goodbye to Jacob, and my family. And then blew a kiss to Jacob behind everyone else’s back. He just nodded. I was 15 now, and my dad taught me to drive. Everyone was still perfect, even Jacob. He hadn’t changed much at all.

I got my books for biology, and headed to class.

BellaPOV

I put down my books on a desk next to one boy, and the other one a girl. The girl greeted me “Hi. Are you new? I haven’t seen you before.” The boy chimed in “Yeah, what’s your name?” I responded quickly “I’m Bella”I wanted to get this conversation over with. “I’m Devin” He replied. “Yeah and I’m Casey” Gosh these people talked a lot.

NessiePOV

Biology was over. I met practically everyone in the class. They all came up to me after class and asked me things like “What’s your name?” or “Wanna go out?” I just ignored it, like my mom told me to do. But Alice told me to find some friends. I would get a friend, but I wouldn’t tell them anything about anything.

I made it to lunch and sat with my family and Jacob, they were already there waiting for me. While I was walking over to the table, I realized someone was walking behind me. I turned around to see a blond girl. She had a ridiculous amount of make up on. "Hi! Come sit with us!" she pointed to a table. 2 boys, another girl. The other girl was brunette and looked just as desperate as blondie here did. Both the boys had brown hair, and just smiled at me. They beckoned me over. "Um no thanks." I replied. "Oh." she squeaked. She walked off fliping her hair, but then turned around to face me again. "Whats your name?" she said. I just kept walking.

"Hey, Nessie, who is that?" my mom asked. "Oh, its no one, I didnt even meet her in a class and she is already trying to get me over there." I replied. "Ok" my dad responded for her. We all walked to the trash can while no one was looking, and dumped our lunch, except Jacob. He was eating like a pig.

I got my homework, and headed outside to meet my family.

EdwardPOV

School stunk. The next time one of those blond girls come over to me I will punch whoever it is in the face. I am serious. This was terrible. There were notes passed to me- I love you xoxo or lets go out tonight at 8:30 what’s your address? It was so annoying. And I have to think of what every one of them is thinking. IT SUCKS.

I wish I could just be a normal person, not a vampire.

JacobPOV

This is cool. Totally. I was getting all the girls attention, but I didn’t tell them I would go out with them or anything because I was in love with Nessie.

NessiePOV

School was boring. Me and my family were heading back out to the car, everyone else following us and still staring. There was this one jockey dude, and I was thinking it would be so totally hilarious if I winked at him! So when we were going to the car, I winked at him, then all his friends were like so jealous. Hilarious. Like they stood a chance. I was in love with Jacob.

BellaPOV

School was the same.

(A/N: Bella doesn’t talk a lot in this story.)

NessiePOV

I dropped my bag on my bed and ran back downstairs to watch some cheesy show with Jacob, Jacob my radiator, my wolf. Yep, pretty cheesy, Hells Kitchen. I rolled my eyes at him and he just shrugged his shoulders. I snuggled up next to him, and closed my eyes.

Killing Her Softly

2009-02-26T21:25:00.000-08:00

Written By:luv2sing628
You can read the original here:
All credit goes to the original author

JACOB’S POV:

Leah…

Leah, my old love.

Leah, with the empty smile.

Leah, who tortures herself…

All because of me.

Leah, who wants to die.

Leah, who drinks and drinks until she can’t remember her own name,

and she collapses to the floor, wasted.

Leah, who when not drunk, raves about how good red wine is,

and how she can’t remember not liking anything else besides it.

Leah, who loved me.

Leah, who lived on my every word alone.

Leah, who’s life I destroyed.

Your Guardian Angel

2009-02-26T21:19:00.000-08:00

Written By:Hana-Bass
You can read the original here:
All credit goes to the original author

I woke up this morning, normal day. Went downstairs, had breakfast, dressed up for school and left. Once at school, I met with my friends at the lockers. Nicole –or Nicky–, one of my friends, who is completely in love with the one I love too, talked about this guy, named Derek, that he had been really nice with her since he became her lab partner. I didn’t feel jealous at all, what had been her intention: to make me jealous; but I wasn’t.

“So, Jamie,” Nicky said trying to make me jealous, but without success. “Don’t you think Derek looks way hotter with his new hairstyle? He told me he just cut it!”

“Yeah, he looks great,” I said coldly. There was something that caught my attention.

On the other side of the hallway, hidden in the corner, was a tall guy. His skin was extremely pale, a lot more than mine; he had long-straight black hair, covering one of his eyes; the naked eye was–or I think it was– like a bloody red, but I couldn’t say for sure, since my sight is not so good. He was wearing black clothes, from top to bottom: black pants, black shirt, black shoes, and some black, punk gloves.

He looked really abnormal, like if he doesn’t belong to this school–or world–, but his eyes were the scariest aspect he had… And I caught him staring at me, with deep-cold eyes. I went pale and Nicky saw my scared expression.

“J? Are you okay?”

It took me like a minute to react, “Yes.”

“We gotta go now, the bell had rung already.”

So we both left the locker area. I turned once more and I saw him again, leaning on the wall, arms crossed over his chest, staring at me while everyone left the area except him.

Once at the classroom, I asked Nicky:

“Hey, who’s the new guy?”

“What? What new guy?” Nicky asked confused.

“The pale-white guy, who’s dressed up with dark clothes.”

“There’s no one in this high school with that aspect, J.”

“But, I swear I saw someone like that!” I was really confused.

“Maybe you’re just imagining things, J. The teacher’s already here, you can go to the nursery if you feel dizzy or something.”

“But N, I told you I’m fine! I swear I saw him!”

Nicky stared at me confused, “Sure, J. We’ll talk about it later.” She went to her place.

I swear I saw him… There was for sure a guy like that on the lockers. Well… maybe Nicky is right; maybe I’m imagining things.

I stood up and asked the teacher permission to go to the nursery. Once there, the nurse told me I was pretty fine, that I should just drink water and relax. I wasn’t feeling good at all to return to Physics class, my mind was busy with other thoughts. I went for a glass of water and sat on the benches at the hallways, near the lockers. I stared at the place where the dark guy was before. He was gone for now, maybe to his next class? If so, that left my mind less worried, maybe he is a normal guy, why shouldn’t he be? I have no reasons to think that way about him, I mean, I don’t even know him.

I drank a little more water, when I felt a cold scent beside me; that made me shiver once. And, when I turned, I was surprised as well as scared of what I saw. It was him… the dark guy. He stayed standing still, not moving any muscle at all. Even though he looked scary, I stayed firm and introduce myself, to be polite:

“Umh, hi. I’m Jamie, and you?”

He was staring directly at my eyes, but then his naked eye–which I’ve finally seen it better and was indeed bloody red– stared at my hand, stretched for him to take it. I had to admit he was extremely beautiful. Even though I’ve considered dark people disgusting to me, this one was an exception. He was really beautiful.

I felt a little silly with my hand stretching on air without him taking it. Finally, he moved slowly his arm, but before he could take my hand, I heard someone screaming my name:

“Hey, Jamie!” Derek called, walking by the hallway, waving his hand high up.

When I turned back at the dark guy, he was gone. Like if he had disappeared all of a sudden, without making any noise or anything. It was really scary… my hand fell slowly at my side.

Derek finally came up to me, “Why were you stretching your arm?”

“Umh, I just met, or almost met, the new guy. But he’s gone.”

“New guy? What are you talking about? There’s no new guy.”

“That’s what Nicky told me, but I swear there’s someone in this school that just arrived!” I stood up from the bench.

“Uh, Jamie, maybe you’re imagining things. Why don’t you go to the nursery?” He scratched the back of his head, confused.

“I just came back from there! Because Nicky told me the exact same thing!”

“Well, she’s probably right.”

“I swear there’s a new guy…”

“Hm, well… We’ll talk about this later; I have to go to my next class, so see ya!” He waved good-bye, running to his classroom.

I sighed, confused. Why doesn’t anyone believe me? Am I just imagining him? Is he not real? This was all turning into a scary story. My legs felt weak; I was about to faint, when suddenly two cold hands stopped me from falling. I turned my face back and saw the dark guy again. I felt his hands on my arms, and he had stopped me from falling. He’s solid… so he has to be real!

He was staring at me, with a really small smile. I couldn’t smile at all; are me eyes lying? He was absolutely beautiful; like an angel fallen from the sky. But angels are not dark, so what is he?

He ran one of his hands all the way to my hand, taking it softly. I had felt his cold hand running through my arm, which made me shiver lightly; while his other hand started to play with my brown, soft hair. My eyes were wide open, scared and confused; my mouth opened a little to take a breath. I could feel his cold skin grazing mine. This was all completely strange; what does he think he’s doing?

Finally, I reacted and rudely apart his hand from my hair and removed his other hand from mine. He stared at me with deep, confused eyes, without saying a word.

“Who are you?” I finally said, turning all my body around, facing him firmly.

He took my hand again, “You should’ve asked ‘What are you?’” He whispered in a cold, dead voice; beautiful at the same time. He kissed my hand softly and faded away.

Scared, confused, and secretly in love, I fell to the floor, sitting with my arms wrapping my knees. “What are you?” He had said… What does he meant by that statement? I was really scared… But something in me wants him near, like if I depend on him. He always appears all of a sudden, and disappears when someone else is near… Why?

I put my hands on my face and kept a scream to myself. What is going on? Who’s this guy? Or, what is this guy?

I heard the bell ring, and saw everyone going out of their classrooms. Everyone was staring at me strangely. I didn’t mind if anyone was staring, I was worried about other important things. Nicky saw me and told me:

“Are you feeling better?”

“Yes, I’m alright,” I lied.

“Well, c’mon, I have to tell you something about Der…” She paused when she saw Derek coming to us. “Oh, hi Derek!” She blushed.

“Hi, Nicky. Umh, can you leave us alone? I need to talk with Jamie,” he said staring at me.

Nicky glanced at me fiercely, “Okay,” she left.

It was already time to go home, so we had to talk in the bus.

“So, Jamie,” Derek began. “You’ve been acting really weird today. Are you okay?”

“Derek, I know that if I tell you you won’t ever believe me,” I sighed.

“Well, try. I have no reasons to mistrust you,” he smiled gently. He was really beautiful; his golden brown hair, his sky blue eyes, his perfect smile…

“Well, is about that guy I told you before…”

“Oh,” he said with a tone that seemed not interested at all.

“Derek, I know what I saw!”

“And what exactly did you saw?”

“Him! The dark guy! I swear there’s someone like that in this school, and…” I turned my face back at the last seat, and there he was again… staring. “There he is! Look!” I pulled Derek’s arm and he turned to see where I was seeing, but after I blinked, he was gone.

“Uh… Jamie, there’s no one in there.”

“But, I swear…” I hesitated, but before Derek could speak, I stood up and sat next to the dark guy, I was staring at him and he back at me. Derek was watching me confused, and I could’ve sworn that he already thought I was crazy.

“Why can’t they see you?” I whispered.

He didn’t answered to my question, just took my hands softly, and leaned his forehead on mine, smiling. His coldness was extremely rare, since we were on middle autumn, and the weather was warm enough.

“Why?” I whispered again, closing my eyes, feeling his coldness. But the moment I opened them, he was gone. I blinked surprised, and looked back at Derek, who was staring at me awkwardly. I felt really stupid.

The bus had stopped. I didn’t turn to the windows to see where I was; I just walked towards the doors and went out. It was all foggy; I couldn’t see anything at all. I was really scared now. One hand took mine softly.

I smiled, “I knew you were coming…”

“Well, of course, I had to go out of the bus, this was the last stop.” It was Derek, not the one I had expected.

“Oh, Derek. Where are we?”

“I have no idea,” he was looking around, squeezing my hand.

“Derek… This is definitely not where I live, you know? I mean, I’m already getting nervous.”

“Chillax, girl. We’ll be fine… I think.”

“Exactly; we don’t know for sure,” I said looking around scared.

“Yeah, well we’ll be fine as long as we stay together,” he said squeezing my hand a little harder.

“So, where should we go?”

“You’re asking me? I have no idea, but… let’s just keep walking straight,” he pulled my hand, walking forward.

I felt a familiar aura near. Is him, he’s following me again…

I turned back while Derek kept looking forward, and saw him. I wasn’t going to make a fool of myself again, trying to make Derek believe me; I’ve just realized no one can see him but me. Strange, but true.

He was looking at me with an evil smirk, but irresistible. I looked at him with a confused face. He suddenly disappeared with all the fog; I turned forward. What did he meant by that smirk? Derek suddenly stopped.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“I don’t know; look over there,” he said looking at a strange, little house. It was indeed in the middle of nowhere. All was foggy and blurry, while the house highlighted the whole place.

“What’s with the house? This is not like a place to live or something. I don’t even know where we are,” I said shaking my head lightly.

“I know; but anyway, let’s go check who’s in there, maybe we can stay there for a while or ask for directions? Whatever that can help,” he shrugged.

“Okay, I’ll just follow you; as long as I’m with you, I feel less worried.”

“That’s good; you make me feel important,” he smiled.

So, we walked towards that strange, little house. Once there, we knocked the door. A woman opened the door; she was wearing an old-fashioned dress, like from the 19th or 18th century. Her hair was combed all up into a tall, curly pile of hair; classic of that century. It was really weird, no one wears that nowadays.

I turned to see Derek’s face; he was as shocked as I was.

He whispered in my ear, “Is this a kind of joke or something?”

“I would like to know…” I whispered back.

“Oh; welcome, welcome, my dears!” The woman called.

“Uhhh… Hi, miss uh…” Derek hesitated.

“Don’t worry, darling; just come in! We have some fresh fruit so you can have something to eat,” she said with a British accent.

“Thanks, that’s very sweet from you;” I said, “but… we’re just here to ask for some help.”

“Oh, how come?” She exclaimed.

“Yeah, well we’re lost… Miss,” Derek said.

“Well, you’ve come just in the right place! Come, come!” The woman said, pulling our hands.

Once in there, there were other four women, dressed up the same as this one. What in the world was all these? Where are we? Who are these strange women? Anyway, the woman let us sit on the fancy, old-fashioned coaches. The other women were drinking some tea, staring at us with strange faces.

“Ladies, we have some newcomers!” The woman who received us called out with that accent.

“Hi,” Derek said.

“Hello,” I said, trying to sound polite.

“My, my;” one woman said, standing up, looking at us strangely, “So, what is this way of dressing up? And your hair!” The woman was referring to me.

“Indeed,” another one said. “Look at her extremely short miniskirt! In my times, they didn’t allow us to show our legs that much!”

I felt embarrassed; I placed my hands on my legs as I blushed a little.

“And your hair, why is it straight down?”

Derek almost laughed, but he resisted.

“And let’s not talk just about you, young lady. What’s with your boyfriend?”
“Oh, no, no, no… He’s not my boyfriend. He’s… just a friend,” I grinned nervously. Of course, I wanted that so badly to be true.

“Oh my dear; your pants, your hair, your jacket!” A woman shocked. Of course it was shocking in her times, but he looked hot in my times. “You look like a repulsive vagabond! Why don’t you just wear a nice tie, clean smocking, and comb your hair backwards to show your delightful face! That’ll help this young lady next to you fall in love easily!” The woman shouted.

We both blushed; damn with these women!

“Why don’t you dress like we do?” A woman asked.

“Oh, boy…” I sighed.

“And that language? We don’t use that type of language, dear!”

I shocked by her reaction and squeezed Derek’s hand.

“Anyhow, I’ll get you some tea!” One called.

“Was it a good idea to come to this place?” I whispered at Derek’s ear.

“Well, now that I see it for myself, no.” He whispered back.

“I rather prefer being lost outside than being shocked inside.”

“Hey, that rhymes;” he laughed lightly. I elbowed him hard. “Sorry,” he said.

Then the woman came with two cups of tea, “there you go, darlings.”

“Oh, sorry, I don’t like tea;” Derek said.

“Nonsense! Everyone likes tea!” She cried out, and then lowered her voice, “you’ll drink it even if you don’t like it.”

“Uh… yeah; I think I need to go to the bathroom,” he said shocked.

“Yeah, and I need to… make a call!” I said, trying to follow Derek.

“Take your time, dears. The bathroom is at the bottom left; the phone is right next to the bathroom.”

“Thanks,” we both said, running where she had said.

Once there, we hid ourselves in a room, which was–or I think it was–one of the women’s room.

“We have to find a way out of here!” I whispered desperately.

“I know, I know! But, where? These women are freaking me out!” He said desperately as I was.

“God…” I ran my hand through my hair, thinking.

While Derek was looking around, I heard a door creaking nearby. I turned my face and saw the dark guy, opening a door lightly, looking at me with a beautiful and trustful smile. Then he faded away, so I turned with Derek and pulled his hand, “This way!” I said in a low voice so the women couldn’t hear us.

“Are you sure that’s the right way?” He asked doubtfully.

“Yes; trust me!”

We opened the door, and ran without even stopping to see where we were. And that was a bad idea, since there was no floor, so we fell to a hole. We fell on a bunch of autumn leaves–which was strange, since there were no trees around.

“Where are we now?” I said, looking around.

“You tell me, you said this was the right way!” Derek shouted.

“Well, it was the only one!”

Then we turned upward; there were those women, with mean faces, “Get them!” one cried out, all jumping to the hole.

“Run!” Derek shouted, standing up and pulling my hand, running.

“Those women are faster than us! They’re gonna get us!”

“Think, think, think!” Derek murmured.

I turned around, looking for the dark guy. He is like my angel; he saves me every time I’m in trouble, so he has to appear now!

And yes, there he was, far away. I shouted “help!” But that didn’t seem to help at all. He faded away… Why? Why didn’t he help me this time?

“Jamie, we can’t ask for help; there’s no one here but us and those freaks!” Derek said, pulling my hand even more, running faster.

Well, maybe if I’m in real danger, he’ll appear; so I don’t have to worry at all… right?

“Jamie, look;” Derek pointed at a big wall. “Those women are getting to us; you can cross this wall and stay safe at the other side.”

“But what about you?”

“I’ll be fine; maybe I can climb it up, if not, at least you’ll be safe. Don’t worry about me,” he smiled gently.

“No, Derek. We’re in this together; I won’t leave you alone.”

“Jamie, please. It’s the only way I can save you!”

“Then let’s both get caught, not just you…”

“Don’t be silly, please! I don’t want you to get hurt!”

“I don’t want you to get hurt either!”

He sighed, “We’ll never end this discussion before they caught us, so…” He placed his hands on my waist and pushed me upward the wall, “go to the other side!”

“No!” I cried, pulling his hand.

“Jamie, let go, please! I know it’s hard, but I want to keep you safe!”

Then, before I could demand, two cold hands placed on my waist, pulled me down to the other side of the wall. I turned my face once I was on the floor and saw the dark guy.

“What do you think you’re doing? I can’t leave Derek alone!” I cried out.

“You will even if you don’t want to… He’ll be okay… trust me…” he whispered coldly, pulling my hand.

I rudely apart my hand from his, “I won’t go anywhere without him! Especially with someone I don’t even know…”

He smiled with a light laugh, “Fine.” He just stayed arms crossed, not doing anything while I heard Derek’s screams.

“Derek!” I shouted worried, hitting the wall until my hands hurt like hell.

“You won’t help doing that, you know?” He said.

“Shut up!” I yelled at him, angry. “If you wouldn’t have pulled me down, I could’ve saved him!”

“Really? I don’t think so. Those women aren’t real women at all.”

“What do you mean?” I turned to face him.

“They’re not human…” He said, and then smirked. “Your friend is probably going to die soon,” he laughed lightly.

“What? What is so funny about it! You’re insane, you idiot! You need to help me, please!” I shouted, tears running down my cheeks. I couldn’t let Derek die… not this way… not in any way, actually. I need to save him.

“Idiot? Wow… I thought of you a kinder person,” he smiled. “Oh, well.”

“Could you at least for once show interest and help me right now?” I yelled at him, trying to climb up the plain wall.

He laughed again, “Yeah, of course you will get to the other side that way.”

“Shut up, I said!” I was even angrier. “I mean, what happened to that kind guy I met at school before? You were gentle with me, now you’re acting like a moron!”

“Idiot. Moron. Something else you want to add?”

“C’mon, you know why I call you like that!” my foot slipped on the wall and I fell to the floor. “At least help me get to the other side; I’ll do the rest myself.”

He laughed at the way I fell, “Okay, okay.” He helped me stand up and hugged me.

“Eh, how is this supposed to help? I didn’t ask for a hug. By the way, I’m freezing.”

He laughed once more, “You talk, talk, and talk. I like your attitude; you seem particularly interesting to me. You’re quite funny, you know?”

I sighed, “Sure, I’ve killed people of laughter before,” I said sarcastically. “Hey, are you trying to make me waste time so that Derek dies before I can stop them?”

“Maybe; maybe not.”

“Agh, get off me!” I struggled to get out of his hard arms.

“Fine; I’ll get you there,” then we started to rise up. I was in his arms still, while we were rising up to the other side of the wall. Then we land on the floor, still hugged; it was like if we were floating or something.

He finally released the hug and I said shocked, “What was that? How did you…? I mean…”

“Let’s just go find your friend,” he said coldly, pulling my hand as we walked.

“Do you even know where he is?”

“Do you even have to ask me this?” He said, imitating my tone, “I mean, of course I know,” he smiled.

“You know, your changes of moods are kinda getting me dizzy.”

“I’m sorry, I apologize for acting rude with you; just that… I don’t like him.”

“Who? Derek?”

“Yeah, is he your boyfriend?” He suddenly asked.

“Uh, no! But, honestly… I wish he was,” I blushed lightly.

“Right,” he said as he let go of my hand. “You should keep going yourself; I guess you don’t need me, or you’re just using me like an item.”

“No, wait! I’m not! But… hey, you started in first place,” I crossed my arms over my chest.

“Start what?” He asked confused.

“You began acting rudely with me…”

“Oh, c’mon, Jamie…”

“How did you know my name?”

“Uh… I just… guessed it.”

“What’s your name, anyway?”

“Try to guess,” he grinned.

I didn’t say a word then, I just kept walking next to him. We were back where Derek and I were before: the little creepy house. He must be in there, with those women. I swallowed, nervously.

“Relax; you’ll be fine as long as you’re with me,” he said, squeezing my hand as we entered the house without knocking the door.

“Derek?” I shouted, but then the dark guy placed his hand on my mouth.

“Shhh… don’t even try to say a word,” he whispered. He led me to a room and we both eavesdrop behind the door. I could hear the women voices, but opening a little the door, I saw them; they looked fierce and dreadfully scary. Then I saw Derek tied up on a chair.

“Let me go right now!” Derek was shouting, while the others were laughing at him.

“How can we help him?” I whispered, but I guess loud enough for them to hear me.

The dark guy put his hand on my mouth once again and pushed me besides the door. One of the women opened the door rudely, looking around; and for our luck, the door was covering us on the side we were hiding. Then, the woman left and closed the door.

The dark guy sighed and whispered really low, “I said don’t speak!”

I just nodded in apologize and moved back where we were before. One woman was grazing Derek’s face with her hand, and the other one was threatening him with a knife on his neck.

“Tell us where the girl is!” the woman shouted.

“Never!” Derek yelled.

I placed my hand on my mouth, trying to keep a scream. Is it me who they are looking for? Of course, I’m the only girl who had been with him. I looked at the dark guy, waiting for him to say or do something. He took my hand and walked quietly out of that place, taking me to another room.

When he closed the door, I said in a low but shocked voice, “What are you doing? We have to save him!”

“Jamie, shut up!” He yelled; his tone of voice made my eyes go wet. He then saw my reaction and placed his hands on my shoulders, “No, no, please; sorry… I didn’t mean to…”

“Shut up…” I cut him. “I don’t have time for this; while we’re talking here, Derek is being threatened with those women. So, I’ll make this myself.”

I then walked out the door, running towards the room where Derek and the women were; I entered the room. The women turned to me with lighting eyes and Derek with worried eyes.

“Why, Jamie?” Derek said. “Why! They wanted you to come so that they could kill us both!”

“Why?” I asked confused. Then, the women were getting near me.

“No!” Derek shouted.

All their hands were getting near me; but before they could get me, a hand pushed them all away. I turned back and saw the dark guy with his hand stretched on air.

“Why don’t you ever listen to me?” He said softly.

Then, the women thought I was the one who pushed them away; also Derek thought that, since they couldn’t see the dark guy. One of the women –who seem to be the youngest and more beautiful of the group, with long-golden curls and white dress–, left the room secretly, while the others stayed. I noticed that the woman who just left was staring not at me, but someone next to me: that is the dark guy. So that meant she could see him just as I can? Why?

“Whoa, Jamie?” Derek said surprised; I just shrugged.

The creatures, now angrier than before, ran over me; but my angel pushed them all away again. The women finally gave up and ran off before it could get worse and someone gets hurt.

Derek looked at me shocked, “How did you…?”

I turned to look at the dark guy, who just smiled and faded away. Then, I turned back at Derek while I untied him from the chair. “Uh, you know; when someone gets me mad, you don’t know how… powerful I might become.” I didn’t even know what I was saying; all the work was done by my angel.

“Whoa, Jamie; I didn’t know that side from you.”

I just smiled.

“Really, you looked really hot…” He then said.

I rolled my eyes, “Asshole.” I pulled his hand, “Let’s get out of here.”

“Should I trust you this time? Because maybe we can get caught again.”

“Derek, please; I just said let’s get out of here, I don’t know where to go.”

“Okay, as long as we’re outside this creepy house,” we walked towards the door and went out of the house. Everything was the same as before: foggy and blurry.

I looked around, and I saw a little kid standing right in front of me. He was wearing old, dirty clothes; he seemed like a poor child. When I turned to see Derek, he was gone.

“Derek?” I called, “Derek!”

“I’m lost…” The kid said, pulling my hand carefully.

I turned to see the kid and knelt to the ground to be like his size, “You can’t find your mother?”

“No; I’m lost… help me,” the kid said with a cute, innocent little voice.

“But, where could she be? I’m lost too,” I sighed.

“This way,” the kid pulled my hand, making me stand up, and started walking.

“Uh, but where are you taking me?”

The kid didn’t answer, just kept walking, pulling my hand. I felt some steps behind us, maybe Derek or maybe the dark guy.

“They’ve found us!” The kid cried, running this time; I ran faster too.

“Who? What are you talking about?” I said desperately.

The kid didn’t answer to my question again; but when I turned back, I saw a skinny man, wearing nothing but his pants, with a huge knife on his hand–huge as a sword–; his entire body was all tattooed, also his top part of the head, since he was bold. The man was running as well after us. He looked really scary! He could kill us at any moment, so we have to hide somewhere!

“Come, come!” The kid said, opening a door for me. We both entered the room and locked the door–which probably won’t help since the man could just break the door down.

I turned to see the room. For my surprise, it was completely empty. There were no windows, no bed, nothing; I turned to a corner where the kid was sitting, in front of an old TV; so that was the only thing inside this room. The kid was calmly watching TV in black & white, like if nothing had happened. I knelt beside the kid and asked him, “Why did you brought me here? What is this strange room?”

The kid didn’t answer again, just kept watching the TV. I shook his shoulder, “Hey, I’m talking to you, kid.”

Then, a hard knock on the door caught our attention. We both turned shocked; the kid hid behind the TV and I stayed completely alone, nowhere to hide.

“He found us!” The kid whispered.

“But, what do I do now?” I said shocked, looking around for somewhere to hide.

I heard a growl behind the door. The man is here, he will now slice me into pieces! I just stayed froze in place, tears running down my cheeks. Is it really over? What had happened to Derek? Who are this kid and this man? Where am I? … A lot of unanswered questions.

The man finally broke the door into half and entered the room. I just moved back hesitantly; the man moved forward with an evil grin. My back was already pasted on the wall. The man raised his knife, about to cut me into half. I just closed my eyes, waiting for the moment to die…

Nothing had happened then, so I opened my eyes and saw the weird man on the floor, unconscious. I looked in front and saw the dark guy, with a serious, scary face.

“What?” I asked hesitantly, looking at his cold face.

“What do you think you’re doing here? You almost died!” He yelled at me, coming near me taking my hand rudely, pulling me out the room.

“Wait, wait, wait…” I stopped him, “Why was he trying to kill me? And those women that ran off; why did they want from me?”

“Is not just you, but your friend also. Any human who comes to this place, always die… There’s no survivor; so you and your friend need to go out of here now.”

“How are we supposed to go out? You need to help us! And help me find Derek!”

“Yeah, well I don’t know how to get out; and I don’t know where your friend is, so…” He shrugged.

“So, now what? We just wait until someone comes and kill both of us?” I said with a serious tone.

“We can go find him first, then look for a way out. I won’t let anyone get near you… I’ll protect you no matter what it takes,” he placed his hands on my shoulder.

“Just one more question… What are you?” I said, looking at him afraid.

He sighed and let go his hands off my shoulders, “I’ll let you know later. Let’s go find your friend.”

“Okay… by the way, it’s easier if you just say ‘Derek’.”

“I don’t like to mention his name so much; he seems particularly disgusting to me,” he laughed.

“Alright…”

We walked out of the strange, little room. The outside was now clear: there was no fog, but sunlight; there was no coldness, but warmth; there was no darkness, but brightness, etc.

“So, why did the whole place changed?” I asked looking around.

“It’s a good signal. The weather changes depending on the situation,” he smiled. “The climate has never been like this before ever since the humans invaded this territory. Whoa.”

“So, that means Derek is alright!” I cheered up.

“We don’t know for sure; come on,” he pulled my hand again.

While walking, a little bunny jumped in the middle of the road.

“Oh, how cute!” I leaned down to touch him, but the dark guy pulled my hand back.

“Don’t touch him!” He dragged me again, walking straight.

“What’s wrong? You’ve been acting so rude with me. It was just a bunny!”

“This world is different from yours; maybe things look similar, but they’re not. Most likely, every cute stuff is dangerous, while awful are sometimes good.”

“That doesn’t make sense at all.”

“Neither this world does. Just keep walking, will you?” He pulled me again.

“Hey, I can walk by myself; stop pulling, you’re hurting me.”

“Sorry,” he pulled me now softly. “Better?”

I sighed. Then, I felt heavy steps behind us. I turned and saw what I think it was a huge rabbit. Was it the same bunny I saw just seconds ago? The dark guy pulled me from my waist and hid me behind a tree.

Once the rabbit was gone, he said rudely: “Could you be more cautious next time?”

“Sorry…” I said, angry by his attitude.

“Look, I’m sorry I’m being rude all the time, but it’s because I need to protect you and I can’t control myself when I do it. Sorry…”

I looked at his face; he looked even more beautiful when he was apologizing. “It’s okay, I understand.” I hugged him softly. He hugged me back, tightly.

“Let’s go find Derek…” he whispered in my ear.

“You said Derek,” I smiled.

“Damn… I guess I did,” he shrugged.

“C’mon, let’s go.” I released the hug.

We walked again on the road.

“So, what’s your story? What are you? Please tell me now, to have something to talk about while we find Derek,” I suggested him.

“Well… What am I?” He laughed lightly. “I’m dead; I’m a ghost, spirit… whatever you want to call it.”

I shocked, “W-what? But… how come I… but you…” I hesitated.

“Yeah, that’s why no one else can see me but you.”

“But why only me?”

“Something in you wants me near, so I’m bound to appear only for you.”

“But, I don’t feel like I want you near; don’t get me wrong, but I don’t feel it.”

“That’s what your brain says, but not what your heart says.”

“But… if you’re a ghost, how can I touch you? You’re solid.”

“It’s the same; because you want to touch me.”

“I don’t get it… So what’s the story? How did you die?” I changed the topic.

“It all started around the 19th century, in this same place. I told you, no human can escape without dying. I was a victim, and I died. There’s a creature more powerful than the ones we’ve just met. He was the one who killed me…” He said with a cold voice, then added with a whisper I barely heard, “In order to protect the one I loved…”

“You died in order to protect that person?”

“Yes. And that girl reminds me a lot of you; that’s why I want to be with you: to protect you, and not failing this time.”

“Oh… and, did the girl died?”

“I don’t know…I died without knowing a thing about her…”

“And… do you think the one who killed you has Derek on his hands right now?” I asked afraid of the answer.

“Maybe…”

“We have to hurry!” I shouted desperately.

“Let’s go then, with no regrets as before.”

We hurried this time; he knew the place where the creature that killed him was, so it will be faster.

I heard some giggles, and the dark guy seemed to have heard them too, so we both stopped and looked where the giggles came from.

It was Derek, sitting on a huge rock in the middle of a river. For now, he was fine. But… what?! Who are those women around him? Wait… they’re not normal women. They have fish tails! They’re mermaids? How strange everything is turning out. Anyway, what was he doing with those mermaids? They were really beautiful, and very showy: they only had a small bra… Damn, Derek pervert. Why was he laughing, by the way? I was about to shout, but then thought of what the guy next to me would do, so I stayed quiet.

“Umh… won’t you go for him?” He asked me. So what, now he wants me to shout?

“If it’s okay with you…” I turned with Derek and got near him, “Derek?”

“Whoa, Jamie! Hello girl; did you know my new friends? They’re awesome, and hot.” He said.

“You’re disgusting… C’mon, we gotta go now, or else it’ll be too late.”

“C’mon, don’t be a party pooper! We’re having fun, wanna join us?”

I was about to reply, but suddenly I saw one of the mermaids behind Derek showing two long fangs, and was about to bite Derek’s neck.

“A Vampire Mermaid!” the dark guy called.

“What? Uh…” I picked a rock from the ground and threw it to her face.

The mermaid screamed and swam away.

“What was that?” Derek demanded.

“She’s a Vampire Mermaid! Let’s go or they’ll kill you!” There was no way I could get through him; he was across the river, far away from me.

“What?” He now saw what I meant, the other two mermaids were about to bite him from both sides, “Jamie!” He shouted.

“Uh, hold on just a sec,” I said, and the dark guy took me to the rock where Derek was without him seeing us. “Derek!”

“How did you…?”

“Doesn’t matter,” I hit a mermaid with my fist and threw her away to the water, unconscious.

“Careful!” Derek called, and pushed the other mermaid away.

“Leave her to me!” I said, now angry. I threw myself into the water, with the mermaid struggling to get me off. We were underwater, fighting; hitting ourselves. She scratched my arm with her long fingernails. All my blood went to the top of the river, and I could imagine Derek and the dark guy terrified.

I kept fighting, but I was drowning now; I needed some air, but the mermaid pulled me deeper. Then, I was seeing all blurry. I could barely see a shadow pulling me to the surface, but I fell unconscious.

Once I woke up, I saw a beautiful angel very near me. I blinked twice, and finally saw the dark guy clearly. “What happened?” I asked, and then my arm burned. “Ouch, I’m bleeding; where’s the mermaid?”

“I killed her as well as the other ones. You almost died, what were you thinking? Fighting with a Vampire mermaid?”

“Sorry… Where’s Derek?” I said weakly.

“I had to hit him on the neck to save you without him noticing. He will wake up soon and have no idea of what had happened.”

“Oh… Thank you,” I smiled weakly. I just realized I was resting in the floor with him really close to me. I felt… a little uncomfortable.

“Umh… I think I feel much better now,” I said trying to get up, but the dark guy stopped me, letting me rest once again. He placed his hand on my forehead.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, but then my eyes closed without me wanting. After what felt like three seconds, I opened them in a shot. “…Ace…” I whispered.

He smiled softly, “Nice to meet you.”

I leaned forward, now on a sitting position, staring at him with curious eyes.

“Your name is Ace.”

“Yes,” he nodded once.

I shook my head confused, “How did I know?”

“Don’t worry; the thing is that you know my name now. Happy?”

“Not at all… I’m still confused… But at least I know your name; I won’t have to call you ‘dark guy’ or ‘angel’ anymore,” I laughed a little.

“You used to call me ‘angel’?” He suddenly asked.

I blushed lightly, “Umh, yes… You’re like my guardian angel; you’re always there for me…”

“You know, this reminds me of a song I’ve heard lately around your school… which didn’t exist in my times; is: ‘Your Guardian Angel’ or something like that.”

“Oh, I love that song… every time I hear it the first thing that comes through my mind is you…”

“Well… I know parts of the song, and I would like to sing it for you…” he whispered.

I smiled softly, but deep inside me, I wanted to scream. My favorite song… and he will sing it for me.

He stared deeply into my eyes and began to sing softly, with a voice even better than the original singer:

“When I see your smile tears roll down my face, I can’t replace… And now that I’m strong I have figured out how this world turns cold and it breaks through my soul, and I know I’ll find deep inside me, I can be the one…” He was following the same rhythm as the song, then took my hands and continued: “I will never let you fall; I’ll stand up with you forever; I’ll be there for you through it all, even if saving you sends me to heaven…” His hands ran from my hands all the way through my arms; now on my cheeks: “It’s ok… It’s ok… It’s ok…” His hands ran again down my arms; “Seasons are changing and waves are crashing and stars are falling all for us… Days grow longer and nights grow shorter; I can show you I’ll be the one… I will never let you fall; I’ll stand up with you forever; I’ll be there for you through it all, even if saving you sends me to heaven…” He stopped with a long, soft ending. I think he didn’t know the rest, but still… it was simply beautiful. I wanted to cry, and indeed I did; tears were running down my face. He stared at me with worried eyes that made me feel guilty; those eyes were absolutely beautiful and… I just realized they torn from bloody red to a sky blue, never seen before, but extremely beautiful…

“Why are you crying? Was it too bad?” He said with those sad and beautiful eyes.

I cleaned the tears from my face and hugged him tightly, “I loved it so much… I’m crying because it was absolutely beautiful… I can’t even speak, my throat is drying.”

He ran his hand several times through my hair, “its ok… my true love, my whole heart…” Those words were also part of the song, which were more beautiful than the original singer.

I released the hug and stared at him, “Your eyes are sky blue… the first time I saw them were bloody red.”

“They change to this color when I’m relaxed and feeling good… actually; it’s been like decades since they don’t turn this way… You have something special that made me change completely; ever since I died I desired revenge, but now when I met you all I could think about is you… I’m always worrying about you, and I feel like a new me when I’m with you; a me who does not want revenge but to feel happy… and I thank you for this…”

“You know you can always count on me to cheer you up and make you feel good. I’m sorry for calling you an idiot and a moron, by the way…”

“Don’t worry, I was acting like an idiot and a moron anyway; this all feels like a “Good-bye” or something… we’re apologizing for silly things,” he laughed softly.

“I just wanted to make sure you weren’t mad because I called you like that.”

“Don’t worry, it’s nothing; your friend is about to wake up, and if he doesn’t see you, he’ll panic. Go with him, I’ll wait.”

He helped me stand up and I walked where Derek was resting. He looks cute when he’s sleeping… but not as cute as my Angel, my Ace…

I knelt to the ground besides him, when he started to open his eyes hesitantly, blinking.

“Jamie?” he said weakly. “Where am I?”

“Derek!” I said, “You hit yourself on the head; but don’t worry, you’re fine now,” I smiled.

I’ve considered… Ace is way nicer and gentle than Derek is; plus Derek has become a bit more pervert and idiot, while Ace is softer and pure; also, Ace is more beautiful than Derek… a lot more. However, Derek is still part of my life, so I want to be with him also and help him.

Derek laughed weakly, “what a stupid act of me… I just remember those mermaids. What happened to them?”

“Oh, they ran off,” I lied. “The good thing is you’re okay and that we need to get out of here.”

“I’m glad you’re okay, Jamie;” he suddenly said while standing up. He then hugged me, “I don’t know what would be of me if you disappear.” He released the hug.

I blushed lightly and shrugged, “well I’m alright; no need to worry at all.”

Ace was staring at us, and I could imagine he got mad when Derek hugged me, but he must know my heart belongs to him… well, rhetorically, since he’s death.

“Jamie, look over there,” Derek pointed with his finger to the north, were there was some dark smoke in the sky.

“Is something burning there?” I asked confused.

“We need to go to that place,” Ace said, now next to me.

“Why?” I whispered so Derek couldn’t hear me.

“There’s the exit from this place.”

“But you said there was no way out.”

“I…just remembered there is one,” he said hesitantly, like if he wasn’t sure of his words.

Anyway, I have to trust him, why should he lie to me? I then turned at Derek, “We need to go there.”

“Are you crazy? There must be danger over there! I can’t risk our lives there…”

“Trust me…”

“Last time you said that, I was caught by some strange women.”

“That was a mistake; but this time is real. Trust me… please.”

He realized I was completely sure in my eyes, “Fine.”

The three of us walked towards that place. It wasn’t so far; we had to cross the river again, then just a short path to get to a place which was foggy and scary. It was like a town, or which used to be a town: there were corpses lying on the ground; some covered with blood, others just injured; what used to be some small houses were all destroyed; every living thing in this strange world was death or unconscious.

Derek swallowed, “Jamie, this is a bad idea, let’s get out of here before we end up like those people!”

I stared at Ace and bit my lip, waiting for an answer.

“Let’s go on. The exit is in this town,” he said.

“Are you sure? Why are all these people–or creatures–death?” I whispered desperately.

“It’s nothing to worry about, trust me; let’s keep walking forward,” he said again with a worried tone.

I started to walk straight forward.

“Jamie! Are you crazy? I said let’s leave before we get killed!” Derek said freaking out.

I breathed deeply, worried as Derek was–and mistrustful, “I’m sure this is the way, don’t be afraid.”

He took my left hand the same time Ace took my right hand. At simple sight it was just me and Derek holding hands; but my vision was the three of us holding hands.

“Jamie, I’m afraid…”

“Don’t be. We’ll be fine,” I was just counting on Ace in this situation; he is protecting the two of us now.

“I’m not afraid of myself… I’m afraid that something could happen to you…”

“We’ll be fine as long as we stay together.”

Ace stopped walking, so I stopped too and Derek had to. I turned to see Ace, but he was looking in front terrified. I turned to see what he was staring at, and there was a young lady standing right in front of us, a little far away.

He had long-golden curls; a long ghostly, white dress, that seemed to be torn up from some edges; her eyes were pale blue, with no pupil; her hands were full of blood.

I just panic when I first saw her, so did Derek. I turned to see Ace once again, who seemed even more terrified than Derek and me together.

“Serena…” Ace whispered.

“Serena?” I stared at him confused.

Derek looked confused, “Serena? How did you know her name, Jamie?”

Serena giggled evilly and stretched her hand towards Derek’s eyes and a wave of air blew softly through Derek’s face.

“What was that? What did she do to you?” I said desperately.

Derek turned to face me, “Who’s the dark guy next to you?”

“What? Wait… you can see him now?” I said surprised.

“So, he’s the dark guy you always talked about at school?” Derek said surprised as I was.

“Yes!” I turned to face Serena, “What did you do to him? Why can he see him now?”

“Well, if he’s going to die;” she said, “he has to see the other ones who will die, too.”

Ace laughed, “I’m already dead.”

“I know; the two humans will die while I’ll make you disappear.”

“How will you do that?” Ace wondered.

Serena took out what seemed to be a gun; huge and gray with some green lights; “This gun was made specially to disappear ghosts. Once I shoot you, you will get caught and can never get out…”

“Why do you want me to disappear? I mean, what happened to the girl you used to be when I was alive?” Ace said with a sad voice.

“She changed in order to stay alive, and not ending up like you.”

“I gave my life for you! I took the risk in order to protect you…”

“Well, you were so stupid trusting in someone like me,” Serena raised the gun, pointing at Ace. “Good-bye, Ace…”

“Wait,” Ace said.

“What do you want now?”

“Please… I beg you: let Jamie and Derek go, and get rid of me… please.”

“I said I’ll get rid of the three of you.”

“Please… I beg you.”

“Well…Derek, you said? Well, he could be a nice partner; what do you think?”

“What?” Derek said confused.

“But let Jamie go, please,” Ace begged.

“Hmmm… I don’t think so; is she your new lover? Because I will kill her,” Serena said coldly.

“No!” Ace shouted, angry.

“Derek’s a cute guy… I’ll consider letting him go. But you, Ace, and your new lover will disappear…”

“I don’t get it; what are you talking about?” Derek said confused.

“Oh, don’t worry… you’ll be fine,” Serena said, getting near him and grazing her hand on his face. “But the other two will be gone!” She hit Derek on the neck and let him fall.

“Derek!” I shouted.

“Don’t worry; I said he’ll be fine; I’ll let him go. But you’re going to die. But Ace is first, so to make your death more suffering, I’ll make him disappear!” She then thought for a moment, “Umh isn’t it otherwise? Killing her first so that Ace suffers more?” She shrugged, “It’s the same; I already took out my ghost gun.”

She raised the gun again, pointing at Ace. Ace looked at me with sad eyes and then closed them, waiting for the moment in which he’ll disappear forever. I couldn’t let him go; I have to do something! …I don’t care about the consequences; I don’t care if something happens to me…

Without thinking it twice, I ran for Ace, stood up in front of him and raised my arms to the sides, in a protective way. Before Ace could push me away, the green laser that Serena shot from her gun hit me straight on my heart… I fell to the floor.

A big amount of blood was draining from my chest to the sides. Ace screamed my name desperately; Serena fell backwards because of the impact; Derek was still unconscious…

“Jamie!” Ace knelt to the ground and placed his hands on the edges of my face. “Jamie!”

I tried to smile, but I gave an effortless smile; “Ace…”

“Jamie! Why did you do that! Don’t leave me, please… Don’t.”

I raised my hand weakly to touch his face carefully, “I won’t ever leave you… I got hit by the gun, but it was not a mortal gun; so maybe it won’t affect me as a human…”

“But you don’t know that, maybe it has other effects towards humans!”

Serena hit her head hardly, so she was hurt and couldn’t get up; “Yes it has an effect on humans… This gun is extremely powerful that can catch ghosts; and its power can kill humans.”

“What? No!” Ace shocked. “Jamie, no…no!”

“Ace…” I said weakly, “I’m dying…for love; like you did… remember?”

“But this is different, Jamie!”

“No” I cut him; “If I die, I can live with you forever…”

“What do you mean? Oh, don’t tell me you–”

I nodded.

“Jamie…”

My eyes were closing; my breathing was ceasing; the last words I could say were: “Even if saving you sends me to heaven… I love you, Ace…” Everything turned inky black…

Derek’s P.O.V.:

I was opening my eyes slowly. I leaned forward into a sitting position; my head hurt a lot. Huh? I turned to my left side and saw the blonde girl on the floor, with some blood draining through her chest and mouth. She’s probably dead now… I turned to my right side and saw… No… no, no, no… NO!

“Jamie!” I shouted. Her body was lying on the floor, with blood draining from her chest.

I ran towards Jamie and knelt next to her. I leaned my head over her chest to see if her hearts was still beating… No, is not…

“Jamie!” I shouted once again, hugging her corpse. “Why!”

As I was hugging her, I realized the dark guy had left… How in the world could he leave Jamie dead here!

I carried Jamie’s corpse and started to walk straight. There was a white, potent light right in front; I suppose that’s the exit. I walked straight through that light and everything turned white.

Seconds later, I found myself at the school’s backyard (it was snowing, so no one came to school today) Hmmm… it’s really weird; it’s middle autumn and it had never snowed in years.

Days passed by really fast; Jamie’s body was buried on the state’s cemetery. I had become a really empty and serious person since Jamie’s death. Her best friend, Nicky, was the same. We all were the same…

Everyone asked me what happened to her; but if I tell them the truth they won’t ever believe me, so I say I don’t know. Her parents are crying and crying, wondering why she died… I feel really bad for keeping to myself the reason why she died, but it’s insane… I’m already freaking out, I can’t believe she died! Jamie… I would like to see her again… just one more time… see her beautiful face and delightful smile… Oh, Jamie…

I didn’t feel like going to History class, so I stayed at the hallways, sitting on the benches. I covered my face with my hands, trying to calm down, but I couldn’t. Jamie…

I looked up and a miracle happened… Jamie was there in front of me… I couldn’t believe it, she was there! As beautiful as always, smiling… Oh, what a beautiful vision… only if it was real…it’s just my imagination…

She stretched her hand all over to my face, touching it softly; her hands were extremely cold, but warm at the same time. Wait, I could touch it, so that means she’s real.

“Jamie…” I grabbed her hand softly, kissing it carefully. “I really miss you… Why did you leave me?”

“Derek, I love you… but my heart belongs to Ace…” She whispered.

I sighed, “That’s too bad… I love you too and I wanted your heart so badly…”

“You have it…” She said as she faded away slowly.

“I love you…I hope you come back again…”

She smiled and disappeared.

“Jamie…”

Sometimes we give everything,

Even our own lives, for love;

Sometimes we don’t realize

That true love we find it inside our hearts…

Everyone’s afraid to die,

But dying is not an ending,

Is a new beginning for life…

So this story does not have a happy ending… at least not for everyone; Derek finally realized Jamie was her true love, but Jamie just realized that her true love was Ace. So this story shows how someone died for love, not caring about consequences… Jamie went to heaven with the one she loved, making this the saddest situation Derek and everyone will have to endure… Ace finally has someone to be with after a long century of loneliness and sorrow; while his old love Serena died too, but instead she went to hell as a punishment for the things she’d done… It’s a happy ending for Jamie and Ace, but a pain for the rest… Now, this shows how people in heaven enjoy life more than the ones on Earth, just suffering…

The End.

The Gathering of Clouds

2009-02-26T21:16:00.000-08:00

Written By:caffeineaddict13
You can read the original here:
All credit goes to the original author

- one -

There is a story that hasn’t been told. Not yet.

In the desert, a girl holds her mother’s hands and whispers as the sun appears from behind the endless hills, tinted orange from sand and streaming red like the scars that will one day trace her body.

“You know what they say about red skies,” her mother says, and begins to hum softly in the heat.

The girl doesn’t know, but she doesn’t say this out loud. There is some part of her that realizes that a storm is coming, and when the hairs stand up at the back of her neck, she tries her best to ignore it.

Eventually, though, all storms have to break.

Eventually, all stories need to be told.

She closes her eyes and listens to the sea begin to turn.

Dreaming, dreaming, I’m dreaming, I’m dead, it’s building, falling, crashing –

- two -

In the dark, everything seems more real. Monsters hide between hanging coats in the closet, underneath the shiny pink of a comforter, in between the baskets of laundry sitting on the floor.

Whispered secrets are often more binding when they are told in the dark. This is one reason why it’s so easy to trust Edward Cullen.

The lights go out, but Bella doesn’t hold her breath. She puts her arms out and feels the walls, cold under her touch, her heart beating like a rabbit running from its predator as night falls in the woods.

Edward takes her hand in his, tells her stories that only exist in the books she no longer reads. And because it is so dark, she believes him.

Eventually, she will look back on that moment and try to recall the difference between monsters and dreams. They twist together now more than ever, and when the definition becomes something she can no longer understand, she will stick the phrase to other things and call it a day.

- three -

Jacob gives her a Bright Eyes CD for Christmas, the year the sun starts to rise again.

Just get me past this dead and eternal snow, it says, ‘cause I swear that I’m dying, slowly but it’s happening.

She thinks it funny that, ironically, the dead are what keep her alive.

And say, and lie to me, and say, and lie to me, and say it’s going to be alright.

“If winter ends,” Jacob tells her, sitting on the edge of his car, “I’ll take you home.”

“I give myself three days to feel better,” Bella smiles, and lets him hold her, but she thinks that maybe he’s missing the point.

- four -

Back in Arizona, there is a different boy. He has brown hair and a pretty mouth and he doesn’t know about the magic that exists between the places that normal people tread.

He does, however, remember being ten years old and lonely. He remembers a girl with big brown eyes telling him that he was beautiful. And now there is a place in his heart that he keeps for her, wherever she is – a place where she can come back to, even if she doesn’t realize it’s there.

The girl doesn’t know about the people she has touched. Some part of her needs to be loved – the same way that all people do – and on the nights when she misses the desert and her mother’s voice, it beats in the same tune as the quiet boy in Phoenix.

“I don’t believe in ghost stories,” she says.

“Well,” he replies, “I’m no ghost.”

- five -

Bella remembers a perfect day as the days she spent with Edward. In the calm of the storm, the perfect silence of greys and blues before all hell breaks loose, she cannot imagine anything better.

It is one of these such days, her head lying in Edward’s lap, his fingers cool on her forehead, that her filter is suddenly shut off.

“I worry about Charlie sometimes,” she says, a mouse’s voice that she knows he can hear. “He stares at the oven when I’m cooking like he’s imaging someone else. And he’s so alone all the time – if it weren’t for Billy Black he wouldn’t even have any friends. He’s…isolated.” Bella blushes, hiding her face in the folds of Edward’s shirt. “I’m probably imagining some of it,” she whispers. “But it’s there all the same.”

The hundred-year-old boy presses his lips against her forehead. “I wouldn’t be too concerned, love,” he tells her. “It sounds like you, I suppose. And you’re certainly not alone.”

The sky cracks – and, just for a second, Bella is small again, lost in the thunder. It doesn’t take long for the rain to clear, but she will never forget what it feels like to drown.

- six -

Sometimes, in the after-days of her eclipse, when the push-pull of lovers becomes too much, Bella imagines what it would be like.

Had she stayed with her mother and Phil.

Had she never met Edward Cullen, and never gotten broken.

Had Jacob Black never pieced her back together.

Had Edward stayed away, oblivious to the destruction he had caused.

Had the world stopped turning the precise moment she realized that she was stuck between two goods – because it would probably be easier if it were two evils, instead.

She imagines Pandora’s box, only it’s backwards. She holds twin cases in her hands – one gold in the sunlight, the other silver in the dark. She opens them on the count of three and she is rich and beautiful and famous – until she reaches the end, and she has to make a choice.

That, she realizes, is the hope. The phantom left over when everything else is gone: silent, unassuming, and, eventually, the most important piece of it all.

Decision.

I keep searching the streets for that blood-wine battleship she drives with a weak battery, and the doors hanging from broken hinges…

- seven -

“Heat,” Bella replies honestly, when Jacob asks her what she misses most about her old home. He chuckles, takes her hand and presses it against his forehead.

“It’s your lucky day, then,” he says.

“I scream for sunlight,” she breathes softly, more to herself than to him. Jacob hears anyway – he lifts her head up till their eyes meet under the shadows of the garage.

“I’ll take you there,” he tells her.

She doesn’t have the heart to tell him she’s already arrived.

She thinks: I know that’s impossible now.

She thinks: Just get me out of here.

She whispers, “Lie to me.”

- eight -

There is a story that hasn’t been told.

In the aftermath of a storm, there is a girl. She’s hard to pick out among the wreckage, sunken in piles of rotting wood and weather-beaten houses and broken glass and the bodies of those that didn’t survive. She is there, however – if you look hard enough.

This is the girl that was once never able to be alone. Once upon a time, she was loved, held, coveted – and, in the end, it wasn’t the storm that made this all disappear.

There is a girl who is broken and beaten and torn. Her hair is chopped short and her skin pallid, her face is sunken and her eyes shift uneasily around the ruins.

There is a girl – not a lover, a mother, a friend, a savior, a conscience; just a girl – who stood in the eye of the storm. And there is a girl who walked away.

She opens her eyes and watches as the sea begins to turn again.

Hide and Seek

2009-02-26T21:10:00.000-08:00

Written By:simply-dazzling001
You can read the original here:
All credit goes to the original author

“Hiya Bells! Whatcha doin?”

“Um. Not much. Why?”

“Well, I think that by now Jacob can feed himself quite well. Although, I’m not sure if dogs can use utensils….” Emmett smirked.

“Watch it, leech. She’s feeding Nessie.”

“I see. And where IS Nessie?”

“Geez, Emmett, open your eyes, she’s right-HUH? Wh-where’d she go??”

Bella frantically looked around the kitchen table, but Nessie wasn’t where she was a minute ago. Her chair was empty. “NESS!!”

“NESSIE!!”

“NESSIEEEE!!!”

“RENESMEE!”

“NESS!”

“EMMETT!”

“Emmett?”

“Heh.”

“Nessie!”

“Yeah?”

“OH! Where were you?”

“Aunty Alice mentioned something about scaring Daddy with a game of hide-and-seek….”

“RENESMEE CARLIE CULLEN ARE YOU OKAY?!?!”

Renesmee blinked. “Um, yeah Daddy. I’m fine. What’s up?”

“WHAT’S UP?!? JASPER JUST TOLD ME THAT EMMETT KIDNAPPED YOU AND TOOK YOU BEAR HUNTING! Odd, though, he wasn’t thinking anything relating to fear or anxiety….In fact, he was singing ‘It’s a Small World’ in Scottish…..” Edward finally realized the truth. He sighed. “Nessie, did Alice tell you that you were playing hide-and-seek?”

“Yep.” Laughter could be heard from one of the upstairs bedrooms.

Edward sighed once more and rolled his eyes. “Next time, please think Daddy, I’m here when you know I’m worrying, ok? And by the way, when did you learn to sing ‘The Itsy-Bitsy Spider’ in Japanese in your head?”

“Auntie Alice and Uncle Jazzy taught me.”

“I see. Now then, if you don’t mind, I’m going to have a little chat with Aunty Alice and Uncle..…Jazzy. Excuse me, please.”

“Come on, Ness, let’s finish lunch.”

“Okay, Jacob!”

Upstairs, there was a loud BANG! And Edward shouted “MARY ALICE BRANDON CULLEN HOW DARE YOU KIDNAP MY DAUGHTER FOR A GAME OF HIDE-AND-SEEK?! AND JASPER WHITLOCK HALE, YOU TOLD ME EMMETT KIDNAPPED HER!!!”

Jacob laughed. “Kudos for scaring your dad, kiddo.”

Nessie giggled. “Thanks, Jake.”

Bella sighed, but smiled. “Ness…”

“Aunty Alice told me that if I kept quiet to play this prank on Daddy, she’d take me shopping tomorrow! But when I heard you guys shouting, I was afraid you’d be worried, so I came out.”

Jacob and Bella laughed, and then there was another CRASH from upstairs, even louder than before. Jasper screamed loudly, then they heard Esme running to Alice and Jasper’s room and shouting, “EDWARD ANTHONY MASEN CULLEN! HOW DARE YOU BREAK YOUR BROTHER’S CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELD?!?!”

Then Edward could be heard saying, “Ow! But Esme, Alice and Jasper lied to me and said that Emmett kidnapped Renesmee. They practically gave me a heart attack, if I could have one.”

“What!?” Whap! Whap!

“OW! But Esme….”

“Alice, no shopping for a week. Jasper…no Civil War reenactments for a week. Are we clear?”

A faint, whispering sound came from upstairs, and Jacob, Renesmee, Emmett, and Bella realized it was Alice and Jasper sighing loudly. Alice attempted to protest. “But Esme, I promised Nessie I’d take her shopping tomorrow!”

“Then Rosalie will take her shopping. Now, Alice, your credit cards, please. And Jasper, your Confederate uniform, too. I needed to wash it anyway.”

“ESME……” they whined. Whap!

The inhabitants of the bottom floor, Renesmee, Bella, Jacob, and Emmett, all laughed.

“Hey Ness, wanna play hide-and-seek with us tomorrow?”

“Will anyone get in trouble?” Renesmee asked suspiciously.

“Nope. Real hide and seek. Not steal-your-niece-and-give-your-brother-a-heart-attack-hide-n-seek.”

“Okay! Sounds fun, Uncle Em. Where are we gonna play?”

Emmett smiled a devilish grin. “Grizzly territory.”

Breakdown

2009-02-26T21:08:00.000-08:00

Written By:my-midnight-escape
You can read the original here:
All credit goes to the original author

Breakdown

Rosalie sat at her vanity, absently running a brush through her beautiful golden hair. "God," she thought, "I'm gorgeous". She was mesmerized by her own beauty and found herself fascinating to watch. Except for her eyes, which still had not lost their shocking crimson color. She hated looking at her eyes, they made her feel revolting, but that would change with time. Other than that she was perfect.

The beginnings of a soft piano melody reached Rosalie, startling her from her thoughts. It reminded her that she wasn't alone. Edward was in the house and so was Esme, Carlisle was at work. Thinking of her family, especially Edward, just reminded her that she wasn't perfect. She wasn't good enough for Edward. Men used to think she was stunning, but Edward didn't want her the way other men had. He didn't call her beautiful or try to impress her. "Nobody wants me anymore. After all why would someone want damaged goods? It's no wonder he doesn't want me, I'm not even pure”, she thought savagely to herself. Why would Edward want someone that wasn't even a virgin? He wouldn't. She knew Royce was the reason Edward wouldn't even give her the time of day. Not that she wanted him that way, she couldn’t even think of men in that way anymore, but she still wanted to be loved., especially now that she felt so violated. She just wanted to know that someone loved her and looked at her like she was a goddess, just like men used to. The way she thought Royce once had. No. He hadn't loved her. He had just wanted her to be his trophy wife and sex doll. He had already used her like a doll, and let all of his friends, too. Oh god, no. "Don't think about it," she whispered to herself. But that was impossible. Memories were now flooding back to her, slightly hazy, like everything else in her human life, but these were vivid to her. The feel of each man moving in and out of her. Feeling her skin tear, her flesh bruise, and her bones break.

Rosalie was taking in sharp breaths, gasping for air that she didn't need. She made her way to the bed, practically doubled over with the pain of her memories, hands gripping and twisting the hair that she had just meticulously brushed. She collapsed on the bed with her back against the headboard and pulled her knees up to her chest. She sobbed and clutched a pillow to her face, attempting to stifle the noise. She knew it was pointless, she was in a house with two other vampires, there was no way they wouldn’t hear her. But still, she wanted to retain a shred of dignity and nurse her bleeding wounds in private.

Within moments Esme was knocking on her door. "Rosalie, darling, I'm coming in"
Rosalie couldn't compose herself enough to tell her not to bother, that she was fine. She wasn't okay in the slightest, but she didn't want the others to see her when she was so indisposed.

"Oh, Rose," Esme whispered as she rushed over to her. She climbed onto the bed, took Rose’s position and the head board and pulled Rose to her chest, hugging her from behind. "It's going to be okay. You're safe now, sweetie. Nobody can hurt you anymore". Rose clutched Esme's arms to her stomach tightly and leaned into Esme's chest, still gasping for breath, as Esme cradled her and rocked her back and forth like she was a child.

Rosalie's sobs were subsiding and turning into guttural whimpers. She recognized the truth in Esme's words; she was indestructible now, Royce couldn't hurt her anymore. On the contrary, if they were ever to meet again, she could hurt him. Not just him, but every single one of his friends too. She could kill them for what they did to her. She would kill them.

There was another knock on the door, interrupting Rose's thoughts. "Come in Edward", Esme spoke aloud for Rosalie's benefit. Rosalie didn't try to compose herself. What was the point? Edward would just read her mind. She rolled her eyes, as if her privacy wasn't already violated enough. Edward sighed at this, exasperated. "It's not something I try to do," he directed at Rosalie, "trust me, I'd be much happier if I didn't know about many of the things I hear, especially in your thoughts"
Rosalie rolled her eyes again.
"That's not why I came up here, though. I just wanted to tell you that you were wrong."
"Of course", Rose thought, that's the only thing he likes to tell me.
Edward smiled in response to this. "I do enjoy that"
"You'll have to be more specific, wrong about what, exactly?" Rose asked aloud. She wasn't going to encourage Edward to read her mind.
He scoffed at this, but continued, "You’re wrong about the way I look at you. I don't think you are damaged and dirty. It would be simply horrible of me to think of my sister that way." Edward gave a half hearted smile, turned to leave the room.
Esme nudged Rosalie, prompting her to speak. "Thank you Edward," Rosalie said as he closed the door.
Rosalie leaned back into Esme and Esme stroked her hair. "You're going to be fine dear" Rosalie smiled up at her and she knew that Esme was right. Not immediately, or even soon, but eventually, she would be alright. Her mind went back to her earlier thoughts of seeing Royce again.
After some minutes she asked "Esme, do you think you could help me pick out a wedding dress?"
"Of course, Rose, but why?"
"I'm going to kill Royce King.”

Esme closed her eyes and sighed. She had a feeling Rosalie would want her revenge, and who was she to tell her no? Those men had it coming, they were monsters. She leaned forward and whispered in Rosalie’s ear “we can go shopping tomorrow.”

This Aint a Fairytale

2009-02-26T21:06:00.000-08:00

Written By:Poisonbelle
You can read the original here:
All credit goes to the original author

I sat in math class listening to the teacher drone on about applications. I tuned her out and start doodling Jaspers name in my notebook surrounded by hearts, along with his name were the words “Mrs. Hale” and “Mrs. Jasper Hale,” not really thinking about it, well I mean I was thinking about Jasper, he is perfect! Honey blonde hair, topaz eyes, pale, tall, lean and all around wonderful. Plus he’s smart; I had history with him last year and when we covered the Civil War he basically taught the class. Gave me great dreams about student teacher sex.

I’m broken from my thoughts by someone snickering next to me. I look up in to the topaz eyes of Edward Cullen, Jasper’s adopted brother, shit. I snap my notebook close as I feel the heat rise in my face. I look back at the white board in hopes Edward will ignore me as always and not mention this, this incident to Jasper.

I feel the dread rise in me. I start to chew on my bottom lip. Oh god what if Edward tells him he’s going to think I’m a freak or a stalker or something. I sit up straight in my chair, OH GOD! Alice will slaughter me. Alice, his perfect, graceful, pixie like stunning beautiful girlfriend, she will rip me apart then eat the left overs! Okay maybe not eat the left overs that’s a little too much Hannibal Lector.

I hear more laughter next to me and I glance back at Edward, oh my god, he’s insane he’s laughing at nothing. Then again I’m rambling to my self in my own head. Interpersonal! Yay I used a word from speech class, happiness. Wait what was I ranting about? JASPER! EEP! I grab the table to keep from falling off my chair. I think my heart stopped…I’m a zombie rawr..rawr..I look back up to see Edward staring at me as if I grew another head. I wonder if anyone else gets the feeling he’s knows what they are thinking. I watch him raise an eyebrow at me. I blink at him and smile to myself oh why not…OH great and powerful Edward can you read my mind…blink twice if you can.

I continue staring at him and he locks eyes with me and blinks twice then smirks. HOLY CRAP I fall back out of my chair. “Ms. Rayvenz.” I flinch and look up at my math teacher. “Yes?”

“Would you kindly get off the floor and pay attention.”

“Yes sir.” I get up and sit back in my seat and try not to look at Edward. Oh holy shit he can read my mind, can he read everything, like the dream last night with Jasper licking and nibbling. NO bad, bad don’t think about that blank the mind blank the mind. Is it possible to blank ones mind? Is this damn class over yet? The bell rings much to my relief. “YES!” The class turns to look at me, “hehe hi?” I give a small wave and grab my things and run from the classroom.

Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap. Mind reader is here to attack you! I walk in to the cafeteria and look around. I spot Bella, Edwards girlfriend, must be hard to surprise him. The rest of the family was sitting with her as well. Jasper was holding Alice close, damn. Rose was looking at herself in a mirror and Emmett was talking to Bella.

I watch as Edward walks over to them and apparently says something to them cause as one they all turned and looked at me. Joy. Must they stare at me? I turn on my heel and rush out to my car and lock myself inside of it.

I put my seat down and close my eyes. My god he told him, I’m going to die there is no way around this. Oh shit what if they are all mind readers!

“I’m the only one.”

I scream and jump up hitting my head on the roof of the car. “ow” I rub the top of my head and look over at Edward who’s looking at me in amusement. “I wont tell anyone I promise! Just don’t kill me please!”

Edward cocks his head to the side, “Nikki I think you need to lay of the horror movies.” I duck my head and blush, “right.” I look pass Edward to see Jasper standing there. “I revoke the whole don’t kill me thing.” I look at Edward who smiles. “I didn’t tell him anything about that, I just said you knew I could read minds.” I sigh in relief, “although Nikki your notebook is open in the backseat.” I turn and see that it is and quickly dive for it and close hit. I look over at Jasper who’s looking at Edward in amusement. “Best hope Alice don’t find out.” Jasper says to me. Cold dread fills me even if his voice is as soft and sensual as dark chocolate. Mention his girlfriend is a total buzz kill. I swallow hard and look at Edward who is glaring at Jasper. “Right.” I mumble to myself as I pull my keys out and start the car. “Ditching?”

I smile at Edward, “must you ask, besides mind readers from Mars and girlfriends who are going to go Hannibal Lector on me is enough to say get out of school.” I back out of my spot and drive home.

No one is going to be home both my parents are married to their jobs and forget at times that they do have a child. I unlock the front door and walk up stairs and lay on my bed. Maybe it’s a good thing he knows, I know he will never return the feelings so I can move on with out ever looking back and whishing I did something about it. But then again now that he knows I could be tormented to ridicule and my high school life could be over, not that it was ever great to begin with.

“He wont ridicule you.”

I sit up and see Edward sitting across from my bed in my computer chair. “How? I mean I would of heard you? Wouldn’t I of?” I glance around my room to make sure he’s alone. “Jasper is still a southern gentleman at heart. He would never disgrace a woman like that. And no he is not here, he stayed at school.”

“Southern Gentleman? I thought your family is from Alaska.” I sit up and fold my legs under me. Why was he here? What did I matter?

“You know my secret that is why you matter. And your amusing. At least to me. No one else in the family cares for you, for the most part.”I try not to let the hurt show on my face, Jasper didn’t care. Joy. “So your going to start stalking me?” I ask him.

“Now that’s the pot calling the kettle black. No, I’m not stalking you; merely making sure my secrete stays safe. It wouldn’t do well to get on our bad side. You think Alice will go Hannibal Lector just wait and see what the full family can do.” He says coldly.

I sigh and fall back on my bed, wonderful I’m a dead woman walking. Do they have witness protection for this?

“Nope.”

“Please stay out of my head, look you know I wont tell anyone.” Not that I have any one to tell, I added to myself.

“Why is that?”

“Why is what? Why wont I tell, I have morals and just cause I know doesn’t mean everyone has to, its your secrete do with it as you please type of thing.” I shrug.

He smiles, “thanks but I was asking why is it you don’t have, uh, a group of friends to hang out with. Your always alone at school.”

“I don’t know, you can read their minds not me. What do they think of me?” Did I really want to know the answer to that question.

“Nothing, when you walk in to a room or really do anything no one notices, even today when you fell out of your seat in math-”

“Your fault by the way.” I say cutting him off.

“Yes my fault, I guess. Most of them thought you were a new student.”

I roll my eyes and glance around my room, its still white and pale pink with the toys and princess theme my mom gave it 11 years ago when we moved here. Wow I’m pathetic. Maybe I should redo my room, and give myself a new look.

“Blues and purples work for you.”

I look at Edward, “how and why would you know that?”

“I live with Alice remember, that woman knows more about clothing and shopping then Coco Chanel.”

“Who’s Coco Chanel?” I ask cocking my head to the side.

“Never let Alice or Rose hear you ask that, I think even Bella knows who she is by now.”

I look at the clock, “its 2:30 Bella is getting out of school, you should be there to meet up with her.”

Edward smiles, “right, I’ll see you tomorrow Nikki.” With that he jumped out my window. Ah the window that’s how he got in here. Next house I’m asking for the bedroom with the highest window instead of the ground floor.

The next day was like any other, there were no signs posted in the hallways declaring me a freak for dreaming to be with one of the untouchables. There were no dead flowers filling up my locker or anything like that.

“You have no faith in our creative ability.”

I turn and see Edward leaning up against the locker next to mine. “Oh God you did do something didn’t you?”

“We did nothing calm down.” He laughs and looks over to where his family is standing staring at us.

“You know if I was Bella I would be jealous because you are not standing with me but talking to some freaky girl. Go stand and be loveable with your girlfriend before rumors start that your cheating on her or something.”

“Yes oh mistress.” He laughs and walks over to Bella giving her a deep and long kiss. Yuck! I didn’t want to see it. I close my locker and go to walk to class when my path is blocked by Alice. Shit. “Um, greetings and salutations?” I look for some type of emotion but there is nothing.

“I don’t know what’s going on between you and Edward but it needs to stop. He has a girlfriend just like Jasper does. So back off.”

I take a step back, “I know you and Jasper are dating the whole fucking school knows my god I wasn’t going to try anything get over your self. As for Edward, I don’t even know what’s going on there, he’s the one the pops up everywhere I go, so don’t blame me for what your brother does!” I wince when I realized what I just said to her, damn my Irish temper it always comes out at the wrong time. The phrase I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti keeps running through my mind as I take steps back away from her. I watch as her eyes glaze over and she stops moving. Within seconds Jasper is next to her with his arms around her waist and whispering something in her ear. Its such a sweet jester that all the anger I had is gone, they are so perfect together, I hope Jasper and Alice understand that I will never ever break them up I would do anything in my power to stop that from happening, I want Jasper happy even at the cost of my own happiness, what can I say, I’m an aspiring cat lady. I grip my books closer to me and skitter around Jasper and Alice and rush off to my class paying no mind to Edward.

I walk in to Biology and see the frogs on the table to be dissected I pivot on my heel and head to the bathrooms and lock my self in the stall. I am against harming anything that has a soul even if its already dead, I don’t want frog spirits coming back and hunting me. I walk out of the stall and look at my reflection in the mirror. My mousy brown hair hung limply around my face and down to my shoulders; my face is the standard round face, I have blue eyes, nothing special about them. I’m pale, not as pale as Edward or Jasper just a pale peachy color. My body is average, I’m skinny do to my habit of not eating and skipping meals all together. My body was tiny, my hands were small and I only wore a size four shoe. If I think about it I’m pretty sure Alice is either the same height as me or we are off by an inch. Alice is more graceful though, she’s like an angel or a ballerina or something.

“You shouldn’t put your self down like that.”

I look up to see Edwards reflection in the mirror, “girls bathroom, you shouldn’t be in here.”

He walks up and stands behind me and locks eyes with me in the mirror, “no one will catch me,” he glances around as if deciding something, “Jasper can feel it you know.”

“Feel what?” I turn to look at him, leaning back against the sinks.

“Your emotions, he reads them and understands them. That’s his gift, like mine with reading minds. He knows you wont come between him and Alice. But he does know how deeply you feel for him, and he does feel bad about that. So don’t think down about yourself, don’t feel like your not good enough cause you are Nikki.”

I cant stop the tears the fill my eyes at his words, no one has ever said something like that to me, and I cant believe he said it, he hardly even knows me. My mind and body act on their own causing me to step up and throw my arms around Edwards neck hugging him close and crying softly into his sweater. I can feel ice radiating from his body, his skin is so cold under his clothing and just his body alone feels like a rock. He doesn’t hug me back which causes me to realize what I did. “Sorry.” I blush and stumble back away from him.

“Its okay.” He mumbles and looks away from me.

“Why don’t you put a coat on or something.” I say to him.

“What?” He looks at me with a confused look on his face.

“Your skin is cold as ice, put a coat on to warm up.”

I’m slightly offended when he starts to laugh at me, “fine freeze to death!” I cross my arms over my chest and pout.

“I’m already dead don’t think the cold is going to matter much.” He shakes his head still laughing.

“Dead?”

“I’m already going to get hell from my family for telling you not only about my secret but about Jaspers as well. So might as well clue you in on everything. I’m dead, we all are.”

“That is so not funny.” I walk back to the stall and grab my messenger bag.

Edward grabs my hand and spins me around to face him, “I don’t joke about life or death.” He places my hand over his heart.

“What are you doing?”

“Feel or what don’t you feel.”

I press my hand firmly to his chest and stay still for a few seconds. “I feel nothing.”

“You feel nothing, nothing at all.”

“Right.” I say looking at him in a clueless manner. He takes my hand and places it on my heart. “What do you feel now?”

“My heart beat.”

He is silent for a moment letting it sink into my brain. I have a heart beat, he doesn’t, he’s ice cold, pale, alluring. I look up at him. Vampire.

“She, could eat me couldn’t she?” I ask him referring to Alice.

“Yes she could, but she wouldn’t, she has never tasted a human.” He replies, still holding my arm firmly.

“How? I mean wouldn’t that kill her or something.” I ask him, I know I should be scared of him, I should be screaming, running anything, but I cant.

“Animals.”

“Oh no! That is so sad, those poor helpless animals, what did they ever do to you? Why hurt them huh?” I cry at him ripping my arm from his grasp.

“Would you rather us eat people?” He growls at me taking a step back.

“Yes the human race multiplies like rabbits and some people like rapist, killers, and what not deserve to be killed.” I look at him with wide eyes.

He looks at me surprised, “you are a human.”

“Yeah, and you already know what I think of myself.” I can feel the self hate fill me at the thought. Here I am in front of a vampire, an immortal creature. A gift of beauty, strength, intelligence, “and murder.” Edward whispers following my train of thought. Not wanting to fight with him I just nod. “I need to head to class.” I say to him after a pause of silence. He just nods and walks off with me following him. God I hope no one sees us coming out of there together. I see him smile. “Don’t you want the school to see you with me?”

“Cocky. No I don’t, you have a girlfriend and I don’t need another reason for you sister to want to kill me.” I say to him walking next to him towards the Math hall. “Ah you want to be seen coming out of the bathroom with Jasper.”

I feel the blood rush to my face and I slap him with my bio book. “Shut up!”

He laughs, “you don’t deny it though.”

“Edward?”

We both turn to the new voice. “Bella. I’m not stealing him. Don’t kill me please.” I say in a rush.

Edward looks at me then grabs Bella and pulls her to him. “She wont she still thinks to much like a human. Besides I thought you wanted all humans to die.”

Bella looks back and forth between us. “Bite me.” I snap at him without thinking. I look up after a silence. He looks at me and cocks his head from side to side. “No you want Jasper to bite you.” He remarks then him and Bella both start laughing. “Gah!” I turn and stomp towards the math hallway. Evil, vindictive, vampires. I’m rant not even paying attention to what’s going on around me and end up running in to a cold, solid, object. “Edward stop popping up in front of me.” I whine then I glance up I to the topaz eyes of Jasper. “Oh.” He smiles at me slightly. “Your angry.” Oh his voice is like dark chocolate running over my body my god how can one man be so hot, so perfect.

“I don’t want to hear that, Nikki.” Edward complains walking up behind me with a smiling Bella. “Then don’t listen.” I whisper not taking my eyes off Jasper.

“Cant help it. You know he is suppose to eat you not the other way around.” Edward says smiling at Jasper who looks offended.

I blush fiercely, “go eat a horse.” I snap at him finally looking away from Jasper.

Edward frowns, “but you yelled at me about eating animals you said I need more humans in my diet. Jasper its okay we’re joking around breath.”

I look back up at Jasper to see him glaring at Edward, “yes she knows Jasper.” I look back at Edward then back at Jasper. Who is giving me a dark look. “Oh sure blame the human as if I go up to people asking them if their mythical creatures…perhaps one day I’ll find a unicorn.” I see Jasper fight down a smile and happiness swells inside of me, hehe I got him to smile oh yeah one point to me! “What’s the score?” I smile over at Edward, Alice one thousand and me negative one hundred and ninety-nine. Edward groans and pulls Bella closer. “I’m so glad I can’t hear your thoughts sometimes, because if you think like she does it would drive me insane.”

Bella looks at me then to Edward, “what type of thoughts?”

“Something along the lines of self hatred.” Jasper says watching me with a calculated gaze. Bella smiles, “I had those.”

Edward looks alarmed. “When? Where was I? Who gave them to you? Don’t you ever think that!”

I smile at the worry and love he has for her, its so sweet.

“When you left Edward.” Edward doesn’t say anything to that just holds her

I leave them to their moment and look up at Jasper, who is looking at everywhere but the couple. “We missed class.” He looks down at me. “We should just skip the rest of the day then.” I look over to Edward and Bella who are whispering something I’m pretty sure I don’t want to hear. “Right.” I brush past Jasper and head for the doors.

I stop at my car and pop the trunk open and dump my messenger bag in side of it digging around for a book.

“You’re a messy person.” Jasper says from behind me.

I scream an jump smacking my head on the hood of the trunk. I rub the back of my head and turn to look at him, at least he has the decency to look sheepish. “I’m buying you and your brother a cow bell.” I turn and start digging my way back through my things. I know he’s still there which is making me self conscious, I wonder what its like to read peoples emotions and how does that help you. Well I guess it helps when you got some lowly human stalking you around school. I’m pathetic, “Ah book!” I pull out a thick book entitled Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era by James McPherson. I hold it to my chest and I turn and look back at him. “What?”

“You went from being self conscious to curious, to self hatred all in the span of a few minutes. It was amazing. What were you thinking about?”

I try not to jump around and squeal at the fact that he’s asking about me. I lean up against the trunk as I push down the lid sealing the trunk closed. “I was thinking about the Civil War.”

“The Civil War? Why would you be thinking about that?”

“Well we are only taught the Northern side of things and we barely touch on the South. And last year when you were talking about the South’s side of things it sounded interesting so I started looking into it.” I show him the book I’m reading and try to hold my embarrassment to myself. Great now he knows I hung on his every word during that class.

“Well its nice to know I got through to someone.” He laughs a bit and takes the book from me and looks at it. “Not a bad book, but there are better ones. I can lend a few to you if you’d like.”

I swallow thickly, “I would like that very much.” And I will cherish them and treat them as if they were the most precious thing in the world. I add silently to myself. “Is Alice going to be mad if you skip class?”

He smiles at me, “I’m a hundred and twenty-eight years old, I doubt the school is going to teach me anything I don’t already know.”

I stand there blinking at him stupidly, “128? Wow, hey you served in the Civil War.” I smile at this, he laughs, a deep laugh that would turn the strongest feminist to goop.

“Yes I was, I joined when I was seventeen, and I served as Major.”

“Where were you stationed at?”

“Different parts of Texas.”

I go to walk around to my car and get a half a step away from the car when I’m yanked back to it. I turn and see that I shut my shirt in the trunk. “Great.” I pull the keys out of my pocket and pop the trunk open and pull my shirt out and straighten it out then close the trunk again. I look up at Japer and blush at his amused look over the fact very few people could get the shirt they ware wearing stuck in the trunk.

I clear my throat, “so that’s what Edward meant when he said you were still a Southern Gentleman.” I say getting back to our topic at hand.

He hands me back my book and offers his arm to me, I loop mine with his as he starts to walk to the silver Volvo that Edward drives. “When did he tell you that?”

“In the girls bathroom.” I cant help but notice how graceful he is, its like he’s not even walking, more like floating. They float, floating vampires.

“Edward was in the girls bathroom?”

“Yeah that was amusing, that’s when I found out what you all are. Hi Edward.” I smile at him and Bella as we walk up to them.

“Talking about me?” Edward asks opening the door for Bella so she can get in the car.

“And your wonderful trip in the women’s bathroom.” Jasper says smiling at Edward.

“You told him!” Edward looks at me as if I just told everyone they drink blood.

“I wasn’t aware I wasn’t suppose to.”

“At least you didn’t tell Emmett.” I watch as he goes around to the drivers side and opens the door. Realizing they are leaving I pull out my car keys, damn there goes my time with Jasper, at least I was able to spend a few moments with him. Bella smiles at me from the passenger side and I wave to her, perhaps I made a friend out of this. I look back and forth between Edward and Jasper, apparently they are talking to each other. “Um, bye.” I wave to them, I don’t think they saw. I turn and head back to my car, I unlock the car door when I hear something jingle behind me. I turn and see Jasper standing behind me with keys in his hand. “Where you going?”

“Home?” Of course my answer sounds like a question, why is he asking.

“No your not, your coming with us.” He smiles and takes my keys and locks up my car. Oh shit they are going to eat me. Jasper takes my hand and I cant stop the dorky smile that shows up on my face and pulls me towards the car. He opens the door behind Bella’s seat and helps me in to the car. Then in a blink of and eye he’s already in his seat next to me. I look at him and blink a few times. “Must you do that.” I ask him. Both guys start to laugh as Bella turns in her seat and looks at me, “I know I hated it when they did that to me, now I can actually see them even when they move that fast.”

I laugh and smile, “I’m buying them a cow bell.”

“Ooo I like it.” She smiles at me and we both giggle as the guys just smile. I watch as the scenery passes by quite fast and with in seconds we are in front of a huge house, with a lot of windows. I open the car door and step out and look around.

“Beautiful isn’t it.” I turn and look at Bella and I nod my head, “wait till you see the inside.” With that she walks forward and takes Edward’s hand and walks into the house.

“Come on you get to meet Esme.” I give him a confused look. “Our mother, of sorts.”

“Did she change you?” I know it’s a personal question but I couldn’t help but ask. He turns and looks at me. “No the woman who changed me is no longer around, same for Alice the man who changed her was killed. Now Carlisle did change Edward, Rose, Emmett, and Esme.”

“Why is he the only one that changes people?”

“He’s the strongest and he’s the only one that can be around human blood without the beast coming out and killing the human.”“Oh, so its not like it is in movies or books.”He laughs and smiles down at me, “no its not like that at all. Come on Esme wants to meet you.” He takes my hand and pulls me into the house. The house is even more beautiful then the outside. Its very open, clean, and very bright. Jasper leads me to the living room where a lady who’s about 5’5 feet tall with shoulder length brown hair is hugging Bella. She is strikingly beautiful and for some reason I’m surprised. She turns to me and gives Jasper a confused look.

“She knows about us.”

“How? You didn’t kill anyone did you?” She asks him while walking towards us.

Jasper looks down at me, “I’m the weakest in the family apparently, I will at any moment slaughter every human in town.”

I nod my head, “well be glad you can’t catch anything, God knows what some of those girls have. Can I watch?”

“No you can not watch!” He snaps at me, “what in the hell is she thinking?” He looks over at Edward.

“Some erotic vampire novel she read once.” Edward says with a smile.

“Is it southern gentleman’s way to yell at a lady.”

“Girls now days are not ladies.” He sneers at me.

“I am to a lady!”

“With your perverted thoughts and feelings your are nothing but a harlot!”

I look towards my feet as I feel tears fall over the brims of my eyes, being called names isn’t a big deal unless your in love with the guy who does it.

“Nikki, I’m sorry I shouldn’t have said that.” Jasper says sadly, I feel his hand lightly run down my arm.

“You should of let me go home.” I look up to see Esme looking at me with concern, like a mother does. “Sorry, I’m Nikki, you have a lovely home, I’m sorry I couldn’t stay longer.” With that I turn and walk out of the house. I make my way down the driveway to the main road when I realize my car is still at the school. “Nikki wait!” Jasper shouts to me then in a flash he’s in front of me. “I’m so sorry darlin, I shouldn’t have said that, its not the way someone treats a lady.”“First off Jasper Hale, the harlot comment isn’t that big of a deal cause I know I’m a virgin and I’m damn proud of that.” I turn on my heel and storm away from him. How dare he just think a I’m sorry and using that ridicules sexy southern drawl is going to get me to be putty in his hands, well it did. But I was to angry to let the comment go. I end up walking all the way home, I didn’t know that the Cullen household was twenty miles on the outskirts of town. So it took me a little over four hours to get home, I’m a slow walker.

Once home I headed straight for my bedroom and locked the door behind me. Even though my parents didn’t really care what I did, I just wanted a barrier for sorts between us. I walked over to my closet and pulled out the guitar case from its back corner. I learned how to play when I was six years old, and now days I only played if I was upset. Much like now, after the first hour the anger disappeared and in came the hurt. I knew he still loved Alice I could see it in his eyes.

I sit on the edge of my bed and hold the guitar to me, Lexis. For some reason I found that a fitting name for my guitar, Lexis or as I call her Little Lex. I play a few chords and stare out the window. I take a deep breath and start to sing:

Say you're sorry
That face of an angel comes out
Just when you need it to
As I pace back and forth all this time
'Cause
I honestly believed in you
Holding on,
The days drag on
Stupid girl
I should have known, I should have known

That I'm not a princess
This ain't a fairytale
I'm not the one you'll sweep off her feet
Lead her up the stairwell
This ain't Hollywood,
This is a small town
I was a dreamer before you went and let me down
Now its too late for you and your White Horse,
To come around.

Maybe I was naïve,
Got lost in your eyes
I never really had a chance.
I had so many dreams about you and me.
Happy endings;
Now I know

I'm not a princess
This ain't a fairytale
I'm not the one you'll sweep off her feet
Lead her up the stairwell
This ain't Hollywood,
This is a small town
I was a dreamer before you went and let me down
Now its too late for you and your White Horse,
To come around.

And there you are on your knees
Begging for forgiveness,
Begging for me
Just like I always wanted,
But I'm so sorry

Cause Im not your princess
This aint a fairytale
Im gonna find someone, Some day
Who might actually treat me well.
This is a big world,
That was a small town
There in my rearview mirror,
Disappearing now.
And it's too late for you and your White Horse
Now its too late for you and your White Horse
To catch me now.

Oh whoa whoa whoa-oh
Try and catch me now
Whoa-Oh
It's too late
To catch me now.

I set the guitar on it’s stand and whip the tears from my face. I lay back on my bed and look up at the ceiling, god Monday is going to suck! Maybe it will be like Friday and no one will know, it was all just a really bad dream, with extremely good bits. Although now that I really look at it, he’ll be happier with Alice I mean. Well, his dream is come true, I will not like him no longer. I nod my head then turn and pull out all the notebooks that I had written his name in and I rip them up and take them down to the kitchen sink and set them on fire, out of sight out of mind.

As I walk back to my room, I stop and look at myself in the hall mirror; I cock my head from side to side, make over, defiantly. I walk to my room and grab a pair of scissors and head back to the mirror as I stand there I start to cut my hair; starting small with only a few inches to my neck. I put the scissors down and stair at myself, I run to my parents bathroom and grab my fathers electric razor and go back to my bathroom, I buzz cut the sides of my hair and comb the top of my hair and my bangs down so they are covering half my face and fall to my chin, I buzz cut the back of my hair giving me an emoish guy look. I jell it down and make sure it stays. I pull my shirt over my head and pull on a black tank top, and just keep my black jeans on. I grab my wallet and car keys and leave the house. I hop in the car and pull out of the drive way and head to Wal-Mart. First and foremost I need hair dye. I walk in to Wal-Mart ignoring the looks people were giving me and I walk to the section and grab red hair dye, not carrot top red a deep red, like Shirley Manson’s hair. I walk to the counter and buy it.

Tossing it into the passenger side of the car I drive to the thrift store and buy some more clothing then head home. I surf the internet looking for music then come across a new Garbage album and I play it while the dye sets in my hair. After an half an hour I walk in to my bathroom and rinse the dye from my hair and pat dry it so it says. I comb it down in front of my face then outline my eyes in black and smirk at myself. Wow I look weird. I laugh and walk back to my bedroom, only to find a pile of civil war books sitting on my bed. How dare he come here and drop those off after what he said to me.

I pull some clothes out of the shopping bags and throw them on, a black long sleeve top that stops right under my chest and is pretty tight, I pull on a pair of sheer white tights and a black and white checkered skirt with black lace at the trim that is layered in a way that shows a lot of one thigh. I then pull on a pair if thigh high black boots to complete the look. He’s not going to know what hit him. I collect the books and jump in my car and drive to the Cullen house hold.

I pull up and grab the books and walk to the door and knock on it. I wait for a few seconds then the door opens to reveal Edward, “hi.” He looks me up and down with shock written all over his face, “what did you do to yourself?”

“Is Jasper here?”

“Uh, yeah come in.” He holds the door open as I walk in to the living room and see a blonde man who couldn’t be more then 25, must be Dr. Cullen. I see Rose and Emmett look at me in shock as I stand there.

Edward blinks a few times then says in a regular talking voice, “Jasper, Nikki is here to see you.”

I watch him go over and set down then I turn to the stairs in time to see Jasper come running down the steps and stop a few feet from me, I watch in amusement as his jaw falls open and his eyes look at me up and down. “Nikki, I uh..what did you do?”

I smile at him and drop his books at his feet. “These are yours, I don’t want them. As for what I did I decided that since I’m a Harlot and all I should look the part.” I spin around giving him a good view of my outfit. “Do you like it Jasper?”

“I umm its…you should really put more clothes on.” He stammers out.

I step up to him and trail my finger down his neck and watch as his eyes lock with mine, “Just wait for the outfit I have planned for Monday. And stay out of my room, its creepy and illegal.”

I turn on my heel and smirk as I walk out of the house and to my car.

On the way back home I couldn’t help but laugh at the look on Jasper’s face when he saw what I was wearing and what I did to my hair, now I have to plan a drop dead gorgeous outfit for Monday. I pull up to my house and walk in not even saying hello to my parents who are in the den, to much to do so little time.

I lock my bedroom door and start laying out clothes I can use, I grab my laptop and I google for images to see if they offer any help. I paint my nails black while flipping through images and listening to the Helsinki Vampires, a band I am so in love with now. Finishing up my nails I look at the picture I found and walk over to my clothes, I’m pretty sure I can get something like that if I cut up and sew a few articles together. I go to the hall closet and pull down the sewing kit then head back to my room, I spent the rest of the night creating my outfit for Monday, best thing I ever did on a Saturday night. I spend Sunday looking up different styles to wear my new hair do but I didn’t like much so I’m just going to stick with it covering half my face.

Monday morning I wake up a couple hours before school and shower, shave, brush me teeth you know the regular morning routine. I dry off and walk to my room and pull on a pair of black lace bikini cut panties and a black lace bra with clear straps. I pull on a pair of fishnet tights then my new and improved skirt, which is a black denim skirt with leather lacing down the front and 3 adjustable leather buckle straps on the sides. A skull print is in the left bottom corner. It comes to my mid thigh so it is a bit short.

I grab my top and gently work it on, it’s a bit confusing but looks great; its magenta top is made with silk, it has a black lace insert along the bust line as well as down the center of the bodice. It also has 3/4 sleeves and a small puff at the shoulders. There is also a very delicate corset lacing down the center of the back with a small black satin ribbon laced through small silver grommets. The inner black camisole is removable and has a criss cross back.

I pull on my boots which I’m proud of they are knee high boots with a black satin ribbon corset-style lace up each side and a zipper on the inside of the leg to get them on and off. They have a five in a half inch heel which makes me feel tall. I outline my eyes in black eye liner and darken my lips with a dark red color. I grab my backpack and head out the door, only stumbling a few times cause of the heels.

I get to school and park my car and watch as the students talk and head towards the school. I bite the inside of my bottom lip and take a deep breath, you can do this Nikki, you can do this. I open my door and step out I smooth down my skirt and top and pull my bag to me. I lock up the car and raise my head high and start walking towards the school, I’m quite aware of all the people looking at me.

I pull my ipod from my bag and put the headphones on and play “London Town” by William Control, I just let you words wash over me;

Hate I would forever lie
I would fake all the timees
That you broke me down misery
Hate covered in broken glass
My skeleton bones will last
Far beyond flowers and dust
So where would I be?

Love the feeling I've lost control
Failing so beautiful
When you left me there misery
Hate blacken my artery
Harden my every fiber of grief stricken love
So where would I be?

Sadness in London Town
I walk the streets of Leicester Square
Sadness in my own heart sound
I walk till dawn the disappear

I find myself a seat in the commons and sit back and relax, I spot Jasper with his family by their normal table, with Alice hanging off of his arm. I watch his arm snake around your small waist bringing her closer to him. Knew he didn’t want me. I watch as Edward looks over at me and shake his head no. I look down at my ipod flipping though songs, “he has too.” I look at Edward, “you used human speed right?”

“Of course.” He smiles. “The school thinks he and Alice are together so they are going to continue to be together at school.”

“Why do I care?”

“You love him.”

“Love, lust, crushing, one of the same.” I sit back and look at him.

“I’m sure Jasper would disagree. You really shocked him when you showed up last night, shocked us all.”

I blush, “yeah wasn’t planed but I do like it.”

“It’s unique, Alice hates you.”

“I knew that.”

“More so now with your new look.”

I look at him confused. He smiles, “he looked at you like you were a slab of meat.” I blink a few times at him. “Sorry wrong choice of words. Jasper is not a man of many words but you shocked him and he loved everything about the way you looked, trust me I heard him. He couldn’t take his eyes off of you, if he wasn’t such a gentleman I’m sure he would of touched and held you close and not let you leave the room. In a lesser intensely he looked at Alice like that once, but since you he hasn’t. And she isn’t taking it very well.”

I nod, “I don’t blame her Edward, you know how I feel on the aspect of their relationship.”

“Their married.” We hear a crash from across the lunch room and see Jasper’s chair laying on the floor and him walking out of the lunch room. I look at Edward who is staring at Alice obviously having a conversation. I grab my bag and stalk out of the lunch room after Jasper.

“1912.”

I turn to see Jasper standing by the door, “What?”

“We got married in 1912. Technically Jasper Whitlock and Alice Whitlock are dead.”

“Whitlock?”

“My name, before it became Hale.”“I like Whitlock better.”

He smiles at me, “you look amazing today. Your really good and pulling off this, uh gothic look.”

I step closer to him. “Thank you, Jaz?”

“Yes?”

“How does it work if your married?”

“Jasper Whitlock is married Jasper Hale is not.”

“Its still the same person, and she loves you why would you thought that away for me?”

“Because I’m pulled to you, your blood sings to me. Your are my mate, you’re my singer.”

“Have the others met their singers?”

“Yes.” He walks away a bit and leans against a tree. “Bella is Edward’s singer, they met fell in love, married, had a child, then he changed her. Emmett had two singers.”“Wait you can knock up a girl?”

“Yes, that’s something we just learned.” He smirks at me.

“What happened to Emmett’s?”

His smirk disappears, “he killed them and drained them.”

I stare at my feet and swallow hard, “why don’t you do that?” I walk up to him and place my hands on his shoulders and press my body up against his. I tilt my head to the side exposing my throat to him. “It will get me out of your way, you and Alice could go on basking in your eternity together.” I feel him tense as his chest stops rising as he holds in his breath. He places his hands on my waist pulling me closer, I shiver as his ice cold lips press lightly to my neck. “You will willingly give your life up to satisfy my thirst?”

“Yes, are you willing to take it?” I close my eyes as his hands slide up and down my sides as his tongue darts out to taste my skin.

“Alice would be disappointed in me.”

“What if I wanted it?”

“She would still be disappointed.” He lets go of me and pushes me back away from him.

I nod my head in understanding. “Thank you Jasper.”

“For what?”

“Deciding.” I lean up and press a chaste kiss to his lips the walk away. I walk though the lunch doors and see Edward standing there waiting for me. “That took a lot of guts, he is the weakest one of us, he has fed off human blood, gorged himself on it. He could of gave in and killed you.” He growls at me and grabs my arms. “Are you insane?”

I look up at him and smile, “perhaps you should have more faith in your brother Edward. As for if I wanted him to, yes in a way I did. If he wanted me he would of, if he didn’t want me and wanted to stay with Alice they he would of cared what she thought, which he did. He chose. This can all be put behind us and move on with our lives, er, existence.”

He blinks at me a few times and lets go and nods his head. “Understood.”

I give him a small smile, “Goodbye Edward.” He gives me a confused glance. I give him a sad smile and think to him, since this is being put behind us you go back to Bella and your family I’ll just carry on with my life. I walk past him and head to my locker. I have to admit though without the Cullen family I would of never found confidence in myself, never of grown up and got a new look, would of never had my first kiss. I pull my books out of my locker and head to my next class. Life shall move on.

Your Eyes Don't Lie

2009-02-26T21:03:00.000-08:00

Written By:Siberiantigers05
You can read the original here:
All credit goes to the original author

Edward's Point Of View

I had done it. I had broken up with the angel of my life, Bella Swan.

Those thoughts swam around in my head, as they did every day, as I walked down the halls to my locker; on this dreadful Friday. It had been a month since I had broken up with Bella.

I saw you yesterday,
it’s been a while
you tried but failed
at holding back your smile right then
it’s not over yet, I knew, for you

I had seen Bella just yesterday, as we had our biology class together and we were partners, and she at first had turned to say hello, but then when she actually turned; she frowned. Although, I had seen that there was something in hers eyes; like maybe she was going to smile?

You see
I couldn't sleep
I thought of nothing else
I needed help
Everyone was telling me
You were moving on with someone else
But what we had was so special
People can be jealous, oh
I had to see it for myself

I had remembered when the rumors started, about Bella dating Justin Black; Jacob Black’s older more mature brother. I couldn’t sleep when I first heard the rumors, and the next day when I saw them walking down the hall together; my heart broke to see when Justin kissed Bella good bye. I watched, then the other students watching Bella and Justin, as Justin was the hottest senior and Bella was a year younger than him.

I remembered when I first started going out with Bella, most of the other girls were jealous of Bella, since I was supposedly the hottest boy in our grade. I remembered when I first started going out with the boys were also jealous, as Bella was, hands down, the most beautiful girl in our grade; and in my option, the school. So almost everyone in our grade was jealous as Bella and I as a couple; but now it was jealousy of Bella and Justin as a couple.

I can see it in your eyes
You feel the same about us as I
There is no way the truth can be disguised
You're still in love with me
You were never really out of love with me
Your eyes don't lie

I kept those thoughts as I continued walking down the halls. I slowing came to my locker and say two figures, entwined together, a few lockers down from mine. As I opened my locker, with quite a bit of noise, the couple looked up form their deep, and I mean deep, kiss.

My heart dropped; if possibly, even lower than it already was. The couple was Bella and Justin. When Bella looked at me, there was something in her eyes again; I think it was love. But then what ever it was vanished and Bella turned back to Justin; and they started making out again.

I know I hurt you,
I know you are hurting still
But I'll make it up to you
Yeah, baby, I will
'Cause what we had was so special
You know we can't give it up
Now that I’m looking at you I can see

I turned my head back to my locker and stared at the mirror in my locker, the one my sister, Alice, had placed, without my permission, in my locker, with the toughest glue, ever. I looked at my reflection, and wondered again to way I had broken up with Bella.

I guess it was because of my other sister, Rosalie. I had, stupidly, wanted everyone in my family to like my girlfriend. And everyone had loved Bella, except for Rosalie, who hated Bella for reasons unknown to me.

When I had told Bella we needed to break up, she had been completely heart wrecked. And I was even too much of a coward to tell her the reason why we ‘had to break up’ with her.

I was stupid to let Rosalie’s option to interfere with what Bella and I had. We had something special, and I had thrown it way, when I shouldn’t given it up.

I can see it in your eyes (your eyes)
You feel the same about us as I
There is no way (there is no way) the truth can be disguised
You're still in love with me
You were never really out of love with me
Your eyes don't lie
And they never will, girl

But then I thought of what I had seen in Bella’s eyes. I know I still loved Bella, and I think she still loved me as well, but she was hurt. Maybe, just maybe, she might only be dating Justin to try and stop the hurt I had caused.

Oh, now that I know
We were apart but your heart never let go
So thank you for showing me with one look
What used to be, and still is, a possibility

I had seen Bella eyes, I thought determinedly, and there was no way the truth could be disguised. Bella was still in love with me; I still had a chance with the angel.

I can see it in your eyes
You feel the same about us as I
There is no way the truth can be disguised
You're still in love with me
You were never really out of love with me
Your eyes don't lie
Your eyes don't lie

I looked back at Justin and Bella, and I knew. I had seen love in Bella’s eyes, and not for Justin; but for the man who had stupidly broken her heart, me.

I would get Bella back, I knew I would.