-1Author's Note: This idea came to me last night while I was lying in bed trying to go to sleep. It's not much, but if I didn't write it down, it would haunt me for all eternity. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it. If not, oh well. Better luck next time, right?
P.S. This is a oneshot, and as of right now, I have no intention of continuing it. Sorry for those (if any), who wish for me to continue. On second thought…Depending on what ya'll think, I will probably write this again in Edward's point of view. (For those who are curious, Bella is 21 in this fanfic.)
Writing Music: Celine Dion: All The Way: A Decade of Song
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, or anything else you may recognize. Sadly, Edward and friends belong to the beautiful Stephenie Meyer.
Never Gone
"Edward, you can't leave me," I cried. My body shook with endless sobs as I sat in the Cullens' living room. Alice, Jasper, Rosalie, Emmett, Carlisle, Esme, and Edward, all joined me. My eyes were red and puffy from crying all evening. This had been the worst day of my life, and it was just getting worse.
Edward walked over to me gracefully and sat down. He enveloped me in a near bone crushing hug. The gesture only made me cry harder.
"Bella, I'm so sorry. I-We," he indicated to his family. "We never meant for this to happen. It was all…A mistake. A horrible, terrible accident." I squeezed him tightly, never wanting to let go.
"But, can't you just…I don't know." I grunted in frustration. "Can't you completely deny it. I mean, they can't actually prove that you did it can they?"
Edward was about to respond, but Jasper took over. "Bella, he saw. He saw everything. I'm…I am truly sorry. I-I never should have…" Jasper struggled with his words. I looked up at him, cheeks flushed pink, and face hot. If vampires could cry, I'm sure the entire Cullen family would be shedding tears along with me.
"He didn't mean to do it, Bella. You don't understand how hard it is for us." That was Alice who spoke. Edward glared at the couple.
"But I do," he muttered under his breath. The other six vampires turned their heads quickly to look at hi,. "I understand how hard it is," he continued. "I know what it's like to be tempted, to be tantalized by the smell. And the thought of what it would taste like, what it would feel like to have the blood running through my system." His voice was getting higher with each syllable . "I know what it's like Jasper! But, you don't see me biting Bella! She is still alive, because I know how to subdue my thirst!"
I watched Edward in horror. I very rarely ever was frightened in Edward's presents. His eyes were wide and dark. His jaw was tight and set. He clenched and unclenched his fists. Jasper rose from his position on the couch. He spoke with as much anger as Edward had.
"Well, I'm not like you!" he started. "I am not as competent as you are! I can't ignore my thirst! I can't ignore what I am!" Edward and Jasper glowered at each other until Edward spoke again.
"Alice should have left you where she found you." My breath caught in my throat. I have never heard Edward speak to anyone like that. Every member in the Cullen family had their eyes glued on the two brothers. Carlisle abruptly stood up from his place.
"Edward Cullen, you take that back right this instant!" Carlisle's face, which was always shockingly handsome, now looked worn. His gaze was cold as he stared at Edward.
Edward gritted his teeth together. He stole a quick glance at me, his eyes softening. Then he turned back towards Carlisle and Jasper. "No," was all he said. Alice looked as if she were about to break down at any second.
"Edward," she started softly. He looked over towards the faint voice. "Edward, Jasper didn't mean it. He would never do this intentionally. You know he would never do that." Her voice quivered.
"I don't give a damn, Alice." That was all he said. He turned around towards me, picking me up softly, and we headed out the door.
"No! Edward, don't leave me!" I screamed. I looked around, gathering my surroundings. I was in my room. My room, in Charlie's house. I looked down at my pillow. It was drenched with my sweat and my pajamas were soaked through, too.
I took deep breaths, trying to forget my nightmare I just had. I had been getting them often. Just recently. I looked over to the corner where a little bed stood. Elizabeth was still asleep. I sighed, relieved.
Glancing at the clock, I noted it was only four-thirty in the morning.
I got out of bed quietly and walked over to my dresser. I started to peel of my pajamas. I rummaged through my drawers, searching for something else I could wear to bed. I pulled out a pair of gray sweat pants and an old, ripped, Linkin Park t-shirt.
As I was walking back to my bed, I heard a shuffle and a moan coming from the corner. I swiveled around quickly. Elizabeth was sitting up in her bed. Her pale blonde hair was in unkempt and messy atop her head. Her light blue eyes were drowsy with sleep. She looked exactly like her father.
"Mommy?" she said as she rubbed her eyes.
"Yes Lizzie?" I asked as I climbed in bed. The four-year old sauntered over to me and copied my actions. She crawled under the covers and lay next to me.
"Nothing," she muttered quietly and dozed off into a peaceful slumber.
I groaned as I felt the morning sun seeping through the window. I turned over and saw that Elizabeth was still asleep. I rolled out of bed quickly and grabbed some clothes and my toiletries.
I started my shower, feeling the temperature of the water. Perfect.
I stripped off my clothes and climbed in, feeling the hot water beat against my back. It took all the tension out of my muscles and helped me relax.
Once I finished in the bathroom, I returned to my room to put my things away. Elizabeth was no longer there. She was probably downstairs with Charlie.
When I entered the kitchen, I saw my dad standing at the stove. He was fixing bacon and eggs. He had gotten exceptionally better at cooking.
I sat next to Lizzie as she stuffed the crispy bacon in her mouth. She smiled up at me and my heart warmed. Kissing her forehead, I asked, "How would you like to come somewhere with me today?" Her face beamed as she nodded her head.
"Where are we going?" she asked. I giggled at her.
"That's a surprise sweetie."
I sighed as I walked through the forest. Lizzie was holding my hand and carefully stepping over rocks and sticks. "Are we there yet?" she complained.
I smiled as I thought about the first time I came on this hiking trip. It was with Edward. Of course, it hadn't taken us nearly as long as it was now. Seeing as how he was a vampire, he would travel at great speed.
I nodded, answering her question. "We are here right now." I pointed ahead into the green clearing, and watched as her face lit up. She ran into the open and stood in the center.
"Mommy, it's pretty," she said in awe. I sat down on the luscious green grass. I smiled as I basked in the warm sunlight. I had to acknowledge this exquisite weather. The sun was a rare thing in Forks, Washington.
I looked over to the left where I saw Elizabeth picking flowers carelessly. "Elizabeth," I uttered. She turned around swiftly at the sound of my voice. "Stay where I can see you okay? Mommy is going to close her eyes for a few minutes. So stay in the clearing." She nodded quickly, delight plastered on her face.
My eyes started to drift shut when I heard a twig snap. Instinctively, I snapped my eyes open. I looked to the left to see Lizzie where she was moments ago. I turned my head to the right, my breath caught in my throat.
There he was. He was just as beautiful as the first time I ever laid eyes on him. I stifled a whimper as his skin sparkled. He was breath taking. Without thinking, I jumped up and started towards him. Tears were threatening to escape the corners of my eyes. I didn't try to hold them back, but instead let them flow freely. Edward opened his arms, inviting me into his warm embrace.
My body collided with his as I leaped into his awaiting arms. It didn't affect him.
"Edward," I choked. "I've mi-missed you so mu-much." Now that I was crying I couldn't stop. He squeezed me gently as he kissed away my salty tears.
"I know love. I've missed you too," he murmured in my ear. It sent tingles down my spine. I had missed that feeling. I missed his cold icy touch and the way his eyes looked after he hunted. I missed the way his breath smelled and the scent of his clothes. I missed the way he would kiss my neck and mumble sweet nothings in my ear. But most of all, I missed him.
Being apart for four long years hadn't changed how I felt about him. I still loved him with all my being, and I never wanted to let him go.
"I love you so much Isabella Swan," he said gently. "I never want to leave your side again. Never in all eternity."
I lifted my head from his shoulder and looked into his warm, golden eyes. My eyes traveled down to his lips, and my mouth started to water. Without thinking, I leaned down and pressed my lips to his. He didn't protest. Instead he held me tighter and pressed harder against my mouth. We didn't deepen the kiss, instead we stood there. Our lips were pressed together, taking in each other's presents.
"Mommy?" I jumped at the sound of a young voice. I looked down and saw Lizzie gazing at us questioningly. "Mommy?" she repeated, "who is that?" My cheeks flushed as I looked towards Edward. I indicated for him to put me down, and he did.
"Sweetie," I said slowly. "This is-" but I was interrupted.
"I'm Edward Cullen. I am an old friend of your mother's. You must be Elizabeth Swan." I froze. He couldn't know that. There was no way. Even though Edward could read minds, he couldn't read mine…Unless…
"Edward?" I started skeptically. "Did you read-" again, I was interrupted.
"No. I didn't." I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. But then how? "Contrary to what you thought, Bella, I was never really gone."
