Prologue
I thought that was the perfect ending, that last night. But I was wrong.
I'm not denying that moment was the most idyllic of my life, human or vampire, because it was. That one instant in which I could finally prove to Edward that I loved him more than anything. The split second when his lips crushed against mine, banishing my concentration. The whole day was the best in my entire existence. Even more so than when I saw my beautiful, half-vampire, half-human baby, Renesmee, for the first time.
Now, fleeing from a fate worse than death, I was sure. That one mistake led to where I was headed now, towards the unbreakable clutches of the Volturi. If those people hadn't been in the wrong place at the wrong time, we wouldn't be doing this. I felt Edward's hand press against mine, but the feeling was wrong. There was too much tension, as if he knew what was coming for us.
Even though I was sure that this was our end, I took time to feel, for the last time.
To feel the undying love for my husband.
1: Unexpected
Since February's dark events, life had been almost perfect. In my immortal body, I had learnt to appreciate every little thing that happened to me. Every touch between me and Edward, every precious moment spent with Renesmee. I had even taught myself to bear Alice's shopping sprees. This was everything I wished that my new life would be, and more.
I had taught myself how to stretch my shield away from me easily, now. My concentration was barely needed, yet Edward, and all the others, seemed mesmerised by the new boundaries of my 'special power'. All of my new family, Carlisle and Edward in particular, kept reminding me of that first night, the night when I discovered a new edge to my talent…
***
I had never thought that I could use my 'gift' in the same way I did that night. However, after Edward had dashed back to Carlisle and Esme to tell them, I felt obliged to try again. Even though I didn't now need any sleep, I was already exhausted from the first time. Just training myself not to keep the elastic pulled around my body was so hard, fighting that natural instinct to protect self above all others. However, Carlisle was so excited, Esme so proud, that I managed to show them. I showed them my few, foggy human memories: the wedding, Edward's exquisite body in the meadow. I deliberately skipped the burning part; Carlisle still thought that I had been so filled with morphine that my body was completely numb to the raging fire. I showed them my first hunt, the first time with Renesmee, every arm wrestle that I had with Emmett. I was showing them the best memory I had, the sight of Alice dancing into the meadow, hotly pursued by Nahuel, Jasper and Huilen, when Esme flung her arms around me, her words inaudible they were so fast. I'm sure she would have cried, if she were still human. Carlisle's honey-coloured eyes were glistening with the thrill of new information, and demanded to know how I could perform such an incredible feat.
I began to explain what I had been practising with Zafrina, when the others turned up. I couldn't show them; I felt drained of energy, almost like I needed to sleep. I apologized over and over again, not wanting to look any of them in the eye. Alice sighed, and tripped lightly up to me.
"It's OK, Bella. I understand. You go and get your strength back, and call in when you're sure you're ready," she said, gently. "We'll be here for you, whenever you like." She beamed, the glow of the sunrise making her skin glisten. If my blood still pumped through my veins, I was sure that my cheeks would have been the deepest shade of scarlet. Alice didn't seem to mind, though, and she kissed my cheek before bounding back to Jasper's side. I glanced around, and the faces in front of me seemed to agree with what Alice had said.
After I mumbled my thanks, then darted out of the front door, leaving a series of laughs behind me as I leapt across the river: Emmett's boom, Alice's wind chimes and, surprisingly, Jasper's low chuckle. As I bolted through the forest, I could hear Edward's footsteps fast approaching. I permitted myself a smile, and then sped up, using my extra strength to beat him to our cottage.
