Chapter One:

Close To Forever

To hold you like this…

I could live here forever. Your skin such a familiar touch on mine; your scent a toxic air up in my lungs. Now I truly believe that meeting you was fate, becoming your friend was a choice, and falling in love with you was something I could've never controlled.

I never knew I could love like this. I always thought I was a monster – a creature designed only to kill. Before you came, I was nothing but a shell.

Empty.

All those decades I wandered around this lonely world, never knowing that someone like you existed. And now that I found you, I would never let you go.

If there was one place I'd like to be in, that would be right here… right where your heart and mine…

Intertwine…

She stirred as I softly stroke her hair, my eyes locked on her peaceful face. She had been dreaming. Her lips curved up into a smile as she mumbled something that made my heart leap.

"Edward…"

I looked at her with such yearning and passion with my heart coming back to life, giving a very loud thump. Although in reality, I knew she would never hear this rhythm, it would still beat quietly just for her. I wanted to crush my lips on her, let her feel how much it meant to have her in my life. I couldn't ignore the fact that my strength could kill her in a snap, draining her precious life right in front of my eyes. Of course, nothing had changed – I was still a Vampire. And love between a vampire and a human was supposed to be forbidden, a sin that could lure both of us towards our demise.

But that very moment she sat beside me in class almost six year ago, the first time I thought of her as my own personal brand of heroine, and saw her strange brown eyes examining me like a puzzle – I knew I wanted her. It was almost unbearable, and the urge to suck her blood was beginning to win over me. But there was something in her that made me gain control, and before I knew it, I managed to break the rules by saving her life. I exposed my true identity to her, and just when I thought she'd run and hide, she surrendered herself to me.

My thoughts snapped back to the woman I cradled right here in my arms. I couldn't be any happier, having her like this. She whimpered once again, and this time, I felt her embrace tightening around me. The feeling was overwhelming me again, and I knew I could no longer hold it in. I held her hand and squeezed it tight, hoping that she could feel me even in her dreams.

"Bella…" I whispered her name softly in her ears, my lips almost touching the warm skin of it. "I love you… more than you know…"

She gave a warm smile, and gave me an answer that satisfied my longing heart. "I love you, too."

Slowly, as if she regretted waking up from a really good dream, she opened her eyes and looked at me. She hugged me tighter and I heard her heart fly.

"You were watching me." She said as she pushed herself up, giving me a soft kiss on my lips.

"I told you. It's fascinating to me." I replied as I kissed her back, my hand not letting go of hers. "You were having such a good dream."

"It was about you." She said, stroking my hair with her free hand, her eyes still locked on mine. She was beautiful, and I could never imagine myself looking at any other woman the way I would look at her, my Bella, the only one I'd ever love.

"Are you going to tell me what it was about? Or would I have to interrogate you once again?" I said as I restrained myself from kissing her. I tried to act serious so that she'd tell me about her dream, but this seemed to amuse her.

"Ooohh… Interrogate me, huh?" She laughed and I gave her a pleading look.

"C'mon, Bella," I cooed. "It's irritating enough that I can't read your mind, so don't make it worse. I really want to know what you're thinking."

"I always think about you, Edward Cullen." She said in a soft voice. "There's never a time when I don't think of you…"

And with that, she crushed her lips on mine, and this time, she kissed me much deeper, as if I was a cave she needed to explore. I returned the passion back, pushing her down on the bed, making my way on top of her. I felt the urge to sink my fangs in her throat and drink her blood, but I fought it back. I knew I could control it, for the fear of losing her was much more powerful than the thirst.

She held me close, and moaned as I caressed her stomach, then down on her soft legs straddled up against my hip. Her polo shirt was almost off, exposing the soft flesh of her neck. I winced as I stared at her. I was only a few inches away from taking her life, and all I had to do was bite. But again, I felt the fear subsiding in, my love for her overpowering the temptation. I slid one hand on the insides of her thighs and felt the heat there, as if urging me to go further. I hesitated for a second, and felt the need to stop, but she held my face to hers, and gave me a comforting look.

"I know you can control it…" She said, kissing me softly as I shook my head. "I believe in you."

"I could kill you…" I told her in a serious voice. "I don't know if I can still hold it in. Bella, I don't want to hurt you."

"I want you, Edward. I can't wait any longer. Please…"

She was doing it again, begging me to go much further than I could. I wanted it too, but I just didn't know if my love for her was enough to restrain myself from drinking her blood. If I killed her…

Knock. Knock. Knock.

We both looked up as a short-haired girl entered the room holding a breakfast tray, her face shocked as she saw our position, with me on top, and Bella halfway naked. She turned away and giggled as I stood up, quietly thanking her for the sudden interruption.

"Gee, I thought you guys might be hungry or something." Alice said in a chirping voice. "You didn't come down for breakfast, so I volunteered to bring up food. I'm such a nice sister, don't you think?"

I perfectly knew that she came up here in purpose. She must have foreseen this situation and thought that I wouldn't be able to control myself. I smiled as I patted her hair.

"Alice, why did you have to come up now?" Bella said, completely irritated as she slumped back down on the bed. "I was already having a good breakfast."

"Oh, you're welcome, Bella." Alice said, settling the tray on the bedside table. She winked at me and turned to leave. "Oh, and by the way, Jacob called just a while ago. He's coming over this afternoon to see you. He told me that you better be home for he cancelled his plans just to pay you a visit."

I looked at Bella and frowned. I knew I'd have to leave later on to hunt, but I didn't want to leave her alone with that dog. Things between me and Jacob weren't actually spicing up into a friendship.

And to add to my annoyance, Bella leaped in excitement.

"Great!" She yelped as her eyes sparkled, completely forgetting that Alice just butted in the room. "I haven't seen him for so long. And I think it's time that Edward starts to get along with him."

"Oh, didn't he tell you, Bella? He's going away today with Emmett, Jasper, and Carlisle. They're going hunting up north."

I could sense her anger rising up at the moment, and I knew I had to face it now. I hated it whenever she was mad, for it meant going away knowing that she wasn't happy and comfortable.

"Bella, I'll be back soon." I answered, as I sat back on the bed. "I can't be with you like this. I'm starting to lose control over my thirst."

"You could have told me sooner, so I would have been prepared. I know you'll be gone for days."

Alice quietly left the room, giving the two of us some privacy. I gave her a kiss and found it much harder to breathe her scent.

"Jacob's coming here, although I dislike the idea. You two can do things together, to kill the time. I know you won't be bored."

"I don't have a choice, do I? Just promise you'll be quick and careful, so I won't worry."

"Are you still thinking about the Volturri?" I asked her as she put her head against my shoulder. "I told you, Bella, Alice will know if they're coming to check up on you. Besides, I'll be changing you in a few months time."

"I know." She said as she nuzzled her cheek on mine. She felt warm and again, I was beginning to feel the thirst. "I just can't wait. So many things can happen in two months. I'm scared that something might happen, postponing the wedding and all."

"Nothing to worry about. Besides, Alice got everything under control. Time will pass by and before you know it, you'll be walking down that aisle with me at the end, waiting for you. When that day comes, I'll be the happiest man – I mean Vampire – in this world."

She smiled and closed her eyes, as if imagining how it would feel to be bound together forever. Although I couldn't read her mind, I knew for certain that she was thinking of our future, when we can finally be in a time with no end.

"Edward…" she said after a couple of minutes, finally opening her eyes. "I can't wait for that day… the day when you become completely mine…"

I kissed her passionately, my lips lingering on hers, letting her feel my love that could surpass all boundaries. She kissed back, this time, very slowly. I caressed her cheek and she shivered as my cold hand touched her warm skin.

"Bella, my love…" My eyes locked on hers. "I'm already yours."


COMING UP: Chapter Two - Much More Than A Bestfriend

PS:.. Hey guys! I know this is such a typical chapter, but I just wanted to get things started. Please review, and keep checking back for new updates! I'm also working on an Inuyasa fic, so please check it out as well. Please support me and don't forget to tell me what you think. ^_^ Thanks!!