After years of reading Twilight Fanfiction I have finally decided to try writing a story myself. This story takes place within the FLDS polygamist community in Colorado City, AZ. That being said, I am not an expert on this community or this lifestyle so please take what I write with a huge grain of salt! I just thought it would be interesting to explore an Edward and Bella relationship within this community.
April 18, 2006
Tonight. Edward and I are getting away from this hell tonight. Fear of the unknown outside of Colorado City and fear of getting caught if we tried to leave have kept us here⦠until now. We can't wait any longer. The prophet and the other church leaders don't feel Edward has lived up to his duties as a husband and member of this community. As punishment they will excommunicate Edward and then marry me off to someone else. We can't wait around for this to happen so in a few hours, under the blanket of darkness, we will finally make our escape.
August 16, 2001
Today is my wedding day. I should feel grateful because I've been allowed to wait until I was 18 and I'm going to be the first wife of my new husband. It could be a lot worse: My 16 year old cousin, Angela, was married to a 50 year old man last year as his 6th wife. Young girls being married off to much older men is common in our community. However, I don't feel grateful. I'm frightened.
The prophet came to our house last week and told my parents that my time has come to marry. I met my future husband, Edward Cullen, for the first time two days ago. He's 24 years old and pleasing to look at with a strong build, handsome face, and unusual bronze hair. He was very polite albeit a bit quiet. He seems like a gentle person, at least I hope he is. My mother, Renee, briefly told me what to expect on my wedding night and what my duties would be going forward beyond the cooking and cleaning. What she told me terrified me. She spoke of the pain and unpleasantness that can come from coupling and that my only hope of escaping these encounters is if I become pregnant because then my husband would have to leave me alone until after the baby comes.
Her words bring back memories of seeing my father's newest bride the morning after their wedding: My father, Charles, married his 7th wife (a 17 year old girl from Hildale, Utah named Bree) two years ago. When I entered our kitchen the next morning Bree was staring out the kitchen window shaking and crying softly. Before I could ask her what was wrong my father walked into the kitchen and Bree tensed up immediately and cowered away from him when he approached her. Though I knew my father to be stern at times, he was also a fair and loving father so I didn't understand her reaction to him. Now I do.
My mother's voice breaks up my thoughts, "Bella, it's time."
With a heavy heart I stand up and look around my childhood bedroom one last time. I then close my eyes and pray for God to give me strength today. As I approach the doorway my mother reaches out and pulls me into a hug.
"I love you so much," she cries. "I don't know what I'm going to do without you."
I'm my mother's only child. There were complications after my birth so she was unable to have more children. As a result, we've always been very close.
"I love you too mom," I whimper.
"I know you will make a wonderful wife and mother Bella. You just have to remember that you must always trust and obey Edward's decisions. A wife should always abide by what her husband says," she says as she tries to pull herself together.
"I will," I reply.
After one last hug my mother takes my hand and leads me downstairs. I see my father standing with the prophet and Edward in the living room. My father's other wives, their children, and Edward's parents Edward Sr. and Elizabeth are also present. The ceremony is over quickly and before long my father is loading my belongings into the back of Edward's truck.
"Are you ready to go Bella?" Edward asks me softly.
"Yes, I think so. Do you mind if I quickly say goodbye to my parents?"
"Of course not. Take all the time you need. I'll wait for you in the truck."
I slowly approach my parents who are standing on the front porch. As I look into my mother's tear-stained face my own tears start falling. We hold each other for a few minutes and whisper our goodbyes. My father then gives me a brief hug and tells me to be a loving, dutiful wife. I promise him I will be and then I make my way towards Edward's truck and towards my new life.
Thank you for reading! Please review! As a first time writer, your feedback means a lot!
