Here it is! The sequel to Heavenly Scent! Being able to post this again makes my heart full to bursting with joy!
For everyone who is coming back to this journey with me; welcome home, my darlings and to all of the newcomers, thanks for joining us, I hope you enjoy the ride!
Twilight and all related characters are the property of Stephenie Meyer. The plot of this story, however, is mine!
***And before it gets asked again…Yes. Edward is dreaming in the beginning but to paraphrase the great Albus Dumbledore 'of course it's a dream but why would that make it any less real.' ;)
I felt as though I was floating, drifting in some unknown current, and then suddenly I was lying on something soft and warm. I could see a brightness through my closed eyelids, but made no move to open them to see what it was. I was completely content to just lie here and bask in the warmth.
"Edward, it's time to wake up." A soft, melodious voice called. It wasn't a voice I immediately recognized, so I was instantly on alert. I used my gift to seek out the mind of the intruder on my blissful peace, but found nothing. I couldn't smell anything that wasn't the glorious lavender and freesia scent of my Bella.
Bella! Thinking of her caused my mind to come into sharp focus. I opened my eyes and had to blink three times due to the intensity of the sunlight.
I felt her electricity flowing through my soul, but I couldn't see or hear Bella anywhere. I began to panic as I took in the landscape that surrounded me. I was in a field of some sort with tall, unkempt grass as far as the eye could see. There was no shelter anywhere, and the midday sun shining directly on me.
The enchanting voice that had broken through my earlier reverie called my name again, and I spun in a circle, seeking them out. I was wholly unprepared for the sight before me.
My Bella was standing before me draped in white silk. She was glowing, a shimmering blue light surrounded her small frame, making her look like the goddess I always knew her to be. She was breathtaking, and I found myself unable to look away.
"Edward," she breathed, sounding as much in awe of me as I was in her. I smiled as I took in the harmonious symphony of her voice. Of course it had been my angel calling to me. Her voice had become more luxurious, more melodic, but the underlying resonance of my Bella's human intonation was still evident as she said my name.
I reached for her, unable to resist the urge to hold her in my arms, but stopped short as my hand came into view. I was stunned as I took in my skin. The light did not reflect off my skin in its usual alien way. No, this was completely different; I was glowing just like my Bella. My skin had a pearlescent silver sheen to it.
"Edward?" she looked quizzically at my still outstretched arms. I shook my head to clear it and smiled her favorite smile.
"Bella," I sighed as I wrapped my arms around my wife. Once again I was shocked as our skin made contact. Her touch, while warming me with its usual electricity, felt oddly cool to me.
"Do you know what's happening to us?" I whispered, leaning down to press my lips to the hollow just below her ear.
"You mean the glowing?" I nodded against her cheek.
"No, but I think she might," She whispered with an understated reverence.
She lifted her head, motioning to someone that I did not even realize had been present before. It seemed that my mind reading did not work here. I kept my arms around Bella as I turned to look at our guest.
I could only stare in awe at the celestial being in front of me. She was bathed in a white light that seemed to originate from somewhere deep inside of her. I had never seen anything more divinely ethereal.
A brilliant smile lit up her face as she took in Bella and my embrace. Utter bliss radiated from this cherub faced little girl who couldn't have been more than ten years old.
Her platinum blonde hair was almost white in its brilliance, as it hung in loose curls across her shoulders. Her eyes were a bright, piercing azure color and held a wisdom well beyond the age her physical appearance suggested.
"Hello Isabella, Edward. I have waited a very long time to meet the two of you. I had almost given up hope that any two would ever be worthy, but you are here now, and everything is as it should be. Come, we haven't much time; I need to get back to watch over my charges." The angelic girl turned and began to walk towards a grouping of trees that I had not noticed before in my inspection of the area.
"Excuse me, I don't mean to be rude, but who are you?" Bella asked as we followed the child hand in hand. She stopped at the edge of the encroaching forest and smiled sweetly at Bella.
"'I'm sorry, in my haste I must have forgotten to introduce myself. I am known as Divinus Telum, but you can call me Dee. It is my job to lead the two of you to the vinculum's sanctuary. I have been chosen as your guide." Dee's deep blue eyes shone with some unknown emotion as she spoke those last words, and she turned, stepping into the dense foliage of the forest.
"I'm still confused Edward, who is Vinculum?" Bella whispered in her melodious voice.
"I don't understand everything that is happening here love, but I do know a bit of Latin from spending so much time with Rosalie, and I know that vinculum means bond in Latin." I told her as I released her hand and wrapped my arm around her waist to better help her navigate her way through the dense vegetation surrounding us.
Dee led us into the center of a meadow not unlike the one in Forks that Bella and I had spent so much time in. She held up a small golden orb, allowing the light that she emitted to flow into it. The silver and blue auras that surrounded Bella and I were also absorbed into the ball of energy.
She turned to look at us beseechingly. I was suddenly unsure that I wanted to hear what she had to say.
"Please understand when I say that if there was any other way for this to happen I would not put the two of you through this. This is an object of pure love." She looked to the orb in her hand as she spoke. "Only the purest of souls may possess it; a soul that has made a sacrifice greater than any other." She paused, taking a deep breath to compose herself, but still a single tear leaked from her eye.
"What kind of sacrifice are you are talking about Dee," I demanded. I would not do anything that would put my Bella in any kind of danger.
"The two of you will both die here and go to the afterlife. You will be separated; one of you must go to heaven, and the other must go to hell. There is nothing I can do to spare you this fate, but I can guarantee that neither of you will remember the life that you have shared together, nor will you remember the love you feel for each other," she bowed her head and whispered, "I will give you a moment to decide who is going where and say your good-byes."
Dee disappeared in a blindingly bright light. I pulled Bella in to a crushing embrace and spoke with my lips pressed against her forehead.
"There will be no discussion. If one of us has to be damned for all eternity it will be me. I will never allow you to suffer, Bella. You must always be happy." I said forcefully.
"No Edward, you have to go to heaven. You were always meant to be an angel. I know it Edward. It has to be you; I can't bear the thought of you being in hell. We've decided Dee, I will be the one; my soul will be damned." Bella called loudly. She pressed her lips to mine, and then untangled herself from my arms.
Dee appeared in the place that she had been standing only seconds ago.
"Are you sure Bella?" she asked timidly.
"Yes," she whispered, moving closer to Dee. Bella then turned to look at me, "This isn't goodbye Edward. No matter where my soul is, my heart will always be with you." Dee reached for Bella's hand and as soon as their skin made contact Bella was gone.
"No!" I shouted lunging towards the place where Bella had just been standing.
"What have you done?" I raged at the tiny girl in front of me. "Bring her back, now! It should be me. Please, I'll do anything. Bella's soul has to be in heaven."
"I'm sorry Edward. Bella made her choice. I can't bring her soul back." The girl flinched as I roared in pain.
"No, no, no! This can't be the end! Send me to hell, too. I want to go to hell. I will force her to return with you if I have to." I stopped as I saw Dee begin to shake her head.
"It doesn't work that way Edward. One goes to heaven, the other to hell. That is the way it has always been. And Bella made her choice."
"I don't care. I refuse to believe that. There is always hope. I can convince her, please. I will not allow my only love to suffer for an eternity while I sit in a place of beauty. If she won't allow you to bring her soul back then I want you to leave me there as well. I need to do this Dee, please. Please take me to Bella." I begged her. I felt the crushing weight of being separated from Bella descend upon me as I plead to be allowed to meet the same fate as she.
"Very well, Edward. If that is what you wish, so be it. Take my hand." I did as she asked and felt a heavy warmth rush over me and my eyes drooped closed as sleep once again took over me.
Sunlight pieced my eyelids. They felt heavy as I opened them. The world around me was brighter than before. The trees that formed a perfect circle around the little meadow that I had been standing in swayed in soft breeze.
The grass beneath my skin was soft and there was some kind of warm weight upon me. My arms clung to the form that was rested upon me. I turned my head and my eyes met the most beautiful brown orbs to ever exist.
"Edward," she breathed. "Your eyes are green."
"Bella? Oh Bella, you will never put me through anything like this again!" I cried as I took her lips in a searing kiss.
I pulled back as I heard a soft giggle coming from behind me.
"I think that you both have proved that you more than deserve this," Dee declared as she tossed the golden light filled orb into the air.
It burst open in the sky and three thick bands of light spewed forth. Blue, silver and white strips twisted and turned, combining into a single brilliant rope of light.
The rope coiled in on itself, forming a sphere that split in half. The two halves pulsed and swirled as they tumbled down upon Bella and I. The rays of light enveloped us and immediately became a part of us.
I felt connected to Bella in a way I never had before. She was a part of me and I her. I had never felt more whole in my entire existence. The current that usually ran through me wherever my skin made contact with Bella's now ran over my skin in a constant circuit. I could feel Bella in my very soul.
"It is complete. I'm so glad you both passed the test. I would have hated to keep the vinculum like I had to with the others. Did you know there has never been another pair of immortals who both willingly sacrificed their souls for each other the way the two of you did? I just know that was what made all the difference. Good-bye my new friends; enjoy the rest of your dream." And with that, Dee disappeared.
"So we're not in hell?" Bella asked timidly.
"It doesn't seem like it, love. She said we were dreaming." I brushed my lips against hers, reveling in the love and contentment that I felt flowing between us.
"Hmm, if we're dreaming then we can do anything we want, right?" I nodded and a wickedly mischievous smile spread across my wife's face.
"And just what does that look mean, love?"
"Well, right now, your eyes are green, your skin is warm and you feel human to me. I was thinking that maybe you would have normal human strength as well." she flushed a bright pink color and looked away from me.
"My strength does seem to be diminished here, love. Will you tell me why that is important right now?" I knew what she wanted, but I needed to hear her say it.
"I was hoping that you could make love to me, like this. You know, while you have human strength so that we can be equals before I'm a vampire." she mumbled, and her face flushed a lovely crimson.
"Your wish is my command, love. But did you want to make love here?" I didn't think Bella would enjoy being exposed in the open like this not knowing if or when Dee might return.
"No, I wouldn't want Dee to see us like that. I want to make love to you in my bed at Charlie's house." I smiled her smile for her, nodding my agreement. There would never be a time when I was going be able to pass up a chance to pleasure my wife.
Wait, were you answering my thoughts?
Of course, had you not noticed that you had been hearing mine?
I shook my head as I stood and took her hand but as soon as we were on our feet I wondered how we would get Forks. Bella must have heard the question in my mind because she giggled.
What's funny? I arched an eyebrow in question.
"Nothing really, I just keep forgetting that you don't know how dreams work." She winked, and the next thing I knew we were standing in her old bedroom. I was startled as I realized that we were both wearing nothing but our underwear.
Do you trust me Edward? She purred seductively in her thoughts. My body responded to the desire in her voice and I was instantly erect.
With my very soul, Isabella. I responded honestly though mine. I was rather enjoying this nonverbal conversation.
She smiled and shoved me hard so I landed on the bed.
Good. I raised my eyebrow at her as she crawled over me slowly. I swallowed; she was gorgeous. I thanked god once again that she was mine. She hooked her fingers into the top of my boxers and looked up at me. I smiled and bit my lip, a habit I had picked up from Bella.
She slowly started pulling down my boxers, making sure her fingers brushed over my erection, which caused me to hiss. The sound made her smile as she pulled my boxers off all the way. I watched her eyes as they went wide and her breathing sped. I was secretly pleased that she reacted this way again. I hoped that she would always be this pleased with seeing my body's reaction to her.
Oh, don't worry Mr. Cullen. I will always be in awe of you.
She stood on the bed over me and rid herself of her clothing. She was even more beautiful now than the last time I saw her naked. I couldn't tear my eyes from her body; she was absolutely flawless.
I see that the feeling is mutual then huh, husband.
She adjusted her position so that she was kneeling above me with her lovely face mere inches from my obvious arousal. Her lips pressed lightly against the tip of my erection, causing me to moan loudly. She then proceeded to kiss her way up my stomach, across my chest and neck finally reaching my mouth. She kissed me hard, pouring all of her desire for me into her kiss.
My hands of their own accord started touching her body. I loved the feel of her skin; so soft, so smooth. I slowly slid my hands down her body to the apex of her thighs and felt her moan in pleasure against my neck as I touched her. She moaned, and it made a shiver of pleasure pass through me knowing that I could make her feel this way.
"Only you, Edward." She spoke out loud for the first time since we entered her room. She continued her assault on my neck gripping my hair tightly as she pressed her glorious heat against my hand.
I felt her hand start traveling from my neck, across my chest, downward toward my erection, and she tentatively started stroking it. I moaned when she gripped me and fought the urge to push my hips up against her hand. I slid my other hand down, gripping her hip to keep myself from thrusting into her hand.
She moaned louder, pushing against my hands. She threw her head back, and I watched her face; her eyes were closed, her mouth was parted, and her back was arched; I knew she was close.
We were both panting and moaning loudly as she got closer to her release. She was actively moving her hips down hard against my hands while I couldn't help but buck mine up against her.
"Oh God Edward, I'm so close. Mmmm... oh god." That did it for me, hearing her moan my name was enough to almost send me over the edge, and I had to have her.
I flipped us over on the small bed and made love to my wife the way I had always wanted to: passionately, without restraint, and not feeling even one iota of fear. No, I had no fear of pressing against her too hard or going too fast. Here we were equals, just as we would be when we awoke from this dream.
"Edward!"
Bella tossed her head back, screaming my name, gripping my arm and my hair with her hands as she climaxed. I followed seconds later, her name but a prayer on my lips as the euphoria of our combined orgasms flowed through me.
I collapsed beside her, and then rolled onto my back, feeling quite sated and drowsy. She rested her head against my chest and kissed it softly as we both caught our breath. She leaned back a little to look up at me, and she was smiling. We both leaned forward and kissed softly.
I love you. We thought simultaneously, and we both laughed. I leaned forward to kiss her again, sliding my fingers through her hair pulling her as close as I could.
thump...thump...thump
"Do you hear that sound?" she questioned suddenly. I cocked my head to the side listening.
thump...thump..
"Hmm, it sounds like a heartbeat. Your heartbeat… only it's faster than I've ever heard it." And then I understood.
"Bella love, it's almost over. That sound that we hear is your heart approaching its last beat. Soon you will be a vampire." I know my voice sounded grave, but I couldn't help it. As much as I wanted my Bella with me forever, a part of me wanted her to be able to remain human and live a long happy life, have children and grow old with her husband by her side.
"Oh Edward, as if I would want any of that without you. And besides, if you hadn't changed me, I still wouldn't have had a long life. I was sick, remember? I wouldn't have lived to graduate high school. So no matter what, I wouldn't have ever had children, not that I want to anyway. I do get part of what you wanted for me though, Edward. I get to have a very long happy life with my husband by my side; I just don't have to get all old and wrinkly to do it." She pressed another kiss to my chest, and we laid there wrapped up in each other, contentment and love flowing freely between us.
The elevated thumping of her heart slowed, and after a few labored thuds, stopped completely. I closed my eyes to say goodbye to my human Bella. I opened my eyes and was staring directly into the shocking irises of my immortal Bella.
"Good morning sleepy heads," Alice chirped from somewhere in the room.
"Carlisle, come in here, hurry!" She called as she came into view. Her panicked mind showed me what had her on edge.
"Geez, Alice there's no need to panic. My eyes have always been brown and Edward's eyes have been green for a while now." Bella tried to calm Alice's chaotic thoughts.
Carlisle entered the stateroom and froze upon seeing Bella and I. I sighed, listening to his mind trying to comprehend how my eyes had changed color.
"Can we have a moment to get dressed, and then we'll fill you in on what happened?" I asked politely, trying to get a moment alone with Bella.
"Of course. Alice, let's give them some privacy." Carlisle led the two of them from the room and Bella sighed once we were alone.
I don't know what they're so worked up about. I happen to like you with emerald colored eyes.
And I simply adore your chocolate ones too, love.
I pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose and got out of bed. She growled lowly as she noted that I was wearing only my boxers.
See something you like?
"You know it, Mr. Cullen." She giggled, and I laughed, pulling my jeans and t-shirt on. She hopped out of bed and dressed herself in a pair of jeans and one of my white oxfords.
I growled appreciatively at her choice of attire. She came around the bed and took my hand. We stared into each other's eyes for a moment, allowing our love to wash over us.
We opened the door and took our first steps out into the world as an immortal couple.
A/N: I know I've been lax in my review replies from chapter 22 of HS and I am terribly sorry for that! I have been a little under the weather lately but that's no excuse!
I appreciate every single person who read this story whether you review or not! It means the world to know that you would keep coming back again and again to read my words!
Bella and Edward's journey has just begun and I can't wait to share it with all of you!
Much love,
Poet!