It was raining again. The soft patter drilled comfortingly on the window panes, making my eyes droop a little. Another day ticked off from my human existence. I was going to miss Forks, I realised, even the rain it had become almost a routine to hear the rain falling almost everyday. I had become attuned to it, so much that I was going to miss it.
I sighed and picked up the laundry. Charlie was out again, fishing with Billy. Immediately, I tried to think about something else, but it was too late. Jacob. I paused at the kitchen door. Since the day I left him, he has disappeared, my Jacob, he had left me. Suddenly my vision blurred, quickly I brushed my eyes with my sleeves. I wasn't going to start the waterworks again. Sniffling slightly, I continued with the housework. Something that needed my constant attention will stop these thoughts from swarming my mind.
"Bella, you need a hand?" I looked up and smiled.
"It's OK, Esme. I can do this," I replied, hoping that my voice was now even. The beautiful figure in front of me smiled warmly back.
"You really should give me something to do. It's almost worrying how you do compared to what I do usually at home."
"Charlie is not the best at finding the dirty places in the house. He usually overlooks them," Esme's singing laugh filled my small house then she nodded and walked into the living room, sitting down on the worn down sofa. I cringed. They really do make everything so dull and grey.
The day passed on, slowly. As I looked at the clock for the hundredth time, it was nearly three in the afternoon. I started to jitter a little, Esme noted my agitation and smiled.
"He'll be here soon, Bella."
"I know, just that I-" and I paused. Why wasn't my stupidity as bad as my balance?
"Just that you feel that time is moving so slowly that you swear it's going backwards?" I stared at her perfect pearl white face. Esme chuckled at my reaction.
"I know how you feel, my dear. Waiting for Carlisle is almost as excruciating in some ways especially during the weekend," I blinked. And I thought that only obsessive humans feel that way. Esme seemed to have read my mind.
"We've all been human once in our endless lifetime dear," she replied gently to my thoughts. I felt idiotic again. If only I could be that perfect, a fitting match to my Edward. My heart raced a little, mine, all mine...
Then everything was black. I started, something cold was pressing over my eyes and felt a cool rush of air against my neck. My breath jumped out of its normal rhythm as I inhaled deeply, taking in the sweet scent that has suddenly surrounded me.
"Hello, sweetheart," a beautifully deep voice whispered next to my ear, sending a violent shiver down me. I tried to even up my breathing again as my heart jumped to my throat with excitement, my chest filled with fulfilment.
"Let me guess, could it be someone with their name beginning with E?" I said shakily, lifting my hands to his. His laugh filled my ears and I felt his cold touch lift from my eyes and onto my neck. I felt him inhale.
"Correct, two more guesses," I let my hands fall to my side as his lips touched the left side of my neck. Blood was now rushing through me. I decided, with difficulty, to play along.
"Does his surname begin with C?" his lips left my neck then I felt myself being locked into a pair of iron strong arms. He pulled me backwards, his face buried in my hair.
"Mmmm, definitely," this waiting was killing me, I spun round just as I completed my last guess.
"Is his name Edward Cullen?" my face was now inches from his. Edward pulled that unforgettable crooked smile to his lips. I felt my mind swim a little. Breathe, Bella, breathe!
"Indeed it is," before I could even breathe, I felt my lips being brushed by his. Electricity ran through me and it took every effort not to respond violently as I wished. Oh if only I was like him. Just as I was about to hyperventilate, he pulled away gently guessing that I would collapse any second. I was known for my record of holding my breath.
"I'd rather you didn't do that with everyone in the room, Edward," I turned my head reluctantly, away from Edward's beautiful face. Alice sat on the sofa, her arms folded in mock disapproval. Jasper gracefully stood by Alice's side while Carlisle drew level with Esme who was behind Rosalie and Emmett. I blushed and felt Edward's arm tighten around mine, possessively.
"You and Jasper are no better," Edward retorted teasingly as Alice raised an eyebrow. Emmett rolled his eyes.
"Glories of young love, eh Rose?" Rosalie slapped Emmett's arm playfully pulling a mocking frown on her lovely face.
"And you're saying we're not in the prime of our relationship?" the room was filled with a chorus of heavenly laughter, disrupted of course by mine, standing out like a sore thumb among these gods and goddesses. I felt insignificant, so much more with all of them.
"Let's leave Edward and Bella to their own plans shall we, now?" Carlisle interrupted solemnly after a few moments. The others nodded and were gone in a flash, leaving the room almost empty. I felt the coldness wrap around me closely again.
"I've missed you, Bella," even such simple words sent my heart beating madly in my chest.
"I've missed you more," I felt Edward shake his head.
"No way."
"Want a bet?"
"We'll never know."
"No, you're right my brain's on AM remember?" Edward chuckled then swept me off my feet. There's no way I would ever complain about him doing that again.
"Let's go to our meadow, it's stopped raining now."
"I'm all yours," he grinned slyly.
"You always have been," then we were running, through the forest of Forks. I didn't dare close my eyes. I might as well get used to the motion now since I was going to run like this for the rest of my existence soon. We glided, noiselessly through the trees weaving gracefully in and out. If only I could do that now. I envisioned myself running alongside Edward, elegant and quick.
I was only jolted out of my daydream when the wind suddenly stopped blowing around me. He knelt down to the grass, me still in his arms. He cradled me against his chest, breathing in and out sending wafts of his delicious scent through me.
"I swear hunting makes you even more irresistible," I choked out eventually. His musical laugh shook through his marble-like chest into me.
"That depends on how you define irresistible," I pushed myself into an upright position, still in his lap.
"It's along the lines of looking gorgeous, smelling delicious and just being... perfect."
"I can say the same about you, but the smelling bit is probably a hundred times stronger," his white teeth flashed in the afternoon light, his golden eyes twinkling with animation. I sighed.
"I wish we could be like this forever," his eyes dimmed slightly as his face grew sombre.
"We can, can't we?" he asked slowly.
"I just wish it was sooner," his body stiffened slightly. Damn, wrong words again.
"It can be sooner if you want-"
"The conditions, Edward."
"Not if it's going to affect your sanity to keep everyone satisfied except yourself."
"I am happy as long as you're here," I said with conviction. When I'm rarely alone I still cringe at my desires, unable to grasp my desperation for such craving. Was it spur of the moment? Edward shook his head.
"I said myself, forget it and do it your way since my way never works."
"No. Don't change my mind, please. You know how persuasive you are," the smile was back.
"Am I? I guess that goes for my dazzling ability too."
"Uh huh, of course," he laughed and hugged me tightly.
"Oh Bella, sometimes I wonder how I lived through those centuries without your absurd-" he suddenly froze, his face rigid with concentration. Excruciating moments passed before he finally returned to the present.
"W-what is it?" I asked quietly. His deep golden eyes stared into mine, his face lined deep with a mixed emotion of anger, shock and little of despair.
"Them," a lump began to form at my throat.
"W-who?" I was afraid to ask, no one in this world would worry Edward like that except...
"The Volturi."