A Lapse in Time- Chapter One: Proclamation
Disclaimer: All characters in this short story are property of Miss Meyer, we are merely playing in her sandbox. All other characters that you do not recognize from Twilight, New Moon or Eclipse are mine.
Author's Note: This is my first really long Fan Fiction, and I must say, I have drawn up a really intriguing plan for it. As the title does say, A Lapse in Time, the story will take a sharp turn, but the first couple of chapters will be slow (taking in terms of the plot). I'd LOVE you're say in this! Thanks, and I'll be updating very soon (:
Epilogue: Decision
The rain was streaming from above; the rush of it tingled against my skin. The treetops brushed softly against each other, sending a swift breeze that sent chills through my spine. We were at the meadow- our secret place. It was sundown, and I had made my choice.
"I guess it's time we break the news to Charlie," I sighed, a small smile pulling the on the edge of my lips. I breathed slowly; trying to ignore the jittering and shaking that was taking place inside my body. I vibrated- it sent a wave of panic from the tips of my toes to the hairs sticking on the top of my head, I was nervous as hell. Proclaiming my marriage to Edward would literally be like killing Charlie. But I had to get this over with; Edward had made so many sacrifices for me.
Edward nodded, a tiny smile pulling the edges of his lips too. He could see the tension through me, because at that very moment, he crushed me to his chest.
"It's going to be all right Bella, love," he murmured softly.
"Charlie knows he has to let you go sometime. If this is really what you want, then I suppose now's the best time." Edward brushed the tips of his cool, icy fingers against my skin, and lifted my head to meet my gaze. The golden eyes smoldered. Once again, my mind was clear from all my panic, and I settled down into a relaxed state of mind. I grinned in response, and then reached up to press my lips swiftly against his.
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The first strands of morning light peeked through my dusty windows, an unordinary occurrence, considering Forks was the dreary pit of the universe. I suppressed a stiff yawn, and regained consciousness. Suddenly, like an unexpected slap in the face, last nights conversation with Charlie and Edward whipped back into my mind.
Flashback: Charlie's Point Of View
A gentle tug shook consciousness back into me. I hesitated- stretching my stiff legs and arms as far back as they would go over the couch. Then, my leg bashed into what seemed like a hunk of steel.
"YEOUCCHHH!" I yelped, my eyelids flying open. The living room was spinning. I wonder what time I had dozed of, last night's football game didn't end that long ago…
"Bells?" My vision was slowly becoming clearer, and then my daughter and her pale-faced boyfriend, Edward came into view. They were seated on the couch, opposite to me, hands twiddled together, shockingly pale (although Cullen was always like that), with frantic expressions plastered to their faces.
Bella, looked as if she just committed a homicide- I swear her irises were pitch black in extreme contrast with her wide, pale eyes that were lined red. Her mouth was set into a firm, straight line, and her auburn hair held as a curtain against her face. Her grip on Edward looked unbreakable.
"Bells-honey, what's going on?" My heart began to race a thousand miles a minute, I felt like it was going to pound right out of my body. I was careful to gulp thick mouthfuls of pair, and wipe the cold sweat that was suddenly dripping from my pores. Edward watched me with a careful stare, examining me as if he could extract every detail that lingered in my now sub-conscious mind. I could tell that this conversation was going to take a nasty edge.
Bella looked up, her eyes shinning, eyebrows pulled together. She hesitated, then the words came out in a muffled slur.
"Charlie," she began. I felt my veins throbbing, my palms crunched together containing the pain I tried so hard not to release.
"Me and Edward-" her clasp on tighter against his hands,
"We're going to get married this summer."
Edward's Point Of View:
Bella's words came out in a weak muffled slur. Her proclamation would be the death of her when she told Charlie, and I could taste his internal pain as my mind dove into his, extracting every thought, feeling and hint of emotion that lingered. First, I sensed an outburst of rage- fury that slowly diluted into realization. Bella was eighteen now, a legal adult. There wasn't much he could do about that.
But a sudden vibe- almost as if an electric shock ran through me had triggered my sudden realization. As I lingered there, In Charlie Swan's thoughts, I recognized something so obscure, it set my mind off on it's own for a minute.
I suddenly realized that I could relate with some extent with this situation. Little than a year ago, I had walked out of Bella's life, bruising her with the deepest of scars that were and still are impossible to heal. I had walked out, intending the best for her, because she was in no proximity of "safe" when she was exposed to me and my vampire family. I leaded her on to what seemed like an eternity of living in the shadows, both of us, managing to barely survive, were blanketed in complete darkness.
From what my sister Alice saw, Bella was a lifeless form, and I was no different. It had now dawned unto me what Bella was doing to her father, she was walking out of his life. She was going to lead him to a lifetime of complete sorrow. As I dove deeper into his mind, all the feelings that Charlie reserved for his daughter were more evident and potent than I had imagined. Although it did not always show on the surface, his internal feelings were still there, confined in his heart.
I could not let this happen, I couldn't bear let this happen to the man who nurtured the love of my existence. Despite Charlie's bitter attitude towards me, I wouldn't dare let another soul be vanquished upon my existence.
I pulled my head up, and glared into Charlie's pained eyes. His head was jerked down, wrapped in his hands. I extended my arm towards him, and placed my palm around the middle of his back. He flinched in response, and jerked his head towards my direction and met my glare.
Why? Why did you to this to my Bella? - He asked through me.
I nodded towards his direction, and holding up my index finger, I pulled Bella closer to my side. Her head was pulled down, and her warm tears had completely soaked my light cotton shirt. I placed my other hand on her shoulder, and began, trying my hardest not to regret what I was about to say.
"Bella, are you sure this is what you want?" I began. She suddenly turned to look at me, but I kept my eyes fixed on Charlie.
"I truly love you, with my deepest and honest sincerity, and I know that internally, this is what I desire, but Bella, you are going to walk out of your father's life like how I did to you a couple of months ago. I know how that feels, when the person you've grown to love and depend on suddenly vanishes from your utter presence. It's intolerable, unbearable. Words cannot explain the feelings that lie beneath all this, which is why it was the greatest mistake of my life. I regret it now more than ever, now that you're doing this to Charlie. So please, Bella, although I desire this now more than ever, consider your father. I can't stand thinking that I'd be taking away so much from the man who so tenderly nurtured you."
I exhaled a sharp breath, and although it pained me through every word- I did not regret it.
Bella and Charlie were both frozen, mouths hanging open, and speechless. I could suddenly feel my shirt become more soaked. Bella's soft, tender face shimmered in glossy tears, her chocolate-brown eyes burned red, and hair in a mess. I continued to brush the tears off her face, while rubbing gentle circles in her delicate child-like palms.
Charlie watched me weakly, then oppressed a sigh.
"Cull-Edward," he corrected him self. I swiftly turned and politely received in unconfident glare.
I decided that I would give him a break and wait for his words, rather than perceive his thoughts. We were all playing fair tonight.
"You've been very, very, honest with me tonight. I respect that, truly. You're deep compassion and generosity to put the unbreakable bond within family before your love is- astounding. I highly doubted it was in you, Edward."
I nodded. "The Cullens are a very close family Chief Swan. I can easily relate to the bond you and Renee share with Bella, it is the same bond me and my siblings share with Carlisle and Esme. Plus, the experience I've had with loosing Bella, it was my fault. I would like to apologize to you personally, for the damage it caused to you and your family."
Bella shifted in my arms, her eyes wide, as she digested the unexpected conversation Charlie and me were now sharing.
Charlie ran his fingers through his messy hair, and shifted glances between Bella and me.
"I'd say the decision still lies in Bella's hands. She is of course, of age, and this is still her decision."
Both of us turned to Bella, who seemed too lost to find words at the moment. After about precisely a minute, she appeared to regain focus.
"Dad, " she emphasized, a words she hardly addressed Charlie as.
"I have reconsidered my thoughts on this…" she was clearly grasping for words, and for once I longed the ability to break through her mind and fish out her thoughts.
"And I realize I will be walking out on you. I love you so much, you helped me take my first steps and guided me through my life, but you have to realize that I love Edward too." She pressed her head ever so softly on my chest. The smell burning off her skin was truly intoxicating.
"I love him so much, I cannot live without him. You saw me when he left, it killed me!"
I flinched at the words. I pushed against my own strength, blocking back the memories that slowly came back to haunt me…
"But when he returned, my life was whole again. Perfect- Complete, I didn't need any other substance on the surface of this planet to quench my satisfaction. Edward is my life dad, I cannot breathe without him."
I was astounded. In all my existence, through all the conversations, and minds I've stripped in to, with the mortal and immortal, this was the most beautiful thing any creature had said about me. The most pleasing fact about this however, was the fact that I was positive it was true. She meant this, and I felt the exact same way. We were meant for each other- she was my other half. The half Edward Anthony Masen had been looking for almost a hundred years ago, before he became immortal. Isabella Marie Swan was my bride.
Charlie was teary eyed. At last it was intolerable, and my mind extracted all it could from the fresh thoughts swimming inside Charlie's head. He was deeply moved by all this, and clearly he could say no more. I let out a sigh of contentment, and squeezed Bella's palm to let her know the worst was over. I could feel her heartbeat slow down to a normal pace, and her skin return to its comforting warmth.
"I really don't know how to disagree with such an astounding Oscar-winning performance," Charlie exclaimed, although clearly he still had a tinge of pain slashed through his voice.
"Clearly, you two have such intimate feelings for each other. It seems as if even the laws of nature won't separate you two."
The last part was clearly a joke, but I couldn't help smirking beneath the surface.
Bella sat straight and looked into the eyes of her father. They returned to the normal warm chocolate color I loved, but they looked heavy, restless. I was going to put her into bed as soon as we left. He opened his arms wide, and she nearly stumbled herself into them. Me and Charlie managed to stifle chuckles. Then, when he released her, Charlie extended his hand, the first friendly gesture I received from him ever, and shook my hand. He winced slightly when I gave him my iron grasp.
"Please take care of her, son," he said. But before I could answer, he added, "I know you will." Then he flashed a weak grin, and I returned the same.
-End of Flashback-