Author: MeaganMusick

Author: MeaganMusick

Title: Sacred Love

Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I do not own the series by Stephanie Meyer nor the characters.

Summary: Some slight changes to how Bella and Edwards first interactions were and their relationship from then on.

Bella's POV

I woke up, slightly disoriented from the strange glow coming through my window. It was a rare sight to see the sun in Forks. But I smiled, loving the opportunity this brought to my Saturday. I might actually get to go out and explore the forest some more today and a bit more of the town. Not that exploring the town could take more than half an hour. Oh the joy of living here seemed to dull down more and more each day.

Something that didn't dull down for me though was my curiosity in Edward Cullen. How strange it was when he looked at me with fury one day, and complete sincerity and curiosity the next. One thing I was sure about here in Forks, I was going to solve this Cullens mystery everyone was so 'whatever' about.

Why did they separate themselves from everyone else at high school like we had some disease?

"Bella are you up yet?" I rolled my eyes as I thought about Charlie and his obsessive need to the fill the gap of fatherhood he had missed out on.

"Yes dad I'm awake. I'm actually going to take a quick shower then go out for a bit."

"Alright, well I'm going down to La Push to fish today with Billy. Call me if you need anything, alright?"

"Okay, bye!" I listened for his footsteps and heard them fade away as he descended the stairs.

I grabbed up my toiletries bag and walked across the hall to get ready for my day.

It was close to noon before I left the house and I decided to drive out to the edge of the forest in my beat up old truck. When I came to the point where trees lined the road instead of houses, I parked and climbed out of the truck, excited for my exploration.

I started out slow, not wanting to waste any energy; god knows I'm not in shape or anything. The trail started to fade away and become less clear in which direction it was headed. I had been hiking for about half an hour and was scared I might not find my way back. I told myself that if in ten minutes, there wasn't another trail, I would turn around and go back to town.

Suddenly I heard voices from a clearing up ahead. One voice stuck out to me and my heart fluttered a bit when I recognized Edward's flowing tone. I peeked through some trees and noticed he was with a tiny girl, his sister I believe.

"Is someone there?" I heard him call out towards my direction. I stepped out into the clearing, and watched as his head cocked in curiosity. Him and his sister were under a tree in the corner; sitting back and enjoying the shade. "Out for a hike Bella?"

I nodded slightly. "I didn't mean to interrupt, I'm only out exploring. The trail kind of cut off about five minutes back."

"Yeah these forests aren't the best to travel in if you don't already know your way around."

A shadow passed over and I frowned as the clouds covered the warm sun and a cool breeze trickled in through the trees. "And to think I was going to actually get some time in the sun today."

I heard the girl chuckle and it seemed as though relief flashed across her face. I pondered it for a second, but didn't stay on the thought too long. Gracefully, she stood up and came across the clearing to where I stood.

"My name is Alice, Edward has told me much about you."

I'm sure the blushing was evident, I could feel the warmth come across my cheeks. "Oh, well let's hope they are all good things."

I glanced over at Edward who was staring at me intensely, waiting for a reaction I suppose. "Alice seems to exaggerate a bit. I've only told her a few things about you."

I heard a cell phone start to ring and Alice dug through her pocket and pulled out a very expensive looking phone. I turned my attention towards Edward as Alice spoke into the phone.

"I didn't know I was interesting enough to talk about to your sister." I said with questions obviously lacing my tone.

"I'll admit that you do intrigue me Bella."

Suddenly Alice appeared at our side again with worry etched across her flawless face. "I have to go back to the house, are you staying here Edward?"

"Oh its fine, you both can go. I should probably head back before I forget where the trail picks up again."

Edward looked at Alice and then me. "I think I'll stay here with Bella. Besides, I could help you find a much faster way out of here."

Alice said her goodbyes and then hurried off, disappearing behind the trees. Damn she ran fast.

I slowly crossed the miniature grass field and sat beneath the tree in the spot they had occupied earlier. Edward sat beside me and leaned against the trunk of the tree, slightly facing his body towards me. "So what do you think of this small town? Different from the big city of Phoenix?"

I rolled my eyes. "Different doesn't even begin to explain it. It's like going from one world to another. Not only is the weather and scenery complete opposite, but so are the people here. Everyone seems to know everyone and all their business too. Definitely something I will have to get used to. If I were to do anything bad, Charlie and the whole town would know in less than an hour."

Edward raised an eyebrow. "Already plotting some evil scheme in the town of Forks?"

I laughed. "You know what I mean." I stayed silent for a moment. Not wanting to cross any boundaries with all the questions I had for him. "So everyone in your family seems pretty close… like at school, I never see you with anyone but the other Cullen family members."

He shrugged his shoulders, as if to buy time to come up with a good explanation. Something was definitely going on here. "We're just a close family. It's hard to break our bond and we wouldn't to give anyone the chance to try."

Flashback

"I don't know what's up with them and I've been in school with them for four years now." Jessica said with slight annoyance at my questions.

"It seems as though they're like a cult if you ask me. Always together, teachers afraid of them, money tossed around like nothing. Freaky stuff going on in that family. Nobody cares enough to ask them why they are the way they are though." Mike threw in his two cents.

I had been watching Edward for quite a while now though and tried to find a pattern in the days of school he missed. The only one I noticed was that when the weather was nice he wasn't at school.

End Flashback

"I want to ask you something, and you can't laugh at me, okay?"

He looked at me with curious eyes. "I make no promises I can't keep."

I sighed and went ahead with my question anyway. "Is your family some sort of cult or something? I mean you guys are so close its creepy and I don't know. I'm lame, never mind."

He did chuckle quietly. "Oh Bella your innocence and childish theories do amuse me." I folded my arms across my chest, feeling a bit defeated. I liked Edward, more than I would ever admit to anyone though.

And by the soft look in his eyes, as he gazed at me, made me think he might have some similar feelings as well.

Then I noticed he looked a little worried and his expression turned to stone, showing no emotion. "Don't move." Was all he said. I followed his gaze towards the edge of the clearing and noticed a figure quickly disappearing into the woods.

"Who was that Edward?" I asked, fear dripping from my words. I could feel my heart start to race as I noticed he tensed up quite a bit. What the hell was going on here?

He sighed and looked into my eyes. "I'm going to show you something and before I do, you have to promise not to tell a soul." I simply nodded and he stood from his position and stepped into the now sunlit clearing in front of us.

I watched as his skin reflected in the sunlight like miniature crystals and jewels. I was speechless from the odd sight before me. I didn't understand one bit what this meant, but my mind was racing with possibilities.

"Edward I don't understand…"

"I'm … I'm not safe for you Bella. We can't be around each other like this anymore."

I felt sadness drown my heart. "I still don't get what you're trying to say."

"I'm not normal, I'm not like you or anyone else. I'm a …" He took a moment and sat next to me again under the shade of the tree. "I'm a vampire. Now please don't laugh at me."

For some reason, I believed him. And the things I had been curious about suddenly made sense and clicked together in my head. "I won't laugh… in fact, you telling me this settles a lot of questions I had for you."

He looked at me strange and then brushed a hand across my cheek. He's never touched me before, and it sent tingles down every inch of my body. His cool hand rested at the nape of my neck. "Aren't you scared of me now Bella?" I shook my head. "Why not?" He asked again.

"For some strange reason I feel as though I'm safe with you, and you won't hurt me."

"No, I personally won't hurt you. But you being around me could get you hurt. There's so many things I would love to explain to you right now, but that would take hours. Why don't I just show you the way back to your truck."

I could only nod in response, understanding he couldn't satisfy my curiosity at this moment, but maybe he would someday. Or maybe he would never talk to me again, afraid I would reject him due to the fact I now knew a very big secret.

To be continued…

AN: Please review and let me know what you think. First fan fiction story I've made from this series so I would like to know what you think about everything I have written so far.