Disclaimer: I don't own the Twilight series. That right belongs to Stephenie Meyers. I also don't own any of the Seven Deadly Sins though I might suffer from a few of them. Some situations are also pulled from the books and I don't own those either. The quotes at the end of the story, however, I do own.
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R&R
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Summary: Each chapter contains a different sin and a different person speaking of the sinful predicament in their perspective.
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Of Vice and Virtue
Chapter Two: Greed in Persistence
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I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It was unfathomable. If Bella thought for one second that my family's opinion matter to me, she had to be mental. I didn't care if she put it to vote; I wouldn't let her sacrifice her soul for me.
For nothing.
She didn't know what she was talking about and it angered me. Why couldn't Bella see that what she was asking was the one thing I couldn't give her? I waited until I felt her latch her arms around me before I went off running towards my home. Put it to vote. Absurd.
I sighed. I was annoyed. Why was she so desperate to escape her human life? Did she think I would leave her again? No. I would never do that; I was too greedy. I was selfish. It took everything I had to refrain from seeing her when I left her in Forks that day. The months passed unceremoniously and with each day I became less animate.
That wasn't saying much. I was technically dead.
She pulled me out of my thoughts as I felt her lips press against my throat. I thanked her and we silently walked inside my home. I called for my family in an audible voice and soon the filed in and sat at the barely used table. I sat down next to my love and squeezed her hand as she spoke of her troubles and concerns. She asked for permission to join my family and I could see the different emotions appearing on everyone's face.
Before Bella put it to vote I dropped in my own comments. I could tell she was irritated by my remarks about how the Volturi were no match for my family's power. I smiled as Emmett agreed with me-at least I had one person on my side. Bella rolled her eyes and the voting commenced.
One by one the sound of disdain filled my ears. Were they insane? Did they not care for the safety of Bella? I let out a low growl as 'yes' resounded in my head followed by a 'no' from Rosalie. I smiled at her with appreciation, but I read her thoughts. She voted no, not because she wanted to please me, but because she wished someone was there to warn her when Carlisle had transformed her.
Then it came to the only person whose vote did count; he would side with me. Carlisle knew how I felt about the situation. He understood me perfectly clear when I explained to him about my worries for Bella. I wouldn't condemn her to a life of damnation. I waited for him to deny Bella of her request, but heard the thoughts run through his head as his eyes were staring directly into mine.
An icy terror shook my body as Carlisle spoke to me. No. How could Carlisle do this to me? How could no one see the danger they were putting danger in? I curled my lips back from my teeth and growled loudly; No. I wouldn't let it happen. I refused.
Several thoughts from the others ran through my head.
'Stop being selfish Edward…'
'You're acting immaturely about the whole situation…'
'I'm sorry my son, but it is for the best…'
'You've already chosen to not live without her…'
I glared around the room and tore my hand away from Bella's grasp and marched away from room. I swore loudly and ripped everything in sight apart; destroyed furniture, mangled packages, anything to keep me preoccupied.
This couldn't be happening; Bella couldn't become one of us. It wasn't possible. She didn't know the suffering and regret she would put herself through, put her family through. Bella didn't know the life or people she would leave behind. She didn't know the regret that shook his body every time he attempted to remember things from his human life.
The constant feeling of emptiness would never be filled. I wanted her to live out her human life. It wasn't fair. Why couldn't she just stay human? Alice's thoughts pulled me from my tantrum for just a moment.
'You're being unreasonably greedy Edward.'
I already knew that though. I was greedy and had been ever since I was a child. That was the one thing that didn't change about me. I wasn't greedy in the sense of possessions and money, but in a way where I wanted things to remain good and living. I had become terribly avaricious to my birth-mother as I wept over the loss of my pet dog. I was selfish when my father had been stricken ill with the influenza. I was rapacious when I wanted to join the war effort after the Lusitania had sunk though was refrained when the influenza captured me.
I couldn't change that one flaw about me. I was greedy, but I didn't care. If being greedy meant that Bella would remain human then nothing matter to me; the decision would be in vain. My eyes perked up to the conversation in the other room when I heard Bella asking Alice where she wanted her.
No. No. NO.
I roared angrily and stomped back ran back into the room right in front of Bella. I glared down at her furiously, rage eminent on my face. I shouted at her a bit too harshly, but I couldn't help it. Was she insane? Did she lose all sense that she once had? How could she even think that I would allow any of this to happen? I wouldn't. It wouldn't happen.
I saw her cringe away from me and cover her ears. Good. She finally got the message. I heard Alice squeak and tell Bella nervously that she couldn't change her. I felt a tiny bit of relief course through my body; at least Alice had some logic in her. I saw Bella bend down to glare at Alice saying something about a promise. The two prattled on incessantly and Bella finally said that she trusted Alice.
How could someone so smart be so stupid? Alice had self-control but asking her to change Bella was too much. I snarled in fury at the very thought and then I heard Bella sigh and begin to turn to Carlisle; I was faster. I clutched her face in one hand and forced her to look at me while I held a palm out to Carlisle, signaling him to be silent.
That was a vain move for Carlisle spoke anyways; he spoke the words I feared. He told Bella that she would be in no danger if he were to change her. I heard her mumble in agreement. If my heart were still beating it would've stopped at those very words. I quivered with anger as I realized my stubbornness had failed. Usually my greed overpowered everyone but not this time; not at the time when it really mattered.
I did the one thing I hoped would work: guilt. The desire to keep Bella human grew stronger as I reminded Bella of her mother, father, and that pathetic mutt. I warned her of all the people she would leave behind and inwardly smirked as I saw my plan was working. I saw her purse her lips in deep thought and felt proud that my selfishness was working to my advantage. The feeling soon lulled into ache as I saw the pained expression at the thought of choosing.
I cleared my throat and proposed that we should wait until Bella finished high school and moved out of Charlie's to remain inconspicuous. The proposition meant nothing to me however; it was only a plan to buy some time. Carlisle agreed and said the request was reasonable; he always was gullible. Bella hesitated and then said she would consider the situation and I finally relaxed.
I took her hand and decided it was time to take her home. She turned to Carlisle one last time and made him promise to change her after graduation. I gave an exasperating sigh and dragged her out before anymore promises could be made.
We made it to her home in silence once more and I sat her on her bed while I paced around the room. She made a small comment but I waved my hand at her. I had to think very carefully and fast; graduation wasn't too long away. She groaned and rolled her eyes, throwing a blanket over her face. I immediately lay in the bed next to her and uncovered her concealed face.
Again, I was greedy. I had gone far too long without seeing her beautiful face, her enticing scent, or the touch of her lush flesh. An idea came to my mind and I inwardly grinned. I began to ask her if she could have anything in the world what it would be. She replied childishly just as I knew she would and I shook my head. Bella then replied that she wanted me to change her.
I paused for a moment. That would be difficult. I humored her and played a new game. Give and take. I asked her what she would trade in return if I granted her request; again she replied childishly with, "Anything."
When I told her five years she stared back at me with horror, appalled by my response. I shrugged and reminded her about her reply and she began to talk in hysterics to finally, "anything but that."
I frowned. This would be a bit harder than I thought. I had to buy enough time because the time between now and graduation wasn't enough. I suggested three years and her response was a vehement "No!" Obviously I changing her wasn't the thing she wanted most. She tried to bargain back with me. Six months? Ridiculous! She then gave me one year but I demanded for at least two. I had to get all the time I could.
She denied my two years and explained how if I were to remain a teenager then she would too. Women. I thought for a minute until another idea came to me. My eyes brightened as the thought showed me many promises. I was very cautious and slowly told her to marry me. I was greedy. If Bella wanted to be a vampire for eternity, then she would be stuck with me for eternity.
She looked at me as if I weren't serious. There goes my ego. I proposed to her and thought it was a joke. Wonderful. Her face filled with panic at the realization of my proposal not being a hoax. Again with the hysterics. Kiss of death? I rolled my eyes at that comment-wasn't that already going to happen?
It seemed as if Bella had commitment issues. I found it odd that she wanted to be a vampire and yet couldn't marry me. I felt uneasy at that thought-did she really move on without me? Her explanation seemed plausible enough until she retorted haughtily.
Vegas? I shrugged and called her bluff; Bella wasn't known to be impulsive. She whined and promised me eighteen months but I refused. The game of give and take was over-no more ultimatums would be given-I wanted this. I felt the strength of my stubbornness fill my body once more; I would win-eventually.
She then said she would have Carlisle change her and I shrugged once more and smiled sweetly. She groaned and called me impossible; a monster. I laughed darkly and asked her if that was the reason she wouldn't marry me. She groaned once more and I became sincere. I attempted to dazzle her and succeeded once I held her eyes towards mine. I pleaded with her softly and for a moment I thought she gave in until she breathed and shook her head.
I forgo that she was stubborn like I was, but not as selfish. I asked if things would've gone better if I gave her a ring and she instantly protested a little too loudly-Charlie was coming. I hid in her closet and chuckled at the irony of a monster in a closet. Bella and Charlie began to argue about many things-namely me-but I stopped listening.
I smiled at the thought of Bella, my fiancée.
I knew I had won; after all, I was greedy.
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"In the game of give and take, greed overpowers generosity."
