I don't own any of Twilight! I'm just having fun!

A/N: Sorry this took me longer to get out than planned but, ya know, real life happens!

Edwards POV

Chapter 2: Night Seasons

I'm nothing but a monster. How could I have done this to her? I watched Bella's writhing body on the bed in horror. Listened to her moans and screams as she was being slowly, unstoppably torched alive inside.

"Bella, love, I'm so sorry you have to go through this. I never wanted this for you," I apologized for the 127th time, hoping that somehow my remorse has gotten through to her. Will she ever be able to forgive me? I'll never be able to forgive myself for as long as I exist. It's been two days of this same agonizing pain for her and it's all my fault. I never should have let this happen. I failed to protect her. If I'd never left her alone in Forks we wouldn't be here right now. And she wouldn't be suffering like this.

I can't stop the scene from replaying in my mind over and over. Aro gliding toward Bella in the deep chamber room. His arms restraining her while his teeth found that hot, pulsing sweet spot at her throat. My sweet spot. To remember the way she looked at me and screamed as I knelt beside her, blood still running down her neck from the fresh bite marks. It's the one memory I'll never be able to burn out of my mind for all of eternity. Each time I see it, my raging hatred for Aro intensifies. Hatred for this unending agony he's caused her. Hatred for what he took from her…and jealousy for what he took from me! The jealousy took me by surprise. More accurately, covetousness, I decided. It should've been memy choice. My act. My venom running through her veins! I had always thought that changing Bella would be the most selfish thing I could ever do. But now I realize I was wrong. What Aro did was the worst kind of selfishness….pure evil. If I would've just listened to Bella before I left and really heard what she was saying-what she was asking for-this would've been a different experience for her. I would've been gentle and careful and had nothing but love in my eyes for her as I embraced her. Carlisle would've been there with morphine to keep her change from being so torturous. She would've been safe and protected among her new family. It should've been our decision because of our eternal desire for each other. It should've been for love. Instead it was a heinous violation.

"Ohmygod!" she jolted me back to the present. "Kill me! Kill me please!" Not again…Her pleas are killing me. I feel so helpless.

"Oh, Bella…if I could take this away…It's almost over, love, I promise," but I could only hope. I wished Carlisle was here. Maybe he'd have been able to do something to make this easier for her. I gripped her hand in mine. I had refused to leave her side even once this entire time. There was no way I was letting her out of my sight. Not after what she pulled when she realized I wasn't leaving with Alice. Her 'plan B', I'm almost positive, after having seen Alice's visions. I knew she didn't plan on serving the Volturi-her terrible lying to Aro had told me that. I just couldn't have imagined she'd do what she did.

She's always choosing the wrong things! But, honestly, what was she thinking? And was there some clue I should've picked up on? I wondered again if I missed something but I don't think she gave anything away.

First, I had been at her side on the chamber floor. Aro had approached me and I knew he wanted to discuss my new position within the guard.

"I presume you'll be accepting our invitation to join the guard, young Edward. We have much to discuss regarding your new position." He spoke as if he hadn't just coldly ravaged Bella right in front of me. Everything within me demanded vengeance. My trembling hands ached to tear him to pieces in front of his entourage. I remembered calculating that I could swiftly finish Aro before his guards could reach me. But it wouldn't hold the same sadistic satisfaction of the slow, torturous death He deserved. And what would they do to her after they killed me? Bella's bleeding and vulnerable body lying in front of me was the only thing stopping me. She needed me first. So I purposed – against my primal nature—not to look away from her to answer him, fearing I would lunge at him right then and there to rip his throat out.

"You know I'll never leave her," I growled. I need to take care of Bella. Then it will be time to deal with Aro. I had to keep telling myself that.

"No," Bella cried between her groans.

"Yes, well, I do know that, Edward. In time I believe you both will come to see that this is all for the best. I'm delighted you've decided to stay."

I held Bella in my arms and rocked her as if that could lessen her suffering. "Edward, It burns!" she continued to yell through her clenched teeth. My heart was breaking to see her this way. Aro would definitely pay. I made a promise to kill him if he touched her and I would keep it.

"Well, our visitors will be arriving any moment. We certainly cannot have Bella scaring away our meal. Felix, please move our newest member to the west hall where it is more…private," he ordered.

"I'll take her," I snarled at him, while protectively holding Bella close to me.

Then Caius felt compelled to chime in. "You need to feed. It's been too long for you, Edward. We need you strong, not weak. Let the girl go. There's nothing you can do for her now."

I hate every cold, callous thought that monster has. "I'm not leaving her. I'm not thirsty," I hissed, "I'm taking her."

"Go… Edward," Bella's body was trembling under the tremendous amount of intense pain she was enduring. Just like Bella to be thinking of my needs no matter her own—even now. Always trying to take care of everyone else. And I failed to take care of her. A fresh wave of guilt crashed through me.

"Very well," Aro conceded, "Felix, Jane, show him the way." We left the chamber room just in time to hear Heidi delivering their 'lunch'. We reached the west hall and that's when it happened. Felix opened the door for me, allowing me to carry Bella into the soundproof room before him. Right here she shocked all three of us. Bella took her blood covered hand and smeared it across Felix's mouth as we passed by. That was all it took. His thoughts betrayed his awakened bloodlust—he couldn't refuse his thirst for her blood after he tasted it. I threw her to the bed before he could get his teeth into her and slammed all my weight into him, shoving him back to the hall. If Jane hadn't been there to stop him, I know how much worse this tragedy would have been. Of course, Jane wasn't protecting Bella, she was protecting herself from Aro's wrath had something happened to one of us. Although I have to admit, there was some satisfaction is seeing Felix squirming under Jane's glare.

What the hell was Bella trying to do? Tempting him like that! She had to know... Was she trying to kill herself—and me with her? It's so frustrating that I can't read her mind. Maybe when she's changed-more like me than like a human-I'll hear her thoughts too.

Something in the room has changed and it snaps me back to the present. Bella's strangely still and quiet, her muscles completely tensed up. The only movement is her rapid, shallow breathing. The only sound is her heart, thundering away. Both have just picked up their pace. No more writhing or screaming. Then I see her. Really see her. I've been so anxious the past couple of days that I haven't taken in how breathtakingly beautiful she is. I mean, she's never been just merely pretty, but…she is absolutely amazing. My heart would skip a beat if it could. I know I am the lucky one. She chose me…over all the human males lined up around the block for her. She always thought she was the lucky one. Insane! The way she regarded me was completely ridiculous.

Surely you're home by now, Alice. I'm counting on you. My family must be aware of our situation by now. I can only imagine how upset Carlisle must be. But he'll know what to do. He always does.

I hear a knock on the door before it opens without bothering to wait for my answer. "And how is she coming along, Edward?" Jane inquires.

"Perfectly. Thank you, Jane," I replied, not bothering to hide my contempt.

"It won't be much longer now. Can you hear how fast her heart beats? Soon, it will be still and she will awaken. Two guards are now outside the door for your protection. Aro insists. He would be sorely disappointed if your newborn pet were to accidentally damage his latest acquisition," she sneered. She was jealous of me…or rather the attention Aro was giving me. And she had nothing but contempt for Bella. Jane was not pleased with Aro's insistence she stay with them. Her thoughts were vindictive, spiteful…reminded me of an immortal super-evil Jessica Stanley, actually.

"I can take care of Bella. She won't hurt me so don't concern yourself," I hissed. I didn't want her anywhere near Bella when she opened her eyes.

"Yes, I can see what a great job you've done taking care of Bella so far, Edward," she remarked smugly as she strode back out the door. The guards remained outside.

Precisely three minutes and eleven seconds passed then I heard the first falter in the precious rhythm of her heart. It was quickly followed by another. She drew in a quick gasp of air as her back arched up off the bed. Then it was silent. I realized I would never again hear the sound I had been living for, for so long now. I waited anxiously as she relaxed back into the bed, releasing the breath she had taken.

"Bella? Bella, love, I'm right here," I whispered. "Can you hear me? Don't be afraid."

She opened her eyes slowly, taking in the room, and then finally reached my face. "Edward?" she whispered. I was flooded with relief.

"Yes, Bella, I'm here with you." I couldn't help but smile as I gazed at her. She was devastatingly beautiful, and her voice was hypnotic. I expected certain physical changes. But I didn't expect her angry words.

"Why, Edward? Why are you here? You heard me tell you to go!"

A/N: How are you liking it so far? Please, please review to let me know!

Chapter 3: Bittersweet Longings Fulfilled will be up soon!