The Talk

I steadily awoke, realizing that it was morning, and looked at my alarm clock. It was nine a.m.

Yes! It's Saturday! Now I can spend the whole day with Edward…

Without realizing I tore my gaze away from my alarm clock, searching for Edward. He was not in my room.

That's weird.

"Edward?" I asked in the silence, there was no answer.

Maybe he went hunting.

Ever so reluctantly, I heaved myself out of the tangled sheets of my bed, and ran into the bathroom, toiletries in hand. I quickly glanced in the mirror to see an excited me staring back. Lately everything had been going so smoothly with Edward, if only I could get him to change me. I slowly reached behind the shower curtain, and turned on the scolding hot water for a much needed shower. I stepped in and let heat of the water make my skin burn and tingle. My muscles began to relax with every new bead of water that sank into my skin. I didn't even realize I had been standing there long, with the water running over my body, until I began to prune. I quickly washed and stepped out into the sauna which was the bathroom. Steam clouded the mirror, so I began writing random things on it.

"Bella loves Edward"

"Bella and Edward forever"

The mirror read. I frowned at the last one I wrote. How were we going to be together forever if he didn't change me? I knew I shouldn't worry too much about it though, because eventually, I would be changed. I know this for a fact, because I knew Alice saw it. And I would never bet against Alice.

After I was done contemplating my demise, I hurriedly blow dried my hair and threw on some clothes. I wasn't exactly sure what to wear, If Edward was coming back then I wanted to look good for him, if not, I wanted to be comfy! So I decided on a tee shirt and my favorite pair of jeans.

"Where are you Edward?" I wondered aloud. It wasn't typical for him to be away from me, after what happened with James, he had been even more protective over me. He usually stayed with me until I woke up. Or at least he would tell me if he was leaving. But I decided it wasn't important, that he would be back any moment.

So I plopped down on my bed and pulled out the books I had gotten at the school library yesterday. Interview With a Vampire, Pandora, The Vampire Lestat, Queen of the Damned, I read over each book cover carefully. It was no secret to Edward that I had lately become interested in Vampire books, he had actually found it amusing, and apparently so did Charlie. Never the less, I reached out and grabbed one the books spread out on my bed, it was Queen of the Damned. It was a obscenely large book, but I finished quickly, it only took me an hour and a half. I knew I would like the book, because I had already seen the movie a couple years before, thinking it was a period piece film. But to my surprise I loved it! Everything about the movie had me enthralled and wanting to know more about Vampires. Plus the lives of some of the Vampires were so…cryptic. I had always found Lestat's life most interesting of all.

Laying on my bed with Anne Rice books spread around me, I thought aloud " I wish Lestat were real."

There was a musical chuckle coming from the corner of my room. I knew it was Edward, and sat up on my elbows to look at him. He gazed back for a moment, a famous crooked smile played across his face. I felt my heart rate go up and heat in my cheeks rise.

"So this is what you do when I'm not around?" he was trying to suppress laughter while hiding the hint of sadness and agitation in his eyes.

"Edward Cullen, were you spying on me? How come you weren't here when I woke up?" I asked, my voice brimming with curiosity. I wasn't annoyed like I thought I would be, with him spying on me and all. I actually thought it was sweet, in a stalkerish kind of way.

"No I was not spying on you, silly Bella. I just happened to walk in on your last thought. And I'm very sorry I was not there this morning. I thought it would be a good idea for me to go hunting with Jasper, he's been having a rough time lately. I'm sorry if I worried you, my love."

All I could say was "Oh. It's okay." how could I be mad at him after that long heartfelt speech?

"now what were you saying? Ah, yes, ' I wish Lestat were real'?" he peeked at me under his long lashes and I nearly fainted.

"Bella?"

"oh yeah, no, you know, Lestat? From the Anne Rice novels?" there was a hint of a shake in my voice.

Edward's slightly lighter honey topaz eyes searched mine for a long withdrawn moment, and then his lips twitched down into a frown, probably realizing what book I was referring to.

"I don't like you reading those books." he stated sharply. He was fuming angry now, his brow wrinkled in frustration, his mouth in an even deeper frown than it had been in before.

I was dazzled my the anguish in his eyes, and confused at what he just said.

"But why?" was all I could muster. I was angry now, at his sharp tone. Plus I really hate it when people tell me I can't do something.

He gave out a frustrated sigh, ancient sadness filled his eyes as he said, "Bella, those books are not…." he was struggling with his words now, trying to find a way to put it perfectly, "suitable.. For you. I just don't want you reading about blood thirsty Vampires, killing humans every chance they get. It's not healthy… for us, I mean." his voice was full of concern as he slowly exaggerated his steps toward me, now holding me with his hands on my shoulders. The coolness of his skin made my body quiver before I could stop it. The smell of his scent filled my airways. I struggled to concentrate.

With all the love in my voice that I could conjure I sweetly said, "Edward, I love you. But, I'm going to read what I want to read." I gave him a peck on the cheek and grinned as he let out a sigh of defeat.

Then, so silently I wasn't sure he said it, he whispered, "Lestat is real."

I looked up at him with excitement and curiosity, "WHAT?" I involuntarily squealed.

Edward just shook his head, and tackled me onto the bed. He purposely dazzled me, looking deep into my eyes. We were laying on my bed now, face to face, on our sides, with our feet tangled together. His porcelain hand began tracing along my collar bone, and swiftly up to my jaw were his fingers lightly caressed my lips.

"Does it matter?" he finally broke the silence.

"Hmm?" I rasped, still completely dazzled.

"Does it matter to you…that much… if he is real?" his eyes were concerned again, but filled with love.

" I don't know. I mean, I would like to meet him. I think he led an amazing life. Is that so bad?"

His expression gave me the answer. Yes it was.

"Bella, you need to understand something. He is not the … character that you have come to know and like in your books. Anne Rice put a lot of fiction in the books that he was in. Not all of what he did in the stories were true…and there is much more that she left out. He is very different…he's dangerous. And he still drinks humans."

Great. I had forgotten that he wasn't a "vegetarian."

But I had one question that was burning to get lose, "are the rest of the characters real?" I said with a little too much enthusiasm.

He surprised me by laughing, "no love, just him."

"Well then, it doesn't matter if he's real or not." I lied. I was so curious. But I knew Edward would never let me see him. So I would just have to forget about it… for now.

"So, did you miss me today?" he smiled at my change of subject. I stared at his toothy grin for a moment before he let it drop, noticing my gaze at his mouth.

"Yes, in fact I did." he let out another astonishingly loud musical laugh, "actually that's why I'm here. I suppose Jasper thought I was whining too much, so he let me leave him early."

"I hope he's okay by himself" I thought aloud, full of concern for my newfound brother figure.

Another little chuckle escaped Edwards cool lips, sending a rush of his breath on my neck, which he was now kissing by the way. "I think he can handle it." He tilted his head up to see my face full of concern, bronze hair falling out of it's perfect structure to lay across his marble forehead.

Frightening me, using his inhuman speed, he was sitting in front of me, legs crossed. Seriousness flooded his face.

"So has Charlie given you the sex talk yet?"

That one completely caught me off guard. "what?" heat flooded my cheeks, I couldn't believe what he was asking me. "um…Edward… I already...er...know how to have sex…" If I was embarrassed when my face flushed, it was a total different kind of embarrassment when my voice noticeably cracked on the word "sex". There was no use hiding my face with my hands so I decided it best to duck my whole head down.

I heard a quick snort and suppressed laughter coming from Edward. He casually lifted his ice cold hand to my chin to lift up my head. Our gaze met and electricity flowed through me.

"Bella, that's not what I meant… I mean that after last night, Charlie was planning to have a talk with you … about us. Do you understand what I mean?" his lips twitched up into a tiny smile showing me it was okay.

"But how-"

He grinned and tapped his forehead with his index finger.

"oh right."

"I'm sorry, I thought he would have done it this morning… I didn't mean to embarrass you." a grand smile played across his lips "but at least that's one thing I don't have to explain to you."

"Edward!" I playfully screamed.

I glanced at my clock. It was already six thirty, Charlie would be home soon.

"Edward, Charlie will be here soon." I stated with hesitation. I was never really comfortable talking to my dad about that stuff, and I couldn't conceive of him actually going through with his…talk. My mouth began to dry with nervousness.

Edward noticed my sudden mood change and pulled me close, whispering reassurances in my ear.

"alright love, I should leave you to prepare…unless you want me to stay with you and Charlie?" his eyebrows were raised playfully. I glared at him half heartedly. "no, I should be fine."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

And he was gone. Just then I heard the front door swoosh open, and eerie footsteps come inside.

Okay, you can do this Bella

"Bells?" Charlie questioned.

I met him at the foot of the stairs. "Hi dad."

Here we go.