All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer
I spent the next day avoiding everyone. Emmett tried a few times to coax me out of my room but I was too frustrated. I wanted to know what Edward was up to, and it bothered me that no one would tell me. I also needed the time alone to contemplate my encounter with Jacob Black. I didn't know whether I should tell anyone about what happened or not. There seemed to be no danger in our little encounter, but I wasn't sure. I was anxious for night to come so that I could discuss everything with Edward.
I decided to go to Edward's room and listen to some music to pass the time. I picked out a few Rock CD's and gingerly placed them in his stereo. As a human I was prone to breaking anything I touched, and I didn't want to take any chances with Edward's very nice and very expensive stereo system. I placed the music on repeat not wanting to get up to change the CD's once they were done.
As the music started I slowly made my way to his couch and lay down on my stomach closing my eyes as I let the music wash over me. I have no idea how long I stayed like that, but the next thing I remembered was hearing laughing and sensing someone standing over me. I turned quickly to see who was there and found Edward's angelic face smiling down on me. His eyes were bright with laughter and he was smiling my favorite crooked smile.
"Is this what you do when I am away?" He asked teasingly.
"Maybe." I replied moving to make room for him next to me. He chuckled softly as he fluidly sat down beside me. I threw my arms around him pulling my body tight against his. I felt his body shake softly with laughter from my reaction. He pulled me over to sit in his lap and held me close caressing my hair.
"I missed you too." He whispered into my ear just before he started to kiss down my neck. His hands rubbed softly up and down my back as he continued to explore my neck with his soft lips. I was so lost in his touch that I almost forgot I was upset with him. With great effort I pulled away to look him in his eyes. He frowned and looked at me quizzically not understanding why I pulled away.
"Edward where have you been?" I asked trying to sound stern.
He sighed deeply his eyes never leaving mine, "I told you I was with Carlisle taking care of some business."
I narrowed my eyes at him and jumped from his lap. He looked at me with shocked eyes, as he took in my expression his face hardened and he clenched his jaw. I was sick and tired of him being so cryptic with me. What could he possibly be trying to protect me from?
"Edward Cullen I am so tired of hearing that answer. Are you going to tell me what you were up to or not?" I yelled.
"I did tell you." He answered curtly pursing his lips.
"No you didn't. I deserve to know. I am not a child Edward." I spat at him angrily.
I watched as he hung his head and ran his hand through his hair. I waited impatiently crossing my arms across my chest. Minutes passed and he still said nothing. I wanted to throw something I was so frustrated with him. It soon became apparent that he was not going to respond. Fine, I thought to myself, two can play at this game. I swiftly left his room slamming his door on my way out and entered my room locking my door behind me. I was thankful I was no longer human. As a human being this upset would have caused me to cry, not sad tears but tears of fury.
I went to my stereo and put in a CD turning the music up as loud as I could. I went to my bed throwing myself on it as I buried my face in my pillows. I wanted to scream! I was not a little child. He needed to stop treating me so fragilely. Why didn't he trust me? Just then I heard a knock on my door. I sat up quickly knowing who it was.
"Bella?" I didn't answer. I knew I was being childish but I was still too mad to talk to him rationally. After a few minutes I heard him try to turn the doorknob to enter with no success. I smiled smugly to myself grateful I had remembered to lock the door.
"Bella." He sounded frustrated, and I heard him push gently on the door.
"Edward Cullen you do not want to know what will happen to you if you bust through that door right now." I challenged in a low cool voice. I heard him sigh heavily and then his door close.
Once he was gone I laid back down on my bed feeling a little sad. I had missed him so much and now we would be separated for yet another night. I had to be firm as Esme said, he needed to know that I was his equal and he didn't need to protect me from everything all the time. I was stronger than he thought. It was almost insulting how weak he seemed to think I was. The CD soon came to an end and I made no effort to change it. I was miserable.
I watched as the sun rose making no move to get up. I listened as each member of my family prepared themselves for the up coming day. Soon the house was empty except for Edward and me. I reluctantly got up and made my way to my wardrobe to dress for the day. I decided on a maroon sweater with a dark pair of jeans. As soon as I was dressed I heard a soft knock on my door. I froze. I desperately wanted to throw the door open and rush into his arms, but there was a lot at stake and I needed to stay firm.
"Yes." I questioned as I made my way to the door, stopping just in front of it.
"Bella may I come in?" He asked sheepishly.
"Are you ready to talk?"
I heard him take a deep breath before he continued, "Yes."
I unlocked the door and slowly opened it to find a very repentant looking Edward standing in front of me. His eyes were sad making me feel a little guilty for shutting him out the night before. He stood out side my door for a few minutes staring saying nothing until I broke contact and motioned for him to enter. He slowly walked past me and stood in the middle of my room. I made my way to my bed and sat down waiting for him to start talking.
He ran his hand through his hair as he turned to address me, "Look Bella I am truly sorry for last night. I never meant to upset you like that."
"I'm glad you're sorry Edward, but that's not what I want to hear right now. Are you going to tell me where you have been or not?" I asked brusquely.
"I was getting to that." He answered contritely. "I was out on business with Carlisle." I narrowed my eyes at him crossing my arms across my chest growling softly. He quickly raised his hand to me and continued, "Let me finish. I was working out a treaty with the werewolves on the La Push Reservation."
I stared at him wide-eyed shocked, "Werewolves?"
"Is it so hard to believe. We exists why not werewolves too?" He had a point. If you told me a few months ago that vampires existed I would have thought you were insane, and now I am one. I guess anything is possible. I nodded my head for him to continue as I composed my face.
"There is a new pack of werewolves on the reservation and we were just making sure that the treaty we made with them many years ago still held today."
"What's the treaty for?" I was confused. Why would vampires and werewolves need a treaty to begin with?
"We are natural enemies Bella. The treaty splits up the land into territories. They are not allowed on our land and we are not allowed on theirs. The treaty is in place to avoid war between our two kinds." He explained gravely.
"Why didn't you want to tell me?"
"I didn't want you to worry. I was just trying to protect you. I see how you worry about Victoria and I just didn't want to give you another reason to be concerned." He said solemnly turning his head to the side.
I got up and walked over to Edward's side taking his hands in mine. He kept his head to the side so I raised his hands to my mouth and kissed them gently. He turned to look at me and his eyes were sad and full of anguish.
"Edward you can't protect me from everything no matter how hard you try. You can't treat me as if I am something fragile that will break at any moment. I am stronger than you think I am. When you keep me in the dark it hurts me. I need you to trust me and confide in me." I said sincerely as I stared intently in his eyes.
He looked back as me remorsefully, "I do trust you Bella. I trust you more than anyone else. I am so sorry I hurt you. I promise to never keep anything from you again."
I smiled up at him, "That's all I'm asking for."
I reached up on my toes to press my lips to his. He instantly dropped my hands and wrapped his arms around my waist pulling me to him. It felt so good to be close to him again and feel his body close to mine. I never wanted to fight again. He deepened the kiss and I felt his tongue gently graze my bottom lip. I moaned softly as I granted him entrance feeling his tongue softly massaging mine. We stood holding each other kissing for what seemed like hours. We pulled away breathlessly and stared into each other's eyes.
"Welcome back." I giggled leaning my head against his chest. I heard him grunt and pulled away to look at his face. His face looked upset but his eyes were full of humor.
"What?"
"Is that all I get after being away for so long. Some welcome." He scoffed ginning.
"Why Mr. Cullen what did you expect? What kind of a girl do you think I am?" I replied smiling coyly.
He smiled at me mischievously and suddenly I felt myself become airborne. Before I knew what was happening Edward had thrown me over his shoulder and was carrying me out of the room. I struggled to free myself but he just held me tighter. He placed me gently down on the couch in his room and laid himself on top of me. I opened my eyes wide in fake surprise as he began stroking my face.
"Now that you have me where you want me what are you going to do with me?" I whispered trying to sound frightened.
He laughed softly at my question as he ran his hands up my legs making my breath catch. He lowered his face to the hollow at the base of neck and proceeded to kiss his way up to my mouth. I wrapped my arms around his back and slid one hand under his shirt caressing his skin. As our lips met we unleashed all the desire and passion we had for one another. We stayed close to each other all afternoon, neither one of us wanting to move.
I still had a few questions about the treaty and my encounter with Jacob, but I didn't want to spoil the mood. I had pushed Edward far enough for one day. I would ask Carlisle once he got home tonight.
