Chapter 4: Love Costs
The sun had begun to set when Edward and Bella arrived at what they had come to claim as their meadow. Bella took Edward's hand and the two of them sat together on the grass. The sky was a mixture of pinks and purples. Clouds loomed overhead but nothing that threatened the possibility of rain. The two of them leaned into each other gently at first and then their lips met. Edward's tongue caressed the inside of Bella's mouth making her heart flutter as she returned the sentiment to him inside his own mouth. Edward had never felt anything so sweet before. He had kissed Bella plenty of times but this time was different. The location alone made it all the more special.
The passion continued to get deeper as Edward gently laid Bella along the grass. Inside, Bella was racing. Before Edward she had never had a boyfriend. It wasn't that she wasn't interested in guys or things like that but back in Phoenix the guys there just weren't that interesting. Even the friends she had met here didn't seem like dating material. And then all of a sudden Edward came into her life and it was as if she had found herself, as if her life had found its purpose. Now she could not imagine a life without Edward Cullen let alone with an ordinary human boyfriend. This moment was all that mattered until, just as quickly as it began it had come to an abrupt stop.
"Stop," Edward said jumping as far back as he could. "We can't do this Bella."
"It's okay," she said trying to reassure him.
"No it's not. Bella we've gone over this. I can't risk hurting you. And if this is what you want maybe you should go to someone else for it."
Bella got herself up and walked towards Edward. She wrapped her arms around his waist, "I don't want anyone else, I want you Edward, now and forever."
"I'm not gonna turn you if that's what you're asking."
"It would be nice if you did but no, that's not what I'm asking. I just want you to give yourself to me, tonight. Please Edward."
"I want to, believe me I do but there's just too many complications."
"I know: you're afraid of losing control and biting me, you're afraid you'll be too strong and you're afraid you'll hurt me."
"Aren't those logical reasons?"
"Of course they are but I wouldn't be with you if I couldn't handle the risks. I'm not afraid."
"You should be."
"Well I'm not. I love you Edward, and I want to be with you."
"I want to be with you too but we just can't."
"Well, there is one other option we haven't considered."
Edward looked at Bella, "What other option are you talking about?"
"I've been talking to Vince and he knows of a way on how we can be together."
"Whatever it is you're thinking, the answer is no."
"Just hear me out, please. Vincent says that he can do a kind of blood transfusion. I would still be human but…"
"But you would be turned into an alien in the process, forget it."
"Edward, what do you have to worry about, it's not like I'm gonna be a one eyed, one horned flying purple people eater."
"Cute," Edward said to Bella's reference of the Purple People Eater song.
"The point is, I would still be me only stronger and we wouldn't have an issue here because there would be no way of you hurting me and even better I would be immortal just like you."
"I don't know Bella."
"Edward what have we got to lose? If it's a way for us to be together without me having to turn into a vampire then shouldn't we attempt it?"
"You really want me that badly don't you?" Edward said with a coy smile.
"Do you want me?"
"More than anything my love," replied Edward. He took a deep breath and placed his head on top of hers, "You make it very difficult to say no. Okay we'll do it this way. If it's a way that will prevent you from getting hurt then all we can do is try but I'm telling you now if this fails I will personally have a hand in killing Vincent. I don't care if he's my brother and I don't care if you try to stop me. If something happens to you I don't plan to live my life without you."
"Okay." Bella reached up and kissed Edward deeply but gently. "Thank you."
"I love you," was Edward reply.