A/N: okay so this chapter is a lot longer than usual because I am feeling the need to move the plot along, hence why it's taken me longer than usual to update. I like this chapter and want to send a shout out to Jimbo123 for getting me to start posting. You are amazing.
Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight
Two more people joined us in congratulating Edward, who introduced them to me as Emmett and Rosalie.
I blinked as I saw Rosalie properly. Dressed in a simple emerald green dress, she was possibly the most beautiful woman on earth. I suddenly felt very insignificant.
Emmett on the other hand was built like a bear- a man-mountain, but I could tell from his open, friendly expression that he was probably a big softie underneath it all. He grinned as Edward introduced me and gave me a rib-crushing hug, until he noticed Alice glaring at him for wrinkling my dress. Rosalie smiled, but it was icy, with no real warmth. I shrank back slightly, knowing she already hated me and bumped into Edward's chest. He had moved behind me without me noticing. I looked round and saw the barely repressed anger in his eyes before he took my arm and gently led me out of the auditorium. Alice called a goodbye; I turned and waved at her.
When we reached the foyer we were greeted by a crowd of Edward's fans, many of them young women; he seemed to have made classical music popular around here. As one they parted to let us through and I knew Edward had dazzled them, his eyes melting irresistibly. He walked me to the doors, supporting me as I struggled in my dress and heels, catching me as I stumbled and keeping his fingers tightly entwined with mine.
Once we were out of sight, he swung me up into his arms, silencing me with a look when I began to protest. Carrying me to his car he asked me what I thought of his family.
"Alice is…enthusiastic."
"She has an optimistic outlook."
"But I like it. Carlisle and Esme are wonderful, you must love them."
"I do. Very much"
"Emmett seems fun, but I don't think Rosalie likes me."
I felt him stiffen as he replied "she'll come around."
"What about Jasper? Where was he?"
"He's visiting friends, that's why Alice is having mood swings. She hates being away from him. However he's coming back in a few days, so she'll be as normal as she could ever be. Speaking of Alice, she mentioned that you thought some of my behaviour the other night was a little odd."
"What!" I shrieked, turning a hideous beet red. "But she specifically told me not to say anything!"
"Well, I say she told me…"he sighed. "Bella I can't lie to you. I don't know if I should trust you but… are you busy tomorrow?"
"I have to work until 3 but I'm free after that."
"Good. I'll pick you up then. I have something to show you. You'll find it easier to believe if you see it."
At this point he set me down beside his car. I shivered and wordlessly he shrugged out of his suit jacket quicker than I would have believed possible and wrapped it firmly about my shoulders, before muttering something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like "leave it to Alice to forget a wrap."
Then he opened the car door and handed me into the car, appearing on the other side of the car before I had even started to put on my seatbelt. When we reached my apartment I told him where I worked and he agreed to pick me up when my shift at the café was over. As soon as I reached the lobby of my apartment building I kicked off my ridiculous shoes and gathered up the skirt so it was above my knees and I was capable of taking the stairs since the elevator was broken.
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The next morning, after showering and pulling on jeans and a green shirt with a black cardigan and high-tops, I decided to walk to work and grab breakfast and a coffee when I arrived. On the way there my cell phone started to ring, blaring out Debussy. I recognised the caller ID instantly.
"Gini! Hi!"
"Hey Bella. I've been hearing rumours. Are you finally coming to visit?"
"Sure, this weekend. I haven't finalised things yet but I should see you then. How are you?"
"Oh you know, good. Guess what? Mike asked me out on a date!"
"Oh my God! I can't believe! I am so happy for you!"
"Aww, thanks. Anyway, what about you? Are there any guys in the picture?"
I stayed silent, but it was like she could see me blushing through the phone.
"There is, isn't there? Wow! What's he like? Is he hot?"
"Gini, I'm not even sure there is anything yet. Look, I'll talk to you about it properly at the weekend. I have to go to work."
"But…"
"No buts. I have to go to work. I'll see you in a few days."
"Ok. Bye Bells."
"Bye Gini."
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The day had passed slowly after that; I was constantly watching the clock. James, my boss, had noticed and scowled. "If you don't get on with some work Bella I will make you stay after your shift's over."
"Sorry."
At last 3 o'clock rolled around and I looked up to see Edward leaning casually against the counter.
"Hi Edward. Just give me a minute to get my stuff."
"Sure."
"I'm off James."
"Bye."
"I'll see you tomorrow."
I bounced out from behind the counter and pulled on my jacket as I headed out beside Edward. He took me to his car and drove for about a half hour right out of the city, stopping at a deserted farm. I looked at him questioningly and he laughed humourlessly.
"Carlisle and Esme own it. There won't be anyone around." He sounded agitated.
"What is it?"
"I'm just not sure I'm doing the right thing, I'm dangerous to you."
"Is that what you dragged me out here to tell me?"
"Not exactly. I hate lying to you. I don't know what it is, but I feel so… protective and I can't bear to be away from you. It's selfish and you need to know the truth. That way you can decide whether you want me around, and if it's what you want I'll never bother you again. I swear to you, I will leave.
"Wait, what are you talking about, why would I want you to leave?"
"You should."
He disappeared. I blinked then called tentatively. "Edward?"
"Over here!"
I turned and gasped. He was behind me in the middle of a cornfield. "H… how did you…?"
Then he flashed forwards to stand about 5 feet in front of me.
"Wow." I breathed weakly.
"There's more. Watch." He ordered grimly, striding over to a crowbar that was leaning against the shed. In awe I stared as he snapped the end off and proceeded to crush it in his long, white fingers.
"What are you?"
"Bella please know that I don't want to hurt you. You have no idea what you do to me. You're almost completely irresistible to me."
At this he moved closer and cupped my cheek carefully in his hand, his touch sending an electric shock down my spine, his golden eyes darker than I had ever seen them, but still seeming to be bottomless pools. For a moment I was lost in them, but then he pulled me back to reality.
"What do you think I am?" he moved away, seeming to brace himself for my answer. I realised then that my brain had actually gone into overdrive trying to make sense of him and yet again I could only find one explanation that fit. But he couldn't be. They didn't exist. "No way." I breathed. "That's impossible."
"What is?"
"There is no way on Earth you could be what I'm considering right now."
"What do you think I am?" His velvet voice was harsher this time, bitter. I hesitated, gulped in a copious amount of air, and took the plunge.
"A vampire." I blurted out.
He froze, staring at me incredulously.
"How…?" words failed him, for once. Now it was my turn to stare.
"A vampire, you're joking right?"
He shook his head dumbly, still gazing at me in disbelief.
"You are?" I took a step closer, snapping him out of his reverie and he put up his hands to stop me.
"Bella, I'm dangerous. I don't know how to be near to you. I can't bear the thought of hurting you. You don't know how tempting the scent of your blood is. I'm in agony every moment I'm with you, but I can't stay away, because… I'm falling in love with you and I can't do anything to stop it."
I took a tentative step towards him and ignored his raised hands, instead taking them in my own and twining our fingers.
"I trust you."
"But I might kill you." His eyes were tortured. "I should leave you be, while I still can."
"It's too late for that. I… I think I'm falling for you too."
"No!" He shouted. "I'm not good for you. Don't you care what I am?"
"I don't. I love you for who you are."
"Bella…"
"Do you want to kill me?"
"No, it's the last thing I want. But…"
"Well then. I don't believe you'll hurt me. Anyway it explains a lot."
"Aren't you scared? I'm a killer."
"Edward I have been dreaming of you as a vampire for days and can't bring myself to be afraid of you. Rosalie on the other hand…"
"You're not normal. Any sane person would be running for their life by now. Not that it would save them if I wanted to feed."
"How bad is it? My scent, I mean."
"For now it's tolerable." He gently pulled my wrist towards his face and inhaled deeply before smiling the crooked smile that was my favourite and drawing me slowly into his arms, warning me to stay perfectly still. He held me awkwardly, gingerly, not wanting to crush my fragile frame.
"Mmm. You're warm."
"Is that bad?"
"It's unusual but nice. I could get used to that. I'd like to try something if that's alright."
"Go ahead."
He led me over to a bench beside the rustic farmhouse then sat me on his lap and pressed his cheek to the hollow beneath my ear. We stayed like that for several long minutes before he raised his head and cradled me against his marble chest. "I'd like to try something else if you don't mind."
I nodded against him and the next thing I felt was his cool lips against my forehead, my eyes, my cheeks; fleeting, butterfly kisses.
Suddenly he captured my lips with his, kissing me gently, his hand slipping behind my head, pulling me down to him, his lips moving against mine, his tongue tracing the shape of my lower lip. Sighing under his touch, I moved my hands to tangle in his hair. After far too little time he pulled away and smiled, lifting me as I stood, carrying me to the car and taking me home.
We were almost there when I remembered him saying Alice hadn't exactly told him what I had said.
"Edward, how did you find out what I said to Alice?"
"Um… well I can read minds."
"What? Everyone's?"
"Except yours. I've never been able to hear what you're thinking."
"So I'm a freak?"
"Hardly. I think I call dibs on that title. You know, you haven't asked me about my diet. It's animal blood in case you were wondering."
"I guessed from the fact you weren't killing me that it wasn't human blood."
"I love you Bella."
"I love you too."
"I know."
"How can you be so sure?"
"You talk in your sleep."
"You've been watching me while I sleep? I don't know whether to be appalled or delighted."
"I couldn't bear to stay away."
"Will you stay tonight?"
"If that's what you want, love."
"More than anything."