Branded
Deathly Distress
Bonus Chapter
Dedicated To Cem1818
PROTECTOR
"Well, at least neither of us can age…" she replied slyly.
He didn't even take in her words. His thoughts were too much lingering on what he had just seen. When she spoke those words: "Apparently you haven't seen my scars…" he was taken aback. He knew he didn't misunderstand her. He never misunderstood anything. His hearing was sufficient, and never did he ever misunderstand anyone over anything. He just wished he had. Scars meant pain, and the thought of Bella, the woman he found himself falling in love with, meant his pain. It could cause him all of the pain in the world and he wouldn't care. But if she was the one to suffer, and after all of the suffering she had taken so far, he would do anything to stop it. Ever since he found he cared for her, ever since he first kissed her, and ever since his mind subconsciously considered the word "love" for her, he found himself caring for her… and willing to do anything for her. He was falling for her, and she was falling inside a dark, dark place. He just wished that he could pull her out.
She had been in a dark, black pit ever since she was sixteen. Now, she was seventeen and living in Forks to escape the black. She was called a liar, and rumors were spread about her, and her friends couldn't even pull her out of her zombie mode. She had learned not to care, like he had. But the thought of someone like Bella, his Bella, who deserved every heavenly thing in the world, should care. She was too loving and caring, and too much of a decent human being. She was…believe it or not…innocent. She was an innocent victim. Nothing that made her out to be a delinquent was true. She was well rounded, a rule follower, intelligent, and victimized woman, who deserved better. All he wanted to do was give it to her. If he could, he would grab her by the hand, buy two plane tickets, and just leave Forks. Hell, he'd leave the United States with her just to see her happy.
As long as he was with her, he figured, he was happy. Those three long, long weeks in Italy were torturous. Carlisle had explained to him that someone knew, and that the Volturi should know the situation before any prosecutions would be made. And, thankfully, after three weeks of persuasion, court, and begging for the Volturi not to disturb Bella, they were able to settle the matter. But she could tell no one. Edward had yet to explain to her of what the Volturi was fully and in explanation and had yet to tell her of how she could tell no one. But, Bella was easing up to Alice, and Edward could tell of what he read of Alice, who saw her a while ahead, though it was not very vague, it was absent of any exposure that might harm the Cullens.
But he would forget about the Volturi, and he would focus on Bella for the moment. Here she was, in front of him, scarred. She said that it happened when she relived that night through her dreams. She relived it through her dream state. When she had been in the Cullen House, she did not bleed. Why was that? He was sure that maybe she didn't have the answer to that question. When he asked his questions of her the first time they truly talked, he realized that she didn't have any answers herself. That was why she had gone to Port Angeles, so that she could do research. But, why had she finally decided to do research when she moved to Forks? What was so… Wait; perhaps, it was his questioning that struck her attention? Perhaps, she was worried of what he would do to her if he found out something he did not like? He did not want to be the enemy…
But was he the enemy? Truly…was he? No, he was protecting her and would do whatever he could do to make sure she was safe and unharmed. Though, she was harmed in advance. Perhaps he could help her heal and keep her from being injured again… Physically and mentally? He would admit to himself as he watched her pull her hoodie back on that he felt something for her. He had never felt this feeling. Not just for anyone, but this feeling ever. He would probably call himself falling in love with her. As afraid he was to say it, he thought he was. Ever since the last four weeks, all he could do was think about her. All he could do was worry in Italy, whether or not she was alright. He would never forget her face, for it was permanently branded into his mind. Her eyes, her rosy cheeks that reddened after she had made a bad joke, and her hair, that she kept tied up all the damn time!
But one of the questions was – the main question was: did she feel the same? He didn't know. How could he tell? She always kept withdrawing… He could feel it in their kiss. Their kiss the night that he revealed to her that he was a vampire was…the most…fulfilling the feeling he ever thought he'd ever feel. He was complete that moment. Complete. And she missed him. She was angry because he had disappeared without a word, which meant she missed him. She cared about him too. But he knew that her brands were making her emotions complicated. He could tell how she detested the thought of help. She was so used to being independent. She was so scared of getting hurt. But he had no intention of hurting her. The sight of her scars, lashes and wounds that danced across her back, screaming her pain for her, only made him want to protect her even more than before. He vowed that she would come to no harm.
But, he kept telling himself, she missed him. A sly smile crept up his lips as he recalled her reaction to him coming back. Her facial expression, the anger in her eyes, and her tone of voice when she scolded him once he returned all made her look so cute. He couldn't get rid of his smile.
"What?" She asked as he drove them through Seattle
"Oh, nothing," he replied. "Just loving the thought that you missed me…" he crooked his smile at her, then bored into her eyes and met her soul.
"Oh," she flushed, "who said I missed you." She attempted to be sour, but she was too embarrassed.
"Your blushing does…"
"Shut up, Edward," she remarked hastily, looking out the window.
She, thoughtlessly, placed her hand on the arm rest; he noticed and quickly laced his fingers with hers. In the corner of his eye, he noticed her amused loving smile. He just looked to the road and let the silence torment her for a while.
Like I said: bonus chapter. It's completely pointless, but, Cem1818 wanted to know what was going through Edward's mind so I dedicated this to her. I thought since I'm making a Jacob bonus that it would be nice to make an Edward bonus. But the Jacob bonus is more…mandatory. But you got a nice sweet glimpse at their relationship. You must hate that their officially not together like in all the other fanfictions… 'cuz now you've got to bear! Anyway, I hope you liked it. Review. I'll get the next real chapter up as soon as I can. Plus, I'm changing the headings to the story. They're too long…