Once In A

Blue Moon

Part I- Twilight

Last Time on Blue Moon: Bella gets asked to the Spring Dance. Edward makes a decision.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Twilight saga or its affiliated characters. If I did, well, I wouldn't need to alter it would I?

Chapter Summary: The blood tests in Mr. Banner's class. Edward and Bella talk.

5. Blood Type

With all the changes that occurred since my arrival into this story, it's not surprising that I forget tiny details. Like why Mike was being a little more distant or what was happening in class that had been discussed in the book. I had to pay attention a little more than usual, especially since I'd missed so much school. That was not an easy thing to do. I was caught up in Edward and everything my life had been since I'd met him.

He drove me to school everyday, walked me to every class, carried my books (though I let him know that I was perfectly capable of carrying them myself), drove me home every night, and stayed all night with me. Charlie wasn't his biggest fan, but my new dad seemed happy that I was happy.

I woke up that morning in the arms of my undead love, my face cold from lying on his icy, marble chest. The dream I'd just had kept me from wanting to open my eyes and letting him know that I was up. I was remembering everything that I'd forgotten in the last few weeks. Things had been going so well that I didn't even think about it anymore. Today, I had to talk to him about what was going on. I couldn't let it go for any longer.

Bella had just started to spend time with Edward by this time in the book. Hell, yesterday they were just making plans to go to Seattle together, a shocker for Bella. Today was supposed to be the first time they ate lunch together, Bella blissfully ignorant as to Edward's feelings and what he was, then the blood tests in Banner's class. This weekend he would be going hunting, meaning he'd be gone for three days plus Monday and Tuesday because the sun will be out and he can't sparkle at school. It had to be today.

If he didn't know that I knew, he was about to get the shock of his life. "I'm going to go with Mike this weekend." I said in a whisper into his silent chest.

"Where to?" He asked casually, not surprised that I wasn't asleep.

"They're all going to First Beach up at La Push. Since you'll be gone this weekend, I guess it wouldn't be a bad idea to spend some time with the others." I was pushing now, but he didn't tense. He hadn't told me he was leaving and didn't seem surprised that I knew. I waited for a response.

"Promise me you'll be careful? No cliff diving?" He joked and I tensed. How did he know about the cliff diving? If Alice did see, just how far did her vision go? "What's wrong?" His light tone was gone.

I shook my head and sat up on my elbow so I could see his face. "You're not worried? About how I know that you're leaving with out you telling me?" I asked.

"Should I be?"

I sighed and moved away from him, climbing off of my bed and walking over to my desk to pull on my robe. "Is Charlie still here?" I asked as I tied the rope around my waist.

"No, he left earlier this morning." Edward informed me. He just sat on the bed, clad in jeans and a white oxford sweater. His tennis shoes were at the foot of the bed and his jacket by the window sill. I prayed that this wasn't going to tear us apart. "What is it, Bella?"

I ran a hand through my long, layered locks and took in a breath. His scent filled me and I almost lost all train of thought. Almost. "I know you're going hunting for bear up at Mount Rainier. Bear because its Emmett's favorite. He likes the challenge." I said crossing my arms under my chest. He nodded, his topaz eyes confused. "You won't say it, will you?"

"Say what?" He stood, inching towards me. I put out a hand to stop him. "What is it? Tell me."

I shook, tears threatening to come down from my eyes. I hadn't even known they were there. "I'm scared." He backed away. In the blink of an eye, he was back to where he was on the bed. His eyes worried. I walked over to him and put my hands on his stone shoulders. "Not of you, Edward. I'm scared of everything, terrified, but not of you."

His arms wound their way around me, bringing me into his cold body. "Tell me." Was all he said.

"I'm scared that I'm going to lose you. That I've messed up your life. I'm not Bella, Edward. You shouldn't love me." I was crying now. I just told him the truth, straight up. I'm not Bella. "You don't thirst for my blood the way you did hers, we're not where we should be. We moved far too fast and I'm afraid to lose you because of it. I can't survive it, I won't be able to. I'm strong, but I'm not strong enough to lose you. Not after everything I did to be with you." I was babbling, crying. But he understood what I was saying. Somehow he did.

His arms tightened around my waist. "You're never going to lose me. We chose this, we chose each other, love. Is this what's been bothering you?" He asked.

I nodded. "Mostly. You know about me not being who I'm supposed to be?" I asked, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand.

"Of course. Alice saw everything that happened that night." He said. "I didn't tell you because I thought that you would've figured it out."

"I thought that might be it, but I didn't want to risk being wrong. I've been working hard not to let slip anything I'm not supposed to know, but it's harder than I thought it would be. Especially since none of you were shy about being all vampy in front of me."

He chuckled. "All vampy?" He hugged me tighter. "I love you, more than anything in this world, Bella. I don't care how I found you, I'm just happy that I did. And as for the blood thing—well, I don't want to worry you." His chuckle was gone.

"Why would I worry? You don't seem to have the problem with me that you did with her. You couldn't even hardly be within 20 feet of her at first without nearly loosing it, let alone cuddling on the bed."

"I don't know how I was with her. But you're blood—Emmett told me what it was like for him when he came across that one flavor—he said that what I was feeling for you was more intense than what even he felt. Alice confirmed it. I was so terrified that I'd hurt you, that's why I left. I had questions I needed answered, and I needed to find a way not to kill you." I didn't even shiver at the thought. I'd rather die at his hands than to live without ever knowing him. I wasn't going to tell him that though.

"Did Eleazer help?" Eleazer was the logical one to help since he'd been a member of the Volturi and lived in Denali.

He smiled a small smile that didn't quite reach his beautiful eyes. "He tried. He explained the possibilities of this—" He waved a hand between the both of us. "If it was possible that you were from another dimension. He said it was. That the Volturi had been trying to find a way to breach the gaps in dimensions for centuries, never successfully. Said you were one of a kind. I knew that though." This time his smile did touch his eyes. Then it faded. "He told me that the best way for me to do was to expose myself as much as I could, to try to get used to the scent, and if that didn't work, to suggest to Carlisle and Esme about moving up there. As far away as possible."

"And you're used to my smelliness now?" I asked, using a funny word to try to lighten his mood. He nodded, that crooked smile planted on his face as he lifted me up closer to him. Instead of kissing my lips like I thought he would, he leaned to my neck and laid his stone lips onto the pulse point. He sucked in air as he gently placed kisses all over my neck, then proceeded to my face and finally my lips. We kissed gently, but as fiercely as safety would allow. How could I ever have doubted him?

The day started out pretty much normal, Edward dropping me off and picking me up after each class, but all the tension that neither of us had realized was there had disappeared. He was happier, I could tell, and so was I. When I reached Spanish, I told Jessica that I'd decided to go to First Beach with them, so she was excited. "Is Edward coming?" She asked as we packed up our things once the bell rang.

"No, he's going camping with his brothers." I told her. "Kind of a boys' weekend. I haven't been to First Beach in years, so I thought this was the perfect solution." Jessica agreed heartily and began talking animatedly about the beauty of the beach and how she hoped that Mike would take her on a date soon (I decided to drop hints that she should ask him for Monday night).

At Lunch, Edward and I got our trays of food and went to sit with his family. Alice had a huge grin on her face as we sat down. "What is it?" I asked suspiciously.

"What is what?" Alice eluded.

Edward rolled his eyes. "She knows about this morning." He divulged. I nodded and spooned out some yogurt.

"What do you want to know?" I said as I put the spoon in my mouth.

Oddly enough, it was Emmett that spoke up first. "Are you human?" His eyes were a light with laughter, so I scooped up another spoonful of yogurt and threw it at him. The dollop hit him right between the eyes, causing the Cullens to roll with laughter. Even Rose couldn't stop herself. Emmett wiped it off and growled. "Funny, little sister."

"I thought so. And yes, I am." I answered his question. Douche.

"Where are you from?" Rosalie asked. She was all business this morning.

"I was born in New York, if that's what you're asking." She nodded. "But I moved to Phoenix three years ago."

"You really chose this? Us?" Jasper asked.

I shrugged. "You can't choose your family." Edward wrapped a single arm around me and drew me closer to him. "But I did choose to be with you all." I leaned into Edward fully, resting my head on his chest.

"You know everything? Everything that's going to happen?" Alice asked, her voice tinged in mild jealousy.

"I know what did happen, what happened when she was here, but you, of all people, should know that the future is based on decisions you make now, nothing's set in stone." She smiled. She did know.

"What's your real name?" Rose asked.

I sighed. This would give Emmett some ammunition I was sure. "Annabelle. Annabelle Elizabeth Swanson." Edward nuzzled his face into the crook of my neck and took in a deep breath before kissing me sweetly. None of them spoke, not even a joke from Emmett. They just nodded and let it drop. They weren't going to make me relive my life. They, like Edward, only cared who I was now. Not who I was then. And all that mattered was that I was Isabella Swan now.

I walked to Biology alone. Forlorn. My stupid, shiny Volvo driving boyfriend was in the parking lot listening to Debussy. Jerk.

When I arrived, I noticed that Banner was late, which was to be expected. Oh my god, I can't do this…breath Bella. Damn Volvo owner. I knew he'd lecture me if I skipped without at least trying. And he'd be right; I've missed a lot of school. I sat down at my table and immediately, Mike was there. "Jess told me you're coming with us," he said casually, but I could see the smile in his eyes. Great. "Where's Cullen going?"

"Camping upstate with his brothers." I told him innocently.

He smiled wide. "Great!" He said happily. Then he realized what he'd said. "I—uh—mean…that's too bad."

"I know what you meant, Mike." Really, I did. He's just so…special.

"Okay, good. Um, well, we're meeting at the shop at around 10." Banner walked in and Mike took his seat.

Mr. Banner was juggling a few small cardboard boxes in his arms. He put them down on Mike's table, telling him to start passing them around the class.

"Okay, guys, I want you all to take one piece from each box," he said as he produced a pair of rubber gloves from the pocket of his lab jacket and pulled them on. The sharp sound as the gloves snapped into place against his wrists seemed ominous to me. "The first should be an indicator card," he went on, grabbing a white card with four squares marked on it and displaying it. "The second is a four-pronged applicator—" he held up something that looked like a nearly toothless hair pick "—and the third is a sterile micro-lancet." He held up a small piece of blue plastic and split it open. The barb was invisible from this distance, but my stomach flipped.

"I'll be coming around with a dropper of water to prepare your cards, so please don't start until I get to you." He began at Mike's table again, carefully putting one drop of water in each other four squares. "Then I want you to carefully prick your finger with the lancet…" He grabbed Mike's hand and jabbed the spike into the tip of Mike's middle finger. Oh no. Clammy moisture broke out across my forehead.

"Put a small drop of blood on each of the prongs." He demonstrated, squeezing Mike's finger till the blood flowed. I swallowed convulsively, my stomach heaving.

"And then apply it to the card," he finished, holding up the dripping red card for us to see. I closed my eyes, trying to hear through the ringing in my ears.

"The Red Cross is having a blood drive in Port Angeles next weekend, so I thought you should all know your blood type." He sounded proud of himself. "Those of you who aren't eighteen yet will need a parent's permission—I have the slips at my desk."

He continued through the room with his water drops. I put my cheek against the cool black tabletop and tried to hold on to my consciousness. All around me I could hear squeals, complaints, and giggles as my classmates skewered their fingers. I breathed slowly in and out through my mouth.

"Bella, are you all right?" Mr. Banner asked. His voice was close to my head, and it sounded alarmed.

"I already know my blood type, Mr. Banner," I said in a weak voice. I was afraid to raise my head.

"Are you feeling faint?" No, I'm just laying down like this for my own amusement.

"Yes, sir," I muttered, internally kicking myself for not ditching when I had the chance. Personally, I blame my undead boyfriend (not really).

"Can someone take Bella to the nurse, please?" he called. Yes, please?

I didn't have to look up to know that it would be Mike who volunteered.

"Can you walk?" Mr. Banner asked.

"Yes," I whispered. Just let me get out of here, I thought. I'll crawl.

Mike seemed eager as he put his arm around my waist and pulled my arm over his shoulder. I leaned against him heavily on the way out of the classroom.

Mike towed me slowly across campus. When we were around the edge of the cafeteria, out of sight of building four in case Mr. Banner was watching, I stopped. I didn't want Banner calling my dad and worrying him over nothing.

"Just let me sit for a minute, please?" I begged.

He helped me sit on the edge of the walk.

"And whatever you do, keep your hand in your pocket," I warned. I was still so dizzy. I slumped over on my side, putting my cheek against the freezing, damp cement of the sidewalk, closing my eyes. That seemed to help a little.

"Wow, you're green, Bella," Mike said nervously. No shit, Sherlock. If I wasn't so weak, I would've thrown up on his shoes.

"Bella?" a different voice called from the distance.

Yes! Please don't let me be imagining that angelically familiar voice.

"What's wrong—is she hurt?" His voice was closer now, and he sounded upset. I was suddenly very mad at myself. I was worrying him again.

Mike seemed stressed. "I think she's fainted. I don't know what happened, she didn't even stick her finger."

"Bella." Edward's voice was right beside me, not relieved, but less worried. He was thinking about my now healed concussion. I could tell. "Can you hear me?"

What had Bella replied to that? "No," I groaned. "Go away."

He chuckled. He knew I was fine now, joking and all.

"I was taking her to the nurse," Mike explained in a defensive tone, "but she wouldn't go any farther."

"I'll take her," Edward said. I could hear the smile still in his voice. "You can go back to class."

"No," Mike protested. "I'm supposed to do it." God, was he ten?

Suddenly the sidewalk disappeared from beneath me. My eyes flew open as I felt myself cradled against a cool, hard chest. I was still nauseous.

"Put me down, Edward." I begged. Please, please let me not vomit on him. He was walking before I was finished talking.

"Hey!" Mike called, already ten paces behind us.

Edward ignored him. "You look awful," he told me, grinning. Jerk. If I had the strength to resist him and his charms, he wouldn't get any kisses for a week. If I had the strength, that is.

"I'm going to throw up, Edward." I moaned. The rocking movement of his walk so wasn't helping. He held me closer, tighter. He wasn't going to put me down for the world. Damn it.

"So you faint at the sight of blood?" he asked. Ha-ha, of course he'd be amused by it.

I didn't answer. I closed my eyes again and fought the nausea with all my strength, clamping my lips together.

"And not even your own blood," he continued, enjoying himself. Ass. And he knew he was being an ass, too.

Suddenly we were in warm air and I knew we were inside.

"Oh my," I heard a female voice gasp.

"She fainted in Biology," Edward explained.

I opened my eyes. I was in the office, and Edward was striding past the front counter toward the nurse's door. Ms. Cope, the redheaded front office receptionist, ran ahead of him to hold it open. The grandmotherly nurse looked up from a novel, astonished, as Edward swung me into the room and placed me ever so gently on the crackly paper that covered the brown vinyl mattress on the one cot. Then he moved to stand by my side, far enough away not to deter the nurse from her job, but close enough to hold my hand. His eyes were bright, anticipatory.

"She's just a little faint," he reassured the startled nurse. "They're blood typing in Biology."

The nurse nodded sagely. "There's always one."

He muffled a snicker.

After we left the office, complete with passes to skip Gym (have I mentioned lately that I love Edward?), we headed out to the car. He was still carrying me, and I didn't complain. I think he enjoyed being the night in shining armor. He placed me in the front seat and buckled my seatbelt. The rain was coming down hard now, but he soldiered through it.

"Are you sure your head is okay?" He asked. "I could go get Carlisle."

"No, Edward. I'm fine. Really." I told him.

He nodded quietly and turned on the engine. Debussy came on, just as predicted, and we listened to Claire du Lune as we drove off to my house.

He carried me to the couch once he'd unlocked the door and went to the kitchen to get me a glass of water. "You're sure you're okay?" He asked. I took a sip of the water and held my hand out to him. He took it and I gently pulled him over to me, sitting him beside me.

"I'll be fine. All I need is you and a Big Gulp sized glass of water." He chuckled gently and I rested my head in his lap. He turned on the flat-screen and watched it idly as he ran his cool fingers through my hair. My eyes were getting heavy. "I love you." I whispered.

"I love you, too." He whispered just loud enough for me to hear as I slowly drifted off. "Annabelle."

As I slept, I only remember hearing him call me Annabelle. I knew why he'd said it.

He loved me. As me, not as Bella. He loved who I was, not who I was supposed to be.

And I loved him.

For the first time in months, I had a good dream. A dream about Edward, Renesmee, and I living happily through the centuries. Smiling.

Attention: I know, I know. It's taken me forever to update! I'm sorry, I was kind of having a bit of writer's block. Well, you'll notice that the whole scene where they were in Banner's class and stuff was taken directly from the book. It wasn't laziness or anything, I did it on purpose, to give you a sense of how much things are the same, yet different. No flaming me for it! It was constructive and I added Bella's own little twist to how it went. Her quirky sense of words and such.

I'd also love to beg ALL of you to read my new story, a Harry Potter/Gossip Girl crossover called The Boys of Summer. I know it sounds like an odd combination, but I'm just seeing how it works together. Please check it out and give me your opinions.

I've also made some posters for this story (and will be making some for Boys as well). They're on my friend LizzieElena's photobucket. I don't know how to link it directly from my homepage on here, and if anyone can tell me how that would be great, but I have the link. http : / / s760 . photobucket . com / albums / xx250 / LizzieElena /

Just remove all the spaces. Check them out and leave me a comment or two.

Next time on Blue Moon: Bella spends Friday without Edward. The trip to First Beach. Jacob Black tells his scary story.

Until then...PLEASE REVIEW!