Disclaimer: Shroud is a Twilight fan fiction, intended solely for the enjoyment of the readers. No copyright infringements are intended. Any original story directions and plot lines herein are the property of the author.
A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews and loving the saga from EPOV. I promise you I am with it until I finish Breaking Dawn from his POV. I normally update faster but I got called back to work unexpectedly and had other things going on but updates will be faster. I promise and love you all, especially the ones who put up with my ADD ass like my lovely beta ForksPixie and the long-suffering DreamsOfEdward who tolerates me everyday.
Negotiations
I left the Volvo at home. There was no need for it tonight. Charlie would not know I was visiting and if the night went like I anticipated, I would probably be spending it in the woods outside her window instead of holding her soft, warm body against mine.
I climbed through her window, as I did every night and stood, waiting for her to return from Angela's house, to give me answers. I wanted to know why she continually took chances going to see her canine friend when I thought I made it perfectly clear that it was not prudent, nor allowed. Some might accuse me of being controlling, but I had years of experience and was only asking her to follow my requests in her best interest.
"I'm going to go study," I heard Bella call to Charlie as she ascended the steps to her bedroom. I knew she had to know I was there. She noticed me following her very closely after she left the reservation and if she knew me as well as I believed she did, she would know I would not let things go.
Her door slowly opened and she backed into her room. I was waiting against the wall across from her, arms crossed, ready for a battle of wills with her.
She shut the door and slowly turned to face me.
"Hi," she said softly. It did not, however, shake my resolve. I was angry. I was disappointed and I wanted to drive those points home to her.
"Err…so, I'm still alive," she continued nervously. I glared at her, in an effort to make my disdain for her actions perfectly clear without ever saying a word.
"No harm done," she said, shrugging her shoulders. A low growl escaped my chest. Was she serious? No harm done? I finally moved, pinching the bridge of my nose between my fingers, as I did when I was completely frustrated.
"Bella," I whispered, trying to control the rage that was building inside of me. "Do you have any idea how close I came to crossing the line today? To breaking the treaty and coming after you? Do you know what that would have meant?"
I slowly opened my eyes, staring directly into hers, hoping she would see something deep within me that would make her understand that by choosing to go to La Push she had not only put her life at risk, but the lives of Jacob and his tribe.
"You can't!" she protested loudly, taking an angry step towards me. "Edward, they'd use any excuse for a fight. They'd love that. You can't ever break the rules!"
Me? Break the rules? She was lecturing me on breaking the rules. She broke the rules, my rules, every time she crossed the treaty line.
"Maybe they aren't the only ones who would enjoy a fight," I replied. Truth be told, I would love the opportunity to get a swipe at the arrogant Jacob Black. I was tolerant of him only out of respect and love for Bella.
"Don't you start," she snapped, moving closer to me yet again. "You made the treaty – you stick to it."
"If he'd hurt you –" I began to remind her, clenching my fists into balls, trying to contain my rage.
"Enough!" she cut me off. "There's nothing to worry about. Jacob isn't dangerous."
She was delusional. For whatever reason, she had convinced herself Jacob was not a dangerous animal at the root of it all. After all, she had seen Emily. Why didn't she understand the risks?
"Bella," I said, rolling my eyes. "You aren't exactly the best judge of what is or isn't dangerous."
"I know I don't have to worry about Jake. And neither do you."
I clenched my teeth together, angry at yet another impasse between Bella and I. I accepted we would disagree on many things. After all, she was a teenage girl and I was a worldly vampire, with far more experience than she had. I clenched my fists at my side, trying not to take my anger out on Bella. Mostly, it was Jacob I was angry with.
I was still with my back against the wall, trying to control my rage when Bella took a tentative step towards me. She closed the gap between us and wrapped her arms around my waist and laid her head against my chest.
"I'm sorry I made you anxious," she muttered and my marble body figuratively melted into a puddle of goo at her feet.
Her touch had a way of erasing most of my anger. I sighed and wrapped my arms around her waist. Her touch. The feel of Bella in my arms was the most soothing thing in the world.
"Anxious is a bit of an understatement," I answered. "It was a very long day."
"You weren't supposed to know about it," she answered. "I thought you'd be hunting longer."
There were so many ways that Bella was wise beyond her years and mature enough to handle the situation we found ourselves in, a vampire and a human negotiating the gap between our two worlds. But she was still a teenage girl who thought she could overcome anything and control everything. Most of all, I hated that honesty was not important to her – that she thought it was okay to hide things from me.
"When Alice saw you disappear, I came back," I answered, the thirst more evident as I breathed in the scent of Bella's blood, pulsing rapidly from the adrenaline coursing through her, undoubtedly worried about my response.
"You shouldn't have done that," she scolded with a frown on her face. "Now you'll have to go away again."
"I can wait."
"That's ridiculous. I mean, I know she couldn't see me with Jacob, but you should have known –,"
"But I didn't," I interrupted her. "And you can't expect me to let you -,"
"Oh, yes, I can," she cut me off. "That's exactly what I expect."
"This won't happen again."
"That's right! Because you're not going to overreact next time."
"Because there isn't going to be a next time."
"I understand when you leave, even if I don't like it -,"
"That's not the same. I'm not risking my life."
"Neither am I."
"Werewolves constitute a risk."
"I disagree."
"I'm not negotiating this, Bella."
"Neither am I."
I clenched my hands in to fists again although I kept them around her waist. I knew Bella was prone to arguing with me, Charlie, Renee – anyone that tried to give her guidance. She thought she was old enough and experienced enough to make those decisions for herself. On this particular subject I was not willing to back down and let her find the proper course to take. She was just going to have to stop disagreeing and accept that I had far more knowledge on this subject.
"Is this really just about my safety?" she asked.
I put my hands on her shoulders and moved her back so I could look her in the eyes.
"What do you mean?" I demanded.
"You aren't…" she stumbled over her words. I knew exactly where she was going with this since I had heard Angela's thoughts earlier. "I mean, you know better than to be jealous, right?"
I raised one eyebrow and pursed my lips. "Do I?"
"Be serious."
"Easily – there's nothing remotely humorous about this."
Bella frowned and looked at me with suspicion. "Or…is this something else altogether? Some vampires-and-werewolves-are-always-enemies nonsense? Is this just a testosterone-fueled—,"
I was angry that she would make such an assertion. "This is only about you. All I care is that you're safe."
"Okay," she sighed. "I believe that. But I want you to know something – when it comes down to all this enemies' non-sense, I'm out. I am a neutral country. I am Switzerland. I refuse to be affected by territorial disputes between mythological creatures. Jacob is family. You are… well, not exactly the love of my life, because I expect to love you for much longer than that. The love of my existence. I don't care who's a werewolf and who's a vampire. If Angela turns out to be a witch, she can join the party, too."
I stared at her, knowing she was serious and all she wanted was peace but I wasn't sure how I could give that to her and protect her as well.
"Switzerland," she reiterated to me.
I frowned and sighed, "Bella…," I began, before a horrible odor overtook me. It was a familiar scent and probably one of the most disgusting to our kind.
"What now?" she asked.
"Well…don't be offended, but you smell like a dog," I told her, smiling. I hoped it would break the tension.
She smiled back and headed off for a human moment that I hoped would eliminate the odor.
I had another hunting trip planned with Carlisle and my brothers for the end of the week, but there was other business to take care of in the interim.
I followed Bella to Newton's Outfitters and went home to pick up Esme. I had an errand to run in Port Angeles and I wanted my mother's opinion. I asked Alice and Jasper to drive back to Forks and keep an eye on Bella, in case she decided to make a side trip
"Where are we going?" Esme asked.
"Port Angeles," I answered. "I need to buy a bed."
"Oh?" Esme asked suspiciously.
"Not for the reason you are thinking," I explained as I negotiated the curves around Crescent Lake.
"While I am hunting this weekend I plan to have you all host a sleep over for Bella so I can be assured she is safe. Therefore, she will need somewhere to sleep and I believe she deserves something more comfortable than the couch. I wanted your opinion on the bed. I will never use it. I want something beautiful; something that makes her feel it is hers."
"Oh, Edward, one day you will get to use the bed, dear. Be patient. These things take time. I think you are being quite a gentleman and giving Bella time and space."
"It's just a bed," I said, rolling my eyes.
"Darling, it is so much more than that," she said, laying her hand on shoulder. "You are doing something special for Bella, to make her feel safe and welcome. It's not just a place to sleep. It is a sanctuary."
"I just don't want her to feel deprived of anything although I am making her stay away from Jacob," I explained.
"Edward, Bella is the best thing that ever happened to you and I have no doubt you will do everything in your power to make her safe and comfortable. She is lucky to have you and you are lucky to have her."
"Am I sending mixed signals getting the bed? I mean, there is nothing sexual about it. I just want her to be comfortable. I want her to understand I have no expectations by buying the bed."
Esme chuckled. "Edward, you have made it very clear where you stand on the issue of intimacy with Bella and how you are looking out for her safety. She won't think it is anything more than a gift of comfort."
We arrived at Angeles Furniture in record time. After all, we had to get there, pick out a bed and get back to Forks before Bella got off work. Luckily the only human in the store was a middle-aged man who smelled of garlic and sweat, easy to ignore. Esme thoughtfully walked through the store until she reached the bedroom displays, running her hand along one headboard and footboard after another.
"Esme, what do you think of this one?" I asked, making my way towards a bed with a black tufted leather headboard. "I really like this one."
Esme made her way towards me and crossed her arms, looking long at the bed.
"I am not feeling it, Edward," I chuckled. "I think that is much too modern and not feminine enough. There is a happy balance between masculine enough for you, but pretty enough for Bella."
"That's why I have you, mom," I said, wrapping my arm around her shoulders.
She wrapped her arm around my waste and leaned her head against my chest.
"What?" I asked.
"You are so sweet, Edward," she teased. "You love her so much. You at least try to make sure she is comfortable while you have us hold her captive."
I pulled my arm from hers and made my way to another bed that caught my eye.
"You are not going to be holding her captive, Esme. You all are just giving her something to do so she doesn't get bored."
"No pressure there, Edward," Esme laughed.
"But mostly, this is on Alice. Plus, I am rewarding Alice for protecting the reason for my existence," I winked.
"Oh?"
"You'll know when she knows. I don't need Alice foreseeing this and ruining her surprise."
"So, how about this one?" I asked as I moved in front of a king-sized wrought iron canopy bed with intricate metal roses winding up the bed posts and across the canopy. "I think this is feminine, in a manly way."
Esme walked over to the bed and ran her hand along the posts. "Yes, in a manly way, of course," she then lay back on the mattress and looked at the vines over her head. "And the view is lovely."
I laughed and motioned for the sales man, who came waddling over. He was earning a decent commission and had to exert little to no effort to get the sale.
"I'll take this one," I said. "And I will need the best mattress and box springs you have available. I need it delivered to Forks by Thursday."
"Yes sir," the salesman said, scribbling down the order on a ticket. "Would you like to look at mattress sets?"
"No," I answered. "Like I said, I want the best you have that can be delivered by Thursday."
I handed the man my credit card and signed all the paperwork, insuring the bed would be delivered to our house by Thursday. Now, when I got home I would have to let Alice go online and find bedding. Then she would feel involved and vested in the process.
I got back to Forks before Bella got off work and dropped Esme off at the house. Carlisle's car was in the garage so I knew he was home from work and was probably wondering where my mother had gone. I headed towards Newton's Outfitters to relieve Alice and Jasper from their watch and Bella was none the wiser. As far as she was concerned I was doing whatever it is that she thought I normally did every day after school.
Bella was missing Jacob. I could tell, but she didn't complain. The next few days passed as normal for us, hanging out at Charlie's or my house before she fell asleep each night in her bed, in my arms. Since my talk with Emmett and Jasper in the woods, every time I held her close and breathed in her scent I could not erase what Emmett had said to me, no matter how hard tried.
As much of a gentleman as I was, I was a man at heart and had desires of a man. The one thing that kept me from sliding my hands down the waistband of her pajama bottoms was the knowledge that I could easily get out of control with my desire and kill her. The only thing that made me safer for her than Jacob when it came down to it was my ability to control my emotions and urges. The sooner she agreed to my conditions, the better for both of us.
"Alice, can you move your piece of shit car out the driveway?" Emmett yelled up the stairs Thursday morning before Alice and I left for school.
"Why are you yelling at me, Emmett? I don't have a car!" She responded, bounding down the stairs with her book bag.
"Well, it isn't Edward's uptight dad mobile or Rosalie's hot little number, so I figured it was yours," Emmett shrugged, heading for the front door. "So, if the little yellow Porsche isn't yours I guess I will just move it out of my way with the Jeep."
Alice grabbed on to the stair railing to right herself and looked at me, with her mouth hanging open. Jasper stood next to Emmett, trying not to smile. Everyone knew my little secret, except for Alice. After all, it was a surprise for her.
"You didn't?" she asked in disbelief.
"I didn't what?" I played coy.
Alice ran to the front door and dropped her bag on Emmett's feet the moment she saw the sports car from the front porch. "I love you, Edward!" she screamed as she ran to the car.
"There are conditions," I said, raising my eyebrow as I leaned in the front window. Alice immediately stopped gawking over the bells and whistles of the car and turned to me with disdain on her face.
"That's not fair, Edward," she complained.
"Now, Alice. Something for nothing? You know better than that."
"Okay, lay it out," she said. "What do I have to do?"
"Remember the slumber party you are hosting for Bella this weekend?" I reminded her.
"Yes?" she asked.
"Well, you have to insure her safety and that she stays with you until I return…," I began.
"That's all?" she asked sarcastically.
I dangled the keys through the window at her. "Every single time I go away to hunt Bella's life is in your hands and if you slip or fail and cause me to lose the thing I love the most, you will lose the car you love the most."
"Like I don't have a life, Edward," she said, reaching for the keys which I abruptly pulled from her.
"Then perhaps the car was not the bargaining tool I hoped it would be," I said, turning to walk away.
Mere seconds past and Emmett, Jasper, Rosalie, Carlisle and Esme all stood, focused on the car and what Alice's response would be.
"Fine," she muttered. "Thank you for the gift, Edward. It was very…thoughtful."
I turned back to the car and reached through the window, putting the keys in the ignition. "I knew I could count on you little sister," I quipped, kissing her on the cheek.
"So," she started. "You want a ride to school?"
I laughed at her. "Hardly, Alice. This car is much too flashy to be driving around Forks on a daily basis. It would bring too much attention to us. Keep it to special occasions and out of town trips, please."
"Hmph," she pouted, stepping out the car to make her way to the Volvo so we could head to school.
