Chapter 7: Night of Love
"So where's Edward," River asked Bella that Friday at school. It had been four days since the transfusion and Bella felt better than ever. Now the two of them sat outside during lunch. The sun wasn't out but the day was nice enough to hang outdoors.
"Honestly I don't know," Bella replied. "I haven't seen him since Monday and Alice won't tell me anything. Do you think he could be avoiding me?"
"I don't see why, I mean he wanted this just as much as you did right?"
"I thought he did. I just hate that I can't read what he's thinking. You'd think with the extra brain power I got from you I could at least read him."
"I wish it worked that way. The first time I met Vincent and Edward I couldn't read their thoughts because they were trying to read mine too. It's kind of a push and pull thing when there are others with the same ability."
"Where's the fun in that?"
"I don't know I kind of enjoy not knowing. It keeps the suspense going given how deep you and I have fallen you know. Although despite personal gain, I have to admit its fun reading other peoples thoughts without them knowing about it. How are you coming along with that anyways?"
"It's getting easier." Bella looked around and saw her group of friends headed their way. "Mike is thinking about me, Jessica would be so jealous. Eric is thinking about what to wear for graduation, and Angela is trying to get herself into an art show for journalism and they're all thinking about heading to Port Angeles this weekend."
"Typical high school stuff hu, why do we seem to be missing out?"
"Because River, you and I are the: suffer in silence type," Bella said with a smile which River returned.
"Hey guys," Mike said. "Mind if we join you?"
"Yeah sure," Bella replied.
"So we haven't seen you two around much," Jessica said to the both of them, "You know aside from every now and then in class."
"I babysit," River lied, "even though my cousin is thirteen my aunt wants me to keep a good eye on her."
"And what about you Bella," Angela asked.
"I've been around," Bella said not elaborating.
"Hey," said Mike, "So I noticed Cullen hasn't been around. You two break up or something?"
"N-no, we haven't, we haven't broken up. He's just been going through some personal family stuff."
Instead of continue with the subject Eric changed it, "So we're all headed up to Port Angeles this weekend." Bella and River smiled at each other as Eric continued, "The Realto is having a series of vampire movies."
"I want to suck your blood," Mike said doing a cheap imitation of Count Dracula.
"Anyways," Eric said, "It's gonna be killer. You guys in?"
River and Bella looked at each other. "Actually," said River, "We've made plans to go camping this weekend."
"Ew, camping," said Jessica, "can't you go some other weekend? This Dracula fest is supposed to be one of the best ones this year."
River shook her head, "Sorry no can do. There's a planetary alignment this weekend and a meteor shower," which was actually the truth. "And personally I've been waiting my whole life for this."
River's cell phone rang and she answered it, grateful for the distraction and excused herself from the group. "….Sure Peyton, I'll take her after school… I promise it's not a problem if it was I don't think you would have called… I know. Don't worry I'll be there at 4:15… Peyton I know don't worry about it, I'll make sure she gets there safely… Yes I'm going camping this weekend, we talked about it remember..." River rolled her eyes, "I've camped on my own before Peyton, it's no big deal…Peyton chill, Maia's in good hands and from there I'll be headed up the mountain…okay I love you too, bye…Peyton, I've got class, I'll talk to you later okay, okay bye-bye." River hung up her phone rolled her eyes again and walked back to the group.
"Everything okay, Bella asked.
"Yeah," replied River, "Peyton just wanted me to pick up Maia from school and then take her over to a sleepover. From there we hit the mountain trail. Bella, I'll be at your place around six."
"Okay sounds good," replied Bella.
River looked to the group and then said her goodbyes just as the bell rung.
~*~*~*~
By six River had made her way to Bella's house as promised, arriving in her own father's blue pickup truck which River had come across a couple of days ago in Seattle. Since she and Bella were heading up camping in the mountains, the truck seemed like the better deal rather than her mom's motorcycle.
Having done the camping thing many times before, River had all of the equipment in the flatbed.
"You ready," River asked as Bella started heading out with Charlie close behind.
"All set," Bella replied.
"You're Waters' daughter, right," Charlie asked River.
"Yes sir that's right."
"Sorry we haven't found the time to meet," Charlie said. "You parents, they were good people, some of the best people I've ever worked with."
"Thank you."
"So," said Charlie, "Where are you two headed?"
River put on her fake non-descript smile, "I figured we'd have a girls' night up in the mountains. Start a campfire, tell ghost stories, things like that and the weather is supposed to be great. There's some astrology stuff that I'm really looking forward to these next couple of nights."
"Really like what?"
Bella looked at Charlie, "Dad…"
"What can't a father just be curious?"
"It's cool Bella. Well Chief Swan, there's a meteor shower which I hear is gonna be the best yet and a double planetary alignment with the sun, Mercury and Venus and then with Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. It was said to happen in like 2012 but I never put stock in what conspiracy theorists say."
"Sounds like fun. Bella, you got your pepper spray?"
"Yes dad," she said getting a little annoyed.
"Can never be too careful," Charlie said to River.
"No sir, I carry some in my truck too."
"Alright," Charlie said placing his hands in his pockets, "I guess I'll let you girls get going then. It was a pleasure to meet you River."
"You too Chief Swan," River replied back.
"Call me Charlie."
River nodded, looked at Bella and then waited over near the truck.
"I'll see ya dad."
"Okay, well have fun Bells and be safe."
Bella let out a small smile, "Promise."
Bella then made her way to the truck. When the two of them hit the road Bella had to ask, "We're not really going camping are we?"
"That depends on your version of camping."
"There's more than one?"
River smiled, "You'll see."
"Okay River, I really hate surprises so what are you hiding?"
"Absolutely nothing: I wouldn't lie to you Bella, we're really headed up to the mountains and we're really camping," she said with another smile.
~*~*~*~
It didn't take long for them to make their way to a secluded spot in the woods. River parked the truck and the two of them got out.
"So should we start unpacking?"
"Not quite."
"Okay seriously River, what's going on?"
"Just wait a little bit Bella; I promise you're going to enjoy this."
"How many times do I have to tell you I hate surprises?"
"Are you sure about that?"
Within a few seconds Edward and Vincent arrived from the woods.
"River," Edward said, "Bella."
Bella looked over at River with a surprised look. River smiled back, "Told you you'd like it."
"Edward, what are you doing here?"
"I thought you and I could take a camping trip of our own," he said reaching out his hand which Bella graciously took.
"Where to," Bella asked.
"You'll see," Edward said swinging Bella onto his back. "You'd better hold on tight spider-monkey," Edward said with a smile.
"Have fun," River called out to them as Edward leaped himself and Bella into the trees until they were out of sight.
"So Ms. Waters," said Vincent, "what do you say about a personal trip of our own as well?"
"I say, what did you have in mind Mr. Cullen?"
Vincent smiled and took River's hand. The two of them raced out of sight.
~*~*~*~
"Are they closed?" Edward asked referring to Bella's eyes.
"They're closed I promise," she said. Though they were closed her ears were not deceiving her. Bella swore she could hear the lullaby Edward had composed for her a year ago.
"Okay," Edward said gently swinging Bella off his back. He took her hand and then led her to a spot where they abruptly stop. "Okay, open them now."
Bella did as she was told and she could not believe was stood before her. Edward had gone out of the way to transform their meadow into their own special camping spot. An old fashioned tent was set up and surrounded were hundreds of lit candles incased in glass containers. Inside the tent, with one flap held open, was a single king sized bed covered in lilacs and rose petals, to the right of the bed in the far off corner stood a small table with a CD player which sure enough had the lullaby on repeat. And to make the evening special, the sun was down in just the right position to where Edward's skin shone brightly.
"Edward, I…"
"Do you like it?"
Bella cupped Edward's face in her hands, "I love it," she said genuinely. "So this is what you've been up to this week."
"What did you think I was doing?"
"I thought you were avoiding me."
"Now why would I do that, love?"
"I thought maybe you regretted what happened; what I am now."
"I love you Bella, no matter what you are."
"As long as it's not a vampire, right," Bella said afraid of Edward's reaction.
"You're immortal now Bella, as long as I can't hurt you that's all that matters, that and how much I love you."
"I love you too. Forever is ours now."
"Now and always, love," Edward said sweeping Bella off her feet.
He walked to the tent in no real rush. As she hung tight to his arms, Bella took in every scent and every sight, especially the sight of Edward- his glimmering face glistening in the small amount of sunlight. It was enough for his diamonds to shine. She would remember this moment. Thanks to her alien capabilities there was no forgetfulness, if anything her memories were that much stronger almost like a projection in front of her. The downside to the possibility of becoming a vampire would have meant nearly forgetting the human memories, 'like you're in a fog' as Edward once said. Not this though, the memories she had shared with Edward during her human year were as clear as she saw Edward now. He smiled down at her which Bella returned the smile.
They reached the tent and Edward closed the flap behind them. He gently placed her on the bed.
"Aren't you supposed to wait until we're married," Bella said referring to him crossing the threshold with her in his arms.
"There will be plenty of time for that later." Edward smiled down at Bella, "Are you ready?"
'Am I,' Bella thought for a second, still keeping a smile on her face. She had waited for this moment for a long time. River had assured her that it was just like human sex, at least according to Brooke and Jeff Waters. Bella hadn't even experienced sex before so what was she to know? Well the worst that could happen was that the sex would be terrible and with Edward she doubted that was even possible.
So Bella nodded, "I love you and I want to be with you."
Edward unbuttoned Bella's shirt revealing her soft skin. He gently kissed his way up from her stomach, to her breasts as he gently slipped off the bra, and began caressing them as he made his way to the throat and then to her lips. Bella responded deeply with vengeance, letting her tongue taste the inside of his mouth. Bella in turn began to kiss Edward's neck, taking off his shirt as she made her way downward. The intensity didn't go unfelt as Bella moaned at nearly every sensation. She became more aroused when the two of them had taken off their pants and undergarments. Gently Edward glided himself into Bella, aware of her every need and want. Though he could not hurt her, he still cared deeply for her so he did not force himself deeper. The two had now become one as the way it should have been the moment they fell in love.
~*~*~*~
"You're cave," River said to Vincent, "I should've figured."
"Our cave," Vincent corrected taking River's hand and kissing it making his way up to her arm. "This feels right doesn't it," he asked.
"It does," River replied, "Don't stop."
"We'll miss the meteor shower and the planetary alignment," Vincent said kissing her neck.
"I don't care. The planetary alignment is supposed to be intense tonight right?"
Vincent looked at River curious, "Right, what about it?"
River had a sly smile, "Then let's align it," she said as she pulled Vincent to the floor on top of her.
~*~*~*~
After what had seemed like a lifetime of love making in the dawn of a whole night, Bella and Edward now lay on a flattened bed after the base and headboard had collapsed from under them. At the time when it happened the two burst out laughing but quickly stopped as the intensity between the two got deeper. Nothing else mattered except for the love that was being shared between them.
Bella had her hand stretched across Edward's chest and he placed his head on hers.
"Marry me," he said in a barely audible whisper. Bella had to do a double take and Edward saw the look on her face, "What?"
"I don't, I don't know."
"What's not to know? You want to be with me forever so let's make it official."
"Edward we're not even out of high school yet."
"So people used to get married young, why not us?"
"Edward, I love you, I do but…"
"But what," Edward said his face turning serious.
"But I'm just not the marrying type."
Edward burst out laughing, "Is that all that's stopping you?"
"I'm serious Edward," she said hitting him playfully, "Can you honestly say you imagine us having a wedding- you in a tux in front of who knows how many people and me in a white flowing dress with decorations all over the place."
"Honestly yeah. Bella I love you and I want to share that."
"Your family knows, my friends know, even my parents and step-dad, isn't that enough?" Bella looked at Edward and he didn't seem convinced.
"I'm meeting you half way here Bella: we had sex before marriage which will be the only time until we actually get married."
"Oh so that's how it is."
Edward smiled, "Yes. Take it or leave it."
It took Bella a moment to think over it. For not having experienced sex before tonight, this had been one of the best nights in Bella's life. She wondered if human sex had been just as good. She remembered Emmett teasing her once that human sex couldn't compare. So now Bella had a choice, either not have sex or get married so they could have endless passionate sex. Why must Edward have teased her so much on situations like this?
"Alright," Bella said.
"Alright, Edward asked.
"Yes I'll marry you but it's not just because of the sex, that's just a bonus prize. I want to make you happy. Even though I'm not big on being the center of attention, if you want a wedding then we'll have the wedding, only because I love you so much not to say no."
A big grin crossed Edward's face. He then reached over to his bag and pulled out a small box. He opened it and there placed was an ancient engagement ring.
"You really planned this didn't you?"
"It's not that hard when your sister knows the future."
"Alice knew about this?" Bella asked getting a little more uncomfortable since Alice had a tendency to really go overboard on things.
Edward took the ring and slid it on Bella's finger.
"There's just one other condition," Edward said. "We discussed it and thought it would be a sweet idea. Now it's totally up to you…"
"Edward, spit it out, what's the condition?"
~*~*~*~
Daybreak had come. Vincent stood at the entrance of the cave. The sunlight hit at just the right amount inside the cave to where you could see the rays shine in. River walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Everything okay," she asked him.
Vincent looked down at her and smiled, "Everything is perfect. River I have to ask you a question."
River positioned herself so that she was standing in front of him; her arms placed on his chest as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Okay, what is it?"
"I know we haven't known each other that long. For all intent and purposes we've only know each other for a few months but I love you River, I can't imagine loving anyone else anymore than how deep my love for you."
"I love you to Vince."
"River my love for you is brighter than the stars can shine so what I wanted to ask was…" Vince got down on one knee and pulled out a round box. He opened it and the ring in it was unlike any River had ever seen, "Will you marry me?"
River looked at the Vincent, to the ring, and back to Vincent. "My God," she said, "yes I'll marry you."
Vince stood up as he glided the ring on her finger. "There is one small condition."
"Which is?"
