Chapter Eight
Declaration
I hadn't seen Edward in almost three days. His absence was actually painful for me. I had become so accustomed to his presence in the night that I had a horrible time sleeping without him if not next me singing softly, then just in my room. Aching for his touch, I longed to see his beautiful face and feel his guarded kisses on me. I was totally addicted and going through withdrawals without him.
Lying in the hotel bed, I listened to Renée's soft even breathing in the bed next to mine. Knowing the chances I would ever see her again after I married Edward were next to zero, I did my best to be good company for her. I needed to know that I left her with happy memories of the time we shared here together.
I thought of how sad she would be, how heartbroken both her and Charlie would be after I dropped off the face of the earth. I wondered if there would ever be a time I could contact them just to let them know I was all right. They would never attend any college graduation with me. There would never be a grandchild to spoil. I had thought all these things through and refused to allow myself any regrets for my choices.
It had been the same every night I spent in the hotel. I tried to lay still and hold onto an image of Edward in my mind as I lay awake for hours, not even feeling the least bit tired. Eventually, I would always fall to sleep.
The forest was dark and unfamiliar. The trees so different from what I was familiar with. Even the stars in the clear deep blue sky were wrong. I was running so fast, chasing something ahead of me, a strange force driving me on. My throat was burning, on fire, needing desperately to be quenched. I couldn't see them, but their scent was heavy and sweet in the air. Whatever they were, they were frightened of me and I could almost taste them already.
I had to run faster. Go forward. Faster. My feet barely touched the ground. Finally the scent was so strong, I knew I was almost on top of them. Suddenly, I stopped, and without a sound, leaned against a tree before peering around to see them. Silently, I inched from behind just far enough to see what it was that drove me on.
A pack of wolves. Exhausted. Panting. Frightened. Mulling around one another in every direction. I must have been chasing them for quite some time. They turned when they caught my scent. At the moment I sprang at them, I knew something was wrong. Their fear of me disappeared. My flight toward them seemed to last forever and as I came closer I could see them phase into the werewolves I knew so well. Not being able to stop my forward momentum, I fell, scrabbling at the dirt trying to run away, but they were on top of me tearing at me, ripping parts of me away with their huge sharp teeth. The pain was horrendous and once the screaming started, it did not stop. I screamed and screamed and screamed.
Less than an hour after I had fallen asleep, I was startled awake, clutching at my pillow muffling the unsuccessful screams that squeezed through my throat. Tears poured from my eyes soaking the fabric. When I had calmed down, I flipped the pillow over so Renée wouldn't see and start questioning me. The last thing I wanted was for her to think I had any doubts about marrying Edward.
Getting out of the bed, I headed for the shower. In the bathroom I looked into the mirror expecting to see dark circles under my eyes from so little sleep and was surprised when I seemed to look fine, my eyes only slightly bloodshot from crying. It was so weird. I looked as if I had slept wonderfully for the last three nights instead of a total of maybe six hours. I didn't feel tired in the least.
I had been having a wonderful time with Renée and hadn't realized how much I had missed her company. I was still having a hard time with my voice. It was the strangest sensation trying to talk with such a small amount of air passing through my vocal cords. I continually had to stop just to exhale. So, I let Renée do all the talking she wanted.
She talked a lot about Phil and how she wished I could come see her more often. She and I had gone shopping everyday and when we found the bridal store, I didn't make any fuss about trying so many wedding gowns. Her eyes would well up with tears each time I came out with a different dress on. None of the dresses were exactly what I had pictured in my head so we left without putting one on hold. I knew Alice would probably have picked one out for me already anyway. Something strapless showing the most exposure of neck and cleavage. Something just for Edward.
Charlie had come from Forks to take Renée to the airport and drive me home, but we stopped to have dinner first. We sat outside on the patio of the restaurant and watched the sun go down while we ate. It was the same Italian restaurant that Edward and I had come to after he rescued me from the jerks in the alley.
Our first date.
Charlie and Renée seemed so happy, laughing and kidding around. You would never have thought they were divorced. They were almost too happy. So much so, that I started to get suspicious.
Just then, I felt hands on my shoulders and an ice-cold kiss on my cheek. "Edward!" I squeaked, excitedly.
"I've missed you." He kissed my lips softly. His eyes were that wonderful warm amber color and his skin was slightly flushed. He must have hunted well last night.
Oh, and I knew what that meant too! I was going home tonight and when he came to my room, I would be able to get close to him, very close. I felt my face flush with excitement. He smiled at me and his eyes ran all over my face watching the color rush into my cheeks. His smile grew wider in those few seconds as he listened to my thoughts of the coming evening. Charlie and Renée seemed very excited to see him there.
"I have something for you." Edward knelt before me, handing me a small silver box tied with a silver ribbon.
Edward, what have you done? I cocked my head to one side.
"Open it." His smile was so wonderful. My mind could never quite hold his image in all his perfection.
Slowly, I opened it, tears filling my eyes the second I saw it. I had never seen such a beautiful ring in my life. In the center of the tiny box, a diamond sparkled at me. It was nestled in between two eternity bands, one of emeralds, the other of rubies. I looked at Renée and Charlie and they had the biggest smiles plastered on their faces. They knew. Edward had planned this, I was sure of it. He would have wanted my parents to witness this for my sake. And it worked; I had never seen them so happy.
"Do you like it?" He asked as if he didn't already know.
I was speechless! All I could do was nod my head and smile like a lunatic. I hugged him fiercely. Then wiped the tears that had streamed down my hot cheeks.
"Bella, I looked for a long time before I found exactly what I wanted to give you. I picked this ring because it symbolizes all that I feel for you." Edward said softly. With this ring he was declaring his promise to me. Taking the tiny box from me, he pulled the diamond engagement ring from the center and took my left hand.
"Bella, I will love you forever." Then he slipped the ring on my finger and kissed my hand. It fit perfectly.
Leaning forward, I kissed him softly and carefully. I looked him in the eye and thought to him, Do you have any idea how much I love you?
He answered me without thinking, "Yes, I do."
I hugged him around the neck, Please take me home! Then released him.
"Oh, Edward! This is such a beautiful ring!" Renée had taken my hand and was turning it this way and that. "It looks like an antique. Where did you find such a ring? What an usual style."
"It is an antique. It was made in 1901," He looked at me and I got it. This ring was made the year he was born. "The style is called 'Edwardian'." He let loose that sparkling smile of his.
"It's perfect." I whispered. Just like you.
"Would it be alright if I take Bella home tonight?" He asked.
"Absolutely, Edward." Charlie said gladly.
Jumping up, I hugged Renée and whispered, "Thanks for everything. You are the most wonderful mom in the world! I love you so much!"
