Hello,
Yes, I know it's been a while - considering the usual updating patterns for this story - and I apologize. A lot have happened and unfortunately, I had to say goodbye to my laptop and trade it in for a new one... well, really it was more of a swap, but oh well. I backed everything on my laptop up, though so it's alright... nothing has been lost.
Now, this chapter is short, I know but I really wanted to get something out and I was satisfied with the length of this one. Next chapter will be longer and come out faster, I promise.
Now... by now, you should know my motto.
Read, Review and Enjoy!
*A/N: 23/7/2013– I am replacing chapters after they are edited by my beta, Chandrakanta. You won't get notifications of this, don't worry. In this process, I am changing all my Aussie spelling to American, since the characters are American. The wording of parts of Edward's dialogue will be changed to make it more mature and realistic. The meaning behind what he says will be the same; it will just be more formal is all. Nothing major will be changed.*
He caught me, of course, and I didn't waste even a second. Smashing my lips to his, still sobbing, I kissed him passionately.
Edward froze for a split second before he kissed me back just as eagerly. Knowing that I was sick, he tried to tone it down to make it easier for me.
But I was just so very desperate. I knew what was going on. I was having another one of our moments… only this time, Edward wasn't there with me. He was comforting me instead.
But all common sense and thought was thrown away when his cold tongue swiped against my hot lip. I eagerly widened my mouth, whimpering in desperation when I felt his tongue sweep through. Clawing at his clothes, he tried to calm me, pulling me into his lap.
I wound my legs around his waist, still whimpering as I tried to get closer. I needed to get closer. It was all I needed, the desperation clogging every need.
In this moment, I wasn't sick… we weren't in a room full of people… we were alone. It was just Edward and me and this… this primal need.
It was lustful, but desperate, loving, caring, careful… it was all for comfort. So I knew he was real and that he loved me… as if that song hadn't been enough.
Never breaking the kiss, he stood up and led me carefully out of the room. Moments later, I felt the cool air of the night, alerting me that we had gone outside.
Still not breaking the kiss, Edward ran. Caressing all over, again and again, he neglected no part of me.
Then there was softness; my back was pressed against something and I broke the kiss. Looking around, I realized we were in our room in the cottage, lying on the bed. Again, Edward didn't leave time for me to think. Pulling the shirt over my head, he flung it across the room.
He leaned back and simply looked at the newly exposed skin, licking his lips as his black eyes pierced through me, peering at me and the exposed parts of my body in want. I was sweating a little, but rather than being repulsed as I kinda was… he liked it. I guessed it smelled good to him. He looked into my eyes, and we silently conveyed our love for one another. Ever so slowly, he leaned down and kissed me sweetly, gently… but ever so passionately.
As our tongues collided, we sighed and purred happily. My hands came up from my sides and wrapped around his waist, just at his hips, but as the kiss accelerated, the desperation and need climbing to the brink, they slipped up to his shirt. Frantically, I unbuttoned it.
My hands were shaking with need, though, and it wouldn't work. I broke the kiss and looked at it, annoyed. I grabbed the top of his shirt, just where the buttons began and pulled. It ripped apart, the buttons flying everywhere.
"Damn," I sighed, saying it both in disappointment of the shirt being broken now and the fact that his gorgeous, pale, and manly chest and stomach were now in view. My hands were flat on his chest and stomach, roaming. Edward purred, nuzzling his jaw against the side of my face. I hummed, moaning slightly. "I really did like you in that shirt."
"I have more of them in that color," he said cheekily, still nuzzling.
"Hmm, good," I sighed, not caring anymore anyway.
I wanted to see more of him; pushing against him with all I could, I looked into his eyes desperately. He saw what I wanted immediately and lay back on the bed. I smiled at him and got up.
Shredding my body of my jeans, I eagerly climbed back on the bed to straddle his hips. My hands were roaming, feeling his ice-cold skin. It was glorious.
Edward's eyes—already black from the need to hunt—glinted with desire. The moon's reflection shone through the window, making us glow, but Edward… he looked… supernaturally beautiful… more so than usual. Or maybe that was just me, because he was looking at me as if he was thinking the exact same thing that I was, about me.
"Fuck the foreplay," I whispered and Edward growled at my swearing, arching his back. Feeling the evidence of his need for me, I backed up to straddle his thighs, looking at his jeans. "How much do you want me, baby?"
Edward growled, a low, keening sound and I nearly melted. My hand made its way to his jeans and I palmed him, feeling his rock-hard length as it twitched in need.
"Copiously, Bella," he growled out. "Please, my love, I-"
"Shhh," I hushed him and he breathed in deeply, trying to calm himself. I stopped palming him and unbuttoned his jeans. I dragged the zipper down slowly… oh so very slowly. "Let me take care of you, baby," I cooed and he licked his lips, staring at me with a need that sent shivers down my spine… in a good way.
"You're sick, my love," he said, trying to reason with me. He gulped a little, arching his back when I took hold of his erection.
I ignored his reasoning, and instead continued my ministrations. I pulled the jeans down to his thighs, only to find that he had nothing on beneath them.
"Edward," I said cheekily, squeezing him then smearing the pre-cum over the rest of him. "No underpants?"
He shook his head, closing his eyes and grunting as my hand moved up and down his length. He twitched with need and I whimpered, licking my lips. Stopping, I let go of his length and moved down to drag the rest of his jeans off.
When they were off, I gathered them in my hand and stuck my hand out above the ground. Releasing them, they fell to the ground with a thud. Ignoring his thick, long length, I moved up to straddle his stomach.
Edward's hands came up as soon as I was in reach and they moved around to the back of my bra. Unclipping it, he dragged the straps down hastily, catching the rest of the bra before it could fall. I lifted my hands from his chest and he pulled the bra off, dropping it to the ground.
Then his hands were there, cupping my breasts, and he brushed his thumbs against my nipples, making me coo a moan; it was a long sound, gruff and needy, and he seemed to like it. He looked me in the eyes, squeezing my breasts as he did so. The feeling was amazing and I pushed into his hands, whimpering for more.
I wrapped my legs around his hips as he lifted his top half off the bed. When he sucked a nipple into his mouth, I grabbed his hair, pulling his head closer to my breast, holding him there. He nibbled, sucked, lapped, bit and flicked my nipple, only to pull back and give the other the same treatment.
He pulled away, only to look in my eyes. "Bella, I need you. I feel that I might explode if I don't take you now."
I nodded, unable to speak, my breath hitching as he lifted my hips and ground his tip into my heated, saturated flesh.
"I would taste you first, my love," he said, his cold breath filling my senses, "but I'm afraid that will have to wait."
Then, he slammed me down on him at the same time that he took the second nipple in his mouth, flicking and sucking and biting. I cried out, overcome with sensation.
Rocking against him, I rode his length. Up and down, forward and back.
Then Edward controlled our movements, his thrusts hard, deep and so. Fucking. Fast.
"I love you," I whimpered out, climbing toward that abyss of bliss and fulfilment. From the animalistic growls and purrs, he was in the same position. "I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you."
"Mine," he chanted, telling me over and over that he loved me. "Mine, my Bella… you're mine!"
"Yours," I hissed, tumbling over the edge of pure bliss. Calling each other's name, Edward and I came… perhaps the hardest we ever had.
I knew that was because of all that had happened today: meeting Tanya, standing up to her for myself and for him… and then all that stuff about us as mates and our connections and our gifts, then his beautiful representation of love in that song… and lastly, the all-consuming moment I was having.
I nestled into his body, still on top of him with him inside me as he threw the sheet over us. It clung to my sweating body, but I didn't care. Caressing and kissing, we never separated.
Falling to sleep with a smile on my face, I looked forward to the next day… because surely, Tanya understood—to some extent—our powerful love for one another…
~O~
I woke up with a start.
Jumping from the loud crash, I sat up, holding the sheet over my naked body, holding it to my breasts. Edward sat up along with me and growled, turning me around and hugging my front to his chest, hiding my naked flesh from the world. We looked toward the place that the sound had come from.
"Edward," I whispered, pulling his arms around my waist. "Edward, what the fuck was that?"
He smiled at me, but it didn't meet his eyes. "Tanya, my love. Do not ask me when she got here. I haven't the faintest idea."
I frowned. "But… but, you could read her mind, right?"
He shook his head. "You are very distracting, my love, especially when I'm inside you as you're sleeping… you mumble my name and tell me how much you love me. You tell me that I am yours and that you are, in your words, 'most certainly mine'. In fact, it is one of my favorite pastimes: watching you sleep."
I smiled but then Edward growled. Disappearing from my side, I heard the bedroom door slam and I jumped, looking toward it.
By then, Edward had returned. He threw clothes onto the bed and I quickly got up, only to have a dizzy spell.
"Oh, my love," Edward said as he caught me before my side hit the floor and he lifted me into his arms.
I didn't do anything to stop him when he helped me get dressed.
Less than five minutes later, we exited the room, only to find Tanya there. Edward insisted that he carry me, but I didn't fight him, still feeling the implications of the dizzy spell. Well, that and I wanted Tanya to see just how close we were, if I was going to be honest.
"Hello, Eddie," she said, completely and absolutely ignoring me. She walked up to him and kissed his cheek. I saw red and Edward felt my anger as I stiffened.
His arms locked around me and I tried to fight him in vain.
I breathed carefully through my mouth, releasing each breath through my nose as I tried to calm down. Edward felt me calm and loosened his arms around me, still holding me, just not restricting me.
But then I turned around and looked at Edward audaciously. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pulled myself up and he held me, standing me on his toes. He purred, his eyes glinting with desire again and I hummed in approval.
"Edward," I breathed over his face, knowing he liked it and he growled, licking his lips.
Oblivious to Tanya—or at least, trying to pretend we were—I leaned in slowly and brushed my lips against his. His arms tightened around me once again, though this time it was so he could hold me flush against him as he kissed me, thrusting his tongue into my mouth.
My hands moved from around his neck to the hair at the back of his head. Tugging on it hard and moaning, I sucked on his cold tongue and he growled, deepening our kiss even more as he explored my mouth thoroughly.
When I was breathless, I broke the kiss and laid my head on his chest, closing my eyes in contentment. He purred lightly, caressing my hair, and I hummed as it eased my dull headache.
"Thanks," I mumbled and I knew he was grinning now, his vampire side filled with pride that he had helped ease his mate and calm her down.
"My pleasure, my precious love," he said softly and it was my turn to smile.
"Excuse me," a bitchy, nasal voice said and it reminded me that Tanwhoreya hadn't left yet.
I opened my eyes, glaring at her. "What do you want, Tanwhoreya?"
She growled, her already black eyes flashing with anger. "I came to ask Edward if he'd accompany me hunting."
I bristled. "Sorry, but no; he's not going anywhere with you… ever."
She smirked at me then looked at Edward. "I didn't know you were letting your little human pet decide for you."
"She's my mate," Edward growled out and her eyes widened, shocked at his anger. "And actually, I will let her speak for me… because she is only saying what I am thinking."
"Eddie," she gasped and I chuckled, smirking indulgently.
"Do not call me that, Tanya," Edward said angrily, vibrating from the growl that was building in his chest. His arms tightened around me, protecting me, and I nestled back into his arms happily, humming in pleasure.
"But you need to hunt, Eddie," Tanya said, coming closer. I pushed back against Edward inconspicuously and he stepped back, glaring at her.
"I do, yes," Edward said, but there was an edge to his voice and I bit my lip to keep me from whimpering in desire. "However, I will not be accompanying you, so perhaps you should leave. In fact, I strongly suggest that you do."
She huffed, pouting at him one more time before turning around and flying out the door.
I sighed in relief, relaxing into Edward's arms.
"I am sorry, my love," he said quietly into my ear, kissing it and licking the shell slowly up and down.
"It's fine," I said, unthinkingly. "Sorry, I meant that it's alright," I quickly amended when he growled at my choice of words.
He kissed my earlobe once more. "Are you ready to leave, my dear one?"
I nodded, humming and smiling.
He grabbed me up in his arms, not caring to put me on his back again, and then dashed to the house. We were there in mere minutes, perhaps even seconds. With Edward, it was impossible to tell the time.
He only let me down when we were inside the living room, laying me down on the couch immediately. When he had me settled, I reached for him instantly.
He smiled at the sentiment and lay down next to me, pulling me gently into his arms. I huddled into them, my face burrowed into his chest as I breathed in his heaven-born scent.
"I love you," I murmured against him as the light-headedness nearly made me faint. It hadn't been the first time, but somehow, every time that I felt like that… Edward's scent halted the possibility.
"I love you as well, my precious, beautiful mate," he said and I sighed happily, humming contently in his arms.
"I love it when you do that," I said.
He chuckled briefly. "Do what, my dear one?"
I smiled at the name indulgently before I answered. "That—the pet names—I love them. All of them."
I felt rather than saw his smile. "As I love calling you by them; they show my true appreciation of you. Then again, I am also very partial to your reactions."
I smiled and giggled a little, but then I thought for a moment. "Do you like it when I call you baby?"
He growled then purred, effectively answering my question.
"I guess that doesn't need any further elaboration," I said, giggling a little.
Edward smiled at my comment. "No, it does not, my dear love."
Just then, the front door slammed. I flinched as the force with which it was slammed made the house frame quiver.
Edward growled, his arms tightening and constricting around me. I knew then who it was.
"Hello, Tanya," I called out, which only made me cough. It hurt and Edward rubbed my back, concerned and disapproving.
"Bella, my dear one," Edward said anxiously, "please do not strain yourself, especially not for one who shares a likeness with Tanya."
"But it is Tanya, baby," I said and he purred, nuzzling his face into my neck. I released a breathy moan when Edward kissed and sucked on my throat, marking me once again.
Then he stopped, freezing. I frowned and looked down at him, wondering what was troubling him.
He relaxed a few seconds after that, just as Alice entered the room.
"You had a vision?" I guessed, looking between the two. They both looked worried.
"Yes," Alice chirped, smiling a small smile. "Your father wants to come visit you and Edward to see how you are."
I frowned. "But he can't."
"Exactly," Edward said, nuzzling his nose against my cheek and I smiled, lifting my hands to rake my fingers through his gorgeous, bronze locks.
"What do we do?" I asked as I massaged Edward's scalp. He purred and pressed his head into my hand, making the pressure that I used even harder.
Carlisle walked in then, along with Esme and Eleazar. They sat down opposite us and immediately joined the conversation.
"I believe we should call him," Carlisle said.
I frowned. "But wouldn't that just confuse him? I mean, what would you say?"
Carlisle smiled. "Don't worry, Bella. We'd simply tell him that we were calling to give him an update. We'd tell him that you were still contagious and that it was a miracle that we hadn't all contracted it."
I nodded softly, making sure I remembered what nodding usually did to me. "Ok, that sounds reasonable. And what if he still wants to come over or something?"
"Perhaps it would be a good idea to let him talk to you," Esme said and I knew these were her motherly instincts—which were ever present—coming through. "It would surely placate him."
I nodded, again softly. "That's a good idea. Thanks, Mom."
It was so casual, but still it made Esme gasp. I smiled softly as she swallowed emotionally, showing a watery smile… well, as watery as it could be considering she couldn't produce tears.
Tanya came in then, irate as usual. She sat down with a huff, glaring at me. I ignored her, but Edward couldn't and he growled at her angrily.
"Excuse me, but um… Bella?" Tanya said, her voice dripping with an evilness and mischief that made my toes curl—in a bad way. "Did I just hear you call Esme 'Mom'?"
I cleared my throat, coughing a little. "Yes, you did," I managed to get out, though it was merely a whisper.
"Why?" she asked, pretending to be curious as she did the classic 'dumb blonde' look, twirling a piece of her hair around her fingers and looking oh so lost and confused.
"Because," I said, looking at her, "my mother isn't a very nice woman and Esme and the Cullens know that. They have accepted me as their family, and while I don't always talk to my mother, I still do sometimes—on her terms. Esme didn't want me to feel sad and alone, so she immediately said that she would be my mother," I explained, coughing and spluttering here and there. Eventually, I got it all out though.
"Hmm," Tanya scoffed disbelievingly. "Why should I believe you?"
Edward growled when I breathed in sharply, causing me to clutch my chest and moan in pain. I gritted my teeth to stop the sound from seeping through my teeth, and for the most part it worked. Edward looked down at me, concern evident on his face, and I swear I heard Tanya hiss.
"You should believe her," Esme said, rather brashly, and I gasped—which hurt, but I ignored it, only wincing—looking at her, "because it is true; she is my daughter, for all intents and purposes, just as much as Alice and Rosalie are."
I smiled, albeit watery, and looked at Esme for a moment longer before I smirked indulgently and smugly at Tanya. She huffed indignantly and sat back angrily, pouting unattractively.
Edward snorted—probably from what Tanya had thought—then looked at me. Today, since I had woken up, Edward had been very close and protective of me, our bodies always touching in some way. I knew why that was, and I decided that it was time that we discussed it.
"Edward, could we please talk about something," I asked nervously, fidgeting a little and looking down. Edward grabbed my hands and stilled them, releasing one of my hands to place both of them in one of his. Then, he gripped my chin, always gentle yet firm, and lifted my chin, making me look at him.
"My precious love," he cooed, stroking my cheek, his eyes smoldering. I simply looked at him. "Of course; we can talk about anything that you wish to discuss."
"Um… hunting?" I asked and he smiled, his eyes burning in understanding.
"Alright; what about hunting?" he asked; his lips were at my ear and he kissed it.
"Um… well, I was wondering if I could… I dunno, put down some rules on when you do it?" I asked, looking down again with worry that he wouldn't like what I was asking.
He growled and I whimpered. I swear I could hear Tanya's satisfied giggle and evil smirk. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-"
"Don't look away from me, my love," Edward said irately and I looked up immediately. His eyes were black, anger glinting within them, but there was certain tenderness there as well. "And never be afraid to talk to me about something."
"Huh?" I said, strangely in unison with Tanya. We were both confused, the only difference being Tanya's irrational anger and my happiness. It was then that I understood what was wrong, what had angered Edward: I had no confidence in our relationship, in our mating, and I should have known by now that he would give me anything.
But just as I opened my mouth to state that I understood… Tanya opened her big mouth and let it all out.
"Eddie, you can't be serious!" I heard her screech, her voice for once unattractive and completely callous. "You can't let your little human nothing make these decisions for you! This is what I was saying, Edward. You need a dependable woman, not some ugly little wretch who's going to die sooner rather than later-"
Edward's ferocious growl resounded around the house as he threw himself at her. Their bodies connected and they crashed to the ground. Before Tanya could take advantage of their situation and position, Edward grabbed her and held her against the wall by her throat.
"Do not say that," he growled out and I gasped at the ferocity of his voice, "ever. Do not threaten or hurt the feelings that my mate harbors. She is a good, beautiful, and kind woman—truly magnificent. Everything you are not."
Meanwhile, I could feel the tears prickle and fall from her words, which were no doubt true if you asked me. Edward abruptly noticed this and his head snapped around to look at me.
"Bella," he whimpered, and then his arms were around my waist, pulling my body to his, skin on skin, not even a centimeter not touching, and I simply hugged him.
But then, chaos ensued.
Alice, Rosalie, Emmett, Jasper, Esme, andCarlisle quickly came to my defense. Some were more hostile than others, but they formed a line in front of Tanya. No one spoke; they simply looked at Tanya, their expressions ranging from anger to sadness to shock… it was a colorful rainbow of disheartened emotions.
I couldn't really concentrate on them, though, or the words that the women of the family were yelling, growling, and screeching at Tanya's way.
Edward was here, holding me in his arms, rubbing his cheek all over me, and I the same. It was strange, to the outsider, but to us… with what had just happened… it was perfectly right. We were claiming each other as our own, and though it was not as elaborate as I'm sure either of us would have liked… it was still perfect.
In this moment, I knew exactly what Edward had meant when he said that he had wanted to claim me in front of all the boys at school. Of course, I had felt the same, but it was nothing compared to this.
"Mine," Edward growled repeatedly and I matched each of them with my own whimper of the same word. It was mostly for others to hear... we knew logically that we were each other's, and so we didn't need the other to prove that fact with a 'yours'.
When we had finished this intense show, we turned to our audience.
They were watching us, each of them with an incredulous look in their eyes. Even Tanya was looking at us and I detected some awe, but predominantly anger.
"What?" I asked, not even bothering to release Edward. In fact, as our instincts commanded us, we both tightened our hold on our mate.
They stood there for a moment, watching us, and it was only when I started getting a little uneasy from all the staring and attention that they blinked out of their daze. They each walked out of the room and into their respective areas without a word, or even a whisper.
"What was that about?" I asked Edward, looking at him with a frown on my face, but he was smiling, and the frown turned into one of my own smiles. He cupped my face and brought his lips to mine in a soft, endearing, sweet kiss that was so full of love that I became dazzled.
When he pulled back, he simply leaned his forehead against my own as we breathed heavily.
"I love you, my beautiful mate," he said as our breathing subsided.
I smiled, though I felt dizzy, and repeated those three gorgeous, loving words back to him. He beamed excitedly, but as I swayed on my feet, he lifted me into his arms and put me on the couch.
"Edward?" I asked as he took his place beside me.
"Yes, my precious love?" he said back immediately and I smiled.
"We never did discuss your hunting," I murmured, knowing not to look away this time.
He smiled, cocking his head to the side adorably. "And what was it that you wished to say?"
I swallowed. "Well, I was just wondering if you could hunt when I was awake and as close as you could without it being detrimental to me or any other humans. Also, could you please hunt for only a few hours at the most… no day long or weekend long trips, please?"
He smiled at me softly, leaning on his right arm to prop himself up. "Of course, my love; your wish is my command."
I swallowed again, almost feeling sick at the words that I said next. They would only cause hurt if he did just as I asked… which I knew he would. "Edward, I think you should go hunting… now."
Edward looked at me and was about to cut in, but I continued, needing to get this all out.
"No, please, Edward. I know that it hurts to even think about separation, but… your eyes have been black for I think it's two days now... and I don't like that. I won't allow you to stop hunting because I am sick or because of the pain of separation."
He looked at me brokenly and I sighed, hating myself. "Edward, please… just… please. You need to go hunting."
"I'm not leaving you here alone, unprotected."
"And I'm not going to let you starve," I said right back, mirroring his expression. I sighed again. "And besides… I will be protected-"
"But only I can protect you completely," he said, hugging me to his form without another word. "Bella, you are my only reason to stay… alive, if that's what I am. I will protect you and cherish you and love you… forever. I will do anything it takes to make you safe and happy well."
I swallowed. "Then hunt," I whispered thickly, trying to wipe the tears from my eyes. "Hunt; I need you well, Edward. If you want me to be happy and well… then you need to hunt. I hate seeing you like this…" I traced the deep circles under his eyes, his sallow skin still ungodly beautiful, but at the same time… he looked sick, ill. I hated it and I wanted it to go away.
He knew what I meant immediately and sighed. He pulled back to look at me. "Alright, as you wish; I cannot deny you a thing. But I have conditions."
I smiled, nodding enthusiastically, willing to do anything for him to look healthy and be fed again. "Anything, baby."
He growled and licked his lips, but continued before I could give a whimper of my own. Stifling it and my desire for him, I paid attention to what he said next. "You must call me if you need anything or if something has happened. I will call you or text you and I want you to answer it as quickly as you can. I do not mean to be bossy, but it's needed so that I can hunt without worry. I need for you to call me if the pain is too much to tolerate… however mildly. Can you do this for me, my love?"
I nodded, smiling happily. "Thank you, my Edward."
He chuckled, "anything, baby."
I gasped, my eyes widening in shock, but that quickly turned into desire as I threw my arms around his neck and thrust my tongue into his mouth, whimpering. I now knew why he liked it when I called him that… because if anything, I fucking lovedit when he called me baby.
Pulling away, I breathed deeply, panting out the following words. "Say it again."
"Anything," he said, leaning in only to whisper against my lips, "baby."
I moaned and kissed him again for several minutes, passionately and crazed.
When I was tired, because I had been anyway, and being sick, you get tired very quickly and easily, Edward pulled back. He smiled at me.
"To meet one of your conditions, my love," he crooned sweetly, and I breathed in his scent as he held my face against his chest, lulling me to sleep. "I will hunt as soon as you wake up and not a moment earlier."
I hummed in acquiescence and he started humming the melody of that song that he'd sung for me. I liked it just as much as my lullaby, and it easily led me into a calming, deep sleep.
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Oh and also, thank you very much for the reviews. All of them, but last chapter received 6 REVIEWS... that's amazing! Thanks for all the alerts and favourites... it means a lot and it has made this story my second most successful story yet!
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