A/N: Thank you so much to all of my reviewers. I really can not thank you enough, and I apologize insanely for not getting this out sooner/ quitting temporarily.
I have spent the time revamping the plot to making it better, and I can honestly say that you are all in for a really good fanfic. But be warned, I think it might be my longest one yet.
If I didn't get to reply to you, I am so sorry! I got a lot, and it was so shocking when I signed onto AOL and saw them all. Again, thank you thank you thank you!
You should know the disclaimer. And now; to read! :)
It was hard to believe it was just morning, I had been up for so long. The Masens let me lay on the couch for a while; apologetic at what their father figure had done. He, however, did not even want to look at me. He retreated to his work- which I learned later was a lawyer- and that was that.
Edward and Liz, meanwhile, didn't leave me alone.
Edward had taken to catering every little thing he possibly could imagine for me; a glass of ice, then a kiss on the forehead. A squeeze on the hand, telling me I'd be okay. I knew I would be. I told him that. But he didn't care. He found it helpful to pamper me like I was the greatest jewel he'd ever seen.
Liz found it appropriate to constantly apologize for that "bastard of a brain, awful uncle" she had. I tried to remind her things like that happened to me all the time. But it was to no avail. They both fretted about me, like crazy trapeze artists at a circus.
The more I spent with Liz the more I missed Alice. They did not look alike in the slightest- where Alice's features were small and petite, Liz had been fluffy and boisterous. I wondered what they would do if they ever met. Probably play a game called "Dress Bella Up In Everything She Doesn't Need." I shuddered at the thought, then was shocked when Edward brought me a blanket, thinking I was cold. Lovely.
At lunchtime, I saw Edward take a bite of apple pie.
It was the strangest thing- watching him eat. He made it look like a commercial, with grace that a human shouldn't be allowed to have. A pang of jealousy hit me. Even now, he was still perfect. Too perfect for me.
"Bella?"
His voice crackled through me, and for a moment I thought that it was in my head.
"Are you alright?"
So he'd noticed I'd been staring at him. I blushed, turning away.
"It's nothing," I said, trying to stow away my new desire for apple pie. My face turned bright red again.
Whenever I could, I snuck glances over at him. Somehow, the words Edward and eat never pieced together in my brain. It was odd- I had always imagined him born as a vampire, and never truly anything else. Remarkable. Instantly, I could feel the questions running through my brain. Did he like apple pie? Did he miss it? What did he normally eat?
"What is your favorite food?"
He seemed to be broken out of a trance, turned around, and smiled.
"Chocolate."
I shook my head. I hadn't realized I had said it out loud.
"And you, Bella?"
I fiddled with my thumbs.
"Mushroom ravioli."
Had he asked me that question when I was fifteen, the answer would've probably been pizza. But now, our first meeting... mushroom ravioli... it somehow symbolized him. I couldn't exactly explain.
We sat in silence some more, Edward bringing me a cup of tea ("I don't want it!"), and Liz trying to curl my hair ("don't bother, it won't"). I spent much of the day like that, too, until there was a loud, obnoxious knock on the door.
"I'll get it," Edward said, rising from his chair and away from view. I noticed it was the first time he'd left me all day; I didn't like it.
His footsteps were monotonous and sexy at the same time; I found it strange to even think something like that. When the last one paused, seizing the melodious step, I could feel my heart flutter. His words were going to be said out loud soon!
"Turn around!"
It took me a moment until I realized that it had been the voice in my head rather than the one in another room. I sighed heavily. The voice hadn't yet failed me.
I turned around, and gasped.
Liz looked ravenous.
"Liz?" I mouthed, not yet able to say a spoken word.
Her eyes were inflated- red, even crimson colored. It looked like a fire was reflecting in them, only there was no fire around. I cringed. There was no other word for it- she looked like a vampire.
"Liz?" I spoke her name out loud this time.
She took a deep breath, and I saw the pink filtering from her face. She opened her mouth once, closing it. Then again, left it open. And again...
"What's wrong?"
She blinked, then looked down.
"You fancy my cousin, don't you?"
I couldn't help it. I don't know what overtook me. Maybe it was some strange flashback of to talking to Renee that enveloped my mind; but I let out a giggle. It was small at first, then progressing. After long, I couldn't stop. Giggle, giggle, giggle. Laugh, laugh, laugh.
"Bella!"
She sounded angry.
"Y- yes?" I muttered, still chortling under my breath. It was beginning to subside.
"You do, don't you?"
I closed my eyes.
"Yes," I answered.
Liz grasped my wrist, pointing at the wedding ring on my left hand. It glittered brightly, leaving rainbows against her skin.
"This is why you can't," she said. "You have your own Edward. And you can't delusion yourself into thinking that you can have two. Because my cousin gets very attached, and he already is- and I can't see his heart be broken. Especially because he's all signed up and ready to go the war. No matter how perfect he is, nobody deserves a broken heart."
I sighed. There was so much Liz didn't know.
What was there to answer? What could I possibly say to that? Liz was right, for everything that she knew. I couldn't have two Edwards. I had one. But if the two were the same... did that make them two, or did that make them one?
"I don't even know," the voice whispered.
Of course it didn't know.
Liz then looked at my ring again, as if tracing her finger over with the stone.
"Tell me about your Edward," she said dreamingly. "Your ring looks familiar."
Instinctively, I jerked my hand back. It would look familiar to her- of course! How stupid! I was wearing not only a copy of Mrs. Masen's ring, but the exact same one. The same went for my bracelet- all but the tiny wooden wolf.
"I don't know anymore," I announced, hoping that it was the truth. "I feel like I left him in another time."
I hoped dearly that my answer would suffice. When it did, however, I was even shocked. I had never been a good liar- that was why Renee had called me her "little open book."
The footsteps now returned twofold. I looked up, awaiting for Edward's arrival. I hadn't heard any of the conversation or who was here. When he finally arrived, he smiled at me.
"We have a house call, Bella," he said stunningly, in the most charming voice imaginable, "and it's just for you."
Carlisle Cullen smiled at me from behind, although I could tell that it was partially grim.
A/N: And let the reviews begin!
