A/N: I know… Last chapter was kind of blah. I am so sorry, but I was still feeling iffy about updating. Now I am over it, but I am a little sad to say that May 6, 2007 would have been Jesse's sweet sixteen. I am really sad, so this chapter is devoted to her. I will always love you Jesse. ♥ --- Bella has Endometrial Cancer, which is Cancer of the uterus. It was going to come into play later, but I guess I will need to change gears.
ALSO------------
A/N: Okay so. I have a new summery of this story (on my profile)…I've decided to make this a double plot story, but don't worry. I have it all planned out, amazing huh? This is a prelude to what will happen later in the story (It is in 3rd person, for now. It will be edited some for the actual chapter when it comes out). Basically not only is this story about Edward thinking of changing Bella, but also about a villain who has eyes out for Bella. Please, if you have any ides, PM me. It will make more sense later.
Bella lay asleep, in all of her human perfection on the bed. Her hair, tied back into a messy bun, to keep it off her neck so she can sleep more comfortably, wearing a large baggy shirt, and a pair of panties. Edward is gone, supposedly hunting, and so she felt more comfortable sleeping this way. Her deep, rhythmic breathing the only movement in the room. Her eyes closed softly, so her dark lashed rest on her cheek, that even in sleep were rosy. Her lips full, and red. She is the perfect sleeper.
"I love you too," she mumbles some into her pillow, clutching her cover to be comforted.
A vampire, gorgeous, and villainous had a surprise. They were here for Bella, and they were not leaving until she was in their care.
Easily the vampire scaled her tree, and climbed into her window, just in time to hear those beautiful words be uttered from her lips.
Noiselessly they walked across Bella's room, and climbed onto her bed to rest on her covers. Wrapping their arms around her, they brought her to their chest, a bit roughly.
"Humm." Her eyes fluttered open, and her lips formed a small sleepy smile. "Edward?"
"No." The voice was cold, and no where near as beautiful as the voice of Edward.
She instantly panicked, and tried to get away, but the grip from the intruder grew tighter. Her heart rate raised in fright, and she tried to scream, but an abnormally cold hand was on her mouth before a muffled noise left her lips.
"Listen closely Bella. You are coming with me, and there is nothing you, or your Edward can do about it. Now."
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"Love it," she guessed.
"Yes…." I was so happy in that moment that I had made my list. I was glad I got a chance to be a new Bella, style wise, for a day…. I was really happy.
"I am so happy. I love shopping, maybe we can.---"
I cut her off with a laugh. "No thanks Alice."
"Oh, okay. We better go. Edward is waiting."
"Waiting?"
"Yep. He is…." she laid a hand on my back, and slowly pushed me out the door. "right here."
There he was. Looking simply amazing. With his perfect messy hair, and a smile twitched on his lips. Wearing a simple pair of tan slacks, and an ivory sweater that clung to his body perfectly. In his hands a bouquet of flowers.
"Bella," he breathed as he advanced to me, "you look amazing." It was then I saw that the flowers in his hands were my flowers. The beautiful flowers that I saw growing in the forest on our walk. "I saw you eyeing these."
He handed them to me, and I felt my cheeks grow hot. I tucked a small strand of my new hair behind my ear, and nodded. "Thank you."
"Well." We both looked over to see Alice with a large smile. "Rosalie is here. I will see you soon Edward, and I hope to see you too Bella." She bounced over, and kissed my cheek, before gliding out of the hall.
"Why did she go?"
"I've made us reservations. For two."
"Oh… Edward---" He cut me off, sensing that I was going to inform him that this was too much.
"Trust me on this." How could I not trust him?
He smiled, once he saw he'd won, and took my warm hand into his cold one. I loved the feeling of his cold skin on my warm one. Absentmindedly my thumb brushed against his hand, feeling the smoothness of it.
I would never forget this. As I was mentally storing this memory, I heard Edward make a noise deep in his chest. It sounded like a growl mixed with a chuckle.
"What?"
"Bella… I--." pausing, he looked at me as we walked from the mall. "I will tell you over dinner."
"Sure…" I didn't want to disagree with him, the day was going perfect so far.
We hit outside, and I was stunned. I knew it was cold, but…I didn't see snow in the forecast. Sure enough now it was snowing. I huddled to Edward's arm for warmth, but it didn't do much good. He was freezing. "Sorry Bella… We are almost there…" He sped up some to get where ever there was faster. Still holding me so I wouldn't trip.
Finally we reached a small restaurant. It was tucked between some small downtown streets. The part of the neighborhood you only showed up in if you were dressed in coat with tails. I instantly felt out of place. My face warmed, and I tried to cling to Edward. I believed he knew I felt out of place because he smiled some, and reassured me that I looked 'amazing'.
We walked into the restaurant, and I shuddered from the instant warmth that took over my bones. I loved it. Edward walked a little ahead to get our table. A waiter, good looking and Italian, led us to a small secluded room in the back.
"Iz there anyfing I can get yew?" (A/N: I know that it is spelled wrong. )
"Water please." I suddenly felt the urge for a health dose of water.
"Water as well."
The man's dark eyes lingered on me as he laid down our menus, scanning my face to my breasts. I felt so violated that I turned away and looked out the slowly frosting window.
"Thanks." Edward's voice sounded again, only snappier.
"Oh, ov course," he replied sweetly, with a nice accent. He quickly left the room, his nice leather shoes leaving a harmonious taptaptap in my mind.
"Men," he muttered angrily. I turned to look at him, and his anger washed away with happiness.
"Look," I whispered unknowingly. "It's pretty." I turned to face the window again, and wiped away some fog so I could see outside.
It looked like a Christmas movie. Couples were walking by, holding hands. Each holding little bags filled with their shopping efforts of the day. Matching gloves, scarf's, and coats to adorn their bodies. A light snow falling over them. It was so nice. Not even the red noses, and sure to be colds they would all get the next day mattered. Not in that moment.
"Yes, beautiful." He didn't say that comment, he breathed it. His cool, sweet breathe scanned out, close to my ear. I turned to face him to see that his face was a mere centimeters from mine.
"Mumm humm"
He laughed some at my reaction, and backed away. Leaning into his chair, he extended his hand at my untouched menu I took the hint, and opened it up. I was pretending to be engrossed in the surprisingly large number of ways a person can make pasta, when a sound reached my ears. The waiter clearing his throat to get our attention.
I looked up, and was a little surprised to see a women there. She looked almost exactly like Rosalie, only not as beautiful. Her eyes were blue, and her skin was tanned. Fake I presume. She was staring at Edward who was staring at me.
"Yes," I questioned. My voice small.
"Are you ready?"
I looked at Edward to see if he was, and he looked down at my menu. I smiled, and ordered some pasta. When the waitress asked his what he wanted he kindly said.
"I would like you to leave."
Her face went red, and angry, and my jaw dropped. He said something so mean, yet he said it so kindly. The moment she was out of the room, I tossed my napkin at him.
"What?"
"That was rude."
"You didn't see what she was thinking."
"So! Neither did you…Did you?"
"Yes…"
I felt so scared, I instantly tried to clear my mind. He could hear what I was thinking…
"So you can hear what people are thinking, like everyone…?"
"Pretty much."
"What is…'pretty much'?"
"I can not hear, and see your thoughts."
"Why?"
"I'm not sure…." His face looked perplexed, and I couldn't help but smile. I was safe.
"What does mind reading have to do with vampirism?"
"Long story, but some of us, have gifts…"
"Gifts?" I wanted some elaboration.
"Yes. Such as…" He thought for a moment, and sighed some. "Alice can see into the future, only snippets, Jasper is empathic, and others can teleport along with various other unknowns. It's all different."
"Alice can see into the future?"
"Only snippets."
"Oh." I was quiet for a moment, thinking about all of this. Some of them have gifts, how unfair. They were already gorgeous, on top of everything else they had gifts.
"Here yew goes," the Italian man was back, with my food, and our water. I thanked him, and looked at Edward. Waiting for the man to leave. It took a growl from Edward to put some pep in his step.
"Looks….good." I noted verbally as I took a small bite. As I chewed a new thought came to mind. "Want some," I asked softly, extending my fork to him.
"No…"
"Not into pasta," I guessed.
"Not really." His looked back out the window. I quieted, and sipped my water, not wanting to anger him. "Are you going to ask?"
"I don't want you to get mad…"
"I will not get angry with you Bella, that may be impossible."
I smiled, despite myself, and nodded. "Okay…what are your dietary needs?"
He told me that they drank blood, human blood. Well not the Cullen's or the Hales, but other vampires. That made my mind spin even more. Not only did I find out he drank animal blood, but also I discovered that his whole family was vampiric, and that there were more vampires were also in the world, and that humans were the main food source. His eyes darkened when he said that. He was extremely protective, and that made me swell with an amazingly good feeling. As well as a shy feeling causing me to blush deeply.
"Don't worry Bella, I will not let anything happen to you." I know he said that to make me feel better, but it darkened my mood. It made me remember that I was dieing, and he couldn't save me from that. Or could he…? "Bella?" I looked up, and tried to smile, but it was hard so I nibbled on my food. It was really good.
"How old are you?" I heard a soft sigh from him, so I averted my eyes to his.
"I'm afraid." He folded his hands, and looks at me with soft eyes that held fear within them. "I'm frightened that if I tell you that you will leave running."
"I wouldn't do that." I honestly wouldn't. I reached out, and laid my warm hand on his cold one to try and comfort him.
"I am 17..."
"How long have you been 17?"
"Since 1918..."
"Oh." I smiled, and squeezed his hands. "So I guess that answers the immortality question."
"I guess so," his agreed. His mood lightening some.
The dinner went on like that. His mood much better, as well as mine. We talked about music, and surprisingly we had similar taste in music, we also discussed school, and with school came people. I learned about his family. Alice, Jasper, Emmett, Rosalie, Esme, and my doctor, Carlisle. I learned about their gifts, and personalities. Even some of Edwards past. By the time the night was over I felt so much closer to him. As if we really were a couple.
"Edward, can I ask you something?" I was a little shy, so I shifted in my seat, and sipped at my water.
"Of course, isn't that what tonight was about?"
"Yes…." I paused, and fought the inner battle about how I would word it."
"Just tell me Bella, please. You are making me anxious."
"What are we. I mean, are we just good friends? Are we a couple?" My cheeks burned a fiery red color. "I've never done this before…." I looked away out the window, and after a minute of silence I wiped a tear of embarrassment away. "I'm sorry. I know we are just friends. I don't know what I was thinking…" I felt a cold, firm hand wrap around my arm, and softly pull me from the booth.
"I love you. I am sure that makes us a couple." His voice was soft, and guarded. "But I should warn you. I am not a good person for you, if you were wise, and smart you would stay away from me."
"I don't want to…"
"I don't want you to….either." I looked up at him, and smiled. I wasn't sure how it happened but my arms wrapped around him in a hug as strong as I could muster.
"I love you too, Edward."
His own arms hugged me back, in a soft, sweet romantic gesture. My chest swelled with pride that I had a boyfriend that cared so much, and had such a strong presence that I was instantly safe when he was around.
Someone cleared their throats from the back of the room, causing us to separate. Our waiter. I tried not to hide my disappointment at being interrupted, but it was impossible.
Edward placed some money on the table, and pulled me close. "Thank you." He addressed the man politely. He pulled me from the room, and back into the cold outside.
I knew that I shouldn't do what I wanted to do, but I wanted so badly to do this. I stopped in the middle of the street, making Edward stop. His eyes held a guarded confusion. He was probably thinking that his sick girl friend was about to have an episode. He was so wrong.
I smiled to show him that I was fine, and thinking clearly. I could see the tension drift away from him as he returned my smile. I loved that he said nothing, this was meant to be a quiet moment.
Here we stood, hand in icy hand, as the snow, that had took to falling in clusters of flakes rather than individuals, drifted around us. In that moment I felt as if the world, like the snow on this cold December night, revolved around us. He, and his human partner. Me, and my Greek god.
I turned to face him, as he did to me. Time stood still as he slowly, oh so slowly, leaned forward to my face. I knew what this was. I had never really experienced it, but I knew what it was. It was magic, it was love. I wanted this from him.
My human heart beat so loud that the melodic thumpthumpthump reverberated off, filling my ears. I knew he could hear it, and I am sure he wanted to smile, or say something, but this moment took no smiles, took no voice.
His icy, marble lips, gracefully landed on my human lips, that had also gone cold. I could feel everything, as if my senses went into hyper drive. His arms softly looped around my waist as he pulled me closer, making me that much more excited. My mind grew foggy, and it took a lot of work not to zone out. I went slightly limp into his embrace, and he held me securely. It was a soft, and heavily guarded embrace. It was bliss.
Then, too soon, it was over. He pulled away, only a fraction of an inch, and whispered into my ear, with that sickly sweet, velvet, cool, alluring voice. "I love you Isabella Swan."
I smiled, and snuggled into him. Not only seeking affection, but warmth. It was extremely cold out here. Edward, held me close, and pulled me into a warm boutique. The kind that littered all of the upper class area of downtown.
"Why are we in here?" I tried not to sound too curious.
His lips twitched into a heavenly half smile, as he walked to the register where a women sat, reading a book.
"Oh hello," she addressed us sweetly. Not even ogling Edward, I was begging to like this girl. She walked around the counter, and hugged Edward. "It's been too long Ed."
What was going on?
"Yes, I am terribly sorry about that Jack. Things have been a little busy." She nodded, and turned to face me. It was then I got a good look at her.
She stood about my height, only a few inches taller. Her skin was as white as Edwards, and held a sweet glow. Her hair was thick, and extremely curly. The color matched that of liquorish. Her eyes even held that same honey color of Edward's family, only it was a little darker. It could have just been the light.
"Jack, this is Bella."
Her face lit up, as she smiled brightly. "Oh my! The famous Bella. Alice has told me so much about you."
I stood there, blushing, and quiet. Feeling completely ostracized by the situation. Who was this women, and why was her name Jack? Isn't that a masculine name?
Edward chuckled some at my confused face, and pulled me close.
"Sorry Bella. This is Jack. A family friend. I've known her for about…for a long time. She owns this store, and a few more all over the world." I nodded. So this women was a family friend of the Cullen's. I am glad that was sorted out, but that still didn't tell me why were here.
"Well Bella, you seem like a quiet one." She leaned over, and hugged me softly. She smelled heavenly. A mix of Alice, and sweet perfume.
"Sorry. I am just surprised…."
"Oh right," Edward cut in, "We are here because she needs a coat."
"Edward…" I chastised. He knew I hated him spending so much money on me. I already have a good coat. Just not with me.
"Don't worry Bella, I got just the thing." She disappeared behind the beaded curtain. I heard a soft curse, and a box fall over. Then she came back into the room holding a simple reddish brown leather coat. (A/N: Link on profile. I love this coat so much I bought it. ) "This will match that smashing outfit." As she said those words a British slang oozed from her speech. "Sorry love. I am trying to work on that… I want to fit in more around her." And just like that her American accent reappeared.
"Thanks," Edward came in as he took the coat, and offered a credit card. Jack looked appalled.
"I am insulted you think you need to pay me. Now you two better get going it's nearing midnight."
"Thanks again, Jack." They exchanged a hug, and he helped me into the jacket.
The walk to the car was uneventful, as was the car ride home. We talked a little, and I learned a few more things about the Cullen family, and he learned about me, and my family. Simple things, yet it was things like this that I craved to know.
"So, what is Jack's gift?" I asked as we entered Forks.
"She can manipulate people. Make them see what see wants them to see, fell what she wants them to feel, and so on. Quite powerful, and the Vulturi would love to have her."
"The who?"
"That is another story for another night," he declined to answer politely.
"Okay." I smiled at him, and looked out the window. Charlie stood on the porch, looking mad. "Opps."
"I can speak with him."
"No, I can take it." I wanted to kiss him again, but Charlie…
"Tomorrow," he answered my thoughts. I blushed, but nodded as I exited the car. I watched as the car disappeared into the darkness.
"Bella." His tone was steady, and warning.
"Sorry Dad we---"
"What happened to your hair?!"
"Oh," I shifted some on my feet, feeling odd. "I got a make better."
He grabbed my arm, and pulled me inside.
"A what?"
"Make better. I got a new hair style, and everything. I had a ton of fun dad. Really----"
"I don't care! You were gone for ages. Not even a note! I told you to stay home, didn't I?"
"Yes you did, but----"
"Damn it Bella!" He sighed, agitated, and stormed around. I flinched when I heard a cabinet slam. "Why do you have to this?" He asked as he came back into the living room. "I already have to out up with you being sick, and the worry that I will come home to find you dead, but now this! A boy? Are you trying to kill me Isabella?"
I had tears in my eyes. That was a punch in the gut, and a knife in the back. Why did he have to do this to me?
"Because dad," I found myself screaming, and crying. "I am dieing! I only have a little time left in my life, and I want to enjoy all of it. I don't want to sit around, and wait for it to come. I want to meet it head on, and do as much stuff as I can before I'm dead!"
Tears were streaming down my red, hot face. I was mad, hurt, sad, and everything else imaginable.
"Bella," his voice was soft, and hurt.
"Forget it Charlie," I snapped, as I grabbed my keys, and rushed out of the door. I slammed it, and rushed to my truck. I heard him calling after me. I even heard him follow, but I was in my truck, and going down the road as fast as it would go. My vision blurred, with my salty tears invading.
"Bella."
I screamed, and nearly crashed, if it hadn't been for two cold hands coming out of the dark. One gripped my waist, and the other held the steering wheel. I was pulled out of the drivers seat, as Edward took control of the wheel. He held me close, as I cried. I didn't even question him being there.
"Beach…"
"What," he asked softly.
"Go to the beach, please." I still had tears when I looked into his eyes, but I could see the silent question hidden within them. "It's on my list…" He hugged me to him more, as he drove.
Maybe going to the beach now wasn't "just because", but I didn't care. I was going to bend, and mold the list all I wanted. It was mine after all.
Finally the car stopped, and I looked out. We were at a shore somewhere. The moonlight glistened off the salty waves, creating an image just short of a faerie tale.
"Thanks…." I had finally stopped crying.
"It's okay. I am just sorry that I put you into that situation."
"You didn't," I cut in quickly. "You did nothing wrong."
"I took you out of the city all day, when he clearly didn't want you to leave."
"I wanted you to, making this my fault." He opened his mouth to argue, but I just shook my head, and hugged him looking out at the water.
"I'm not even going to ask how you got back so fast."
"I am extremely fast," he answered with a chuckle.
We sat there. In a silent bliss. Him kissing my head softly, and rubbing my arms.
"What else is on that list?"
"Humm?"
"If you don't mind my asking, that is. What is on your list?"
"A few things…" I was avoiding the subject, he knew it.
"You don't have to tell me."
We fell into a silence that was unnerving. Finally I told him.
"There is… Write a letter to Renee, and to Charlie. Telling them how much I loved them. So they could read it when I am gone, read 'The Completed works of Jane Austen, do something dangerous, visit college…just to see it, go to Europe, visit the pyramids, and the most amazing one, that is coming true as we sit here….Witness true love.
"I've already done a few things on the list, such as… drive to the beach…just because," I smiled up at him as I said that. "Go explore a new area, befriend someone I may not like, go swimming in a lake, alone, get a new style, and ask, "what if'"
I looked back out at the water.
"Who did you befriend?"
"You?"
He chuckled some, and kissed my lips softly. "I am happy that you did befriend me. I would be miserable with out you."
"Me too," I breathed into his chest.
(A/N:
I know! Jacob isn't in this chapter, and with Jack in this story,
he may not come into it at all. I am so sorry if I disappointed you.
I just reinvented my whole plot with the double story plot. So give
it a chance. I am sure it will get better. If you want me to stop,
tell me.)If Anything Does Not Make Sense, Ask Me:D :D :D
