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Okayyyy, so everyone suggested that I do this chapter in Edward's Point of View :D so here goes nothing! It continues from where we left off in the last chapter.


Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.

Chapter 9

Edward

Bella had kindly led me outside the throne room where I would be meeting her father, pausing outside the door as if she wished she could somehow avoid all of this.

"Everything will be fine," I pressed both hands to her face, feeling the warmth as she shut her eyes, taking a deep breath.

"I know, I just… can't help but worry. I really don't want them to scare you away," her voice went soft as her eyes opened, going downcast immediately after the words left her mouth.

That's what she was worried about?

"Bella," I urged her to look up, to look straight into my eyes to see that what I was about to say was nothing but the truth: "Nothing could possibly make me want to leave your side - certainly not your father."

"But," I continued, "I'm sure that it won't come to that."

She reached up, holding onto one of my hands, squeezing it, "How do you always manage to say exactly the right things to make me feel better?" She grinned towards the end, reaching up to place a light kiss on my cheek.

I released my grip on her, as she promised, "I'll be right outside."

Calmly, I walked towards the door, twisting the decorative metal knob and pushing as I entered. Although I felt confident that things would pass smoothly, what with my prior acquaintance with Aro in the early days of my transformation, I also knew that none of that would matter much if I didn't meet his expectations for prospective boyfriend of his daughter.

Still, I had meant what I said – regardless of what Aro's thoughts of me were, I was determined to stand right by Bella so long as she wanted me there.

As I closed the door behind me, focusing my gaze to the frot, I was met with the sight of Caius, Aro, and Marcus, sat neatly on top of each of their individual thrones.

If their plan was to intimidate the feelings out of me, I had to say… it was working.

All sported blank expressions on their faces, save for Marcus who appeared calculating, before nodding to himself as if he'd just confirmed something. Apart from that, his crimson eyes were dull and empty, which had been the norm for the past few thousand years following the loss of his wife, Didyme.

"Aro, Caius, Marcus," I addressed each of them with a nod, attempting to dissipate the awkward tension rising up in the empty room. Their responses were non-verbal: they all simply nodded back. And in an attempt to gain a bit of an upper hand, I tried focusing my attention to their thoughts, wanting to know what their game plan was – if they had one.

I hit a wall.

I tried again, but I only came across the thoughts of Felix and Heidi, who were chatting just outside the room. As for the three men in front of me, I was coming up blank.

My eyes narrowed; I had heard of another mental shield being under the employment of the Volturi – Renata, I believed her name was. She must have been protecting them from a distance.

God, this was almost as frustrating as being blocked from Bella's thoughts.

Aro seemed to be staring straight through me, examining my every move. Even though Caius and Marcus mirrored his actions, they were just the slightest bit less threatening about it.

"Edward, I haven't seen you in what, thirty years? How have you been?" Aro was always the conversational type. He was one to beat around the bush for a while before jumping straight to his point. It was both comforting and unnerving.

"Recently, I've been… great, thank you," 'great' didn't quite describe my bliss following the turn of events the night before, but it was the only word I felt comfortable saying out loud to the father of my girlfriend.

Aro's eyebrows rose as his face finally began to show some expression – surprise - while his companions struggled to hide their smirks, "Oh? Now, what could possibly be the reason for that change in attitude?"

I guessed that we were finished with the subtleties, working our way straight into the purpose of this encounter. "I've become close to your daughter, sir." I added the formality at the end, out of respect. Yes, Aro and I had interacted with each other on a more casual basis before this, but his daughter was now my girlfriend, so my manners had to shift accordingly.

Aro's chin rested onto a closed fist as he inhaled, then exhaled, "I've noticed. Tell me, Edward, what are your feelings towards Isabella?"

And there it was. The million dollar question.

I debated mentally how I should phrase my answer. I didn't want to seem like I simply wanted Bella along for a short ride, but I also didn't want to seem completely infatuated either – even though that was pretty accurate - in case that put him off as well.

"I like her a lot," I started, before deciding that my answer wasn't enough for them, continuing on with, "I would do anything for her." I looked straight towards Aro as I said this, forcing myself to get over my discomfort in sharing my feelings with him.

He remained silent, leaning his chin on his now interlaced fingers. "I see," he spoke, with his black eyebrows creased together, apparently mulling over my answer.

Meanwhile, I remained perfectly still, waiting for another equally important question, which never came. Instead Aro started, "Men don't always have the purest of intentions with women. However, from my prior encounters with you, Edward, I'm under the impression that you don't fit into that category. Am I wrong?"

I slowly shook my head 'no', a twisted feeling beginning in the pit of my stomach, thinking about the many people whose only attraction to Bella was her body.

There was just so much more than her than her looks – although striking, it wasn't what had made me really want her. I was relieved that Aro grasped that, but I also had another sick feeling that he wasn't just going to leave it there.

Aro plowed on, observing the flickering expressions across my face with amusement, "Unfortunately, your word isn't going to satisfy me." He beckoned me forward with his hand, and with that one gesture, I could feel myself growing more and more nauseous.

Marcus and Caius grinned at my uneasy expression, getting enjoyment off of my discomfort, while I attempted to ignore them as I strode forward.

I lifted my left hand, which Aro easily grasped in his, and his eyes slid shut and an expression of complete peace found its way across his face. Physical contact provided him with the opportunity to hear and witness every, single thought that had ever crossed an individual's mind. It was just that much more invasive than my own gift.

He sat there for what felt like hours, but were only mere minutes, skimming through what little thoughts I'd retained from my human days, speeding right into my transformation. I could see his eyebrows lift as he probably arrived at my dark period – where I had strayed from my 'vegetarian' diet – before falling when I'd returned to Carlisle and Esme.

I assumed that he was skipping through my many years of solitude, observing the numerous advances that had been made on me, which I had politely turned down every time. I could see his forehead crease during all of that time, before his entire figure tensed, clearly arriving to my thoughts when I'd initially met his daughter. The rigidity didn't leave his body – if anything, his jaw locked when he obviously came to my thoughts when Bella and I had shared out first kiss, and the few others that had come after that.

Now, that wasn't exactly something that your girlfriend's father should know, but in this particular case, I didn't have the luxury of complaining.

Aro dropped my hand, staring wide-eyed at me, while Marcus remained collected, and Caius sat on the edge of his seat, a flash of worry floating across his face for a brief second.

I didn't fully understand why Aro seemed so panicked, and I guessed that Caius didn't either.

"What is it, brother?" he voiced his concern, lifting his blonde eyebrows as if my thoughts had been so heinous that even Aro couldn't quite wrap his mind around it.

His eyes didn't leave my face, and it took a few moments longer before he came back to reality, clearing his throat, "I've never seen such… purity and adoration in anyone's thoughts for their partner."

He breathed a sigh, as if finally accepting a fact he hadn't been able to beforehand, "You truly care for her."

Even though he hadn't posed a question, I nodded in conformation, speaking with such conviction that even Marcus's eyes enlarged, "She's the only person I ever want to be with."

The room went silent, as if I'd just detonated a bomb. All three looked like they'd reached some sort of collective conclusion, as Aro nodded.

"Well, then. It seems that Marcus was right," he paused, "You are mates," his voice dropped to a whisper as I inhaled sharply.

It was a strange feeling hearing that confirmation, that finality in his words. I'd guessed that Bella was so much more than just my girlfriend, but hearing that Marcus had seen the mating bond between us made everything feel sharp. There weren't any blurred lines anymore. That was it.

"I hadn't trusted that it was true… until I read your thoughts. And as much as I have doubts about Isabella delving into a relationship, I've never seen her take a liking to someone as quickly, and deeply, as you," I, of course, understood Aro's wariness, but I appreciated the fact that he was opening up to the idea of Bella dating me.

I looked up when he spoke once more, "I have faith in you, Edward. Don't let me down," it was a subtle threat, but I took it very seriously knowing just what the possibilities were if things didn't end so brilliantly with his daughter and me. However, for the moment, I was entirely focused on the fact that his approval had officially been granted – there weren't any more roadblocks between Bella and me.

"Thank you, Aro. You're a large part of Bella's life, so it means a lot to me hearing you say that. I promise that the last thing I would ever do is intentionally hurt Bella."

He, along with Marcus and Caius all smiled softly at my statement, before Aro clasped his hands together.

"Right," he exhaled, "Well, I think that covers everything. You are welcome to leave. I'm certain that Bella is waiting for some reassurance," Aro's smile widened, as I hid my smile, nodding once more, "Thank you, again."

They let me go, and as soon as my eyes landed on Bella, tapping her foot on the ground, I felt my smile break through. She froze in her motion, looking up to see me, before breathing a sigh of relief.

Her face lit up when she saw my grin, taking it as a sign that everything had gone well. I provided her with a simple nod of confirmation before she raced up to me and I engulfed her in a tight hug. Feeling her small, strong arms wrapped tightly around me made me feel a bit like I was standing on top of highest mountain in the world.

I hugged back just as tightly, burying my nose in her wavy hair and inhaling deeply as my eyes closed. Her scent – that mix of strawberries and freesias – had quickly become my favorite smell. She giggled at my absurd action, pulling away as a light blush forming on her cheeks. I brushed them lightly with my fingertips, feeling as her lips upturned into the most enchanting smile there was.

I could feel my surroundings slipping away, like they always did when I got lost in her mesmerizing brown eyes, and before I knew it, she began reaching up on her tiptoes, meeting me halfway in a kiss.

We were locked in a tight embrace in mere seconds. My arms wrapped around her tiny waist, pulling her closer to me, as her arms went around my neck in their usual position. My lips brushed against hers slowly, before I pulled away, watching her cherry red lips form into a pout. Her expression made me chuckle, planting three more short pecks onto her lips, satisfying her as she smiled.

"Come on," she took my hand into hers, pulling me away from the direction of her brother's bedroom, instead, gravitating towards her own. I was pleased that she wanted to spend time with me, alone, away from the teasing of our respective siblings. I loved them, but after this emotionally exhausting day, I just wanted to be with Bella.

As she walked ahead of me, leading me towards the couch, my eyes wandered on their own accord over her small frame. Her dark brown hair hung in waves, reaching about mid-back, as she twirled a piece, her eyes thoughtful as she wondered what we could do to pass the time.

I bit the inside of my cheek, moving my eyes from her facial features that perfectly suited her – from her deep, brown eyes, full eyebrows, to her rosy cheeks, and plump, red lips. Down her figure, I appreciated her attire of the day once more, slight disappointment filling me that she had opted to wear something that covered her legs. In the rare moments over the past few weeks that my hand had accidentally brushed across them, they had been nothing short of smooth and soft.

Bella stopped walking once realizing I had paused, looking at me with an expression filled with burning curiosity, "What?"

Uh oh.

I chuckled nervously, running my hand across the back of my neck, "Nothing, I was just, um… appreciating the view."

She blushed, chewing on her bottom lip, as she walked right back up to me, "Thank you." She grinned, pulling my head down so that she could press her lips against mine, shortly, before letting go and leading me to sit down.

Then, she pulled me onto the couch with her.

As I lay back, Bella positioned herself on top of me with her back against my chest, while my arms instinctively wrapped around her torso. She readjusted her position in my arms so that she could look up at me. Then, her hand lifted, as, one by one, she began tracing the most prominent features of my face.

My eyes slid shut as she began tracing the dark circles beneath them caused from the lack of sleep. Then, she proceeded to brush her fingertips along my nose, my jaw…my lips. All the while, I basked in the feel of her soft, gentle fingertips, only opening my eyes once realizing they had stopped in their motion. I could see her smiling up at me, and I picked my hand up, threading my fingers through her hair. She rested her head against my chest, staying silent.

We didn't need words to ruin this perfect moment. This was how it should've been - easy.

I kissed her forehead lightly, watching as her eyes fluttered closed. Then I kissed her nose, making her smile. I grinned, brushing my lips across her cheekbones before coming down to her lips.

She immediately deepened it, placing one of her hands on my neck, her thumb caressing my cheek. Her other hand found its way to my hair, and she entangled her fingers into the bronze disarray. My arms tightened around her thin waist, making her smile, and causing me to smile from the feel, in turn.

Our lips moved gently and slowly against each other, savoring the peaceful moment we were sharing, and I could feel Bella sigh contentedly against my lips, before we pulled apart.

I used one of my hands to brush away the hair from her face, sweeping my fingers along her features as her body relaxed against mine.

Without really thinking about it, I trailed my fingers along her neck, not hearing any change in her slow, regular breathing until my fingers made contact with something irregular. I could feel her body stiffen as my eyes went downcast to inspect a long, jagged scar, usually hidden by her hair, extending from just below her jaw, all the way to her collarbone. I inhaled sharply.

There was absolutely no way she could've done that to herself, and without registering it, a white-hot feeling began boiling inside of me: rage.

I tried to keep my voice controlled, taking deep breaths to mask my anger, "Bella, who did this to you?"


I know, I know. Cliffies suck :(

So this was a really short chapter, and I'm terribly sorry that I made you wait so long for it! :| but some beans are going to be spilt next chapter, I promise.

Don't you guys just love when Edward gets all pissed and overprotective? I know I do :P

I kind of just went with the flow for this chapter. No ideas… just wrote.

But anyways, hopefully Chapter 10 – can you believe it'll be ten chapters already? - will be longer. It might take me just as long to write though, because I have a lot of thinking to do for it.

Anyways, I absolutely love getting reviews from you guys. You don't know how happy I get when I see my inbox full of alerts. I LOVE YOU, and thank you for supporting my story :)

Xoxo

LoveACullen