APOV
There was Bella, just before dawn, sleeping in the arms of Bill Compton. The bite marks on her neck obvious, but she was still a living, breathing human. Bill didn't wake her when he was getting ready to leave but he leaned over and kissed her tenderly.
That was the last vision she had of Bella a week ago. They had been too late and now there were no more visions of her. They never should've stayed away so long. Really, they never should've left in the first place. Edward had seen this vision too. I didn't think it was possible for him to be anymore broken than he already was, but I don't think he will ever be the same, the Edward we all knew was left back in Forks with we left Bella 8 long years ago.
I tried to be happy for Bella, this vampire seemed to truly care for her and she seemed sincerely happy at last. I just wish her happiness had been with Edward.
Edward had made up his mind. He would offer her a choice; he would offer to change her in order to save her from becoming like Bill's bloodline. This made no sense in my mind. If he was offering to change her why not fight for her and they could be together forever? But he still insisted that he wouldn't change her for himself, that it was too selfish and he wouldn't be able to live with himself. The only reason he would change her was to avoid the alternative. Then he would leave Bon Temps, with or without the rest of us.
BPOV
As I looked in the mirror at my neck I saw the bruising was almost gone. One week ago, that amazing night with Bill. I felt the blush rise again to my cheeks. Bill had spent every evening with me since we confessed how we felt and made love that night. We spent time working around his house, going out to dinner; well I ate while he watched. Everyone is town seemed to accept Bill now, especially when they saw how easily I had allowed him into my life.
I hadn't run into any of the Cullens again since seeing Alice and Edward in the parking lot a week ago. This was a good thing but it was also bittersweet. I wanted to see them and catch up, pick up where we left off 8 years ago, but the complication, otherwise known as Edward, held me back from trying to contact them. Alice had my number anyway, if she wants to, she can contact me.
I started to get ready for work. I jumped in the shower, letting the hot water ease my aching muscles. The night before we had pulled carpet up at Bill's and my body was now protesting. I secretly wished it was protesting for other reason but Bill insisted on waiting a little bit between trysts, he said the bite and loss of blood can cause a body to weaken and he didn't want to hurt me.
What is it with the vampires in my life always thinking they are going to hurt me?
As I got out of the shower I made up my mind that Bill wasn't getting off the hook tonight. I would make sure he couldn't say no. I shifted through my drawers and picked out a sexy little pair of lace boy shorts and matching bra. I lathered my body with some vanilla scented lotion; he said that smell drove him crazy especially with his heightened senses. I blew out my hair so it settled into some nice waves, threw on a little make up and put on my uniform. Just as I was tying my sneakers the doorbell rang. I glanced up at the clock and saw it was 10:30 in the morning, I wasn't expecting anyone. I walked to the door and opened it. Knots formed in my stomach and my knees got weak. There stood the vampire of my dreams and my nightmares.
"Ummm...Edward...hi, what are you doing here?"
"Bella, I needed to speak with you briefly, may I come in please."
He spoke matter of factly, no emotions in his dead eyes. He looked terrible, like he was sick, if vampires could get sick.
"Are...are you okay Edward, you don't look well?"
"Please Bella, I know it is a lot to ask for, but just a few minutes of your time and I'll leave, I promise."
I hesitated a moment, part of me wanted to say no and good bye and shut the door. The other part of me wanted to reach out and hold him, he looked so bad it broke my heart a bit.
"Edward I don't think this is a good idea, I'm...I'm not ready to see you." So much for my strong facade.
"Please."
I couldn't say no to him, not with him looking this way. If I was to slam the door he looked as if he could turn to dust and fly away with the wind.
"Okay Edward, come in."
We walked into the living room and I offered him a True Blood. He nodded graciously and I walked into the kitchen. I paused for a moment leaned against the kitchen counter and closed my eyes. I couldn't believe this was happening. Edward Cullen sitting in my living room after all this time. Why?
I walked back out and handed him his drink.
"Bella, I am sorry if our return has disrupted your life. I promise you that was not our intention at all. Alice had a vision and we felt we had to come here to warn you. But I know you decided you'd rather not know and Alice never told you what she saw. But I can see by the marks on your neck that this particular vision has already come true."
I raised my hand to my neck, embarrassed and blushing.
"We didn't know about Bill, we thought you were going to be turned; now we know differently. He is a lucky man being able to taste not just admire your unbelievable scent. But anyway now we know that you are indeed safe with him and happy so we will leave. But I wanted to offer you something, a gift maybe for any pain I might have caused you with my lies."
I interrupted him then, unaware of what he was talking about, "What lies Edward?"
"8 years ago, when I left you in Forks. When I told you I didn't want you, that I didn't love you. I did what I thought I had to do to keep you safe. I never meant to hurt you, I never thought you would actually believe me, but you did. You believed I didn't want you. I always wanted you Bella, I always will, but I refuse to be selfish and hurt you any longer. I see you are happy and that is all I want for you, so I will leave."
I looked at him shocked. Then the shock turned to anger, what did he mean he always wanted me? If that was true where had he been the past 8 years while I yearned for him? No I wouldn't let him see how these words affect me, I already showed a little bit too much to him, no more, I could do this. Just think about Bill.
"Edward, thank you for your words. What happened in the past, I was hurt but I was young too. I've grown up, but it is nice to hear that you did want me back then, you will always have a part of my heart as my first love."
He looked at me, as though he was searching for more, but I wouldn't let him see it. Bill was my life now, Edward was my past. He looked down at the ground and continued.
"Bella, I know you didn't want to hear about your future at all but there is something I really need to tell you if you will allow me to." He looked at me waiting.
"Fine, go on Edward."
"You will be turned, Alice saw it, and it is decided. I want to offer you a choice." He paused and pinched the bridge of his nose like he used to when he was stressed, "Bella, you can either wait for it to happen with your...umm...friend, Bill or I want to offer you the chance to become like us. I cannot picture you locked away in a dark box all day. Never to have the sun reflect off your skin like diamonds...well...sorry...you know...I just want you to have a choice."
He looked up at me, and for the first time smiled that crooked smile of his, even though it didn't reach his eyes completely, it still melted my heart.
"Edward, wow, this is a lot to take in. I haven't thought about being changed for a long time. Alice is sure? I mean her visions can change still, what if I no longer desire that? I don't know what to do with this information?"
I turned to look out the window, thinking could this all be true? Was I going to be turned after all this time?
"Bella, I will not bother you again while I am still in town, I will leave you my number. I will stay in Bon Temps until you make your choice. It really is the least I can do after all I've done to you. Whatever you choose, just be happy and know that I will love you always."
At Edward's final words I turned quickly to face him, but he was already gone leaving a piece of paper on the coffee table with his number on it and the simple but powerful word.
"Always."
