Well as promised, I have written Chapter 10 ASAP, because I know there are some eager people out there :P I'm really tired right now but I felt like writing, and my minds a little out of it, so I'm sorry if once again this isn't the best chapter... By the way, has anyone seen the cover for Entertainment Weekly coming out with Robert and Kristen on the cover!? I started jumping up and down in my seat and dragged mum into my room by her jumper (sweater) to look at it :P Anyway, if you haven't seen it the cover has been scanned on the Lexicon :) Oh, and sorry that I always ramble before my stories, I like letting my Twilightness out :D ENJOY!
Disclaimer: All publicly recognisable characters, settings and quotes are property of their rightful owner and creator, the one and only Stephenie Meyer.
I looked again at the people standing around me. How could I let any of them fight, how could I let my family fight in order to save my life again? This was like James all over again. I looked at Alice, with her beautiful face and petite frame; she looked like she couldn't stand a chance with the enemies.
I looked at Emmett, who looked strong and tough, but was such a soft person inside. Finally, I looked at Edward; I couldn't dare let him fight. What if something happened to him? I knew I wouldn't survive long without him again, this was ludicrous, I needed to be turned into a vampire, and fast.
Edward noticed me looking at him with wide eyes, and leaned down to kiss my forehead. "Everything's going to be alright Bella, you know my family and I would never let anyone or anything hurt you. Don't worry my angel." He held me close to him, tight in his arms.
"Edward, I think it would be reasonable if you bit me now. I mean think about it. That way you, your family, and the werewolves would not be risking your lives just to save my flimsy one." Everyone went silent, and the only thing I could hear was the rush of the river down the stream. I looked at Carlisle, who was only looking at his son, waiting for a response just like I was. Everyone knew that it really was the best thing to do, but no one could give the decision the green light except for Edward. Something that still seemed unfair considering it was my life and I could do anything I very well pleased with it.
"No. I'm not taking her life just because there's a knife hanging above our heads. No way." I should have suspected a response like that. Although I was expecting a more outraged conclusion, Jasper must have worked his magic. I took both his hands in mine, and looked into his liquid topaz eyes.
"Edward, it's the only right way. You know I want to be with you for eternity anyway, what's the point of waiting? There couldn't be a better time than now. Just think about it, please." I was begging him now. Although I knew that wouldn't really help, he was quite an obstinate person. When he made up his mind, nothing could budge him.
As I had suspected, he started shaking his head. "No Bella, I can not do this to you under such circumstances. You know I wasn't even going to take your life under different conditions. So instead of wasting time on this discussion, we need to start planning our attack and what we're going to do with you," he looked down at me "for the time being."
I didn't want to argue with him, but I knew that in order to keep everyone safe I had to. So I looked at Alice, who I knew did not object to the idea. "Alice?" She turned her gaze to me. I raised my eyebrows, trying to prompt her.
She started shaking her head from side to side. "No Bella, I'm sorry I can't. I couldn't upset Edward like that and go against his wishes." Edward stiffened beside me, and then turned his whole body to look at me. He placed both his hands on either side of my face.
"Bella, have you gone completely out of your mind?" He was shaking my head softly.
I looked into his eyes, which was a really bad idea because as soon as I did I lost my train of thought. So I closed my eyes, hoping to retrieve my argument. "Edward, we both know and so does your family; that changing me has been necessary since..." I didn't want to bring the past up again, but I needed something to support my argument, "since before you left." I bit down on my lip. I didn't look back up at Edward, because I didn't want to see the pain in his eyes.
"Edward, she's right brother. You know she's right, you're just too stubborn. She wants to be changed, and it's her life, what's holding you back?" I didn't think anyone else would vocally be on my side. I thought I'd have to have a calm argument with Edward in front of his family, without anybody else's contribution. I looked up at Emmett and smiled gratefully. He simply winked.
Edward's eyes were already burning a hole through his brother. "The reason I refuse to take Bella's life Emmett, is because she seems to see the doomed lives we live through rose coloured glasses. She doesn't understand how hard it is for us, and considering I don't think I should be ruining her life with my presence in the first place. I will not damn her to the life we live. That's my reason." He wasn't only talking to Emmett now, I was sure of that. He was talking to the rest of his family, and me in particular. He wanted me to understand why he didn't want to change me. His explanation definitely put an end to my suspicions of him not wanting me for eternity, but I still couldn't see his side of things. So what, I'd suffer a couple of years trying to adjust to the vegetarian diet, but all the Cullen's would be there to help. Edward would be beside me the entire time, it wouldn't be that difficult.
Carlisle spoke then "Bella, I understand how Edward feels. Sometimes I wonder if it was right to doom the others to this life. I know that you want to be changed, in time you may be," Edward was glaring at him now, to him this was unnegotiable, a taboo topic. I was to stay human, and that was that. Thankfully, his family wasn't as narrow minded. Carlisle didn't think anything of his son's fury "but right now is not the time. You will be weak when Victoria and the others arrive here. It will be difficult for us to have to take care of you, as well as fight them. Everything will happen in time, but at the moment we must think of strategies." Edward seemed to relax beside me. He'd gotten his way for now, and didn't need to worry.
"Fine," I was giving up for now, "you don't have to change me this instant. But Edward," I looked up at him, "don't think that this is over. We'll have this conversation again, just not at the moment." I looked back at the rest of his family, rather than at his face because I knew if I did I would lose the ounce of confidence I had in myself. Esme was smiling at me tentatively and Jasper who was standing beside her was looking at Edward, probably trying to calm his nerves.
Alice's eyes were closed; she was most likely taping into the future, trying to see how soon the enemies would be arriving.
"Alice, how long?" Edward was speaking again, in an anxious tone.
Her head shot up. "Not long, about twenty minutes. They're splitting up though, so we need to call the dogs now." Jasper wrapped his arm around her, he probably felt tension radiating off everyone. I felt sorry for him in that moment; if he could he'd probably have a headache from the amount of emotions coming from everyone.
"I have to take Bella home." Edward was only looking at Carlisle, hoping that his father would find his judgment reasonable. Carlisle nodded, and in a second I was up on Edward's back.
"But I don't want to go home. What if something happens to any of you? It'll be all my fault, and while I'm sitting at home doing absolutely nothing, you'll be out here trying to save my stupid life! How is that fair!? I want to stay here and help however I can." I was swinging my legs back and forth, hoping that Edward would let me down off his back. That did me no good, he simply tightened his grip.
"Bella, I really hate to be the one to break it to you. But you're not gonna be much help around here in the middle of a vampire battle. The last thing we need is for you to fall over and start bleeding." Emmett's eyebrows were raised. As offended as I was by his remark, he was right. That would be just like me-ruin everything, destroy the world, in a moment of klutziness.
"Emmett is right Bella. The only thing you can really do for us is go home, keep out of danger, and call the werewolves. Unfortunately I do not have Sam's telephone number." Carlisle was so calm, as per usual. I couldn't wrap my head around how anyone could be so peaceful in such a horrific situation. That was Carlisle though. One of a kind. I felt horrible once again, as though I was being selfish. I felt tears well up in my eyes, and I knew that I had to say a proper goodbye to everyone just in case.
"Edward, let me down. Please." I whispered; everyone's eyes were on me now. He loosened his hold and let me down. Esme walked up to me first, and hugged me, kissing the top of my head. "Take care of yourself Bella." She was smiling, and I couldn't imagine her fighting for me. It killed me inside, knowing that such a soft motherly person; would be going out to save my life. I started crying more intensely. "You too Esme, good luck." She hugged me once more.
I went around the circle like that, hugging everyone for what could possibly be the last time, something I really didn't want to think about. When I got to Jasper I was surprised that he spoke. "I can feel what you're feeling right now, and you are worth it." I was quite surprised.
"I'm really not, but thank you Jasper." He shook his head, and I went to stand beside Edward. He took my hand and led me to his Volvo, opening the passenger door for me. I got in without arguing. He was in the car two seconds later, starting the engine up.
I looked out my window "What about my truck?" it probably sounded ridiculous, that in such a horrendous situation I was concerned about my truck, but it was a minor issue that took my mind off the real worry.
"I'll drop it off after the fight." His voice was stern, but he took my hand and started rubbing soothing circles on the back of it. He picked both of our hands up and kissed mine. All of a sudden I realised that Edward wasn't staying with me, but he was going to help his family fight. I looked at him, but he was watching the road, something which was completely unnecessary.
"Edward, look at me." He turned his head and his golden eyes made my heart beat faster. I couldn't live without knowing whether he was alive or not. "Edward, this is going to sound so selfish. I feel horrible for thinking this. But, I've already gone crazy once. I know what my limits are. And I can't stand it if you leave me again." A look of pain mixed with guilt crossed his face, and I knew how much this was hurting him inside.
"Bella, you can't think that way, I'll be fine, I need to be there to help my family out. In fact it'll even be fun for me. I promise I will be quick." He was smiling, trying to reassure me no doubt, but I wasn't having it. There was no way I could let him go, I knew that Esme, Alice and Rosalie would understand how I felt.
"I can't stand it, not knowing whether or not you'll come back. How do I live through that, no matter how quickly it's over?" I was getting a little hysterical; it wasn't a pleasant feeling, remembering how difficult those lonely months had been for me.
"So what you're saying; is that you don't want me to help my family fight in order to save your life?" I knew he already understood everything; he was just stretching the information out and preparing a good argument in his head.
"Yes, as horrible as it sounds the way you just put it, that is exactly what I'm saying. No, not just saying, begging. I beg you to stay with me." I was tugging his hand, and he was looking into my eyes. I knew that I was tearing him between me and his family, a decision which would be impossible for him to make, but I knew that having him away from me in a battle would tear me up inside too.
"Bella, I'll always be with you. Forever, you know that. If you really want me to stay, then I guess I'll have to. I've seen what it was like for you in those seven months in Charlies head. I promised myself that I would never ever hurt you like that again. If leaving you now if going to put you in a position remotely-close to that, then it's not worth helping out. You come first Bella. The wolves will be there too, so I'm sure everyone will be fine." He was now brushing the loose strands of hair out of my face. I hadn't noticed that we were sitting in the car outside my house. "I love you Isabella Swan, I will never let anything bad happen to you. I promise to always keep you safe, and save you from the danger-magnet that is yourself. I will forever make you happy, and I'll ensure I see a smile on your face every single day. I love you." He leaned in and kissed me, of course I wasn't expecting that so my heart started beating rapidly.
I put as much effort into the kiss as I could without losing consciousness, but Edward pulled away a moment later. As usual, I was disappointed, with an uncharacteristic pout on my face. He laughed and kissed me on my forehead.
"You'll really stay back?" I couldn't believe it was that easy convincing him, I was expecting a dispute.
"That's what I said isn't it?" I sighed, at least now I'd be able to relax a little. "How about we go inside, I'll call Carlisle and tell him that I'm staying back, you can call Jacob and tell him that my family will need their help." I nodded my head and opened the car door.
As soon as we got inside, Edward was already on his little silver phone talking at vampire speed, explaining the situation to Carlisle. I went into the kitchen and dialled Jacob's home number.
"Hello?" thankfully it was Jake who answered.
"Jake, hey, thank god it's you..." he cut me off
"Hey Bella! I was just wondering when you were going to call or come over." He sounded so happy, but I had to tell him what was going on.
"Yeah Jake, look the reason I'm calling is because there are ten vampires in Forks, on the Cullen's side of the treaty line. Victoria is one of them, and they're all prepared to fight the Cullen's to get to me. They're close, about five or ten minutes away now. Edward's family need your help, I know you don't usually side with vampires, but this is really serious, could you come to some sort of agreement?"The phone dropped and there was silence on the other line. Suddenly I heard things breaking. It sounded like a table, then a vase, and then silence again...
"Jake?" A pang of terror shot through me, and Edward was beside me smoothing my hair back. I heard someone picking the phone back up.
"Bella, it's Billy. Sorry about that, Jacob just morphed and took half the furniture down with him. Did you need anything in particular?" I really hoped that Jake had gone to find Sam and tell him about the situation.
"Billy, there's a serious vampire situation. I explained it all to Jacob. Could you just make sure that he went to see Sam for me?" I had no idea how he was going to do that, but I needed him to find a way.
"Sure thing Bella, no worries." Thank god Billy knew about everything, I didn't have to lie to him about anything. I could be straight forward.
"Thanks Billy." I hung up and spun around to face Edward. He pulled me into his arms and embraced me.
"So what do we do now my dear Bella?" he kissed the top of my head and I inhaled his inhuman, naturally sweet scent.
"Sit back and worry my Edward."
Sooo... how was the chapter?? Did you like it? Did you hate it? Please REVIEW! :D And also, yes, I did use a few quotes from Twilight and Eclipse. Anyway, Review. :)