Disclaimer – Original characters belong to Stephenie Meyer, plot lines and characterisations all belong to Aurora18, copyright November 2015.

A bit angsty, enjoy!

Chapter 10 - Doubt

Watching my love appear to eat his weight in pasta was almost as satisfying as watching him sleep. I mentally stored all the little noises of satisfaction that he made and squeezed his hand whenever he would blush red from embarrassment. I sat next to him rather than the customary position across the table and revelled in the opportunity to maintain contact with him as we were pressed together in the most delicious way. I periodically let my head fall to his shoulder, my nose so close to his jugular that the heady scent of his blood swirled around me, a treat for my senses.

As he is using his right hand to eat the pasta I feel it only reasonable to take the opportunity to play with the fingers on his left hand. I walk the tips of mine up along his strong yet lean fingers and revel in the crackle of electricity he too must be feeling at our contact. I feel the bond between us hum happily and while he seems used to it now, it's clear the sensation occasionally take him by surprise.

"Are you s-sure you're n-not hun-hungry?"

"No, my love. I have a special diet so I eat only at certain times." I hated not divulging the absolute truth to my mate, but it would not do to give the explanation of my origin here in this small but crowded restaurant.

"You're b-b, beautiful Bella, you d-don't need t-to diet." I could not express the joy I felt through words so I nuzzled myself even further into his side and to my surprise and delight, he put his arm around me allowing me even greater access.

I gazed softly at his handsome face and tried to, with one look, express the sheer love, devotion and adoration I felt for my mate. The look I received in turn confirmed to me what I already knew, that while we may be different creatures entirely, what we shared made us equals in our affections.

The notion that I would need to tell Edward sooner rather than later what I was and what it was that we shared had certainly occurred to me before. To my knowledge there was no-one I could consult on the matter, and my instincts told me to be as honest as possible with him immediately, yet, what if he rejected me because of what I am?

How could he understand, based on what I would have to tell him, that this life is a blessing? If I had not been made a vampire and saved from a life of servitude, punishment and humiliation then I would have undoubtedly sought to end my own life all those hundreds of years ago. From my human memories I cannot recollect ever deciding to explore such an action but it has occurred to me over the years that that would have been a logical and rational decision to make. Albeit one that would have destroyed my chances of finding happiness so many years later with my Edward.

"Wh-what are y-you thinking?" His beautiful green eyes stare intently into mine and I know that I have to tell him, I know that I have to risk rejection to be honest with the other half of me, the other half that I thought I would never find.

"I have something to tell you Edward, and I think it is best that we have this particular conversation at your home, if you do not mind that is."

I cannot be surprised by his look of suspicion and confusion, yet nonetheless the hurt registers all the same. As a vampire I could have never prepared myself for this outcome, if this were a normal mating all that had occurred before in either of our lives could have no possible impact on our relationship. In my case it could signal the very end of my long-awaited happiness.

It is a tense walk full of unspoken questions and thoughts back to Edward's apartment, as we walk up the stairs I hold his hand for comfort, his and mine, and remember the night which seems only minutes ago when I vanquished those men and walked Edward home safely. If nothing else, that along with so many other snapshots in my memory will always reflect the happiest and best times of my very long life.

The space is small, of course I have already seen it before, but being with Edward while he is occupying it and awake, rather than being a mere observer, lends a feeling of newness to being here together.

We sit down across from one another on the bed and I can tell that he, as much as I, is struck by the intimacy of our positions and how if the circumstances were different, this night might end very differently indeed.

"I have not ever set out with the intention of lying to you Edward, but there are some things about me which I have had to keep a secret, just for a little while, and primarily for your safety. I promise you that once I have said what I have had to say, I will leave if you ask me to, you can ask me any questions you have and that I will never, ever hurt you."

"O-, o-ok." He is understandably nervous and I wish I could remove the doubt and fear from his mind, but I have to let him make up his own mind about this, I cannot take away that freedom from my love.

"Edward, I love you. Where I come from and for the kind of people me and my family are, that means forever. It is unchanging and constant, and greater than anything you can possible imagine.

My family hail from Italy, a town called Volterra. They are responsible for policing the behaviour and conduct of our kind."

"Wh-what d-do y-you mean, 'our k-k-kind?"

"Vampires, Edward. That is what I am."

I had to keep it short I'm afraid otherwise the chapter would have never ended, I don't often write cliff-hangers but hope y'all enjoy this one here.

Please tell me what you think, I need to get back on track with this story and what love to hear your expectations for the story. Also, I promise it won't be half a year before the next update! Please check out my new story 'Human Nature' too if you like my writing. All views good/constructive are much appreciated.

Happy Sunday!

-Aurora