AN: So, it's been even longer. I hope its worth the wait! ^^.
Disclaimer: This all belongs to S. Meyer. As if you didn't already know that!
When I woke, the sun was just peeking above the trees, glinting on the mist that had wound its way through the forest. I was alone in the room, and I could hear the faint sounds of people below.
I sat up, stretching my cramped muscles. I was surprised that Alice had not yet made an appearance, but the room was eerily quiet. I slipped out of bed slowly, not wanting to disturb the peace. As I dressed, I thought back to the night before.
Edward, a vampire. Alice I could see, but Edward just didn't seem like a vampire. I hadn't really heard of suicidal fanged fiends. Not that the Cullens seemed like fiends. Although, Rosalie did such justice to a death glare, I could imagine her having had many years to practise.
I slipped out the door, heading towards the voices downstairs. As I padded into the kitchen on socked feet, I was greeted by an extremely disturbing sight.
Although knowing the Cullen family for only a short period of time, I had formed ideas of them in my head. Filed them into little boxes. Of course, them being vampires had blown this notion out the window, but I had hoped that would be the only surprise. Instead, I found that Esme was not the only cook in the house. It wasn't even Alice.
Instead, Emmet stood in front of the cooker, skilfully cooking pancakes on a griddle. If it hadn't been for the extremely bright pink pinafore that covered his jean and t-shirt ensemble, it probably would have been rather amusing. Emmet turned to grin at me.
"Morning. Have a good night's sleep?" I stared at him dazedly.
"Emmet," I asked eventually. He gave a cute little grin, "what on Earth are you wearing?"
"Don't you like it? Had to have it made special, seeing as I'm so tall and athletic. And it's nicer than getting stains on my clothes when I cook."
"You cook often?" I asked, raising my eyebrows.
"Every Sunday. I love the smell of bacon. Drives everyone else crazy, but I'm addicted to it." He flashed his teeth in another smile and turned back to the pancakes.
"A vampire who's barmy for bacon. Who'd have thought it." I mused, sitting down on a bar stool, leaning on the marble counter. He deposited a plate of pancakes and a jug of syrup in front of me. I thanked him, and he smiled again.
I dug in to the stack, starving. The pancakes melted in my mouth, giving a heavenly flavour that I couldn't help but moan about. Emmet chuckled, as I wolfed the entire stack.
"More?" he asked. I shook my head.
"Where's Edward?" I asked instead. I felt a cold hand on my shoulder and turned to meet Edward's eyes. He smiled down at me.
"Hey. You all finished?" he asked. I shivered as his warm honey voice slid over my skin. I stared at him helplessly, unable to remember what he had actually said. He frowned, "Bella?"
"Hmmm?" I replied.
"Are you still hungry? I can get Emmet to put his cooking obsession to good use for once." I shook my head. Emmet scoffed.
"My skills rock Eddie! It's yours that are lacking. Aren't I the best Bella?" I turned and grinned at Emmet.
"You're a real domestic goddess Emmet." I replied dryly. Edward laughed, and I could hear the others from far away rooms joining in the chorus. Emmet frowned, and sniffed dramatically. I rolled my eyes.
"I don't know about domestic goddess, but he's certainly a drama queen," replied Edward. I snickered.
"We're going to Edward's room not Emmet. We'll leave you to cry in peace. Let's go Edward." I said quickly and shortly, as Emmet's face darkened.
"With orders like that, I think Bella's the queen here." He replied mulishly. Edward grinned and performed a courtly bow before scooping me up in his arms and zooming out of the kitchen. He set me down in his room nanoseconds later, just as I managed to squeak in protest. He grinned a crooked smile that made me catch my breath once more. I turned and sat unsteadily on the sofa. Edward perched next to me.
"Edward," I began, turning to face him. Unfortunately, I caught his gaze once more, and had to pause to recover my thoughts.
"Yes Bella?" he breathed, reaching up to stroke my cheek.
"Can I have my book back?" I asked, wincing slightly. Edward had not responded well to previous requests for the book. He closed his eyes, a frown marring his features.
"No," he said finally. I raised an eyebrows.
"Will I ever get it back?" I asked carefully. He smiled briefly.
"It seems unlikely," He replied. I scowled. His fingers were instantly on my forehead, smoothing out my face, "don't frown. You'll get wrinkly. You should smile more instead."
"I have a manic-depressive, kleptomaniac vampire boyfriend with a destructive streak and poor taste. Why am I smiling again?" I replied shortly. His eyes widened at my tone.
"Bella-" Edward began, but I shook my head.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. Just trying to deal with all of this information."
"You were fine with me being a vampire last night."
"I know. And I still am. I think. But I have loads of questions." I mumbled, looking down.
"So ask them," he replied steadily, tilting my face up again. I swallowed.
"How old are you?"
"107." I felt my jaw drop. He chuckled.
"Ok. How old were you when you became a vampire?"
"90 years. I'm seventeen."
"Is it just the hyperactive midget that never sleeps, or do all vampires stay awake all the time?"
"You honestly think anyone could sleep with the racket Alice makes usually? Vampires don't sleep."
"How did you become a vampire?" Edward smiled.
"I got bitten."
"No kidding. Is that all I get?"
"Yes. It is an entirely pointless question. You get one more." He replied sternly.
"Seriously?" I gasped. He nodded.
"Yes, and that was it." I growled. He replied in the same way, only with a much more impressive attempt. I shivered.
"Ok, ok. Someone's grouchy today. But one more, please?" He shook is head. I pouted. He sighed.
"Fine. One."
"What does mountain lion actually taste like?"
His jaw dropped, and I could hear the roar of laughter from below.
"Bella!" he finally squeaked. I grinned.
"Come on Edward. I'm curious. I've never tried it. Maybe you could bring some home and let me try? It would be a dinner date you'd enjoy." His eyes narrowed into slits. I swallowed.
"Enjoy? It would rip you to shreds. Its paws are bigger than your face Bella! A dinner date? Between me and the lion with you on a silver platter? That would be absolutely brilliant don't you think? Bella, where do you get these ideas from?" his voice had started off as a deadly whisper, but increased to a yell. I flinched back, until I was pressed against one end of the sofa.
"I'm sorry. I was just trying to make a joke." My eyes were filling with water, and I sniffed. Edward's angry posture melted instantly and he moved towards me slowly. I stood and walked towards the window.
"Don't joke about things like that Bella. You could end up dead. That's not something that I will let happen for a long time. Can't you see how hard this is for me? You're human, breakable. I'm a vampire, with skin like granite. Your skin is as soft as rose petals and just as easily shredded.
"Bella, I've never cared for someone so much in my life. I love my family, but that love is nothing compared to the desire I have to be by your side every second of every day. Bella, it hurts me when I think of you getting a paper cut. Don't joke about meeting wild lions. You might just kill me, without the wood chipper barbeque. Can't you see how hard this is for me?" he moved behind me, and turned me around, hands on my shoulders. I stared up at him, slightly shocked.
"How hard this is for you?" I asked incredulously, "Seriously Edward? Great, so I'm breakable. You don't think I know that? That you want to eat me. I'm the one who has just found out that vampires exist. I have to deal with having a bipolar vampire stalking me. All of this, is too much, and you expect me to just accept it without any joking around? Being totally serious? No way. Because I have the feeling that that would probably kill me, and it wouldn't take a wood chipper either."
"Okay, I think maybe you two need a little time out." Came Emmet's voice from the doorway.
"Go away Emmet." Edward growled.
"You need to stop Edward." Alice's voice sounded now. I looked down. She was standing underneath the arm Emmet had braced against the door frame. He turned to glare at her and snarled. In a flash, Jasper was standing protectively in front of her, also snarling. I caught a glimpse of Alice's worried face.
I stepped around Edward, and turned to face him. I could hear Jasper's rumbles, but ignored them. I reached carefully, and forced Edward to look at me, averting his gaze from where he was watching Jasper carefully.
"Bella, you need to move, now." I heard Emmet say, but it was from a distance. I was lost in Edward's eyes. No longer the golden honeyed colour from five minutes ago, they were pitch black. It wasn't so much the colour but the emotions that had me ensnared. The hunger there was immeasurable, almost like staring down a swarm of locusts. Pain was intensely present as well. I wanted to scream in sympathy at the agony I saw in Edward's dilated eyes. But it was the strength of will and protectiveness that kept me pinned to the spot. I felt like I was swimming.
I felt myself sway, before I was violently jerked to one side, and lost eye contact. I shook myself, and gasped for air in surprise, as Emmet knocked me sideways, landing in top of me. I tried to squirm away but he held me firm.
"Stay still Bella." I froze at Emmet's growl. I could hear Alice murmuring quietly in the background. Edward was still growling, but Jasper's growls had escalated.
"Emmet. Get off of Bella. Edward, take her home. Emmet, help me take Jasper outside to cool off." Carlisle's voice came. Emmet shifted immediately off me.
I just had a chance to see Jasper being restrained by Rosalie, Carlisle and Alice before Edward had swung me up into his arms and down the corridor to Alice's rooms. He set me on my feet and shoved the last of my clothes back into my overnight bag. I was frozen to the spot, staring at him.
"Let's go Bella." Edward said quietly. I didn't move. He sighed, and picked me up once more. I felt the air rush past, and I was seated in his car, with my seatbelt on, as Edward started the engine.
We were halfway to my house before my brain caught up with my body. I looked over at Edward. He was gripping the steering wheel hard enough that I could see splits forming in the cover.
"What just happened?" I asked, feeling a little lost. Edward laughed.
"You're back? Oh good. You almost got yourself killed Bella. I know you aren't stupid, so you must be suicidal. Who told you that it was a good idea to stand between two angry vampires?" his voice was quiet, but his tone was lethal.
"I'm sorry." I whispered. I felt the car brakes slam on instantly, and jerked forward as we came to a stop. Edward put the car into reverse and shot back, until he came to a side road. He swerved into it, before switching of the engine.
"What are you sorry for Bella? Standing between me and Jasper? Refusing to move when Emmet said to? Trying to get back up so that you could be in the way again? Nearly getting yourself killed? Or wanting to die? An apology is no good unless you know why you're saying sorry Bella." His hand had caught my jaw, forcing me to look into his eyes. I felt the tears well up.
"I'm sorry that I yelled at you. That I did something that meant your family had to interfere. That it ended badly because of me. I'm not suicidal Edward. I just-" I broke off, looking down. Edward only tilted my head up further.
"Just what, Bella? Why did you move from behind me?" his eyes were full of pain now.
"I didn't want you to fight. I thought that I could maybe calm you down."
"Don't ever do that again. Ever. I never want to watch that again. Promise me Bella, that you'll stay behind me next time."
"Next time? Edward, wha-" he silenced me with a finger to my lips, releasing my face.
"Let's get you home." He started the car, and swiftly got us to my house. I sighed as he parked outside what now seemed like a cramped bungalow.
"What?" Edward asked, worried.
"Nothing. Guess I just wanted this to go on a bit longer." Edward smiled, his expression easy now.
"Let me walk you to the door. Then, when you're inside, I can drive the car home and run back to visit you in your room."
"Stalker vampire at my service?" I smiled. He nodded and gave a half bow before getting out of the car, walking round to open my door. He grabbed my hand and we walked up to the door.
When we reached the top of the steps leading to the door I turned, to face him. I stumbled slightly, crashing into his chest. He grabbed me and hauled me upright.
"Clumsy Bella returns," I grumbled. He grinned. I leaned up, still flush against him and kissed his cheek. I felt him growl in shock, and began to pull away. he stopped me, bringing me in tight again."
"Bella. What was that?" he asked.
"Erm, a kiss goodbye?" I asked, slightly breathlessly. He chuckled.
"No Bella, that definitely wasn't a kiss. This is a kiss goodbye." He leaned in and I instinctively closed my eyes. I could almost hear the smirk, as his nose brushed mine. Nothing followed. I opened one eye, glaring at him a few inches away.
"Where's my kiss?" I asked. He chuckled, and leant in so that he was a few millimetres away. I growled, and leaned in that last little bit.
As we kissed, I forgot about everything but Edward's lips.