Fran is amazing in every way and 2browneyes, Judyblue, Michele and Gabby give me words.
BPOV
The following morning, I wake and find myself stretched on the very couch where Edward and I were sitting the night before. Unable to remember falling asleep, I glance around the room to discover various passengers spread in different positions along the floor and other furniture.
But my eyes only seek one.
My whole being relaxes at the picture of him curled under a blanket on the floor right next to the sofa I am occupying. His hair is in even more disarray than usual, and his lashes appear impossibly longer splayed against his cheeks.
I can do nothing but admire his beauty, as he is incredibly handsome even in rest. As if he feels my eyes upon him, his lashes flutter and bright green gazes back at me. He looks stunned as if he is not sure of his surroundings.
Slowly, his hand lifts and brushes my cheek. "You are real," he mutters almost to himself.
I smile. "Of course, I am. Do not think you would get away from me so easily."
"Never," he replies, his smile matching my own. As if just realizing we are surrounded by others, he jumps and turns, snatching his hand from my jaw when a noise from across the room sounds.
I cannot help but allow a giggle to escape at his childlike manner. "Jumpy this morning, I see."
After scanning the space, he turns back to me. "I did not realize so many had settled in here," he says almost impishly.
This time, it is I who reach for him. My fingers brush down his jaw and trace over his lips. "You should not be ashamed of your touches, Edward. We are mates. We will be bonded in only a few days. I consider us the lucky ones, the ones who have elected to be together. So many have not."
These words bring about a certain sadness. I have been so lucky in having Edward choose me, and not because of who he will be, but because he is the perfect person with whom to build a future. He is someone I actually enjoy spending time with. So many did not take this opportunity and will be mated simply because their lines have no relation.
"Bella," Edward's voice brings me from my thoughts. "Are you okay?" he asks tenderly.
I try to manage a small smile but think it comes as a grimace instead. "I am sad for our people," I admit. "They were given a wonderful opportunity, and only a small percentage has taken advantage. The rest will simply be assigned a partner."
A deep V forms between his brows. "Did you not wish to carry the burden of choosing their pairs?"
I begin shaking my head immediately. "No, Edward, you misunderstand. I wish our people would have recognized the advantage our leader provided them. I wish they would have made their own choices."
"I see," he murmurs, his fingers propped on his chin in thought. "Perhaps this area needs work then?" He studies me, waiting while I form my response.
"It is too late. The ceremony is days away, and I will be assigning pairs today," I reply, dejectedly, but then another thought occurs. "Maybe … "
"Yes?" Edward prods at my hesitance. "Speak your thoughts, Bella. They have always been worth hearing."
His encouragement lifts my spirits, but not only that, it instills a confidence I have learned to embrace. He is my counterpart; the one who is there to remind me never to doubt myself; always to make the suggestion whether it is right or wrong.
He is my mate.
With a small smile, I say, "Maybe I can work on this before the next Mating Ceremony. It may be too late for these pairs, but I could devise group activities and encourage socializing in order to form better bonds before they are asked to choose someone."
He rises up to his knees and takes a quick glance around the room before moving so close his breath fans my face. "You, Bella, are exquisite." His hand cups my jaw, his sparkling green eyes impossibly close. "I admire the way you want to take care of my people, our people. There has never been a mate more suited for a future leader than you."
I watch in a trance as he moves closer, my eyes falling closed at the first brush of skin. Everything around us ceases to exist as it is only him and I cocooned in the warmth created between us.
It is only the clearing of a throat that brings us from the haze. Instead of jumping apart, afraid of our closeness, Edward takes my earlier advice and simply presses his forehead against mine. "Yes," he responds to whoever dared to interrupt us, never removing his eyes from mine.
"Good morning, Edward," Captain addresses him.
Edward's eyes fall closed and an impish grin forms on my lips. When he reopens them, he smirks and stands, pulling me up beside him to greet his father. "Morning, Captain."
During my rise, I peer around the room, taking in the others gathered. Most of them are paying us no attention, but a few of my generation, the ones who will be mating this week, are staring curiously in our direction. A stab of regret hits me as I realize most of them will never experience the bond Edward and I have due to allowing their mate to be chosen for them.
I feel no shame in the enjoyment I receive from Edward's mouth upon mine, and therefore, hold my head high and face Captain. I quickly learn that it matters not. He, too, seems curious of our open affection.
I did not expect that and feel my face heat in response, although it is a different heat than Edward brings forth. "Good morning, Captain," I address him, hoping to quell the curiosity burning in his gaze.
He clears his throat. "Isabella," he says with a nod and then focuses on Edward. "Is it your intention to oversee the community planning today?"
Edward nods. "Yes. I expected more to have been accomplished yesterday. Our ship was built with the intention to be dismantled and reformed into a community. This task should be able to be done swiftly and efficiently."
Captain lets out an un-captain-like laugh. "You are a very intelligent young man, Edward, but you have a lot to learn. Come, I will introduce you to an ancient term called rust." Captain beckons Edward to follow.
Before he does, though, Edward turns to me and runs his hand around my nape, pulling my lips to his for a quick kiss. When he pulls back, he grins and says, "Have a good day, mate."
That thought makes me smile, but when I think of the day ahead, it quickly falls. Edward recognizes it immediately and steps closer, his palm cupping my face. "What is it, Bella?" he asks softly.
"I must match pairs today," I reply then take a deep breath. "It is okay, though. We already have a plan to keep this from happening in the future and for that, I am extremely thankful."
"I am thankful to have found you," he replies and turns, leaving me with a bundle of emotions I cannot name.
After breakfast, I retire to my office. Thankfully, it is in a portion of Tesla that has already been successfully relocated. Watching the transformation of our vessel, the place we have called home for our whole lives is a transfixing experience.
From a complete unit, it was designed to dismember into sectors by an automatic system. Our living quarters will be grouped together as if they are an apartment complex, our schools and libraries will sit separately, the technology and medical departments will hold their own spots, and the farming community will sit on the outer edges, expanding their crops into our new environment. The hull of Tesla will remain intact as it holds every piece of machinery and equipment boarded upon it for the very task we face. It also houses our power hub and water purification systems that supply our most basic needs.
Almost as soon as I have settled in my seat, Rosalie and Emmett enter after a slight knock. "Morning, Bella. We would like to confirm our match," Emmett says with a huge smile on his face, which is not unusual, but the extra sparkle is clear in his eyes. It pleases me greatly to know they have chosen each other.
I smile widely at them both. "Please, have a seat," I say, motioning to the chairs across from my desk. "Let me just boot up my Twiputer and I will trace your lineages. As long as there is no previous match, which is highly unlikely from differing pods, I will confirm your pairing."
"Thank you," Rose says, and I am surprised to find her cheeks are tinged pink. Not only that, but I also find that Emmett is resting his arm casually across the back of her chair. That in of itself is not unusual; it is the way in which his fingers lightly caress her shoulder that catches my eye.
I smile to myself and work diligently to bring up their family mating histories. As expected, there is no previous connection between their bloodlines. It is matches such as these that will ensure the future of our race. As much as I will not enjoy it, I will be matching pairs in this same fashion; intermixing pods as often as possible, and by doing so, it is unlikely that the mates will already be acquainted as well as I would have hoped.
When I seek them out to pass along the good news, I catch a moment passing between them. Rose is unusually fidgety, and Emmett is leaned in close, offering his soothing touches.
I clear my throat. "As suspected, there are no past connections. If you are both in agreement, I can now confirm your pairing."
Emmett smiles and turns to Rose, allowing her the opportunity to speak first. "Thank you, Bella. I am in agreement," Rose confirms, meeting my eyes in the confident manner I am more accustomed to seeing from her.
"I second that," Emmett says before I can even switch my attention to him.
"Then you are confirmed." I nod and choose my next words carefully. "I also would like to say how happy I am for the two of you. I can already see that you have begun to form a bond. It pleases me very much to know that two of my friends will have a happy, compatible future, which they, themselves, selected."
Rosalie's lip turns up in the corner, her shoulders now more relaxed. "I would not go that far," she says lightly.
"Hey, now," Emmett chides. "You know you have chosen the best man for the job." He eyes Rosalie carefully, his dimples on full display.
She rolls her eyes and blushes again. Their interactions are so beguiling to watch. My strong, confident friend, Rosalie, is seemingly enamored by the buff, loud Emmett from the Engineering Pod. I could not have ever guessed it, yet it is such a pleasant surprise.
I cannot keep the smile from my face as I stand to see them out. "I think this is truly a match made in Alterna," I comment, as I open the door. "I look forward to the ceremony."
Rosalie laughs lightly and eyes me skeptically. "I am sure you do." Emmett matches her look, and they walk off together, laughing at my shocked expression.
The next two days are spent calling in the mates and informing them of their pairings. Most easily accept it as though matching them to someone they barely know is normal and acceptable. And the sad part is that it is, except in these cases most are even less likely to know their mate, for as often as possible, it is someone from a differing pod.
My nights are spent in my own quarters since Edward insisted that the living conditions of our people were first priority. Each night, we have dinner together, and then he sees me to my room only to leave me with such conflicting emotions warring inside. I burn from his touch and sizzle from his kisses, and he is quickly becoming my favorite person in all of Alterna.
On the final day before the Mating Ceremony, I get an unusual surprise. After a quick rap on my door, a head peeks around, seeking entrance. It is none other than Alice Cullen, and while I am pleased to see her, I am also confused by her appearance here in my office.
I smile anyway and beckon her forward. "Hello, Alice. Can I help you with something?"
She enters, and I am surprised to see a young man following close behind. They do not wait for anything from me but have a seat in the two chairs across from my desk. Interestingly enough, the young man takes Alice's hand and rests their clasped ones in his lap. I relax back in my seat and study them, wondering their motives for this visit.
Unexpectedly, it is the young man who speaks first. "Hello, my name is Jasper Whitlock," he says, holding his free hand across my desk.
"Hello, Jasper. I suspect you know that I am Isabella Swan," I reply, shaking his hand.
He nods firmly. "Yes, the purity expert."
"I am."
"Alice and I would like to confirm our pairing," he states, motioning between them.
My brows shoot into my hairline. "But—"
"We understand," he interrupts. "But there is no law against choosing early, is there?"
I am taken aback by his candor and turn my eyes to Alice, seeking some kind of rebuttal, but she offers none. She leans forward. "Bella, Jasper and I were already mated, but with the rule change, we would like to confirm now. We need to be sure of our pairing."
"I … I, uh, I do not know what to say, Alice. Actually, I am very happy that you have chosen each other, but I must, at the very least, speak with Edward on this matter," I explain, hoping she will recognize my hesitance to confirm a pair for the next ceremony.
She relaxes back into her seat. "I understand."
Later that evening as I exit the library sector, a familiar sight greets me. Edward is leaned casually against the wall, his lips quirking as soon as I appear. "Hello, mate. May I accompany you?" He moves closer, offering his elbow.
I smile and take it, the tips of my fingers tingling as soon as they make contact. "Yes, you may," I reply as he begins leading me from the structure. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Trust me, the pleasure is all mine." My cheeks heat and a silent thrill runs through me upon hearing his charming words. "With all of our work the past week, I feel as if we have not had nearly enough time together, and tomorrow is a very significant day."
A slight quiver runs through me at the reminder. Tomorrow is the day when Edward and I attach ourselves in the most formal way. We will officially become mated.
"It is," I agree, my eyes peering up to take in his expression. He seems completely at ease, his shoulders are relaxed, and a small, serene smile curves his lips. "Does that please you?"
He brings us to a stop before we exit the Education complex and pulls me to stand before him. Placing one of his palms upon my cheek, he looks directly into my eyes and says, "It more than pleases me, Bella. Just the very thought of it fills me with a swell of emotion I have no idea how to define. I want to bow at my father's feet for allowing us the option to choose." A visible shiver runs through him. "Were it not for that … "
He leaves his thought hanging, but I know exactly what he means. Were it not for the power of choice, I would be mating with Eric, and he would be mating with Tanya.
I grimace at the untoward idea and step closer, hoping to ease those unwelcome reflections from both our minds. His hands automatically welcome me; curving around my waist and pulling me flush against his body.
I look deep into his green depths and bring my finger up to trace his strong jaw. "Please do not remind me," I say softly. "I do not want to imagine any other scenario."
He pushes his forehead to mine, his lips so close I can feel his breath. "There is no other scenario, only us," he whispers before his lips brush mine.
It is only a gentle touch but enough to ignite something inside of me. I press my mouth closer, gently parting my lips so that my accelerated pants can escape between us. My blood thrums through my veins and the hum spreads over my body.
Without thought, I am pushing my tongue forward, desperate to taste him. To drink him in. I am tentative at first, licking across his bottom lip. But as soon he opens, allowing a throaty groan to escape, I take advantage and push inside. I do not know what is driving me to be so forward, but the sensations my actions create are enough to ward off the shimmer of uncertainty I feel.
It is when he tentatively reaches out and brushes his tongue against mine that I almost crumble. The spike of pleasure that shoots through me is so intense that my legs are no longer strong enough to hold me. But he does not fail me; his arms hold me upright as his movements become surer, more demanding, more satisfying—more dizzying.
I do not know how long we continue this dance, but I do know that it is the most pleasurable experience of my life. With languid strokes, our fire becomes an ember and our lips part.
"What was that?" Edward asks, his voice holds a bewilderment I am unaccustomed to hearing.
I giggle lightly, so happy that he is not displeased with my bold move. "I am not sure, but I hope it is something we may experience again in the future."
His face transforms and a loud laugh bubbles from his lips. It allows some of the tension to ease from my muscles, the moment no longer as overwhelming.
He takes my hand before waving his tattoo over the doors and leading me into the Alterna evening. With a light, carefree grin on his lips and a shake of his head, he says, "There is no doubt."
My smile matches his as we make our way through the pale light. When he leaves me at my door, we do our very best to remain in control. I am not sure if we succeed, but the resulting goodnight kiss is worth every moment.
As I lie in bed, differing emotions are warring within me. I pull out Amelia's journal, hoping her insight may quell some of the indistinguishable sentiments that churn through my mind. Flipping through the pages carefully, I stop when a familiar phrase catches my attention.
Dear Diary
Mating Day
Tomorrow marks the day I join my dear Teddy as his mate, and that, in and of itself is exciting as I always knew we'd be together. Yet my body holds within it so much trepidation. Not over joining my life to his, but for what this ceremony means to us as a people.
It feels like the beginning of a new world order. The first act in a series meant to change the very core of who we are. No longer the free beings of Earth, but beings of Tesla, bound by laws with only one ultimate purpose.
To replenish our race.
The dread inside me builds as the night carries on. I am unable to fall asleep amid twisting and turning, a mind that won't lay dormant. Jumbled thoughts plague me as I lie here, feeling not like a bride before her wedding night, but a woman who is systematically losing everything she has ever known.
Even though these worries fill me with dismay, there is one peaceful thought among the clutter. Tomorrow night I will have my Teddy. We will finally be a family and can start trying for those children we have always dreamed of.
It is only these thoughts that finally allow me to relax.
I close my eyes, and a tremor passes through me as I put the diary aside. Amelia was apprehensive for so many things, but those worries are already my reality. It is her later thoughts, the ones that quell her chaotic mind, that truly resonate within me.
Is that the expectation for tomorrow night? Are we to begin our duty so immediately? Is this what Edward will expect? The idea of accepting him as my mate was never a question, but I failed to think beyond that point to the duty we are required to fulfill.
The very thought of it sends a shudder rippling through my muscles, yet I am not sure if it is from apprehension or excitement.
Are you following Fyregirl Fics? I post teasers a couple days before the chapter posts ;) Thank you so much to everyone for still being here. If you're wondering the pace of this story, I can say that the relationship between ExB is a completely new learning experience, and we will watch as they navigate it; discover and learn all the new aspects.
A friend keyed me in to a way to respond the guest reviews. I will now be copying and re-entering them, deleting the original, with my response attached to the new one. I previously couldn't answer those asked questions, and now I can ;)
See you next time :)