I have been asked by a couple of people about reincarnation, so I will give a general idea. The theory is that our souls continually choose to come back to Earth in human form to learn various lessons. It is believed that souls reincarnate together in groups. This is where the theory of finding your 'soulmate' comes from. I can recommend some great books on the subject if anyone is interested!
Even if you did not love me I could not help an entire devotion to you: how much more deeply then must I feel for you knowing you love me. My Mind has been the most discontented and restless one that ever was put into a body too small for it. I never felt my Mind repose upon anything with complete and undistracted enjoyment- upon no person but you. When you are in the room my thoughts never fly out of window; you always concentrate my whole senses. - John Keats
Chapter 11: True Love Never Dies
EPOV
We sat on the floor- Bella in my lap with her arms wrapped tightly around my waist- for a long while. Three hours, twenty-two minutes, and 19 seconds, to be exact. I gently traced my fingers up and down Bella's spine, singing softly to her. Occasionally she would brush tender kisses along my jaw and neck, and I would run my fingers through her luscious dark hair, and trail kisses down her cheek. Eventually, we were reminded that time would not stand still for us.
"Breakfast time for the human?" I asked, as Bella's rumbling stomach gave her away.
"I suppose, although I would really prefer to stay right here all day," she replied, with a loving smile on her lips. "Do you want to take me home? I can eat and get cleaned up, and then we can spend some time together."
"I don't think we are going anywhere, just yet," I replied, just as a soft knock sounded at the door. "Come in, Alice."
"Sorry to interrupt, but Esme and Emmett are going crazy down in the kitchen, and Bella's breakfast will be ready in just a few minutes." She was smiling so wide I thought her face might just break in two.
"We'll be down shortly." I turned to Bella, who was watching Alice bounce back out of my door. Gently stroking my finger across her cheek, I asked, "Are you all right, love? You look worried."
"Esme and Emmett are cooking? Human food? For me?" She looked absolutely horrified at the prospect.
"Well, when it looked as though you might become a fixture in my life, my family took it upon themselves to learn how to cook, just in case an occasion such as this ever came up. Of course, nobody has ever tasted any of their creations, so you will have to be the judge whether they are any good at it or not."
"I. Am. Amazed. Edward, that is the sweetest thing I have ever heard. I am really touched that they want to make me feel welcome." She really did seem happy at my revelation.
"I hope you still feel that way after you've eaten," I chuckled under my breath.
Thirty minutes, three pancakes, two sausages, and one Belgian waffle later, Bella's hunger was fully sated, and Emmett was thoroughly pleased with himself. "I told you we could cook, brother! How about lunch, Bella? Esme and I could whip up some Italiano for you!"
"Emmett, I don't think I will be able to eat for a week after that breakfast! How on Earth did you guys learn to cook like that?" she asked curiously.
"Food Network!" Emmett replied. "Tyler Florence is a genius!"
"Well, thank you both, again. It really was wonderful!"
"It was our pleasure, Bella" said Esme. "We are all just so happy that you and Edward have worked things out. It's nice to finally see him smiling again."
It really felt good to smile again. I honestly felt happy. But, there were still things that Bella and I needed to discuss, and I did not want to wait any longer. "If you all don't mind, I would really like to get Bella home. I have plans for us today, and we are on a schedule."
Bella said her goodbyes to my family as I took her hand and guided her out to my Volvo. We made our way back to her house in comfortable silence. She held my hand in hers, using her free hand to draw lazy circles on my palm. "What are you thinking about?" I finally asked.
"I was just wondering why it is that you can't read my mind?"
"Well," I started, thinking carefully to see if I could come up with a viable reason, "we really don't know. It's never happened before. At first I thought that you might be immune to all of our talents, but Alice can see your future, and I'm quite sure that Jasper can sense your emotions, so it seems like more of a mental block, than anything else."
"Edward Cullen- did you just call me mental?" she chuckled as she stepped out of the car and walked toward her house.
"Bella, I really didn't mean-"
"Edward, stop. I was just teasing you!" she said with a smile. Then she added softly, "I like that you can't hear me."
"So do I," I replied. "You have no idea how peaceful it is to just be in the same room with you."
She unlocked the door, and I followed her into the kitchen. This was the first time I had been in her home as an invited guest.
"So, where are you taking me today, exactly?" she questioned playfully. "I'd like to know if I need to dress up or anything."
"Well, it is someplace special that I would like to share with you. No need to dress up. But you may want to bring a sweater or something."
"Sounds good. Make yourself comfortable," she said as she gave me a chaste kiss on the lips. "I'll be down as quick as I can."
She was true to her word. Within thirty minutes we were on our way.
I pulled off the road to park my car at the trailhead, and Bella spoke, nervously, "You didn't say we were hiking."
"We are not hiking. I will be running. You will be riding!" The look on her face was priceless. In all the time we had spent together, this was the first time I had seen her look frightened. "Don't worry, love. I won't let anything happen to you."
"I trust you." she declared as she took my hand and climbed up onto my back.
"Close your eyes- and hold on tight!" I loved running- it was exhilarating. And with Bella wrapped around me tightly, it was pure heaven.
As we made our way through the trees, I couldn't help but think of the long road it had been to get to this point with Bella. We still had so much more to work through. I knew we needed this time alone to talk about our future, whatever it held.
Ten minutes later, I slowed to a walk, and gently placed Bella back on her own feet. "You can open your eyes now, love."
"Oh, Edward!" she exclaimed. "It's beautiful!" She made her way slowly to the center of the meadow. She reached down and plucked a flower from the ground and brought it to her nose. She then threw back her head and smiled, arms out away from her body, and began to spin around in a circle. "However did you find this place?" she asked, finally coming to a standstill.
"I discovered it years ago- the last time we lived here actually. I was just out running one day and came across it. I come here quite a bit- especially when I need to think."
"And what are we thinking about today?" She was smiling that beautiful smile of hers. Slowly walking toward me, she reached out and brushed her fingers down my arm.
"There are still things you need to know, Bella. I don't want to ruin this feeling we have right now- I can not imagine being happier than I am in this moment. But we have a lot to talk about. I don't think we can put it off." I laced my fingers through hers, and brought her delicate hand to my lips. She sighed as I breathed a kiss across her knuckles.
"I know you're right. But before you start, I want to tell you something. I don't want to worry about the past. Not today. We can talk about anything else, but I want to focus only on Edward and Bella." I was definitely okay with that idea.
We lay in the meadow on my jacket for a long time, staring up at the cloudy sky. Occasionally she would ask me a question about my family and our lifestyle, and then she would be silent again for a while. Finally I mustered up enough courage to broach the subject I knew needed to be addressed. "Bella, love, where do you see yourself five years from now?"
"What kind of question is that, Edward? With you, of course! Maybe living in a little cottage in the woods somewhere." She looked at me suddenly and said, "Do you not see us together in your future?"
"Of course I do. My kind does not change easily. Once a change is made, it is unbreakable. My love for you will never change- you are my life now, Bella. I only wondered if you wanted more for yourself than shacking up with a vampire." If my heart could beat, it would have been pounding out of my chest in anticipation of her answer.
"Shacking up with a vampire? That's an interesting way of putting it. Hmmm," she almost purred, clearly thinking of what it was exactly she wanted to say. "I can't imagine ever wanting anything more than I want to be with you."
"And how do you see us together?" I was being cautious. I wasn't sure what I wanted her answer to be.
"As equals, Edward." She stated matter-of-factly. "You were wondering whether or not I wanted to be like you? That's the problem, right? I want to be with you forever. It has taken us, what, five of my lifetimes to get here? I never want to leave you behind again." She sat up and reached for my hand. I knew she wanted to pull me to face her, so I gave her my hand and sat up, never taking my eyes from hers. "I love you, Edward. Now and forever." She leaned forward slowly and kissed me softly. "Forever," she breathed against my lips.
"Are you sure? Bella, you have no idea what my life has been like since the change. I'm not sure if I want to subject you to this lifestyle or not." It hurt me to say it. I never wanted to be apart from her again, but I knew all too well how much guilt Bella would feel if she couldn't adhere to our "vegetarian" diet.
"Edward," she said, looking deeply into my eyes, "I want you forever. I'm not asking you to do it today. I'd kind of like to finish high school, maybe a year of college- just to make Charlie happy. But at some point, yes, I want to be like you. If I could have my way, I'd like for you to change me yourself." When she said it, I knew that I wanted it too. To forever mark Bella as mine; my venom running through her veins for all of eternity.
"I feel as though I'm being extremely selfish, but I want the same thing, Bella. I don't think I could let anyone else do it- it wouldn't feel right. And I do want you by my side forever. I do have a condition, though."
"Really? And what is your condition?" she asked with a smirk on her face.
"Before I make you mine forever, I want it to be legal." The confusion on her face suddenly gave way to a brilliant smile. "I want for us to be married, before our family and friends, before you give up your human life."
"Edward Cullen- that is no way to propose to a lady!" She wore a brilliant smile now on her glorious face.
"You're right," I smiled, pushing myself up and rolling to hover over her prone figure. "Isabella Swan, I want to spend the rest of-"
"Edward, stop-"she blurted out. "Not yet. We still have another year of high school. Lord, Charlie would have a coronary if I got engaged now. I want to spend my eternity with you. Remember that, and ask me again, later!" Her smile grew softer as she read the pained look on my face. "Please Edward? Ask me again later. We have forever."
I started to relax a little under her soft touch. "Of course, love. I know you are right. And I will ask again, I promise. And what about the rest of our forever?"
"Trust me, Edward. I will tell you when I'm ready."
This chapter kicked my ass. I finally got tired of staring at it and I'm still not convinced it is what I wanted it to be. But it sets me up for the Epilogue, which is up next. It may take me a couple of weeks to finish it up. I hope not, because I know exactly what I want to happen there. Anyways, please review. Thanks so much for all the adds and favorites! You all rock. This is my first ever fanfic, and you have all made it a really great experience.