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Chapter 11 - Aperire
"Please," Edward whispered against her skin, "sweetheart, don't cry." He traced his nose along her cheek until his mouth hovered above hers, just a breath away.
"You have me, Bella… I am yours."
~oOo~
Edward leaned his forehead against hers and cursed softly under his breath. "Your cousin is stirring,"
With a gasp, Bella jumped away. She pulled Edward's handkerchief out of her pocket and furiously scrubbed at her face, erasing the evidence of her tears.
"I don't hear anything."
"My senses are much sharper than yours." Edward eyed the ceiling with a wry smile, "I can hear his stomach rumbling. We're about to have a visitor." He gathered his place setting and concealed it behind the woodpile.
Bella stood at the door with his jacket. "How will I find you?" she whispered.
"Come to the deer trail tomorrow, when you can. I'll be waiting." He pressed a kiss to her forehead and slipped out the door, disappearing into the darkness.
Bella turned in time to see Michael walk in, bleary eyed and scratching at his stomach.
"Bella! You're awake very late." He frowned. "I hope you aren't worried about Hunter. I'll deal with him."
"That's very sweet of you, but I just wanted a snack and some tea. Would you like some?" Bella felt guilty at the lie, but it couldn't be helped.
Michael grabbed a hunk of cheese from the pantry and kissed her on the cheek, heading back to the stairs. "No, thank you, cousin. I'm already asleep. I just needed my cheese."
She shook her head at his silliness.
Bella waited until Michael's bedroom door clicked shut before retrieving Edward's dishes from their hiding place. She quickly tidied up and doused the lights, then made her way up to bed, almost at once falling into an exhausted slumber.
Some time later, a silhouette appeared against the window.
Edward settled himself on the familiar ledge. He allowed himself a brief glimpse of Bella's peaceful visage, then rested his head against the glass barrier that separated them. His eyes followed the stars as they spun their ageless course across the heavens…and Edward waited out the night.
~oOo~
The next morning found Bella working alongside her aunt in the garden. Katherine was singing the praises of James Hunter and wondering why he hadn't made an appearance for breakfast. Bella remained noncommittal on the subject, but smiled grimly when her back was turned. Hunter wouldn't be returning for any meals, ever.
She had taken special care with her appearance that morning, selecting her favorite every-day skirt and blouse and leaving her hair down in back. Time seemed to drag as she went through her morning routine, but at last luncheon was cleared, and Aunt Katherine retired to her room for her afternoon nap.
Bella slipped out the kitchen door, bringing a blanket and picnic basket. She smiled as she thought of the last time she had taken this path in search of Jack — had it only been two days? Reaching the oak tree, she spread the blanket on the ground and settled herself to wait, closing her eyes to enjoy the sounds of the forest.
Something that felt suspiciously like a kiss brushed her cheek, and she opened her eyes to find Edward seated on the ground some ten feet away, arms folded behind his head and grinning like a fool.
How could he be even more attractive than she remembered? It was patently unfair. Struggling to appear unaffected, she teased, "You don't have to steal your kisses, you know."
He had the good grace to look sheepish, and came to join her on the blanket. "Don't I?" he asked, leaning close, and she shook her head, his nearness rendering her mute. "That is very good to know," he murmured, and brushed his mouth against her other cheek, lingering to inhale her fragrance before sitting back.
"I'd like to take you to a beautiful place I know, farther into the forest…if you don't mind…" He watched her, seeming uncertain of her response, and at last she found her voice.
"I'd love to see it," she said, and was rewarded with his smile.
When they had gathered Bella's things, Edward stepped away, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "Bella, I don't wish to offend or frighten you, but, to get to this place…It's much too far for you to walk…I will have to carry you."
Bella's eyes widened, and she felt her blush spread to the roots of her hair.
"Forgive me," Edward said quickly, "I shouldn't have suggested it."
"No! There's no need to apologize." She bit her lip. "I was only a bit surprised. You may carry me."
"If you're certain…"
At her nod, Edward grinned with excitement.
"I should show you first," he said. "I'm probably a bit faster than you're expecting. Please don't be alarmed."
She let out a squeak of surprise as Edward streaked away, leaving a path of trembling leaves in his wake. Bella's hair stood on end, and her mind scrambled to keep up with this new revelation. A moment later, she heard a rustling behind her, and whirled around to see Edward emerging from the undergrowth in the opposite direction.
He reached out to place a finger under her chin, gently closing her mouth. He was not even winded.
"That was…you were…" She trailed off, and Edward's face showed growing concern.
Bella finally recovered her equilibrium. "You're marvelous!" she exclaimed. "How wonderful, to be able to run so fast!" Edward heaved a sigh of relief, looking somewhat abashed at her praise.
His expression turned serious as he moved to stand close against her. "You'll need to put your arm around my neck," he murmured, and Bella complied, a blush coloring her cheeks.
Edward swallowed. "I'm going to pick you up now."
Placing one arm behind her back, he bent to sweep the other under her knees, bringing her up and into his embrace. Their faces were but inches apart as Edward nervously cleared his throat to ask, "Are you well?"
"I'm perfect," she said, and it was true. "Now, my 'more than a man, but still a man'…" Her eyes glinted playfully. "Show me what you can do!"
Suddenly, the nervous boy was no more. Edward raised a dark brow, and the corner of his mouth curled into a wicked smirk. He leaned his head closer, and Bella shivered as he whispered dangerously in her ear:
"You'd better hold on tight."
Her eyes widened, and she tightened her grip as Edward shifted her body more snugly against him.
"I'll start slowly," he said. "Tell me if it's too much."
~oOo~
Bella had braced herself for a bumpy ride, but was amazed to find that Edward was able to navigate the trees and dips of the forest without jarring her. She kept the side of her face pressed against his shoulder and watched as the forest rushed past, her hair streaming behind them.
Edward dipped his head to murmur in her ear, "Your heart is racing. Shall I stop?"
She shook her head and squeezed his neck in reply, not trusting her voice.
"Would you like me to go faster?" She nodded, then let out a squeal as the forest suddenly became a blur, and the wind made her eyes tear.
"Are you well?" he asked once more, and she nodded again, keeping her face buried.
Then they were slowing, little by little, and at last she looked up to see that Edward was carrying her through a stand of birch trees, muted sunlight dappling the forest floor with spots of gold.
Bella gasped with delight as they emerged at last into a sheltered meadow of wildflowers. Edward carefully set her on her feet, holding her waist with both hands to steady her as she swayed a bit at first.
"Bella?" Edward stooped to peer into her face.
With a joyful whoop, she flung her arms into the air and spun away from him to fall back into the soft grass. When she sat up, Edward was seated next to her, his forearms resting on his knees. He wore a satisfied smile.
"Are you proud of yourself?" she asked.
"More proud of you," he said, his face sincere. "You amaze me, Bella." She shook her head in embarrassment.
With a happy sigh, she took in the idyllic scene around them. "Edward…this is so beautiful!"
"I wanted you to see it, to share it with you," he said. Then he shrugged one shoulder self-consciously. "And…I hoped we could learn more about one another."
He took her hand, and for a time, they sat in silence as the breeze made the grasses flow and ripple around them. Edward traced one finger slowly along her forearm, raising goosebumps on the delicate flesh.
"Your skin is so lovely," he whispered, and he frowned in concentration as he turned her hand over to stroke a thumb gently across her palm.
"I can't believe you're here…" he said, "…that I can touch you."
She studied his expression as he continued to graze cool fingers over her skin, his reverence making her heart ache. "I'm here," she whispered, her voice husky. "I trust you."
Bella watched in dismay as a shadow crossed over his features.
"Edward," she said gently, "why don't tell me everything? I can't imagine anything so terrible that it would turn me away."
He sighed then, and closed his eyes. "In that, you are correct," he murmured, "for I'm sure you couldn't imagine such a monster as I." His hand still cradled hers, but now his own was still.
Bella was at a loss. She sat back on her heels and gazed at the multicolored wildflowers swaying in the breeze. Then, unbidden, the image of her mother entered her mind.
~oOo~
"Edward…may I tell you about my mother?"
A small smile stole its way across Edward's face and he chuckled.
"I would like nothing more." He peered up at her through his lashes. "Truly, I would like to know about her, Bella. Please tell me."
She picked a forget-me-not and twirled it for a moment, lost in thought. "Renee, was…unconventional," she began. "She and Charlie were opposites in that regard, but they loved each other, respected each other. But my mom…I remember when I was little, she liked to say, 'Bella, there are so many things that we don't understand. Open your heart and mind, and you'll have a life full of wonder.' And she would tell me stories…"
She paused, and Edward gently squeezed her hand. "Please, go on," he said. "Your mother sounds like an amazing woman."
Bella nodded and continued, "She liked to tell me the stories that she had heard as a child…her father was French, but my grandmother was from Scotland, and those were the stories I loved the most, full of magical creatures and people…and when I asked if they were true, my mother would say that the world was so old, and so vast, that most anything was possible."
Edward's face had grown pensive as he listened.
"So you see…," she said with a small shrug, "I was taught at an early age, that you, Edward, are possible…. and that I shouldn't be afraid of the things I don't understand."
Edward searched her eyes as she steadily returned his gaze.
He opened his mouth and closed it twice.
Then finally he said, "I…I don't sleep."
Bella's eyebrows rose in surprise. "You don't sleep?"
"No."
"Never?"
He shook his head. "No, not at all."
Suddenly self-conscious, he looked down and picked up a stone, turning it over in his hand as she digested this new piece of information. Her heart sped for a moment, then calmed, and Edward looked up to see that she was watching him expectantly.
"I have told you my age…but you should know that I will never truly grow old. I'm frozen as I am now, forever. I cannot be destroyed...except with fire."
Now it was Bella who looked away. Edward watched her, frustrated in his desire to gauge her reaction; for though her heart was laboring under some strong emotion, her face remained carefully composed.
But she smiled and nodded for him to continue…and Edward knew that his period of grace had finally come to an end. There was no longer any excuse to keep her from the truth.
Finally, she'll understand. She will know.
Edward closed his eyes, willing away the fear that threatened to paralyze him.
This woman was never meant for you. Let her go.
"Edward!" The alarm in Bella's voice pulled him back, and he opened his eyes.
The stone that he had been holding had been reduced to nothing but dust and fragments in his hand. His mouth twisted bitterly…Yet more evidence that he was dangerous, was other.
Bella covered his hand with hers, holding tightly. "Edward, whatever it is," she cried, "I won't leave you!" He nodded if only to appease her.
It was time.
"Bella…I don't eat food, or drink, as you do."
Bella frowned in confusion. "But...last night you ate my scones and drank the tea."
Edward stared back at her, completely unprepared for this response. He shrugged lamely. "I…didn't want to hurt your feelings."
She blinked at him, and then burst out in laughter…and Edward helplessly joined in, both of them finally caught up in the absurdity of their predicament.
She gasped, "Oh my lord! Was it awful?"
Nodding emphatically, he managed to choke out, "It tasted like dirt, all of it. I had to puke it up as soon as I got away from the house."
Bella broke into a renewed gale of laughter and rolled onto her back as he followed suit next to her.
Finally she asked breathlessly, "So…you don't eat at all?"
They were lying on their backs, side by side, and she turned to face him, her eyes bright and cheeks flushed with laughter. But her face fell as she saw Edward's expression.
Edward forced himself to answer, even as his eyes silently begged for forgiveness. "I don't eat food or drink as you do…but I do require sustenance."
Alea iacta est.
He watched in sorrow as her eyes grew distant, making the connections, as he had known she would.
Bella's face paled, and she sat bolt upright, her eyes filling with horror.
"I know what you are."
A/N:
Aperire: To lay bare, uncover; to reveal
Alea iacta est: literally: "The die is cast." Events have passed a point of no return; Something inevitably will happen.
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