Disclaimer: I do NOT own Twilight. Nor do I own the conversation between Bella and Victoria in the previous chapter.
Author's Note: Yes, yes. Cliffhanger. I know. I'm sorry.
I hope this chapter makes up for that and everything else which my story has lacked in the previous chapters.
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Chapter Eleven
As I stood, cowering against the wall like a child who had done something wrong, I waited for the impact.
Just as I opened my eyes to see what was wrong, I saw Victoria turned towards the window. Growls and snarls were soon to follow from the vampires lips as she watched. I hadn't moved my gaze from her yet, as I was afraid this was a setup to merely get me to look away and her to attack unexpectedly.
When nothing more came, I looked towards the window. Much to my surprise, Edward, Emmett, Jasper, and Alice all stood there. I hadn't even heard them come into the room! Thankfully, though, Victoria hadn't either, or she would have attacked much faster.
My heard had to have sped up, though none of them took notice. They were all locked in a stare down, which was beginning to wear on them. I was afraid Charlie would hear all of this soon-to-be commotion, when I looked up and saw Victoria bolt towards the group. She didn't have a chance against their power.
Did she?
I didn't have time to blink before Jasper, Edward, and Emmett were all gone, with Victoria. Alice stayed behind, however; her eyes were a vivid black hue. She was either hungry or very pissed off. I was voting for the latter.
"Alice!" I cried softly, throwing myself into her stone cold, strong arms. Before I knew what was happening, I was sobbing and she was hugging me tightly.
"Shh. Shh, Bella. It's okay. It'll be fine. Shh. Don't cry," Her voice was soothing as she stroked my hair and carried me to the bed. I easiliy curled up into her lap and allowed her to comfort me. It was working, but I was still in shock. Everything went numb and a sore pain struck throughout my entire body. It didn't run physical, though, but merely emotional. I was in turmoil from the chaos which had just occured.
Charlie could have died and it would have been at my fault. Edward and the rest of the Cullens could have been killed or hurt somehow and it would have been my fault. I was beginning to think that things weren't so great with me around. But, without them, I certainly wouldn't last much longer than a few weeks. Near-death experiences were happening more frequently. I hoped this was the last one.
I shuddered.
As she felt me move, Alice tightened her grasp on my frail body and continued rocking back and forth slowly,"Shh. Bella, it's okay. Please, calm down. Edward won't like this. Please, sweetie," she was only trying to do what was best, but I couldn't breathe from sobbing.
"I can't.. breathe. I'm scared, Alice.." This was all I could say while sobs conitnued to choke my entire body.
Soon, I closed my eyes just as Alice loosened her grip and I heard a low mummur of her talking to someone. I couldn't make out the voices, though, because my sobs continued. Before I knew what happened, I had been passed into someone else's cold, stronger arms and was cradled against their chest.
Edward. I could tell that just by his scent, which I began to take in softly while burying my head into his chest.
"Edward, I'm so sorry. So.. SO sorry. It was all my fault. I.. shouldn't have yelled at Charlie. I shouldn't have gone upstairs. I.. I'm .. sorry.." I whispered frantically, clinging tightly to him. It was at that moment when I realized we were in the rocking chair and alone in the room. Jasper, Emmett, and Alice had left to go back home.
"Shh, Bella. It's okay. I'm here now. Nothing's going to happen. Victoria's gone. It's going to be okay. This isn't your fault. I love you. Don't ever think otherwise. I won't let anything happen to you. I've already said that," Just hearing his voice calmed my sobs an incredible amount. Now, I was merely reduced to tears and whimpers for safety. My safe harbour now was holding me tightly; my sanctuary was found.
"I love you, too," I whispered in a strangled voice.
"Then stop worrying about everyone else and calm down, sweetie. I'll stay with you, but if Charlie comes upstairs, I'll have to hide. I won't be far, though," I knew he was carrying me to the bed then, because I could feel myself suspended in mid-air.
Tucked beneath the blankets with my love, my life, and my fiancee holding me close, I felt no safer place was in the world. I had everything I had ever wanted needed, and wished for and it was only a few centimeters away from me.
"What are you thinking?" Edward's cool breath fanned my face and disorganized my thoughts for a moment.
I hadn't been expecting that, which was why I gave the fullest answer of my ability.
"I'm thinking about how close I came to dying again. About how much I love you. How Charlie would feel if he saw us right like this. And, mostly, I'm thinking about how much danger I've put you and your entire family in."
Edward frowned deeply as I looked up at him,"You're not putting us into danger, Bella. We're fine, aren't we?"
I nodded and then sighed,"But it would be so much easier if I was a vampire, just like all of you.."
Edward's jaw tightened and he grew silent.
E. POV
I hadn't expected Bella to say that, but she did. There wasn't anything I could do without upsetting her futher, which is why I settled with just attempting to hold back my anger. Attempting to keep it in control. And, most importantly, attempting to keep Bella calm.
"Bella, don't. Please. I don't want to talk about this right now," I finally mummured before kissing her forehead,"Please?"
Bella mummbled something I didn't catch, which was quite rare for me. I guess my thoughts were just too worked up for me to understand her. I was entirely too engrossed with what could be happening and what Bella wanted. Soon, though, my thoughts snapped back to the one beside me; my love.
"I love you. Now, please, sleep. You need your rest after all of this. I'll be here when you wake. I promise you this, my love," I whispered soothingly.
"No. I can't sleep. I won't, Edward," Bella protested.
Against her will, I began to lightly hum her lullaby and soon enough, she fell fast asleep. I was thankful for the peace and silence, though I terribly missed talking with my love. It was then that my thoughts began to wander and I contemplated about what Bella would be like as one of my kind. What she would be like if I had decided to change her, or if Carlisle went through with his promise. I knew he would.
I didn't like the idea. I hated the thought of Bella not being able to blush anymore, or not being able to do anything that she did now. However, the thought of her cold, lifeless body and dead eyes was even worse than my first thoughts of her immortality.
So, I was torn. I wanted to change her, just so she would be with me forever. But on the other hand, I wanted her to live a normal life. I wanted her to have the human life which I hadn't gotten. I had to make my decision, though I really already had. I had decided I wouldn't live without her, which left me one choice.
Change her after we were married.
