BELLA SWAN
This memory stands out, brighter than the rest. The one of our first marriage. Human marriage. Breathing, beating, living marriage.
Breathing… lungs? Did I still have them? Where were they?
Edward's hand wraps around mine. I watch from above, as if I'm a bird. Edward's hand wraps around mine, but I do not feel it. I feel only the breeze that blows across the prairie grasses in the meadow. And I feel their love. Our love. His love.
My love.
A spasm of pain, in my chest. Under the bite marks, near my heart. My hands ball into fists at my sides. This pain feels like fire. Passion. But too hot.
"I'm sorry my vows kind of sucked."
"Never. They were perfect."
He kisses my nose. I feel the flutter of my heart.
A heartbeat too weak to be mine, to be human.
Alice is there. She wraps her arms around me, kisses me on the cheek. "Welcome to the family, Bella," she says. I watch as I hug her back, my expression unfathomably happy. Esme's there, too. She hugs me, as well.
Rosalie doesn't hug me. But somehow the look she gives me lets me know that I'm accepted. She's forgiven me the stupidity of my choice. I'm forgiven for choosing immortality over humanity.
Emmett ruffles my hair gently. Jasper smiles at me. Carlisle's arm sneaks around my shoulders in a fatherly embrace. I watch from my perch above them all. So much love the trees whisper with it.
I'm happy.
I'm in pain.
"Edward," I cry. The sound is lighter than a whisper, hoarse, dry. As if I'm combusting, burning like paper from the inside out. But there's still a hand there to accept me. To try and sooth me. It's so hot now that his cool touch can't help. He feels warm. It feels wrong.
I writhe away from him. I hear a sob, and issue one in return.
Hell. I'm in Hell? I didn't remember dying.
Unless I died of love. The reverse of a broken heart. I had to much, so it was taken away. That would make sense. I wouldn't even be angry. I would understand. I would understand, because it wasn't fair. I was too blessed. It only fit that I be punished.
Alice whispers in my ear as we all turn to leave the meadow. Not whispering to keep secrets. There were no secrets with the Cullens.
"You're wanted here. You're one of us."
One of us.
My frail, smoldering heart beats again.
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Disclaimer.
Nadda. =(
Author's Note.
Just trying something new. =) Wanted to get this story moving in the direction I first invisioned a little quicker, jumpstart this story and my enthusiasm for it. Don't worry, we still have quite a ways to go before we catch up with where this little flashback starts up. ;)
Reviews are cool.