Hi guys! Chappie 12 at last! Yaaay! AAAaaaand…BEGIN!
I quickly shoved the small, wallet-size photo of Edward and me in the back pocket of my jeans. I didn't want to think about what would happen when I reached Italy again, but the photo helped me concentrate better on the love I had for him.
As I stepped up to the airport, I walked without a hassle through security, Edward trailing behind me. We hadn't said a word about what had happened, other than the fact that I had to feed again since Jane had knocked all the deer blood out of me. What a waste.
As I was about to board the plane, Alice at my side at Edward's request, he caught my arm and pulled me back to him with great strength and force. When I looked into his dark topaz eyes all I could see was fear, love, and worry—an unimaginable amount of worry. I smiled, though I was worried too, but his lips didn't even twitch. Instead they crashed down on mine with all the passion and love he could muster. If I had been human, I would be crying my eyes out.
With great effort I managed a small smile which was meant to look reassuring but I was sure it held about as much reassurance as a Trig test. Still, it was worth a shot.
"I'll be alright," I whispered, the first words I'd said in hours. I looked down, trying to avoid his eyes now. If I kept looking into them, I was sure I'd change my mind and stay with him. A long, pale finger came up below my chin and gently guided my head back up to him. Edward rested his forehead against mine and sighed, closing his eyes.
"I know Bella," he said, his lips barely moving. His ocher eyes were open in a flash, and his lips were on mine again, "But damn it, you'd better come back to me." I hugged him, and even though my heart hadn't beat in months, it was aching now.
"I will," I promised softly. He embraced me back.
"What a stupid lamb," he murmured. I smiled, choking on my own breath.
"What a sick, masochistic lion," I mumbled against his chest. He held me tighter and I inhaled his scent.
"Now boarding all 9 AM flights to Italy. Last call!"
"Bella," Alice said softly, not wanting to interrupt us, "We've got to go." With a nod, I reluctantly let go of Edward, but I couldn't resist just one last kiss.
"I love you," I assured him, and with a final wave, I followed Alice onto the plane. I looked back once, and his face was pained, his right arm sticking out as if he were trying to will me back to him. I smiled one last time before disappearing around a corner. I love you, I thought desperately, watching my feet as they glided along effortlessly. I wished then, that Edward could read my thoughts…
&&&
The entire flight there was merciless. Alice wasn't much of a help either, trying to make me feel better by talking about all the things she was going to get me at the mall when we get back—I don't know what she was thinking.
Eventually, she quieted down and I was able to relax—to a point. Without conscious knowledge my hand crept its way to my back pocket and immerged with the photo of Edward and I. I smiled as I observed it.
The glossy picture was from a little after Edward had surprised me with the house. I was standing on one side of a large tree and Edward was on the other. I was smiling, laughing, as I crept up behind Edward, following him as he circled the tree in pursuit of me, the crooked smile on his face. In the photo, Edward's topaz eyes were looking back towards me, and I remembered what had happened next. He'd turned around quickly, catching me by surprise, and had kissed me, holding my up against the tree. I remember laughing after the kiss, running away playfully.
I felt like my heart would rip then, as a smile grew on my lips and I examined the picture. We were so happy, so loving, so carefree. And I was now on a plane to Italy without him. Most likely about to meet my end—
No. I wasn't thinking about that. If Jane was going to kill me, I sure as hell was taking her down with me. I would never let her hurt Edward again. I growled, and I felt Alice's cool hand touch mine.
"You shouldn't be here you know," I muttered, looking away. I took my hand out from under hers and stuffed the photo in my pocket, "Her power can affect you too." Alice didn't object; partly because she knew it was true and partly because she didn't want to upset me further.
&&&
Three hours into the flight. It feels like I'm stuck. I'm not letting my mind wander on anything for too long for fear that it'll focus on Edward, as it always does. But focusing on Edward caused pain and longing. I settled back into the leathery first-class seat and watched without seeing the movie that was playing on two miniature TV's stuck on the back of the seats in front of us. I must have zoned out because the next thing I knew the credits were playing and I had no idea what movie it was.
I moved my ocher eyes over to Alice, who was staring off out the window. She hadn't spoken to me yet, and I didn't want her too. It was much easier dealing with this in the silence. It was then that I had an idea, something that would make me feel better. It even got a little smile out of me.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, letting the picture resurface in my mind. I concentrated on my breathing, making sure my breaths were soothing.
Edward, shade, trees, memories…I concentrated hard, willing what I wanted to come…Edward, kisses, love…
"Bella?"
I opened my eyes and grinned hugely—it had worked!
I was back in the photo, on the day it was taken. I was hiding behind the giant oak, giggling. Little streaks of sunlight specked my hands and face, making small patches of sparkles appear everywhere.
I heard Edward move to the other side of the tree, and I followed sneakily, watching his back as he moved around the trunk after me. I was thrilled—an afternoon with Edward, what more could I want. I looked over my shoulder and spotted Alice with the camera and smiled.
I reconnected my gaze on Edward and in a swift moment his face was inches from mine, grinning mischievously. With an effortless movement he had me pinned between him and the tree, our foreheads touching. I closed my eyes, committing this to memory…again.
"You thought you could hide from me, Isabella?" he asked playfully, love alight in his soft topaz eyes. I grinned hugely.
"I would never want to hide from you," I told him quietly, echoing the words I'd said that day. His beautiful, perfect crooked smile appeared, though I only got a glimpse of it because then his lips were crashing down onto mine. I kissed him back, now missing him more than ever, and as the kiss deepened, I giggled into his mouth and stealthily evaded his grasp. With a fit of laughter I began to run away, waiting for what I knew was coming.
He tackled me to the ground, sending us rolling down the hill, both of us sparkling like maniacs. When we finally stopped, he'd landed on top of me. He gently lowered his full weight on top of me and plummeted us into another passionate kiss. We lay there quietly for a moment, breathing in sync with each other. Edward's head lay on my chest where my heart used to beat. I remembered that we'd just lay here for hours this day, but I knew I had to leave soon. So, I created my own reality—after all, this wasn't really that day. This was what I'd wished for, and I could change it if I wanted. So I did.
I pulled his face back up to mine and kissed him deeply. Then I crushed his solid body to mine in a hug I never wanted to end, "I love you," I said.
"I love you," he echoed, his eyes glowing softly.
No. I don't want to leave. I don't want to…but I must. I kissed Edwards nose.
Back, I thought. I immediately felt my arms hang lifelessly, my eyes were still closed. I was back on the plane; I could hear the music of the movie replaying again, along with Alice's steady breathing next to mine.
I opened my eyes, "How was it?"
I looked over and Alice was smiling softly at me, knowing where I'd gone. I smiled and relaxed into my seat, "Not as good as the real Edward, but it was enough for now," I grumbled. I closed my eyes again and Alice giggled.
"Don't even think about it. We're landing in ten minutes." She said. I opened my eyes to show her I wasn't going to leave again, and I began to get more intense. I had to plan this perfectly, or else it could end badly. Jane was strong, but I was bigger. Plus I couldn't be affected by her power. That gave me the upper hand. I must have looked miserable because Alice suddenly reached over and hugged me.
"It's going to be OK Bella," she said soothingly. I didn't believe her, but I let myself think I did, at least for now. And it helped; I was calmer, and soon the pilot was announcing the landing and lighting up the 'fasten seat-belts' sign.
&&&
Italy was a lot more complicated than what I remembered. It was because I was a vampire now, and I had to be conscious of my every step; otherwise, I would accidently walk into a ray of bright light. Alice was prepared, and as soon as we reached the doors of the airport to leave a limo with tinted black windows pulled up in front of the doors. The small sign in the window read 'Cullen, Alice'. I looked at her in disbelief and she merely smiled and shrugged, leading the way. She called to the driver and asked that he please move to under the awning. He obliged, and we carefully maneuvered in the shadows to our car.
"Where to miss?" The driver asked with a heavy Italian accent.
"The Hilton please," Alice said sweetly. I watched as the driver looked both of us over and blushed, fumbled with the keys, and then threw the car out into the street where we sat in the traffic. I giggled at his reaction and pushed the button to close the divider. I then sighed and leaned back into the soft black leather, gently massaging my temples. It was an old habit that seemed to help calm me.
I looked up at Alice hopefully, "Can I call Edward?" I asked, holding my hand out for the cell phone. She sighed and handed it over.
"He was about to call anyway," she mumbled. I smiled and quickly dialed home. Every time it rang I grew more and more anxious.
"Bella?" I let out the breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. This was a million times better than the fantasy I'd run to, "I was just about to call you!" His voice sounded as anxious as I felt. I smiled.
"I had a feeling," I said, steeling a glance in Alice's direction. I curled up into a ball on the seat, leaning my head against the window and huddling up with the phone, "I miss you," I told him, my voice just above a whisper.
"I know Bella. It's only been a few hours and already I feel like I've lost half of myself." He sighed, seeming to try to soak up my essence. I felt my stomach erupt into butterflies—I missed him so much.
"I love you," I told him desperately, my throat shaking, "I wish there were more words than just those," I sighed, irritated, "They're not enough anymore. My feelings for you go far beyond the limits of love." My eyebrows knitted together as I tried to make him understand how I felt, but apparently he got it. I could tell that what I'd said made him happy; he was breathing more deeply.
"I know exactly how you feel," he assured me, and I knew that he did. We were quiet for a moment, "How was the flight?" he asked. I told him about how I'd used my power to return to that day.
"Do you remember?" I asked him. The driver made a hard left and I had to concentrate so that I wouldn't fall off the seat.
"Yes. And I don't think that's very fair," he huffed, "You get to spend time with me and I don't even know it or get to enjoy it," I giggled into the phone. He sighed. "I remember that day…" he trailed off, getting lost in his memories. I closed my eyes, trying to picture him at home…
"Bella," Alice's soft voice cut through the small bubble Edward and I had created and I looked up sadly. She pointed out one of the windows, revealing the massive hotel we'd checked into for the day. We would only be staying here for tonight so that we had enough time to plan. Alice didn't know it yet, but she would not be participating in the battle with Jane. I couldn't risk her getting hurt.
I sighed into the phone, "I have to go," I said, my voice dripping with misery. I couldn't bear goodbyes—especially with Edward.
"Promise me," he said quietly, his voice just above a whisper on the other end, "Promise me you'll come back to me." When I didn't answer his voice rose in panic, "Bella!" he demanded. I gave him my strangled response.
"I love you," I told him, unable to make a promise I wasn't sure I could keep. Before he could object I shut the phone and ended the conversation. I handed the phone dejectedly to Alice and listened to her musical voice as she asked the driver to park in the ally on the side of the hotel. It was safest there because not only did the buildings massive shadow cast itself over there, but from there to the front door there were awnings that kept us safe from the sun.
Promise me…
Edward's words rang in my head as I followed Alice silently to the front desk. The young girl behind the desk looked at us oddly seeing as we weren't toting any luggage, but after a moment she shrugged it off and jealously replaced the confusion. She picked up the small plastic black phone by the desk and within minutes a boy came, handing her the key to our room. He paused and checked me out, giving me a playful smile. I hadn't noticed until Alice said in a whisper "Watch out, ten o'clock," Her words were audible just to me and her lips moved so fast that no human would be able to tell she'd even spoken. I turned to "ten o'clock" and sure enough, there he was staring at me. He had a look in his eye that told me he wasn't going to go away easily, and so I casually faked a yawn and brought up my left hand to cover my mouth. My wedding and engagement rings flashed in the light as I had intended and the smirk instantly vanished from the boys face. I then moved my left hand to my neck, ring side up, and kept it there, making sure he could see. He blushed and hung his head as he raced quickly to the back.
&&&
Our room was cozy. Alice was in the bathroom, carefully checking the spikiness of her cropped black hair, leaving me alone to sit on the bed and think. I had to plan, to act quickly. I had to come back to Edward. I just had to.
A few minutes in the bathroom and Alice came back in, sitting across from me on the opposite bed and studying me.
"Care to share your thoughts?" she asked. I looked at her solemnly and sighed.
"If I don't come back tomorrow," Alice began to open her mouth to object but I held up my hand to shush her. I started again, "If I don't come back tomorrow, please, don't let Edward…" I felt my throat closing, unable to finish the unbearable thought. Alice was at my side in an instant. I really wanted to cry. She knew what I meant and she smiled.
"Bella, I won't let anything happen to you." I looked at her, and without having said anything she knew what I was thinking, "No Bells, I'm definitely coming," she said, "I already saw it. You'll need me." I got up, angry.
"I am not letting you get hurt by Jane!" I roared, "You're affected by her Alice! Edward getting hurt by her nearly killed me. You think I want to lose you too?" I collapsed on the bed she'd been on before and broke down into dry sobs, willing tears to come but knowing they never would. I felt her cool hand on my back.
"Bella," she soothed, "You're not affected by her power," she stated. I looked up to tell her 'no duh' but the look in her eyes made me stop. Excitement flickered across her ocher orbs, "You may not be affected by her power Bella, but she is most definitely affected by yours." She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. With a smile, she opened them again and stared directly into mine, "I've got a plan."
Whooo cliffie! How do you like that? I managed to get Edward and Bella fluff in there when they weren't even in the same country! Ha! Reviews please! I'll try to get the next chappie out reeeal soon K? Thanks:O)
Falling Rose Petals
