I want to apologize for my complete fail at updating on time! So many things were going on and none of it allowed me to finish this chapter up! I know how dare real life do that!
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Please forgive any mistakes because my Beta is getting this the same time you are! As soon as she is finished with it, I will replace this chapter with the Beta'ed version!
Disclaimer: I don't anything! I'm just playing in Stephenie Meyer's sandbox for a while
Last chapter:
"I was in Port Angeles a few weeks ago," he admitted but didn't go on.
"And did you murder that man?" it came out so softly that I thought he might not have heard it. But he did.
"No. I didn't murder that man and that's all I can say about it."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*BS&CB*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I sat there in a stunned silence for a moment tryin' to decipher the feelins' that were rushin' around in my body. Number one, I was relieved. I was relieved that Edward didn't murder that man. I didn't think that I could possibly have seen him anymore if he had. Secondly, I was annoyed. I was annoyed that he was being so cryptic about it all. If he hadn't done anything wrong then why not just say so.
"I can tell that your mind is just whirlin' Bella and I wish that I could tell you more, but it's better for you that I don't," Edward said from my side.
"Why would it be better for me?" I asked after a moment, turning to face him again. His face was guarded, I could tell that he was fighthin' his emotions.
"It just would be. I don't know what else to say but that."
I knew that he wasn't gonna back down on this. If he felt that it wasn't in my best interest to know anything then I wasn't gonna be able to change his mind. Men knew what was best for womenfolk; it's just the way that it is. I was already crossin' lines by questioning his words.
"Then I guess that is that," I said pullin' my knees into my chest. I hated the sick feelin' that I had in my stomach. What started as a very nice afternoon has turned into something else. I wanted to go back to before; I wish I hadn't pushed him for answers.
"I don't want to hurt you, Bella," he sighed as he tentatively reached out for my hand, instinctively I grasped onto it. I didn't have it in me to tell him no. "I'm doing what I think is best. I would hate to see you get hurt because of something that I said."
"Someone would hurt me for knowing this information?"
"There are some very dangerous people in my life, Bella. People that won't care that you're a woman," his voice was beyond serious. I tried to decipher the emotion on his face, but the only thing I could come up with was fear. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why he would be afraid.
"You mean your brothers?"
He chuckled darkly for a moment before answering. "My brothers are the least of my worries."
I narrowed my eyes at his words. Who could possibly be worse then the Cullen's'? Especially the two oldest, Emmett and James. I had yet to meet either of them and I wasn't in any hurry to do so.
He took in my expression before sayin' anything. "My brothers would never hurt you, especially once they realize how I feel about you. But there are others that wouldn't care."
If anything, I was more confused. "Should I be worried?" I hated how my voice shook. I tried not to be scared but I couldn't help it.
"I won't let anything happen to you," he vowed. His free hand came to cup my cheek. "You mean too much to me."
He leaned his head and pressed his lips to mine again. It wasn't as passionate as the first kiss; it was more of a promise then anything else.
He slowly released me. "I would stay here forever," he whispered as he traced his finger down my cheek and then along my jawbone. "But you need to get home."
I looked regretfully towards the sky and was quite surprised to see how far the sun had moved since we had settled ourselves in the meadow.
"Oh no," I gasped jumpin' up off the ground. "My Pa has to be wonderin' where I am."
Edward gently grasped my hand, intertwining his fingers with mine. He quietly led me from our place of solace. I felt a loss as we walked out of the old graveyard, towards Toby and my hitched wagon. I didn't want to leave Edward.
Once we were by my wagon, he stopped and wrapped his arms around me pulling me into his chest.
He smelt unique. A mixture of sun, air and horse. I liked it. He didn't speak any words and neither did I. We just stood there holdin' into each other, as if this would be the last time.
"I don't know how this is gonna work," I mumbled against his chest. I didn't see a way. My Pa would never allow it. There was no amount of beggin' and pleadin' that would change his mind to that fact. Edward was a criminal and there was no comin' back from that.
"We'll find away," he said addressing my words. "I promise."
I wanted to believe his words but I just didn't see how. My heart hoped for things that my brain knew weren't possible. But I found myself noddin' in agreement.
He slowly loosened his grip on me, taking a step back.
"You should go," he murmured, tracing his finger down my cheek.
I gave him a weak smile and turned to climb up into my wagon, I gave a surprised yelp when I felt his hands encircle my waist and help hoist me up.
Help as in completely liftin' me up as if I didn't weigh more then a rag doll. Once I situated myself in my seat, I turned to give him another smile.
"Get home safe," he said in a stern voice, but the softness in his voice gave him away.
"I will."
With one last look in his direction, I quickly slapped the reins down onto to Toby and started on my way home.
~*~*~*~*~*~*BS&CB*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"You're home," Abby yelled out running from around the side of the house.
I hurriedly jumped down from the wagon and started unhitchin' Toby.
"I am," I said givin' her a shaky smile. "Is Pa wonderin' about me?"
"I doubt he's even noticed," she said with a girlish giggle. "He and Ben are still in the field."
And sure enough, they were. I must not have been as long as I had thought.
I quickly ushered Abby inside to get supper all dished up. I didn't want Pa to have anything bad to say about my chores, just in case I needed to use this as an excuse to see Edward again.
Just as I laid the last plate onto the table, the telltale sound of boots hittin' the porch could be heard.
"Dinner smells good, Isabella," Pa said comin' to sit at the table.
"Thanks, Pa," I said with my usual blush. I didn't do well with compliments, especially ones that had to do with my daily chores. It was like complimenting' the corn for growin' or the sun for shinin'.
"How was the graveyard?" he asked after we were all seated. I picked slowly at my meat contemplating' what to say. I didn't want to sound too enthusiastic, but I wanted to seem like it helped.
"It was nice," I finally said. I about cringed as the words came out though.
"Good."
And that was all that was said about that. Pa was never one to pry, unless he founded warrant to do so.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*BS&CB*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The ride to church the next day was thankfully a quiet one. For once Mz. Jensen kept to herself, only makin' small comments on the weather and how nice the fair the week before had turned out. I just Hmm'ed at everything she said and kept a smile plastered on my face.
The smile part wasn't too difficult with all the Edward thoughts racin' around in my head. I hadn't made any more sense of my thoughts but I did know one thing for sure.
I was in love with Edward Cullen.
And there was no goin' back.
"Young love is so sweet," Mz. Jensen said pullin' me from my thoughts.
"Huh?" I said dumbly.
"Young love, my dear," she said shifting her larger frame around. "I know it when I see it."
"You must be mistaken, ma'am."
"Oh, I know it's too soon for you to admit it aloud, but young Mr. Newton is a lucky fellow," she said this through the wide smile that had spread across her face. "I think a fall weddin' would be mighty nice."
I about choked on my own spit. She of course thought that my dreamy look and endless smile was for Michael. I needed to be more guarded with my emotions; I didn't need Michael to get any more ideas about us. I just needed a moment to figure it all out, figure out a way to let him down easy. I didn't want to hurt him.
"I'm not sure what you are talkin' about, Mz. Jensen, but no one in this carriage is gettin' married this fall," I huffed slightly. I should have kept my mouth shut but lately I was finding that I was havin' difficulty doin' that.
"Whatever you say, Isabella," she said givin' me a knowin' smile.
I turned my head to look out the small window, deciding that sayin' anything else would not help anything.
A few moments later, we pulled up in front of the church and Ben quickly jumped out to help us women out.
Just as my feet hit the dirt road, I noticed a frazzled Alice pacin' there.
"Mary Alice," I called out. I was worried; I had never seen her like this. Her normally perfectly curled and pinned hair hung in loose waves down her back and her pink bonnet sat haphazardly on her head.
"Oh, Isabella," she cried out, rushin' towards me. "I'm so glad you're here."
"Is everything alright, Mary Alice?" Mz. Jensen's voice came from behind us. She had managed to extract her large frame from the carriage just in time to hear Alice.
"Oh!" Alice exclaimed. "Mz. Jensen, don't you look just lovely in that purple dress."
"It's actually plum, Mary Alice, but thank you," she looked down at the god-awful dress she was squeezed into.
"Of course," Alice said with a smile not even missin' a beat. "Do you mind if I have a quick word with Isabella?"
"Church is just about to start," Mz. Jensen reminded her.
"It won't be but a minute," Alice pleaded.
Mz. Jensen relented when she noticed the way Alice was pleadin'.
"Alright, just make sure to be in the church quickly," she said before turnin' and pullin' a bewildered Abby behind her. Abby didn't like to be separated from me in public, it made her anxious. Usually I would have kept her with me, but I didn't think she needed to be here for whatever Alice had to say.
"What is it Alice?" I asked frantically once Mz. Jensen was out of hearin' range.
"I need to talk to you about the Cullen's."
"Alice," I said in annoyance. "I don't have time to talk about Edward right now."
I should have known that is what she was upset over. We never had a chance to talk about everything that had happened at the fair last weekend.
"No, it's not…," she started but a strong voice from behind us cut her off.
"Isabella. Ms. Brandon," Michael called out.
Alice mumbled something that sounded suspiciously like a curse word. I gave her a sharp look but she didn't see it with the daggers she was shooting Michael.
"Michael," I greeted him. "How nice to see you."
"You too, Isabella," he shot a weary look towards Alice, but didn't say anything to her. "I hope I didn't interrupt anything."
"Of course not, Michael," Alice piped in. "Nothing that we can't discuss later."
"Well, good," he said with a small. "I was hopin' to escort you into the church, Isabella."
"I…uh…," I stammered. I wanted to say no, but couldn't find the words to do so. "Of course."
I offered him a weak smile when I placed my hand on his elbow. Alice trailed behind us, never getting more then a step or two away.
My wind was just a wonderin' about what she had to say. If it was about the Cullen's but not about Edward, I couldn't imagine what it could be.
Michael walked me right to the pew that Mz. Jensen and my siblings were seated at.
"Thank you for the honor of walkin' you," he said nervously. His poor brow was startin' to glisten; I had to wonder if the sweatin' wasn't caused by me.
I just gave him a smile and slid into the pew next to Abby. I was surprised when Alice squeezed in next to me.
"Alice!" I exclaimed quietly. "What are you doin'."
"I need to talk to you," she stressed.
"But your Mama and Pa will be lookin' for you."
"And she'll see me sittin' next to my best friend. She will not worry."
I hummed in agreement, because in all reality once Alice made her mind up about something there was no changing it.
"So you and Michael are getting serious," she whispered as she laced her fingers with mine.
"No, I am gonna tell him that I'm not interested," I said squeezing her tiny hand.
"You should have done that before letting him escort you into church," she pointed out.
"What do you mean?" I turned my face towards hers. I was worried with what I saw. Her eyes looked sad, like she pitied me.
"Bella," she sighed. "Him walkin' you in here was like announcing to everyone that you two are it."
"What," I exclaimed, tryin' to keep my voice down.
"You had to of known," she said. "Come on, Bella. What did you think it means?"
"I don't know. I was just being nice," I mumbled.
"I overheard his mama at Old Man Copes the other day," she lowered her voice.
"And?" I tried to keep the anxiety out of my voice.
"She was telling Mrs. Stanley that everyone should be expectin' a fall weddin'."
The gasp that left my throat was heard throughout the church. I lowered my head when I saw the heads turn towards me. After a moment, I looked up to find Mrs. Newton lookin' at me with a wide smile on her face.
It broke my heart at how hopeful she looked.
"It's not too late," I stated.
"I hope not," Alice said sadly.
The sermon started then. I tried to concentrate, but my mind kept wanderin' to what Alice had said. I needed to get myself out of this situation. I just needed to tell Michael that I wasn't interested. Hopefully that would be enough to untangle myself from this web.
I heard the doors to the church swing open and a moment later gasps were heard throughout the church.
I turned in my seat to see what the commotion was about.
And what a commotion it was.
Because standin' in the doorway with sunlight streamin' in behind them was Edward and Jasper Cullen.
The looked frozen for a second, seemin' to be nervous to cross the threshold. I watched as Edward's eyes flickered over the crowd until they landed on me. His lips twitched with a smile before settlin' back into a straight line.
He stepped forward and Jasper followed. He looked around again for a moment, before lowerin' himself into the closet pew to the door. Jasper followed suit.
Everyone sat in a stunned silence for a moment, but Father Weber loudly cleared his throat and brought everyone's attention back to the front.
I forced myself to turn around, but not without sendin' a secret smile his way. His mouth didn't return it but his eyes did.
When I was righted in my seat, I finally noticed how stiff Alice was sittin' in her seat. Her eyes were trained on the pulpit and her body was tense.
"Alice, are you okay?" I whispered.
"No, this is what I wanted to talk to you about."
"What, the Cullen's comin' to church?" I asked in confusion. How would she even know about that?
"No, not that," she said turning to look at me. Her brown eyes were full of tears.
"I've been seeing' Jasper Cullen and I'm in love with him."
I could do nothing but gasp.
Sooo….Alice and Jasper….what do you think?
XO-
Symphiann
