Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 14 - Amare

Late afternoon sunlight painted the trees in hues of gold as Edward stood at the forest's edge, watching Isabella make her way back to the house. She paused at the kitchen door to blow a kiss in his direction, ducking her head shyly as she disappeared within. With a grin, Edward caught the airborne token of affection and pressed it to his cheek, shaking his head at himself.

The smile was still in place when Rosalie made an appearance some time later, wearing her preferred costume of men's trousers and shirt. "It looks as if things are progressing nicely with your pet," she smirked, looking up at him.

"Good afternoon, Rosalie," he responded, keeping his eyes trained on the house. "Yes, Bella and I have reached an understanding of sorts. Thank you for noticing."

His sister grinned and joined him where he sat halfway up a cedar. "This is long overdue, if you don't mind my saying so."

"I don't mind—I happen to agree. Where's Carlisle?"

"He wanted to be home when you got there. There have been some interesting comings and goings. Well, comings, really." She gathered her long blonde hair into a knot of sorts and tucked it under her cap.

Edward raised an inquisitive brow, but Rosalie pursed her lips, eyes twinkling. "Oh, no…I'm not going to spoil the surprise."

She bumped him playfully with her shoulder. "Go home and spend some time with Esme. She misses you. I'll keep watch over your fair maiden."

He bussed her cheek and dropped lightly to the ground. "I'll be back before full dark."

~oOo~

Edward was half a mile from home when he caught the fresh scent of two unfamiliar vampires. A low growl rumbled from his chest and he changed course back toward the boarding house, but then Carlisle's voice came from behind him. "Edward, come meet our new friends!" He slowed and heard Esme call, "They're no danger to your Isabella. Edward, come!"

Edward turned back toward home, slowing when the grand façade came into view through the trees. His parents and Emmett were seated on the front porch with a young couple. They stood as he mounted the steps, and Edward noted with relief that the strangers' eyes were tawny gold.

"Mr. and Mrs. Whitlock," Carlisle said, "I'd like you to meet our son, Edward Cullen."

"Jasper, please," the tall young man said as they shook hands.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Jasper, Mrs. Whitlock," Edward replied, nodding his head at the petite brunette.

"You must call me Alice," she insisted, cheeks dimpling. "I've been waiting to meet you for so long!"

Edward cast a sidelong glance at Carlisle, who shook his head with a chuckle. "They only arrived two hours ago, Edward. It's complicated."

Resigned, Edward leaned down to kiss Esme on the cheek, earning a pleased smile from his mother, then took a seat next to Emmett. His brother's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Edward!" he bellowed, clapping him boisterously on the shoulder, "Congratulations! I'm happy for you, brother!"

Edward's confusion rapidly turned to chagrin when he noticed that Carlisle and Esme were exchanging beaming smiles.

Alice cleared her throat delicately. "Edward, I'm looking forward to hearing about your friend. Her scent is most enticing!" Her eyes twinkled, while Jasper looked a trifle pained. She squeezed her husband's knee. "Don't worry, Jasper. You won't hurt her."

Emmett waggled his eyebrows at Edward. "It smells as if you and Miss Swan have been getting better acquainted."

"Emmett!" Esme scolded, "Behave!" Emmett looked unrepentant.

Esme turned to Edward. "Darling, we're so pleased that you and Miss Swan have become friends. When will we get to meet her properly?"

"Oh, yes!" Alice exclaimed, "We must meet her as soon as possible!"

"Yes, Edward, you can't keep her all to yourself," Emmett boomed, "Bring the little lady by the house next time."

"Perhaps tomorrow!" Alice said, "Esme, we could gather some food for a nice tea by tomorrow, couldn't we?"

Esme nodded. "I'm certain we could. Emmett, would you make a trip to town? Now that Miss Swan and Edward are friends, we'll need to be prepared."

"Yes, ma'am!" Emmett rubbed his hands together. "I may need to think about building some more furniture as well. Perhaps a bed." He waggled his eyebrows yet again.

His mother cuffed him on the back of his head. "I said behave!"

She turned to Alice. "He does have a point, though. We should set up a guest bedroom. Do you sew? It would be lovely to make a bed cover to match the drapes in the lavender room."

Alice sprang to her feet, clapping her hands in delight. "I was a seamstress when I was human! May I see the room?" The two swept into the house together, their voices fading as they continued up the stairs.

In the relative silence that followed, Jasper caught Edward's eye and gestured with his head toward the direction his wife had disappeared. "Sorry," he mouthed with an apologetic grin.

Edward turned his incredulous look on Carlisle, but his father only chuckled and clapped him on the shoulder. "Son, you'll get no help from me. Your mother has been waiting for you to find someone like this for…" He smirked. "Well, for a long time."

Edward slumped back in his chair and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Emmett jumped up and headed down the porch stairs. "I'm off to find some maple for Miss Swan's bed," he called over his shoulder. He stopped and turned. "Jasper, would you care to join me?"

Jasper rose. "Yes, I'd like to become more familiar with the town and environs." The two headed for the trees, Emmett gesturing animatedly as they talked.

Edward watched them go, then turned back to Carlisle with his eyebrows raised.

Carlisle stretched out his legs and leaned back, folding his hands behind his head. "Edward, I believe you have just met the two newest members of the Cullen clan."

Alice's voice floated down from the second floor, "Three three newest members!"

She appeared in the doorway, hands on her hips as she shook her head at them. "You forgot Miss Swan!"

Edward's mouth fell open and Carlisle smirked. "I suppose it's time we told you about Alice. She has a rather unique talent…"

~oOo~

Michael Newton exited the Three Rivers Tavern, at a loss for how to proceed. He had been to the mercantile where Hunter traded furs, to both of Forks' taverns, and even checked the bawdy house, but Hunter hadn't been seen since the previous day. With a disgusted sigh, Michael headed home.

Bella bustled past him as he entered the kitchen. "I saved your supper for you," she said over her shoulder. "Have a seat and we'll talk." Michael watched as she ladled a rich stew into his bowl.

"I've been in town, looking for Hunter," he told her, dipping in a chunk bread.

"Eat." Bella put a mug of ale in front of him and sat on the bench. "You can tell me about it when you have finished."

"Yes, ma'am!" He grinned, digging in. "Tell me about your day, then."

Bella fidgeted with a napkin as he ate, her leg bouncing under the table.

"Wha'?" Michael finally asked through a mouthful of bread.

She bit her lip, then rolled her eyes and whispered, "You must promise not to mention this to your mother."

He rolled his eyes right back at her. "Obviously."

She leaned forward. "Or anyone else. It's important, Michael."

"Not even Jessica?"

Bella threw up her hands. "Especially not Jessica. She's practically the town crier."

"Fine, fine. You know I can keep my mouth shut when it's warranted."

"Do you promise?"

"Yes, I promise! Out with it, woman!"

Bella leaned forward and whispered, "I met someone!"

Michael's eyebrows tried to reach his hairline. "When? Who?"

Bella knew her smile was ridiculous, but she couldn't find it in herself to care. "It's complicated, but...I suppose we met properly yesterday afternoon. It was Edward who chased Mr. Hunter off."

Michael grinned around a mouthful of food, "More like beat the tar out of him, according to Mr. Hawkins at The Hungry Bear. Edward who?" He gulped some ale.

Bella leaned forward again. "Keep your voice down, or this conversation is over."

He smiled sheepishly and wiped his mouth. "Sorry."

"Cullen. Edward Cullen."

"Cullen? There's an Edward Cullen? I thought there was only an Emmett and a Carlisle."

She nodded excitedly. "Yes, he's Emmett's brother."

"Huh." Michael finished sopping up the last of his stew and looked longingly at the pot. Taking his bowl to refill, she spoke over her shoulder.

"Of course I wanted to thank Edward for his help."

"Naturally." Michael feigned concern as she placed the bowl in front of him and Bella swatted him on the shoulder.

"So I packed some food, and we had a lovely picnic today."

Michael stopped eating to stare at her.

"What?" she asked indignantly.

"You, Bella Swan, willingly spent time in the company of a young adult male?"

She sputtered, "Now you're being ridiculous!"

"Ridiculous, am I? Every man within fifty miles knows they may as well not even try." He shook his head and resumed eating.

"Fine. I'm difficult to please."

Michael snorted in agreement. "So does this mean that you'll stop going on about your 'angel?'" he asked with a smirk, scraping the bottom of his bowl. Getting no response, he looked up to find she was blushing scarlet.

Bella grabbed his dish and carried it to the sink. "I suppose it does. Pie?"

"You need to ask?" He sat back and patted his stomach. "Well, then, cousin, when will I meet this ferocious defender of maidens?"

She sighed as she dished up a slice of strawberry rhubarb pie. "I don't know. It's rather complicated." She set the pie in front of him and sat.

"Complicated. Okay." Michael forked some pie and chewed blissfully. "Woman, you are one fine cook."

"Thank you. Have I told you lately that you're my favorite cousin?"

Michael shook his head. "Bella, I learned long ago that you're going to do exactly as you see fit, regardless of what anyone thinks. Besides, someone has to be on your side." He grimaced. "Sorry..."

"Pfft. I'm aware that I have few defenders."

When he had scooped up the last crumbles of crust, he took his plate to the sink and poured in hot water from the kettle. "So about Hunter...I looked everywhere for him in town, and no one has seen him since yesterday."

She joined him, dish cloth in hand. "Perhaps he's decided to leave town."

Michael shook his head. "His things are still in his room. I'm going to stay up there tonight, so I can be sure he won't be back to bother you."

"No!" Bella dropped the cloth and stooped to retrieve it. "I don't want you to exhaust yourself. I'm sure he's just away setting his traps, or sleeping off a bout of drinking somewhere."

"I don't think so." Michael leaned against the sink. "He's up to no good, and I intend to stay awake and keep watch." Her cousin kissed her on the cheek and headed for the stairs. "Now get some sleep, and don't worry. I'll be listening for any movement in the night."

Bella smiled wanly and trudged after him up the stairs, waving goodnight as they parted ways in the hall. She changed into her night dress and was about to douse the candle when she spied something poking out from under her pillow. Her stomach fluttered as she pulled out the letter to read.

Dearest Bella,

While I am sorely disappointed that we won't see each other tonight, I am also grateful that your cousin is so protective. Michael is a good man.

I had planned to ask if you would like to visit my family soon, for I am eager to introduce you to them. We will understand if you would rather not go to the house. Please just think on it.

Sleep well, Bella. I am keeping watch outside, even as your devoted cousin guards your sleep from the room next door.

I love you.

— E

Visit them soon?! Bella's fingers drummed on the bedcover as she contemplated all of the ways she could make a bad impression on Edward's family. She fell back on her pillow, her head thumping lightly against the headboard.

"Y'okay'n there?" Michael's groggy voice came through the wall.

Bella put a hand over her face and sang out, "Couldn't be better!"

She rolled out of bed and threw open her wardrobe, rifling through her paltry assortment of clothing. If Edward's attire was any indication, the Cullens were extremely well-to-do. She must choose carefully.

Ten minutes later, she was no closer to deciding what she would wear to visit the Cullens, but she had worked herself into quite a bundle of nerves, her mind spinning with worries.

You might want to give a girl a bit of notice if you want to introduce her to your family preparations must be made it isn't as if one meets a household of vampires just any day of the week what does one talk about with people who are decades even centuries older than oneself how should I wear my hair what if they don't like me

~oOo~

Edward listened, mystified, as Bella rifled through her wardrobe, growing more and more agitated. Finally he could stand it no longer and leapt up to her window, calling her name in concern.

"Bella?"

Wide-eyed, she whirled to face the window. "Edward!" she whisper-shouted, "What are you doing here?"

He drew up the sash and ducked his head under. "You were growing very upset, and I was concerned. Bella, what's wrong?"

She tiptoed to the window where he crouched on the sill, buffeted by the wind. Behind him, dark clouds were scudding across the sky as a storm blew in, and a gust made the single candle in her bedroom gutter wildly.

"What about Michael?" she whispered.

Edward chuckled, not even trying to quiet his voice. "Despite his best intentions, he's out for the night. And he sleeps like the dead."

"Oh," she said in a small voice.

Edward watched as a handful of emotions crossed her features and her heart began to speed once more.

"You're upset again," he said in dismay.

"It's just that I'm not used to this kind of intimate meeting, with a man who…" She gazed at him, her cheeks flushing. "…who isn't a family member," she finished lamely.

"Thank God for that," was Edward's heartfelt response. "But why were you upset before? Bella, what happened?"

She searched his eyes for a moment, biting her lip. "I'm worried that your family will think me unworthy of you," she admitted.

She slumped down to sit on the floor with her back to the window. The gauzy curtain blew inward, coming to rest ridiculously over her head, and she batted it away with a sigh.

Edward was silent for a moment and then murmured, "Sweetheart, may I come in?"

She nodded miserably, scooting over to make room for him on the floor. Edward took a deep breath of fresh air, then climbed through the window and seated himself beside her.

He took her warm hand in his. "First of all," he murmured, "you don't have to visit them at all if you don't wish to. But more important..." He looked down and shook his head, chuckling. "Bella...you could have horns growing out of your ears and a third arm, and my family would still be grateful that you will have me."

Bella scooted around to face him and tucked her hair behind her ear. She looked dangerously fetching in her white nightdress, loose hair spilling over her shoulders in gentle curls. "Edward…be serious. You're so...You have to know that you are..."

She groaned and dropped her face into her hand. "Edward…I know you've had your pick of beautiful women."

"That may be true," he acknowledged, "but…Bella, it's been a very long time since I've been interested in any woman."

She raised her head to look at him dubiously. "And by a very long time, you mean…?" She waved her hand in a circle.

Edward pretended to ponder the question. "How old did I tell you I was?"

She scoffed. "Now I know you're teasing me. You expect me to believe that you haven't…been…with a woman, in one thousand, eight hundred and twenty-five years?"

He shifted uncomfortably. "Not precisely," he hedged.

"You haven't precisely been with a woman in that time?" She raised an eyebrow.

The topic at hand, combined with Bella's nearness in her too-sheer nightdress, was taking a toll on Edward's composure. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Bella, I'm not sure this is an appropriate conversation for us to be having," he said, his voice strained.

"Well, you brought it up!" She huffed in exasperation.

He mentally recited a meditation for serenity, hoping against hope his body would cooperate.

"Edward."

Bella waited until he met her gaze. "I was raised around farm animals." She gave him a significant look, and now it was Edward's turn to drop his face into his hand.

"Furthermore," she continued relentlessly, "my mother was a very earthy woman and quite comfortable discussing intimate relations between men and women."

She was trying to kill him. Face still buried in his hand, he gripped his hair and growled, "Cette femme aura ma peau."

Bella smiled sweetly. "I speak French, by the way."

"Of course you do." Edward leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes, brow furrowed, desperately trying to dispel the images she was inspiring. "Give me a moment, please," he whispered.

At length he opened his eyes, studying his hands in his lap. "I have been with women…" he said, "…but not since long ago." He turned to her. "But it doesn't matter, Bella…everything is different with you. It's as if I can feel new connections…new pathways, being created in my body, because of you." He rubbed at his forehead in distraction. "And I can tell you that, after this much time…it's a very unsettling experience."

Bella hummed noncommittally, out of her depth, and Edward sighed in resignation. "I suppose this will never make sense to you unless I tell you about my early life."

A light rain began to blow through the open window, and Edward quickly rose to close the sash and seal the storm outside. He rested a hand against the frame and watched the silvery trails running down the glass, allowing his mind to slip back to his life of long ago.

"My mother was taken from her home in Britannia when she was a young girl," he said quietly. "My father was captured as a boy, defending his village in Germania." His voice sounded different…younger.

"They were taken to Rome and sold at auction to a man called Antoninus. I was born into slavery. With my parents and sister, I served the Antoninus family in Volaterrae my entire life."

He felt her hand searching for his and gratefully clasped her fingers. A smile ghosted across his face, and at her gentle urging, he lowered himself next to her on the floor.

She whispered, "What was your sister's name?"

Edward looked at her in surprise. "My sister's name was Ann," he replied, and at once his face lit with fond memories, "though I called her Pippa, for she loved horses. She was three years younger than I." Bella smiled, enchanted at the idea of a little sister tagging at his heels.

Edward shifted around to face her. "It was not a bad life, Bella," he said earnestly, "My family was allowed to remain together, and on the whole, our master, Antoninus, was fair. His wife could be cruel, but she had other slaves attending her, so we rarely suffered…" His face grew tight as he continued, "…until one day she took notice of me as I was readying her horses."

He awkwardly shrugged a shoulder and lowered his gaze. "Thereafter, Antoninus' wife required my...services...in her chambers," he cleared his throat, "and at her parties."

Bella's heart pounded. "But…surely, her husband objected!"

"Antoninus was often away," he said quietly, "but in any case, it was not unheard of for a Roman woman to use her slaves so."

"That's…that's monstrous!" Bella's voice shook with emotion. "How could she…"

He raised his eyes to hers, willing her to understand. "My family—Pippa most especially—would have suffered, had I not complied." He sat back in frustration, raking his fingers through his hair. "But regardless, she could do as she pleased."

He looked at her intently. "Bella…I was nothing."

Tears filled her eyes, but she blinked them away, willing herself not to cry.

"I am seeking neither pity nor sympathy," Edward said quietly. "I did what was required. I barely remember it, except that I had to…to not be there…in my mind."

He sighed. "That was my only experience of…physical intimacy…as a human," he whispered, "Not a very appealing story, I fear."

Bella was silent, not trusting herself to speak. Despite his words to the contrary, Edward's shame was palpable.

Outside, the rain began to sheet against the window, driven by gusts as the storm gathered energy. "I died several years later," Edward said quietly, "and as my mother wished, I was changed into what I am now."

He reached out and gently brushed a tear from her cheek with his thumb. "It was long ago, Bella," he whispered, his eyes filled with remorse. "Please, don't be sad." She mustered a shaky smile and nodded.

Edward sat back then, and his face grew dark. "After I was changed, Carlisle and I stayed among the vampires in Volaterrae for thirty years. They viewed the act of coupling dispassionately…like an itch to be scratched. For whatever reason, I was much sought after." He smiled bitterly. "I despised what I had become—I saw no point in resisting." He shrugged. "Then one day my disgust finally outweighed my apathy. That was the last time I…" Edward scrubbed his hands over his face, trying to rid himself of the memory.

He sat straighter, his face carefully composed, though his eyes remained trained on the floor between them. "It was difficult to escape the Volturi, but Carlisle got us away. A few years later, we came to a Buddhist monastery and joined the brothers there." He looked up with a wry smile. "As you might imagine, after Volaterrae, the monks' way of life held great appeal. We stayed with them for nearly two hundred years."

"But…didn't they wonder at your differences, your lack of aging?" Bella asked in surprise.

"They weren't bothered by such things," Edward replied with a crooked smile. "I think they found us fascinating, really…particularly the fact that we had chosen to abstain from…our natural food source." He grimaced in apology.

"It was there that I learned it was possible to all but extinguish the inner fires—the passions—that had been tormenting me. I practiced for many decades. When we left there…I was at peace."

He grew thoughtful and looked down, fiddling with the hem of her nightdress. "We traveled across two continents," Edward murmured. "For a long time, we searched out centers of learning, universities, where we would stay for a time. We were at the University in Paris when Carlisle found Esme." He shrugged. "Ever since then, they've been hoping I would find someone as well."

"Were you?" she asked, and he tilted his head in question, unable to read her expression.

"Hoping…" she said. "Were you hoping to find someone?" She looked down, allowing her hair to hide her face.

"I was hoping." He ducked his head, and gently touched her cheek. "Bella…why are you hiding?" Reluctantly, she lifted her face.

He gazed at her in dismay, correctly guessing what was causing her troubled expression. "I was hoping," he said again,"and, yes…I have had my pick of many beautiful women, had I wanted them…" He stroked her cheek lightly with his thumb, and his eyes warmed, willing her to believe. "…but it was as if I couldn't even see them. None have moved me; no one could touch the part of me that I had buried all those years ago, Bella…until you."

A pale flash of lightning illuminated the room and was followed almost at once by a splitting clap of thunder. Bella shook her head angrily, rising to her feet to rush away from him, but he followed, standing so close she could feel him behind her.

His rich voice next to her ear made her shiver. "You are the one I was waiting for, the one I want. Why is that so hard to believe?"

"Because I'm not good enough for you!" she cried, whirling to face him angrily. "I'm ordinary—why can't you see that? Surely your family will realize…and you will, too some day! You'll lose interest, you'll leave…"

He cut off her words with his kiss, pushing her against the wall and groaning at the feel of her soft body through the thin fabric of her nightdress. Bella's arms came up around his neck and she molded herself more closely against his hard form, gasping, her hands gripping his hair…

In a flash, Edward was across the room, pacing like a caged lion. Bella gasped, and suddenly he was kneeling at the window, throwing it open to lean out into the storm. The rain was coming down in torrents; it plastered the hair to his bowed head, running down his face and soaking through his shirt as he gasped for air.

As if a dam within Edward had burst, words came tumbling forth. "At first I was nearly mad with the need to drink from you…I had to get away, or I feared I would kill you." He shook his head. "But your image was burned in my mind, the most beautiful creature I could have imagined."

Bella knelt close beside him, wrapping her arms around her waist as the wind tossed her hair wildly about her face. Cold rain blew in, soaking her nightdress, but she paid it no heed.

"Then, I returned, and truly saw you…" He turned to her, rainwater streaming down his pale face. "I fell in love with you, Bella. And when you kissed me that night, it was the first time…'" He shook his head, struggling with words. "Always before…so long ago…my body responded against my will, and inside, I remained cold. But with you…God, Bella, your mouth on my skin…I burned from within."

With both hands, he gently cupped her face, his eyes searing. "You're my mate. You've changed me, irrevocably." His beautiful face held a fire that sent heat shivering to her very core.

"Bella…I will love you forever."

Slowly he leaned in and pressed his mouth against her soft, warm lips, groaning at her taste. He hovered, a breath away, eyes closed as he steadied himself, but his breathing grew shallow with need, and he kissed her again, lingering this time, her full upper lip tempting him to stay, and when she moved her mouth against his, he grunted softly, pulling her closer, eyebrows drawn in concentration, his body nearly shaking with the need to move faster, to be closer, inside... With a shuddering breath he drew back, brushing his lips one last time across her cheek.

Edward stood and helped Bella to her feet, reaching up to close the window. The sound of the storm was muted, making their labored breaths suddenly loud in the quiet of the room.

His eyes traveled lingeringly down her body. The rain had soaked through her gown, making it all but transparent. It clung to her skin, molding itself to her slender legs, her pale breasts, the nipples taut with cold…

She looked down, but didn't attempt to cover herself; she watched him, as he took her in. At last Edward met her gaze…and his face was awestruck, filled with reverence.

He reached out slowly, barely touching, and traced his fingers along the curve of her breast. Then he swallowed, letting his hand fall to his side, and lifted his eyes to hers once more. "You're so beautiful," he whispered hoarsely.

Taking a quilt from the chair, he wrapped it around her shoulders, then stepped close and drew her tenderly against his chest, resting his cheek against her hair. When at length Bella began to shiver, he stepped away.

He turned his back and waited as she changed her soaked nightdress, leaving it by the window for the morning. She crawled beneath the covers and blew out the candle, and Edward came to her, seating himself on the floor beside her bed.

Bella reached for his hand and drew it under her cheek where it rested on the pillow, pressing a tender kiss against his wrist before closing her eyes with a sigh. Edward hummed her lullaby, continuing long after she had drifted off to sleep. The storm outside receded into the distance, leaving behind a gentle rain. Edward leaned forward and rested his head close to hers…and his eyes drifted shut.

Forever.

A/N: If you are enjoying reading this story, won't you please review?

Amare = to love passionately

"Cette femme aura ma peau" can be translated roughly as, "This woman will be the death of me." Thank you to Missleez for translating the English to the French. My profile has a link to her page.

On the story blog (link in my profile), under "Notes on the Story" you'll find a link to an excellent article on Buddhism as it relates to Edward's experience.