This piece is heavily inspired by the Breaking Dawn Part One movie, from which I borrowed some of the dialogue. I hope this piece isn't too boring, and I hope in the next few chapters, I will be able to get into some more practicing scenes with Bella and Edward. I promise to update soon, so please leave a review and give any suggestions and advice you can.
When I woke, the moon was still bright in the pitch black sky. Closing my eyes, I rolled over, reaching out into the darkness. My fingers came in contact with something cool and hard...his hand? I pulled myself closer to Edward, using my free hand to find my way to his face. Edward had the same idea, reaching out to brush his fingers along my cheek. I opened my eyes quickly, desperately wanting to see the beauty of Edward next to me. While I knew my mind would never do Edward's perfection justice, his beautiful face knocked the breath out of my throat as I saw the way the moonlight illuminated his face, like an angel sent from heaven.
"Sorry," Edward whispered from the darkness, "I didn't mean to wake you up so early." It didn't surprise me that he would blame himself, even for the smallest of things.
"Early?" I asked, glancing over my shoulder to the clock on the bedside table. 6:01. Despite sleeping for less than three hours, I felt fine. Content with lying on Edward's chest, I tried to drift back to sleep, but my mind was already alert. Apparently, my stomach was too. It let out a loud rumble, and I could feel Edward's chest vibrate with laughter underneath my head.
"Breakfast time?" He asked, though the answer obvious. Without waiting for an answer, he scooped me up in the comforter and carried me downstairs, all the while keeping my body cradled against his chest. Edward placed me gently on the couch, rushing off into the kitchen to grab me food before I protested. Though it was probably making me spoilt, having Edward do pretty much everything for me, I couldn't deny the pleasure I got from seeing him so happy.
Edward was back within a minute, another omelette on one of the decorated plates rarely used in the Cullen household. I ate through quickly, remembering I had skipped dinner last night in the hopes of spending more of my awake-hours with Edward. Once I was done, Edward whisked off with the plate, the muscles of his abdomen visibly rippling as he rose from the couch. I couldn't help but stare in awe.
When Edward returned, he came and sat next to me on the couch, wrapping his arm around my shoulders through the blanket. I reached up to entwine my fingers with his, sighing when our skin came in contact.
"What would you like to do today?" Edward asked after a moment of comfortable silence, leaning my body into his. I looked outside to see what type of day it was. Rain. How typical. Mind you, the ideas I had for our day probably wouldn't have gone too well with Edward. Let's just say they were ideas which meant I wouldn't have to leave the bed at all... or now the couch, I guess.
"Let's just stay here," I suggested, remembering that at some point, his family would be coming home. As much as I loved my soon-to-be-official family, I wanted more time alone with Edward, without the vampire hearing, or Emmett's pointed comments. Edward seemed happy with the idea, probably just satisfied that he had managed to get me out of the house for one day this weekend.
Edward ran me upstairs with inhuman pace to get dressed. Before I even could turn around to reach my bag, Edward was fully dressed. I never really paid much attention to what Edward wore. After all, he could wear rags and still look more beautiful than any Greek God. Today, however, I noticed that he was wearing a pale blue shirt and khaki pants, a more relaxed version of his usually semi-formal look.
A wave of tiredness came over me, and I half fell onto the nearby bed. It was only then when I noticed what I was wearing, or more accurate, what I was not wearing. Self-consciously, I wrapped the blanket back around me. Although I know that Edward's sight was not impaired in the slightest because of the darkness last night, I felt far more exposed with the now rising sun shining through the window.
"As much as I would enjoy it if you stayed this way all day," Edward whispered, suddenly at my side, "I think you'd feel more comfortable dressed, am I correct?" I managed to grunt something which sounded like a yes, trying to get past the tiredness I felt.
Edward lifted me off the bed, this time without the blanket. I gasped as his cold hands came in contact with my warm skin, but welcomed the connection between us. Edward put my down quickly, keeping his arms around me for support as I fell onto his chest.
"Will you be able to get dressed yourself, if would you like me to do it?" Edward asked, pulling out my old sweatpants and a tank top from my overnight bag. I took the clothes for him, embarrassed to ask for the alternative suggestion. I only managed to get the pants up to my knees in my tired state, giving up and letting Edward finish. Gently, he eased the material up to my hips, careful to keep his skin away from mine in fear it would make me shiver. Edward still didn't understand the difference between my shivers of coldness, and my shivers of pleasure.
When he was done with the pants, he moved onto my top. I let my arms go loose as he threaded them through the holes in my top, pulling the material over my head like I was made of fragile glass. Edward reached for my jumper when he was done, but I pulled away, not liking being covered with so many layers to keep the difference in our body temperatures apart. Grabbing the blanket of the bed despite my protest, Edward carried me downstairs and placed me back on the couch beside him. I scooted over onto his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck, pulling my face closer to his.
"I thought you were tired?" Edward asked, laughing as I tried to reach his lips.
"I am," I replied, "but never tired enough to kiss you." I sounded like a young kid pleading to stay up past their bedtime, but Edward still pressed his lips to mine quickly, letting me abuse his hair and pull his face closer to mine. Edward's hands around my waist became restraining when I started struggling for oxygen, pulling our faces apart so I could breathe. I was surprised by how little I paid attention to my basic human necessities when I was with Edward. When I thought about it, Edward too was ignoring necessities because of me. How long had it been since he had hunted? His eyes were turning blacker by the day, and though he assured me he was fine, I knew that my scent would only be making the situation worse. I reached up; stroking the darkened circles under his eyes, now almost pitch black.
"When are you next going hunting?" I asked, trying to sound nonchalant, though I knew how much it hurt to have him leave me, even if it was for something completely necessary. Edward shrugged, breaking eye contact.
"I'm fine," Edward replied, obviously not willing to show me how much pain he was really in, even if he was under control. Still, I didn't like the knowledge that Edward was hurting. That I was the one hurting him, even if it wasn't deliberate.
"Edward, you need to hunt," I told him, trying to sound assertive; "I don't like to see you in pain because of me." Edward looked back to me, his face a perfect poker face.
"I'm not in pain," he assured me, kissing me on the forehead. I wasn't convinced.
"You know what I mean. If you don't like leaving me alone, you can go when your family gets back. You know Alice will kick you out anyway when she tries to go through more wedding planning with me." Thankfully, Alice sorted out most things, like the decorations and the layout herself, so all she really needed my input with was the guest list and the cake, though I could tell she loved showing me some of the planning she had done for other things.
"Are you trying to get rid of me," Edward asked playfully, twisting his fingers through my hair and pulling my face to his. I giggled, feeling his arm around my waist lifting me onto his chest.
"Never," I whispered, throwing myself at him with as much force as I had. Too soon, Edward pulled back slightly, letting me breathe. I noticed the presence of his shirt when I lowered my eyes. If we had any more time alone until the Cullen's arrive home, it would not be spent with Edward fully dressed. I started to unbutton his shirt. By the time I had got the first button undone, Edward caught my hands in one of his.
"I'm sure neither of us will appreciate the comments Emmett will no doubt dish out if he returns home and we are on the couch half naked," Edward told me, still holding my hands.
"You can put it back on as soon as you hear them coming," I told him struggling against his grip. Eventually, Edward sighed and released my hands, and I continued unbuttoning the shirt, embarrassingly hasty. As soon as it was off, I wrapped my arms around his body, marvelling as I felt the cool skin of his torso through my thin tank top, thanking myself for not wearing the jumper this morning. I reached up to kiss Edward again, and he laughed as he pressed his lips to mine.
"Is this what you plan on doing all day?" He asked in a relaxed tone. Something in his voice suggested he wouldn't mind doing the same.
"Mmm" I replied, still dizzy.
"Ruled by your hormones," Edward laughed, kissing me again. What seemed like hours later, I started to feel even more tired. As I lay down, my head on Edward's lap, he laid the blanket over me, worried I would get cold. I started to fall asleep, and he ran his through my hair, kissing me gently before he started to hum my lullaby.
Through my eyelids, I could tell it was sunny outside, a rare change. I opened my eyelids slowly, trying to remember where I fell asleep, feeling only my head on Edward's lap. As my eyelids opened, five pairs of wide, butterscotch colored eyes stared back at me. The only pair I focused on was the darker pair right next to me.
"It's about time you woke up," a happy voice said too loudly from across the room. Emmett. "Good dream, huh Bella?" he asked, raising his eyebrow suggestively. I flushed in embarrassment, sifting through my dreams, but coming up empty.
"Don't worry, you didn't say a word," Edward reassured me, capturing my attention. "Emmett's just trying to wind you up." I briefly wondered who told them I talk in my sleep. Unless they heard it themselves on another occasion. My blush deepened.
I sat up, swaying slightly from whiplash. Edward put a steadying arm around my waist, pulling me against his side. I noticed that almost everyone was in the room. Well, not Rosalie, but she was often absent when I was around. My choice to be changed was, in her eyes, the worst choice anyone could ever make. Though we now got along a bit better since our talk, I felt uncomfortable talking about anything to do with my change around her. Carlisle and Esme sat on the loveseat opposite us, while Jasper and Emmett lounged on the floor. Alice, who had been here a second ago, darted off upstairs, probably finding something more appropriate for me to wear than sweats and a tank top.
Esme was the next person to speak, offering me a drink, or anything to eat. Her motherly behaviour reminded me of a less frantic version of my own mother, who would by flying in next week for the wedding. Next week, I thought, realising how fast time had been flying lately.
"No thank you," I said, my voice still rough from sleeping all afternoon. At that point, Alice came flitting downstairs, her arms overloaded with shopping bags, a few brands-expensive brands- I had come to recognise from our enforced shopping trips.
"Oh great," I muttered sarcastically, curling into Edward as she lay the bags next to my feet.
"You could hardly return home without any evidence of 'our' weekend, could you?" Alice chirpily pointed out, "And what better way to show Charlie what you have been doing than with a bag of new clothes!" Bags, I corrected her in my head.
"Shopping?" Emmett scoffed. "Yeah, I'm sure that's what they have been doing. Ha!" Like a true brother, Emmett winked at us, howling with laughter when I blushed. Even Jasper let out a chuckle. Humor at my expense. Perfect. Esme and Carlisle looked at them with a scolding look, looking like true parents.
"So what have you two been up to this weekend?" Esme asked, her tone sweet and motherly. Emmett coughed to cover up a laugh. I wondered how much worse it would be after our honeymoon. Already the comments were enough to make me turn bright red in embarrassment. At least I won't have to worry about my blush revealing my emotions in a few weeks.
"We went to Seattle yesterday...and then I guess I slept most of today," I replied, feeling bad for wasting the last of my alone time with Edward this weekend asleep on the couch. We spent the next few minutes discussing what we did in Seattle, and Carlisle suggested some bookstores we should go to when we return. It was past the point of convincing Edward that I didn't need him to buy me things now, but I would try later anyway.
"When does your mother fly in?" Carlisle asked me, pulling me away from my thoughts.
"A few days before the wedding, I think," I replied, trying to go over the last phone call I had with my mother in my head. I couldn't remember what she said about booking flights. Carlisle, Esme and I had a short conversation, all the while Edward sat patiently, one arm around my waist, the other playing with the fingers of my left hand, running over the wedding ring now permanently on my finger. Eventually, Alice returned from wherever she disappeared to again, this time coming to stand right in front of me.
"We've got work to do," she stated, trying to pull me off the couch. Edward held onto me closer, and I leaned into him, not wanting to leave. After a weekend of spending virtually every moment together, I didn't think I would be able to spend even a minute apart from Edward. Alice turned to Edward, her pixie face not amused.
"You've had all weekend with her," Alice complained, tugging on my arm, "It's my turn." I felt like a toy being fought over by two little children. Alice and Edward stared at each other for a long moment, having another one of their private conversations. By the looks of it, Alice seemed to have Edward with something, though he didn't look happy at surrendering.
"Leave them be, Alice," Esme told her, though Alice didn't look to be paying attention to anyone other than Edward. I rolled my eyes. Finally, Alice pulled my arm to lift me off the couch, and Edward released me, a look on his face telling me Alice had something over him. Before she managed to drag me off upstairs, Edward came to plant a kiss on my forehead, muttering something about how Alice didn't fight fair. Alice gave him a deadly stare, looking truly terrifying.
"See you tonight," Edward told me, taking my hand in his, "I guess I should go hunting now then, since Alice won't let me see you for the rest of the time you're here." He dropped my hand, and then disappeared. I stared after him with longing. Alice impatiently grabbed my other hand and half yanked me up the staircase, irritated with my lack of cooperation. She dragged me into her closet, though I expected her to lead me to the-my- wedding dress, she pulled me along to a high stool which sat in the corner of her closet, lifting me onto the seat with ease.
"Now we have your dress sorted, and I know how you want your hair and makeup," Alice rummaged through a stack of boxes next to the stool, smiling when she pulled out her desired item. "Here," she said, handing me the box. I removed the lid carefully; even the packaging looked expensive. There lying in the midst of tissue paper, was a pair of sky-high heels, or at least sky-high by my standards. I recognised their color as matching the dress, made out of the same white silk material, with little lace designs mirroring the ones seen on the delicate French lace of the dress. They seemed very pretty until I saw the thin, needle-like heel I was expected to move around on for a whole evening.
"What do you think?" Alice asked excitedly, proud of her choice, though worried I wouldn't like them. Her slight pout and worried expression made me rush to reassure her.
"They are beautiful, Alice, but do you really think I will be able to walk in them?" I lifted the shoe out of the box, the heel seeming smaller than ever.
"That's why I'm giving them to you now," Alice said, pleased of my approval, "so you can break them in over the next couple of weeks." Alice took the heel from my hand and slipped it onto my foot, taking the other from the box and doing the same. She pulled me off the stool so I was standing, or to be more accurate, using her tiny body to support mine as I tried to maintain my balance. I felt like I was balancing on slits. Thin stilts, as tiny as needles.
"Take a walk around," Alice hinted, pushing me forward a bit. I had to grab on the counter to stay standing. Once I got over my fair of meeting face to face with the ground, I took a few slow steps forward, my legs shaking as I tried not to put too much weight on the heels. I saw Alice's reflection in the mirror, her expression telling me I had a lot of work to do yet. I returned to the seat, lifting my feet off the ground, already feeling blisters forming.
"Are you sure I can't go barefoot?" I asked out of wishful thinking, imagining how much easier it would be if I had as much balance as I could for the ceremony. Alice's expression was one of shock, horror and disgust.
"No!" she almost yelled. "Absolutely not!" I sighed.
"What about flats then? No one will notice under the dress anyway. What's the point of wearing something pretty when no one else will see it?" I resorted, trying to find an alternative that wouldn't cause me to look like a fool in front of everybody when I stumbled down the altar.
"Everything you wear should look pretty, Bella, no matter whether people see it or not. That's why I have been putting nicer lingerie in your drawers, though I guess someone has been seeing it lately..." Alice suggested, the smile on her face clearly indicating what she had seen- what she had seen me in. I didn't know whether I was more embarrassed, or angry. Alice saw my expression.
"I can't help what I see," Alice shrugged, giving the impression that she had seen a lot worse than my attempts to try and get Edward to practice with me more. "Though I am willing to supply some more appropriate attire..." I shook my head, knowing it was pointless. Now that Alice knew I had been wearing some of her more innocent pieces, I hated to think what she would supply me with now.
"Now take these shoes back home, and practice walking in them every day," Alice commanded, removing them from my feet and putting them back into the box. By the time we got downstairs, Alice pointed out that Charlie would be expecting me soon. She scooped up the bags of shopping and the box of shoes, leading me to Edward's car. In no time, we were at my house. Ever since our exhilarating drive to save Edward in Italy, Alice seemed to push any cars acceleration to the max.
Charlie gave me an awkward hug as I got inside, saying his hello's to Alice before she left. Seeing he had already eaten, I went to rush off upstairs where I knew Edward would be waiting.
"Hold on a minute, Bells," Charlie called as I took off for the staircase. "I need to talk to you for a minute." I slumped back downstairs, wondering what he would need to talk about with me. It could be the wedding, maybe he wasn't accepting it as well as I thought. I prayed it wasn't another attempt at the sex talk. With our marriage so close, Charlie couldn't be blind to the fact that most couples don't leave their honeymoons as virgins. Charlie sat down at the table, fidgeting as he waited for me to sit down too. I hadn't noticed before, but he looked upset, like he had just received some bad news.
"What is it Dad?" I asked, worried now. He seemed reluctant to answer.
"Its..." Charlie started, taking a deep breath. "It's Jacob, Bella. He ran away from home."
My heart skipped a beat and my breath caught in my throat. Jacob had run away. He had run away from his friends, his family, and his own pack. Because of me. It was my entire fault.
Sorry for the cliff hanger, but I am working on this piece at the moment, so you won't have to wait long for an update (hopefully!). Please check out my review of Breaking Dawn (you can find it in my list of stories) and give your input from the movie as well. As I said, it has been a big inspiration lately, and once the DVD comes out, I hope to be able to write some of the key scenes of the movie in more detail. Thanks for all the help and support.