Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.
A/N: This is Bella and Edward's sophomore year in college. Edward is twenty, Bella is nineteen. It's around January.
Bella POV—Nineteen
I knew Alice probably would be go to my dorm room, not expecting me to still be at Edward's. So I put my car in drive and went the short distance home. I went inside. Katy was awake, Sam was gone. She took one look at my haggard appearance and ran over to me, wrapping a comforting arm around my shoulder.
"What's wrong Bella?" she gasped.
"J-James," I choked.
"What did he do to you!?" she demanded, her voice furious.
"I th-thought he w-w-was Edward. H-he wrapped h-his arms around m-m-me from be-behind and I j-just kissed him!" My words wore hardly understandable. "I n-never expected it to b-be h-h-him!"
"What a jerk! Why would he wrap his arms around you in the first place?" she burst. I could tell she was just as angry about this as I was.
"I d-don't know. He wasn't s-s-s-supposed to b-be h-home either," I informed her, doing my best to overcome my sobs. Katy wrapped her hand in mine and then gasped, yanking her hand away from mine. I looked at her curiously and slightly hurt.
"Bella! What'd you do?" she squealed, pointing to my left hand, the one that I had punched James with. I looked down and saw that there was blood dotting my fingers and my ring.
"I p-p-punched James. A-after Edward l-l-left," I said, slightly sheepish. She burst into laughter, humor quickly masking her fury. I didn't find it nearly as funny.
"Sorry Bella," she apologized, trying to choke back her giggles. "But that's just a hilarious mental image." I attempted to smile. I could see how it would be funny. If an unendurable pain wasn't crushing me right now, I would probably laugh too. "Let's get you changed," she said calmly. She led me to my bedroom, tossing me a pair of silky pajama pants and a comfy t-shirt. I pulled them on gratefully.
"Thanks Katy," I sighed gratefully. She just smiled in return, leading me to the bathroom to wash my hands. But on our way, Alice burst through the door, ran straight up to me and tossed her arms around my neck.
"Oh Bella I knew it I just knew it!" she exclaimed, hugging me tightly. "I told Jasper, but he didn't believe me! I am so sorry."
"Its ok-kay Alice," I half sighed. I was finally managing to get control of myself, taking deep, steady breaths. Sitting here crying wasn't going to help me. I had to find Edward.
"No it's not! You need to find him right now! What happened?" she demanded.
"I was at his d-dorm," I said, my voice finally starting to steady out. "He told me that James wasn't h-home. And someone wrapped their a-arms around me. I thought it w-was Edward. So I turned and k-k-kissed him. And Edward came in and th-th-thought…" I couldn't finish, I was just shaking my head, trying to keep the sobs under control.
"Oh my God," Alice sighed sympathetically. She looked close to tears. She was probably in almost as much pain as me from this. "You have to find him and talk to him!"
"I don't know where h-he is Alice," I half squealed, my voice becoming hysterical.
"I think I do," she said with a twinkle in her eyes. "The meadow."
It all clicked. Of course. That's where I would go if something like this happened. I would want to go back and remember, the good times, the better, happier times. It would calm me.
"Thanks Alice!" I said, my voice holding a shred of hope for the first time all night. I kissed her cheek, gave Katy a quick hug and bolted from the door.
I took off, pushing my truck to the height of its internal speed limit. I was going about sixty miles an hour, desperately trying to coax my whining engine into going faster.
It took me about an hour to get to the woods near the meadow. I hoped to God that Edward would still be there- if he had gone there at all. I knew, with his Volvo, he had probably reached it at least an hour and a half ago. Why would he stay for so long? I could only hope.
It wasn't until I started my trek through the woods that I realized I was only in my slippers. My arms were freezing, my feet were cold and wet and my legs had goose bumps. But I continued. And when I reached the meadow, my heart caught in my throat.
Edward was sitting in the very center, holding something in his hands, his shoulders hunched. His back was to me, but I could tell by the occasional shaking of his shoulders that he was upset. I froze on the outskirts of the meadow. I was scared. What if he didn't believe me? What if he didn't want to see me? I took a few tentative steps towards him. My footsteps were almost silent; but I could tell from the sudden stiffening of his body he knew I was there.
"I don't really feel like talking right now Bella," he said, his voice hollow and dead.
"Please Edward," I pleaded, my voice desperate and hurt. "Just let me explain. If you really want me to leave." I took a deep breath before continuing. "If you really want me to leave, I will. But please, please give me a chance to explain." He sighed, still not turning to look at me.
"Fine," he said eventually. He sounded frustrated and pained. I felt my lip quiver but I wanted to hold back my tears. For now at least. I closed the distance between us, plopping myself on the ground next to him, so our knees were touching. He didn't move any closer, but he didn't move further away either. I closed my eyes before starting, begging to God that he would understand.
"I went over to meet you," I began. "I thought James wasn't going to be home."
"I bet you were pleasantly surprised," he whispered bitterly. It broke my heart.
"No!" I shouted hysterically. He half turned his head towards me and I saw that his eyes were watery. I'm sure mine were too. "I was just leaning on the counter, getting some water. And I felt arms wrap around my waist. How was I supposed to know it wasn't you? Who else would do that?!"
"Can't you tell the difference?" he asked. He sounded disappointed but not disbelieving.
"Well, yes. But I wasn't expecting anyone else. I noticed something was off but I didn't think too much about it. I knew you were coming home and you told me James wasn't around. So I just turned around and kissed…him." I shuddered. "I thought it was you. I always close my eyes, so I didn't see. But…his lips felt different. Worse. I thought it was just the coffee or something. But then I heard your voice…" I trailed off, surprising both of us when I snorted.
"And my first thought was 'wow, he can talk and kiss at the same time.' I certainly thought you were talented." He didn't look near me. I could tell he was still having difficulties with this. "And then I realized who I was kissing. I was disgusted. I was sickened with myself for not telling the difference and for hurting you."
"It killed me Bella," he said his voice soft, merely a ghost of his earlier pain. "To see you with him."
"I know," I murmured. "And the worst part is, he thought I wanted it. I love you so much. I could never hurt you." Edward was looking at me now, sideways, just watching me from his peripheral vision.
"I don't know Bella," he said slowly. I could feel my breathing quicken. I couldn't lose Edward, I wouldn't.
"I love you Edward. I'll do anything to prove that to you." And before I could really register what I was doing, I stood up. Edward looked at me curiously, his brow furrowing. I wanted to do something dramatic, something that would truly prove my love for him. I grinned when I figured out exactly what I was going to do. I started running to the edge of the meadow.
"Bella?" Edward called, longing in his voice. I desperately wanted to turn around and toss myself into his arms but I was on a mission now. I tossed myself to the nearest tree with the lowest branches.
"Bella what are you doing?" His voice was nervous now, worrying. But I ignored him, briefly at least. I tossed myself into the tree, praying my clumsiness wouldn't kill me. I started climbing the tree, hoisting myself up onto the branches. I climbed and climbed; Edward's worried voice propelling me higher. When I finally reached as close to the top as I could, I looked back down at Edward. I was at least twenty-five feet in the air.
"I LOVE EDWARD CULLEN!" I yelled at the top of my voice. "I LOVE YOU EDWARD CULLEN!"
"Bella! You're going to kill yourself!" Edward shouted back. But he sounded pleased under his worried tone.
"DO YOU BELIEVE ME NOW EDWARD?" I called. "THAT I LOVE EDWARD ANTHONY CULLEN!? AND THAT I'M SORRY?!"
"Yes Bella I believe you! Now get down here!" he shouted, laughter and slight panic in his voice.
"NOT UNTIL YOU SAY YOU LOVE ME BACK! CAUSE I LOVE YOU EDWARD ANTHONY CULLEN! MY LOVE, MY FIANCE! I LOVE YOU AND I'M SORRY!" I continued shouting like a madwoman. I was being foolish, I know. but I wanted him to believe me, I wanted him to understand.
"I LOVE YOU ISABELLA MARIE SWAN!" he yelled back, his voice full of laughter. I giggled back, elated and relieved. "NOW GET DOWN HERE!" I looked down again and clutched myself tighter to the tree.
"I don't think I can!" I called. "Help me!" His laughter was obvious now.
"You climb up there and then get stuck Bella?" he called, still laughing.
"Just get me down!" I screeched. I could hear his chuckle; the best sound in my world. He started to climb the tree. I watched as he got closer and closer. Finally, he reached me. He didn't stand on the same, branch as me; probably afraid it would snap under our combined weights.
"Just follow me down Bella," he said soothingly.
"No, I need help," I whispered, my voice hoarse in panic. Funny how I didn't realize my fear of heights until I was already up here.
"Okay," he sighed. "Is that branch sturdy?" I looked down at my feet. It was a thick branch and seemed very strong.
"Sure," I answered. He hoisted himself up, standing next to me. I cowered against the tree trunk, wrapping my arms around it to hold myself up. He was grinning my favorite lopsided grin. He placed his arms against the tree trunk, on either side of me, holding us both in place. And then he kissed me furiously and I kissed him back, just as passionately. I was even brave enough to move one of my hands and entwine it in his hair. I loved him so much; I was so relieved and happy that he forgave me.
"I love you Bella," he murmured, breaking apart from me.
"I love you too." I peeked down again and clutched closer to the tree. "Now get me down." He chuckled again.
"Do you trust me Bella?" he asked suddenly, his voice cautious.
"Of course," I answered instantly. How could he doubt that?
"Then I need you to climb on my back. Because you're clearly not getting down on your own and I can't carry you," he explained.
"No!" I screeched. "You'll fall and kill us both! I'll be too heavy!" He laughed again, amused at my panic.
"I can hold you up Bella and I won't fall. But I need you to move your arms away from the tree," he said delicately. I cowered against the tree, clutching my arms around it.
"I can't," I whimpered.
"Yes you can," he said, his voice encouraging.
"I'll fall."
"I won't let you." I sighed.
"Okay. But if I fall and die I am coming back as a ghost and haunting the crap out of you okay?" I warned. He laughed.
"You won't fall and you won't die," he said certainly. He left his arms on the tree trunk, level with my sides. I tentatively moved my arms from around the tree. The branch we were on was thick and I had my balance; at least for now. The moment I moved my arms away from the tree, I clung onto Edward, wrapping my arms around him.
"I'm going to turn and I need you to climb on my back," he instructed.
"You'll kill yourself!" I shrieked, panicking.
"No I won't Bella," he said calmly. He turned around, and I backed against the tree trunk, giving him as much space as possible. "Come on," he urged. I wrapped my arms around his neck cautiously. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and jumped up, wrapping my legs around his waist and clutching to his neck. I felt the branch wobble underneath us and I let out a small scream.
"Shh Bella," he soothed. "We're okay." I opened my eyes and saw that we were perfectly fine, still balancing on the branch. Edward had one arm on the tree trunk, steadying us, and one holding the back of my thigh, keeping me hoisted on his back. I'm not saying I minded his touch. Not at all.
"How are we gonna get down?" I whispered.
"I'm going to climb. Can I move my arm?" he asked politely.
"Yes," I mumbled, my voice cracking. He moved his arm slowly, trailing along my leg. I had a feeling he did that for more reasons then one.
"Here we go. Hold on tight," he instructed. I clung to him like a spider monkey and he started his way down. I kept my eyes closed, my face pressed against his back. And after a few minutes, he stopped moving.
"We're on the ground Bella," he said, chuckling lightly. I opened my eyes and saw that we were, indeed, back on the ground of our precious meadow. I unlatched my arms and legs, falling to the ground. But I didn't even care. I rolled around in the grass.
"I have never been so happy to be on the ground before," I giggled, still rolling around. I heard Edward's laughter and he sank onto the ground near me. I rolled right on top of him, leaning him back into the grass. I kissed his nose lightly.
"I thought I lost you Bella," he admitted in a whisper. "It hurt so much. I love you so much."
"I love you too Edward. And it killed me too, not knowing where you are, knowing what you thought." I kissed him delicately, gently.
Sometimes, I just wished that Edward and I were married already; we would never have to worry about these things. Of course I would never elope. It would kill Alice, not to mention Charlie and Renee. Of course I would always let Alice have her fun. But…maybe we didn't need to wait till graduation. I mean, what's the point? We know we'll be together forever. Why wait?
"Hey Edward," I said nervously.
"Yes, love?" he replied, grinning back up at me.
"I've always wanted an October wedding," I said. We hadn't really talked about details of the wedding that much. The most we ever did was to agree to wait until we were older. Edward slowly sat us up, still holding me in his lap, staring intently into my eyes. I could see the hopefulness. Although he never admitted it to me, I know he was only waiting because of me. If it was up to him we would already be married by now. "And I think eight months is plenty of time for Alice to throw a wedding together."
"What are you saying?" he asked cautiously.
"I'm saying let's get married. I'm sick of waiting. I just want everyone to know that you're mine and mine only." I looked up at him anxiously. "What do you think?"
"I think an October wedding sounds lovely," he said, a wide grin spreading across his face.
"So that's it?" I asked excitedly. "We're getting married!"
"We're getting married," he repeated. I giggled ecstatically, cuddling into him, molding my body against his. It felt so right, so perfect.
"By this time next year, we'll be married," I whispered.
"I can't wait Bella," Edward said, kissing me again. "I can't wait to be able to call you my wife. I can't wait to spend all of my life with you. To have kids and grandkids and an eternal love. I just can't wait."
A/N: So I really wanted to move up the wedding cause I found what I think is a perfect dress for Bella. And I really want people to see it ) And I made a poll about what story I should write next, so everyone go check it out and vote! And sorry about the spider monkey comment, I couldn't resist D REVIEW!!