xx LATE UPDATE? Hah. I have my excuses at the bottom of this update. This is my largest update yet. Over 9,000 words ;). Consider it part of my repentance.
. : I'll Eat You Alive : .
.: I'm sorry... so sorry... Your beauty is so vain... It drives me... Yes, it drives me... absolutely insane. :.
I will never let you fall...
I'll stand up with you forever...
I'll be there for you through it all...
... even if saving you sends me to Heaven.
'Cuz you're my true love, my whole heart...
Please don't throw that away...
'Cuz I'm here for you...
Please don't walk away...
And please tell me you'll stay... you'll stay...
Stay...
Edward's composure, which was borderline sanity to begin with, had shattered. Rage flooded his system.
And confusion.
And desperation.
And a gnawing, desperate need to... to save her. To save the one thing in life that he needed to sustain himself.
"He's going to the fountain! He's going to end his life and take Bella with him!"
Alice's words rang in his head as he shot down the hall, straight into the cursed room with the crimson door. This time he ripped the crimson door so hard off of the hinges that it splintered in his hand.
"FELIX!" Edward roared, rage flowing through his voice.
Edward saw Felix on the ground, and his eyes flickered to Bella, whose hands were gripping her head. Her face was contorted in pain. Edward couldn't bare being so helpless.
Bella let out a scream so loud and pain-stricken that it was possible that all of Volterra heard it. Edward quickly darted to Bella and caught her in his arms before she could hit the ground.
"... Edward?" Bella choked out.
"Bella... Bella... what has he done..." Edward whimpered, pulling her body close to his; his voice clouded with sadness and anger.
"It's... okay..." Bella whispered. "Don't be... sad..."
"Bella..." Edward pleaded. "Stay with me..."
"My eyes... I can't... keep them open..."
"Don't you leave me!" Edward said harshly. "I won't allow it, do you hear me?!"
"Kiss me..." she begged. "Please..."
Edward's lips covered hers gently. The connection was there. They both felt it. Bella smiled gently and pulled away.
"I love you..." he said softly.
"My... angel..." she choked out.
And then her eyes closed, welcoming the darkness that awaited her.
"No... no... no no no!" Edward roared, "Bella... open your eyes..."
He pulled Bella up against his chest, his head resting in the crook of her neck.
"... please." He begged the lifeless body in his arms.
Edward heard his family entire the room, Aro following closely behind.
"I refuse to believe this..." Aro's voice came into the room. "I refuse... it's... impossible. Felix would never do something like this—"
Aro walked forward to Felix's lifeless form. He knelt down next to Felix, and Felix's staggering breathing echoed through the room.
Destroy him.
Edward snarled dangerously in Felix's direction and Alice, seeing what he was about to do, caught Bella in her arms as Edward shot to Felix. Edward had a tight grip on Felix's neck as he shoved him against a wall.
"Felix..." Edward growled. "How could you do this to me?!"
Felix coughed, his eyes closing slowly then opening once again. Edward's grip tightened.
"No..." Felix said softly. "Not to you... but rather... for you."
"You've taken away my life, Felix!" Edward snarled in hysteria.
Felix coughed again, "I promised... I'd always take care of her... I would never take her away from you..."
"Then why—?!" Edward hissed.
"Tell her... tell Bella... to forgive me..." Felix whispered, his eyes closing for the final time.
"You fool! How am I supposed to tell her if—" Edward began.
"Anna... I'm ready..." Felix whispered, his last breath a profession to his love.
And then Felix was gone, somewhere far off this earth. Edward dropped Felix's lifeless corpse to the to the ground, and then he turned back to see Bella. Alice cradled her in her arms.
'I can't see her waking up, Edward...' Alice thought. 'I'm so sorry...'
The Cullen family was frozen at the scene in front of them. Edward was no longer stable. Bella was gone...
"NO!" Edward roared. "Everyone, stop thinking that she's gone!"
He fell to his knees, his hands gripping his hair. "She's not gone... she's not..."
He chanted the mantra over and over to himself. A wave of sympathy rolled off of Jasper, and Edward hissed angrily at him.
"Edward..." Emmett said, coming over to his brother's side. putting an arm around his shoulders. "Bro, listen—"
Even his voice had sympathy. Edward noticed he was talking carefully, as if to some mental patient—
Edward tore away from Emmett and lowered his eyes to the ground, trying to ignore the thoughts of everyone in the room.
Aro walked gracefully and solemnly towards Felix, picking him up in his arms. "Rest in peace, my friend..."
Edward snarled dangerously at Aro's affection towards Felix.
Aro turned to Edward and smiled calmly, "Haven't you figured it out yet?"
Edward did not look up at Aro.
"Edward!" Alice cried.
Edward's eyes snapped in her direction. And then the sound of someone else's frantic breathing filled the room. Edward, still on his knees, couldn't breathe. His breath caught. He was shaking. It was as if he were human. Weak. It was like he needed air. Pathetic.
"Ed...ward?" Bella's voice flowed through the room.
Edward froze.
"Bella!" Emmett's voice boomed, as he bounded to Alice and Bella.
"Emmett..." Bella said softly.
Emmett smiled and took Bella's hand, "I'm so glad you're alright..."
Jasper was next to go to them, relief washing through his system. The fluxuation of emotions was getting a bit too hard to handle.
"Bella..." he breathed out softly.
"Jasper..." Bella replied.
Edward could tell that she was smiling.
Rosalie, followed by Carlisle and Esme went to Bella as well.
"Oh, dear! Are you alright?" Esme's motherly voice beckoned.
"Does anything hurt, Bella?" Carlisle quickly asked.
"I'm glad you're okay, Bella..." Rosalie said.
Edward couldn't move. He felt paralyzed.
She's alive... alive...
"Edward..." Bella whimpered. "Is he... here?"
"Yes-" Alice began, looking over to Edward and shouting at him in her head.
'What are you doing, idiot?! Get over here!'
"Is he... alright?"
'She's asking about HIM?!' Alice's thoughts were loud. 'She's not even concerned with her own health. They're so much like each other...'
Alice turned back to Bella and smiled, "He's fine, Bella."
'Poor thing... she's worried more for Edward than she is for herself...' Esme thought.
Bella sat up, "Can I... see him?"
"Be careful!" Emmett beckoned, trying to edge her back down into Alice's arms. "Don't use too much energy—"
"I want to see him..." Bella whispered.
Edward made an effort to move.
But he couldn't.
This shock was too much to bare. She's alright... she's alright... was she? Did she really remember him? Please... please... please...
'She needs you, Edward...' Esme thought.
"Get up, you coward."
Edward's head rose from his hands.
Felix?
"Still keeping her waiting, aren't you?"
Edward looked to the direction of the voice, and Felix was standing by the fountain. Edward narrowed his eyes and looked to Aro. Felix was limp in Aro's arms. How could he be standing over there... by the fountain... at the same time? Edward looked over to his family. No one was moving.
Time had stopped.
"The look on your face is priceless." Felix's voice was soft and distant... and rougher than Edward remembered. It sounded... human?
"How—" Edward didn't know what to ask first.
"Go to her."
"What if she doesn't remember me—"
"Edward." Felix spoke seriously. "I told you that I would never wish for the two of you to be apart... and the fact that her memory has been ripped away by this cursed fountain..." Felix splashed his hand in the water, "—was like she was taken away from you as well. It was like you had to start from the beginning— trying to convince her that you've loved her... even if she couldn't remember."
Edward looked over to Bella, and strength surged through him. He rose.
"Like the phoenix from the ashes..." Felix teased.
"You didn't wish for her death. Alice was wrong..." Edward said to more to himself than to Felix. As if he couldn't believe it.
"I wished the opposite," Felix said matter-of-factly. "I wished for her life to return to her. I wished for her memory back."
Edward's eyes widened in shock.
"Your life... you gave your life for her—" Edward said, not able to believe it.
"Yes."
"Why?" There were pieces of the story that Edward couldn't catch on to.
"I've told you before. I know the pain of losing a loved one."
Of course. Edward thought to himself. Anna.
"Speaking of which, she's waiting for me. It's time for me to leave now."
"Felix..." Edward said as Felix's figure gently faded. "Thank you."
"Go to her, Edward. She needs you now more than ever."
Edward nodded, and then Felix disappeared.
Bella sat up, "Can I... see him?"
Edward looked over to them.
"Be careful!" Emmett beckoned. "Don't use too much energy-"
Wait... hasn't this happened already?
"I want to see him..." Bella whispered.
Felix is giving me my chance... Edward thought.
He looked over to Felix's figure in Aro's arms. Aro smiled at him and nodded. Did Aro know what just happened?
Edward walked over to his family, and gently took Bella from Alice's arms.
"I'm here, love..." Edward whispered. "I'll always be."
Bella smiled, her eyes gazing up at Edward with adoration.
"I remember..." she whispered. "Oh, Edward! I remember everything— I'm so sorry... Edward—"
And then Edward's world began to piece back together. Bella wrapped her arms around his neck as she nuzzled against his chest.
"I love you..." she whispered. "I love you... I love you... I love you..."
Edward buried his nose in her hair, inhaling deeply.
"I love you more," he whispered.
- x -
- x -
- x -
Edward carried Bella to her bedroom. She insisted she was fine but he thought otherwise.
"It was all so cloudy before..." Bella murmured. "Like I was trapped in a cloud I couldn't see through..."
Edward simply chuckled and held her body closer to his. As if she might run away at any given second.
"... I could remember everyone except you. I could feel that something was wrong... but I can't believe that Felix would give his life for me—"
"He saw the bond between us..." Edward replied softly. "It reminded him of himself and Anna. None of us saw this coming, Bella. Not even Alice," Edward comforted her while placing her down on the bed. "This was his choice. I didn't ask it of him, although I would have went to the fountain myself, eventually."
"... again." Bella groaned, "I hate that fountain... and where are they putting Felix—"
"He's been... burned, love" Edward said, trying to lighten his words as he spoke. It didn't work. "Aro didn't want anything happening to his body, so respectively, he burned Felix and gathered the ashes."
"And... the ashes?"
"Have been placed in the mausoleum. Next to Anna's."
"His Anna," Bella whispered, smiling.
"Yes," Edward nodded.
Bella sighed deeply. "I'll have to visit them before we leave Italy..."
"I know it's too much to take in, believe me," Edward comforted her. "I nearly had a panic attack when I saw Felix and you at the fountain. Hm... That's why, if you're well enough, I've arranged something special for us."
"Something... special?" Bella asked.
"Yes," Edward nodded, a grin stretching across his features.
Uh oh... Bella thought.
"I plan to take you out on the town, right here in Italy."
"You mean like... a date?" Bella teased.
"If thats what you'd like to call it," Edward smirked. Suddenly, his voice got low, husky... "In reality, I just want you to myself for awhile. Away from this craziness..."
"That's a good idea..." Bella smiled, sitting up. "I'm well enough to go out."
His arms were immediately around her again, "You're sure? We don't have to—"
"I'm sure," she replied.
There were several moments of silence, and then—
"Never scare me like that again..." Edward spoke quietly, his arms tightening around her.
"Scare you?"
"When you left with Jacob of all people..."
"Oh," Bella replied. "... but I got you back, didn't I?"
"You've always had me."
"Edward—"
"Oh," Edward said quickly. "Thats right... I was supposed to tell you that the mongrel says 'hello'."
"What do you mean he says 'hello'? Where is he? Oh no- he's still locked up, isn't he? I have to go see him—"
Edward laughed, his arms becoming unbreakable restraints. "No use worrying about him now. It's 8pm and the night is ours."
Bella raised a brow, "But—"
"Bella..." his voice was husky. "I'm a very selfish creature. And tonight, you are mine."
- x -
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- x -
"She's making me wear revealing clothing again!" Bella cried from the other side of the bathroom door.
"Take it easy, Alice!" Edward almost growled. "She's been through enough in the past couple of days—"
"This dress will do good for the both of you—" Alice said.
Edward smirked, seeing the image of the dress in Alice's head.
"I saw that smirk!" Alice shouted.
"I am perfectly capable of dressing myself!" Bella beckoned.
"Finished!" Alice chimed, walking out of the bathroom. "Come on out, Bella."
The bathroom door opened once more and Bella slowly walked out. She wore a tight fitting black dress that stopped just above her knees, and had a "v" cut that showed off her clevage.
Edward swallowed and smiled, "To what do I owe this occasion?"
He held out his hand for her, and she took it.
"You look quite dashing yourself," Bella teased. "I just happen to have a date with the most beautiful person I have ever met."
Edward smirked in his button down black shirt, and a pair of black slacks. Black was definitely his color.
"You better get going before the sun comes up," Alice teased, sticking her tongue out.
"Yes, beautiful Bella, we should get going. I have a lot planned for us, and only twelve hours to accomplish it." Edward said.
"Twelve hours!" Bella feigned horror. "Mission impossible?" she teased.
Edward's arm wrapped around her waist as he led her out the door, "Nothing is impossible, love."
"Have fun!" Alice laughed from the bedroom.
- x -
- x -
- x -
Edward and Bella walked through the night as if they were a part of it. Women stared at Edward and men stared at Bella. Edward kept to himself, perfectly composed. He would not let others' thoughts get on his nerves. He would not let anything ruin this night. This night of celebration.
"Wow..." Bella gasped. "This is beautiful!"
Bella's eyes went wide at the huge, beautiful square before her.
"It's called the Piazza dei Priori," Edward spoke his Italian fluently. "One of Italy's most beautiful squares."
The gentle glow from the street lamps and the hum of people speaking welcomed Bella. There were couples everywhere. The stars shone brightly in the sky, yet not as brightly as Edward's golden eyes did at that very moment. The warm hue was melting into a brilliant gold, for he had just eaten with Bella before he left the Volturi's headquarters. Mountain lion, courtesy of Aro himself.
Edward held her hand in his as they walked shoulder to shoulder. Bella's body racked with electricity. She needed Edward... in more ways than one. She willed herself to stay in control. She wasn't sure why she was suddenly so... desperate to have him.
It had been too long since it was just... her Edward. The Edward she had fallen in love with from the beginning.
"Dance with me," Edward said suddenly, stopping in the middle of the near-empty plaza, next to a large fountain.
"Dance?" Bella questioned, startled. "Now? Here?"
He took one of her hands in his, and wrapped his other arm around her body. Edward pulled her body to his and smirked crookedly. They swayed back and forth slowly, and she looked up at his face.
"I'm really back..." he whispered to himself.
Bella shifted in his arms so that her head was against his chest, and she closed her eyes. Both of his arms went around her waist then and she felt him sigh happily.
"I'm glad..." she whispered.
"It's the strangest feeling..." he said softly. "Being trapped in a body I had no control over. Although I think you enjoyed it..." he started to laugh.
"W-What?" Bella whimpered.
"I remember our first hunt together..." he trailed off, deep in thought.
Bella was speechless. She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Edward lifted her face up with one of his hands to look her in the eyes. Embarrassment flushed through her.
"I miss your blush," he admitted, his lips gently kissing her lips and then pulling away.
Bella pouted. The kiss was too short for her taste.
More...
"Bella, I'm sorry about Tanya... I'm sorry about putting you through pain... I'm sorry for leaving... God, I'm so sorry for that. I love you. I love you so much. I..."
"Edward," Bella silenced him. "You're back. Thats all that matters now."
"But-"
"Shhh..." Bella whispered. "You're here. I love you. I have always loved you. I will always love you."
"You are so beautiful," he said softly. "In so many ways, I don't deserve—"
"Next to you, I'm—" she began.
Suddenly, his lips were on hers. Her resolve melted and she kissed back; his scent was intoxicatingly perfect. It was driving her crazy. The electricity ignited in her body again and she moaned into his lips. Edward stiffened, the electricity traveling to his body.
"Bella, love..." he said between breaths.
She didn't listen, and instead, she pushed him forward so that he was forced to sit down on the ledge of the large, beautiful fountain.
She was on his lap in the next second, her hands tangled in his bronze hair. The darkness around Edward made him hyper-aware of his surroundings. Hyper-aware of the beautiful woman on his lap. Hyper-aware of his body's reaction to her...
... feeling, tasting, caressing... right there in public.
Edward groaned into her lips, "Bella... not... yet. I want to show you as much of Italy as I can... before we leave in the morning—"
"You're much more beautiful than Italy..." Bella said, her lips going to his neck.
"You little vixen..." Edward chuckled, willing his resolve to stay in one piece.
Edward pulled her up into his arms suddenly, standing again.
"If you don't want to walk, I'll carry you through Italy."
Bella sighed, feeling peoples' eyes on her. Being the center of attention didn't appeal to her very much... "I can walk..."
Edward arched a perfect brow. "And?"
"Andd... I'll behave."
For now.
Edward chuckled and set her down. He instantly wrapped an arm around her waist, and put his lips against her hair.
"Do you see that?" Edward asked, using his free hand to point up at something.
Bella looked in the direction where he pointed.
"Torretta de Volterra..." he spoke the name solemnly.
Bella could understand that much Italian, and she echoed what he said. "Tower of Volterra."
She gazed at the large bell at the peak of the tower, seeing everything in intricate detail, even from the ground.
Bella bit her lip and then turned to smile at him, "Can we go to the top?"
Edward smiled a dazzling smile, "I was hoping you'd ask that."
And then Bella knew she was done for.
Edward was gonna get jumped.
By her.
Soon.
So help me God...
- x -
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- x -
"No ones looking," Edward said softly. "Are you ready?"
"Ready to run vertically up a building?" she asked him, skeptical.
This was one thing she had never done as a vampire. Suddenly, the idea of running to the top didn't seem very appealing.
"Theres nothing to be afraid of, you know that."
She did know that.
"I never knew I could be like Spiderman."
Edward laughed and ran a hand through his hair; his eyes were vibrant.
"What?" she asked innocently.
"You have no idea what you do to me," he chuckled.
Do you have any idea what you're doing to me? Bella asked mentally, happy that he couldn't read her mind.
Bella closed her eyes and breathed deeply, trying to control the primal need that Edward had previously felt for her. She was embarrassed. Deep breaths... deep breaths... Why now? The need to be close with him had never been so strong. Was it relief after all they'd been through? Was it because they had hardly touched each other in the past week? Bella grumbled under her breath.
You are my own, personal brand of heroin.
"Are you alright? If you're not feeling up to this after all that's happened, I can understand..." Edward said, taking her hand.
She looked to him, and his golden eyes burned hers once again.
"I'm fine," she tried laughing it off.
... but she knew better than that. She'd have to do better than that to have Edward stop worrying about her.
"... you are so not running behind me when we go up this thing," Bella added, motioning to the building then to her dress.
"Well," Edward smirked crookedly. "You haven't done this before, so I have to be behind you if you were to fall—"
"Edward," Bella said seriously. "Even if you were in front of me when I fell, you'd still catch me."
He pouted, losing the fight.
"Agh, let's just go up... one... two... three..." Bella chanted, then looked to Edward who was just smiling.
"Ladies first."
"You are a pervert, Edward Cullen."
"And you like it," he said, his smile turning into a smirk.
Bella braced herself and then ran straight up the tower. It took barely one second, and she was embarrassed for having made a big deal about nothing.
She looked around and looked down at the view, knowing human eyes would not be able to see them up at the height they were at... especially at night. She then turned and looked at the bell, her hand reaching out to touch the artifact. She felt as if maybe... in another life... she had been here before.
"Well that was quite the view," Edward's velvet voice coaxed.
Bella turned around to see him leaning against the stone structure of the tower, his arms folded across his chest. His eyes were bright and alive and... so... happy. She couldn't get over how bright his eyes were. She was happy to be back with him as well... but she felt as if there was something she was missing.
But then she remembered what he had said, and her eyes widened.
He looked up my dress!
He moved quickly then, even for a vampire, and he was behind her. His arms wrapped around her waist and she closed her eyes. The electricity she felt before was nothing compared to what she felt now.
"I love you..." he whispered in her ear, his lips traveling to her neck.
She shuddered at the contact as his lips continued their exploration.
"I love you too..." she whimpered.
Suddenly, Edward remembered something Alice had said.
"-girlfriend?" Alice asked, raising a brow. "Is that all she'll ever be?"
"I want to ask you something..." Edward whispered.
His arms were suddenly gone, and Bella opened her eyes. Edward stood in front of her, a smile on his face, though nervousness was apparent as well. He held her face in his hands while he continued.
"Isabella... Bella... you are everything I could ever ask for, you are everything I could ever need. I want to protect you, I want to hold you, I want you to be only mine forever. I know that sounds selfish but... being away from you is the only thing that hurts me now... And I can't imagine being without you... I tried once, and well... you can see the mess I brought you into..."
Bella's eyes softened.
"... so I guess, what I'm trying to say is..."
Edward got down on one knee, took Bella's hand, and then took something out of his pocket.
"... Isabella Marie Swan... I promise to love you forever. Every single day of forever. Will you marry me?"
Bella couldn't describe the feelings that she felt at that moment. She couldn't believe such a beautiful person would want her... forever. In all his glory, he looked so nervous.
"Yes," Bella whispered. "Yes!"
Edward slipped the diamond ring onto her finger and took Bella into his arms.
"Thank you..." he whispered in her ear. "I love you, I love you, I love you..."
This was too much for Bella to handle. The overwhelming happiness, the gnawing need for Edward. For all of Edward.
"Love," Edward said softly.
"Edward?" she questioned.
"Your... telekinesis..." he sounded confused.
What?
Bella let go of Edward and stared at him wide-eyed.
Edward had an amused look on his face, besides the glow of happiness that surrounded him from Bella's "yes".
Edward was standing perfectly still, but his black button-down shirt was unbuttoning. He smirked.
W-what's going on?!
"Hey, I'm over here," Bella retorted, her eyes not leaving the newly exposed skin. Lust filled her eyes.
"Yes, you are..." Edward said, his voice turning silky and seductive. "But you want what's over here."
Bella raised her eyebrows and bit her lip. What was he talking about?
Button... by button...
... and she watched with a hunger in her eyes.
"Your telekinesis, love."
Bella yelped, "No, I'm not doing anything! I promise!"
Consciously.
Edward raised an eyebrow as the last button of his shirt popped open. His perfectly chiseled form came into her full view. She hadn't seen it in too long. Her fingers ached to just—
"Edward..." she pleaded to him.
"Come..." he said, holding out his arms for her.
She went into his arms, her lips connecting with his, and showed him a taste of the hunger she had. Her hands traveled, touching his chest and going lower as he moaned against her lips.
"Love," he whispered. "Not here..."
Here.
"No one will see..." she beckoned.
Tempting.
"You deserve better..." he managed.
"Nothing is better than you..." she whispered in his ear.
He was giving in.
He would not allow it.
He grabbed her hands, stopping their trail down to his pants.
"Let's... go somewhere more appropriate... Bella..."
Bella gazed into his eyes as he held her hands by her wrists... like manacles. She smirked and focused. His pants slowly began to unzipper...
"Bella!" Edward gasped, releasing her. "You don't know how hard it is for me to resist you even for a moment-"
She smirked mischievously, and something flickered across his expression.
Edward pressed her against a stone wall of the tower, his lips fighting against hers. Passion flooded from the kiss, and Bella was drowning in it. He pressed his waist against hers— showing her just how much he needed her as well. She moaned against his lips.
"Catch me..." he whispered, licking the mark on her neck that he had previously left. "... if you can."
And then Edward disappeared with a blinding speed. Bella felt short of breath, even though air wasn't necessary.
"Edward... Cullen..." she gasped. "... you are so... in trouble."
He was being playful, Bella knew. One of the differences between Edward and his darker side: Edward would not make love to Bella just anywhere. His darker side? The public was the victim to their affairs.
"You want to play?" she asked into Volterra's skies. "We'll play."
Bella took off in Edward's direction, jumping on rooftops and slicing the night air with her passage.
Landing in front of a small, beautiful hotel called Foresteria Auxilium Vitae, Bella could smell Edward's scent inside. What was he doing in a hotel? Smoothing her dress, damn it Alice!, Bella walked forward. A young Italian man stood at the desk, smiling at her.
"Buona sera," the man said. "Benvenuto a Foresteria Auxilium Vitae."
"Um... hi," Bella laughed softly and a smile took over the man's face.
"You are... American?" the man asked in a heavy accent.
"Yes," Bella replied. "I'm sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if you've seen—"
"He told me you were coming," the man chuckled. "He says to meet him in suite 34."
Bella sighed, "34?"
"Yes. It's our biggest suite, you can't miss it."
Typical Edward.
"Thank you."
Bella walked slowly through the hotel until she found the door with the number 34 on it. Taking a breath, she stepped inside.
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(!) xx:- Italic text is Edward's point of view. Unless the italics are in "quotations" and its clear that it's not in Edward's pov. (!)
(!) xx:- Regular text is 3rd person. (!)
Rose petals, everywhere. On the bed, on the floor...
There were candles throughout the room, casting shadows. A floral smell was in the air, and the floral smelled the way Bella did. Of course, not exactly how Bella did. He didn't believe that any scent in the world can compare to the glory of hers.
He was waiting. Sending his love through Italy in that lovely dress that Alice put her in.
I'd have to thank Alice later.
She'd said "yes"... and the sound resonated in his head infinitely.
She is mine now. Truly mine.
He sighed as he heard her speaking to the man at the counter of the hotel. He could heard the man's thoughts as well. Much to his own disappointment.
'Bella...' the man thought to himself.
And he didn't know her name, mind you.
Edward couldn't blame him though.
She's dazzling him. She's dazzling him the way she dazzles me.
More of the man's thoughts about Bella flooded into Edward's head, and he ignored him by turning on the stereo near the bookcase. Her lullaby began to play and he smiled at the memories.
Her breathing was rough with anticipation. He could hear her. She was close. He disappeared into the shadows... waiting.
And then she walked in, and her eyes widened.
"Oh- oh my-" she began, taken by surprise.
It had been too long since I'd done something romantic for her. I made a mental note to myself to make sure I did it more often. I'm back now, and I was determined to show her that I wasn't going anywhere.
Her eyes widened as Edward's arms snaked around her waist.
She fits perfectly in my arms. She always did. She was made for me, and I for her.
"You outdid yourself, Mr. Cullen..." Bella whispered.
Something about her saying my name that way made excitement shoot down my spine.
"It's been too long since it's been just me. I want to do this right, Mrs. Cullen..." he whispered against her ear.
"Edward..." Bella moaned. "I love you..."
Hearing her moan my name was all it took. I was on top of her in a second, and she was pressed against the soft white cushions of the bed. Her hair sprawled beneath her, and her eyes were filled with lust. But I could see what was behind them.
Love.
I wondered how she felt when she looked into my eyes when I was induced by the fountain.
"I'm going to do this right..." he whispered his promise to her. "We're going to move slowly and—"
Bella looked up at him and bit her soft, bottom lip.
Primal urges...
Primal urges...
She arched her body upwards, causing her hips to collide and grind against his.
If my obvious arousal wasn't prominent before—
— it's a weapon now.
"Bella- you're defeating the purpose—" his voice was strained. "Please... do this one last thing... for me."
I knew she'd understand. This was the final thing I had to do to rid myself of my darkness. I had to make sure that I could be myself around her.
Bella drew in a breath, her body slowly meeting the mattress again. She smiled once more, apologetically.
"For you," she breathed.
And then everything was right.
Her lullaby played gently in the background. And he began to hum the tune against her soft skin. She mewled softly underneath his lips.
"Ohh..." Bella murmured.
Sanity. Edward Cullen, keep it.
Keeping that in mind, he continued. As the piano drifted into lower notes, he moved my lips down her jaw to her neck. Her skin-- sinfully beautiful-- responded to his kisses. Her breathing hitched as he reached a spot on her neck where he had been before... many times.
"Edward... Edward..." she whispered.
I licked the exceptionally sweet part of her neck, and gently, I began to suck on that spot. Her body began to shake and her breathing became shallow. My hands began to wander... down that tempting dress that I wanted to take off of her the moment I saw her in it.
Damn it, Alice.
I arched her body towards mine and her breathing hitched. My hands found the zipper that was at the back of the dress, and I pulled down. The straps fell loose and her dark blue lace was the first thing I saw.
His sanity was getting harder to hang on to.
This time, his mind wasn't fighting against his body.
His body was fighting against his mind.
His body was doing what it remembered. What it was used to doing... what he was fighting against...
And then her dress was off, and the skin of her torso brushed against mine. My lips, still at her neck, bit down against her skin.
She moaned, and her head fell back in pleasure.
My hands began to get greedy— going straight for her breasts.
One of his hands kneaded her breast through her bra. The other unclasped the clip in the back. As soon as it was off, he threw it across the room. His lips latched onto the breast his hand wasn't on. Her breathing was out of control.
The pleasure was incredible.
The pain in his pants was also incredible, because he figured that if he had to wait one more minute he was going to—
— I'm going to lose control.
His pants were discarded quickly. His member throbbed uncomfortably.
"Ohhhh, Edward..." she moaned.
His body betrayed him— his movements were faster. One of his hands traveled down to her panties. The other ripped off his boxers.
Do you know the feeling of losing yourself?
Truly losing yourself?
Losing yourself in something that is so erotic that you forget your name— you forget where you are— and all you know is that the person you're with is feeling the same thing?
I was losing myself.
Right now.
Edward groaned, looking as if he was trying to control himself.
"Bella... " I strained out, my hand close to her dripping sex.
The scent itself was enough to make me hard. And since I already was, this only made it worse.
"You don't have to be gentle with me..." Bella whimpered out.
Edward's eyes opened and his lips, on Bella's stomach, froze. His golden eyes locked with her own, and the look sent chills through her body.
"I don't want to scare you off... like I did last time..." he said, his voice rougher now- trying to mask a known sadness.
The last time they were intimate, she left him with Jake and flew to Italy. That what was holding him back.
Bella took his face into her hands, their eyes still not moving from each other.
"You are not the man that you were before. You are you. You are Edward Cullen, the man I fell in love with. The man I will always love. Forever."
His eyes burned molten gold, one of the most brilliant gold shades she had ever seen.
"Take me in any way you want to..." she whispered now. "I'm here for your taking."
Edward's lips curved into a devious smirk, his eyes growing darker though the golden color remained. "You look absolutely exquiste, Bella..."
He began to move down lower until his lips fell upon the lacy underwear. He looked up at her once and smirked crookedly before taking the material into his mouth and tugging it down her leg with his teeth. He moved slowly back up, his hands running up her smooth legs and separating them so he could be between them.
"Edward..." Bella whispered.
"God, you smell delicious..." he groaned, licking from her collarbone up her neck.
He was losing himself.
His fingertips searched lower... probing. Two long fingers pressed into her wet folds and her head bent back as her body arched.
"A-Ah! Please, Edward—"
Pulling his fingers from her heated core, she watched through lustful eyes. His fingers were in his mouth in the next instant, tasting her.
"You taste delicious too..." he murmured, desire flashing in his tone.
And then he propped her thigh over his shoulder, and his tongue ran along the expanse of the inner part of her leg.
"Mmm..." he murmured.
Bella's eyes closed, lost in ecstasy. But then she felt him getting close.
"N-no..." she mumbled. "Not... there..."
"There's no reason for you to be embarrassed..." he said softly.
He gave a long, hard lick on the outside of her folds. Addicted, he lifted her thigh higher to give him more access. Her hands gripped at his hair roughly. The feeling turned him on.
"Bella, look at me."
He looked up at her under dark lashes. Her hands in his hair tightened.
"N-No..." she craned her neck away.
"Bella—" he said, his voice a warm velvet.
Her voice hypnotized her. And against her will, she looked at him.
"E... Edward..." she managed.
He smirked crookedly at her, lapping eagerly at her core. She tugged at his hair, screaming for him. He spread her legs wider, his tongue taking in her taste.
She tasted so exquisite. So... delicious. It gave me the high that human blood did. I licked, needing more...
She was trembling, her breathing was uneven, and she struggled to keep her eyes open to look at me. The built-up tension in the lower half of my body was unbearable.
"Edward... I can't wait... I need..."
I need this...
He looked up at her, licking his lips. "Tell me what you need..." he whispered.
Bella pulled him up to her, and then put her hand behind his neck, pulling his head down to have their lips meet again. As their lips met, and they molded together. Her tongue traced the outside of his lips as his breathing came out ragged. She began to move down his neck, her tongue tasting him.
"You..." she tempted, her hand wrapping around his member. "I need you. I want you. Right now."
And he snapped.
He thrusted into her and grunted.
"Farther..." he choked out. "Spread your legs... farther for me."
For me.
His head was at the crook of her neck, nipping at the skin there. His hands were on her knees, keeping her legs open for him. Her body rejoiced. Her hands wrapped around him.
But she knew something was wrong. This last piece of healing... he was becoming corrupt. Although, technically, the effects of the fountain were no more... that didn't mean that the repercussions wouldn't happen. These kind of wounds heal over time. Not over night.
She was losing him. After all of his efforts, his body was taking control. Her hands gripped his back as the bed began to shake violently. She rocked against him, concluding that she would help him now— when he needs her.
"'He shall never know how I love him...'" Bella whispered, quoting her favorite novel. "'Not because he's handsome, but because is more myself than I am...'"
Edward's movements slowed, and he raised his face from the curve of her neck. His eyes bore into hers, the darker shade of lust was now get lighter. Realization flickered.
Wuthering Heights. Bella. Beautiful. Love. Lust. Marriage. Wife. Romeo and Juliet. Twilight. Mine. Mine. Mine...
She was saving me.
She was saving him.
"'Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same...'" she moaned.
"Oh, Bella..." Edward moaned, his lips connecting with hers.
And she had brought him back.
His thrusts became harder- love combining with his lust for her. The emotion was so strong that he struggled to hold onto himself.
"'Be with me always- take any form- drive me mad!'" Edward moaned, his lips licking at her ear.
Bella rolled on top of him, and he still remained deep inside of her. His member throbbed at the sight of her on top of him. She began to move, her breasts bouncing with her thrusts.
"Bella..." Edward choked out, his eyes closing and his head fell back onto the bed. His mouth remained parted, and he had to bite his tongue to keep from growling like an animal.
"Look at me, Edward..." Bella moaned.
Edward's eyes snapped open and glazed over with adoration and hunger. Bella's hands rested on his hardened chest, her waist grinding against his.
"'Only do not leave me in this abyss where I cannot find you...!'" Bella moaned, breathing heavily.
Edward moaned, starting to thrust against her motions. His hands snaked their way to her hips, slamming them down against his.
The feeling of her skin against mine was the best feeling in the world. No other feeling could compare.
"So close..." Edward hissed, rolling her over so that he remained dominant again.
God, I love being on top of her.
He pressed himself in as far as he could go, filling her up to the fullest extent. A deep, throaty moan erupted from Bella's throat and his member began to throb harder. Her walls tightened around him, milking his release. One hand gripped one of her breasts while his other hand rocked her ass upwards.
"Ohhhh, Edward..." Bella pleaded. "I'm close... so close..."
And as her world disappeared, his final thurst was deep and hard. He bit into the mark that was already on her neck, completely lost ecstasy. Bella let out a scream and the bed shook violently against the wall.
"'I cannot live without my life...'" he growled into her ear. "'I cannot live without my soul...'"
He exploded into her, moaning. They remained in that position, panting, for several moments. And in those moments, all was well. Everything was... right. The way things were supposed to be.
"I love you..." he whispered.
She smiled, "I love you too."
He smirked back at her, "Don't think for one second that I'm done with you yet..."
He licked up the side of her neck and electricity sparked in her veins once again.
And then Edward's cellphone vibrated angrily on the nightstand. Growling, Edward rolled to Bella's side and swiped the cellphone off the table.
SENT: 12:53AM
FROM: ALICE CULLEN
MESSAGE: Sorry to interrupt, but we've got serious trouble. Get back underground as soon as you can.
To Be Continued...
xxAuthor's Note::
xx Hello, it's been awhile, huh? I'm sorry. A lot of stuff happened. It's hard to keep up with school & writing at the same time. It's like an obligation versus a passion. It sucks.
xx Thank you for all of the reviews! :D I've read them all, but due to technical difficulties (a.k.a. my crap computer), I haven't been able to respond to anyone. Please don't think that I'm ignoring you. Special thank you to the reviewers who gave me suggestions about how to improve my story. You know who you are.
xx How many times did you see the Twilight movie? I saw it 4 times.
xx What do you think of a man directing New Moon? I'm not sexist but... I can't feign the worry.
xx What's this about Taylor Lautner no longer playing Jacob Black? I don't know if it's true, but if it is, I kinda feel bad for him. He really wanted to do all the stuff in New Moon. Since he's not big enough, I sure as hell hope Steven Strait (omgfaintlolz) will play Jacob. His face is strikingly like Taylor's... only more mature. Have you seen the resemblance?
xx ROB SAYS HE HAS "LIKE TWO SCENES IN NEW MOON"?! Oh hellz no.
xx Sorry for the wait... -dodges bullets-... Song used in this chapter is "Your Guardian Angel" by the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus.
xx I'm working on a new idea, and a Christmas oneshot... along with my "Play With Fire & It's Gonna Burn You" continuation.
- - Chapter 22 Preview ;) - -
Alice's expression choked with horror and if Jasper's arms weren't around her, she would have fallen to ground.
"Alice, Alice-- what's wrong?!" Bella said, afraid. She held Alice's hand in hers. "What did you see?"
And then Edward's hand squeezed Bella's other hand... tightly.
"Edward? Did you see what she's thinking?" Bella turned to him.
Edward nodded slowly, his eyes were wary and afraid.
"I'm so sorry... if it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have had to-" Edward looked away from her.
"Edward!" Bella spoke up. "What's wrong?! What's going on?!"
"Tanya's coven... the Denali... they're in Forks. They found bits of her ashes in the field that you killed her in."
Bella's eyes widened. Memories of Tanya flashed in her head. Tanya's last words ran through her head over and over...
"I may regret a lot of things... But hurting you is something I will never regret."
"Bella, they're bloodthirsty and angry. And..." Alice cut her words off, as if she couldn't fathom it.
Edward pulled Bella into his arms.
"Don't say it, Alice!" he snarled.
"... they're going to target your father first."
- - End Chapter 22 Preview :0 - -
Jacob comes back next chapter! Hehe :P.
Much Love,
Mezzanottex3