A/N
Stephenie Meyer is a gifted individual who wrote the most amazing characters.
Lyrics are the property of their respective artists, no copyright infringement intended.
I would like publicly declare my devotion to IrishTwiSisters and Lambcullen. I love them both, hard, and promise kitty hugs. They are beta-awesome sauce. Nomnomnom
Sunfeathers, my doll, I've had part of this chapter written for a long time. You believed in this story enough to tell others. Thanks for giving us a chance. I can't believe I'm actually posting this chapter.
And yes. This chapter is full of angsty climax. You have been warned.
Songs for this Chapter:
Patience: GunsNRoses
Who Wants to Live Forever: Queen (piano version)
Running Up That Hill: Placebo
Storm: Lifehouse
BPOV
My interview with the head of the English department was this morning. I dressed conservatively in a black pencil skirt and a stark white blouse. I wore simple black pumps and my hair was pulled back into a bun and secured with bobby pins. I checked my appearance in the bathroom vanity mirror, hoping it wasn't obvious that I had covered a bruise with concealer. Kate had got me really good. Edward's eyes had been ablaze the morning after, his fingers shaking as they swept down my cheek. We had been lying in bed and the space between us was awkward after the fight we'd had the night before.
No words passed between us but I could see something twisting in his eyes before I got up and walked away from him.
I sat in the waiting area to be called in by Dr. Berty and the clock ticked slowly as his annoying secretary pecked away at the computer. Finally Dr. Berty poked his head out of his office door, his eyes wide and serious as he called my name.
As I walked into his office and closed the door behind me, the smell of old books and tobacco pipe assailed my nostrils. I took a seat in one of the leather chairs that sat in front of the desk and crossed my legs. There was a black pipe which sat in a large ashtray on the large wooden mahogany desk in front of me. Old leather bound volumes of books sat in shelves behind the Professor and a laptop was perched on the side of the desk. Dr. Berty looked to be a scholarly gentleman who would seem out of place had he not been wearing a tweed jacket with leather arm patches. There were reading glasses perched on the edge of his nose as he perused my transcripts.
"Well, Miss Swan. Your GPA is very impressive. I see you have taken a semester out of your studies. May I ask why?" he looked up at me, his eyes peaking over the rim of his glasses.
I swallowed, and my voice came out strained, "I lost my parents last spring and due to the circumstances surrounding the accident, I took the semester out on the advice of my doctor."
"Hm. Your transcript is spotless and the recommendation from your previous professor is shining. We would be happy to have you here so long as the doctor signs off that you are well enough to continue your studies." His voice was warm and I smiled at him.
"Thank you, Dr. Berty. Thank you so much!" I stood to shake his hand and he smiled back at me. I felt elated as I left his office.
But it melted as I made my way back out to the car. Outside, the clouds seemed heavy but were unable to purge themselves of the rain that made them seem angry. I checked the time and sighed, 11:41.
Edward was usually home at lunch time on a Friday, his classes ending in the morning. We hadn't really talked since we'd had the fight. My mind went back to two nights ago after I'd gotten that phone call from Mrs. Stanley.
I know he was only trying to look out for me, but I needed to be able to do this for my father. Edward eventually followed me upstairs and found me sitting at the laptop looking at flights. I had turned around to him and said something about him not caring enough to realize I had to go. He had gotten really mad at me then. He'd told me to 'Fuck off back to Forks then'.
I could tell he'd instantly regretted saying those words but I had to get away from him, the fight was killing me. So I walked out of the bedroom. I locked myself in the spare room for a couple of hours, trying to calm down. I knew part of the argument and venom was to do with me reading his journals. I knew he had forgiven me but I still felt guilty for violating his privacy that way.
Edward had tapped lightly on the door but I ignored him, still angry he had shouted at me. When we had eventually gone to bed that night, I punished us both by not cuddling up to him. The space between us was about a foot and half but the distance was horrible. I missed him terribly.
The nightmare I'd had that night had felt like I was suffocating, and waves were beating at me while I desperately fought to keep my head above water. Instinctively I went into his arms but after we fell asleep again, we had drifted apart.
I reached Rose's Mazda in the school's parking lot and got in. Starting the car, I turned the windshield wipers on as the rain started. The journey back to the house was quick and silent. I was tense the entire way. I pulled into the drive, noting the Maserati had been picked up. I got out of the car and headed towards the porch, my purse over my head to protect me from the rain. As I opened the front door, I could hear piano music coming from within the house. The sweetly sorrowful notes drew me over the threshold.
***
EPOV
I sat next to Bella as she looked out the window of the plane. She had been quiet and withdrawn as we drove to the airport. The last few days had been fucking draining.
The fight we'd had after she had that phone call had been fucking horrible. She had tried to say that I didn't care about her which had cut really deep. She was one of the only things I did fucking care about. It was out of my mouth before I could take it back, telling her to fuck off, and I could see the hurt in her eyes. I had felt instantly guilty for talking to her like that but she locked herself away from me and I didn't know what I could say to her to make it right.
We had slept apart that night and I had felt fucking empty.
At 3 AM my eyes popped open as I was brought out of a restless sleep. The bed was shaking. Bella kicked me in her sleep as she tossed back and forth.
"Edward!" she screamed as I pulled her into my arms.
I said her name over and over while she shuddered, the darkness a blanket around us.
"Edward?" she asked, her voice small in the black surrounding us.
"Bella." I answered, kissing her temple. I rocked her gently and she tried to get closer to me. She was wearing a t-shirt in bed and I put my hands underneath it, smoothing my palms over her back.
"Do you want to tell me about it?" I asked.
"I was suffocating, I couldn't breathe, like I was drowning. I was fighting so hard. I thought I was going to die." Her whole body trembled and I tightened my arms around her.
We drifted off to sleep again. She had wandered out of my arms when I opened my eyes in the dull gray light. I watched her sleep, her lashes dark and graceful on her cheek. Bella lay on her side, facing me. When she lifted her head from the pillow, I had hissed in a breath, seeing her face. The bruise on her cheekbone was horrible, and anger tightened my gut as I brushed my thumb across it.
We moved around each other for the next few days, barely speaking. Later in the week, Bella had her appointment with the University and had looked fucking hot. Her ass in that skirt had made my dick hard just looking at her. She looked all fussy secretary and I wanted to strip her out of what she was wearing and fuck her on the bathroom sink. But I knew that wasn't going to fucking happen since we still weren't really talking.
I had a morning class but I was sure I wouldn't be able to sit there for three hours so I ditched. A tow truck came by and picked up my Maserati, the guy promising to have the car back next week. The sight of the tyres all slashed and floppy as it rolled onto the truck made me clench my jaw.
I had gone in, to sit at the piano, not really having any other outlet. All of the emotions over the last few days had been too fucking much and the distance between Bella and me was killing me. My hands wandered over the keys as I closed my eyes.
Bella came in and sat on the floor while I played. I could feel her as soon as she walked into the room. When I looked up at her, she was curled into a ball, her back against the wall, her legs pulled up, her arms wrapped around them. My eyes met her brown ones and they were wet with tears. The sight of her upset curled like a blade in my gut but when I started to get up, she ran out of the room. I sighed at the piano, my fingers rested on the keys but I couldn't force any of the notes out.
And two days later, we're sitting on a fucking plane, going back to that fucking town, where someone wants to fucking kill her. The plane taxied down the runway and we were in the air. I swallowed, making my ears pop.
After a while, I just couldn't fucking take it anymore. I put the armrest up that was between us and shifted closer to her.
"Bella? Look at me sweetheart." I said as I placed my hand on her arm.
She turned to me, her eyes bloodshot and tired from lack of sleep. She still hadn't let me properly hold her.
"I know this is something you need to do for your dad. Please, Bella. The distance is killing me-" I stopped as she moved closer and her hands found my forearms. She pulled my arms around her and leaned into me. The seatbelt sign was turned off and the captain announced something over the speakers but we didn't really hear him. She settled my hands at her back and she moved towards me as she unbuckled her seatbelt. Her fingers undid my seatbelt, and I moved my body to fit to hers.
"I'm sorry, Edward." she said against my chest.
"Me too, sweetheart," I said into her hair.
We didn't move for the rest of the flight, we just sat in the silence, the dull roar of the engines the only noise other than the stewardess coming by with the drinks cart. Bella and I shared a coke and then resumed our hold on each other.
We must have fallen asleep but I was shaken awake by the flight attendant asking us to fasten our seatbelts for landing.
We arrived in Seattle and boarded a small plane for Port Angeles. Bella and I were able to rent a car and she smirked at me as they handed the keys to me. A Volvo. I groaned. Stupid fucking shiny silver Volvo.
We drove to Forks and she called Mrs. Stanley to let her know we'd landed and were on our way. As the parade was the following day, Bella would need to meet up with the organizers this afternoon. We checked into the same hotel again but they gave us a different room this time. I carried our luggage upstairs, which wasn't much since we were only staying a few days.
***
BPOV
Edward was smoking at the window, the hotel room drapes shifting in the breeze. I quickly sent a text.
Jake. In Forks for parade. B x
I figured I should at least tell him I'm in town. Maybe he would talk to me face to face.
***
EPOV
I drove us towards the town's high school. Bella blushed as she pointed out the place where she had gone to high school. The building looks about forty years old but had been modernised with security cameras and what looked like some student art project painted on one of the far walls. The colourful swirling images were all PC equality everyone is a fucking rainbow shit.
There were several cars in the parking lot already but I found a parking spot easily enough. Bella and I got out together, she took my hand as we walked towards the school. Bella made a small huff of a laughing sound under breath as I matched my stride to her shorter one.
I looked down at her, "What?"
"If I had shown up two years ago with someone like you holding my hand, they would have all thought you had lost a bet."
That stopped me.
She turned to face me as I stood on the sidewalk, "Bella, if I had shown up with you two years ago, I would have made sure they all knew exactly what I was doing with you," I waggled my eyebrows at her and she blushed, looking away from me.
"I wish I had known you two years ago. Then I would have had a date for the prom!" she sighed.
I raised an eyebrow at her, "What do you mean a date? You didn't go to prom?" I couldn't believe someone as pretty as her hadn't gone to prom.
"No," She answered.
I pursed my lips and brushed a lock of her hair over her shoulder, my fingers lingering near her jaw, drawing her up until her eyes met mine, "The boys at your school must have been fucking blind."
"I did get asked by one but I turned him down." she said.
"Why?"
She smiled and pushed gently at my stomach, "You know why!"
"Remind me."
"Cause I suck at dancing!" she groaned, her voice frustrated and sad.
I shifted closer to her, taking her hands in mine, my arm slipping around her back. I kissed her neck and said softly in her ear, "You do not suck, Bella. Well, at least at dancing. It's all in the leading, anyways." She shivered and leaned into me, forgetting where we were. I skimmed my nose along her jaw before I kissed her lips.
Her eyes flew open as she digested what I said. Her hands were on my chest as she pushed away from me minutely, "What do you mean I don't suck at least at dancing?" she said in mock outrage.
I pulled her closer to me again and kissed her hard on the mouth. Sucking on her lower lip and running my hands up her sides, I head her whimper. In her ear I growled lowly, "We both know you're good at sucking, Bella." She gasped as I pulled her earlobe into my mouth, biting it gently.
I looked up as I heard someone approach. Bella must have heard them too, as she stepped away from me. It was a guy who looked roughly about the same age as Bella. His hair was long and he smoothed it over his forehead, his face oriental in heritage.
His eyes widened when he took in Bella and me.
"Bella? Bella Swan?" he looked at her, smiling and sizing me up at the same time.
"Eric? Oh hi. Eric this is Edward Cullen, my boyfriend. Edward this is Eric Yorkie. He was in my newspaper class." Eric and I looked at each other before I shook his hand. Bella seemed to know him but he seemed harmless.
"Nice to meet you," he said. His eyes shifted back to Bella, "Mrs. Stanley is working herself up into a fine fizz. You may want to go in and see her before she explodes all over the place." Eric reached into his pocket and pulled out his car keys. "Thank God, I'm done for the night. See you guys later."
We walked into the gym, and into organized chaos. It smelled of sweat and paint. The yellow electric lighting buzzed over head and the bleachers were folded against the walls. The basketball hoops were angled towards the ceiling, out of the way of the tall floats. There were huge doors at the back of the gym that accommodated the height of the floats. People meandered about, putting on finishing touches to the papier-mâché structures. There was a portly woman with her dark hair pulled back from her red face as she stood with a clipboard in front of her. She looked up as we entered.
"Bella! Bella, over here!" Bella looked over and we made our way over to the woman.
"Hi Mrs. Stanley." Bella made introductions again and I nodded as Mrs Stanley took in my tattoos and pursed her lips. Her eyes turned back to Bella.
"Ok, Bella. This is the plan for tomorrow…" Mrs. Stanley quickly filled Bella in on the details for the parade. We were to meet at 7 AM before the parade began at 10. Bella would be riding with the Mayor in a motorcade escorted by local police officers. The parade would commence down the main drag through town and end at the high school football field for a ceremony and pep rally for the homecoming game.
Mrs. Stanley finished and checked off something on her clipboard. Suddenly there was a shout from across the gym, "Mrs. Stanley. One of the floats is collapsing."
She sighed and ran towards the voice, waving good bye to Bella.
We left the gym and drove back to the hotel. Bella was silent and I knew her thoughts were on her father and the parade tomorrow.
"Are you ok?" I asked as we sat in the hotel room, finishing our dinner.
"Yeah," she said quietly, "I'm just glad I got to do this. And I'm glad you're here." She said, looking up from her plate. I reached across the table, stroking a finger down her cheek.
Our eyes locked for a moment and I felt something pull from behind my navel, needing to be closer to her. We both got up from the small table at the same time. She was in my arms, her mouth on mine, her hands pulling at my t-shirt. I was raising her top over her body and we broke apart to take off our clothes. We undressed each other and I groaned at the sight of her in blue lace shorts. I took them off of her slowly until we both stood naked in front of each other.
I pulled her closer and we fell on the bed together, a tangle of legs, as our mouths melded, our tongues tasting. Her hands roamed over me, and I growled when she ran her fingernails roughly over my nipples. I kissed her neck, her collarbone, her breasts. I was desperate for her, and she pulled me back up her body.
"Now, Edward. I need you inside of me now." I parted her legs, running my hand over her hip, and down her thigh. I touched her flesh, my fingers dipping between her lips, finding her wet. I stroked her gently and she shuddered and bucked beneath me. She gasped as I pressed my palm against her, massaging her.
I moved between her thighs, bracing above her. She wrapped her legs around me, and I looked into her eyes as I entered her. I found her mouth, moving my tongue along hers as I moved within her. I needed to hear her, and I buried my face in her neck as her breathy moans were in my ear. Bella's nails scratched my shoulders, as I moved my hips, and she met mine as I moved in her forcefully, roughly. I needed to possess her, the space between us this past week making my movements fierce.
She moaned every time I moved, her hips meeting mine, and I ground into her as her muscles started to flutter around me. I could tell she was teetering on the edge, and I reached between us, stroking her clit. She tightened her legs around me as she came, shuddering, and my hips pumped against her, as my balls tightened and my blood stirred.
"I love you, Edward." she whispered in my ear. I groaned, coming inside her, the orgasm intense. I kissed her neck and rolled on to my back. She closed her eyes, her legs wrapped around me and I fell asleep, inside her.
***
BPOV
The day had gone well, the weather holding off during the parade. I had felt a sense of pride watching the police on their motorcycles. Some of the officers I recognized, and they came up to hug me or ask me how I was doing. I felt the bond between them all, and I almost felt like I would see my father at some point in the crowd of uniforms and leather jackets.
The whole town had shown up for the parade, and I saw the Quileute's had a place in the parade, dressed in traditional ceremonial outfits. My eyes searched for Jacob but I didn't see him.
The parade had ended at the football field, and the pep rally was full of football uniforms and cheerleaders. If I heard Go, Fight, Win one more time, I was going to puke. Edward put his arm around me and I leaned against him as we made our way back to the car. I shivered, the morning had been slightly chilly. I zipped up my hoodie as he turned to me.
"Are you cold, Bella?" he asked. When I nodded he motioned over to the concession stand and said he would get me a hot chocolate. Handing me the keys to the Volvo, he jogged over to join the short line. I watched him move away, sighing, loving the masculine way his body moved: confident to the point of strutting.
I felt my phone vibrate in my hand. I looked at it, and saw I had received a text from Jacob.
Bella. Meet me at the cliff. Come quick. Need your help.
My heart fell in my mouth, as I read Jacob's text. Without thinking, I went for the Volvo, leaving Edward behind. I vaguely registered something falling out of my pocket but I was too focused on getting to Jake, who needed me.
I drove, the trees covered in moss, the autumnal leaves making an eerie neon light in the dark silver drizzle. I turned onto the 101, pushing the Volvo to illegal speeds to reach La Push. I reached for my phone in my hoodie pocket and with a jolt, realized it wasn't there. My mind flashed to rushing towards the Volvo and realized it was my cell.
Shit.
I floored the Volvo, urging it forward. I finally entered the Res, which was quiet, most of the residents at the local bonfire out on the beach. There weren't any other cars on the road and no people about. The sky was purple gray, an end of summer thunderstorm on its way. The air was tight, close, a last gasp before summer strangled and gave up her ghost to Autumn's cooler temperatures. I figured they would get heavy snowfall this year; apparently the summer had been hot enough in Forks for it. Autumn's colors would fade and she would waltz into the arms of her deathly pale wintry lover.
I rounded the bend towards the cliffs of summer's past, where Jake and the guys had enjoyed frightening me from great heights as they dived into waters from the high rocks. I saw a lone figure standing, his back to me, his dark hair waving gently, watching the storm gather from offshore. As I parked the car and jumped out, a flash of lightning illuminated the bruising sky.
"Jake!" I shouted, but the thundering surf drowned out my cries. I could hear the violent sea, punishing the rocks below. The vibrations could be felt all the way up the cliff face.
I got to Jake and put my hand on his shoulder, but something was off. Something wasn't right here, and my brain struggled to make a connection. Jake turned around then and I realized what was wrong.
It wasn't Jake.
"Where's Jake?" I asked.
Paul smiled at me, his grin wolfish and cold, "He's not here, Bella."
I was confused, "What do you mean, he's not here? Where is he? He said he was in trouble! We have to find him!" I took his arm, ready to pull him towards me. But he stopped me, his strength cruel and steeling against me.
"Jacob is fine, Bella. I sent the text." He said through his teeth, hatred making his eyes even darker.
I was taken aback, "You? Why would you-" but my brain finally put the last piece of the puzzle together. Jake was fine. He's fine. But I was not. Dread filled my stomach and ran down my legs, making them wobbly as Paul pulled me towards the edge of the cliff.
His hands wrapped like bruising manacles on my upper arms and his eyes glowed into mine. The storm continued to gather pace, the sky boiled and the sea was violent and tearing.
He opened his mouth, his face twisting into a snarl, "Do you not see, Bella? It's always been about you. I've always watched you, watched the way you and Jake were so close. You didn't notice anything else around you. I tolerated you, biding my time, knowing you would tire of Jake soon. Then you would see me. For what I was. You are the lamb, and I am the wolf. Then your parents died, and you clung to him but pushed him away. I waited for you to come to me but you didn't. Then you fucked off to Scotland. How fucking dare you!" He shook me then, with such force my teeth rattled and his fingers were so tight they were cutting off the circulation.
He continued his rant, "I had to get you back, I couldn't just let you go. So I burned your house down. Did you like your pretty picture?"
"Why? Why would you do that?" I asked, my voice trembling.
Thunder rolled and he paused, waiting for it to quiet, "Because I missed you, Bella." and he smiled that sickening smile again.
"But then you came back. I watched you, waiting for some sign. I followed you to the graveyard and watched you lay in the mud. Then he showed up. And I knew it. I knew you had fucked him. I saw the way he was when Jake showed up. I had wanted you for myself and you had been defiled. So you had to die. I cut your breaks. I couldn't wait, hoping you would drive right into a car, your body smashed and broken. But you just wouldn't die like a good girl. You left with him before I could get to you. But here you are again, with that stupid expression on your face. And I'm going to do it this time by myself. There won't be an escape this time. There won't be a continuation, only an ending. Say good bye, Bella." He smiled sweetly at me, too sweetly and started towards the edge of the cliff.
The thunder rolled and the sea was capped and foamy.
"No. No, Paul, please! Please don't do this." My brain scrambled to say anything to get through to him, "What would Sam say? You listen to Sam. You know Sam won't be happy with you if you do this."
That paused him, "Well, Sam doesn't need to know. And I don't think you'll be around to tell him."
He continued to drag me closer to the edge and I dug my heels into the ground but he only wrenched me dangerously close. I cried out and his eyes lit with satisfaction.
"Yes, are you afraid, Bella?"
We were at the edge now, and I could feel my heart beating wildly in my chest.
"Please, Paul. Please." I whimpered.
"Enough begging. Good bye, Bella."
That said, he threw me over the edge of the cliff.
My body plummeted, and for a moment, I felt like I was flying. My limbs flailed as I tried to find a level grounding but there was nothing but myself to hold onto.
I did not scream and an odd sense of calm filled me. With my last breath of oxygen before I hit the water, I whispered, "I love you, Edward."
***
EPOV
"Bella?" I turned around to see her running towards the Volvo. I saw her cell phone drop out of her pocket but she didn't stop to pick it up. Fear slithered down my spine, instinctive, that something wasn't right here. I ran for her cell and tried to get to her, but she was already pulling away. I looked at the screen and noticed a text. From Jake. My lip curled.
As I looked up, I saw a face in the crowd that seemed out of place. I looked at him, and my eyes sharpened.
"Hey, Black!"
He turned and I ran to him.
"Did you send a text to Bella five minutes ago?" he relaxed his stance as he heard the fear in my voice.
"No. I don't actually have it on me. I loaned it to- wait. Why?"
"Someone told her to meet them at the cliffs, saying you were in trouble." I answered.
He raised a dark eyebrow and his nostrils flared, picking up the same danger I sensed. "The cliffs are on the Res. C'mon I'll show you where they are."
I followed Jake to his car, and we were on the road as he pushed the old Rabbit as fast as it could go.
***
BPOV
how long have I been in this storm
so overwhelmed by the ocean's shapeless form
water's getting harder to tread
with these waves crashing over my head
if I could just see you
everything will be alright
if I'd see you the storminess will turn to light
***
EPOV
"Can't this thing go any faster? Fuck!"
"It's going as fast as it can."
***
BPOV
and I will walk on water
and you will catch me if I fall
and I will get lost into your eyes
and everything will be alright
and everything will be alright
I know you didn't bring me out here to drown
so why am I 10 feet under and upside down
barely surviving has become my purpose
cause I'm so used to living underneath the surface
A/N
The song Edward plays on the piano is the Queen song, a link is on my profile.
The song above is Storm by Lifehouse. Link is also on my profile.
If you need a shoulder to cry on, IrishTwiSisters is kindly providing hers. You can find her on twitter IrishTwiSisters. She is made of awesomesauce.
Chapter 26 will be posted when it's ready.
I'm gonna hide from you all now.