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Chapter 25: Deadline

EPOV

Saying goodbye to Bella at school was the hardest thing I'd ever done. I hadn't been this scared—not even when she went after the nomads.

The bowling alleys were packed and we decided to try the pool table while we waited for one of the alleys to be freed. Ben sensed I was worried about something, but didn't press me for answers.

We had hit a couple of balls when someone appeared next to me. I glanced toward the person, and my cue froze midair. A small blonde girl stood at the end of our table. She was looking at me, even though I couldn't exactly tell because of the black shades over her eyes. I didn't have to be a genius to know what was going on. She looked out of place there.

She wouldn't try anything considering the place was packed. I looked toward the door and saw a huge guy around Emmett's size, guarding the doors. He was with her, I could just tell.

"Ben," I said faintly, my stomach turning around. "I don't feel so well…" I sounded like a pussy.

"Oh, I told you to eat at lunch."

"Yeah…sorry," I mumbled, eyeing the girl at the end of the table. She smiled wickedly.

"Go on then. Angie will be here in about an hour. Don't worry 'bout me."

"Are you sure?" I asked. I'd love the excuse to drive him home.

He nodded. "Go home. Feel better," he told me, clapping my back.

"Thanks. Bye," I said. I put the cue on the table and grabbed my jacket, making my way on wobbly legs out of the game house.

The girl fell in step with me, the guy behind us. Her cold hand wrapped around my left wrist and squeezed it painfully hard. I bit my lip to keep from groaning. Any harder and she'd snap my bone.

"Keys," the guy commanded.

I clumsily took them out of my pants, promptly dropping them. He bent to pick them up then went to the driver's seat. I sat in the backseat with the girl.

"Oh, calm down, we're not allowed to harm you," she told me, putting her shades on the top of her head. Her eyes were an angry red. "Demetri, faster."

"You know, Jane, you should have just taken your stupid twin with you!" he hissed back.

I didn't feel better that I knew their names.

"How did you find me?" I asked. I thought Bella's plan was going to work. I had accepted not talking with any of the Cullens, nor Bella just to keep myself safe. Turned out, I was never safe.

"Small talk?" Jane asked, turning her eyes to me.

I closed my eyes, cringing. I was afraid to look in her eyes. Something told me that she could hurt me if I looked there.

"Jane!" Demetri warned. "Careful! Aro wouldn't appreciate it."

"Oh, a little fun won't kill him. Open your eyes, little human," she cooed.

I tried to resist, but I knew it was futile to try to resist a vampire. My eyes opened and suddenly, I felt like I was stabbed from ten thousand directions at the same time. I curled up against the door, gritting my teeth, but quiet screams escaped me. The knives seemed to twist and the pain increased.

What was she doing to me?

"Stop!" I moaned loudly. "Please!"

"Jane!" Demetri screamed.

The pain disappeared and I was left panting and rubbing different parts of my body, as if I had truly been injured. I didn't look her way again, nor did I ask anything else.

When we arrived in front of the Cullens' house, she dragged me out. I stumbled over my feet, scared of what was going to happen. I heard her hissing something, too low for me to catch the words. Next second, Demetri had his arms around me and he was carrying me inside – my back to his chest. I kicked my feet in the air, trying to escape his tight hold.

"Stay put, worm!" he growled, tightening his hold on me.

"Ow!" I moaned. He was going to break something.

We entered the house and I withered violently in his arms.

"Let me go!" I yelled.

Suddenly, I was dropped unceremoniously and tumbled to the floor. I picked myself up, rubbing my elbows and my ribs where I had been squeezed painfully hard.

I saw the dark haired guy from the painting – Aro. He was watching me entertained. I looked around and saw Bella held by her arms by a guy twice Emmett's size. She was trying to free herself as she looked at me.

"Let her go! You're hurting her!" I demanded, raising my foot to make my way there. Not sure what I could do, but I had to stop him from hurting her.

I recoiled and slammed into Demetri when he took hold of my collar. "Not so fast, boy."

I fisted my hands at my sides and turned my glare toward Aro. "What the hell do you want from me?"

"I see why you love the boy," Aro murmured, looking at Bella.

"Don't touch him!" she growled. "Don't you dare!"

"Well, Marcus, is it the same?" he turned to one of his brothers.

"It's stronger. I've never felt such intensity before," he answered in a thick voice.

Aro linked his hands and came to me – more like, drifted. "Il tuo cantante. So rare. So precious."

I didn't understand a word. I should have opted for Italian as a foreign language.

I didn't ask—afraid Jane would try something again—but kept my glare steady on his deep, clouded red eyes.

"May I?" he asked politely, raising his hand, palm up.

I swallowed thickly, my mouth suddenly dry. What should I keep away? Could I keep things away?

I slapped my right hand angrily on his papery one. Maybe he'd disintegrate if I hit him harder.

He barked a small laugh and I felt my blood run cold. He could hear me. Every freaking thought. Could I stop thinking? Could I lock all my precious thoughts somewhere in a trunk and keep them away from him?

His smile seemed to disappear fast. What was he seeing? He raised his other hand too and patted the top of mine.

"Thank you, young one," he said kindly. He drifted behind me, and I turned my head to see what he was doing. He stopped in front of Jane. "I told you to bring him back unharmed."

There was a wail of agony. My eyes snapped to Bella just in time to see her freeing herself and lurching herself at Jane. I didn't catch her words, but I could bet they weren't pretty.

"Felix," Aro commanded and the guy previously holding Bella, took her away from Jane. I could tell Emmett wanted to do something, but Carlisle kept a hand on his arm.

Then Aro turned to me. "You'd be truly gifted, boy, if they decide to change you."

I met Alice's eyes and she shook her head sadly. What had happened while I wasn't here?

"I will forget all about the little girl, Isabella." Bella dropped her head upon hearing his words. "You need to decide. We don't have the whole day."

"It's settled," I blurted out, looking straight at Alice. She had seen my decision from a few days ago.

"Is that so?" Aro asked surprised as Bella raised her head and watched me worried.

"Yes. After I graduate; I don't want to worry my parents," I explained, cringing.

Open mouth – insert shoe. Why did I have to bring my parents into this?

"Oh, so considerate of you. And you love your parents?" he asked, approaching me.

"Yes, very much."

"If we catch wind that you are still a human by…let's say…September – a year from now – I'm afraid I'll have to remind you the hard way of your promise." He tried to look sad, but it didn't work. His malicious smile spoke volumes.

"I won't give you a reason to hurt them," I said vehemently.

He inclined his head. "Do I have your word, Edward?"

"I promise." I nodded quickly.

"A little reminder of what will happen to your parents if you go back on your word. Jane?" he asked quietly.

She appeared in front of me. I squeezed my eyes shut, preparing for the pain. There was a commotion and I cracked an eye open. Bella was in front of me, having escaped again.

"No!" I yelled, pushing on her shoulder. Of course, she wouldn't budge. It took me a second to realize that Jane was doing the same thing she had done in my car. It wasn't working. A few minutes passed in silence before Aro barked a loud laugh, making me jump, scared.

Jane pouted at him, throwing a venomous glare toward Bella. I expected her to raise her middle finger, but she didn't.

"Wonderful!" Aro clapped. "Are you sure you don't want to join us?"

"Positive," Bella hissed.

He shrugged. "If everything is settled, we shall go."

The blond brother, Caius, complained about leaving me alive, but Aro promised there would be consequences if I was still human after the deadline.

I was satisfied he had given me the summertime too. I could put my plan into action. I just needed Bella to cooperate.

The second they were out of the door, I was in Bella's arms – or she was in my arms. I wasn't sure who moved first. We were holding each other for dear life. I didn't care that my ribs still hurt from Demetri's restraint. I was simply happy to have her close again.

"Don't ever stay away from me!" I exclaimed.

"I missed you so much!"

"I love you!"

"I'll always be around. I promise."

We seemed to be unable to keep from exclaiming. Bella titled her head and wrapped her arms loosely around my neck.

"Oh, Edward!"

I smiled and leaned down, capturing her soft lips into a deep kiss. She moaned, parting her lips, sending cool air into my mouth, making me shiver. She'd never done that before and it was so erotic. I wanted her to do it again. She backed up a little, pecking my lips. I heard her muttering "Okay" and I had no idea what she was talking about. Until I looked up and saw the room empty.

"They'd left the house to give us some privacy. We have to talk, Edward," she whispered seriously.

"I know. Can we do that later?" I really wanted to know the whole story behind the immortal child thing; I wanted to know what had happened while I was on my way here, we had to discuss my transformation, and last but not least, my proposal. I was apprehensive of her reaction to my news, my question.

We sat on the couch, not able to stay even inches away from the other, I took her in my arms, squeezing as hard as I could and hoping she'd feel it. Once we were both comfortable with the closeness, she started talking softly. I didn't interrupt her.

I had been so stupid to go away. I should have stayed and listened. Rosalie hadn't told me much when she had dropped by, but she explained why she was so upset. Her story had been horrible and I saw her differently after that. I felt like I could understand her more. She'd always displayed her affection to Emmett, and I never thought there was a deeper meaning to that than just to show others she got him. Their connection ran deep, I could tell. I'd watched them together at school after her story of how she became a vampire and the small touches and looks were the ones that gave her away.

Bella put her palm on my cheek, shaking me out of my thoughts. "Are you absolutely sure?" She was talking about my changing.

"Yes. I want to be with you. Forever," I whispered, looking in her now topaz eyes.

"You have no idea what that means to me. I've never dreamt of having a…"

"Mate?" I supplied.

"I thought I was going to offend you if I said it," she said honestly.

I grinned. "You wouldn't have. This year can't go fast enough."

"I think I'm having déjà vu." She giggled, putting her head on my shoulder. "Patience, Edward. In just a year, we'll have forever."

I tightened my arms around her and sighed in contentment. I knew I couldn't ask her my question. Not in that moment. It would have to wait for the right time.

"We'll have to leave shortly after graduation. We can't do it here. Not around the dogs," she said contemplatively.

"Oh! Jake!" I exclaimed. "I completely forgot. Should I still go? Everything's okay now."

"Go and have fun. You don't have much time left with him. And…don't tell him. Not yet, at least," she whispered.

"Why not? We aren't going to do it here."

Bella looked up at me sadly. "I don't want you to fight with him over this. He'll try to change your mind."

"Nothing can change my mind. Nothing. You hear me?" I asked, peering down at her.

She smiled and pecked my lips. "How did they find you?"

I explained what had happened at the game house and on the way here. Bella told me about Jane's power then she told me that Aro couldn't read her mind and that's why Jane hadn't affected her.

"I'd like that," I mused.

"To hurt other people?" she shouted, surprised.

"No, silly! To read minds. Imagine all the things I could learn without having to ask idiotic questions just to get to the subject."

"That's how people communicate, Edward."

"Yeah, I know. I can dream." I shrugged.

When the others returned, it was night. Carlisle came straight to Bella, smiling. I saw Alice bouncing on her heels and I knew that it had to be good. And it was great. Carlisle asked Bella to join the family—like move in with them. She was so touched that it took her a few minutes to form a word. When words failed her, she threw herself at Carlisle, hugging him.

They insisted we spend the night there, but I really wanted to go home. I needed to be away for a while. It had been too much, what had happened earlier, and the thought of nearly losing Bella or even dying…

I couldn't convince Esme that I'd eat when I got home so I had to stay for dinner. She was too much, too good. While I ate, Bella ran to her house to change her clothes.

Alice was at my side the second the door closed. She tapped her foot impatiently, waiting for Bella to be far away enough to start talking.

"I wanted to talk to you since I had the vision and I couldn't!" she pouted. "I have to tell you to be insistent. She won't accept it the first time."

"What?" I felt my heart stuttering.

"She will accept, eventually. You have to explain everything that's on your mind; every reason why you want this. Or she won't say 'yes'."

I nodded. "When's the best time?"

"Right now, I wouldn't even try. Let a few months go. Collect your thoughts…and do it traditionally. Don't forget the century she's from." Alice winked.

I nodded and kissed her cheek. "Thanks, Alice."

"You're very welcome!" She turned to Esme, beaming. "I'm gonna have a new brother!"

"ALICE!" I groaned. "Can you keep it to yourself?"

"Oh, sorry."

Esme smiled at me, shaking her head. Alice keeping something to herself – those words didn't belong together.

When I arrived home, I went straight to have a shower then to bed. Bella was waiting patiently.

"You should call your mother. She just called while you were in the shower," she told me.

"Now?" I moaned. I was too tired.

"Yes. She's not very happy I'm here."

"I thought she didn't have a problem with you being around," I grumbled taking my phone and pressing two—my speed dial for Mom.

"Hello?" The phone didn't even start ringing. Was she waiting with it by her ear?

"Mom? What is it?"

"Oh, I just wanted to know how you are."

"If you are upset because Bella's here…you should know that we worked on homework when we got here and we lost track of time. We're tired and she'll be sleeping in the guest bedroom," I explained, annoyed. I was tired and I wanted to sleep, not give excuses as to why my girlfriend was with me.

I idly thought if Bella would be allowed in my room when I proposed? I grinned, just thinking of asking the question.

"Oh, okay. I thought it was a habit. When we aren't home, you're bringing her over," Mom told me.

"No, Mom. Really." I nearly snorted. If she only knew that Bella had been there for over a year, every night… well, with a few exceptions… I chuckled. "Can I go to bed, now?"

"Sure, honey. Good night. Tell Bella good night, too."

"Will do. Night."

After putting the phone on the nightstand, I wrapped the blanket around me and draped my arm around Bella, closing my eyes.

"Sleep well," she whispered in my ear. I smiled, but was too tired to open my mouth and answer. I just snuggled closer to her and drifted away.

So we learned a lot this chapter.

For those that didn't realize what Edward planned and Alice saw in the cafeteria...it has to do with him wanting to propose. :)

Review, please.