Thank you for all of the amazing reviews! Once again, I am sorry when I don't reply but I do read and love them all. I have been writing and posting this story for over a year now on FF, and almost a year on Twilighted, (which is just incredible to me) and I am amazed and indebted to all of the wonderful readers who have stuck with me this long, as well as everyone who reads and reviews. I can't thank you enough!
Just a reminder, to keep expectations at bay for the cottage scene, that this story is not rated for anything explicit. I have tried to keep the story fairly in line with what SM wrote, so that it is accessible to many, and I don't want to start changing that now. I am definitely adding some details, but there won't be any sort of "lemon". :)
Thank you to my beta's noamg and lada_8 – their help is always invaluable!
Song for this chapter: Crush by Dave Matthews Band
Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight.
I pressed my lips to the silken skin of her collarbone, damp with sweat, the salty moisture combining with her sweet, lilting taste, creating a slight tang against my tongue. The sun filtered through the blue curtains, reflecting the hue of morning sky over her body, as the waves embraced the shore outside. I listened as her heartbeat and breathing finally began to slow, savoring the tantalizing, addicting thrill of her response.
She shifted slightly beneath me, sighing, her hands stroking my head through my hair, her airy touch a breathtaking catalyst, provoking sensation through every nerve in my body. I stroked her shoulder with my thumb, and then trailed my fingers down her arm, her bare skin exquisite, my hand then falling and flowing into the curve of her waist. I stilled my touch against her hip, willing myself not to move, trying not to betray the wanton, unceasing passion I felt, even in this moment when she was still languid and sleepy.
But, as if sensing my thoughts, her hand trailed fire down my cheek, weightless fingers encouraging my chin to lift so our gazes met. I tried not to let my eyes reflect my need, but she knew.
"Again?" she asked, her face tired, but pleased. Feeling weak, and yet extraordinarily happy, I rose up slightly, gently covering her body with mine, my lips meeting hers tenderly.
"Yes," I murmured. "Again..."
"Poisonous!"
I was jolted out of my memory by Bella's distressed shriek. I realized I was still standing in the doorway of the dining room, gazing at her, with who knew what kind of expression on my face. I refocused myself quickly to see her staring in horror at Jasper, who had his hand on Bella's shoulder and was trying to calm her. He looked up at me.
Sorry, Edward. He shrugged. I thought she knew. I realized he'd just informed Bella that our venom was poisonous to the wolves. That had she, purposefully or not, bitten Seth, it would have killed him, even if we had been able to get her off him.
I sighed, giving Jasper a look. As if Bella wasn't already upset enough.
Well, he thought, slightly indignant at my expression. Seems like something she should know, if we are going to have dogs hanging out here all the time. He tilted his head slightly towards the front porch, where Jacob was listening intently.
I didn't know the bloodsuckers knew that, Jacob grumbled. Sam is going to flip!
"So you mean that if I had bitten Seth or Jacob, I would have killed them?" Bella's voice was still several octaves too high.
"Well," laughed Jasper, "that's a heck of a lot better than the venom turning them into one of us."
Damned straight, thought Leah from outside.
Bella stared at Jasper with wide eyed dismay. I walked swiftly across the room to her side. "Don't worry, sweetheart." I knelt down next to her. "They are just fine."
She looked at me, irritation flashing in her crimson eyes. Jasper was keeping a steady flow of calm into her. "How could you never have told me that?" she growled.
I glanced momentarily at Jasper, again thanking him for bringing this up at such a perfect time. "If just…never came up before, love." Suddenly, the phone rang loudly. We all looked towards it silently.
"See who it is, Edward," Carlisle said. He and Seth were just coming down the stairs, Carlisle carrying a brace. Caller Id, he thought.
Oh. With Alice around we rarely used it. I shot over to the phone and glanced at the display.
Swan, C.
"Charlie," I murmured. Bella sucked in a swift breath.
Let it go again, Carlisle thought, worried. It's too risky without Alice here to see what he will do.
I nodded, walking slowly back to Bella. She looked at me with sad eyes.
"Oh, Edward," she said softly. "My dad. What are we going to do?" I sat next to her, rubbing her back gently.
You know this can't go on, Edward, Jasper thought. We have to leave soon.
Carlisle and Seth neared the sofa. Carlisle glanced up at me as he settled Seth down. Collarbone and shoulder, he thought. I'm going to brace it.
"Can you give me a hand, Edward," he said aloud. I got up and moved over next to Seth, holding his arm in the position Carlisle needed while he started to fit the brace to Seth's mammoth shoulder. Seth was keeping his face passive, but I could sense the pain in his mind.
"Seth, again, I'm so sorry," I said softly. I heard Bella grind her teeth behind me, apparently still thinking I shouldn't be apologizing.
"Really, man, it's not your fault," Seth said. Don't worry – it was actually kinda cool!
"Should we…should we call Sue?" Bella asked in small voice. "I mean, can you still not go home? Because of the pack?" Then panic flared in her face, as if a sudden thought had struck her, and she stood up swiftly. "Wait - the treaty," she gasped. "Do they know about me? That I've been changed? Will they attack when they find out?" Her eyes flew to the front porch, where Renesmee waited with Jacob and Rose, exposed.
"Oh, no, love," I said quickly. "That's all straightened out." As much as it ever can be.
Bella looked at me with surprised eyes. "What do you mean?" she breathed.
"Well," I said slowly, thinking where to begin. "Firstly, technically we didn't break the treaty." Bella gave me a questioning look. "Jacob, as Alpha, gave me permission to change you."
"He did? When was this?" Bella said quickly, her face hardening slightly. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't get a chance," I responded. "It was in the minutes before Renesmee was born."
"Oh," she said softly, her hand moving unconsciously to her flat stomach. She stared towards the front wall, relief and gratitude passing briefly across her face before being replaced by a grimace.
"Uh, thanks Jacob, I guess," she muttered, clearly not up to being too nice to him yet. Jacob laughed softly out on the front porch.
"And then Jacob went to see Sam," Seth said, "to explain everything. Alone, of course." He frowned, still aggravated to have been left behind.
"Really?" Bella said, sitting back down slowly. I could hear the interest piqued in her voice, and I smiled. "Then what happened?"
I let Seth do most of the explaining of what had passed between Jacob and Sam, and then later Sam and Carlisle. I saw Bella glance at me, a conflicted, tender look in her eyes, when Seth explained that I had refused to leave her side to translate between Sam and Carlisle.
"Wow," said Bella, when Seth finally stopped for a breath. "So, will you be going back to La Push now, Seth?"
"No," said Seth. Yes, thought Jacob and Leah in unison.
There was a small noise from the front porch, a light cry of protest from Renesmee. Bella stiffened, her face immediately filled with fear and yearning.
"She's just hungry," I whispered reassuringly, reaching out and taking her hand to pull her onto the couch next to me. Renesmee was squirming in Jacob's arms, her hand on his face, insistent pictures of him feeding her filling his head.
The door clicked open softly, and Rosalie stepped inside. "Feeling better?" she asked Bella kindly.
Bella shrugged, tilting her head to the side. "I'm calmer," she said. "But I still feel terrible about what happened."
Rose smiled and swept into the kitchen. I heard the refrigerator door swing open. "Well, I certainly hope you aren't feeling bad about almost killing that reeking throw rug out on the front porch," she said breezily. The refrigerator slammed shut, and Rose carried a bag of blood over to the counter. "God knows he deserved it. I wanted to do it myself when I found out, but…" Her head suddenly popped into the room through the doorway and she glared at me. "Edward wouldn't let me." She disappeared back into the kitchen.
Bring it on, Ice-Queen, Jacob thought. I tried to bite back a smile.
"Honestly, Rosalie," Carlisle said, still adjusting Seth's brace.
Ow, Seth thought, grimacing. I felt a stab of guilt again, the smile dropping from my face. Whatever my feelings towards Jacob and the imprint, Seth should never have had to put himself in the path of danger. Why couldn't it have been Leah, I mused. Bella owed her one for that rant the other day.
"I'm so sorry, Seth," I said. "I should have been closer."
"Seth, I…" Bella tried to jump in with an apology, a miserable expression on her face. She glanced with despair at Carlisle and then Jasper, and I knew, had she been human, her fragile skin would have been a deep shade of red. She still didn't seem to appreciate that we were all impressed by how well she had been holding things together, not upset.
"Bella, love, no one is judging you. You're doing so well."
"Don't worry about it Bella, I'm totally fine," Seth interjected.
Hand me that piece, Edward, please, Carlisle thought, gesturing to one of the final pieces of the brace on the table. I handed it to him and he slid it into place. Seth winced again.
"Sorry, sorry," Bella whispered. I caressed her arm reassuringly.
You should be. Leah growled down by the river.
"Don't freak, Bella." Seth patted her knee. "I'll be back to normal in half an hour. Anyone would have done the same, what with Jake and Nessie-." Oh, shoot. Seth realized his error with the nickname. He tried to think of something positive to say. "I mean, at least you didn't bite me or anything. That would've sucked."
Bella moaned slightly, hiding her head in her hands, and I shook my head at him in exasperation.
He grimaced. Sorry! I was trying to cheer her up.
"I'm a bad person," Bella mumbled into her hands.
"Of course you aren't. I should have…"
"Stop that," Bella snapped.
Seth shifted awkwardly. Um, let's see… "Lucky thing Ness" – dammit – "Renesmee's not venomous. 'Cause she bites Jake all the time."
Bella's head popped up. "She does?"
Seth grinned. "Sure. Whenever he and Rose don't get dinner in her mouth fast enough. Rose thinks it's pretty hilarious." He caught my eye and I smiled back at him, nodding.
Several emotions passed through Bella's expression. I suspected she was trying to suppress a smile at this revelation.
Carlisle stood up. All set. "Well, Seth, I think that's as much as I can do," he said. "Try not to move for, oh, a few hours, I guess. I wish treating humans were this instantaneously gratifying." He was healing even as I worked on him, he thought. He was caught by a sudden memory of treating Jacob after the newborn attack, and he placed his hand on Seth's head, grateful his injuries had not been as extensive as Jacob's had been. "Stay still," he said affectionately, and then he headed upstairs. He was anxious to take notes in his journal of everything he had observed of Bella today.
Seth watched him go. "I can probably manage sitting still for a while," he mumbled, yawning. Yah, I'll just rest my head for a minute. He carefully laid his head back, closing his eyes. These couches are so damn soft, he thought, as his mind faded and blurred until he was breathing deeply, lost in sleep, looking very, very young.
Bella was watching Seth with troubled eyes. Without looking at me, she got up and moved towards the back window. I debated a moment and then followed, not wanting her to feel alone. I took her hand and watched as her eyes followed Leah's movements along the river bed. Leah glanced up, seeing Bella through the glass.
If you ever touch my little brother again, she fumed. She had wanted to come inside, but everyone, including Jacob, had thought she needed to stay out and calm down.
There was soft click behind us. Rose had gone back outside with a prepared bottle for Renesmee. She had had the good sense to wrap the bottle tightly in a dishcloth, and though Jasper and I both tensed, eyes on Bella, anticipating the smell of blood, thankfully none came.
"Give her to me," Rose said outside. "I'll feed her."
"Just give me the bottle, blondie" Jacob quietly growled.
"No, damn you," Rose snapped. "I got it ready, I'll feed her. I let you hold her all this time." Consider yourself lucky.
"Let me?" Jacob spat.
"Yes, let you. This is my house, and she is my niece, if you've forgotten, you damn vagrant."
"Listen, bloodsucker, I…"
I sighed, trying to shut out their voices. I wished they would keep it down – Bella didn't need to hear this. Her eyes stared straight out, her mind obviously far away.
Edward, Jasper thought. She's getting tense.
I watched her carefully, wishing for the millionth time I could see what was going on in her head. For a moment, I felt a flash of jealously towards Jasper, that he could at least feel her emotions, whereas I was shut out completely. Why is that? I wondered despondently.
Jasper met my eyes. Still upset about the wolves? His gaze was questioning. His eyes moved back to Bella, concerned, as her anxiety increased his own tension. She shouldn't feel bad.
"What's the matter, Bella?" he said softly. He glanced back at me momentarily, and I nodded at him. Cool calm swept up in his mind, relaxing his own body before radiating out into the room. Bella's tight muscles eased slightly. "No one is angry with you, or even surprised, really."
Speak for yourself, Leah snarled.
"Well," Jasper continued, "I suppose we are surprised. Surprised that you were able to snap out of it so quickly." He smiled at her reassuringly. "You did well. Better than anyone expects of you."
Bella took a deep breath and then looked at him. "I was thinking of Charlie, actually."
"Ah," Jasper said. To be expected, he mused. Outside there was sudden silence, as Jacob took note of the conversation.
"We really have to leave, don't we?" Bella asked, her expression strained. "For a while, at the very least. Pretend we're in Atlanta, or something."
I stared at her intently. Many of the obstacles to our staying in Forks had been removed. The treaty was still intact. And our greatest fear – controlling Bella – seemed to have been for naught. Her control was incredible.
But secrecy remained our greatest foe. The rule of the wider world of our kind could not be upheld as long as Charlie remained such an immediate threat.
"Yes," said Jasper. He was pleased that Bella seemed to understand the necessity of removing ourselves from the area. "It's the only way to protect your father." And our family.
Bella looked sad. "I'm going to miss him so much. I'll miss everyone here."
Jacob's mind was working outside, his stress level high, his eyes attached to my daughter, drinking peacefully in Rose's arms. I can't be away from her, he thought with despair. I realized then, as he did, that no matter where we went, Jacob would follow. Great, just great, I thought irritably.
My pack, Jacob thought, worried. They'll have to go back to Sam. But he knew in his heart that Leah would never agree to that. There must be some way for the Cullens to stay in Forks.
Bella snorted suddenly, bringing me back to her. I looked at her questioningly, but she just shook her head. I heard movement outside, and checked on Nessie through Rose's eyes. She had finished the bottle, and Rose was looking at Jacob, tapping her watch. Six o'clock. Rose started towards the door but Jacob put an arm out in front, pausing her moved, stepping in front of her to enter the house first. Rose tightened her grip on Renesmee, following him inside. Both of their eyes moved directly to Bella.
Has she got this, Edward? Rose thought, worried.
Jasper, hearing their approach, moved directly to Bella's side. He looked at me. Do you think it is too soon to try this again? Maybe we should ask the wolf the leave – he was the one who agitated her in the first place.
I considered. I'd love to throw Jacob out for the time being, and relieve us of his interference. And stench. But I suspected Bella would protest - aggravated as she was with him, I knew she felt guilty about the attack.
Bella was watching Carlisle come down the stairs with the scale and measuring equipment in confusion.
"Must be six," I explained.
"So?"
"Time to measure Ness," – oh, oops – "er, Renesmee," Carlisle answered.
"Oh," Bella said, her brow furrowed. "You do this every day?"
"Four times a day," Carlisle said, gesturing Rose towards the couch. She approached apprehensively.
"Four times?" Bella said in confusion. "Every day? Why?"
"She's still growing quickly," I said quietly. I wrapped an arm around her, grateful once again for her presence. As much as I hated to burden her with these concerns, it was a relief to know that now it was something we could cope with together.
"What do we do?" Bella whispered, her terrified eyes sealed onto Renesmee.
What can we do? My thoughts mirrored her horror. We were nothing short of helpless to control her growth. "I don't know."
"It's slowing," Jacob suddenly growled. It has to slow down. It has to.
"We'll need several more days of measurements to track the trend, Jacob. I can't make any promises."
"Yesterday she grew two inches. Today it's less."
Carlisle blinked slightly in surprise. He hadn't realized Jacob had been paying such close attention to the measurement. But of course he would, he realized. "By a thirty-second of an inch, if my measurements are perfect."
"Be perfect, Doc," Jacob snapped.
The god damned nerve, thought Rosalie, glaring at him.
"You know I'll do my best," Carlisle sighed.
"Guess that's all I can ask," Jacob muttered.
Edward, Jasper thought. I glanced at him and he inclined his head towards Bella. He's pissing her off again.
I looked at Bella – her eyes were narrowed at Jacob, her mouth set in a firm line. She seemed to be put out, perhaps by his hovering, and questioning.
Carlisle picked up the smaller tape measure to use on Renesmee's head, but she had had enough. Mommy, she thought, her eyes fixed on Bella. Mommy! She reached out a small hand and Rose bent forward to meet it. Rose's mind filled with the image of Bella, the view from her arms when she had held Nessie earlier. There was no doubting the demanding tone of Renesmee's thoughts. She was done with waiting.
"What does she want?" Jacob asked, anxious.
"Bella, of course," Rose said, sighing, glancing at me. Is it okay? She looked with anxious eyes at Bella, concerned, but wanting to give Nessie what she wanted.
"How are you?" she asked Bella.
"Worried," Bella said, and I realized she meant about Renesmee, and what she had just witnessed of her growth. I pressed her to me with my arm.
Yes, of course, thought Rose. "We all are. But that's not what I meant."
Bella sighed. "I'm in control," she said.
Her thirst seems firmly under wraps, Jasper affirmed.
I don't like it. Jacob went to open his mouth to protest as his eyes swept up to mine. But he stopped, seeing my expression, from which he managed to comprehend, luckily for him, that interference now would lead to his expulsion from this house. Ugh, fine, he thought, biting his lip to keep from saying anything.
Rose took a small step towards Bella, her body and mind tense. This is Bella, she reminded herself. She'll be okay. We worked so hard for this – she worked so hard. She would never hurt Nessie.
But her anxious emotions, all of our anxious fears, betrayed us to Jasper. He was working to keep his mind calm, to keep the tension that filled the room from bleeding his focus on the situation, and on Bella. He let Nessie's radiating joy, and adoration, slip in a little, providing some relief, and a reminder what this was all for.
Bella reached her arms out for the baby. Carlisle stepped closer, his eyes fixed on the situation. Jasper and I opened our hands, ready, but while Bella was nervous, Jasper could clearly sense her solid control. Renesmee stretched out anxiously, and Rose took a step closer, gently allowing Bella to take Nessie from her arms.
Renesmee melted into Bella, a beautiful smile lighting her face. Mommy. Although her scent must have been intoxicatingly strong, there was no sense of increased thirst from Bella. I relaxed, nodding reassuringly at Rose and Jacob, although Jasper remained tense, stress in every line of his body.
Renesmee placed her fingers to Bella's cheek, her face growing more serious, questioning. Bella gasped as her mind filled with the memory of Jacob being stalked by her across the lawn. I watched with pleasure - Bella was amazing, her face a dazzling blaze of fury, her lovely body so lithe and powerful as she launched herself at him. Jacob's mouth hung open in shock, and I couldn't help laughing at his rather dumbfounded expression at her flight towards him.
Seth, stop! Seth's body entered the picture, and I cringed, the smile falling from my face, as the snap of his bones rang through the air. Bella winced next to me.
Renesmee's vision took on an edge of satisfaction, and relief, as Bella's flight was clearly halted. There was a growl and a flash of Leah's fur. Then Jasper appeared, a resounding crack as he slammed into Bella, followed by a loud thump as she knocked him into the dirt behind her. Bella moaned, shaking her head and closing her eyes as my arms wrapped around her in Renesmee's mind and she struggled to pull free. Then we all fell out of the picture as Renesmee's thoughts focused solely on Jacob, safe, unhurt, and she smiled. Jacob, she thought, affection flavored with a sort of possession. Mine.
"Oh, wonderful," Bella moaned, catching the tone of Renesmee's thoughts. "Perfect."
"It's just because he tastes better than the rest of us," I muttered.
"I told you she likes me, too," Jacob said, smiling but still tense, as he realized we were talking about him.
I watched more memories, of Rosalie brushing her hair, and Carlisle measuring, a bored tone to the thought. I smiled – I could tell Renesmee was excited, just brimming with things she wanted to share with her mother.
"It looks like she's going to give you a rundown of everything you missed," I whispered in Bella's ear.
Renesmee's next memory grew – she was lying in Rose's arms. Then, unexpectedly, a silver cup appeared in the image, and Nessie began to remember the scent, the taste of human blood…
No! I snatched the baby from Bella's grasp. Jasper moved immediately, grabbing her arms and bending them behind her back, responding to my movement and fear, and then the flash of thirst he felt from Bella. Carlisle pressed forward, his hands ready, Jacob and Rosalie watching in confused horror.
"What did I do?" Bella asked, her voice shocked but surprisingly calm.
I glanced at Jasper. What set her off? he wondered, thinking of the flicker of thirst he had felt. He didn't sense it anymore – she was in control.
Still in control? How is that possible? I thought. How could she so acutely be reminded of the smell of human blood, and not have her instincts driven mad with thirst? How could she have maintained control?
"But she was remembering being thirsty," I said desperately. I looked back at Bella. "She was remembering the taste of human blood."
My god! Rose's eyes were wide.
Jesus. Jasper gripped Bella's arms harder, alarmed. That's a damn close call, Edward.
But as I looked at Bella, I realized, miraculously, that it wasn't. Her eyes were calm, no blaze of thirst in them, her body loose, muscles uncoiled. There had been no instinctive reaction other than the slight burn Jasper had sensed. Unbelievable.
"Yes," Bella said, her voice slightly puzzled. "And?"
I watched her carefully for another second, scouring her expression, and reading her emotions in Jasper's mind, who was quickly succumbing to shock at her lack of thirst. What the hell? he grumbled.
I laughed. "And nothing at all, it seems. The overreaction was mine this time, Jazz, let her go."
Jasper released her quickly, his eyes wide. Bella immediately reached out for Renesmee, and I gave her back the baby, my gaze locked onto Jasper's increasingly distraught face.
I don't understand, he thought, looking at Bella, questions and doubt suddenly spiraling through his mind. How is she able to do it? How can a newborn be so controlled? Is it always possible? Are we all just weak to give into it? Am I weak? His own mouth still stung with venom that had seeped in when he had sensed the quick burn of her thirst, and he swallowed it down with disgust. His mind flashed through the hundreds, thousands of temptations he had fought over the years, faceless humans, most with success, some not. He thought of his constant struggle against the scent of human blood, the power that the barely controllable thirst held over him.
Then his eyes met mine, and the memory cut through both of us. Bella, standing by my side, the foil gift in her hands. She watches me, her gaze full of adoration, and love, and such…such youth. In her eyes is an innocence that I myself will strip away mere days later. Innocence that will no longer be there when I see her again, many months later. Her finger slips, sliced by the thick paper, releasing a tempest of scent from a single drop, which sweeps with blinding speed through the minds and bodies in the room, swirling into a burning, dark wind around Jasper until it finally rips through him, engulfing his mind in black thirst.
Jasper closed his eyes, banishing the rest, before settling his gaze on me again. I almost killed her, he thought despairingly. I almost killed her, and she forgave me. You all forgave me, for what was supposed to be natural, instinctive. He shuddered, thinking of all the times he had disappointed Alice. But was it really just simple weakness on my part? Was I always capable of more?
I sighed. As painful as that memory was, I knew Jasper was taking was taking this too hard. What Bella was proving capable of was beyond anything that could be expected – truly beyond what was normal. I shook my head slightly, trying to think of something to say to relieve him, but he saw only the pity in my eyes, and turned away.
"I can't stand this," he snapped. "I can't bear this." I need to get the hell out of here. He moved swiftly across the room and out the door, running down the lawn and jumping the river, heading north. I felt a flash of concern, hoping Alice was paying attention and would see where he was heading – I wasn't sure it was a good idea for him to be alone filled with such self-doubt.
And then Alice's face filled his mind, her amber eyes always full of trust, and hope. I need Alice, he realized, abruptly changing course. I relaxed – he was heading towards the cottage.
What the hell is that all about? Rosalie wondered.
I kept watching out the window. Renesmee's mind was filled with concern, and she was showing Bella her memory of Jasper leaving. Jasper? She wondered.
"He'll be back," I said, watching the replay of Jasper's rather dramatic departure in her memory. And he always accuses me of being the drama king, I thought, trying to suppress a smile. "He just needs a moment alone to readjust his perspective on life."
"Is he mad at me?" Bella whispered.
"No," I said, glancing back at her, surprised. "Why would he be?"
"What's the matter with him, then?"
I sighed. "He's upset with himself, not you, Bella," I said quietly. "He's worrying about…self-fulfilling prophecy, I suppose you could say."
"How so?" asked Carlisle.
I tried to frame the tumult in Jasper's mind, without betraying his more personal thoughts. "He's wondering if the newborn madness is really as difficult as we've always thought, or if, with the right focus and attitude, anyone could do as well as Bella. Even now - perhaps he only has such difficulty because he believes it's natural and unavoidable. Maybe if he expected more of himself, he would rise to those expectations." I paused, smiling at Bella, unable to suppress a feeling of pride. "You're making him question a lot of deep-rooted assumptions, Bella."
"But that's unfair," Carlisle murmured. He shouldn't put that on himself. "Everyone is different; everyone has their own challenges. Perhaps what Bella is doing goes beyond the natural. Maybe this is her gift, so to speak."
Self-control as a gift? "That's an interesting theory, and quite plausible," I murmured. I looked at Bella with interest, thinking. It would be a rather intangible gift, hard to quantify. And our gifts often came from strengths present during our human lives – or at least that had been Carlisle's theory. Had Bella shown a penchant for self-control when I'd known her? She was definitely a very careful person, but when she knew what, or who, she wanted… I suppressed a smile, thinking of the many times in her small bed that she'd shown little self - control, and worked hard to thwart my own, with her warm hands and soft lips. I glanced towards the back windows, wondering when Alice was going to return.
"Have you ever seen an equivalent to self-control as a talent?" I asked, looking back at Carlisle. "Do you really think that's a gift, or just a product of all her preparation?"
"It's slightly similar to what Siobhan has always been able to do, though she wouldn't call it a gift," Carlisle answered. I frowned – Carlisle was aware I didn't fully agree with his theories about Siobhan's possible talents. Keep an open mind, Edward, he thought.
"Siobhan, your friend in that Irish coven?" Rosalie spoke up. "I wasn't aware that she did anything special. I thought it was Maggie who was talented in that bunch."
"Yes, Siobhan thinks the same. But she has this way of deciding her goals and then almost…willing them into reality. She considers it good planning, but I've always wondered if it was something more." Rose looked skeptical. "When she included Maggie, for instance. Liam was very territorial, but Siobhan want it to work out, and so it did."
"Well…" I started.
Carlisle cocked a head towards the furniture. Let's sit, if we are going to have a discussion. He glanced at Bella. And give Bella a little time alone with Nessie. I nodded, hating to leave her side but wanting to give her space. He and I moved over to the chairs, and Rose took a seat on the couch.
"Our gifts are an intensification of traits we held as humans," I said. "Or at least that is what you have always said, Carlisle. What would Siobhan's human characteristic have been?" I paused, thinking. "What you theorize about Siobhan suggests she has the power to affect the decisions or actions of others. Do any of us have that innate possibility, human or vampire?"
"What about what Jasper does, though," Rosalie said. "He affects how we feel and act."
"Jasper affects our physical body, not our mind," I countered. "In saying Siobhan can will things to be, do you feel she can extend her desires to guide future events?"
Carlisle shook his head. "I don't mean to say that she uses a mental power to control others, or a gift to manipulate the future. More that she is gifted with a six sense of what others will do, of what motivates or influences them, and she uses that information to help sway the outcome." He put a finger to his chin. "You could say the same about Chelsea's gift. She can affect our emotions, our attachment, to another person."
"What exactly is Chelsea's gift?" Rosalie asked. Carlisle launched into a discussion of the Volturi's known gifts, while I added some insight I had gained in the minds of those I had met.
My mind wandered back to Bella and Renesmee, catching Renesmee's memory of me singing my mother's lullaby, Bella's still form next to us. As I watched the varying images Nessie shared, it felt, fleetingly, that sharing the thoughts she put into Bella's mind was almost as if I was seeing into Bella's mind myself.
My eyes were drawn towards them. Bella was standing, her back to the window, gazing down at Renesmee's face. Renesmee's small hand caressed Bella's cheek as she shared the many moments Bella had missed while she slept. They were truly a vision. My wife holding my daughter, I thought, feeling suddenly inordinately happy, and somewhat unworthy. How had this miracle come to be?
Watching them together, finally, I realized that although I had always been captivated by Bella's brown eyes set in Renesmee's face, the resemblance went much further than that. Renesmee reflected Bella in the heart shape curve of her cheeks, pale skin tinted with a familiar blush. In the delicate shape of her rose colored lips. And the shape of her eyes…
With a catch of my breath, I realized, while their color had bloomed from her mother, the curve of her eyes were mine. And I was present in the straight lines of her nose. And the color of the curls that framed her face. And I grasped, suddenly, in a breathtaking, fundamental way, that she was truly mine.
From the moment I had laid eyes on my daughter, or, actually, from the moment I had been blessed to hear her beautiful mind, I had known, irrevocably, that she was the child of my heart. But, perhaps, it was only now, as I acknowledged my face echoed in her own, that I finally comprehended that she was also the child of my flesh. That my body had been involved in her creation. There had been a time when I had thought this vessel that I lived in was only capable of destroying life, through death, or the eternal loss of a soul. To know that I had contributed to the organic process of life, that the essence of my body had been mixed with that of the one I loved to produce skin, and bones, and mind, was a staggering, new awareness.
I was compelled to stand up and embrace them both when Bella's face creased suddenly with worry, her eyes roving over Renesmee's face. I realized Renesmee was drifting off, her thoughts beginning to float in uneven patterns, until finally her eyes closed and she was asleep. Her hand fell, but Bella carefully picked it up, placing it gently against her cheek again. I smiled at the wonder in Bella's face as she watched the dreams of her daughter, the moving kaleidoscope of faces against a sea of soft colors.
"Hello, Edward." Rose's irritated voice broke into my thoughts. "Are you listening at all?"
"Hmm?" I turned back to her and Carlisle, my eyes catching the clock. Almost midnight. Where are they?
"I asked you if you thought Kate's gift was physical, or mental." Rosalie said. I looked at her slightly confused.
"That is," Carlisle said, "does her body actually produce an electric current, or is the sensation a mental one?"
I paused, thinking for a moment. "I've seen in her mind as she visualizes the current. She has control over it mentally. Much like Jane, to be truthful."
"Fascinating," murmured Carlisle. We spent some more time analyzing the respective gifts of our vampire friends and family. Eventually, I caught Alice's mental call.
We're back, Edward. She was flying towards the house, brimming with excitement.
"Finally," I muttered. I turned my head, watching as Alice and Esme leapt from the far river bank, Emmett instead obnoxiously plowing straight through the river, dousing the back windows with water.
Esme shot him a look over her shoulder. He's going to wash those windows himself!
Jasper followed, his thoughts slightly embarrassed. I'm fine, okay!
They came through the door quickly and we stood up to meet them, forming a loose group around Bella. She glanced around cautiously, seeming to notice all the eyes on her.
Emmett was looking back and forth between Bella and me. Someone's going to get lucky tonight, he thought gleefully.
Oh, I so hope she loves it. Esme was smiling widely. She caught my eye. We thought it would be nice for the two of you to enjoy it just yourselves tonight, alone. After everything you've both been through, you need a chance to just concentrate on each other. Her eyes flickered to Alice, and she shook her head imperceptibly, her expression slightly exasperated. Alice insists on being there when Bella first sees the cottage, but she has promised to come right back. The rest of us will stay here. She looked back, meeting my eyes, and I smiled my gratitude at her.
Look at her, Rose thought, taking in Bella's blank face. She had absolutely no idea what's going on. She really believed they went hunting!
Alice danced up to Bella, her grin wide. Twelve o'clock on the dot, as predicted – by me! She held out her hand, presenting Bella with a key to the cottage, decorated with an enormous, over the top, pink bow. Bella opened her hand and Alice dropped the key into it.
"Happy Birthday," Alice squealed in delight.
Bella immediately rolled her eyes. "No one starts counting on the actual day of birth," she said. "Your first birthday is at the year mark, Alice."
Oh, not this time! "We're not celebrating your vampire birthday. Yet. It's September thirteenth, Bella." Bella's slightly annoyed look quickly melted into one of horror. "Happy nineteenth birthday!"
Bella shook her head desperately. "No. No way!" she cried, pushing the key back into Alice's hand. I smiled. Some things never change. Bella glanced at me and her eyes narrowed. "No, this doesn't count. I stopped aging three days ago. I am eighteen forever."
Alice shrugged. "Whatever. We're celebrating anyway, so suck it up."
Bella sighed, her expression turning somewhat resigned, making Alice smile even wider. There we go! "Are you ready to open your present?" she asked excitedly.
"Presents," I said, pulling out the key Esme had given me earlier. Bella looked at it, and I saw comprehension in her eyes that it was for her "after" car. She smiled weakly.
Back off, Edward, this is my show! "Mine first," Alice insisted. She checked the future quickly. Mine is closer, I said in her mind, grinning. She stuck her tongue out at me.
"Mine is closer." I parroted my own words.
Jerk, Alice fumed. "But look at how she's dressed," she wailed. "It's been killing me all day. That is clearly the priority."
I think she'll be getting undressed, not dressed, Emmett thought, chuckling.
"I know – I'll play you for it. Rock, paper, scissors." Alice smiled sweetly. See, I can be reasonable, brother.
Yeah, good luck with that, man. Jasper laughed.
"Why don't you just tell me who wins?" I muttered. Alice looked to the side, seeing me choose rock. She looked back, grinning. Gee – I think I'll choose paper!
"I do," she sang. "Excellent."
"It's probably better that I wait for morning, anyway." I was just needling Alice as it was - I was far more excited to get Bella out to the cottage. Plus, I was kidding myself thinking Bella would be excited about the Ferrari. She was still mourning that damn red truck. "I think it might be more fun if Jacob was awake for the big reveal, don't you agree? So that someone there is able to express the right level of enthusiasm?"
"Yay!" Alice crowed. "Bella, give Ness" – oh - "Renesmee to Rosalie."
"Where does she usually sleep?" Bella asked.
"In Rose's arms," Alice answered. "Or Jacob's. Or Esme's. You get the picture. She has never been set down in her entire life. She's going to be the most spoiled half-vampire in existence."
I laughed. With Esme leading the helm in this family, there was never any doubt my daughter would be spoiled.
Rosalie had moved forward quickly, her arms aching to hold Nessie again. Spoiled just like her father, she thought, grinning at me. "She is also the most unspoiled half-vampire in existence," she said, turning to Bella and taking Nessie in her arms. "The beauty of being one of a kind."
Alice grabbed Bella's hand, pressing the key back into it, and then taking her arm and pulling her towards the back of the house. Get a move on, Edward, she thought.
"Let's go, let's go!" she called.
"Is it outside?" Bella asked, her face confused.
"Sort of," Alice said. Don't give her any hints!
"Enjoy your gift," Rosalie said. "It's from all of us. Esme especially."
Bella turned and frowned. "Aren't you coming, too?"
"We'll give you a chance to enjoy it alone," Rose said. I'm not so much into voyeurism. "You can tell us about it…later."
That's right, I expect details! Emmett laughed loudly. Bella glanced at him, slightly chagrined, as if she had an idea what he was thinking. Then she smiled widely, as something seemed to occur to her. I wondered at the smile – she couldn't possibly have guessed the gift – but was happy to see it. Alice pulled her out the door, and I followed.
"There's the enthusiasm I'm looking for," Alice said, catching Bella's pleased expression. She let go of her arm and sprinted down towards the river. Bella jogged down after her.
I turned and raised my arm to my family, watching from the window. Renesmee's sleeping form was visible in Rose's arms.
Don't worry, Edward, Rose thought. I'll take good care of her.
Congratulations, son, Carlisle thought. Esme waved, standing next to him. She reached out and put an arm around Jasper.
Don't do anything I wouldn't do! Emmett grinned. Not that there is much.
"C'mon, Bella!" Alice called from the other side of the river. I turned and ran down the lawn, taking my jump across the river just as Bella leaped.
I ran behind Bella, feeling no need to lead – I knew she would be able to follow Alice's quiet footsteps and lingering steps. The path to the cottage was still well worn with the scent of my family, even though the visits had decreased dramatically since we arrived home. I was reminded of running this same path with Esme in late June, hearing the anxiety and excitement in her mind of her plans. I know I'm being selfish, she had said, but I can't bear to have you far from us. She had always hated when Rosalie and Emmett had lived too far away. This will be perfect!
Esme had always been intrigued by the small, crumbling structure that lay on our lands. In fact, all of the family had checked it out at one time or another. Emmett had been threatening for the last couple of years to fix it up and fill it with a huge, custom made pool table. He said that men needed a place to get away from the women – a sentiment that usually gained him a lot of glares and a smack from Rose. I was glad, now, that Carlisle and Esme hadn't agreed to his request.
Esme had drawn up the initial plans, and Jasper and Emmett had done most of the carpentry. I hadn't been allowed much of a hand in the renovations, since it was technically a gift, but I had been consulted on most of the major decisions. We had all imagined at the time the idea for refurbishment had been agreed upon that Bella would be living here with me as a human, at least for a little while. Now, although circumstances might force us to leave soon, I hoped we could spend some days enjoying the cottage, on our own. Privacy would be at a minimum in the house in New Hampshire, if we did end up there.
Don't let her see it! Alice thought suddenly, alarmed. It will ruin the surprise. I slowed slightly, not sure what she wanted me to do, when suddenly she turned and raced back towards us. I realized she planned to grab Bella and cover her eyes, and a vision flashed in her mind of Bella throwing her off.
I shook my head quickly at her. Hmm, Alice thought, slowing as she came up to where Bella had paused. "Don't attack me," she said to Bella. The vision shifted to Alice hanging off of Bella's back. Alice grinned and then leapt, putting a hand on Bella's shoulder and swinging herself around to cling on her back, pressing her hands quickly over Bella's eyes.
"What are you doing?" Bella said anxiously, squirming slightly. Regardless of what Alice saw, I thought she might still throw her off – any other newborn would. And I also thought Alice might just deserve it.
"Making sure you can't see," Alice said.
"I could take care of that without the theatrics," I said.
Ha, ha. "You might let her cheat," Alice said, turning to glare. "Take her hand and lead her forward."
"Alice," Bella protested. "I…"
"Don't bother, Bella. We're doing this my way." You both know this is a losing battle!
I sighed, reaching out and taking Bella's hand, interlocking our fingers. "Just a few seconds more, Bella," I said loudly. "Then she'll go annoy someone else." I began to pull her gently forward, making careful adjustments as we went so she didn't run into any trees or branches.
So that's the thanks I get! "You might be a little more appreciative," Alice said, her voice miffed. "This is as much for you as it is for her." Do I need to show you my vision of tonight again? Because I've seen a few more!
I didn't think I could take anymore of Alice's visions, without grabbing Bella and taking off with her into the cottage right now. "True," I ascented. "Thank you again, Alice."
"Yeah, yeah. Okay," Alice muttered. We came around a curve in the path and entered the clearing, the cottage rising up in front of us. I sighed, amazed and thankful for the beautiful work my family had done. The flowers had been lovingly tended, the honeysuckle curving higher up onto the house than the last time I had been here. The roses had opened as well – specifically chosen by Esme so that they would hopefully still be blooming when we returned from the island. I could see that Emmett and Jasper had laid the stone path we had discussed before the wedding, and that Carlisle had installed the front door he had carefully refurbished.
I caught Alice's eye, trying to rely my gratitude for such a gift. She smiled. Because we love you both. Then we turned our eyes to Bella, who was standing, her expression frozen. Alice's face wrinkled slightly, as she tried to discern Bella's reaction.
"What do you think?" she asked. Bella's mouth moved slightly, looking as if she meant to speak, but she said nothing. I could see that she was shocked, this gift completely unexpected.
"Esme thought we might like a place of our own for a while, but she didn't want us too far away," I said softly. "And she loves any excuse to renovate. This little place has been crumbling away out here for at least a hundred years."
Bella continued to stare silently at the house. Oh no, Alice thought. It's not what she wanted. It's too small, too old.
"Don't you like it?" she asked anxiously. "I mean, I'm sure we could fix it up differently, if you want. Emmett was all for adding a few thousand square feet, a second story, columns and a tower, but Esme thought you would like it best the way it was meant to look." I saw a vision of you smiling! Maybe I misinterpreted. "If she was wrong, we can get back to work. It won't take long…"
"Shh!" Bella said quickly. Alice shut her mouth, containing a flood of words. The silence stretched as Alice panicked, but I was certain that the light in Bella's eyes was one of wonder, and admiration.
"You're giving me a house for my birthday?" Bella said, her voice just a whisper.
"Us," I said. "And it's no more than a cottage. I think the word house implies more legroom."
"No knocking my house," Bella said softly.
Yes! Alice sagged with relief, a smile forming quickly on her face. "You like it."
Bella shook her head, and I smiled.
"Love it?" Alice ventured. Bella nodded, and Alice clapped her hands, bouncing up on her toes. "I can't wait to tell Esme."
"Why didn't she come?" Bella asked.
Uhh… "Oh, you know…they all remember how you are about presents. They didn't want to put you under too much pressure to like it."
Bella looked surprised. "But of course I love it! How could I not?"
"They'll like that," Alice said, touching Bella's arm. Well, time for me to make my exit. I was ordered to return and leave you two alone – they're probably sending out a search party now. "Anyhoo, your closet is stocked. Use it wisely. And…I guess that's everything."
"Aren't you going to come inside?" Bella asked, looking confused.
Feel free to help me out here, Edward! But I rather liked watching her squirm. Alice backed up slowly towards the woods. "Edward knows his way around. I'll stop by…later. Call me if you can't match your clothes right." She glanced at me. Closet first! Before you get distracted. It's top priority. She looked at Bella for a moment, taking in the too big white shirt over the tattered, dirty dress, and then back at me, her expression doubtful. Are you sure you don't want me to stay and help, just for a little while?
I narrowed my eyes and she shrugged. Fine, your loss.
"Jazz wants to hunt," Alice said to Bella, avoiding her eyes, her voice unconvincing. Ah, awkward. "See you." She turned and took off into the trees.
Real smooth, Alice, I thought.
Bella watched her go, frowning. "That was weird," she said. "Am I really that bad? They didn't have to stay away. Now I feel guilty. I didn't even thank her right. We should go back, tell Esme – "
"Bella," I laughed. "Don't be silly. No one thinks you're that unreasonable."
Her forehead wrinkled. "Then what…"
"Alone time is their other gift. Alice was trying to be subtle about it." Trying being the key word.
Surprise flickered across her face. "Oh," she murmured, her stare seeming to become hotter, more intense. I wasn't sure what she was thinking, but the look in her eyes made me want to clutch her to me, now. Don't be selfish. She hadn't even seen the inside of the house yet. And I wanted to do this properly, if she would let me.
I reached out and gently took her hand. "Let me show you what they've done," I said, tugging her gently towards the house. This was surreal – all the planning, and work, and we were actually here, as if in a far off dream.
Bella suddenly let out a single, unsteady laugh. I glanced back. "Do I get to hear the joke?"
"It's not very good," she replied. "I was just thinking – today is the first and last day of forever. It's kind of hard to wrap my head around it. Even with all this extra room for wrapping."
I laughed, understanding both the exhilaration, and frustration, of a mind capable of many separate thoughts at once. Like the concept of immortality, this was an aspect that took a while to embrace, most newborns initially too consumed by bloodlust to appreciate. And as the lust waned, there was still a lengthy adjustment period. I had forgotten the overwhelming sensation of the patterns of my thoughts during my early existence, coupled with my forcible senses and strength, and joined by the bewildering concept of eternal life. And, specific only to me, the onslaught of the thoughts from other minds.
And yet Bella was not only casually acknowledging these massive changes, she was doing it with laughter. Loving her always, I gestured towards the door. She placed the key in the lock, turning it easily. I could smell the fresh oil in the locking mechanism – my family had thought of everything.
"You're such a natural at this, Bella; I forget how very strange this all must be for you." What must be going through her thoughts? "I wish I could hear it."
Then, afraid suddenly she would refuse if I asked, I swept down and lifted her quickly into my arms, hoping I wouldn't spook her.
"Hey," she protested, but didn't push me away.
"Thresholds are part of my job description," I said, smiling, still wishing I could peer into her mind. "But I'm curious. Tell me what you're thinking about right now."
Cradling her to my chest, I pushed open the door with my shoulder and stepped inside the living room.
I watched Bella's eyes roam the room, full of astonishment. "Everything," she said. "All at the same time, you know. Good things and things to worry about and things that are new. How I keep using too many superlatives in my head." She smiled. "Right now, I'm thinking that Esme is an artist. It's so perfect!"
I glanced around, not having seen the inside since it was furnished, noticing the furniture Esme and Carlisle had purchased during endless hours searching antique stores. A selection of Bella's favorite paintings from the house, which Esme and I had decided on together. Rosalie had even donated one of her own, knowing Bella enjoyed it. There were books Carlisle had gathered from his own shelves, Bella's favorites plus others he thought we would enjoy. In the purple darkness, Emmett's fire flickered softly.
It had all once seemed so untouchable, and now we would be living here. My family would be living here.
"We're lucky Esme thought to add an extra room," I said. "No one was planning for Ness-" uh "-Renesmee."
Bella's eyes narrowed. "Not you, too," she moaned.
I grimaced. "Sorry, love. I hear it in their thoughts all the time, you know. It's rubbing off on me."
Bella sighed, her face a mixture of exasperation and resignation. Hoping to distract her, I took another step into the house.
"I'm sure you're dying to see the closet," I joked. "Or, at least I'll tell Alice that you were, to make her feel good."
As I walked through the small house with her in my arms, I was utterly distracted by the feel of her, by her scent, her voice, her hair that gently touched my face. I could feel something twining within me – anticipation, need, but also nervousness. I recalled similar emotions when we had arrived at Isle Esme, the first night of our honeymoon, wrapped up in the fear of hurting her, and the expectation of the unknown. I could no longer hurt her, but I still, in some ways, felt vastly inexperienced. Most of our love-making, for me, had been ruled by precision and control. I never allowed myself to forget the marks I had left on her body the first time we had been together, determined to never forget what my hands had done, and could do. Even caged by restraints, my body had still proved more than capable of experiencing the intense pleasure she brought me. Still, I worried if I would know how to let go of that control now, to give her the response she needed.
You didn't have any trouble when you kissed her earlier, I thought wryly. I watched Bella's face as we moved out of Renesmee's room, trying to decipher where her thoughts were. Did she feel the tension between us? Did she want what I so desperately did? Was she nervous, or excited, or just diverted by the cottage? I realized suddenly how much I had relied on her human reactions to gauge her moods, and needs. The flush of her skin, the intensification of her scent, her pounding heart - the small, learned signs of mounting passion. I felt slightly lost now, her body silent as I tried to determine the intensity of her eyes.
Finally, we entered the sanctuary Esme had created, a cool, soothing shrine to the moments we had spent on the Island. It was breathtakingly perfect, much more powerful in reality to what I had seen in her thoughts.
"Oh," Bella breathed, taking it all in.
"I know," I whispered, the atmosphere thick with memory. I glanced around, seeing the entrance to Alice's shrine on the far wall.
"The closet is through those double doors. I should warn you – it's bigger than this room."
"We're going to tell Alice that I ran right to the clothes," she said softly, her hand moving into my hair, gripping as she turned my face towards her and pulled close. Her passion was laid bare to me now, finally, in her breathless voice, her glowing eyes, and in the lines of her heated expression, and I felt a rush of excitement. "We're going to tell her I spent hours in there playing dress-up. We're going to lie."
Bella suddenly twisted her fingers my hair, almost too hard, and sensation exploded within me, as I grazed, for the first time, the exquisite border of pleasure and pain. I clutched her head with one hand, crushing her to me, moaning slightly as her mouth urgently met mine. When we had kissed earlier, she had tasted of melted, sweet honey, but now she was all fire and heat, scorching my tongue. She twisted out of my grasp, her feet touching the floor so that she was standing in front of me. Then she pulled back, her hands gripping my shirt that she still wore, and pulled, the buttons melting away as she wrenched it off. Her eyes seared into mine, hot and challenging.
Smiling, I reached out, twisting my finger into the top of her dress, and pulled her forward abruptly. She gasped softly, and I kissed her again, hard, stone melting into stone. Then, I pulled my finger slowly down the front of the tattered remains of her dress, dragging against her body, her skin molten under mine as her head fell back slightly. The material split easily, like slicing through dark waters. I lifted my hands to her shoulders, pushing the dress back, and heard it flutter to the floor. With a flick of my wrist I removed what remained on her body.
"Edward," Bella whispered, her lips meeting mine once more. With the swift movements of her insistent hands on my clothes, soon there was nothing between us. Her fingers roamed against my bare back feverishly, the sensation unparalleled. When she had been human, Bella's hands had been the gentle caress of soft feathers, ethereal, both torturous and tantalizing. Now, they gripped at my skin, warm and strong, unrelenting, sending my body spiraling into a new, overpowering abandon.
So much of this we'd never been able to experience before, only small glimpses, just dancing on the edges of the real thing. To be able to touch and feel her without fear – it was extraordinary, familiar and yet racing with a new, consuming intensity that had been bound for too long within me. And I knew now there was no doubt I could let go.
Bella pulled back and raised her head, her eyes reflecting our shared fervor. My arms were wrapped around her back, and I slid one hand slowly down, flowing over the landscape of her body before swiftly bending and gathering her back into my arms. I cradled her for a second before falling to my knees and lowering her to the floor. She tried to pull me frantically onto her body, her strength overwhelming, and I acquiesced until I was just hovering over her. Then I pulled back against her clutching hands, pausing, savoring.
Our bodies were stretched against each others, barely touching, but bound securely by brilliant, burning love, and want, and need, and devotion. At a million points between us there was the intangible electric spark that had always been there, the connection that had once seemed against nature, that had survived heartache and loss, joy and danger, and, in the end, had transcended even humanity itself. We belong together. Forever.
Then, I lowered myself down, and knew only her.
Yes, a fade to black – had to be done! (see a/n before story) I hope people are not disappointed, but enjoyed the extra details and EPOV :)
I sound a bit like a broken record, but I think 2 more chapters to get to the end (the end of the next day) – I think there is too much left to fit into one. Have been considering writing a sort of extended epilogue of the final confrontation with the Volturi – thoughts?
Thanks for your reviews!