My angel.
My angel, my salvation, my temptation, my descent into hell.
This was my punishment, I decided. For all my crimes and all my sins I was doomed to spend it within arms reach of this beautiful girl, this terrible seductress that tempted me with the one thing I couldn't have.
It was painful, knowing that it was there, knowing that all I had to do was look at her underneath my eyelashes and whisper 'please'.
She shifted closer to me. She was completely without self-preservation, pressing herself against a human ice cube. A human ice cube that could potentially kill her.
I kissed her forehead, letting myself linger on her soft skin, marveling in its warmth, its very vitality.
I wanted my family to meet her, to prove to them that what I felt wasn't just this infatuation for a human, but a love on par with my siblings and their mates, with Carlisle and Esme.
I love her, my angel.
I gently removed myself from her, having every intention to leave so I could ask my family to meet her, when I found myself in her rocking chair, watching her sleep.
It was by far my favorite pastime.
"Edward," she mumbled, her voice lifting to create more of a question.
"Yes, my love. I'm here," I whispered.
"I love you," she replied.
I went over to her, not to lie with her again because I knew that if I climbed into her bed I would never leave, but to touch her face, reaffirm that she was real as I told her I loved her back.
She smiled, apparently contented with my answer, sighed and continued to sleep.
She said nothing else.
I left, a few hours before she would awake, knowing that eventually I would have to leave.
Esme smiled at me as I walked in, sitting around some interior design plans, looking amazingly content. Carlisle sat next to her, reading The New England Journal of Medicine.
"Ah, Edward. There is an article in here I think you would enjoy-I believe you were considering the study of oncology when you went to college next?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then you will find this rather interesting. I'll leave it for you to look at once I'm finished."
"Thank you."
He looked at me curiously. "Is everything alright, Edward?"
I couldn't stop myself from smiling, thinking of the wonderful day I spent with Bella, thinking that finally, after decades of being alone, I finally found someone.
"I want you to meet Bella."
Esme's eyes grew wide, "Really?" You feel that strongly, Edward?
I merely smiled at her. "Yes. I thought perhaps today."
Carlisle nodded, considering the proposition. "I am off from the hospital today. We should ask the others, though. Make sure they are all…comfortable with it."
Alice bounced, for it was really the only way to describe Alice's movement, down the stairs.
"Edward!" She squealed, hugging me. "I would love to. I think it's a great idea, really. She should meet us, as we should meet her, since she is-"
"Alice," I warned.
"Fine. I think we'll be very good friends."
Jasper was behind her, looking at me in true terror.
I can't do this, Edward.
I nodded. "Jasper, why don't you and I go talk?"
I met him outside, feeling nervous, knowing it's because of Jasper, his feelings radiating off of him and I'm not sure that he's aware of it.
"I'm happy for you, brother, I really am," he begins, looking at his feet. "If what you feel for Bella is even half of what I feel for Alice, then…" he trails off, finally looking up at me.
"I want you to meet her, Jasper, but I swear, if you so much as-"
He smiled. "Protective already."
I nodded. "I am."
We looked at each other, reaching an understanding without words.
Jasper nodded. "Alright, little brother. I'll be here and I won't hurt her, I promise."
"Thank you."
I went back in, ready to go change clothes so I could be with my Bella again, already feeling lost without her.
"How dare you."
"Rosalie."
"How dare you bring her into this house!" She screeched. "This is just a stupid human bitch!"
I lunged at her, clutching her throat, wishing I could choke the very life out of her.
"Apologize," I snarled.
"Make me," she sneered. "I hope Jasper takes a bite out of her, maybe then you'll realize-"
I smacked her, hard. I had never raised a hand to a woman before, the teachings of my parents still engrained into me. Rosalie was by far not weak and yet I still felt shame at hitting a woman, a sex that I was taught needed my protection as a male.
Her eyes grew wide. I doubted that I hurt her, medically it was impossible, because the nerves were dead. No doubt I surprised her, that the look in her eyes was because of shock rather than injury.
I got up, unwilling to continue. The sun would rise soon. I wanted to get back to Bella.
"Don't ever say that again," I hissed.