AN: Well… this chapter was a bit fast for me, and I began explanations that will, of course, be further elaborated later on. It was, surprisingly, rather difficult to figure out the conversation with Charlie and Bella. I had it start in the middle of their conversation, once they were inside the house, but I left a lot unfinished, hoping that next time I'll be able to figure it out a bit better. I just felt it would have been far too long of a conversation to do all at once, and there was a bit of Edward I wanted to toss in with this chapter so, for the sake of not making this chapter completely long and taking forever to update, I did it this way. But yeah… hope that doesn't ruin anything at all for you and I hope you all enjoy it nonetheless.
Noelle: Haha… well… I would answer all of your questions right now, but then there would be no point in this next chapter. ;p Thanks for the lovely review! By the way, your e-mail address is quite unique.
1stepbehind29: Yeah… I had A LOT of replies to do last update. It was so intimidating, tackling all of those, and then realizing I had about 7-8 pages of replies on my computer. But that's probably just because I ramble WAY too much when I reply… kinda like I am right now. But, turns out, my last update (the actual chapter, not the replies) was more than ten pages on my computer, so it wasn't too short an update. Anyway… nice question... I'll have it answered in due time, I promise. Thanks for the review! I am now going to reopen that bakery of mine and offer you a cookie!
Lena Bergel: Aw… thanks. Once again, a short, sweet, down to the point review that made me smile. You get a cookie too!
Bright Green Eyes: Ah… sorry for the frustration. The actions will be explained here, so I hope that helps. ;- But I must say that, despite the exasperated declarations, your review made me smile. Happy New Years to you too!!
AnAerialView: Well, I attempted to update a.s.a.p. And yeah… I see where you're coming from. I promise there are explanations… I don't want to leave you guys with too many questions. D
Daimios: Wow… I think I'm going to have to check out that series someday. That is quite an interesting little synopsis you gave me, and I'm glad you took the time to share that. It's rather funny that such a parallel can be drawn to that book. I commend you for your editing. For me, I'm constantly diving into the thoughts within my mind and attempting to get it all down at top rate speed that I miss very impertinent editing sessions that, no doubt, are very needed. Actually, I checked out your page and realized that you and I are kinda the same. Us adolescent (in numbers) writers devoted to be crusaders of the English language. I saw that you are writing your own novel(s) outside of the world of fanfiction. If ever you would like someone to read/critique your work, I would be more than willing. It would be a privilege. Truly. You sound like quite the intellectual individual, and I am certain that your writing, based off of what I have read in your reviews/profile/etc, is far from amateur. Anyways… kinda a bit off topic there, but I'm known for being a wanderer… I'm not exactly sure where I'm going with this. I know how I want the story to end, but I'm giving myself too much freedom to do as many twists and turns before I get there. I had never expected the story would become some astronomically long sequel, but I would rather just make it lengthy than stop it and do another story to continue it. At this point… I'd say that there's at least another ten chapters coming your way, but I can't really guarantee where my mind will take me next. But yes.. Edward IS far too altruistic… and I find it sweet. Not many men out there… or vampires, I'm sure… would be willing to do that much.
Emilie Whoa: Well… naturally. I will always be hopelessly romantic. Of course, I'm a sucker for drama too. But this story shall definitely be no tragedy. Happily ever after please. ;p
Anonymous: Haha. I do promise it will all turn out well in the end. I really couldn't have it any other way.
I-love-twilight-and-paramore: Well… that was a cute review. Thanks… it made me smile. Often I'm tempted to do just that, sadly. I love the fellow, but I have a special bond with Zane… obviously… considering I'm his creator. P I will just let you sit tight and see what happens though. ;)
Lizziemcclure: Yup yup. Nothing beats the wrath of a mad parent. Thanks for the review! I updated as fast as I possibly could.
Ridiculouskopec: Aww… thanks. Well… I did try to update sooner this time, but like I wrote about in my an… I'm not sure the next time I'll get to update. shakes fist at school and ap classes and homework
Meg00: Haha. Yes… I do partake in the efforts of the darkside now and then. ;p
Athrunzala09infinitejustice: Awww… thank you very much. And you are very nice!!! You get a cookie for that! D
Danamarin: Yeah… poor Charlie. Honestly, I felt kinda bad for leaving him out for sooo long. It's been what… 20 chapters? Well… he'll have his little bit now. But all works out in the end, of course!
Countess Jackman: My my my… you are very full of compliments. Thanks for that. It's very nice to be encouraged and to know there are those out there that enjoy what I do.. possibly just as much as I enjoy doing it. And I find it quite an honor to make it into your book of awesomeoness. I think you deserve to be in my book of cool people that make the world go round just because you have a book of awesomeness. I think that is… simply put… awesome! ;p And our dear star-crossed lovers will get some alone time soon enough, I do promise. I daresay they deserve it by now!
Likeadoll: Haha. Okie dokie. Next chapter… right here: I am experimenting once more with my smiley faces, and am using this brand new one on you! Yes… you are special!!!
MysteriousMidnightVampiress: Gah!!! covers eyes from the blinding, shiny teeth Thank you for that review… even if it made me blind in the process. Yeah… that's just part of Zane's nature, I suppose. Keep on being awesome!!!
Unconditional: Aww… thank you very much. D
EdwardObsessed: Nice name! I'm sure most of us can admit to having that major syndrome as well, I'm sure. ;) Thanks so much for the review. It's sweet, and made me smile. Also… the smiley is greatly appreciated!!! Of course, I'll return the favor. D D D
Fpcj: Aww… so sorry for that. Sorry for the cliffy… I'm a sucker for them once in awhile to add to the ever-growing drama. But do know that all shall turn right because a) E/B are too great to separate (I rhymed… wow.) b) Charlie's bark is worse than his bite (unlike Edward :p ) c) All drama, no matter how many cliffies, will eventually end.
Andie Wolf: Aww… thank you very much. I'm glad that you like it. It put a smile on my face. Gosh… you guys make it rather hard not to be happy about writing this. Thanks for that!!! D You, of course, get cookies too!!!
Imsotwilightobsessedthatallmyfriendsarereadingitnowtoo!: Haha. That might possibly be the longest and greatest name ever! Well… I'm kinda confused as to whether or not you are talking about my latest chapter or some other part of the story… but if you are talking to the one I just wrote… it will be explained. Actually, it'll be explained in this next update. About the pic… well… I've honestly been searching endlessly for someone who I could picture to fit the role of him, and I have found no one. I've searched supermodel sites, imbd, various actors, and… despite the fact I am becoming an internet research guru thanks to all the research reports I have to do… I have found nothing. But, as soon as I find something, I will be sure to send word your way. If you have anyone in mind, feel free to share. I'm always opened up to suggested too! Thanks for the input though. It's really appreciated. Truly. I think it deserves a cookie. And a smiley face. D
Kelly: Haha. I'm often very tempted to have it with those two together. But… I feel like I need to stay a bit true to Stephenie in the E/B pairing. But do know that after this, I will be making a companion novel that focuses primarily on Zane. He deserves a happy ending too, I believe. ;)
Alexandra Stone: Aw… more smileys! D D D And don't you worry… they will get their time soon enough. ;D
Amanda: Wow… I honestly feel so honored to have people who are devoted enough to be able to sit down and read all of this in one sitting. It makes me want to hunt you down and give you all a hug and a cookie! But, considering that would be rather odd… I offer you a smiley and a cookie instead. D Thanks so much for the compliments and the review!!!!
Katrina: Aww… thanks. I'll be needing the luck once I'm back in school next week in regards to updating. I'm glad to hear that you like the story. I hope you enjoy what I've got coming up as well. D
Delirium24: Thanks for that review! It was very sweet. Sorry for the cliffy. Like I've often admitted… I'm a sucker for pulling those once in awhile. But I did update as fast as I could so you all wouldn't have to wait for too dreadfully long. Hope you like what's coming!
Dare to Love: Nice name! And, of course, all of this will be coming soon enough… actually… most will be in this update! Haha. But yeah… do enjoy. D
Vindicatedd-: Of course! I give permission for the everyone to hunt me down and give me a good awakening if this story didn't end happily. There will be no tragedies here. I read enough of those in ap lit. But yeah… hope that provides you with some relief. I couldn't possibly make things end badly for these lovely people!
Asquared91: Yup yup. She most certainly does. And yeah… that conversation will be very fun to do. ;p
Samantha Cartier: Touché. I commend you on that observation. I'm sure you'll find out why when you read this latest update. ;)
Animevamp: Aw… thank you! Well… I'll be sure to continue. D
Lose-your-voice: Haha. That he does. That he does.
35. Conversations and Closets
"Where have you been Bells?" Charlie's voice was serious, and I could see his struggle between his anger and a desire to hold me in his arms and never let me go. "Gone for months. Not a word sent to your mom or me. This isn't like you."
"I thought we already established where I was…"
"Don't take that tone with me." It was almost painful to conceal a laugh at how he shook, his face changing colors. "And what were you doing in the forest? You couldn't even stop by and give your old man a 'hello dad' before taking a walk?"
"There was someone I was looking for…"
"Really?!" Charlie's brows were furrowed. "Well, I really sympathize with you there, Bells. I know exactly how it feels to be looking for someone."
"Dad," I looked down at my hand and moved the ring on my finger around for a bit before making eye contact. "I love Edward. And I don't mean that in some stupid teenage way. I love him enough to do anything for him… to give him everything."
"You're seventeen-years-old! SEVENTEEN!" Charlie bellowed. "You are too young to be bound down. You still have high school… college…"
"I don't think I'll be going to college."
"What?" Charlie looked at me in a strange manner, with his eyes suddenly large, his mouth opened widely, and one eyebrow raised. "Who are you?"
"It's Bella." I felt the familiar swelling in my chest and felt like I wanted to cry. "Dad, don't you believe me?"
"I don't know what to believe." Charlie began pacing. "How can my daughter just disappear for months on end and then show up out of nowhere, telling me she's engaged? She's too young for marriage!!"
"No, dad. I think I'm mature enough to make that decision."
"Is that why your ring's on the wrong finger?" Charlie asked. "Real mature, Bells."
"Oh…" I held back a laugh as I took the ring off of my wedding finger. "Sorry… it's been a… rough day."
"Really?" Charlie laughed dryly. "Any worse than mine? I've had the force out looking for you for months. Everyone was telling me 'Charlie, it's a lost cause. If she was still out there, she would be found. Just plan the funeral already, Charlie. There's no sense chasing after her anymore. It's just going to hurt you in the end.' Half the town thinks I've lost it, putting up all those posters of you around the place…"
"Oh, yeah… about those." I instantly remembered the posters of humiliation. "Couldn't you have picked a better picture, dad?"
"A better picture!?" Charlie's short moment of calm quickly ended. "Is that really all you have to say? Do you have any idea what it was like calling Renee and telling her that you've gone missing? We aren't even married anymore, Bells, and I've probably seen and talked to her more than that husband of hers…"
"Phil…" I said the name, remembering him slightly. "Dad, I'm sorry. I never meant for things to go out of proportion like this. I… it really seemed harmless in the beginning. If I had known how it would hurt you all… maybe I would've done things differently."
"Maybe?" Charlie turned that word over. "What's happened to you, Bella? Maybe? Don't we mean more to you than a simple 'maybe'?"
"Dad, I can't even begin to explain what's been going on." I stood up now, and wrapped my arms around him, my body shaking from the emotions that pummeled my body, making me shake. "With me. With Edward. With everything. I don't even think you'd believe me if I told you. I never meant to hurt you, or anyone, and…"
"Bells…" I felt relieved at how his tone instantly dropped. "I'm just glad to have you back. I've been so worried. We all thought we'd lost you."
"I'm glad to see you again…" I closed my eyes, relief filling me up. "So glad. I… I had been afraid that I lost you."
"Oh Bells… you'd never lose me." Charlie looked down at me and ruffled my hair a bit. "We'll continue this conversation, okay? I have to make a few calls first…"
"The force?"
"Yeah, them too." Charlie nodded. "But I was more thinking along the lines of Renee."
"Oh… yeah." I smiled and headed for the staircase. "Is it alright if I go to my room for a bit? It's been awhile…"
"If you want, but Renee will want to talk to you."
"Okay."
I took one last look at Charlie, bent over the phone with a fervor that I had never seen him have before. A melancholy feeling passed over me as I looked at him because, though I was able to remember him, some type of connection had been lost.
My room was unchanged from the day I left. Actually, the same clothes were scattered on the floor, and my bed was only half-made. I sat on the edge of my bed, propping my chin on my hands, and let out a deep sigh.
"Why so sad?"
My closet opened and Edward emerged, wearing a smile.
"What?" I immediately stood. "Edward? I thought… well… aren't you mad?"
"Mad?" Edward looked me in the eyes. "You're serious."
"Well, I was expecting a bit more wrath from my husband if he had seen me kissing another…"
"Bella, have you forgotten that I can read minds?" Edward chuckled. "I knew everything that was going on…"
"Then why did you run off?"
"Charlie was coming."
"So you left me alone to fend for myself against my dad's wrath?"
"No, I left you so you could have one of those tender daddy moments." Edward answered. "My presence would have ruined it. Especially when he found out about our… engagement."
"Yeah…" I looked down at the ring, which I had relocated to another finger. "Well, Charlie was already furious. I think an engagement might actually allow for you to live if he sees you. If he had found out that we're married…"
"I understand." Edward nodded, placing a finger on my lips. "I can't believe the last person who kissed you wasn't me."
"Well… that can easily be undone." I felt surprised at my response, as I leaned forward to kiss him.
"You know… our wedding night isn't entirely over."
"Charlie's downstairs!" I hissed, listening to Charlie stammer on the phone, overcome with joy. "He'll be coming up soon. If he saw you… us…"
"Built in radar." Edward pointed to his head. "We'll get a fair warning before he intrudes on us."
"This wasn't how I pictured our wedding night…"
"Believe me, I never thought my wife would be kissing other men within twenty-four hours of our vows."
"It's nice to be home." I dropped on my bed. "It seems I got off easy though. I was expecting Charlie to erupt at me forever…"
"He's battling between being mad at you or celebrating that you're back." Edward told me. "I guess the latter won."
"For now," I replied. "He might get mad once the relief goes away."
"So you remember him?"
"Yeah, I think seeing him bought it all back to me." I answered. "Maybe the long absence made me forget."
"That's possible," Edward agreed. "But how about when you saw him?"
"Well, he was relieved."
"No, I mean with you…"
"What do you mean? I was glad to see him too. He's my dad after all, Edward."
"Did you smell him?"
"He smells like Charlie," I answered. "I remember that much."
"That was it?"
"Yes."
"Haven't you felt antsy at all? Restless?"
"Besides the fact we still haven't had our wedding night… no."
"You haven't felt at all… thirsty?"
"Well, besides a thirst for us to…" I stopped, suddenly realizing what he was getting at. "What's wrong with me, Edward?"
"Vivian was right, odd humans make odd vampires." Edward mused, twirling a piece of my hair in his hand. "How does it feel to be special?"
"So long as they don't put me in any special classes, I'll be fine." I smiled weakly and heard footsteps on the stairs. "Charlie's coming."
"Yeah, but I can hide in the closet before he opens the door."
"Just go already!" I hissed, feeling Charlie a few steps away from my door.
"Wait." Edward gave me a quick kiss. "Okay, now I'll go. We'll talk about this later."
"Bells, Renee's on the phone."
"It's nice to be home, dad." I gave him a smile before heading for the phone. "Mom? No, nothing bad happened. Actually, it's the complete opposite. Oh… dad already told you. Well, you see mom, the boy from before… we're pretty serious. No, this isn't some out of the blue kind of thing. We've been crazy about each other… it's love, mom. Yes, I know I'm still young, you won't let me forget. No, he hasn't tried anything funny with me. He's been a perfect gentleman. A wedding date? Well… I guess it can be… of course you can help plan it! I would really appreciate it. I miss you too. Yeah, I know I was gone for awhile. Edward and I had a lot to discuss. Like I told you, he hasn't tried anything funny with me. Nope. Perfect gentleman, remember?" I covered the mouthpiece and turned to Charlie. "Help."
"You were gone for months, Bella. There's no excuse for being away for that long. This is only the beginning of your punishment."
"Really? A new place? Wow… I've missed a lot." I put on a smile, not minding the talking with my mom, considering she's one of the best friends I have, but not wanting to keep Edward waiting. "Yeah, you're right. He's in love with me. But I am too, so it works out. About the wedding… how about after graduation? That's a nice idea, but I think we should have it out here in Forks, not Florida. Why? Well, Edward's not exactly a fan of too much sun and I… it's not a big sacrifice, mom! Edward does a lot for me, and I really want the wedding here too. It's not a big deal."
"Is Renee… she isn't actually promoting this marriage thing, is she? Bells?!"
"I'm sure Edward and I will come up with something for a honeymoon. Something private. Yeah… where we can't get disturbed."
"Bells?" Charlie's face contorted and he snatched the phone from me. "Renee! I thought we said that we weren't going to put up with…"
I stepped away, heading upstairs with a smile, remembering instantly why I loved my mom so much. Edward was already lying on my bed, grinning at me as I entered my room.
"Sounds like an interesting conversation."
"She doesn't like the fact that you're so young, but overall she seems to be supportive." I joined him, lying beside him on my bed. "I think she's mainly worried about the fact that we're young and it'll be hard to depend on ourselves financially."
"Well, I have about a hundred years of financing to support us." Edward smirked. "It's not much, I know, but I think we can make it work."
"No need to be smug…" I giggled and was quickly silenced when Edward kissed me. "Charlie's bound to come up again."
"Remember? Built in radar."
"We were talking about my thirst, or lack thereof."
"Well, I've been thinking about it." Edward leaned back in a contemplative manner. "And I think that, as a vampire, you kept most of your human characteristics. That's not different from any of us really, except that you were already a special human. The blood thing's understandable. You couldn't stand the smell of it, so you've adapted as a vampire to not smell it at all. That's good and bad. Good that you can walk without being a threat, and bad in that you'll need to eat some time. You have to be careful. And, since your eyes are the same, you won't be able to tell how hungry you are like you can with me."
"But what about…"
"One thing at a time," Edward smiled. "That was the easiest one to figure out. The weakness thing I'm still working out, but I think your power might have to do with that vision you had."
"It wasn't a vision though."
"Exactly."
"So what does it mean?"
"I need to talk to Carlisle about it before I can really say." Edward's hands traced the contours of my face. "But it's all going to clear up, I promise."
"Do you think this life will work out?" I asked. "I mean, the life with Charlie. Do you think they'll believe our story? What about school?"
"It'll get taken care of," Edward responded. "And teens have been known to do worse things when they're in love. Just look at Romeo and Juliet. And they turned out alright."
"They both ended up dying."
"Well, at least only one of us died during this love story." Edward grinned. "And our love story continues after death, which makes it better."
"Not to mention Romeo and Juliet didn't have the whole supernatural thing going for them."
"You know, now that I think of it, their story doesn't even hold a light to ours."
"Bells?" Charlie called.
"Yes, dad?" I went to my bedroom door, and saw Charlie at the foot of the stairs. "Does mom want to talk again?"
"She had to go do something with Phil, I think." Charlie said. "But I was wondering if you wanted anything to eat before I head out to the station."
"You've got to go?"
"Well, I've been spending most my days looking for a certain lost daughter, so I've been taking the night shifts."
"Oh…" I looked down, feeling suddenly guilty. "No thanks, dad. I'm not really hungry."
"Okay… just be careful. I'd like to come home to the sight of my daughter home… not missing."
"Charlie's gone." I told Edward, closing my door. "You know what that means?"
"I would have lost my mind if I didn't know." Edward pinned me against the door, a grin on his face. "We're alone, at last."
He pressed his lips against mine, his body pressing against me as I felt myself being crushed against my bedroom door. I half expected the door to come crashing down from the pressure which was, I'm pretty sure, beyond the strength of the average heavy-weight champion human. My hands were placed on his shoulders, and I pushed him back, not wanting to have to explain how my door was ripped off of its hinges during the night.
His shirt, already half unbuttoned from before, was easily discarded, and I stared at Edward's broad chest and how it glowed with the glory of the gods. I traced a finger down the center, unable to believe that this was real… that he… was real.
"This isn't the first time you've seen me without a shirt on, Bella." Edward grinned at me and tilted my chin up when I looked down. "I wish you knew how beautiful you are."
"This is coming from the guy who looks like a Greek god in my bed."
"And you sit before me like Aphrodite, so I'm not complaining." Edward's hands were at the back of my dress, and I sucked in a breath, unsure if I was ready for this. "You alright? You're shaking."
"Yeah, well… I don't exactly have any experience in this."
"If anyone should be embarrassed, Bella, it should be me. I've been alive for how long, and I still have no idea what I'm doing."
"And yet you could have anyone…"
"I didn't want just anyone." Edward kissed me, and I slowly laid down, my nerves now calm. "The girl I wanted was worth the wait anyway."
One hand stroked my hair tenderly as the other opened the back of my dress. He kissed me softly at first, but each kiss became more fervent, more warm, and made my body feel like it was aflame. He ran a hand across my exposed back and I shivered, pulling close to him as if it would relieve me from the cold.
"And you don't think you're beautiful…" Edward grinned, looking at the discarded dress on the floor and then at how I was laid out before him in a simple chemise. "If only you knew how extraordinary you are."
"Is it odd that Charlie didn't ask about the dress?" I questioned before he could continue where he had left off.
"Your story is already a crazy one that seems unbelievable. He probably expected that you'd be dressed to match it."
"But it's a wedding dress…"
"Well, Charlie wasn't through with talking to you. He'll probably bring it up later."
"It just seems odd that he would go to work, after seeing me again…"
"The guy is the head of the police department. They need him. He'll probably come home early after telling everyone that you're back."
"I was just expecting more."
"It's going to come once Charlie gets back."
"What makes you so sure?"
"I can only read his mind." Edward answered.
Silence followed, and suddenly I felt ridiculous for tossing in a random conversation… another interruption in something that had been long delayed.
"I'm sorry," I apologized, sitting up. "I'm terrible at this wedding night thing, aren't I?"
"You're doing fine," Edward answered. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
"We can't even kiss for long without something going on, let alone do anything else…"
"It'll be worth the wait."
"What makes you so sure?" I asked softly, feeling apprehensive. "What if I'm terrible at it?"
"If you're terrible, I'm bound to be too. We can be terrible together." Edward smiled and kissed my forehead. "Bella, it won't be terrible. We love each other. Just us being together, talking like this, feels right. Why would anything else not feel the same way?"
"Even now, it just seems like I'm more of a hassle than anything." I admitted. "As a human, you were constantly having to save me. And now, as a vampire, you're left doing the same thing."
"Bella, being with you is the closest thing I've had to living since the day Carlisle changed me." Edward held my hands, kissing the back of each and then each palm. "We both saved each other."
"I just wish things could be easy for us for once."
"Yeah, that would be nice. But all great things come with great obstacles, don't you think? What means anything really if there's no struggle?"
"So I should be glad for our misfortunes?"
"Yes, so we can be even happier for our triumphs."
"You planning on being a motivational speaker anytime soon?" I grinned, glad that Edward was able to easily eradicate any feelings of anxiety.
"Nope," Edward wrapped his arms around me and pressed his lips to my ear. "These lines are reserved especially for one…"
His lips lowered to my neck, moving down to my collar. I felt a spark of electricity pass through my body, and I lowered my head, kissing him hard. Our hands worked knots into our hair as we kissed, and we rolled in the bed until Edward was on top of me, his arms propping himself up slightly so his body wouldn't crush me completely. I placed a hand on his chest, with the other tracing the muscles in his arms. He leaned forward, kissing every inch of my face before seizing my lips again. I was about to open my mouth to continue, but I turned my head, one more thought crossing my mind.
"What if Charlie does comes home earlier than we think and we're…"
"Built in radar system." Edward reminded, letting out a laugh as I joined in.
"Oh…" I smiled then and gave him a kiss. "Then I guess there's nothing holding us back now."
AN: Alright, well… I would elaborate further on the events, but I feel it best to leave that to everyone's imagination. This story was not intended to be M, and I plan on keeping it that way.