CHAPTER 36 - CHANGES

BELLA'S POV

I stared up at the sky in fascination, as the minutes passed by more chunks of colorless insipid clouds seemed to drift off. The late afternoon sun now shone down freely, bright and warm finally escaping its suffocating prison of grey. My head rested on Edwards chest and our legs were tangled together as we lay on the soft grass a short distance behind his house, I could hear the river running near by and felt completely at peace. Edward was silent, breathing calm slow breaths he didn't need and drawing lazy circles on my back.

I let out a contented sigh. Sunshine was the last thing I had expected today and I was glad I could enjoy it with Edward within the safe confines of 'Cullen' land.

"You sound content.." Edward said quietly with a subtle questioning to his tone. "Your breathing is tranquil and soothing, your heartbeat relaxed.." he explained before I had the opportunity to ask.

"This is nice…just us alone like this. Outside and able to enjoy the warm sun." I sighed.

I heard Edward chuckle in agreement.

"Yes…we rarely get to enjoy the sun together"

"Did you know it would be sunny today? Is that why you left so early this morning?" I asked, trying to steer the conversation into another direction. Reminding Edward that he had still to explain to me where exactly he'd disappeared to.

"Yes…to both your questions." his tone told me that he was smiling and I relaxed again, his secret trip was not something he thought to be a big deal.

"Alice?" I asked.

"Yes, she informed me of the change in weather, quite the meteorologist is Alice…" he laughed lightly.

"Did she go with you this morning?" I pushed.

Edward suddenly shifted his body from under mine until I was lying flat on my back against the grass and he was lying next to me, resting on his elbow gazing down into my eyes. His diamond like skin glittering in the sunshine and I stared back in awe. He was so exquisitely beautiful that I was forever rendered breathless.

"Just ask…" he encouraged me in an assuring voice.

"So where did you go and why?" blurting it out quicker than I'd intended.

Edward brought his cool fingers to my collarbone, tracing the skin lightly. A causal grin tugging at the corner of his lips.

"I drove to Port Angeles with Alice. There was something I needed to buy and Alice had a couple of things she wanted to organise while there."

"But you returned alone?" I pushed.

"We drove separately" he shrugged.

"Why..?" not understanding.

"Don't you want to know what I was buying…?" he teased.

"Yes!" I answered. Obviously…

"Well, considering things last night with your sister didn't go according to plan and we parted on worse terms than ever I thought it only necessary that I replace her precious cell phone before she had time to grumble over it any longer.." he now stared at the skin below my neck, seemingly fascinated with it as he continued his light caressing.

"You bought her a cell! You drove all the way to Port Angeles…to buy her a cell?" I was beyond surprised.

"I was replacing it, but thought I should put in the effort and get her something more suitable. That thing she had was piece of junk anyway…" he sighed.

I was so shocked. Firstly, the fact he'd went out the his way to undertake such a gesture towards Evan who I knew that he loathed. Secondly that he seemed to find the fact he had committed such a generous act amusing and didn't seem bitter about it in the least. What was his reasoning behind it? I prayed that it was not another game that perhaps it was a sign of some kind of peace between them. Some kind of progressive step forward in their resentful relationship dynamic.

"You went OTT didn't you?" I asked him.

Edward just smirked, looking pleased with himself.

"You spent a lot of money….." it wasn't a question, I already knew the answer.

"Lets see what our little Evan makes of my gift shall we….."still smiling. He was absolutely revelling in it.

"Your hoping this will throw her wont you, you know she's not going to understand why you did this…?" I asked him.

"I know she will spend a lot of time being confused." he admitted. And I knew instantly that this fact was what brought Edward such pleasure. In a way he was still torturing her. Perhaps his own way to channel his revenge with regards to her behaviour to date.

"Is that all you did?" I asked, sceptical that he'd leave it just at that.

"Well, I wrote her a note." his eye's focused down on mine and he was suddenly very serious looking. "It needed to be done, I just hope for our sake that it works…" he admitted solemnly.

"What did it say…?" I asked as I scrutinized him.

"I'm trying to fix this mess!" he admitted, frustration giving his voice an edge. "Put my feelings aside and call a truce. I hope she has the maturity to do the same. And I hope that Jacob keeps his side of the agreement and tames her curiosity. That or do what he needs to do so he can explain to her what's really going on. As soon as she knows what he is and she has secrets of her own to protect I don't think she will be so willing to expose ours. Now that Jacob knows about the Volturi I can't see him being much of a threat to us when we all have a much larger common enemy."

I smiled at Edward and he frowned a little, confused at my response.

"You did a good thing today. You did the right thing!" I encouraged him.

He returned the smile, before refocusing his attention to my collarbone once more. His eye's concentrated before lowering his head to gently press his cool icy lips to my skin. Then I heard him inhale deeply.

"You smell good today…" he sighed.

"Good enough to eat…?" I teased but instantly regretted it, Edward's head shot right back up and his hurt eye's bore down at mine.

"I'm sorry Edward…I didn't mean it like that…?" I desperately tried to explain, guilt paralysing my voice.

His face instantly softened.

"I'm sorry…" I whispered again.

He gave me a small smile then lowered his head again this time capturing my lips in his, he sucked on the bottom of mine briefly before stopping too soon. Then pulled back to concentrate the full force of his topaz eye's on mine.

"There is nothing to be sorry for." he assured.

Then he shook his head in frustration. "We would have been married by now and you would be….you'd be…if you sister had not….." but he refused to finish the sentence.

"If she'd never existed I would have been changed by now…" I did it for him.

"But I prefer you living…" he admitted.

Although I knew this to be true, I also knew that part of Edward wanted me changed because then the Volturi would no longer be a threat to us and more importantly neither would his thirst for my blood. Over the last few weeks as we'd finally been able to develop things into a thoroughly physical relationship. It was far too easy for me to forget the fact that through it all, my blood was still calling out to him. And I knew he dealt with that in his own way. Succumbing to part of the natural predator that he was, his experimentation with dominance within our love making, his games like this morning. It made it easier for him. A small kind of release as he struggled with that burning hunger. I wondered what it would be like between us when I was no longer fragile. When I was turned, how much more intense could sex be between us, how much rougher. A thrill ran through me at the thought. I loved that part of him. His wild uncontrolled side which up until recently had always been hidden. He was always so careful, such the gentleman. But now. It was like I was seeing all of him and I just wanted more. I wanted to unlock more secrets and have them unravel before me. One day I would be able to be as dominant as he was with me and that would be yet another enjoyable twist in our sex life.

I stared into his topaz eye's. He was studying me carefully, trying to figure out what thoughts were running through my mind during my silence.

"But you will change me Edward. And I wont be so fragile one day. You will no longer hunger for me!"

"No Bella! I will always hunger for you!" he promised darkly.

"I wanted so desperately for you to change me but I know I can't let that happen while things are not resolved between Evan and myself. I have to try to make peace there before I leave Charlie and her. They are my family. I need everyone to be happy and there to be no secrets,….. no hatred. That's all I want. That's how I want to leave them."

Edward just nodded slowly.

"As long as you need that then that is as long as I will wait for you. But…." he trailed off.

"But what?" I asked him.

"I've set a new date for the wedding Bella…we will stay in Forks as long as we need to, before I change you, ………..but I still intend to marry you as soon as possible." he told me.

"Really?" I asked surprised, but not at all disappointed.

"The reason that we are marrying has no relevance to timing or us leaving. It is about you and me. It's about our love." his revelation and words seemed to rush from his mouth like a flood.

I felt my heart swell.

I reached up towards him, wrapping my hands around the back of his head and pulling him towards me so I could press my desperate lips to his with everything I had. He kissed me back with as much conviction and ardently sought access beyond my lips with his tongue. He deepened the kiss with a possessive forcefulness that left me aching for more.

He pulled apart much too quickly wanting to focus on me and I sighed. His eye's were so worshiping in that moment and he smiled down at me bringing his cool palm to my cheek, caressing the skin there tenderly.

"I love you Bella…." he gasped. "My Bella" he growled…possessively.

"Forever……" I whispered.

"Always…forever…" he promised.

I melted instantly..

We lay there for the longest while like that, just holding each other. That was enough for me. I was beyond content.

"So when?" I eventually asked him.

"Alice re ordered the invitations this morning….we are going to marry in two weeks…"

I let out a little gasp.

"What's wrong…?" Edward asked worriedly.

"Nothing….it's just sooner than I expected." I tried to assure him.

"Do you need more time?"

"No…not at all. It's just a lot of reorganising that's all!"

"You don't need to worry about a thing. Believe me! Alice has everything covered." he promised.

I laughed lightly knowing what he was telling me was very true.

"So, where is Alice?" remembering their joint venture this morning. "You said you drove separately?"

"Yes….she had a little errand to run for me after Port Angeles." he sighed.

"And what was that?" suddenly curious.

"It was Alice's job to deliver my gift to your sister…" he said casually.

"Alice is at my house!" I was shocked.

Edward chuckled.

"No! Not a good idea at all. Having Alice running circles around your sister in her safe house is not what I had in mind. Alice was just going to drop it off discretely outside the front door for her, the note attached. I couldn't do it myself. I don't wish to push the wolf any further with my scent around his mate's home."

Whenever Edward made references to Evan being Jacob's 'mate' it always made me shudder a little. Like part of me could still not believe that he's imprinted on to my sister.

"I see…. So where exactly is she now? We've been alone most of the day and there is no one home."

"Jasper is hunting so I assume she went to join him. They always lose track of time when they hunt together, they get distracted after feeding…." he raised his eyebrows at me.

I understood easily what he meant by this.

Edward suddenly sat up and stared down at me curiously. His eye's were concentrated as he reached out and traced my skin with his cool finger.

"Your burning!" he announced, his tone sounded surprised.

I sat up and glanced down at my pale skin to see a hint of red there. Only wearing a vest top as I enjoyed the heat of the sun I hadn't thought of protecting my skin. It's not something you thought of when living in Forks.

I chuckled slightly.

"Perhaps we should go back inside.." Edward insisted.

I frowned but agreed. Reluctant to leave the sunshine.

Edward stood and reached out his hand to mine and I accepted willingly. As he pulled me up my stomach grumbled. I looked down at it in surprise, not realising how hungry I was.

"Lets get some food inside you.." Edward said guiltily. Pulling me back to the house.

******************************************

I sat in the kitchen table eating spaghetti bolognese. Edward had helped me prepare it even though, he had little interest in the preparation of human food. I ate slowly enjoying my meal, Edward sat opposite and had been quietly watching me. Eventually his eye's seemed to drift to the table itself and I could tell from the expression that seemed to slowly etch across his features he was remembering our antics earlier in the day. I felt my cheeks blush slightly at the thought. As if sensing this he glanced over catching my eye's in his. He smiled crookedly acknowledging our shared memory and then ran his fingers through his messy bronze locks.

The sound of Alice's fancy sports car pulling up outside the house suddenly caught my attention. I glanced back at Edward but was surprised to see the confusion in his face. He seemed to be concentrating and then he frowned.

Next thing he whipped his head around sharply towards the entrance of the kitchen.

"Alice…" he roared. "Come here immediately." he tone was reprimanding.

Now I was the one who probably looked confused.

Alice skipped into the kitchen, a excited bounce in her step. She seemed fairly unaffected by Edward's summons.

"Yes….?" she asked coyly.

He just stared at her and shook his head slowly, his jaw tightened.

"Why…………why? Tell me Alice why you cannot follow simple instructions…?" he chastised her.

I could not understand what this was about but from where I was sitting it appeared to be some kind of dispute between two siblings emerging. And I found it amusing to witness Edward behave in such a manner. I bit down a smile as I watched on in awe.

"But I followed your instructions Edward….." her voice rang out merrily and she grinned back at him looking very smug.

"Those were not my instructions and you know it!" he snapped back, attempting to sound angry.

"Not my fault you didn't go into specifics!" she defended, shrugging her shoulders at him.

"I was very specific Alice!" he cut back, slightly annoyed.

"Relax……Edward!" she said his name slowly in a teasing manner. "It all worked out rather well did it not?"

Edward just shook his head in frustration.

"What is going on?" I chuckled, desperate to understand the meaning behind their little squabble.

Edward glared over at me, but I knew his feelings were not targeted towards me but Alice.

"My sister thinks it highly amusing that she went against my request and sought it upon herself to visit Evan today in her home whilst alone!" he growled slightly as he spoke.

I gasped.

"You went to see Evan today..? You visited her?" I asked Alice in shock.

"For a little while this morning before I went hunting...."she grinned back.

"It appears that simply dropping off a parcel in front of the house was too complicated for her.." Edward sighed in frustration.

"Oh Edward. You really are taking this far too seriously." she chided. "It worked out very well as you know so save me your over reaction. I would never have done it if I thought it would have gone badly." she defended.

"I can't believe you could have been so reckless! Especially after last night, when you know that wolf rarely leaves her alone now."

It was my turn to frown at Edward. I still hated it when he referred to Jacob as 'that wolf'.

"Everything is fine Edward…." her voice was light and bored now. She waved him off casually.

"How did she react to the gift…? To the note?" I asked quickly.

Alice grinned back at me.

"Oh she was so shocked. Couldn't understand it at all. But…." she glanced back at Edward raising her eyebrow at him in a condescending manner. "She didn't freak out, she didn't hate it. She was just shocked…and best of all………she likes me!" she giggled gleefully.

Edwards lips tightened.

I began to shake his head in disagreement.

"Don't even…..Edward!" she shot back. "You know I'm telling the truth!"

Edwards face was like stone. He looked speechless.

"Well I think this conversation is over now!" her hands on her hips. "I have a wedding to organise!" and she marched out the kitchen with determination not giving Edward a backward glance.

I stood up and approached him, he was quite stiff and staring at the door Alice had just left through. His brow was furrowed and his jaw strained. I rested my hand on his shoulder and gave it a little squeeze.

"Are you honestly surprised….?" I asked him, trying to get him to relax.

He turned and glanced up at me, his eye's conceding. Slowly he shook his head.

"No…." he admitted in defeat.

"Lets go to our room…" I encouraged.

He nodded his head over at my half eaten meal.

"Are you not going to finish that?" he asked concerned.

I smiled back at him and cupped his cheek, rubbing my thumb across it slowly and he closed his eye's briefly as I did so. I was well aware my touch could calm him.

"I think I'm ready for dessert …" I teased.

His eye's flashed open and darkened on mine. He sighed before a crooked grin started to tug on the edge of his lips.

"If you insist…." he smiled back.

I smiled widely in response.

Edward stood and took my hand in his, ready to lead me upstairs he began walking but stopped suddenly when his cell started ringing.

He pulled it from his pocket and glanced at it.

I frowned when I saw his face change. His mouth fell open and his brows knitted together in confusion. He looked completely shocked. He glanced up at me and his eye's were wide and thoroughly perplexed.

"What!?" I asked not understanding. "Who is it?"

He stared down at the cell vibrating in his hand and shook his head questioningly.

"It's Evan?" he gasped.

*********************************

Authors Note

Okay, I know its been ages again. But I'm having virus problems with my PC so I couldn't update.

Big massive thank you for all the reviews. You guys are great. Please keep them coming.

Hope you liked this chapter despite the lack of smut…lol but don't worry, I will make it up to you.

Pixie