Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight.
All plotlines, characterizations, and details in Eternally Intertwined belong to the author: Bronzehyperion. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without the author's authorization. ©2009-2010 Bronzehyperion. All rights reserved worldwide.
What happened previously.
"Never leave me again. I thought I'd lost you tonight. It kind of felt like I did."
Edward remained silent for a minute, burying his lips in my hair, taking a whiff.
"Promise me, Edward."
"Bella, I…"
"Lie to me, if you have to…"
"I promise, Bella."
"I'll never leave you again…"
This chapter is in Edward's POV
CHAPTER 34: THE HEART OF THE MATTER
My room was dark – apart from the moonlight casting shadows on the walls through the window - and quiet, apart from Bella's even, deep breathing and the low steady beating of her heart. She was fast asleep, which was good because she'd been through enough tonight. I had abandoned her twice and there was only so much worry and stress a human could take.
I had been surprised she had even wanted me at all, when I had found her, curled up on my sofa. But she did. For some reason she had yet to run from me.
I never wanted her to. I doubted she ever would.
We were both lying on my sofa which, I admitted, wasn't the most comfortable surface but after the night we both had, I didn't have the heart to carry Bella back to Alice's bed.
I didn't even want to for myself. I wasn't completely comfortable either since Bella was lying on top of me, subconsciously grinding me.
My cock was throbbing against the heat of her core. She was oblivious to this, but I had half a mind to wake her up so I could get some release.
I knew that would be wrong. I needed to make sure she got as much rest as she could.
I tried to shift but this backfired on me, as I rubbed myself against Bella's sex even further.
"Edward," she moaned.
Alright, maybe she was less asleep than she seemed. Her body seemed to be wide awake. My body definitely approved of that.
I really did want to wake her up and not just because my body was aching for it, my soul did too. I felt her love in that one word. My name. But I needed more. I needed to drown in her, fall apart with her.
Be one with her.
The night had been horrendous, to say the least. I mean, the entire ordeal with the sheriff may have been humorous up until the point he told me he was going to have to ask more questions about the situation at the carnival.
When he has asked me to accompany him to the police department in Port Angeles his mind had been solely focused on the disappearance of Angela. And the entire interrogation about Angela had not impressed me as much as it had felt like a huge waste of time. For him and me.
Of course, I had not been very smart about the way I had handled myself – I should have never ran into that bath room, without thinking... and the blood, wiping it on my shirt. It was plains stupid.
But mostly, leaving Bella there all alone. That was the purest of blasphemy.
"Edward," Bella whispered in the dark, her long tresses soft like silk against my neck and arm. I held her more tightly, pressing her against my chest. With my free arm I tugged the quilt around her firmly.
"Go back to sleep, my love," I whispered.
Bella raised her head a little and looked at me, her eyes drooping with sleepiness.
"Are you sure?" she wondered as she wiggled against my groin a little. "Because your body is telling me something else," she giggled as she rubbed against me.
"Bella," I groaned. "Please, you need rest."
Bella didn't agree. She lifted her head further and I could tell she was more awake now.
"I need you," she whispered. "You have no idea how worried I was."
I brushed two fingers against her cheek, leaving them tingling and her cheek flushing red.
"I am sorry, love. I am so sorry. I know it was inexcusable to leave you there."
Bella stared at me intently. Our eyes met and for the longest time – seconds, minutes, I could not be sure – I couldn't look away. I was drowning, in the most pleasurable, meaningful way, as was she. But there was something else there. She wasn't just staring, she was reading me. Deciding something.
I feared maybe she would be angry with me after all. I certainly deserved it.
Then she spoke, soft like a feather, a whisper in the darkness surrounding us.
"Make love to me."
My mind rejected her request only partially, but still instantly. It was the surprise of her request, the need I felt myself.
My body had other ideas and was very willing to give into her demand.
It was an inner debate to decide what was best – I wanted nothing more but to feel her heated body naked and close to mine – but she was human and she had been through a lot tonight. I wanted her to rest as well.
"Bella..."
She shook her head. "Don't say no. Not because you think I can't handle it physically or otherwise. I need you, you need me..."
"Make love to me..." she demanded.
She leaned in and brushed her lips against mine. First softly; coaxing me, it seemed.
And I was all too willing. I brushed back her hair and our lips became more urgent.
Bella nipped at my bottom lip while I opened her mouth with my tongue to slide it in.
"So good," Bella murmured. "I need you."
I needed her too. Psychically, emotionally. All of her; mind, body soul, love.
I moved my lips to her ear, nibbling a bit.
"I love you, Edward. You are everything..."
Her words made my dead heart swell. Bella loved me. Unconditionally.
"As I love you, love" I murmured in her ear.
She raised a little, straddling my lap now, indulging my cock to feel the heat of her core through the fabric of my jeans. Of course the indulgence was too much and I felt the strain in my crotch.
"Someone wants to come out and play," she whispered seductively, as she ran her hand over the bulging fabric
"Miss Swan, are you going to make me one of those offers," I groaned at the sensation of her touch.
She grabbed the hem of my shirt and pulled it over my head.
"The ones I know you won't refuse, you mean?" she asked with feigned innocence.
I nodded and lifted my hand to trace the outline of her breast through her tank top.
"Why yes, Mr. Cullen. I think I am," she practically purred.
"You are a very dangerous creature. Sinfully beautiful"
Bella smiled. "Not hearing any complaints, Mr. Cullen..."
With one swift move I pulled the red tank top over her head, revealing a white cotton, almost see through bra.
"Not complaining at all, Miss Swan..."
"No complaints whatsoever..."
"You like?" Bella teased.
I answered by placing a kiss on her sternum.
"You are simply exquisite," I whispered against her chest.
Her heart was pounding fiercely, pumping the blood in anticipation.
"I love you so much," I told her, as I slowly pulled at the straps of her bra. I went around her back to unclasp it, revealing her perfect breasts.
Her nipples, pink and soft, hardened as I brushed my finger against them.
"Mmm..." she moaned in response to my touch.
I leaned in to take one of her – now hardened – nipples in my mouth.
"Ooh, Edward..." Bella gasped.
My cock seemed to enjoy the idea of Bella moaning my name, though it felt the strain of my jeans and started to throb in protest.
Bella, still situated on my lap, definitely noticed this and forced my head back. "I think I need to help you with your pants," she murmured.
Before I could response, Bella was fidgeting with the zipper on my jeans.
"Let me," I breathed as her hands tried to get into my waistband.
I pulled off my jeans and socks, leaving Bella surprised.
I was going commando.
"Edward!"
I grinned. "Yes. I don't do underwear all the time," I teased.
"Now, let's get you out of yours." I grinned.
I lifted her a bit, while she slowly pushed down her girl-boxers.
And then we were both naked.
Now, it was strange for we had made love for the first time the night before. And here we were, without scruples, without shame.
Bare. Together.
"You are the most beautiful creature," I breathed as I leaned in to kiss her lips.
"You are being very complimentary."
"Not complimenting you. It's the truth," I murmured as I darted my tongue into her mouth. My hands slid down her shoulders, along her sides, cupping one breast and squeezing softly, while my other hand ran down her leg and then up again, until I found her inner thigh and brushed against her sex.
This caused Bella not only to moan, but also exert the desire to touch me, as her hand glided down my length.
"Bella," I hissed against her lips.
"You know what I thought about during the carnival?" Bella mumbled as she pulled away to look at me, while her hand never left my cock.
I pressed my lips against her jaw and then down to her nipple.
"I want to taste you, Edward," she moaned.
What? She wanted to taste me. Like...taste me?
I was inexperienced, that was a given. I was also no longer a virgin. But Bella's admission was surprising and threw me a little.
"You....really?" I nearly stammered.
"Don't look so surprised, Edward." Bella smiled as she pulled back.
"I want to make you happy," she spoke, as if it was the most normal thing in the world. As if I deserved nothing but the best. Which was strange after what I had put her through tonight. But I had no time to dwell on it.
Because before I could protest, she was shifting slightly and leaned down. I could feel her warm breath on my cock and I knew she was moments away from taking me into her mouth.
And then she did.
The moment her hot lips touched my tip, I groaned loudly
"Good God, Bella...."
Her eyes watched me intently through her long lashes and she had never looked braver, more beautiful.
Not because she was servicing me with her mouth, I was still stunned she did, but because she was beautiful, the light flush on her cheeks, her eyes full with desire.
Bella sucked lightly, causing me to buck my hips. I could feel her tongue against my shaft, moving from tip to base and back. After a few seconds and some getting used to, I was sure; she increased the pace and let more of my cock into her mouth.
I was about to fall apart at the seams. This was heaven. Her lips felt like silk against my cock, her tongue heated and teasing.
I knew it wasn't going to be long before I'd explode and I was certain I didn't want to do that in her mouth.
"Bella...this is so....love, this is so good....I am so close....please....so close," I grunted as I felt my cock twitching in her mouth.
"Bella, I am going to come. Please, love... I don't....so close...please move..."
Bella looked up, debating if she should go on.
"Bella please...I want to be inside you. I want you to feel good too..."
Bella pulled away, lifted her head and pressed her lips against mine. I tasted myself on her tongue and it made me desire her even more.
I pressed Bella down onto the sofa, securing the quilt around her a bit, so she wouldn't freeze. Not that it seemed entirely necessary, because her skin felt like it was on fire.
I spread her legs apart a bit with my knee as I hovered over her. I could taste her arousal in the air and the heat from her sex was coming off her in waves. I leaned in and kissed her, as the tip of my cock rubbed against her core.
"Oh....oh God," Bella moaned.
"I want to make you come, Bella." I spoke as I slowly pushed inside her.
"I want you to make me come, Edward" Bella mumbled incoherently.
Pushing myself inside her, feeling her heat, filling her up, was amazing.
When I was fully in, I stopped, watching Bella as her pupils were dilated, full with desire.
"Don't stop," she begged. "Please....don't stop."
"Are you alright loved? Not sore from last night?" I asked, my voice a little shaky, because my cock was throbbing inside Bella.
"Mmm, please. Please don't stop.... I want you so much," Bella moaned.
I pulled out slowly and then pushed back in again. Trying to find a steady rhythm.
"Feels so good," Bella whispered.
Her voice layered with her arousal and the impending release made me groan.
"What you do to me, love. You are perfect. I don't deserve you. I want you to come, I want you to be so happy," I murmured as I picked up some speed, pounding into her faster and with harder strokes.
"Edward!!! Faster, please....I am so close," Bella nearly screamed.
"Come for me, Bella. I want to see you in full ecstasy. I want you to forget about everything but us."
"Come for me Bella, come for me now..." I groaned as I pounded into her, close to release myself
"Edward, oh Edward...so close, I am coming...come with me, please....Edward... oh...Edward, Edward!!!"
I felt her core contract against my cock, her walls locking down around it, pushing my desire to the ultimate release inside her. Her heart was all over the place, as was her breathing. Her back was arched a little and small beads of sweat had formed on her forehead.
"Bella, I love you, I love you so much. You are the only one, forever!" I hissed as I came inside her and collapsed on her chest.
We lay there for a while, Bella softly stroking my hair as my head rested on her chest, while I listened to her heartbeat. Her heart was fluttering at first, but then it regained a steady rhythm. Somewhere, the faintest sound echoed and contrasted Bella's heartbeat. I had heard it before. It was a drumming, no louder than a soft tap on a flat surface. It wasn't steady like Bella's heart; it was fleeting and barely audible.
I knew my ears were deceiving me. I knew it sounded like another heartbeat in the room, but the impossibility of that made me think I was hearing Bella's heart like it was in stereo, like it was giving an echo. It was the only sound in the room next to our breathing.
"Edward," Bella spoke quietly as she continued to run her fingers through my hair.
She sounded hesitant, which made me wary. The last thing I wanted was to have hurt her.
"Yes, my love? Are you alright? I didn't hurt you, did I?"
Bella sighed and I could hear the smile in her voice as she spoke. "I am fine. More than fine. I am perfect."
"Are you certain?"
"Positive. Are you?"
"I am also perfect. When I am with you, nothing else matters. Nothing but you," I assured her.
"But what is it you wanted to ask me?" I wondered.
Bella remained silent and I lifted my head to see her face. There was a small wrinkle above her nose, a small crease like she was deep in thought. I reached to run my finger over it, wanting to smooth it out.
"Bella," I pressed. "What's wrong?"
"I…uh…it's embarrassing," she mumbled
"Please tell me. I am sure there is nothing to be embarrassed about," I coaxed.
"Well…did I…was I…good?"
I got up, gently pulling myself out of her, causing both of us to moan at the tingling sensation and the loss of contact. I grabbed the quilt and lifted Bella so she was resting in my arms. I put the quilt around her and pressed my lips against her forehead.
"You were amazing. You don't know what it means to me that you would want to please me like that. Bella, I have never loved anyone the way I love you. And I have never been intimate with anyone to the way I am with you."
"Which means you have no point of reference," Bella pointed out.
I smiled as I brushed against her cheek, which stained crimson under my touch. "Who needs a point of reference when you get perfection straight away?"
Bella snorted. "You are a hopeless romantic sometimes."
I grabbed her waist and tickled her sides. "Hopeless you say?"
Bella choked with laughter as she tried to push my hands away. "Yes, hopeless. My hopeless romantic."
I nodded and placed a kiss on her collarbone. "Yours indeed. Always remember that."
Bella smiled. "I will. I love you, Edward."
"I love you. Now, it's time for you to get some more sleep."
"I am not tired," Bella argued before you stifled a yawn.
"No?" I teased. "It seems your body is giving you away."
"Fine, I'll sleep a little. You will stay here, right?" she asked as she nuzzled her face in my neck.
"Nowhere else I'd rather be," I whispered as I kissed the top of her head.
I held her tightly, feeling her breath on my skin, heating me like the dancing flames of a fire. Her heartbeat became slower and her breath deeper. I thought she was already sleeping, when she suddenly spoke my name.
"Edward," Bella mumbled the need for sleep evident in her voice.
"Go to sleep, love. I won't go anywhere," I soothed her.
"I heard it again," she slurred.
I was puzzled as to what she meant. I wondered if maybe she was dreaming already.
"Heard what?"
"Your heart. I could hear it beating." She whispered before she fell silent.
I was stunned. Stunned that Bella had heard the same thing as I and even more stunned that she seemed convinced it had been my heart she had heard. Surely she had to be mistaken. My heart couldn't beat. No matter how much I wished it would function, pump blood around to make me feel as warm as Bella did, it simply wasn't possible.
I was an immortal; my heart was cold, dead. Like a stone trapped in my chest.
But then, I heard it. Bella heard it. And it wasn't the first either. Last night had been similar. It felt like ages ago since we had first made love, but the truth was it was no more than 24+ hours. And the same thing had happened then. My heart, only for a second had sounded like it was beating. Like I was alive.
Impossible. And yet…
As I lay there, listening to Bella's heart, the vocal point and most essential sound in my life, I made a mental note to discuss this with Carlisle.
There were plenty of things my family needed to talk about, this was just something to add to the list.
Like my brush with law enforcement tonight. The sheriff and Carlisle had agreed that no arrest was going to be made. That I had been a witness rather than a suspect and that I would be treated as such if Chief Swan – who was taking over the case as soon as he arrived back from Bellingham – should request to question me again.
This was bullshit of the biggest sort. The sheriff was playing nice to Carlisle and only because my father had threatened him. Before Carlisle had walked in, this man had been ready to throw me in jail, because there was suspicion I had hurt the principal's daughter, even though she hadn't reported a crime of assault against me and there had been witnesses at the scene. It had been the most bizarre questionnaire ever; I was sure. Definitely not within the boundaries of the law.
Carlisle, usually calm and cool had been firm and full of authority as he spoke with the sheriff. He demanded to have me released straight away and he had doled out quite the wrist slap by pointing out that I should not have been allowed to answer questions without a parental or law advisory present.
"You should have told him he had the right to refuse answering you. Edward is an accompanying boy, who answered your questions because he cares about Angela Weber being found as much as this entire community does. But what you did was unacceptable and I have half a mind to get my lawyer to work and file a lawsuit against the Clallam Sheriff department," Carlisle had threatened.
Carlisle didn't have a lawyer. Well, not one in the legal circuit. He knew some people with degrees in law, who could easily represent any of us, but they were more underground and for the sake of not exposing us, I knew Carlisle was only making idle threats.
The sheriff – bright red and huffing at Carlisle's threat – had no idea though and he had apologized profusely at the way he had operated this case. He had to apologize, because a lawsuit filed against him or the department would damage him and most certainly his job.
"Dr. Cullen, we simply brought your son in as a witness. We didn't mean for him to be branded as a suspect," he had stammered.
Carlisle, aware of how the sheriff had not just asked me about Angela, but about Sapphire Daggett and the carnival as well, played it tough.
"Is that correct? Then why was my son questioned about what happened to young Miss Daggett earlier? Was a complaint filed against him? Did she report him as the one who nearly assaulted her?" Carlisle had spat.
"If I recall correctly, my son saved her from whoever tried to harm her. But even without that fact, it was still very much a mistake to question him on something that hasn't been reported as a crime, nor has my son appointed as a suspect. How do you explain that?" He had continued before the sheriff had the chance to get a word in.
The sheriff had clearly been backed into a corner. This had pleased me, though it shouldn't have. Because it was not like Carlisle and I didn't know the real reason why I had been brought in, in the first place.
Principal Daggett.
The sheriff had never confirmed it, never admitted that it had been the latest addition to the Forks population who – for some reason had it in for me and perhaps my family too. But his silence and the way Daggett had been everywhere tonight – from Bella's house to the masquerade ball, to manipulating the sheriff into taking me to the police station - had said it all.
Eventually, after signing off papers and a supposed witness statement, Carlisle and I had left the police station but not before Carlisle had demanded no permanent record was filed in the name of Edward Cullen. He had threatened legal action again if such a thing would occur.
Technically I couldn't even have a record, since I had never committed a crime but Carlisle's reasoning – I had gathered from his thoughts – had been that he feared principal Daggett might try to manipulate the sheriff into filing a record anyway.
My father had hoped that he was more terrifying than Daggett by threatening legal action that could cost the sheriff his job.
"I am sorry, Carlisle." I had spoken as soon as his Mercedes had left the parking lot.
"You shouldn't have spoken to them, Edward. I know you meant well and that you want Angela found, but you should have waited for me to arrive."
"I know. I just thought that if I was honest and answered all his questions, I would be done with it. I know the logic may be flawed, but I figured, if I cooperate, that it would prevent the sheriff from digging into things. I wanted to limit the risk of exposure."
Carlisle had sighed and nodded in agreement. "I know you tried to protect the family and help Angela in the process. This entire thing is such a mess."
"The sheriff had no right to take me in," I had muttered, as I'd reached for my phone, desperate to call Bella.
"We need to talk about this. About what happened exactly,' Carlisle had pointed out.
"Let me call Bella first. I have been the worst boyfriend ever tonight. I left her alone twice. I would not be surprised if she will never speak to me again," I had sighed.
Carlisle has raised his eyebrow at my admission. "Bella loves you. She's been very worried. Do not underestimate her devotion," he had assured me.
That had caused me to roll my eyes. "If I recall, not so long ago you were the one who wasn't so certain of her devotion. Or mine. Remember?'
He had smiled at that. "I was wrong. I admit that. Bella is unique. One of a kind. And I doubt she is angry with you."
That had relieved me as I dialed Alice's number. I'd figured I would check with Alice first, because it was late and Bella could be asleep. Which had turned out to be the case as Alice picked up and explained Bella had been too tired to stay up, but was currently sleeping in my bedroom on the sofa, Alice had told me.
After the conversation ended and I had been convinced that Bella was fine, Carlisle had talked me into a small hunting session in the woods between Port Angeles and Forks.
"You are full of frustration, Edward, maybe you need to relieve some stress before facing Bella," he had reasoned.
I had not been able to argue with that. The last thing I needed was to be so wound up, that it would affect Bella. I did not want her to worry about me more than she probably already did. She didn't deserve that after what she had been though.
We'd hunted for a bit, until we had found a small set of rocks to sit on and enjoy – well sort of – the cool evening.
"What will we do about Daggett?" I had asked.
Carlisle was always rational, but as we had sat there, I could sense his apprehension. His thoughts too had given away that he was not certain about how we should deal with the principal.
"We do not know a lot about him," Carlisle had mused. "That makes it more difficult to deal with him."
"Is there anything to deal with, you think?" I had countered.
"He managed to corrupt a sheriff." Carlisle had pointed out.
"Well, yes. But the sheriff allowed himself to be corrupted. Daggett could have been simply worried about his daughter," I had pondered.
Carlisle had shaken his head. "I know you don't actually believe that. Even if he is worried about his daughter, the fact the sheriff went along with it, says enough."
"Plenty of police departments are sensitive to corruption." I had muttered.
"That's true. But the fact he showed up at Bella's house, knowing you were there…" Carlisle had told me. "He might have followed you Edward. Or Bella. We don't know how he knew you were there, but he did."
I hadn't been able to argue with that.
"What do we do now?" I had asked my father.
"We'll keep an eye on him. Do some digging. It would not hurt to be nice to his daughter though."
"You have an 'in' Edward. You saved her," Carlisle had pushed.
Carlisle had made his point. And yes, I did have an 'in' and I was quite certain Sapphire would gladly allow me to get to know her better. But I had shuddered at the idea of Carlisle's suggestion.
"I think maybe his daughter is just as strange and possibly dangerous as her father," I had admitted.
"How so?" Carlisle had asked, curious to what I meant.
"Her thoughts are possessive. Towards me. When she first arrived and I got a good glimpse of her mind, she basically claimed me as her own. She even thinks about wanting to take Bella's place," I had explained.
This had been new information to Carlisle but he didn't seem to think it to be as eerie as I did.
"You are a good looking young man. She might simply have a crush on you," he had shrugged.
Carlisle had been wrong. Sapphire didn't have a crush. She wanted to stake a claim, in the most disturbing way.
"I don't think that's it. But let's for argument's sake say it is. I don't think it would be the best idea to be friends with someone who has a crush on me. For both her as well as me."
"Perhaps," Carlisle had mused. "But right now you seem to be the only one who can keep an eye on her and her father and perhaps get to know them better."
"I don't want to," I had grumbled. "I don't trust Sapphire or her father and I don't want to make Bella feel uncomfortable."
He had let it rest after that, knowing there was no way he could reason with me. We had sat there for a little while longer, until it was past 1.30 AM and we had headed home.
"What do we do about La Push; the Quileutes?" I had asked when we reached the house and Carlisle parked the car. I had seen the silhouette of Esme, waiting on the front porch.
Her thoughts had been filled with relief and worry.
The wolves. Who had crashed the masquerade ball. One of their pack had tried to assault Sapphire.
"Looks like we have more than the Daggetts to keep an eye on," Carlisle had sighed.
"Let's have a family meeting in the morning," he had suggested after which he had left the car, going straight to Esme. He had scooped her up in his arms and that sight made me want to get to Bella that much faster. I had gotten out too, flitted past my parents – but not before Esme had patted my cheek and told me how much she had worried – and straight to my room, where I had found Bella, curled up under Alice's quilt, mumbling quietly about bikinis and me. The words, incoherent and senseless to me, had sparked an interest and I had made a mental note to ask her about it some other time.
I sighed as I lay here now; in my room on my sofa. Bella in my arms after we had made love. Remembering the aftermath of what had happened tonight.
What a mess things were. The only good thing right now, was Bella. Save, in my arms. I shuddered at the idea of anything coming between us.
I was not about to become friendly with Sapphire Daggett for the sake of unveiling her family secrets. Someone else was going to have to do that.
I was also not about to let Jacob and his friends come near Bella again, like they had tried tonight.
No one was ever going to harm Bella and no one was ever going to take Bella away.
I would hurt anyone who would come between Bella and me.
Morning came soon and I watched the sun rise, while Bella stayed curled on top of me, her face buried in the crook on my neck. Her breath tingled but it was a heavenly feeling, because it meant she was here and she was mine.
After a while I had contemplated getting up, but I didn't have the heart to wake her, so it wasn't until there was a soft knock on the door – Carlisle – that I had gently woken Bella up.
"Bella, love. Wake up. It's after 10.00 AM. Maybe you want to get dressed, have some breakfast and call your father," I coaxed softly as I pressed my lips to hers for a morning kiss.
Bella had struggled, turning her face away, which made me feel slightly rejected until she started ranting. "Don't Edward. Don't kiss me, I have morning breath and I don't want you to die because of the stench."
Relief washed over me and caused me to chuckle. "Sorry, Miss Swan. I am already dead, so no loss there. Besides you and your breath smell fine."
"Liar," she accused me, but then she pressed her lips to mine. "If I reek don't complain. You gave me permission."
We kissed for a bit, which naturally meant my entire body was now responding, leaving me with a hard-on or morning wood. Bella giggled at this and offered to take care of it, but I told her a shower would suffice because I knew once I'd get her in the shower, we'd never get out.
"I will get you in the shower some day, Edward Cullen," she teased.
"You already had me in the bath tub, Bella Swan," I teased her back.
"Semantics and details. I will get you in the shower, mark my words," she warned before she disappeared through the door to get ready in Alice's room and adjoining bathroom.
"I will hold you to that," I called after her and I heard her laugh as I made way to my own bathroom.
I got showered and dressed, and went down the stairs where I found Esme and Carlisle.
They looked worried.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Nothing," Esme soothed, but her thoughts gave her away.
He will not like this. He loves Bella so much. I don't know how he will take this.
"What? What's wrong with Bella?" I demanded. "What is going on?"
"It's alright. Let's just wait until Bella is ready," Carlisle spoke reassuringly.
His thoughts were just as vague as Esme's, which meant they were desperate to hide something from me.
"Carlisle. I can read minds, remember. I know you are repressing something," I growled.
Please, son. Give us a moment to explain.
"Explain what?" I bellowed. "Could someone please tell me what the hell is going on and what this has to do with Bella?"
"Edward," my father pointed. I turned to see Bella and Alice coming down the stairs, Alice's face blank, Bella's worried because of my outburst. Alice went to stand with Esme, while Bella came to my side.
I wrapped my arms around her waist, feeling calmer as I breathed in her scent.
"Bella, sweetheart," Carlisle started, "your father called a little earlier. He is at the police station. He's tired from the long drive, but he is fine. He wants to see you," Carlisle smiled warmly.
Bella gave him a small smile in return. "I want to see him too."
Charlie. The moment Carlisle spoke the words to Bella was the moment his real thoughts, unprotected and without a veil of protection from me, came through.
Charlie was demanding I'd be kept away from Bella. He had talked to Carlisle and…
Carlisle agreed.
"Good. I told him I'd take you as soon as you were up." Carlisle told her.
"Carlisle!" I hissed. "What are you doing?"
Bella flinched from my anger at first, which made me feel guilty immediately, but then she went to try and sooth me by rubbing my arm.
"Edward, I want to see my dad," she said.
"I know." I muttered. "But he" – I pointed at Carlisle "and your father have agreed that as soon as you go home you're not allowed to see me"
Bella's eyes widened. "What?"
She turned to Carlisle. "Is that true?"
"Yes. Given what has happened this weekend, your father thinks it is better that Edward stays away from you," he explained quietly.
"And you agreed?" Bella asked in surprise, echoing my thoughts.
"I had no choice. I was not about to go against your father's wishes. Now, gather your things so I can drive you to the police station," he said.
"But…but..." Bella was confused. "I can't…Edward can't. I need to be with Edward."
Esme smiled but it didn't reach her eyes. "Do what your father says, dear. I am sure it's only temporary."
"But a moment is even too long. I can't be without Edward," Bella cried as she wrapped herself around me.
"Edward,' Carlisle demanded.
Tell her to go with me. It is for her own good. You need not question Charlie's parental authority.
"What parental authority?" I countered aloud. "He wants to separate us. I can't let that happen. I won't."
I held Bella tightly and tried to wipe away her tears. "I won't let you go. Everything will be fine, nothing can separate us," I promised her.
"Don't be so dramatic. The Chief is pissed, he'll probably come around when Bella talks to him," Alice said. "This will only be for a short while"
"You've seen that?" Bella asked.
Alice's face went blank. Blank like when she didn't want to answer. Because she didn't have one. So I answered for her.
"No, she has no idea how long this would take. How long until Charlie will come around."
"Edward, Bella please. This is just temporary. Charlie is just worried about his daughter. Bella, you cannot blame him. And Edward, he would be a lousy father if he let his daughter around someone who was nearly arrested. He is the Chief of Police; he has to think about his reputation." Esme coaxed.
"I don't give a damn about his reputation. He wants to keep me away from the woman I love and you all approve," I spat.
Carlisle frowned.
Don't be difficult. You have your own family to think about too. This isn't Romeo and Juliet. This is the real world, Bella is a real girl and her father wants you to stay away. For now you are just going to accept that.
"Bella, please come with me. I am sure your father might be more reasonable after he has seen you. He is under a lot of stress. That's not good for his health."
"Now you are just manipulating her," I hissed.
But Bella seemed susceptible to this as she detached herself from my touch and gave me a weak smile. "Your father is right. I better listen and talk to Charlie. I am sure I can explain and he won't have a problem then."
She didn't sound convinced.
Alice handed her bag and she gave me a quick kiss on my cheek as she followed Carlisle out.
I stood there for a second, until I followed them out, calling after Bella.
"Bella!"
She turned to look at me. "I am sorry…" I said, defeated.
"For what?"
"For breaking my promise."
"What promise?"
"I promised I would never leave you again," I said grimly
Bella sighed and I could tell she was choking back tears.
"It's going to be okay, Edward."
She turned and got into the passenger seat.
"It has to be," she whispered.
There, some lemony stuff, some drama ;)
Someone asked about the timeline in the previous chapter. Jasper and Alice picked Bella up from her house and later Jasper was mentioned to be with Emmett and Rosalie. To clarify: Jasper was there when Alice picked Bella up at her house, but later, as Bella remembers that when she is at the Cullen house, Jasper is away with Rose and Emmett.
Hope that clears things up. The same happens in this chapter. The conversation between Edward and Carlisle and the police station scene take place before the lemons, but you read it after as Edward remembers it after the lemons, while Bella sleeps.
About the previous chapter and Edward's 'lie' He won't ever leave Bella willingly, but that doesn't mean he might not be forced to. Right now, Charlie is forbidding him to see her, so it's not his decision. Doesn't mean he won't try and circumvent it.
EI doesn't have the purpose of breaking Edward and Bella up. But no love comes without struggle and there will be plenty of hurdles along the way. Plenty of lemons and love too. I always refer back to the title. They are Eternally Intertwined. There's no doubt about it.
Charlie is an ass, but he is her father. It would be weird if he would allow her to keep seeing Edward without repercussions as to what happened at the police station. We'll find out how they deal with the separation in the next chapters.
Anyway, I am so happy with the ongoing support and thank everyone for that!
If you want to know when I update, have questions or wonder what other ridoinkulous things I babble about, you can follow me on twitter: twitter(dot)com(slash)bronzehyperion
This chapter is dedicated to my cyber-twin Ari, whose celebrating her birthday tomorrow! :) She is not the biggest fan of lemons, but she does love meringue pie ;) *Hugs from your annoying twin*