Chapter Twenty

"Ugh, I'm gonna gain like ten pounds by the end of this. Say, do vampire lose that extra weight during the turning, or do I have to work if off before I become a vampire?" Bella half groaned as she asked, pushing herself against the vinyl booth, an empty plate in front of her. This diner food had been good and she was happy she had gotten the chance to try it. But she was incredibly stuffed.

Rosalie smirked at her from across the table, pretending to drink a cup of coffee that had long gone cold. "The transformation fixes up our flaws and our perfections. It touches on every aspect of our being. Our mind, our bodies, our emotions. And even if we get additional powers or not."

"Do you think I'll get additional powers?" Bella blinked; she hadn't considered this at all.

Rosalie twisted her lips up in contemplation. "I...I'm not sure. Everyone has different powers, based on their most outstanding human trait. Alice got visions because of being able to sort of glimpse them in her human life. Jasper can feel and manipulate emotions because as an army general he was really good at that. And I, I got a shitty power if you really think about it."

"What is it?"

"Enhanced beauty," Rosalie said with a shake of her head. "Vampires are already beautiful. I don't see why I needed the extra boost. But I suppose I didn't have a lot of redeeming qualities as a human so the venom had to make do."

"If that's how it works, then basically my power will be the ability to trip on anything and everything," Bella commented, not sure how she felt about this.

"I don't think so. Vampires are too graceful to do that. If anything you just won't have a power."

"I think I'd like one."

"You would?" Rosalie's brows rise up. "Why?"

"I know vampires are already super powerful, but if I had a power I could protect you better."

"That's sweet but not needed Bella. I don't intend to go around getting into trouble."

"I know. But I'm worried about the Volturi."

Rosalie reached over and placed a hand on Bella's, her voice soft. "We'll be fine. I promise. If they dare to hurt you I'll rip their heads right off."

Bella nodded her head, taking comfort in this. "Let's not think about the Volturi for now. I don't wanna get depressed."

"So, ready to go to our next destination?"

"I don't think I can move from this seat. You'll have to carry me out," Bella said, feeling way too heavy to get up right now.

"I'll gladly do that if you want."

Bella contemplates the idea of Rosalie carrying her out of here bridal style and then shakes her head no when she fears it might draw too much attention to them. "Just give me a second to digest. And then I'll be fine."

Rosalie agrees to it with a short nod of the head.

Rosalie looks out the window, while Bella studies her face. The planes of it, the elegant arch of her brows, the softness of her full lips, the lashes that flutter against her porcelain cheeks as she blinks. Perhaps Rosalie is more beautiful than a normal vampire. But what purpose would additional beauty have? Especially if Rosalie hasn't used it. If Bella had to choose a superpower for herself to have as a vampire, she'd choose fire. Now that would be cool. Fire was a vampires worst enemy and no one would dare mess with her or Rosalie, or the Cullen family if she had it.

"What are you thinking about?" Rosalie asks without lifting her eyes off of the window and the world outside.

"I was thinking I do have space for whatever dessert place you have in mind for us."

Rosalie turned and smiled at Bella. "Ice cream and shopping, it is." Rosalie pays the bill and the two of them leave. It's the second day of their road trip and Rosalie insists they get a hotel room along the way even though Bella insists against it. After yesterday's movie and then dinner date, they'd walked around town, hand in hand, looking at the local shops and for a hotel. But Bella hadn't wanted the vampire to spend money on one.

"Why not? I have more money than I know what to do with and I don't mind spending it on you," Rosalie had stated, confused by Bella's ardent refusal.

"Honestly, it seems kinda not necessary. We don't need to go to one every night just because I'm a human. I can sleep in the back of the car while you drive."

"That can't be comfortable."

"I don't mind. We humans aren't all that picky."

"What about your...human needs?" Rosalie phrased carefully.

"I've gone traveling by car before. I can find ways to brush my teeth and comb my hair. Besides, we can get a hotel room in the morning or something just for that."

"If you say so. But I truly don't mind paying for a hotel room for you every night."

"Yea, but we won't be really using it. And we're on the move pretty much all the time-"

"Seriously, Bella. It's fine. I barely care about money."

Bella gave a lopsided grin, giving in to Rosalie's argument. "Alright then."

Back in the present, they were walking hand in hand down a boardwalk. It was warmer in California than in the other states they'd been to, but Rosalie didn't take off her heavy coat. "Wanna look at the bookstore?" Bella asks when she sees one. It's all bright lights inside and she's excited. She loves a good book. Especially the older ones.

"Sure," Rosalie says. "I'll meet you there later. I think there was a dress that caught my eye about two stores ago."

"I won't be long," Bella says and they separate. Bella goes in, the bell twinkling above her head. She says she'd be quick but when it comes to perusing books she's lucky to leave the store within two hours. She takes her time, running her hands down the spines of books and breathing in that mixture of paper and ink in the air that every book store seems to have.

Rosalie comes in, taking longer than expected for a vampire to arrive back. She's also empty handed. "Didn't get the dress?" Bella inquires, sliding a book back into the shelf.

"Didn't have my size."

Bella scoffs. "Oh please, you're like the perfect size and figure."

"Am I?" Rosalie's voice turns into a seductive purr that has Bella's insides thrumming at the same frequency.

"Yes." Bella's agreement is nearly stifled by the heavy wooden shelves of the store. Rosalie wouldn't have heard her if she wasn't a vampire.

Rosalie's hand wraps around Bella's waist and she tugs her closer. "What book do you want? Scratch that, do you want the whole store? I'll get it for you."

Bella playfully shoves at Rosalie's shoulder. "I get it, you have money." She laughs and then pulls out a book from the shelf above her head. "Can I get this one?" she blinks up at Rosalie and bats her eyes.

"Of course, you silly girl," Rosalie murmurs affectionately.

They exit the store after the cashier rings the book up and wraps it. They resume their walk on the board walk. The evening has come and the air is crisp and cool. Other couples are walking as well, the lamps illuminating the street and making the atmosphere a bit romantic.

The sea splashes not too far away and it's crash and pull is relaxing. Bella finds Rosalie pulling them to a stop by the railing. She's digging something out of her pocket.

"I got you this," Rosalie said, holding out a small black box for Bella.

Bella took it, eyes going wide. She pops it open. It's a ring. When she looks up to Rosalie for clarification, the woman speaks.

"It's a promise ring. In that I promise to take care of you and love you," she said, hand coming up to tuck a strand of brown hair behind Bella's ear.

"Wow," Bella breathes out. It's silver and simple but beautiful, with small diamonds embedded into it. "Put it on me."

"Gladly." Rosalie takes the box out and slides the ring onto Bella's finger. It fits perfectly and Bella's heart is racing. She can suddenly see eternity with Rosalie by her side, stretching in front of her. She's so lucky to have a mate. To be blessed with having one. Tears prick at her eyes. Rosalie notices. "What's wrong?" she asks softly.

"I'm just...happy," Bella confessed, sniffling her tears back. She would not be a sap. She would not. "You make me happy."

Rosalie bumped her forehead against Bella's. "You make me happy too."

Bella laughs, taking Rosalie's hands in her own. She interlocks their fingers together and they stand there like that, staring into each other's eyes, holding their hands, just relishing being together.

"Oh, just drink her blood already!" a boisterous voice interrupts. They jump apart, Rosalie quickly shoving Bella behind her to protect her. Her eyes zero in on a man sitting on the bench behind them. They hadn't noticed him coming here.

"Who are you?" Rosalie snarls. She can't help it. She feels protective. She knows he's a vampire even if the comment didn't tip her off.

He smiles languidly up at them. He's sitting with his arms crossed behind his head. He's got on sweatpants, a white cotton t-shirt, a bomber jacket and a beanie. He's clearly dressed too lightly for this weather. And he's got shades on despite it being dark. "Just someone."

"Someone who should leave us alone," Rosalie threatens and Bella peers out from behind her, heart pounding in worry. Is this vampire Volturi? But no, he's not wearing the robes. Maybe one of their overseas minions then?

"Are you going to drink her blood or what? There's no need to be so romantic with the humans. They'll fall for our charms anyways."

Rosalie growls and takes a step forward. Bella pulls her back; Rosalie allows it. "Rosalie, don't."

His eyebrows rise over his sunglasses. "Oh, I get it. She knows what you are and she likes it. And you're," this sounds like a scathing accusation despite his easy going tone, "being sweet on her. I imagine the two of you think you're in love?" He lets out a bark of laughter.

Bella can see the way Rosalie's tensed up. Every muscle corded. "We should go," she whispers to Rosalie but of course the new vampire hears her.

"I don't think that's wise," and suddenly his easy going attitude is gone. He sits up, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets. Rosalie's eyes follow every last move of his. "You're on our territory now. And the leader gets to decide whether you get to leave or not, for daring to cross our lands."

"We didn't know!" Bella protests as from the shadows on the boardwalk, three more vampires melt out, all with sunglasses and bomber jackets on. Rosalie moves back, pressing Bella even more behind her. Her eyes dart from one vampire to the other, trying to calculate their chances.

"You're outnumbered, and unless you want your human getting hurt, you're coming with me," the vampire said, smiling crookedly.

Bella's heart sank like a stone.

Why did this have to happen?

A/N: Turns out I can't just only write fluff. Had to spice things up a bit.