Chapter 31

As the weeks passed, Bella continued to soak up all Carlisle and Edward had to offer her. They were both incredibly patient with her and were excellent tutors. She enjoyed listening to them tell stories about their pasts and what life was like hundreds of years ago.

She learned a lot about Edward's mother too. She was a human, which Bella already knew. Her and Carlisle were together many years before they had Edward. He was planned, a gift from the universe Carlisle stated. She died a month after Edward was born in a car accident. Carlisle wasn't with her so he never had the chance to save her. Edward had been in the accident as well, but he didn't have a scratch on him. A miracle Carlisle attributed to his shield knot tattoo.

Edward didn't have as much history as Carlisle but he was still able to regale countless tales from his time on Earth. The places he and Carlisle had travelled to were incredible. To see so much, Bella could only imagine how it changed one's world view. He told her stories about Grammar School in England and how he frequently was on the painful end of corporal punishment and when he spent time away from Carlisle at a boarding school in the US during the 1950's.

"DNA was discovered, King George VI died, Queen Elizabeth was coronated, the Vietnam War began, and the Soviet's launched Sputnik. It was quite the decade."

"How old were you?"

"I'd celebrated my 37th human birthday on the same day as the Soviet's launch."

"37th birthday?"

Swallowing deeply, Edward explained. "I was born on May 5th, 1920. So, in 1957 on that day, I was 37 human years."

"Why do you say it like that, human years?"

"Half elves age slowly. Not a slowly as full blood elves but not as quickly as humans. It's the same reason why I will live to 300. I have genes from both my mother and my father so my genetic makeup is different to both species. I'm a mix."

"So physically you're 100 years old."

"Yes, physically I've been alive for 100 years. But mentally and developmentally, I would estimate my age to be between 17 and 20. I age slower than humans which means I have taken longer to mature. Especially in the formative years. Rate of aging increases as you grow older."

Bella smiled, coming to a sudden realization. "How long was puberty for you then?"

Edward groaned, running his hand through his hair. "Humans think they have it bad. I went through it for 15 years."

Bella tried not to smile too much at his misfortune.

"It's why I'm so awkward and shy sometimes." Edward went on to explain. "It only recently started to calm down, until at least I-"

"Until what?" Bella asked after Edward stopped abruptly.

"Nothing, it doesn't matter."

"I think it does, what were you going to say?"

Edward shook his head.

"Carlisle will tell me." Bella insisted, standing up in an attempted to find Carlisle.

"Sit down woman." Edward demanded, softly yanking her arm to make her sit down again. Running his hands through his hair he let out a huff. "I was going to say that it started to calm down until I met you."

Bella was speechless.

"When I saw you that first day in class it was like my body woke up. Like it found its other half and it was trying to crawl out of me to be reunited with you."

"Like soul mates?"

"Elves… when we find someone to love…" Edward trialed off, trying to find the words. "It's permanent." He finished, not looking Bella in the eye.

"And you found that with…"

"You." Edward stated. "Yes, with you."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I know how it seems, like I'm not given a choice. And I didn't want you to think that was the only reason I was with you. The universe has deemed you my perfect match in every way. And the same for you. We were made to complete each other."

"I never believed in soul mates." Bella insisted, much to Edward's chagrin. "But meeting you…"

"Yes?" Edward asked hopefully.

"I've been convinced otherwise." She whispered.

"Truly?"

Bella nodded.

Edward suddenly stood, pulling Bella with him and his lips meeting her in a heart stopping kiss. For a long moment the pair basked in the others presence, the feel of their bodies pressed together. Fusing them into one spirit. With heaving chests, they broke apart. Their eyes unable to look away from each other. Edward gently brought his forehead to Bella's. Relishing in the knowledge that she knew everything about him. Everything that counted at least.