Disclaimer: I don't own anything recognizable, just this story plot/prompt idea. Thanks!

"Random Subject Prompts"

Chapter 079: Edward Cullen

Book Series: Twilight

Prompt: Piano

Chapter Warning(s): Rated T for mentions of minor character deaths, blood, and some violence

Author's Note: In this prompt, Kagome has never time traveled and is not a priestess. She is a completely normal human.

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Chicago, 1916

A fifteen-year-old Edward Anthony Masen bounced up from his seat the moment the doorbell rang, signaling a visitor to the home's occupants. A boyish smile painted across his face, green eyes sparking with life, he eagerly answered the summons with the enthusiasm of a child on Christmas morning. He even ignored the way his mother, Elizabeth Masen, chuckled at his actions when he would normally scowl with embarrassment.

"Kagome," he greeted, swinging the door open with enough force to almost take it off of its hinges. The beginnings of a charming smile curved his lips upward. "You're late."

The nineteen-year-old Asian beauty smiled. "Hey, Tony," she greeted back, using the nickname he'd insisted on since he shared the same name as his father. As emotionally distant as the two were, the last thing the younger Masen wanted was to be compared to his sire.

It was especially true when it came to this particular young woman, Kagome Higurashi.

"I'm less than five minutes late," she continued, unique blue eyes gleaming with mirth. "Are you so eager for your piano lesson?"

Tony rolled his eyes. "I'm so far advanced, do I really need these lessons anymore?" More than a little arrogance colored his tone.

Kagome slipped her coat off, exposing the simple dress she wore underneath. She raised a mocking brow at his words. "So, you don't need me to come here anymore? Since you don't need any more piano lessons and all? If that's the case, I should start looking for my next student."

Her words were clearly teasing, but the bronze haired young man still frowned deeply. Capturing her slim wrist, he easily tugged her further into the house and closer to the large instrument awaiting them.

"You're the only teacher who suits my skills," he semi-grumbled. A touch of pink colored his cheeks at the confession, his confusing feelings swirling within his chest. Kagome had been his piano teacher for almost two years, after he'd outgrown his last teacher because he had excelled so quickly in his studies. She was the only one who seemed capable of keeping up with his maturing mind, and he enjoyed the challenge she presented. She had a quick wit and never seemed to run out of things to teach him.

Kagome lightly laughed. "That's good to hear," she said. "You're my favorite student, after all. I would be sad if I couldn't see you anymore."

Tony stopped to briefly glance over his shoulder at the raven haired beauty. Softly, almost too soft to hear, he replied, "You'll always be able to see me, Kagome." Even after he became an accomplished pianist, he wouldn't stop seeing her. Although he was only fifteen, he could already recognize that she was the girl he would spend the rest of his life with.

I just need to convince her of the same.

He had a long road ahead of him, especially when it came to their age gap, but it was a journey he was looking forward to.

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Chicago, 1918

"You must do everything in your power. What others cannot do, that is what you must do for my Edward."

Those words had struck a chord within Dr. Carlisle Cullen. Elizabeth Masen had lost her husband in the first wave of the Spanish Influenza and had later contracted the illness herself not too long afterward. And yet, even as her body failed and she must have been in so much pain, her only concern had been for her seventeen-year-old son, Edward. Her sheer maternal love and devotion had moved Carlisle like nothing had ever done in centuries. He did the only thing he could:

He had granted the dying woman her last wish.

When Edward had been near death, Carlisle had snuck him out of the hospital and back to his home. There, he had gifted the younger man with a bite that would change his entire existence for all eternity.

A few days later and Edward awoke with blood-red eyes, fully recovered, and throat burning with a thirst that wouldn't be sated. He had awoken as a vampire.

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~One Week Later~

Eyes red from crying, Kagome entered her small apartment with drooped shoulders and a sense of helplessness. She had received word a few days ago that Elizabeth and Edward "Tony" Masen had passed from the virus that had been spreading like wildfire. She had wanted to visit their bodies to give them a proper farewell, but had been denied since they had been infected and the hospital had to follow all safety measures to prevent further infection. She couldn't even arrange for them to be properly buried.

Dr. Carlisle Cullen had been sympathetic and very kind, though she had a feeling he was keeping something from her, especially when she inquired about Tony. The handsome doctor had assured her that everything was being taken care of. But there was something about him that she couldn't fully trust.

Sighing, Kagome closed the door and slipped her coat off. The Masen family had done so much for her. While she hadn't interacted a lot with the patriarch because of his busy work schedule as a lawyer, she had grown close with both Elizabeth and Tony. The Masen matriarch was a lovely and kind woman, and her son had been a charming young man with a bright future. Kagome knew she would mourn their loss for the rest of her life.

Before the raven haired beauty could switch on the light, she froze as a shadow within her apartment seemed to move on its own. Blue eyes widened with fright at the thought of an intruder and she opened her mouth in preparation of a scream to alert her neighbors.

Suddenly, a gloved hand covered her mouth, cutting off any sound from escaping. The action was a lot faster than it should have been, and a shot of fear shivered up and down her spine. Was this how she was going to die? From a burglary? She started to struggle, hands balling into fists as she tried to strike the one holding her. If she was going to meet her end, she would at least go down fighting.

"Kagome, stop it," a familiar voice hissed.

She instantly froze, disbelief entering her eyes as she tried to see through the darkness. No, her mind whispered. No, it couldn't be…

Her light was switched on in the next second, and she had to blink rapidly to clear her vision from the abrupt stimulation. But it only took a couple of blinks before her gaze connected with dark red pupils. What?

He definitely appeared to be the supposedly-deceased Edward Anthony Masen. And yet something was… different… about him, too. He still had bronze colored hair. His facial features were still handsome, though now it seemed far more pronounced, almost enhanced in a way. His skin was paler than she remembered. And why did the hand still covering my mouth feel ice cold?

But his eyes… His eyes were no longer a lively green, but… Red. Blood red…

Something was wrong. He wasn't the same Tony she was familiar with.

Tony finally removed his hand from her mouth, brows furrowing with a look of confusion on his face. He had awoken as a vampire and with the ability to read minds. Carlisle had given him some basic information about his new life and had explained that certain traits carried over with the change. During his human life, he had been good at reading people, so it stood to reason that he would be able to read minds as a vampire.

But Kagome… He couldn't read Kagome's mind. There was a mental shield that blocked him from accessing her thoughts. It puzzled him. To some extent, it also frustrated him. He had always wondered what she'd thought of him. How she felt about him. Did she imagine a future with him, like he did with her? Did she ever fantasize about being married and starting a family?

Did she even love him?

"T-Tony?" Kagome tentatively whispered, unsure and still shaking from fright. Her eyes had yet to move away from his person. Like a lamb staring at a lion about to devour her.

He had to grit his teeth at the stray comparison. Her sweet scent was enough to bring him to the edge. He didn't need to start making food references. He could already feel the venom pooling in his mouth, his hunger starting to swallow his every thought.

Perhaps Carlisle had been right. The older vampire had warned that it was far too soon for Tony to be out on his own. His control was unstable and his throat constantly burned with the need to feed on blood. It was a miracle he had arrived to Kagome's apartment without feasting on the multiple humans he had passed along the way.

But he had desperately wanted to see her.

"T-Tony?" Her voice brought him out of his musings. "How are you…? I thought…?"

He smiled, trying to put her at ease with the situation. He even let her escape his hold to feel more secure. It was all an illusion, of course. He was faster than she was. Stronger. He could recapture her whenever he wished. But if she wanted, he would let her believe she was in control.

"You thought I was dead, right? I'm not."

"I can see that," she softly muttered in disbelief. "But I don't… I don't understand. I went to the hospital. I spoke to Dr. Cullen…" Panic was beginning to spark within her eyes. A sense of being trapped with a predator rushed through her veins. She needed to get away. She needed to get away from him. "He said you were dead."

"There's a lot I need to explain, Kagome. Starting with Carlisle. Let's sit down and talk."

"I don't want to sit down," she protested. She backed further away from the young man who had become a stranger to her. "In fact, I think you need to leave. Right now. Please just leave." This was too much. Her mind and senses were being overwhelmed. She felt like she was drowning. It was suddenly very hard to breathe. Was the room getting warmer?

She wasn't understanding. She wasn't listening.

Tony swallowed thickly. Her body language said she was going to bolt at any second. He didn't need his mind reading abilities to realize that. His animalistic instincts positively howled at the thought of a good chase. He had to make her understand. It was the only way. She had to understand.

"Kagome…"

"I mean it." Her voice was starting to rise, the pitch high and frightened. Fear clouded her sweet scent, adding an intoxicating flavor in the air. Tony couldn't help but breathe it in. Unknowingly, he eyes turned black with hunger. "Leave, Tony."

When she made a move to escape him, he growled loud enough to startle her into freezing. She stared at him with large, uncertain eyes.

"Don't," he warned, "Don't run. If you do, I'll chase after you." He wouldn't be able to stop himself. He wasn't human anymore. He was a vampire. A predator. His instincts would take over before he would be able to control himself. He didn't have that level of endurance yet.

Carlisle had been right. He wasn't ready to walk amongst the humans again. He should've waited a little longer before approaching Kagome. Now she was in danger.

Despite his warning, Kagome ran.

She was quick on her feet, he admitted. But he was faster. His mind was clouded with the need to hunt. To capture. To subdue his prey.

Kagome had managed to make it into her bedroom, the door almost closing in his face, but he halted the wooden barrier with a firm grip. He wrenched the door from her grasp and, with a cry, she tried backing further into the room to find another obstacle to place between them.

He grabbed her arm with a lightning-fast move and tossed the raven haired beauty onto her mattress. She gasped as she hit the bouncy surface, instantly scrambling to regain her balance and run towards the door.

Tony was suddenly over her, his bigger, stronger body caging her in and surrounding her. Her unique blue eyes were drenched with tears, the orbs glazed with fear and despair. She started struggling anew, her mouth opening with the beginnings of a scream. In response, he used a gloved hand to silence her again.

If his heart still beat, he knew it would be racing with the amount of adrenaline pumping through his system. He was nearly panting like a rabid animal, his eyes locked on the smooth column of her neck, knowing exactly what laid beneath the surface. All he had to do was lean down and he could quench his never ending thirst.

Just one bite…

Flinching, Kagome squeezed her eyes closed for the inevitable. The hand covering her mouth suppressed the sob that wanted to escape, tears leaking from her eyes as she mentally braced herself for the worst. The image she'd always had of Tony – sweet, charming Tony – was shattered.

And then pain erupted from the crook of her neck as the bronze haired male struck, his sharp teeth embedding themselves within her flesh. Blood gushed, the liquid almost too hot as it spilled from the grievous wound. The scent of copper invaded her nose, rusty and overly sweet.

Kagome choked, vision blurring as her life was literally sucked out of her. The last thing she remembered was her body going limp and the room darkening as she lost consciousness.

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Head in his hands, body rocking back and forth in a pseudo attempt at comfort, Tony sat in Kagome's living room. Carlisle was in the bedroom where the raven haired beauty was still located as the blonde doctor did his assessment.

He'd done that. He'd hurt the one person he hadn't wanted to. Now her blood would forever remain on his hands.

When he had finally snapped out of his bloodlust, the body beneath his had been too still. Her breathing had been shallow, and her heart had only briefly fluttered within her chest. Tony had panicked and immediately contacted Carlisle to help him. The blonde doctor had escorted him to his current seat while he tried his best to save Kagome.

Tony's head lifted when Carlisle exited the bedroom, his hands covered in dried blood. By the expression on his face alone, the younger vampire didn't need to read his mind to know Kagome's fate.

"No," he mourned, closing his eyes tightly. He didn't want to hear it. He didn't want to hear that he had killed an innocent. Not her. Please, not her.

"I'm sorry, Edward," Carlisle said, staring sadly at the young man. "I did everything I could. There was just… There was just too much blood loss. Not even our venom would be able to save her. I'm very sorry."

Without a word, the bronze haired male stood and slowly walked back into the bedroom. He silently closed the door. Sitting beside the raven haired beauty, memories of their time together flooded his mind.

Their first piano lesson.

The way she had congratulated him when he successfully played a piece without flaw.

The way her hands gracefully played the piano they had both loved.

Her laugh.

Her unique blue eyes.

Her quick wit and kind personality.

The way she smiled at him for the very first time.

Tony gently brushed her hair away from her face, tucking the strands behind her ear. All of those memories would remain just that – memories. It was the only way he could remember her. She was gone, and it was his entire fault. He would have to live with his mistake for the rest of his existence. But he would bear it without complaint.

It would be his penance and his way of honoring Kagome.

"Goodbye, Kagome," he solemnly whispered.

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~A Few Days Later~

In the silent, abandoned apartment, blood-red eyes shot open as Kagome gasped in a desperate breath of air. Her hands automatically clawed at her neck, the painful burning the only thing on her mind.

She was thirsty. She was very, very thirsty…

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Columbus, 1927

Like any teenager, Edward had entered his rebellious phase a few years after following Carlisle and gaining a new maternal figure, Esme. Although the woman would never replace his biological mother, he had felt a connection with the newly turned vampire. Her ability to deeply love and her unwavering compassion were qualities he could still appreciate and accept since she gave it so willingly.

It had certainly helped to soothe the constant ache in his chest when his thoughts would inevitably wander to memories of Kagome.

Edward shook his head, clearing his mind of the raven haired beauty. He couldn't afford to be distracted. He had a goal to accomplish and he was determined to see it through.

With the cover of night and a dark alley, the bronze haired male easily found his prey. Charles Evenson had been Esme's abusive ex-husband. More than anything, the man deserved to die for all of the harm he had caused his late-wife. It made Edward's blood boil every time he thought about the man who got away with beating Esme for no other reason than because he could and because it made him feel powerful.

With the reflexes of a mountain lion, Edward pounced the moment Evenson came within reach. He dragged the other man deeper into the shadows, and his teeth were sinking into his neck before a sound could escape.

Blood rushed across his tongue, and Edward drank and drank until nothing remained.

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After hiding the body, Edward casually fixed his wrinkled coat and pulled his hat further down to hide his features from anyone who happened to be passing nearby. As he was exiting the alley, a hauntingly familiar voice stopped him completely in his tracks.

"It's been a few years since we last saw each other, hasn't it?"

No, his mind immediately rejected. No, it couldn't be… She was gone. Dead. Murdered by his very own hands.

And yet when Edward looked up, focusing his gaze onto the petite young woman, he felt like he'd been sucker-punched in the stomach.

"Kagome," he said in disbelief.

It was definitely her. He would never mistake the raven colored tresses, the slim figure. The near-angelic features. But there were alarming differences between the Asian beauty who stood before him now compared to the one he knew before being turned into a vampire.

Her skin was unnaturally pale. The way she stood was predatory, watchful. Guarded. The way she dressed was different too. Before, she'd worn simple dresses and a long coat. Now, she wore a fitted skirt that ended right above her knees with a blouse that exposed a hint of cleavage. The coat she wore looked cropped, and the boots on her feet were obviously made from sturdy leather.

The most startling change were her eyes. What used to be a unique blue were a bloody crimson that Edward had grown too familiar with over the years.

The woman who stood before him was no longer a human. Kagome was a vampire. Like him.

What have I done?

Kagome cocked her head to the side, like a curious puppy. The smirk that curved her lips upward was mocking and almost cruel. "Aren't you happy to see me?" she playfully asked. "I've missed you… Tony."

In response, all Edward could do was continue to stare.

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Eventually, the pair had moved their impromptu reunion to the apartment that Kagome was renting. It was in a quiet neighborhood, where no one would invade the privacy of another resident. No questions would be asked. No one would notice if someone simply left. It was the perfect hideout for a vampire.

Edward cautiously looked around. He noticed how the curtains were heavy and blocked any form of light from breaching her little haven. The furniture was sparse, not that she needed it anymore, but it was clean and nothing appeared out of place. He didn't see any knickknacks or anything that gave away the personality of the occupant. It was… sterile.

Kagome walked on silent feet, taking a seat on the couch. The way she stared at him was deep and seeking, like she was searching for something hidden within his being. He didn't know what she was looking for, but he hoped she found it.

"Kagome," he started, but she easily cut him off.

"I'm curious. What name are you using now? I've spent enough time in this area to have noticed someone mentioning a Tony Masen."

"Edward. Edward Cullen."

Something flashed within her crimson gaze, a spark of familiarity. "Cullen? Like Dr. Carlisle Cullen?"

He nodded. "Yes. Carlisle is my adoptive father," he answered. His gaze turned solemn in the next second. "He was also the one who turned me."

"I see." A corner of her lips kicked up, as if amused by something. "I had always thought something wasn't quite right about him. Now I know what it was. He's a vampire, too."

Edward held her stare. "Kagome, how did you survive? Carlisle had checked you himself. He said you were dead." That moment had engraved itself in his mind for all eternity. He replayed it every night, when his thoughts would be at its most clouded. It had been the start of his rebellion.

It had been the start of his need to mete out justice, to punish those with the sickest – with the cruelest – intentions. He couldn't simply walk away when he could hear the darkest of thoughts.

"Yes, I suppose I did die that night," she murmured, eyes glazing with the memory. "And when I awoke, I was… alone."

The forlorn expression was too much to bear. The bronze haired male moved before his brain sent the proper signals to his feet. He was suddenly next to Kagome, his larger hands grasping hers pleadingly.

"I never," he swore, voice desperate for her to understand, "would have left you, Kagome. If I had even suspected you would come back…" He never would've left her side. He would've stayed until she woke up from her transformation. He would have been there for her.

She must have been so confused, his mind despaired. He remembered what it was like to wake up as a newly turned vampire. She must have been so scared. Back then, his mind had been consumed with hunger, with the need to feed on fresh blood. She must have been so desperate. Lonely. He was full of regret. He regretted so very much, especially when it concerned the raven haired beauty next to him.

I will never leave her again, no matter what.

"I know," she softly replied. Abruptly, it was as though Edward was seeing the young woman he had known as a human. Her eyes were unguarded, soft. Her facial features were no longer full of mockery. It was vulnerable. "It took a long time, but I eventually forgave you for doing… this… to me, and then leaving. I understood."

Edward squeezed her hands. "Thank you," he sincerely said. He would never take her forgiveness for granted. It would be a sentiment he would treasure for the rest of his life. He would treasure her for the rest of their existence. "Now that we're together again, I'll never leave you. I'll stay."

She closed her eyes, absorbing his words and letting it soak into her being. "Thank you… Edward."

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London, 1928

Edward nonchalantly leaned against the wall, watching with vivid red eyes as his partner finished off her latest victim. His hat was pulled low, obscuring his handsome facial features, as he kept guard to make sure no one stumbled upon their current hunting ground.

He kept his promise to Kagome and now, a year later, they had traveled from Columbus to London. They planned to stay in Europe for a while, hunting criminals and others of the same ilk. From there, they didn't know where they would go but they had many options. The world was full of bad people, after all, and only society's worst were made into targets.

Their relationship, however, was at a standstill. Despite her forgiveness and understanding, they hadn't progressed anywhere near romantic. Edward had sworn he would stay with Kagome – and he would, in whatever capacity she deemed necessary. But he constantly wore his heart on his sleeve. She couldn't possibly be as oblivious as she came off as, right? She had to know he wanted more than just friendship or simple companionship.

It felt like they were back to the time they were still humans and Edward couldn't figure out if she was attracted to him or not. His mind reading abilities had grown, but he still couldn't hear even a whisper of her thoughts. It was frustrating.

Edward straightened after Kagome disposed of the body. "Finished?"

"All done," she confirmed, smiling quite happily. It wasn't surprising. Consuming human blood definitely gave them a type of buzz, not to mention a boost in strength. They just had to be cautious about their hunting frequency. Too many bodies and the locals started suspecting they had a serial killer on the loose. That would garner too much unwanted attention.

"Shall we head home then?" He tilted his head in the direction of their shared flat.

Kagome answered with a chipper, "Okay!"

A charming smile graced his handsome face as he held out a hand for her to take. The smile widened as she took it without hesitation, and he began leading the way home. And when he squeezed her fingers affectionately, hope bloomed within his chest when she returned the gesture a second later.

Perhaps she wasn't as oblivious as he had first thought.

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The melodic sound of the piano playing lured Kagome out of her room to the spacious area that had been strictly designated for music. It had been a special project she and Edward worked on together every time they moved and chose a new place to live. The room was an oasis of countless records, sheet music, and various instruments. Their personal favorite was the piano.

Kagome leaned against the door frame, crimson gaze locked on the bronze haired male. His back faced her, shoulders relaxed, as his hands lightly played across the keys. After reuniting, she had started his lessons again – not that he needed it. But it had been a way for them to reform a bond with each other, especially after Edward had left Kagome in a volatile situation and the years that followed had changed who they once were. It worked, and it now felt as if their relationship was back to where it had left off.

But I can see that he wants more.

She had thought long and hard about what she wanted. Did she want to pursue a romantic relationship with Edward? When they were still human, she hadn't felt anything but familial affection for the younger man. Now, things were so different. They weren't even human anymore.

And he had promised to stay with her.

As if sensing her thoughts, Edward glanced over his shoulder without stopping his piano playing. A half-smile, half-smirk crossed his handsome features. "What are you doing, Kagome? You're just standing there."

"I've never heard this piece before," she replied. "It's beautiful."

Edward paused. His features plainly displayed that he was debating what to say next. Finally, he admitted, "I wrote it… for you."

"For me?" she questioned, surprised. If her heart still beat, it would've started fluttering like butterfly wings.

"Is that so hard to believe?" He gestured with a hand for her to join him. "Want to listen to the rest?" The invitation was given in a hesitant voice. He was second guessing if he was doing the right thing. He didn't want to push her into a situation that made her uncomfortable. However, he wanted to silently convey his feelings for her. His heart. The lullaby was his confession.

Kagome approached slowly, shyly. A smile curved her lips. "I'd love to," she answered. She sat on the bench beside him. "Does it have a name?"

"Kagome's Lullaby."

She playfully nudged his shoulder. "That's a silly name." Warmth bloomed within her chest at his words. After all of the time they spent together, she should have known that he was a true romantic at heart.

Edward chuckled. "Maybe, but it is. It's your lullaby." Only yours. Like me.

"Play it for me."

He confidently positioned his hands over the keyboard once more, his fingers tickling the keys. The soft, sweet melody surrounded them, drawing them into a cocoon of warmth and comfort. The longer he played, the wider Kagome's smile grew across her beautiful features. He couldn't look away from the sight. For as long as he could remember, she had always enchanted him.

When the lullaby drew to an end, Edward turned his attention onto his companion. A boyish smile crossed his features. "Be honest. What did you think?" he asked.

"I have always known that you would be my best student," she answered, smiling brightly. Without thought, she placed a hand on his arm. "That was a beautiful song, Edward. I feel so honored that you composed it for me."

"You're good for my inspiration," he replied, smiling wider. He placed a hand on the one covering his arm, squeezing the appendage affectionately. "You have been my muse for a long time."

"Really?" Her cheeks were lightly pink with a blush. She was obviously embarrassed but flattered at the same time. "How long?"

"Since I was fifteen."

Their eyes connected. The air suddenly felt like it was sizzling with anticipation, the unknown. Want. Possibility. Desire. Expectation.

Kagome murmured, "That's a really long time." She bit her bottom lip, nervous about what would happen next. But she didn't move away. Didn't shy away from the moment. She wanted to know what he would do. Anticipated it. Instinctively, she knew the next few minutes would change her entire existence.

Edward gazed deeply into her eyes, looking into her very soul. "I've been in love with you for a very long time, so it's not surprising," he softly said, voice almost too low to hear even for a vampire.

"You're in love with me?" This is too unreal. She couldn't wrap her mind around his confession, couldn't fathom that he could love her – and for such a long time too. Even when he had believed that he'd killed her. His heart had remained faithful.

His smile took on an awkward edge, sheepish and a little embarrassed. "Why does all of this shock you, Kagome?" His brows furrowed thoughtfully. "If I could read your mind just once, I would want to know what you're thinking right now." Just a whisper of what her mind was racing through…

"I just can't wrap my mind around anything you said," she shyly admitted. "Besides, I like that you can't read my every thought. It's an invasion of privacy." Not to mention she would have been mortified on several occasions.

Edward chuckled. She always said the exact same thing whenever the topic of his mind reading abilities came up. However, this moment was too important to be sidetracked.

He squeezed the hand in his hold, staring directly into matching crimson orbs. "I want to know your thoughts. You know how I feel about you. How do you feel about me?" Not knowing kept him on the razor's edge. More than anything, he needed to know where their relationship stood.

Kagome was silent, her attention captivated by the bronze haired male. How did she feel about him? Did she love him the way he loved her? Or was it just a familial bond she felt? Should she take a chance with him?

Her answer came swiftly as her memories of Edward flashed through her mind. He had always been by her side. He had promised to stay with her. He always kept his word. His heart was solely in the palm of her hand. He would be forever faithful.

"I love you too, Edward," she said, a beaming smile starting to curve her lips upward. It was true. She could feel the fluttering emotion taking flight within her chest the moment those words passed her lips, could taste the utter truthfulness of her confession as she admitted it out loud for the world to bear witness to.

His answering smile was breathtaking. "I'm glad," was all he said before leaning forward. His mouth slanted across hers, his lips warm and confident as he kissed her breathless. Although they were vampires, therefore didn't need to actually breathe, the remembered sensation still made her dizzy.

Edward suddenly lifted her into his arms, bridal-style. She squeaked, crimson eyes snapping open to stare at him in surprise. The expression on his handsome features was serious, his gaze intent and filled with a solemn promise.

"No measure of time with you will be long enough, but we'll start with forever."

No other words were spoken as the bronze haired male carried his raven haired beauty to the nearest bedroom to consummate their newly established relationship as lovers.

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Rome, 1931

Her hands lightly tickled the piano keys even as her thoughts wandered and pondered the last year. Kagome could tell something was bothering Edward. It definitely wasn't their relationship. It was… active… to say the least. Sometimes it was like he was a man possessed. And since they didn't require sleep… A shiver of pleasure coursed down her spine as she remembered their last coupling. It had been so intense, so consuming, they had broken more than a few things.

No, it definitely had nothing to do with our relationship. It was different. She mostly noticed it because Edward had stopped feeding on the humans they hunted unless his eyes were black with hunger and he was practically starving.

Since she had never consumed anything except human blood, she felt like a glutton compared to him. But he always indulged her. He took her out hunting whenever she asked. Never hesitated to find her any amount of targets until she was satisfied. Always played lookout to make sure she stayed safe from any prying eyes. He never complained.

She softly hummed under her breath, unconsciously mimicking the tune she played.

Perhaps he felt guilty? But what did he have to feel guilty of?

Edward never targeted innocents. He had learned that harsh lesson when he'd attacked and almost killed her. It had been by some miracle she'd survived and had awoken as a vampire. It was an even bigger miracle that they had found each other again. What were the odds of them being in the same city, let alone the same state? And yet it was like destiny had led them to cross each other's paths. She had forgiven him. He had promised to stay with her. Now they were a happy, loving couple.

Maybe the guilt stemmed from taking lives?

She paused, hands freezing over the keys. Could that be it?

"That was a beautiful piece. Why did you stop?" Edward's smooth, velvety voice inquired from the doorway.

Kagome turned around on the bench, smiling at the bronze haired male. "I was just thinking about some things," she answered.

Edward raised a single brow. The smile that touched his face was curious and amused. "I'm always interested to hear what you're thinking about."

"Is something bothering you, Edward?" She got straight to the point.

He didn't try to misunderstand, knowing she wouldn't buy it.

Edward crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes gleaming with a contemplative look. "Are you happy, Kagome? With this life, I mean."

She answered with sincerity, "The moment you came back into my life, you have made me a little bit happier every day we spend together." She stopped then asked, "Are you happy, Edward? With this life?"

He cupped her cheek with his hand, thumb caressing the soft skin. "You are my life," he replied, smiling softly. "I've just been thinking… I've been thinking about Carlisle and Esme."

"Are they okay?" Concern bled into her voice, worried about the blonde doctor and his new wife. She had never met Esme, but she'd heard stories of the kind, maternal vampire from Edward.

Edward nodded in reassurance. "They're fine." He stared into her crimson orbs. "I want to formally introduce you to them. And… I want you to live a better life than we do now, Kagome. I love being with you, but I hate that we have to constantly move because of our diet." They could only safely stay in one area for a year or two before being forced to move to avoid suspicion. They couldn't afford to attract too much attention, especially from the local authorities. "I think it's time we returned home." On animal blood, they wouldn't have to move as often. They could stay in the same area for at least ten years, and they could be reunited with Carlisle and Esme. Edward knew that both would instantly love Kagome and vice versa. "What do you think?"

The raven haired beauty was silent for a few seconds before a smile graced her features. "That sounds wonderful, Edward," she answered. A soft, joyous giggle escaped. His eyes softened with adoration. "Let's go home." It sounded so nice, so welcoming and warm.

"Yes, let's go home."

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Celestial Law