Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in Twilight
Previously: "What do you think?" I asked Bella while driving back to Forks.
"Hmmm… I know I said earlier that I didn't want to get my hopes up but after meeting Barry, I feel like there's something I can finally hold on to" I could hear a relief in her voice. Even though I know that she chose to stay in this world with me, I can still sense her desire to go back and I understood her. If it was me, I would do the same.
"All we have to do is wait for news then". She looked at me and nodded.
I sat beside Bella's sleeping figure and watched her sleep peacefully. It was the day that we set as her birthday and I couldn't believe that it's been six months since she came into our lives. A lot of things have happened and a lot of things are still left to be uncovered but we were happy and I didn't want this happiness to end.
A strand of hair strayed in front of her sleeping face and I slowly tucked it away. The movement made her stir and she slowly started to blink.
"Happy birthday… to you" I started to sing softly and she grinned from ear to ear while trying to cover her face with her hands.
"It's not even officially my birthday" She cut off and she moved her body closer to me.
"You don't know that" I took her hand so that I could see her beautiful face and she was looking at me like I was the only thing that mattered in the world and it made me happy.
I kissed her fingers one by one and I could feel her closing her eyes.
"You know we got a lot of things prepared for you today" I smiled.
"It's a school day remember? I though you're supposed to be at school?" Bella argued.
"Carlisle's already got that covered" I smiled and Bella only raised her eyebrow.
"Can't we just spend the rest of the day here in bed?" She smiled mischievously and I had to grin.
"As much as I would love that, we have a long day ahead of us and Alice would be quite pissed if she won't be able to pull off this party because of us"
"Hmmm I don't mind" Bella raised her head so that her lips would be inches from mine and I closed my eyes to savor the burn of her scent and the nearness of her body.
"We don't want to be in Alice's bad side" I argued meekly.
"One kiss" She asked and the longing in her eyes makes me want to stay in Alice's bad side forever.
I pressed my lips softly and she welcomed me gently at first until her lips moved in a way that the monster inside me was fighting to burst. I held the headboard behind her for fear that my strength will get the best of me but my focus went back to her lips on mine and I never wanted this moment to end.
Crack!
The sound of wood breaking behind her brought us back to our senses and we stared at the broken bed frame with a smug on our faces.
"I'll take care of that after the party."
"Leave it be." Bella finally sat in bed. "I'm gonna take a shower and I'm going to take my time" I laughed at her delaying tactics.
Thirty minutes later, we were walking outside the cottage and in the opposite direction of the main house.
"I thought the party was inside?" She asked
"It is but the party won't be until the afternoon so we have the whole day to ourselves"
"Ow"
I held up my hand for her to take "Would you like to go to our favorite place?" Her face lit up and she nodded happily and took my hand.
"Wait, is this also part of Alice's plan?" She asked suspiciously.
"Of course. You know Alice."
"Well, this plan… I like"
"Good. Now, would you like to take the car to the meadow or would you like me to carry you there?" I asked.
"Hmmm, I do like being carried… but I think I have a better idea" She ran back to the cottage and five minutes later, she was clad in her workout clothes and a backpack in hand and I knew then what she wanted to do.
"Are you sure Bella? It is going to be a long run"
"That's why I have my change of clothes here in case I sweat and besides, I'm trying to keep in shape so I can keep up with the vampires." I laughed.
"All right but I'll follow your pace"
Bella walked up to me and kissed me in the cheeks "Don't worry about me" And with that, Bella just sprinted off towards the forest and I had to admire her enthusiasm as I dutifully followed behind.
Knowing that Bella would fall behind if I was at my full speed, I kept a slower pace but slower for a vampire was still faster for a human. Even then, I could see that Bella was indeed able to keep up.
It looked like her morning runs were paying off. She looked so natural running in the forest, easily dodging branches and sidestepping loose roots. At some point, I would catch her jumping from one rock to another. I couldn't help but feel that she won't feel out of place if she becomes a vampire.
I stopped that train of thought before it can go any further. That was not what I wanted for Bella and I'm going to make sure of that.
A few moments later, I could already see the break in the forest where the meadow was and I took off in full speed leaving Bella behind.
I stopped at the middle of the meadow to inspect the area and make sure that everything was in place and I waited.
She stopped at the edge of the meadow and I could hear her intake of breath. I smiled and gestured her forward.
I wanted so much to read her mind right now. I wanted to hear her reaction as she took in the site of the meadow, as she walked between rows of Freesia that were intentionally placed there. I wanted to marvel at her reaction at seeing the red cloth that was draped in the forest floor and the white Freesias that was carefully spread on top of it.
"Alice?" She asked and I nodded.
Bella placed her hand in my cheeks and her eyes shone with unshed tears of joy.
"It's…perfect" Was all she could say.
It was already late in the afternoon when we got back to the cottage. We came home early and Bella insisted on helping out with the last minute preparation. Carlisle was still at work at the hospital but will be home soon. Rosalie and Emmett was already on their way.
"Wow!" Bella exclaimed.
I can't believe that Alice really did make do with her promise to keep it simple. There wasn't much decoration except for the white balloons that were hanging from the ceiling in the living room. The center table was covered with a white cloth were a small cake was surrounded by cupcakes and Esme was already doing the final touches with three different dishes that she taught herself to cook now that there was a human in the house.
This was their idea of simple but it looked like Bella was actually loving it.
"Alice this is just too much!" She went over and hugged the little pixie from the back while Alice got down from placing the "Happy Birthday" banner cut-outs.
"Oh shush! I know you love it anyway" Alice beamed and Bella couldn't help but agree.
Jasper was sitting at the sofa with the last few balloons that he was blowing in a normally human pace and I looked at him questioningly.
Alice wanted to take the time and knew Bella would insist on helping out with some of the decorations. He shrugged and sure enough when Bella saw Jasper, she walked towards him and offered to help.
I could hear Jasper's discomfort with Bella's nearness but he didn't want to offend her.
"That's okay Bella. I'm almost done. Maybe you can help with the letters so Edward can hang it with the greeting sign" Jasper gestured to the letters on the table that spelled out Bella's name. There was a piece of cloth and some push pins and Bella knew what she needed to do.
While Bella worked with the letters, I went to the piano and started to fill the house with music, much to everyone's delight.
I closed my eyes and felt the music and the moment where soon, every one of my family will be together as we celebrate the life of my beloved. What else could go wrong?
"Esme! That smells delicious!"
"Whoops"
The smell of Bella's blood.
The monster inside me rumbles.
Then all hell broke loose.
I saw in Jasper's mind how Bella turned her head at the smell of food in the kitchen at the same moment that she pressed the pin on the paper but instead of the paper, it went to her finger.
Jasper, who was sitting at the couch beside Bella, with her wounded finger inches from a vampire who was still struggling for control since he joined the family.
I saw in his mind how Bella pulled the pin out and a small drop of blood fell on the floor and at the exact same moment, I watched, horrified, as a new future unfolded before me in Alice's vision.
"Jasper! No!" I didn't know if it was Alice or me who shouted but even with our vampire speed, we couldn't seem to stop the inevitable.
Somewhere, I heard a glass break and the smell of food all over the floor.
"Jasper! Please let go…" The voice was soft and pleading.
I could see Bella's palm pushing at Jasper's head while she was trying to get her other hand free from his grasp.
Why can't I get there on time?
What is she trying to do?
Bella braced herself then jumped and kicked Jasper as hard as she could causing Jasper to tumble backwards and the monster inside me roared when the smell of fresh blood filled the house. Jasper had clawed Bella's hand when he had tumbled, causing more blood to spill and for a chilling growl to be heard from a hungry vampire and the worst part was, I wasn't sure if that hungry vampire was Jasper, or me.
Jasper lunged towards Bella.
Esme, Alice and I, lunged towards Jasper.
All three of us fighting to control Jasper and our own thirst.
Bella fell back while clutching her injured arm and for the first time, I saw fear in her eyes.
"Edward…"
This is it. The moment that she walks away from this horror.
"My body is burning"
I wasn't sure if I understood what she meant. I looked at Jasper.
We needed to get him away from Bella. I'm not sure if Esme and Alice can stand the blood as well.
"Alice! We need to get him out of here!" It was proving to be a difficult task with Jasper being a stronger and skilled vampire than any of us.
"Edward!" My head snapped back to Bella with the urgency of her tone. She was struggling to stand up and she was staggering.
Heavy breathing. Rapid heart rate. I knew she was on shock
"Bella?"
She was shaking her head vigorously like she was trying to focus.
"Edward! My hand is burning! It won't stop! I can't stop it!" She cried frantically and I took a glance at her bleeding hand while trying to force the monster inside me from coming out. I could see the mark that Jasper's fingers made beneath the blood and then I saw it.
No, No, No, No, No…
"Edward! She's been bitten! The venom is starting to spread!" Alice panicked and her eyes started to glaze for another vision and Jasper saw that as an oppotunity to break free.
I was ready to block him from attacking Bella and then Carlisle arrived just in time and caught him mid-lunge.
"We got this son!"
"Carlisle! What do I do!" I was at a loss. I was standing there like a statue. I wanted so much to help Bella but I was afraid of my own monster.
"You have to suck the venom out of her bloodstream or else she will change!"
"I can't… I don't know if I can stop"
"Find the strength to stop! Hurry! Before it's too late!"
"Alice, Esme! Let's get Jasper away from here! Now!" Carlisle's voice sounded muffled as I turned around to face Bella who was now on her knees.
"Edward! Help!" Bella cried and I got down on my knees in front of her and took the hand where Jasper bit.
The moment my lips touched her skin, the monster rejoiced in triumph.
A/N: I'm sorry if it had to be Jasper to be the one to bite Bella :( I had to find an accident that was much more impacting than a paper cut. Especially when Bella was a stronger human so Jasper biting her was the best option. XD