The sun was setting in the sky, painting the world in a range of oranges and pinks. Edward Cullen was watching it, his eyes lost in thought. He had been thinking a lot lately about the woman he loved. He wanted to do whatever he could to make her happy. Suddenly, there was a rustling in the bushes behind him. Edward turned around quickly, ready to face whatever danger was lurking there. But instead of a dangerous animal or intruder, he saw only Bella walking towards him, a smile on her face. "Hey," she said softly as she came up to him. "I saw you sitting here all alone and I thought I'd come join you." He still hadn't been able to get used to her as a vampire, having known her mostly as that clumsy, rather shy girl from his biology class. But he had to admit that she looked even more beautiful now, her skin glowing in the moonlight and her hair a luxurious cascade of brown silk. Her eyes were a bright golden yellow, almost like the sun itself. A relief from the sinister crimson they had been when she had first been changed - a hungry, and undoubtedly feral look that he had never been able to forget.

He often wondered how he could have let a woman like her get away. How he had tormented himself for what seemed like an eternity after that bloody night. A dark, soul-consuming night that he could never undo. The sterility of the make-shift hospital that the study had been converted to, was a sharp contrast to the blood that had stained his hands, his clothes. Her pained cries, the way her body had shivered and trembled in his arms as he tried to save her. He should have known it was too late the moment he had seen her. The scent of copper and death that permeated the room, had clung to his skin like a leech. The weeks before had stretched out in an endless nightmare, anger, guilt and self-blame eating away at him. They hadn't been close during the pregnancy; he had been too wrapped up in his own grief to notice hers. He couldn't bear himself to look at her malnourished body, the way her bones stuck out and her skin was almost translucent - her belly a swollen reminder of what he had done. He hadn't felt like a father - it hadn't been a romantic and ecstatic experience, for he felt frozen and removed from the entire process. After all, how could a monster feel anything but disgust and loathing at the sight of his new-born daughter? Truthfully, he had. Setting his eyes upon the small bundle of warm flesh nestled in the mother's arms, he had been terrified but also resentful and cruel. He had often regarded the child as a thing, a grisly reminder of his failure to protect her. But hating Resnesmee had been harder than any other kind of hate he had ever experienced. He could hate the foetus, the Frankenstein-esque monster he pictured in his mind - but the girl with the small, delicate fingers, so full of life, even though she had only just been born, had made him feel a deep tenderness.

"What are you thinking of?" Bella's quiet voice broke through his thoughts. He blinked, startled out of the memory and back into reality. "You had this look in your eye, like you were somewhere else." She smiled softly and brushed her hand lightly against his cheek. He leaned into the touch, appreciating the contact. He turned away briefly, looking back at the sunset. It was beautiful. So beautiful, in fact, that he didn't want to spoil it by talking. Yet, Bella had always been the type to press for answers. She would not take no for an answer, especially if she was curious. He sighed slightly – though affectionately - knowing he had to say something.

It was a half-hearted reply, and he knew it. There was nothing to be gained by lying anymore. "Not much, only passing thoughts. I guess I'm just a little preoccupied." He moved closer to her and laid his arm around her shoulders. She rested her head against his chest, and he found it hard to believe that such a once gentle creature now had the strength to rip his throat out. He ran his hand through her hair gently, feeling the silky strands brush his skin.

"Well, what are these passing thoughts?" she asked, sounding amused; not yet offended, although she had every right to be. She had every right to be angry at him - to want to rearrange his face with her bare hands or tear off his limbs one by one and throw them into a furnace. It would have been his pleasure, in fact.

"I suppose I was wondering whether you were ever going to forgive me," he answered finally, still staring at the horizon. He heard her sigh heavily, and he felt her move slightly away from him. A rush of unease drifted through him and he looked down at her. She was looking at him, but there was a distance in her expression that troubled him. Her eyes - gold-flecked and luminous - stared blankly into his own.

"Forgive you?" she repeated, her tone guarded. "For what?"

He considered for a moment. Perhaps it wasn't the wisest course of action to tell her everything. Still, she had gone through enough pain already. But did she truly wish to hear the grisly truth? And what of his own conscience, which continued to gnaw away at him? What good would it do to reveal all of this now, to add more anguish to an already unbearable situation? Would the knowledge help her, or just cause her to hate him all the more? "For my betrayal," he said at last, with some hesitation.

She raised an eyebrow, not quite believing him. "Betrayal?" she echoed cautiously. "Of whom? Me? Or someone else? Are you saying that...?" Her words trailed off like a tedious song that he had heard too many times. Her eyes remained fixed on his face, and he could feel her gaze burning into him. His face remained expressionless and his eyes were cold, unblinking.

"Of you," he said simply. The words seemed to take a while to sink in. He saw the shock flash across her features briefly before being replaced with anger. Her skin flushed angrily as she sat up straight and glared at him.

"Bella. . . " His voice was pleading as he reached out for her; but she jostled his hand away. Rejection. Dismissal. He shrunk back and deflated from this sudden effusion of rage, and he regretted his words. Deeply, supremely.

Authors Note: I am back in the Twilight Universe after taking a break between finishing up with college related things and working on some creative projects. Since Midnight Sun was published I had become very interested in Edward and Bella's relationship, so I am excited to start writing this. I don't think it will be very long, just a very small exploration of their life together as vampires. Thanks! ;-D

I also enjoy roleplaying on the side and collaborating on stories. Please email me, visit my tumblr or send me a discord friend request if you want to discuss anything like that or just want to chat about my writing.

Gmail: roleplayaubrey
Discord: CalmBeforeTheStorm#4517
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