A.N.: WOW! Thank you, guys, SO much for your enthusiasm! I am so honored you guys liked the first chapter, so, as promised, here is the second one! I couldn't ask for better readers, so thanks guys! Please, keep reviewing... though I doubt it will beat last chapter!
I doubt you'll like this chapter... it's long and possibly boring, so I apologize in advance!
Another note on this chapter: It's very much unedited. I didn't have an editor-person because my sister is away visiting her boyfriend and so she couldn't check it! Even though she's never really read Twilight, she's really great at grammer, and I'm, well, not. So, this chapter is very...bleh! More on this later!
Disclaimer, because everyone has to have one: I'm fourteen! Do you really think I could possibly own Twilight?
There aren't enough words to describe just how wonderful Edward is, especially when out in the sunlight –without his shirt.
He looked amazing. His body was drenched in salt water from the lake that fell freely across him, lining his perfect body and high-lighting his already glistening marble skin. I struggled to take it all in, once again afraid that in any instant he could just disappear and become a rather played out figment of my imagination.
Without sign of hesitation, he pulled me toward him gently, holding me so close to his body, the scent of each salt water droplet mixing in with Edward's own luscious aroma. It was all the reassurance I needed -Edward was real. Edward was really real…
I wrapped my arms around him slowly, trying hard not to be too sudden. Sensing his approval, I moved my face against his flawless neck and kissed it softly. I heard him catch his breath.
"Edward?"
"Yes, Bella," he answered, his voice as sweet as a lullaby.
"Are you ok?"
"Very much so. I was just thinking right now. About what you said before." Carefully, he lifted my head upward until his eyes met mine. "I was wondering if you meant what you said, Bella."
"What did I say," I asked, instinctively.
"You don't remember?" I could tell by the intonation of his voice that he was slightly upset.
"Hey, you try dealing with a dazzling vampire intoxicating you every five seconds! It's enough to make you forget anything!" He frowned slightly, catching some of my russet hair between his fingers and twirling it effortlessly. I felt my heart jump in my chest.
"Bella, do you truly not remember what we talk about? Ever?" Edward's eyes seemed narrowed and pained. I immediately felt bad, seeing I had harmed him.
"No, Edward. It's not like that. You wouldn't believe me if I told you how much I think about what we talk about." He did not look convinced. "Trust me, Edward. I think of no one, but you. You should know that by now if you really hear me talk in my sleep."
He finally smiled.
"You dream about me, every night," he said, softly. It wasn't a question.
"I'm sure," I said, blushing under his beautiful stare.
"It makes me happy," he said, his eyes smiling at my own. "I'm sure you have no idea what's it like, but there is no sound I love more than hearing you say my name." My blush was a mile long by now.
"Ok, then. Edward!" He laughed and his smile grew wider.
"Well, I'm glad you remember my name."
I scoffed at him, looking away towards the dock.
"You know, I'd probably remember better if I was a vampire."
There was silence.
"Bella -"
"Forget it, Edward," I said swiftly. "I just thought you should know what I think about the most."
"You think about becoming one of us…the most?"
I turned back toward him, looking up at his angelic face. He sincerely looked surprised.
"I've said this before, you know," I said impatiently. "Now, who's the one not remembering?" He shook his head indignantly.
"Very funny, Bella."
"Well, are you going to answer me?"
"Yes," he replied. I looked at him expectantly, and he laughed.
"Edward!"
"All right," he said gently, still laughing slightly. "It's just what you want bothers me to no end. I guess I never knew that's what you think most about." He sighed, shaking his head slightly. "You want to know what I really think," he asked, slightly perturbed.
"I always do," I reminded him.
"I think you are completely and utterly insane, Bella Swan."
"Oh," I said, all witty words failing me.
"You never cease to amaze me," he said. I didn't know whether to take it as flattery or offense, but before I could decide, he continued. "And it's not just now."
"No?"
"No. Ever since I first met you, no, first saw you, I have been so unbelievably, so thoroughly confused, it baffles me just to think about it." He paused, gauging my expressionless face. "Your scent, your thoughts, and your mind –how do they work? And why do they affect me so?" I shrugged and he shook his head. "Why do I put myself near you, willingly, just to be tortured by your scent and mind time again and again?" He paused, looking deep into my eyes. "Why, Bella? Why do you think I do it?"
"Because you love me," I replied simply. I knew there could be no other reason.
"Yes," he admitted, his mouth breaking into his beautiful smile. "Yes. Because I love you, Bella." He took my hand and kissed it, causing a shock wave to course through my body.
"I knew it," I said, enthusiastically. He smiled.
"And now, look. I find that the only thing I cannot give you, is what you want the most." He looked sincerely pained now, his hand gaining strength on my own. I shook my head.
"Edward, I think you misunderstood." His features lightened slightly under my gaze. "What I said I wanted most, you're already giving me." His expression turned blank. "I just want eternity with you –even if that means staying human."
He smiled as he kissed my hand again. His perfect lips felt cold against my skin, but it felt so good, I knew I could have it no other way.
"As long as you want me," he whispered.
"That's another thing," I said, rather loudly compared to his gentle whisper.
"What's another thing?"
"What about you? I mean, we both know I'm going to die eventually, and –
"Bella, we discussed this before."
"Listen, Edward," I pleaded. "When I die, and I will die," I added, against his disapproving look, "but when I die, wouldn't all your striving and perseverance go to waste once I'm gone?"
"No," he said, increasing his hold on me. "It's the very reason I'm able to hold you like this, Bella. And I like it. I couldn't stand not being able to touch you." Bella smiled.
"Then, what are you waiting for, Edward? We've come so far. Think with me for a minute –what are we really striving toward?"
Edward held his head in exasperation. "Bella, I hate talking about this."
"Really," I said, truthfully. I find it rather enlightening." Edward smiled, nearly stopping my heart.
"You find talking about your own death enlightening. You see," he cried out, holding up his arms like the most graceful of dancers. "The wonders never cease."
"Look," I said, while randomly pointing to our interlaced hands. Edward seemed confused. "Our hands –they fit." He looked down at our hands clutched together.
"Yes, they do," he replied, his brilliant eyes still questioning. "But don't everyone's hands fit?"
"No," I replied matter-o-factly. "Here," I said, releasing his hand and taking my own. "Clasp your hands together like this and tell me what you feel." He did so, then stared at me, waiting expectantly. "Can't you feel that content feeling? That warmth?" Edward shook his head.
"No," he smiled softly. "I can't. I can only imagine."
"Oh. I'm sorry."
"No, don't be. In fact, maybe this will help you understand –it's these things I don't want to take away from you."
"But –
"Small things like this make you happy, Bella. And I will never destroy your happiness." He shook his head. "I could never destroy your happiness."
I looked up at him sadly. How could I make him understand that with him, I could be nothing but happy? That he is my happiness. And that eternity with such a lovely happiness would be the best of dreams.
I placed my hand back in his slowly.
"Edward," I said, squeezing his hand slightly.
"Maybe when you're older you'll understand what I mean. That life isn't that simple and should not be taken for granted."
"Edward," I repeated, squeezing a little tighter.
"Yes?"
"Do you feel it now?" He looked confused.
"Feel what now, Bella," he asked politely. I smiled.
"That warmth," I said, looking at our interlocked hands. "Our warmth."
His brilliant topaz eyes widened in understanding.
"Yes, I feel that warmth, Bella," he said. "I live for that warmth." He smiled, causing my heart to tap dance wildly in my chest. "That's just another reason I couldn't bear to change you. The little things, Bella. It's the little things that you'll miss."
"Do you miss the little things, Edward?" He looked up to the sky, the last lines of water dripping from his beautiful face.
"Sometimes," he replied.
"Sometimes?"
"Yes," he said. "But only now that I have you."
"And not before?"
"I found no real problems about being a vampire before I met you." He smiled.
"Well, I never found any problems about being a human before I met you."
"Oh, Bella -
"And your family," I asked, diverting the subject. "Do they find any problems being vampires?" Edward sighed.
"I suppose they all have suffered a couple losses, but none of them express it, really. Rosalie was the one most affected by the change."
"Rosalie," I repeated, astonished.
"You sound surprised."
"I don't know," I replied. "Rosalie just seems like the 'perfect' vampire to me…." Edward shook his head.
"No, that would be Carlisle," Edward answered, laughing slightly. "Rosalie is… Well, she's not perfect in any world: vampire or human."
"Why not?"
"She's too vain," he replied. "I remember when she first came to us. It took years before she stopped whining over her old beauty supplies."
"Rosalie doesn't need beauty supplies," I retorted, already having been confirmed the aforementioned was true. Edward just smiled.
"That's just the thing –she loves beauty, most her life was spent on it. Imagine what it would be like -to reach a peak of beauty every morning without any make-up or work necessary was almost a blow to her." He was laughing now. "I remember how we used to tease her, applying her make-up onto…," he trailed off, "Never mind. I'm sorry. Sometimes I forget myself…" He turned, staring at his reflection in the rippling water. "It was cruel, what we did, and Carlisle was right –we should have known better."
"Oh," I said, rather pathetically, wanting to know what exactly Edward had done, but thinking it better not to ask. Edward smiled, lightening the atmosphere around us immediately.
"That was the first time Esme ever "grounded" us," he said, laughing. I smirked.
"The first time," I pried. Edward immediately stopped laughing. "You've been grounded more than once, Edward?" He just smiled.
"All in good time, Bella. All in good time."
"You know I won't forget that, right?" He laughed and kissed my forehead softly.
"Believe me, I know."
A.N.: I have more. But only if you guys want it. I won't post it unless you guys want it, because I really am indiferent about this story. I love writing it, don't get me wrong. It's just I don't know if it can stand against the other fics like it out there.
On another note: Does a beta check Twilight facts? Because I think I really need a beta -lol! So, I'm requesting services, if y'all don't mind putting up with me. I'm horrible at keeping things straight in Twilight!
Oh, and thank you guys for understanding about 'Endless Eternity'. That makes me rest at ease at night, so thank you!
Read and Review! It'll make my day! Much love for Twilight: )
Foxiego