Hello, again! Thank you for all the reviews! Sorry that it took a while for me to get this chapter up. Last chapter, I was in such a hurry to post (due to the fact that I hadn't been able to submit the document beforehand) that I forgot to write an author's note and put a disclaimer. So the disclaimer that I put in this chapter is permanent from here on out. Thanks again to everyone that reviewed. Hopefully you enjoy this chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not, and will not ever own Twilight. Stephenie Meyer does.
"Alice, are you positive?" Esme clarified. "There isn't a chance that something can change?"
"No one is really making a decision, it's just inevitable. I'm positive."
At first, the news didn't bother me much. I was shocked a bit, but I knew that I had pretty much nothing to worry about. If I didn't die instantly, Edward or someone in his family would probably change me. Actually, I didn't have a doubt in my mind that of them would. I dream would come true. If I were to die, then it wouldn't be that horrible either. Edward has completed me in everyway, completed my life. What more could I ask for?
In the middle of these thoughts, I remembered something. Someone, actually. My mom. What was to become of her? If she didn't die, what would happen? What would happen to me if she did? I couldn't even imagine that. Sadness overtook me immediately. If she survived the crash, would she want to be changed? I pushed the thought away quickly. Of course she wouldn't. She'd just gotten Phil and she was in love with life. Much too in love with it to give it up, even for this.
I glanced up and noticed Jasper staring at me oddly. He must have been confused by my many emotional changes.
"My mom," I whispered.
I knew they all heard me.
"What about my mom?"
I knew my face must've looked pained, because Edward's did when he was looking at me.
"She can't die, Edward. I don't know what I would do…" I trailed off. I cleared my throat and began again. "She wouldn't want to be changed."
"Well, I'm afraid that doesn't leave us many options, Bella," Carlisle voiced.
I knew he wasn't trying to be cruel, but his words still pierced my heart like a knife. But Phil, I remembered suddenly. Phil was on the plane too.
If they both survived…
Maybe the change wouldn't even be necessary. Maybe the crash wouldn't be that bad.
"Alice," I called.
"Yes?"
"Do you know how bad it's going to be?"
"No," she said sadly, looking between my mother and me.
I felt a hand on my shoulder, and turned to see Esme.
"Bella, dear," she began softly, "perhaps you should tell her? Give her an option?"
I considered it for a moment, but shook my head. "Esme, she wouldn't want it."
"I wouldn't want what?" My mom broke in. "How does Alice know for sure that the plane will crash? I mean, we can't just assume things like that, it's a very serious matter."
"Mom, calm down," I encouraged. "We'll work this out."
"No, Isabella. You're going to explain this to me and you're going to do so now."
I glanced at my mom quickly, then grabbed Edward's arm and gently pulled it, prompting for him to bend over. I stretched up to whisper in his ear.
"There's no way we could save her?" My voice broke, and I had to compose myself again. "If the crash was bad, I mean?"
"We could try, I suppose, but changing her would probably be best…"
A lone tear dropped from my eye down to my cheek, and I hastily wiped it away. I wasn't quick enough, though; they all saw.
"Bella, honey," my mom coaxed. "Please fill me in on this."
"Mom, the plane is going to crash."
"I already know that!"
"Mom," I whispered. "If you had a chance to live forever would you take it?"
"I don't know, Bella. What is this all about?" She was looking around the room at us, trying to get someone to say something.
"Mom, would you or not?"
She thought for a moment.
"No," she said finally.
I let out sigh, but it sounded more like a whimper.
"Why?" I pressed.
"Because it isn't natural. You aren't meant to live forever, otherwise we all would. Now, Bella, please explain. You're not making any sense, and if the plane's going to crash I need to find Phil…"
Tears filled my eyes as I looked away from her. As I turned, I held up one finger, signaling for her to hold on.
"I assume you'll be shielding me," I whispered, turning to look at Edward.
He nodded once.
"Can any of you…" I trailed off, thinking of it as a slightly awkward question.
After all, they were all couples, and would want to be with each other, even if they were nearly indestructible.
"I will," Carlisle agreed.
I looked up at him, only partially surprised. He was such a compassionate person.
"I'll cover Phil," Emmett said.
I fixed my gaze on him, smiling slightly.
"Thank you," I told them. The tears that were already clouding my vision poured over as I thought of how much I loved all of these people.
"Cover Phil for what," Mom asked. "What are you agreeing to, Bella?"
"Mom, you have to trust me, okay? Get Phil and bring him back here, then get strapped in."
My mom opened her mouth to speak again, but she only ended up blushing slightly and walking away. She must've been embarrassed by all of us staring at her.
Now that I had that taken care of, I needed to take care of something else.
"Edward," I said, turning and looking him straight in the eye.
"Yes?"
"I love you," I said quietly.
He took my hands in his and kissed them, then proceeded to kiss my lips lightly. He rested his chin on top of my head, and I leaned into his chest.
"Edward, if it's bad, and I'm…" I trailed off, not wanting to cause more tension than I knew was already present.
"I'll do it, Bella. But only if there's no other way."
I didn't say anything, and just wound my arms tighter around him. But I sensed, that under his calm features, he was suffering. He was fighting inside, trying to get thoughts of my possible death out of his mind. He squeezed tighter to me, confirming my suspicions.
The plane shifted suddenly, and I found myself falling. Edward caught me, but he fell down with me. I was surprised to see the rest of his family on the ground as well.
"Okay, everyone, turbulence is picking up. Get in your seats," Esme announced, while gracefully getting to her feet.
She was in her seat by the time I blinked. I realized that I was too, for Edward had carried me over here. About 30 seconds later, the plane was rocking perilously. I was starting to get worried; my mom should've been back with Phil by now.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, we seem to be experiencing some engine trouble. The plane is going down. Please position yourself how you were told to at the beginning of this flight. Please don't forget that we are over water, so remember to get your life jackets from under your seats. God bless you all." The woman's voice was kind, but it was very clear that she was frantic.
I was about to unfasten myself to go find my mom but then her and Phil stumbled through the doors. They both made their way to the seats, moving quickly, but rather clumsily due to the constant shifting of the plane.
"Are you guys okay," I asked, trying to reassure myself that everything would be fine.
Phil nodded, but was clutching his seatbelt so tightly that his knuckles couldn't get any whiter. Mom delivered me a quick fake smile, probably doing the same thing that I was doing, reassuring herself.
I looked around me quickly, trying to gauge how much time we had left. I let my thoughts wander, considering what would happen after we crashed. We were currently over water, and I knew that it would be like hitting concrete from this height. I grimaced involuntarily. Edward, noticing this, looked down on me with worried eyes, and clutched my hand tighter in encouragement.
"It's about to happen," Alice said calmly.
I tightened my grip on Edward's hand and our eyes met immediately.
"I love you," I said.
"I love you, too," he whispered, undoing his seatbelt and pulling me close to him.
I knew that Alice and Jasper were in a similar position, as were Esme and Rosalie.
The engine screamed and I saw Emmett and Carlisle move swiftly to Mom and Phil, claiming the same positions we had. Knowing that they were now as safe as possible, I closed my eyes, and prayed for the best.
