EPOV
Bella woke up with a jump from another nightmare. I barely had time to ask if she was alright before she grabbed my hand to put on her face so she could show me.
It was so dark that she could barely see around her, but it was clear that she was in a clearing. A baby was crying. There were flames all around. And then I saw me, or rather my head, being held by a cloaked figure preparing to toss me in the fire. It was then that I saw the baby blanket just barely peeking out of the flames. This is where Bella had woken up with a jump that probably would have turned into a scream if I weren't already holding her and whispering in her ear.
She was crying and I froze for a minute or two, taken aback by what she had shown me. I started to caress her cheek when I was able to think straight. I will never let that happen.
I know you would try, but you can't save us from everything, Edward.
My thoughts couldn't hide how right she was. No matter how much I wanted to prevent any harm or stress from befalling my wife, I wasn't invincible, no matter how much I wanted to be.
I kissed her, telling her with my thoughts how much I love and adore her. I reminded her that we were safe on the island and that our baby didn't exist yet, but we had many things on our side to protect it, including Alice's visions.
I'm having second thoughts about this. Maybe we shouldn't introduce a baby into our world. Her thoughts were full of fears, anxieties, doubts, some she couldn't even put words to. But we looked so happy in the vision. This is such a tough decision.
I showed Bella Alice's original vision of us together as vampires, the one I had fought for so long but now accepted was going to happen, including my fears and anxieties about taking Bella's life and making her a monster like me, as well as how I had long feared she might regret it.
Now you see why I fought you so hard on wanting to become like me. Why I left you. I was also absolutely terrified of that decision.
Edward, I can't risk losing you. If that's what's going to happen, it isn't worth it.
It was only a dream, love, not a vision. Still, she snuggled up to me closer and I held her tightly, moving my hand from her cheek to instead run my fingers through her hair. She always enjoyed it, as did I.
"What do you think would happen if we told the Volturi ahead of time that we planned to have a baby? Would that put us at risk? Would Carlisle be in trouble for lying?"
"I don't know." I answered her honestly. "I never saw the point of bringing it up. Plus, there's always the chance that they could try to punish me for not changing you sooner."
"I thought you said there was an exception for mates."
"Sort of. It's not exactly in writing. It hadn't needed to be because normally people just change their mates or women that interest them immediately."
"You always have to be the stubborn one."
I smiled a little at her, caught off guard by her blunt observation. "What are you trying to say?"
"That you should accept a good thing when it's given to you."
"You are more than good. You are amazing. You have no idea."
"Edward, I-" She hesitated, almost like she was afraid to speak the thought aloud. "I want to be changed. I don't want to risk our family anymore. I've already caused enough problems with James, Laurent, Victoria, potentially the Volturi, not to mention that I'm still human. I love you. I would love to have your baby, our baby, but it's too risky. I can't handle the thought of the Volturi taking our baby and harming you. That nightmare was...I just can't do it."
I was incredibly surprised to find myself playing devil's advocate, I who usually preferred the safest option for Bella, like the practically no risk change my healthy wife into a vampire option (thanks to our thought sharing) instead of the crazy half vampire pregnancy option. "What if we could make sure ahead of time that they wouldn't harm the baby?"
"What do you mean?"
"What if I get it in writing or a verbal contract with witnesses that they won't harm our baby?" I wasn't sure if I could, but I didn't want Bella to have to live with regrets. I wanted the choice to be entirely hers, ours, not any outside factor's.
"You would trust them that much?"
"The Volturi aren't savages. They do keep their word. I may not like their…methods…but they generally don't interfere unless a law is broken." That much was true. I didn't like their senseless killing of entire covens, but they did tend to let things be unless an immortal child or something were concerned.
"I'm scared they will hurt you if they find out I'm still human."
"You're the human considering going near some vampires and you're worried about me?" I laughed quietly. "You have no sense of self-preservation. From what I know about Aro, I believe he will accept my sincere commitment to change you, especially once he finds out that you are also gifted like me. We will fascinate him."
"Did I just hear Edward Cullen say he was willing to take a risk? I mean, besides driving like a maniac."
"I believe you did. Although, I might expect something in return for my mastermind plotting." I winked at her and she smiled at me, nightmare at least pushed away from the majority of her thoughts for now.
"I'm not sure if my husband would like that or not."
"Trust me, your husband would love it."
"You think so?"
"I know so." I kissed her softly at first, but more passionately as she started to play with my hair. I slid a hand under the hem of her silk shirt and caressed her hips and waist before finding her lovely breasts. She didn't wear a bra and I was delighted that there was one less obstacle in my way.
Before long, all clothes were off and we were snuggling contentedly, taking our time loving each other. I was enjoying the feel of her soft, warm skin under my fingertips as I gently rubbed her back from where she lay at my side. She was slowly stroking my cock, almost lazily. It wasn't so much intense and sexual as it was sensual, peaceful. I relished the feel of her touching me so intimately and how comfortable and natural we were together now.
I made my way down to rub her butt and I could smell her arousal building. Before long, she was leaning over me and we were kissing with a fiery passion again. She never let go of my cock. I was completely spellbound by her. Her warmth. Her scent. Her love. So distracted was I, that I didn't notice her adjusting positions until she had lined herself up over me and was slowly sliding down on my erection, taking me inside her.
I moaned loudly at the overwhelming and surprising sensation of her wrapped so tightly around me. I would never get used to this, nor did I want to. My hands gripped her thighs as I watched myself slide in and out of her from where my head was propped up by pillows. This was the most perfect sight in the universe.
After a minute or two to come to my senses, I reached down to rub her clit between two fingers as she rode me. She made a new type of moan that made me almost cum right then. I tried to hold out, wanting to please my wife more, but it was difficult.
I distracted myself by moving my hands slowly up her waist and to rub her breasts, one in each hand. Her quiet whispers of barely formed curse words sent me over the edge though and I came violently, quickly. I kept one hand on her right breast and used the other to pleasure her clit. She came around me just as hard, making the most gorgeous face of a woman totally giving herself over to passion. I was completely overwhelmed by my love for her.
It was several minutes before either of us could move or speak more than a whispered "oh my God" or "I love you." We were relishing the feeling of being joined completely, and neither of us wanted her to get up and remove me from inside her. She eventually got up and I immediately missed the contact.
I held her tightly in my arms as she rolled over and kissed her face repeatedly. "You're incredible."
"You didn't even think about biting me. I didn't touch your face at all." She said with a quiet laugh.
"You distracted me so completely with that gorgeous body of yours. My wife. My mate." I whispered.
"Edward?" She asked a few minutes later as I lay on my back, eyes closed, just happily enjoying her presence.
"Hmm?" I asked in return.
"I don't want to risk anything ever happening to you. Are you sure it's safe to talk to the Volturi? I couldn't live with myself if I put you in danger."
"How our roles have changed." I smiled. "We'll talk to Alice first." My phone started vibrating on the nightstand. "Or she'll just text us instead." Bella giggled softly.
Call ahead of time, ask that Aro meet you somewhere outside the castle, for Bella's safety. Carlisle is willing to come join you for the meeting and I would take him up on it. I read the text aloud for Bella, just before another came in. Tell her if she wears the dress she's thinking of to meet him, she will face my wrath. I'll send her a new one.
I swore I could hear Bella rolling her eyes at that one, but with a soft smile still on her lips. "I hope that grin is from our lovemaking and not my crazed fashionista sister."
"It is." She assured me.
I playfully held my hand just above her cheek. "Want to prove it?"
"No." She giggled, and I smiled back at her.
"We'll work out travel details in the morning. For now, the human needs to go back to sleep. Looks like I'm going to get my wish of taking you to see Italy a lot sooner than I planned."
Author's Note: I rewrote this chapter a few times with different results, but this felt the most right to me. This should take us down a fun path. Thanks for reading!
