What happens next? I left on a little bit of a cliffhanger, but what else is new? Hopefully I'm not moving too fast or anything. I am sorry this took a little while to even get posted. This will take us to the end of new moon with Bella's marriage proposal from Edward, and launch into some of the events of Eclipse! For now, I will be putting the entire saga into one story versus trying to put them into different 'books' so to speak, and will do my best to get to the very end of Breaking Dawn. Thank you guys for your support! Kindly review and leave constructive criticism?
Chapter 17
Suddenly, his lips crashed over mine, tasting of cinnamon. I had to grip his forearms for support as he pushed me flush against the tree, both of us fighting for dominance and control. By the time we pulled away, my breathing was ragged. If he hadn't have been holding onto me it's unlikely that I'd still be standing. His forehead was pressed against mine.
"Fuck…" he breathed out. I could only nod in response. I was torn between kissing him again and fainting.
"Is everything… Um, good for you right now? I'm not quite sure how this might differ."
"The mating pull and bond is different than that of a singer. Your blood doesn't appeal to me in that sense, so your scent doesn't bother me. I know that when we both fully accept the bond we'll have a stronger pull to each other, but it won't necessarily be felt by you in the same way until you're turned." He reluctantly pulled away. "We should get you home."
It didn't take much longer to walk back; only another couple of miles or so. Daylight was slowly dispelling the shadows, but clouds still blanketed the sky; masking the lovely rays of morning. I couldn't help but admire Jasper's honey locks, which were more pronounced. As we approached my door, he bid me goodbye. "Until later, possibly tomorrow after I get back home from school. Alice, Edward, and I are seniors this year with Bella. If not tomorrow, then the day after. I would come tonight, but Alice said you and Bella will be busy with a visitor."
Uncle Charlie was sitting at the table when I got home. "Hey kiddo, where were you?"
"No place special really. I went for a morning walk. The time difference has me a little messed up." Uncle Charlie nodded in thought.
"Well, you'll have a visitor here soon. Brian's not too happy about your trip I'm afraid, and he wanted to talk with you in person, to make sure you and Bells are really okay. I've told him we could have him over for dinner so you two don't make any plans. There will also be some ground rules now."
My mind flipped back to the last family dinner fiasco. "I see… Have you talked to Bella about this yet?" Uncle Charlie shook his head then.
"No. I didn't want her to just run off again after getting her back. She really scared me Lily. And you did too, just a little, but I'm grateful you're here to look out for her. I'm more concerned now that Brian is coming though. I respect your privacy, but if something's going on with my daughter I need to know." His eyes hardened slightly.
"I promise it's nothing like that. He's just making sure I'm okay mentally more so than physically. Italy doesn't hold the best memories. I am really surprised that he's coming here though. He's not usually one to socialize unless it helps with work. Knowing him, it may potentially be happy news as well. Uncle Brian prefers seeing your reactions to things for some reason." I shrugged and went to the coffeepot. "Coffee?"
"Yes please. Now are you sure everything is okay?" He accepted his coffee, but still pressed me.
"Right as rain! Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going upstairs. I'll bring my coffee cup down when I'm finished."
"Could you wake Bells up and tell her to come down for breakfast on your way up? I don't want her to slip into old habits now."
"Can do Uncle Charlie!" I headed up the stairs, dreading what I was about to have to do. Assuming Edward had even brought her back yet, I didn't know what to say to her after what happened a few hours prior. I was the main one who wanted space. Just because the noose was on our necks, didn't mean she had to kick away the block under our feet- or well, hers at least. They weren't mates- it was obvious they had a toxic and unhealthy relationship based more on infatuation… But his family was decent from what I've seen, in spite of everything. I think I may have the most respect and common ground with Rosalie. And it was clear they cared about her. Still, I don't think they will last. Maybe I could just leave a note for her?
"Bella?" I knocked and peeked in her door. Unsurprisingly, she was up and dressed. Edward was leaning against the window sill.
"The sun rises and she appears. I have to say I was almost worried about you after that display in my family's house." He smirked.
"I should've known that you'd be here with her. Look, I just came to say Uncle Charlie asked that he be accompanied for breakfast. Also, we are to have a family dinner- apparently my Uncle Brian is coming here to ensure I'm okay in person, and there's a slim chance he'll want to meet the Cullens before leaving town, should they feel comfortable allowing it. I'll see you at dinner." I turned abruptly before stepping out of the room.
"Lily! Wait please! We should… talk. And Edward wanted to talk with you too. Maybe I can meet you two outside? You can climb out the tree and-"
"Why do you think I'd want to talk with you right now exactly? Or him for that matter?"
"I'm sorry, okay! I just… I need to explain and really say it, not just blurt it out like this." Bella wore a mildly pained and awkward expression.
"Ugh! Fine. You have 5 minutes- assuming Uncle Charlie lets you step outside the house."
Edward was waiting at the bottom as I carefully climbed down the tree. Heights without depth perception and proper coordination equals a very slow start. Of course, he wore that stupid smug little smirk and didn't even think to offer help. Or perhaps he did and decided to see if it was actually necessary.
He leaned against the trunk with his hands in his pockets. "Carlisle filled me in. He didn't have to say much though- I saw how protective you were in Italy, and Alice has had visions. I take it you may never forgive or understand me." His expression turned dark and pained. " I didn't want to cause Bella more pain and get hurt. I put her through hell with James, a nomad that was a tracker, and then with Jasper….He was so close to losing it. It's a miracle that he didn't. But now I see it's even more dangerous the more I try to stay away from her. When I thought I lost her….My whole world shattered in that one moment. I know you don't like me. Despite your obvious abilities to shut me out, you're using unnatural forces so they waver if I try hard enough. It's painful of course, but I can manage to cut through the static."
"So if you know how I feel and what I think, why do you assume that talking with me would change anything, or put me at ease? You messed up. Point blank. That's not something I can accept, even if you didn't 'mean' to do it. The fucked up thing is somewhere you have to know what you did crossed a line. And that she may never fully recover. And you can't expect me to feel warm and fuzzy around you- if anything, you're a bigger threat now. My entire body screams to set you on fire, run away screaming, and never looking back."
Edward laughed. "I see why Jasper likes you. You're smart. And very…" He paused for a moment, contemplating the right word. "Blunt. You'll be a good match for him. I only hope that in time, you will allow me to show you that I do truly care about your cousin. Now about your uncle- I'm sure Carlisle wouldn't mind meeting him. He's very intrigued about you guys."
Bella stepped out to join us just then and all conversation ceased. She looked a tad stressed and a bit tense, but the circles under her eyes weren't as noticeable, so at least it would seem she's had some sleep.
"Edward and I got in about an hour after you guys left. I was a little worried when you weren't home, but Edward said it was best not to disturb you. Something about interrupting something we shouldn't…" She paused. "I'm glad you're okay though. And that you don't seem nearly as mad." A motorcycle engine could be heard faintly in the distance, and Edward suddenly looked more on edge than normal.
"We should head closer to the woods. Apparently, there's an unwanted guest wanting to make sure you're both still human." He muttered darkly. It wasn't hard to put together who was here. At least Jacob didn't seem to want to cause a scene.
Jacob parked his bike near the tree line's edge. He didn't turn around to look to see if we'd follow or not. I wished I had the foresight to bring more than my lighter with me. Sighing, I joined behind Bella and Edward after having them go ahead of me. I stumbled upon Bella letting Jacob know exactly how she felt, and that by making her choose, her choice would always be Edward. I wasn't close enough to hear most of it, but I did see Edward try to get my cousin away from the shifter before anyone could lose their temper. It was a way to get her out of the line of fire safely. Alas, she's not one to value safety.
I ran up as Jacob shifted into a wolf and Bella stupidly put herself right in the middle of the two of them.
"Stop!" She exclaimed. "You can't hurt each other without hurting me!" Edward was glaring at Jacob, and Jacob was staring at Bella intently. Without thinking, I managed to draw enough strength to knock my cousin out of the way and create a small wall of fire between the two of them.
"Fire is so much more effective for this. Now they'd hurt themselves as well and you can stop acting like an idiot!" I breathed hard, my voice sharp. "I mean really Bella, what the hell are you thinking? No one can turn you like you want if you're mangled or dead, now can they?" I smirked lightly, making the flames rise a little higher and spread slowly towards Edward and Jacob.
"As far as you two go, drop it. Jacob, you can see we're fine and very much alive. Surely you're aware how close you are to losing it, and how I won't hesitate to harm you to save my cousin. And you Edward? Commendable for trying to diffuse the fight, but nothing would please me more than letting you burn if you fuck up by putting her in harm's way."
Bella was about to speak up before Jacob let out a sound much like a huff and ran off. She turned to me in anger.
"Lily, why would you do that?" Edward stepped towards my cousin and grabbed her hand lightly.
"She was protecting you, as I should've done. I'm glad she did that. It needed to be done. Even if you don't particularly like or agree with it." He shot a look my way. "Now so that she isn't totally out of the loop- Carlisle said that he would change her after graduation, if I couldn't. He offered to change you as well if you needed him to, but didn't want to press you or upset Jasper. Just know that is an option. I want to say my own option, if I may. Bella, just give me five years."
She shook her head. "That's too long."
He looked at her earnestly. "Then three."
She shook her head again. "No. I'm sorry Edward. What are you waiting for exactly?"
He smiled wryly. "Well, I grew up in a different era. I have one….condition, if you want me to do it myself. Provided your cousin doesn't set me alight for the suggestion." I shot him a look. This couldn't be good.
"And your condition is what exactly?"
Edward pulled her in close and held her hands, staring intently. "Marry me, Bella." I was frozen in shock.
"I… what? Edward, you can't be serious."
"You don't want to spend forever with me then?"
"Well yes, I do! But… Lily can you help me explain this please?" She grasped at words and wrung her hands lightly. I scoffed.
"You mean aside from the obvious reasons? Honestly, the biggest thing is getting married at 18 screams 'hey I just got knocked up'. It's an archaic tradition of small towns at its finest. You know Uncle Charlie just might use one of his many guns on Edward. I can also say from experience, bullets sting and his can penetrate through damn near anything. But, don't let that deter you two love birds. Especially if Edward is really serious about you." I shrugged. "I'll just let you guys figure it out and until then, my lips are sealed. We'll talk later."
And with that, I left them to their own devices.
