CHAPTER SIXTEEN

The residents of Haven were used to the way they lived their lives. After many decades and many ancestors to come before them, they knew that certain things may never change. They were used to the vintage dress they adorned themselves in. They were used to the manners and respect they were expected to maintain. But most of all, they were used to the cycle of life and death since the curse they had come to bare.

Fifteen years had passed since the residents of Haven had decided to outlaw contraception. With the curse being the cause of many citizens untimely demise, fewer and fewer residents were opting to have children. The elders saw fit to hold a town meeting and ban contraception so that their entire town's future would not be in jeopardy.

It was not something Master Cullen had ever thought about since his wife's passing. Never did he think he would ever find anyone that he would want to share an intimate experience with so when Isabella made it quite clear that she wanted to use protection, Master Cullen found himself confused and yet offended at the thought. He knew that having another child would be most inappropriate so he should honor her wishes and yet the thought of having a child with Isabella was practically an aphrodisiac.

What was the matter with Master Cullen? What kind of man was he turning into? With his tongue stuck down Isabella's throat, every question he had in his mind seemed to vanish.

There was a list of things Isabella wanted to discuss but with every passing second she seemed to lose another item off it. It wasn't until she felt the cold air on her skin as her dress came up that she was able to find a second of clarity.

"Wait! We have to talk. We still haven't discussed contraception."

Master Cullen was making a meal out of Isabella's throat.

"You always love to argue," He growled softy.

Isabella shook her head still trying to clear the fog.

"No, I don't want to argue…" She began to say.

"Good! Then it's settled. Now shut up and spread those legs."

Master Cullen picked her up with ease and set her back down on a short ledge of the maze wall. He had her in the perfect place and position to climb under her dress and make a meal out of another part of her but as he head dived between her legs, he could feel her protesting hand pushing his head away.

"I mean it! We have to talk about this. I don't want to have a baby!"

Master Cullen sighed and pulled himself out from under her dress.

"Fine! You don't want to fuck, I get it!" He said rudely.

Isabella pulled back at his tone.

"There are other things we can do you know. I doubt you'll be the first woman in history to conceive through oral pleasure." He continued.

Isabella furrowed her brow. Of course it would be nice to do more than just "fuck" as he so put it but why couldn't they just use condoms? It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

"Why can't I go into the city…a real city and buy a box of condoms. I don't understand why you would be so against this. Do you want to have another child?"

Of course that last question was rhetorical. He didn't even like the two children he had now, Isabella thought solemnly.

"It's illegal." Master Cullen stated.

"You have to be kidding me? You know that can't be a real law. No town can tell their citizens that they can't use condoms. Beside, who would ever know? I could go to the big city and there would be no one there who would tattle."

"I would know!" Master Cullen bellowed. "And it's not something I would be interested in."

Isabella could feel her eyes begin to water. She looked over Master Cullen's gruff exterior and wondered if she would ever find a real man underneath it all.

"I…I'm…not going to do this anymore." She pushed herself off the ledge and landed in the grass with a soft thud. "I have to get out of here."

Isabella pushed aside Master Cullen's hands as he reached out to stop her.

"Isabella!" He barked.

His tone was still hostile and instead of feeling sorrow for their predicament, Isabella began to feel anger.

"NO! YOU DON'T GET TO BE THE ONLY ONE WHO YELLS!" She barked back. "If this is the only way you want to communicate then I will yell too!"

Master Cullen pulled back a little, startled by her outburst.

"This is all too much! It's too much. No condoms. Weird clothes. Corporal punishment. Curses and corrupt government. Butt plugs and guidelines. And don't even get me started on you! There are so many issues there, I wouldn't even begin for fear I will die before I can finish. I have to get back to the land of normalcy and I don't care if I have to hitchhike or sell my body to do it! I am going Mr. Cullen and you will not stop me this time."

There was a foreign feeling that invaded Master Cullen's chest as he watched Isabella turn and leave. His chest felt heavy, like he may never breathe again. His knees fell toward the grass and with an out stretched hand he cried for Isabella to come back.

"Please! Please!" He cried as he clutched his chest.

Isabella hearing the change in his voice looked back and wanted to write off his reaction but seeing him on his hands and knees, it only took a moment for her to look into his dark eyes and see something that she hadn't before.

Isabella's mind kept telling her to walk away. Just turn and walk away but her heart was telling her something different. The war within was greater than ever and it took everything in her to walk slowly back toward him.

She stopped just a few feet in front of him and sighed.

"There is a lot you have to tell me. I know you're not being one hundred percent honest with me. But I can't stay here a minute longer if I feel like I am nothing more to you than some sex toy. You have to treat me like a human being. You have to be nice to me. You can't yell at me. You have to talk to me and be willing to compromise. I'm not asking to be your girlfriend or some other kind of significant other but you will treat me as an equal. If you treat me poorly one more time, there will nothing you can say or do to stop me."

Master Cullen stayed on his knees and looked up into her determined eyes. He knew there were ways to keep her there but holding her against her will was not something he ever wanted to do. He wanted her to stay on her own volition. He felt his hard set ways fighting inside himself. He didn't want to change but he knew he would have no choice if he planned to keep her.

"You want me to treat you like an equal?" He asked quietly.

"Equal to you," She clarified. "Treat me as you want to be treated."

She felt like she was giving a lesson to a child on respect. Master Cullen had been so set in his ways for so long and he wasn't used to treating anyone with the respect he required.

"Then…you have to call me Edward." He pulled himself off the ground and slowly walked toward her.

"On the weekends?" Isabella asked. "Or…when we are alone…"

He shook his head slowly and took her hands in his.

"No. All the time."

"But what about my position? Won't that confuse the children?"

"Isabella," He said her name calmly. "This is what compromise is about. You ask for something from me and I agree and counter with terms I wish you to accept."

Isabella chewed on her lip awkwardly. He had asked her to call him Edward before but she never found it appropriate. It was easier to keep him at arm's length when she could think of him as Master Cullen.

"Fine…but then you have to call me Bella. Isabella is so formal and stuffy. I don't like it."

"I like Isabella. I think it's a beautiful name. Very appropriate."

Isabella blushed and looked away slightly embarrassed by the charm.

"It's old fashioned," She criticized.

"I happen to like old fashioned. Some even think I may be a tad old fashioned."

"Well you got at least one part right," Isabella quipped before she realized what she had said.

She stared up at his eyes and cringed wondering if her comment would set him off but instead he just narrowed his eyes and kept his behavior respectable.

"Bella," He tried the word out.

"Edward," She answered back. "Nice to meet you."

She held out a hand for him to shake and he took it uneasily.

"I'm willing to give you a clean slate, Edward but if I feel that you are being unfair or unreasonable…."

"I will do my best…Bella."

Edward took her hand and instead of showing her back toward the exit, he instead pulled her further into the maze.

"What are you doing?" Bella asked nervously.

They still hadn't discussed what exactly their relationship would entail so she was a tad weary.

"You haven't been through the maze yet. It's not something I feel comfortable with you doing alone until you have gone through it completely," Edward replied.

They walked and walked for what seemed like an eternity. There were so many twists and turns that Bella wasn't sure she would ever be able to find her way on her own.

"I hate to break this to you but I doubt I will ever remember this," Bella said.

Edward's mouth cheated a smile and he pulled her to a stop.

"I know," He replied. "Look around you. Tell me what you see."

Bella turned her head and gazed at the walls built up around her. They were in a square and every wall lead to a different path.

"Walls and ivy," She said plainly.

"Is there anything different about the walls you are looking at?" Edward asked.

Once again, Bella looked around her trying to search out something different but she couldn't find anything.

"I don't see anything different."

"That's because you're not looking good enough. It's plain as day…practically right in front of you."

Bella sighed and began to search once more. She was becoming frustrated.

"I don't know." She scrunched up her shoulders. "There's a chip in the brink on the top of that wall there but I don't see anything other than that."

"Good. Finally," Edward teased.

"You wanted me to find a chip in a wall?" Bella asked irritated.

"Yes. Because as long as you find the chip you will always know what direction to head in and you will never be lost."

Isabella walked down the path that the wall with the chip had and when she came around the corner there was another wall ahead with a chip that would tell her to go left instead of right.

"Are you serious?" She asked amazed.

"Maybe you can show us the way back."

Bella was in disbelief at the ingenuity of the maze that Edward had built. Something so large would take the average person hours to go through to find the other end but with this trick, Bella found her way back at the house in no time. A secret chipped brick was all it took.

"How many people know about this?" Bella asked.

"Not many…in fact even my daughters don't know. Of course, they memorized the maze years ago so it wouldn't do them any good now."

"Mr. Whitlock? Mrs. Cope? What about them?"

He shook his head.

"They never went into the maze and it wasn't something I want broadcast. I put a lot of thought into this key and the only reason I am telling you is because I know it's only a matter of time before you try and come out here by yourself and now at least I will have piece of mind that you will be able to find your way back."

They arrived at the house and it suddenly occurred to Bella that they had left the car at the other end of the maze with her earlier purchases.

"What about the car?"

"I will get it later. I have hardly eaten anything today and I imagine the same for you. Leave the car and come to lunch."

"But…my things are in there," Bella began to object.

"And they will be perfectly safe until I return," He said pushing her into the house.

They arrived at the dining room where Alice and Rosalie had already begun their meal. Edward and Bella were nearly twenty minutes late when they took their seats.

"Mrs. Cope!" Edward barked.

Bella sighed inwardly but she knew that he wasn't going to change completely.

Mrs. Cope came out of the kitchen surprised to see the pair of them sitting there.

"Master Cullen, I did not know you planned on eating lunch today. I have already discarded the left over portions."

Mrs. Cope was extremely perturbed by the rude nature of their tardiness. Master Cullen was never late for a meal without giving warning ahead of time.

"That's okay Mrs. Cope. Why don't you just whip something up while we wait."

The tone left no room for argument. Mrs. Cope turned to reenter her kitchen upset that somehow she was now some kind of short order cook. Isabella once again felt uneasy by Mrs. Cope. She couldn't help but think that somehow their meal might include something extra and unwanted.

"Edward…I'm really not that hungry…"

"Nonsense. You haven't eaten much today. I don't want you going through your stash of cookies in order to curb your appetite."

Bella scowled thinking of her cookies which resided in the back of his car. Even if she wanted to eat the bag of cookies, she wouldn't be able to because they were all the way at the other end of the maze.

Something curious was happening at the table. Alice and Rosalie hadn't missed their governess referring to their father as Edward. The two girl's minds ran wild at the word. No governess ever called their father by his given name.

Edward and Bella were so wrapped up in themselves to even notice the looks that Alice and Rosalie were making. Perhaps if they had been paying attention, one of them would have the good sense to ask them what the matter was.

Ten minutes had passed before Mrs. Cope came back through the door to deliver a sandwich and cut up fruit. It wasn't much but at least it was something.

Bella began to inspect the sandwich wondering if it was safe to eat while Edward dismissed his daughters from the table.

"I assure you that it hasn't been tampered with. My employees would never do such a thing," Edward reassured.

Bella took a small bite from the chicken salad sandwich and chewed slowly. Edward found her actions amusing as he dived into his meal. They sat in silence eating their portions. When Bella was nearly finished, Mr. Whitlock entered the dining room.

"My apologies sir, but you have an urgent call."

Edward looked up at Isabella and wiped his mouth with his napkin before rising.

"I will see you at dinner."

Bella nodded in response and waited for him to leave before she stood up herself. Mrs. Cope walked in from the kitchen preparing to clear the table.

"You're still here," Mrs. Cope said.

Bella bit her lip to stop her smile. She couldn't help but find Mrs. Cope entertaining.

"Don't worry, I was just leaving."

She rolled her eyes and turned to leave but before she could exit, Mrs. Cope couldn't stop herself from saying something.

"I don't know what's going on between you two but Master Cullen will never love you the way he did his wife. I was there when he lost Mrs. Cullen and a man like that can never put his heart back together again. Not for you or anyone else."

Bella breathed in deeply before turning to reply.

"I don't believe that but lucky for you I'm not looking for love," She replied honestly. "However, a girl has needs that your master takes great pride in seeing to."

Mrs. Cope clutched her chest and nearly had to sit down from the nasty language the nasty girl had used. Bella felt gross for saying something so vulgar but this town brought out the very worse in her sometimes. These people could do with some shock. Maybe then they will wake up and come back to reality,

Bella thought about her actions all the way back to her room. She wondered if Edward would find out what she said or if he would be upset. She imagined that she would hear about it at dinner.

But Edward didn't come to dinner.

Bella thought it was odd when they were being served their portion later that evening that he hadn't shown up. Since she had come to be at the residence, Edward had never missed a Saturday dinner. It was the one dinner of the week he never missed.

Bella attempted to make small talk with Alice and Rosalie throughout the meal but she was constantly distracted by Edward's disappearance. She knew better than to ask Mrs. Cope so she feared the mystery may never be solved. Bella thought about going to Edward's office after dinner but when the time came, she was a coward through and through and instead opted for an early night instead.

It wasn't even ten o'clock when Bella was already passed out under her covers. Edward knocked softly on her door and when he didn't earn a reply, he slowly opened her door to find her sound asleep.

He had a rough night and right now all he wanted was to be near her. It was completely inappropriate when he decided to take off his pants and shoes, tossing them aside to Bella's settee.

As he climbed into bed with her, the moment he made contact, Bella was startled out of her sleep.

"What?" Bella gasped.

"Shhh…it's okay. It's just me." Edward tried to calm her.

"What's happening? What's going on?"

Edward pulled her near and began to pet the top of her head.

"I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't be here but…I just needed to feel you close to me."

Bella could hear the sadness in his voice and she wondered if it had anything to do with his absence earlier.

"Edward. What happened?" Bella asked calmly.

She could feel his chest tremble. He placed his hand under her chin and brought her face up towards his.

"I don't want anything to ever happen to you. I'm worried…I should let you leave her before its too late but I don't want to lose you…"

"What are you talking about? Edward? Please tell me what happened."

Instead of answering, he chose to kiss her instead. It was a softer kiss than then ones they had shared previously but Bella could feel the desperation behind his lips. He slowly climbed on top of her and she parted her legs allowing his body to side in between.

He continued kissing her while he slowly grinned himself on her.

"Please let me make love to you. Please," He whispered.

Edward had every intention in making love to her one last time before he let her go. In his mind it was simple. Make love and let her leave but deep down, he knew he would never be able to see her go.

His hands found the band of her underwear and he slowly pulled them down.

Bella wasn't sure what to make of it all. She knew they should stop because once again, they had no form of contraception but the way she felt when he grinned his hard member into her, she wasn't able to form the word, no.

So Edward continued pulling her underwear down until they were completely off. He pushed her legs open wide and instead of shedding his boxers, he intended to finish what he had started before in the maze. He worked slowly, causing Bella to nearly loose her mind. He wanted her desperate and aching before he would reward her with his cock. It didn't take him long until she was writhing off the bed and attempting to keep her moans and screams at bay.

He shed his boxers quickly and came up to meet her mouth before entering her suddenly. By the time he began to pump in and out of her, Bella hadn't any ideas of contraception on her mind. She focused on her body's needs instead desperately seeking another orgasm.

With the two of them in tune, it didn't take long before they were both fulfilled. Each of them panting while slowly coming down from the high. Edward stayed in her for a little while after not wanting it to be over so soon.

The memory flashed through his mind of his earlier phone conversation and once again, he felt fear. Did he really believe in this curse? He thought it was silly but over and over, there were confirmations of its existence.

"Please tell me," Bella whispered softly. "What has you worried?"

Edward pulled out of her gently and laid down beside her.

"I don't know what to think anymore. It all seems so silly and yet…maybe there is truth to this after all."

"Truth to what?" Bella asked.

"I received a call this evening. Another resident has died unexpectedly. But it doesn't make any sense. He was a widow. His wife passed long ago but yet…he still died."

Bella felt a chill run down her spine.

"Who? Who was it?" She dared to ask.

"You don't know him. Looked like some kind of bear or wild animal got to him. I don't want to believe in this curse but how can I not when I see so many people die." He paused. "His name was Harry Clearwater."

Bella felt her blood run cold. She could hear Harry's words in her head that he had spoken just hours before.

You are in danger. Your life is in danger the longer you stay.

There is no curse. That's what I'm trying to tell you!

AN: Thank you for reading and reviewing. Sorry it took awhile to get this chapter out to you. Just in case you are not reading Loathing You, I wanted to assure you that I am working to have this story done by November. I am having my first child in November and can't imagine having time to write once she comes so I want to try very hard to finish this story and Loathing You up by then.

Thank you again for all your support!

Disclaimer: Story is mine. Characters belong to Stephanie Meyer.