"Amazing," I marveled to myself, not in the least bit worried about the large crowds of people who had seen me anymore. They were still living, and though I hadn't actually lived ever since the summer of 1918, I hadn't really felt alive ever since Bella died. The word die was sickening to hear in the same sentence as my Bella's beautiful name. I found myself amused with the narrow-minded view I had always held concerning the issue of whether we vampires still had souls. Now that I was in heaven, which was certain because Bella was present, I knew that vampires must retain at least part of their souls, otherwise I would never be where I am presently. "Carlisle was right." I could hear the amusement that leaked through my tone, and was sure by the slight change in Bella's expression, which I could not quite place, that she had as well.
"Edward!" Her voice was faded as though she had been screaming, or drowning. I internally winced when I reasoned that her voice may sound like that due to the way her death came about, not liking the drowning part or the death part at all. "You've got to get back into the shadows. You've got to move!" Silly, beautiful Bella, I thought as I stroked her cheek lightly with the back of my hand, habit keeping my touch light. Didn't she know we were in no danger now? We were together now in heaven, and safe. Her hands were two spots of heat blazing pleasurably on my chest, and I was delighted to find that she still felt warm to me. I was disappointed, however, when I realized that most likely suggested I still felt cold to her.
Panic and fear churned in her eyes, but was quickly being overpowered by relief and love. I wondered briefly if she would ever forgive me for what I had done to her, but quickly forced that question away for later. Her scent, which had been assaulting me with its sweet temptation, finally entered the forefront of my mind. While my body thirsted for her blood, which I found strange as we were both dead and in heaven, my heart and mind thirsted for her. I longed to wrap my arms around her just to feel her warmth spread through my frozen body; to kiss her lips gently, taking comfort from the love and warmth that was Bella; to stare into her eyes forever in an attempt to understand her better; to be able to read her mind if only for a second, just to know how and what she thought.
"I can't believe how quick it was," I mused, thinking of course, about how the Volturi had obviously dispatched me. " I didn't feel a thing—they're very good," I realized. Giving into temptation, I closed my eyes as I pressed my lips into her soft hair. Nearly sighing in satisfaction, I recognized the scent of her strawberry shampoo mingling with the freesia scent of her blood as it overtook me. "Death that hath sucked the honey of thy breath, hath had no power yet upon thy beauty." Quoting Romeo seemed to fit perfectly in this moment, that line being the one spoken when he found his love Juliet in her tomb. Never before now had I understood what about that movie, particularly that one part, that had made salty tears well up and spill from Bella's chocolate eyes. Now reenacting that tragic story that I had always thought of as an unrealistic sell-out, I was able to connect it with my own life. To be more accurate, my own death. The last chime sounded in the courtyard, and I wondered briefly why heaven looked exactly like the hateful earth I had just left. There was so much I didn't yet understand, though, I decided to let it drop.
"You smell just exactly the same as always," I told her, sighing as her intoxicating scent once again assaulted my senses. "So maybe this is hell," I admitted, still not completely rid of my deeply rooted belief that vampires lost their souls. Of course, that would suggest that Bella was only a figment of my imagination, for someone as good as her could never find her final rest in hell. "I don't care. I'll take it," I decided, willing to have only Bella's memory with me for the rest of eternity. It was better for her if we were separated for eternity. That thought sent a sharp jolt of pain coursing through my being, that I quickly forced back.
"I'm not dead," she said quickly. "And neither are you!" I didn't know what to think of her last statement as it made me extremely confused, so I chose to ignore it. "Please, Edward, we have to move. They can't be far away!" Her voice was so full of pleading, I found myself unable, as well as unwilling to ignore what she was saying. Who was they, though?
"What was that?" I asked, my forehead furrowing in confusion. She was shifting around in my hold anxiously, but I was unwilling to let her go. Her obvious anxiety was transferring to me, and I had to force my voice to sound extremely polite to cover up my nerves.
"We're not dead, not yet!" she repeated urgently. "But we have to get out of here before the Volturi—" It dawned on me suddenly, that she had to be telling the truth. I could suddenly hear the thoughts of the last people I ever wanted to meet Bella. Said people could never and would never wind up in heaven if someone did a good deed and rid the world of them. Before Bella could finish speaking, I lifted her up gently, being sure not to break her fragile body, and placed her so that the brick wall I had been examining earlier was to her back, and I was protecting her front. I found myself slightly disappointed that there was no proof as to the existence of my soul, but pushed that thought onto the back burner as I stood before the love of my life—rather my existence. I spread my arms wide in a protective stance, just as two familiar forms detached themselves from the shadows, their thoughts troubling to say the least.