AN: NEWSFLASH: Fanfiction Award Voting starts May 15th OoOoOoOoO
Thanks to you, my loyal readers, Blue Moon Over Manka's has been nominated for an award at The Denali Coven website.
There is a link on my Profile/Bio page where you can click to vote. Show your support by voting, starting on Thursday, May 15th. My nomination is for:
The Danger Magnet Award, representing the Best Bella Characterization
So if you like Bella in Blue Moon, please vote and thanks for your support.
My beta, Ranma15177, has also been nominated! Her story, Escaping Sol is nominated for Best Action/Adventure fiction, the Race Through Volterra Award. Please vote for her, too, it is a wonderful story.
Other than to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the wonderful reviews for the last chapter (I am completely overwhelmed), I will not keep you any longer from the mystery of the golden eyes…
Chapter 23: Just in Time
"That's exactly how I feel about you, Edward. I know I'm not perfect and I'm grateful you've given me another chance, too. Everyday seems to bring us closer together. Our future together is going to be wonderful, I just know it." He didn't reply, but held me even tighter, burying his head in my neck. We sat like that for what seemed like an eternity, until I noticed a pair of golden eyes staring at me out of the darkness from the edge of the clearing.
They were the eyes in my nightmare.
Instantly my body tensed and I froze although my heart began beating wildly. Suddenly the growling started and there was a rustle amidst the ferns. Even before I could scream I saw the golden fur of a bobcat spring out from the darkness, heading straight for me.
I felt Edward release me and then he was just a blur. In a fraction of a second he spun around and launched himself towards the wild cat. The charging feline collided with him at full speed, snarling, claws out. I heard a huge roar that seemed to echo in the woods and shake the ground. Edward struck a glancing blow at the cat with his arm.
It yelped and was sent hurtling back into the woods. I heard it hit the forest floor and then nothing. In that split second before Edward could pursue the bobcat I used every bit of strength I had to call out to him.
"Edward, please," was all I managed to gasp. I was still sitting where he left me, shaking life a leaf.
He stalked back toward me with liquid, feral grace. He instantly scooped me up off the ground and held me tight against his chest. "Are you all right?" he asked with concern.
I was frightened, but not hurt. "It just happened so suddenly. Those were the eyes in my dream, Edward. See, I told you it wasn't you," I said weakly. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Bella," he said calmly, stroking my hair.
"Is it dead?" I whispered, already feeling sorry for the poor creature.
"No, I can still hear its heartbeat, but it is unconscious. I think we should be going," he said shortly. He slung his backpack over his shoulder in one smooth graceful motion. I closed my eyes and clung to him as we were racing through the woods, the cool wind whipping my hair around my face, arriving back at the car in just moments.
He deposited me in the passenger seat and fastened my seat belt. He tossed his backpack in the back seat and slid in behind the wheel. He took my hand in his and gazed at me for a while and then said, "I can't take you anywhere."
"Edward, that's not very nice," I protested, finally able to relax and take a deep breath.
"No, I mean it's my fault; I take you for a walk in the woods and you get attacked by a bobcat. I shouldn't have exposed you to that kind of danger." He started the engine and we took off at a high rate of speed on the bumpy dirt road.
"Oh, please! We both knew that the woods were full of wildlife. You know it's probably just me. I seem to attract these kinds of things," I suggested.
"Bella, you are the master of understatement. I was concentrating on you so much that I wasn't paying any attention to our surroundings. I am so sorry." He raised my hand to his lips and kissed my palm making my heart flutter.
"I can hardly be upset that you were concentrating on me. Thanks, but it wasn't your fault," I objected, "and you did save me yet again."
"I should have known better than to put you in that situation, but I thought it was safe here. Now that cat has your scent," he added darkly.
"What difference does that make? He's not going to track me back to Forks," I said confidently.
"No, but it means no more walking in the woods, and you're not to set foot outside of the cabin without me; not even to take a shower," he said sternly.
"Oh, I enjoyed the bubble bath much more than the shower, so that's not a problem," I said, trying to lighten his mood. "I promise the only way I'll use that outdoor shower again is if you're there to protect me," I stated, proud that only a hint of pink was visible on my cheeks.
"Would you like to go into San Francisco this afternoon, Bella?" he said smoothly, changing the subject.
"Yes, that would be fun; I've never been there… well, I've never been out of the car there," I said, remembering the frantic drive from Forks to Phoenix when we breezed past the city in a blur.
Just then Edward's cell phone vibrated; he answered it and said, "Yes, she's okay Alice, thanks," I noticed a hint of sarcasm on the "thanks," part. I could hear Alice's voice, but she was speaking so rapidly I couldn't distinguish any specific words.
"It was all over very quickly. No, I don't think she's going to go into shock, she seems to handle being randomly attacked without too much fuss," he complained. Alice's response only sounded like an intermittent high-pitched noise.
"Of course I remember exactly what I said… alright, I admit it wasn't your fault." Alice screeched something else and then he said, "Yes, we are going into San Francisco this afternoon and you have my permission to take a look this time."
I rolled my eyes and said, "Hey Boris, Natasha, I'm right here; I can hear you."
Ignoring my comment, Edward continued, "If you see anything else it would nice to get a little notice," he paused. "I'll see," he said as he lowered the phone and turned to me. "She was worried about you and she's angry with me because of the restriction I put on her checking on your future," he explained. "I only decided to take you to that clearing when we were up on the cliffs. She had a spontaneous vision about you, but it was all over before she could warn me. Do you want to speak to her?"
"Oh yes," I said, taking the phone out of his hand. He draped his arm across my shoulder and rested his hand on the nape of my neck, as if he couldn't bear break contact with my skin. I smiled at him, grateful, since I wanted his hands to be on me at all times as well. "Alice?"
"So sorry, Bella, the vision came just a bit late," she said in her musical voice.
"That's not your fault; it's not anyone's fault. My special ability is how I can snatch failure from the jaws of success. I'm just a freak of nature, you all should know that by now," I laughed.
"Are you having a good time at Manka's?"
"Oh yes, Alice, it's the most magical place. Our cabin is beyond description, and the people are wonderful and there's even this gigantic dog that likes Edward. Just imagine," I gushed.
"That's a bit hard to picture."
"You would love the chef-owner, Margaret. She reminds me of you a little bit. She's very kind and a little eccentric, but very generous. She offered Edward a job, playing piano in the dining room."
"Does she like to shop?" Alice always asked the important questions.
I looked at Edward and he was nodding his head. "Yes, Alice," he said as I held the phone toward him, "she loves to shop; she could give you a run for the money. She's filled the Lodge with antiques and she loves to buy things in mass quantities, like a dozen gross of bath towels."
"She does sound like a kindred spirit; I can't wait to meet her," Alice gushed.
"It's too bad you won't be able to taste her desserts; the things she does with chocolate should be illegal," I enthused.
"The things Bella does while eating smoked crab should also be illegal; she nearly killed me last night, Alice."
I couldn't believe he was bringing that up, after all the other things I had done as the evening wore on. "Don't pay any attention to him, he's wildly exaggerating," I interjected.
"She left me breathless and unable to move," Edward insisted.
"I think you recovered rather nicely," I retorted.
"This was in the dining room?" Alice queried.
"Yes, in front of about fifty people," Edward confirmed.
"I didn't notice anyone but you last night, Edward. Besides, you got me back in the Necessary Room."
"The Necessary Room," Alice squealed. "I haven't heard that term in over 60 years. Spill, I want details."
"She tried to have her way with me," Edward quickly answered.
"I think it was the other way around," I protested.
"Who asked to be kissed?" Edward taunted.
Before I could object, Alice piped up.
"Sounds like you two are having a grand old time. I need to make reservations for Jasper and me. I can't wait to get him in that Necessary Room," Alice chuckled.
I rolled my eyes and Edward laughed. I felt a little tug at my heart; he was so staggeringly beautiful when he laughed.
I put the phone back up to my ear and said, "Thanks for the new wardrobe, Alice. Everything has been so beautiful and fits perfectly. I know Edward has appreciated seeing me in something other than sweats and an old tee shirt." I grinned at him.
"Have you had any luck getting him out of his clothes?" She asked unabashedly.
I glanced at him, but he suddenly he had his eyes on the road and seemed to have gone deaf.
"Haven't you been following my storyline on No Sex and the City?" I said, and I could feel the color rising in my face. "Do you have any indications about my accomplishing that goal?"
"No, sorry Bella. Can't help you there. Enjoy the weekend," she chirped.
"Thanks, Alice, I know we will," I said as I hung up the phone.
It was always good to talk to Alice; we shared such a bond. Talking to her made several thoughts flash through my head. I remembered that she was the one to take me back to Phoenix, supposedly to keep me safe, and she was responsible for my first overseas flight to Italy, to rescue Edward. If nothing else, I would be eternally grateful to her for that.
I thought about how she had offered to bite me then, well, not on the plane as I had suggested, but later, if we did get to Edward in time, and how I would have gladly let her change me right then, even when I thought Edward didn't love me. I had thought that as a vampire I might be graceful and beautiful, and I would have a better chance to win his love. Even if he had rejected me as a human, I was willing to trade my life right then for a just an opportunity to get a second chance with him.
Alice had been so stressed on that plane ride. I was so focused on just getting there in time. I had decided if we didn't save Edward I would have no problem with the Volturi killing me then and there. Alice had freaked out at this, so I pretended that I would let her try to get me out alive, but I knew if I lost Edward then that I didn't want to go on living either.
Poor Charlie. What would they have told him? With Alice, Edward and me all gone, and Jacob left standing there in the kitchen, unable to stop us and unable to tell Charlie the whole truth. How did I get myself in these situations? How had I let my feelings for Jake get so confused? Yes, I had made him happy but I wasn't responsible for his happiness; I couldn't be. I was glad I had come to my senses; Edward was my soul mate, my one and only love, now and forever, period.
Talking to Alice made me wonder about my attempts to take our relationship to the next level. I found my voice again and said, "Has Alice foreseen anything dramatic happening this weekend, I mean in terms of me and you?"
"She said you would be fine. You know I made her promise not to try to see anything else while we were gone. I was just trying to insure that we would have some privacy."
"So, taking the next step doesn't pose a physical danger for me," I said, thinking I had trapped him into admitting I wouldn't be hurt by a more intimate relationship.
"Marriage can always be dangerous, but Alice doesn't see any problems for us," Edward said smoothly.
"That's not what I meant by the next step, and you know it," I fumed.
"Whatever do you mean, Bella?" he feigned ignorance.
I didn't answer immediately, trying to think of the best way to present my argument.
"I may not be able to read your mind, but it seems to have only one track this weekend," he said, with a hint of resignation in his voice. This gave me new hope.
"I have a one track mind where you're concerned, Edward," I agreed.
"I think you need a distraction," he mused. "You know what they say about men liking cars and women liking clothes? Alice likes cars too, because they take her to where the clothes are."
"Good try, but nothing can distract me from you or from thinking about you," I said, scuttling his attempt at changing the subject. "I guess my wedding day will be the happiest day of my life because then finally, my whole life with you can begin," I said, with mixed emotions, thinking of the people I would be leaving behind.
"It will certainly be the happiest day I will have ever spent," Edward said, but there was a touch of sadness in his voice, too.
"I never thought I would be looking forward to getting married, but you've given me so much incentive, I can't help but be excited about it now," I freely admitted, gazing down at the exquisite symbol of love Edward had place on my left hand.
Edward looked at me with his crooked smile, savoring his triumph, and then said, "What would you like to do in San Francisco this afternoon?"
"Could we ride the cable cars?" I asked excitedly.
"Of course we can, Bella. Whatever you'd like. We need to stop at the cabin first and change out of this hiking gear, though."
And before I knew it, we were back at the Lodge. He parked and was at my side, lifting me out of the SUV before I could blink.
He ran gracefully down the stone steps with me in his arms and only set me down when we were in front of the fireplace. "You are so lovely," he murmured.
I still had my arms clasped around his neck and refused to let go without a kiss. He made it a good one, and I sank into the sofa dreamily.
"Can I bring you a snack, Bella?" He was nothing if not solicitous.
"Sure, knock yourself out." I loved watching him try to do human tasks to please me.
He took a bottle of milk out of the mini fridge and poured a glassful. Then he took the blackberry cobbler out of the dessert box from last night and put it on a plate. He grabbed a fork out of the cabinet and brought everything over to where I was sitting on the sofa.
"You are back in perfect fiancé territory," I teased. "Of course you never really stray very far out of that area."
"That's nice to hear. What territory does placing you in life-threatening situations fall under?" he asked sardonically.
"Oh, get over it," I said, my mouth full of cobbler. "I was just going to say you can't protect me from everything, but then again, I think you can protect me from everything, and it seems to be a full time job," I said, taking a sip of milk.
"Enjoy your snack, my little danger magnet," he taunted. "I have to make a couple of calls and I'll be right back." He stepped through the French doors on to a little side porch and took out his cell phone.
I finished my scrumptious cobbler and drained the glass of milk, setting them back on the table for Manka's elves to collect. Then I wandered into the bedroom and explored in the closet again for something suitable to wear for our foray into the big city.
I pulled out the hanger with the Saturday afternoon designation and found myself holding a pair of tailored black slacks and a cream silk blouse with a scoop neck front and back. Sewn down ruffles bordered the neck and three quarter length puff sleeves. I slipped it on and looked in the mirror to tie the ribbon around the empire waistline.
It was a little girly for me, but not uncomfortable, and I told myself that Edward would probably like it. I pulled on the slacks and went to check out the shoe situation. A pair of beautiful black leather boots with just half-inch heels greeted me. Alice was being so kind.
I went into the bathroom, brushed my teeth and sat down on the bench. I picked up the hairbrush and absentmindedly began brushing my hair. I was thinking about everything we had talked about this morning, and how much closer I felt we were growing because of it. We both had doubts, but when we talked about them, they seemed to disappear.
I couldn't get the memory of his extraordinary kiss off of my mind. If he had kissed me like that earlier I probably never would have let myself get so involved with Jacob. I remembered Jacob's warm kiss that frosty morning on the mountaintop and how he had let me feel his joy. I had made him happy and I couldn't stand to think about hurting him. I had confused that feeling with love but it couldn't compare with what I felt for Edward.
Then I thought about most of Edward's controlled kisses. Until this weekend I couldn't recall him ever letting me feel so much of his passion. But last night after dinner and this morning after our argument, he had let me feel some fraction of what he feels for me. If that's what it feels like when he's holding back I couldn't wait until I was his equal and he wouldn't have to worry about my safety any longer. I wanted to experience all of Edward and finally make him understand how much I loved him.
A shadow fell across the open bathroom door and I looked up. Edward had changed clothes too, and looked incredibly handsome in a dark gray button down shirt and matching wool slacks. His black leather jacket was new and he looked slightly dangerous and extremely sexy in it. He was looking at me expectantly.
"You look amazing, Edward. Did Alice help you out with your wardrobe, too?" I laid down the hairbrush and stood up.
"Yes, you know it's almost impossible to stop her. You look more stunning every time I see you, Bella," he said appreciatively.
He leaned down and gave me a quick kiss, far too quick for my liking. "Shall we go?" I nodded and he picked me up like I weighed nothing and started back to the car, grabbing a sweater coat for me on the way out. "It gets cold and windy in San Francisco, you'll need this later," he said as he closed our cabin door and started up the stone stairs.
It was threatening to rain, but so far there were just dark clouds overhead. "We'll take Highway 1, that's the coast route, very scenic," he said, slipping into tour guide mode.
We zipped past a tiny town called Olema, which Edward informed me was the epicenter of the famous 1906 earthquake. I asked him if he had ever been in an earthquake and he said several, but they were not a big deal to him, being somewhat indestructible. I pointed out how that might be a good thing for me to be, too. He grimaced and sped up, passing the Audubon Canyon Ranch in a blur.
We flew past a road sign that read: Dogtown: Population 78. "Cool name for a town," I remarked. He explained that being just down the road from Bear Valley, the town got its name from all the hunting dogs that were brought in to track the bears.
I held his right hand in both of mine, never tiring of the feel of his cold, slender fingers entwined with mine.
"Edward, does it ever bother you that you can't be a doctor like Carlisle, or have some kind of regular career?" I had wondered about this before, and now seemed as good a time as any to ask.
He seemed surprised that I would ask a question like that.
"Yes, Bella, it does sometimes. I am not sure I could ever be a doctor like Carlisle; he's very special. It does bother me to be around the blood in the hospital. Not as much as it used to, but still, too much to be there every day. It does seem a waste for me to have all this medical knowledge and not put it to a better use. I would like to do something to help people the way Carlisle does, but you know, having close contact with most people can be a problem," he concluded with regret.
I thought about that. About the way most people admired the beauty of the Cullens from afar but were too intimidated to get near them. That would create problems in most workplaces.
"That just reminds me what a special person you are, Bella. You are most unusual, do you know that?" he inquired happily.
"I know I'm the luckiest girl in the world," I said joyfully.
"Well I wouldn't go that far, but you have so many unusual qualities for a human. You're not afraid of vampires for starters. You can smell human blood, which is quite remarkable, and I can't read your mind, so there's something extraordinary going on there."
"I think the only thing extraordinary about me is your falling in love with me," I said honestly.
"If it takes 'til the end of time I am going to make you understand just how special you are," he vowed, kissing my fingertips.
"You do make me feel special," I admitted, and I was even more thrilled to hear him talk about being with me 'til the end of time.
"I would be happy if taking care of you was my only job. You are my top priority. I do spend some of my time, mostly while you are sleeping, on administration of the Pacific Northwest Trust. I guess you could call what I do estate planning. Alice and I are heavily involved with Carlisle in the family's financial dealings; stocks, bonds, property management, that kind of thing."
Pacific Northwest Trust. I knew that name. That was the company that delivered a large sum of so-called scholarship money to me when Edward was gone.
"I had forgotten about the Pacific Northwest Trust, Edward. What were you thinking when you sent me that money?"
He looked very guilty and I immediately regretted questioning him about this.
"I would have sent you a million dollars if I thought you would accept it. I… I always wanted to take care of you, even when I wasn't there."
"I couldn't figure it out. If you didn't care about me, why were you sending me money? I thought you felt guilty… and were sort of trying to pay me off, but that didn't make sense. I was just so angry. I kept trying to get rid of the money and you just kept sending it to me. Do you know how frustrating that was?"
"Frustration does not begin to describe what I was going through. I was only thinking about you going to college and I wanted you to be able to go wherever you wanted, without having to worry about money. I figured you would know if was from me, but I hoped that wouldn't stop you from taking it. I just wanted you to be happy."
"Money is never going to make me happy, Edward, you know that. I would be perfectly happy living in your Volvo as long as you were there."
His eyes widened; I had surprised him, which delighted me.
"I will remember that little tidbit for the future," he said, unable to disguise his pleasure.
I wondered what I was letting myself in for. I could just see us, driving across Alaska, camping in his car. Of course I would no longer be human then, and we could finally put that backseat to good use. I felt myself begin to blush and quickly turned my head to look out the window but the scenery was just a blur. Edward was driving at his usual breakneck pace.
"Bella, could you look at me, please?"
Drat. He knew I was blushing. I slowly turned my head and looked at him from beneath my lashes.
"If you keep that up I am going to have to stop this car," he said unsteadily. "You are turning into quite the little seductress."
Who, me?
"That reminds me, before we get to the city we need to lay down some ground rules," Edward said, regaining his composure at vampire speed.
I didn't like the sound of that. It probably meant he was going to set some rules that I had to follow and he didn't. "What kind of ground rules?" I asked skeptically.
"Simple ones. For example, if we get separated for any reason—"
"Why would we get separated?" I interrupted.
"With you there could be myriad reasons, and I don't want to take any chances."
I just stared at him and waited to hear the rules.
"Did you bring your cell phone?"
I bit my lip and furrowed my brow.
"You forgot it, didn't you?" he accused.
"Yeah, I think it's in my bedroom," I admitted.
"No matter, I brought an extra one," he said, reaching into his jacket pocket and handing me a shiny new cell phone.
"What are these, a dime a dozen, Edward?" Every time I turned around he had a new cell phone.
"You can't put a price on your security, Bella. Put that in your purse, it's programmed with all the numbers you need. My cell is at the top of the list, followed by Alice's."
I grumbled under my breath but did as instructed.
"Have that phone with you at all times. If we get separated, stay where you are, don't wander around. It's easier for me to find you if your trail doesn't go too far. Use the cell phone to call me as soon as possible."
"Why don't you just implant some sort of tracking device on me? You know, like those radio collars they put on wild animals in the nature preserves," I said sarcastically.
"Believe me, I've thought about it," he shot back.
"Edward!" I had been kidding and his reply astonished me.
"Losing you is my greatest fear, Bella. Do you not know how precious you are to me?"
"Well I should, you're wonderful at telling me, but you can't put me on a leash," I protested.
"I am aware, and I'm not saying that, but you must admit trouble has a way of finding you. I just want to be prepared."
"All that is over now. It's in the past. We have a very bright future ahead of us," I said, hoping I sounded more confident than I felt. He was right. Trouble did have a way of finding me.
He chuckled quietly and I wondered what he thought was so funny.
"Bella, only you could say something like that after having just escaped being attacked by a bobcat."
AN: So there you have it; the mystery of the golden eyes solved, and yes, bobcats/lynx are plentiful in the Point Reyes National Park. Now is the time to review this chapter. Did you like the PNT part? I hope you can take a moment to let me know what your favorite parts were...
Thanks again for all the glowing reviews for the last chapter. I can't believe how many of you said it was your favorite chapter so far. I know it was what I've been waiting to read ever since Eclipse came out.
For those of you who don't get the Pacific Northwest Trust reference, that just means you haven't read the outtakes on Stephenie Meyer's site. She wrote a good chunk of the story that her editors insisted on removing. Edward sent Bella a check for 20,000 through this PNT company, as a scholarship. She had no proof, but she knew it was from him. She tried to return it, but there was no return address. To read the whole story, visit www Stepheniemeyer dot com, click on the New Moon link, then Outtakes, then Scholarship. As far as I am concerned, all those events happened, we just didn't get to read about them in New Moon.
I again thank my beta, not done baking, for being so helpful. Another friend, Ranma15177 is making incredibly valuable insights to help shape and refine this tale, beginning with Chapter 18. I'm very grateful to have help like this, so cheerfully given. Ranma15177 has a new story called "Conversations with Emmett," that includes the whole Cullen clan and the Denali clan, and you can get to her through a link in my Favorites Stories List (her story there is called "Making A Home" and it's about how Carlisle and Esme came to be).