Disclaimer: I do not own the wonderful characters that Stephenie Meyer has created. I also wanted to let everyone know that I only wrote the Bella Point of Views, and my dear friend, "OhWowKatherine" wrote the Edward Points of Views.
This story picks up after "Playstation with the Cullens."
Comments would be wonderful!
Bella's POV:
I pulled the white curtain out of my way as I re-entered the room where my mom, Esme, and Alice were all waiting for me to show them the dress of my choice. Alice was being Edward's eyes. I had wanted him to come along, but he had refused, shaking his head and laughed as he kissed me goodbye.
"Its bad luck to see the bride in her dress before the wedding."
"Since when do you believe in myths and traditions?" I asked with a laugh. "Don't ruin this—I'm only doing this one." He said, looking deep into my eyes. I believed him too.
"Not true." I teased. "When we move around…" He shook his head. I think I understood where he was coming from. It was different for Rosalie and Emmett because their parents were dead…but our wedding would hold a different meaning. My parents—real and living—would be there. It would only hold this important meaning once.
I slowly stepped out in front of everyone—and they all smiled.
"Bella, this is the one for you." Alice said with confidence. She must have seen me in this dress. I did love it—it was beautiful. I never thought I would feel like a bride—but in this dress, I did. The realization broadened on me—I was Edward's bride.
"Do you like it?" My mother asked me; It looked like she was about to cry. I nodded with a smile, and twirled around for a moment. "I do like it."
I had a sudden flash back of Halloweens from the past, when I had been really small, and my mom used to buy me the pretty princess dresses, along with cheap bride gowns. I remember as a child loving to pretend to be a princess—not so much as a bride—but I never realized that I could feel the same way again.
"Turn around and take a look at yourself, Bella." Esme said with a smile. I wondered for a moment if Esme ever took Rosalie out dress shopping…after all those weddings. I took a long look at myself in this beautiful white gown. The last time I had taken a long look at myself, it was before Edward had come back; I had looked like the living dead; now I looked like a long ago princess. I didn't even recognize myself.
Something from across the room caught my attention; I saw bright, fiery, red hair hide quickly behind a rack of wedding gowns. I quickly turned to look at Alice and Esme, but their faces showed no worry, no danger.
I suddenly wished Edward had come with me—instead of going out with Jasper, Emmett and Carlisle. Whatever they were doing was probably not as important as protecting me from Victoria.
"Is something the matter?" My mom asked, taking note of my wary gaze. I quickly shook my head, and tried to ignore the sense of dread that was suddenly evident in my stomach. I felt sick; I bit my lip, trying to hold myself back.
"You look sick…" Alice said concerned and stood up. "Let me help you." I nodded, breathlessly and let Alice led me behind the white curtain.
"Victoria." I gasped. "I saw her, Alice. She's here." Alice looked at me with disbelieving eyes. "I didn't sense her, Bella."
"I know what I saw, Alice." I managed. She helped me escape the confines of the dress and she took the dress away as I re-dressed. I was anxious to get back to the Cullen House—back to Edward's protective hold. Renee glanced at me worried as we left the store; I felt bad that I had ruined the moment. We walked out into the rain, and I recognized Jacob's Rabbit sitting next to my mother's Rent-a-Car. Jacob was leaning against his car and watching me.
"Isn't that…" Alice started to ask, and I nodded. "That's Jake." I whispered.
"Bella!" He shouted when he saw that I wasn't going to stop and talk to him. He had made it evident he was done with me—I didn't understand what he wanted.
"Charlie said you'd be out here." He said, gesturing to the bridal shop. "So, now you're marrying your blood sucker." He whispered in a low voice. I knew Alice and Esme could hear him because of their good hearing. I couldn't believe Jacob Black at the nerve.
"Jake—what are you doing here?" I asked angrily.
"I just came to warn you that Victoria is back in town," He began casually. "And now that the Cullen's are back, the pack and I can't protect you." Thank god my mom was waiting in the car. "I know that! It's not like it matters to you anyway!" I snapped and walked past him. I never thought I could feel so angry at Jacob.
"Will I get an invitation?" He shouted as I got into the car. I only glared at him.
How dare he think this wedding as a joke? Of coarse he did—he wished it was him… I stopped my thoughts and tried to calm down. Esme and Alice didn't comment or question me, thank goodness—I knew I would snap if they did. My mother only gave me a concerned face. I would miss her when she went back to Florida—back to Phil. She would return later for the actual wedding.
I felt a bit of relief knowing that Jacob had at least seen Victoria—he knew she was back; that meant I wasn't going crazy. I just needed to have a talk with Edward and tell him.
The moment we pulled up to the Cullen House, I ran inside. We had dropped my mom off-and took Alice's car back up to the house.
"Edward!" I shouted, almost half screaming. I ran into the house, and down the hallway—toward his room. He met me half way, catching me into his arms. I'm sure I had just worried him—making him think a million different reasons why I was screaming—but I had to tell him.
"Bella, what's wrong?"
"She's back, Edward! She's…back." I said breathless. Edward didn't have to say anything. He held me tightly in his arms and sighed. "Alice?"
"We didn't see or sense anything, Edward." Alice's voice said from behind me. I remembered Jake's words: Jake wouldn't lie to me about something like Victoria. "Jake…" I whispered and looked up at Edward. "Jake even said Victoria was back."
"At graduation?" He asked surprised.
"No." I shook my head. "Today—he showed up as we were leaving. Charlie told him where I was, and he warned me. He told me as long as you and your family was around, they wouldn't help…protect me." Edward was silent. Didn't he believe me? His expression told me he didn't. "Bella…that could have been anyone, and as for Jake…" I pushed Edward away and shook my head.
"I know what I saw!"
"Bella, you could be jumping t conclusions." I couldn't believe him. "Why don't you believe me?" I started to sob—it came from no-where, but it was uncontrollable. I never felt so helpless.
"Bella." He tried in a calming voice. "Please calm down. I never said I didn't believe you." He pulled me back into his arms and kissed the tops of my head as I laid my forehead against his chest. I tried to reduce my tears to just sniffles as I stood there in his arms. I didn't understand my out-burst; I wasn't one to start crying like that. I wondered if Edward saw me as weak—or even crazy. He soothed me—just like I had imagined he would, and led me into his room and held me as we sat on the sofa. He was silent—perhaps thinking.
I wondered what he was thinking about.
I felt my eyes drift, as I laid in his arms, and wondered what would happen next. I heard Edward talking to Alice softly, but I couldn't make out the words--sleep was coming for me. I wondered if he was questioning her about what had happened earlier, but before I had another thought—I felt myself fall asleep.
Edward's POV
Today was the day that Bella, Alice, Esme and Renee were going dress shopping for the wedding. "Come with us Edward?" Bella pleaded. I had to laugh. "Alice has far better taste in dresses than I do," I said, kissing her goodbye, "and besides, it's bad luck to see the bride in her dress before the wedding."
"Since when do you believe in myths and traditions?"
I looked at her. I wasn't planning on getting married every several years like Rosalie and Emmett. "Don't ruin this—I'm only doing this one."
"Not true, when we move around…" she started. I shook my head. The wedding would only hold its meaning once. After that it would never be as profound, or wonderful. I kissed her again. The girls piled into Alice's car and headed off to the bridal shop.
Emmett, Jasper, Carlisle and I were planning on having a videogame tournament today. Esme talked us into getting fitted for our tuxes instead. It did make sense, to get the boring aspects of the wedding out of the way. It took Jasper some convincing though.
At the tux shop, the conversation obviously revolved around the wedding. "Our little boy is growing up," Emmett said to Carlisle jokingly.
"Shut up," I told him, childishly.
Emmett punched my arm, "Nice comeback."
It didn't take us very long to pick out tuxedos and get fitted, so we had some times to kill before Bella, Alice and Esme came home. We decided to start that videogame tournament. Jasper and Emmett were arguing over which game to play when the door slammed and I heard Bella scream my name. "Edward!" she yelled, as she came up the stairs. I met in her in the hallway as she ran into my arms.
I had no idea what was going on. Why would she be in hysterics? "Bella, what's wrong?" I asked.
"She's back, Edward! She's…back.," Bella said, exasperated. I knew immediately who she was talking about, and it would definitely explain the hysterics. Victoria, the mate of James, the tracker that we killed after he trapped Bella. She had been hell-bent on revenge ever since.
I sighed, "Alice?" Surely Alice would have been able to tell if Victoria was anywhere near the bridal shop, or would have seen it coming.
"We didn't see or sense anything, Edward."
Bella whispered, "Jake…Jake even said Victoria was back."
"At graduation?" That could have been the only time he would have told Bella, after vowing to stay away from her.
"No. Today—he showed up as we were leaving. Charlie told him where I was, and he warned me. He told me as long as you and your family was around, they wouldn't help…protect me." Her answer surprised me, to an extent. I didn't think that I would be hearing about Jacob anytime soon after what he told Bella at graduation. It is just like him though to emphasize the fact that he can't do anything for her if I'm around. He must be livid about the engagement.
"Bella…that could have been anyone, and as for Jake…" I started.
Bella interrupted, "I know what I saw!"
"Bella, you could be jumping to conclusions," I reasoned.
She started crying, "Why don't you believe me?"
"Bella, please calm down. I never said I didn't believe you." I kissed her on her forehead. She wouldn't be this upset if she hadn't seen Victoria. Surely either Alice and Esme would have sensed her though…wouldn't they have? Apparently Jacob and his pack have sensed her, otherwise he wouldn't have gone out to warn Bella, and werewolves to have a keener sense of smell than vampires do. I didn't know what to think.
Bella started drifting off to sleep, so I asked Alice about what happened. "She was looking in the mirror at the dress, which is really beautiful by the way, "Alice explained, "When she pulled me into the dressing room and said that she saw Victoria. Jacob Black was in his car, waiting in the parking lot. He made some remark about the two of you getting married, and then he said that Victoria was back in town."
"And you didn't sense anything? You didn't see her coming?" I asked.
"No. Nothing."
I thought for a moment. "Is there anyway that a vampire can hide themselves from other vampires that you know of?"
Alice shook her head, "I don't know any more about vampires than you do, Edward."
"She really thinks that she saw Victoria though, and Jacob confirmed it," I said, "But if we can't sense her coming, which it seems like we can't, then Bella is in danger. I need to talk to Carlisle. Is he still upstairs?"
"I think I heard his car pulling out of the driveway a few minutes ago. He probably had to go to the hospital or something," Alice said, shrugging her shoulders. Now way. He would have told us if he was leaving. I gently moved Bella so that she was lying on the couch. "Watch her," I told Alice, who nodded in response.
I ran upstairs and peeked into Jasper's room. He was there with Emmett, playing some racing game. "Have either of you seen Carlisle?" They both shook their heads. I sighed and walked further down the hallway and approached the doorway to Carlisle's office. I turned the knob. I saw a woman with fiery, red hair and deep red eyes.
"Hello, Edward," she said maliciously.
Bella's POV:
I woke with a start. I wasn't sure exactly what it was that woke me—maybe it was the sense of dread in my stomach—or it was the fact that Edward's arms weren't wrapped around me any longer. All I knew was that I was alone in Edward's room. The room was dark, and for a moment the house was silent.
The Cullen Family would never leave me alone in their house—not with Victoria on the loose now.
I jumped up when I heard a slamming against the wall, and a loud grunt. I knew it had to have been Edward. There was a reason why he wasn't by my side…
I didn't hesitate, and ran towards the door where the noise was coming from. I tried to open the door, but it wouldn't budge. I couldn't get the door to open.
"Edward." I whispered—trying to keep my voice at a minimum. I knew Edward would hear me despite the noise inside the room. I heard a groan against the door, and I knew it was him blocking the entry way.
"Edward." I tried again, and tried to push the door. "Let me in."
"No…" He managed; I could hear his head rolling against the door. He was in pain.
"Please…" I whispered, getting down on my knees and pressing my shoulders against the door. Finally the weight against the door left, and I was able to go in. He was leaning against the wall; blood streaming down his lip.
"Edward!" I shouted, and rushed to his side. Was it really possible that vampires bled? Then I remembered James…
"Edward." I said again, pushing his hair from his face and trying to get him to open his eyes. He would be okay—I knew it. Vampires healed quickly.
He slowly opened his eyes and smiled at me.
"I'm alright, Bella…"
"What happened?"
Edward glanced around the room and groaned as he leaned away from the wall. I noticed his hands went to his ribs.
"Victoria."
"I told you, Edward." I said in a worried voice. I had been right—when all I wanted was to be wrong. He pulled me into his arms and sighed. "I know."
I felt uneasy. I didn't know why.
I shouldn't have being in his arms—but there was something wrong. Perhaps Victoria never left.
"Where did she go?"
"Hmmm?" He asked, glancing down at me. "Where did she go, Edward?"
"I don't know. Alice, Emmett, Jasper went after her. I wasn't the only one fighting." So that's why the house was so quiet and dark.
"And Esme?"
"At the hospital getting Carlisle."
"What are we going to do?"
"Esme and I came up with a plan…should this ever happen. We're going to tell Charlie and your mother that we're going camping—and your coming along. That way… if we have to leave…its okay." He murmured; I could feel him gaining his strength back. I looked up at him, and the blood from his mouth was gone.
I suddenly felt thirsty. I needed water.
"I'll be right back." I whispered, slowly getting up from his arms. He nodded and rested his head back against the wall. I could tell fighting with Victoria had left him slightly weak.
I slipped out the door and quietly crawled down the steps—I didn't know who else was in the house. I didn't breathe until I reached the kitchen—of coarse they never used it, but thankfully, they still had glasses—just like a real human kitchen.
"So we meet at last, Miss Swan." I heard a woman say behind me. I knew…oh god, I knew it was her.
"Don't scream." She snapped—seeming to almost read my thoughts. "He's weak, and it won't take much for me to kill him; trust me."
Lord, I didn't doubt her with that tone in her voice. I knew she would kill me—I just needed to accept the fate of death. Perhaps then—Edward would save me and turn me into a vampire. It would be his only choice.
"Come with me…or I'll kill them all, Bella." She said, as I slowly turned around. Her eyes spoke truth.
I slowly dropped my glass onto the counter and nodded.
"Alright, Victoria…have it your way."
I prayed silently that Edward would know and come to save me.
Edward's POV
"So you are back," I said with a snarl.
Victoria smiled. "You heard that I was back? All these people talking are making me famous," she said, "It is such a disappointment though that this isn't a surprise. Surprise attacks are so much more entertaining."
I paced around the room, as did she. We got closer each time. I got ready to pounce. "Why are you here?" I asked her, "I'm sure you would have more fun fighting the werewolf boy down at La Push."
"The taste of revenge burns sweetly on my tongue," she said.
I knew the taste of revenge well. "How did you shield yourself? None of us even saw you coming…none of us vampires anyway. What's your secret?" I asked her.
"If I told you, it wouldn't be a secret."
I thought for a moment. I need to call for help without her realizing it. "But not even Alice saw you coming," I said, saying Alice's name louder than needed. Hopefully she would come.
She cracked her neck. "Enough with the small talk," she said, "That's not what I am here for." Just at that moment, Alice walked in. "What is it, Edward?" she asked, then she saw, "Victoria."
Victoria said nothing in reply, instead she pounced on Alice. Jasper came running in. he two of them share some strange sort of bond I can't even begin to describe. He left just as quickly as he came, and then returned with Emmett.
"Family affair?" Victoria said menacingly. I went to leave the room to check on Bella, but that didn't work out too well. "Where do you thing that you're going?" she asked, "You're the one reason I'm here."
I turned around, and Alice looked at me. I made the decision that I wanted her, Emmett and Jasper to go outside the house, and follow Victoria after she left, if she left, and to let me stay and fight. Alice "saw" my plan. She motioned for Jasper and Emmett to follow her out of the room. The door shut, and I walked into the center of Carlisle's office.
"If I'm the one reason you're hear," I said to Victoria, "I don't want to waste your time any farther." I basically told her to "bring it." I knew that I could take her. At least, until she jumped on me. She was stronger than I had anticipated. She had been preparing for this moment. She pushed me into a wall and punched me repeatedly. I fought back. It didn't take me long to realize that this is one of the few instances that fighting a woman would be acceptable. I didn't know how long that we had been going at it, when I heard something. It was Bella coming down the hallway. I made my way back to the door, and put all my weight against it as I fought off Victoria. She wasn't getting out of this room, and Bella wasn't coming in. "Edward," Bella whispered. I tried to tell her no, but I couldn't find my voice. She called my name again, "Edward, let me in." I knew she was getting frustrated. I finally managed to say it. "No…"
"Please…" she was pushing he door open. Victoria left the room via the window that I had forgotten was there. At least Emmett, Alice and Japer were waiting for her. She wouldn't get far. I sat down on the floor, leaning against the wall. I had lost almost all of my energy between fending off against Victoria, and keeping Bella out. "Edward!" Bella shouted as she ran over to me. I wiped my mouth, from which blood was streaming. "Edward," she repeated. I gave her a weak smile. "I'm alright, Bella…" I promised.
"What happened?" I grasped my ribs, which felt broken, "Victoria." That's what happened. "I told you, Edward." Why hadn't I listened to her. "I know," I told her.
"Where did she go?" I was only half paying attention. I was thinking about what was going on outside. "Where did she go, Edward?" Bella asked. She knew that Victoria wasn't gone yet. She also knew that no one was home. "I don't know. Alice, Emmett, Jasper went after her. I wasn't the only one fighting," I told her, they had fought as well. Until I told them to leave. "And Esme?" she inquired. "At the hospital getting Carlisle."
She thought for a moment. "What are we going to do?"
"Esme and I came up with a plan…should this ever happen. We're going to tell Charlie and your mother that we're going camping—and your coming along," I said, "That way… if we have to leave…its okay." Hopefully. She whispered, "I'll be right back." She then left the room, and I heard her go down the stairs. I figured that she would be back at any moment, so I only half listened. Until I heard a voice. The same voice that greeted me when I entered Carlisle's office. "So we meet at last, Miss Swan." I heard a woman say behind me. I knew…oh god, I knew it was her. "Don't scream. He's weak, and it won't take much for me to kill him; trust me." Victoria said. How did she get back in the house. What happened to Alice, Jasper and Emmett? "Come with me…or I'll kill them all, Bella," she continued. I stood up, feebly. Don't go Bella. I was at the top of the stairs when I heard her response. "Alright, Victoria…have it your way," Bella said. NO! She wanted me. I was the one that she wanted dead, so why is she taking Bella? Unless she was using Bella as bait to get to me. If Bella is the bait, then I guess that I'm biting.
"ALICE!" I called. She came into the house, along with my brothers. They were all scratched and bruised up. "We're so sorry, Edward, we couldn't fight her o--" Alice started. I interrupted, "She took Bella."
"What?"
"Bella," I said, "She took Bella."
Bella's POV
I didn't fight her. How could I? I knew that I would lose. There would be no winning with Victoria--and I knew the instant that she wrapped her cold hands around me--I would be long dead before I ever saw Edward again. I just had the dreaded feeling. My thoughts went to Charlie and my mother--what would Edward say? What could he say?
"I'm sure Laurent will be happy to see you." Victoria snapped, looking sharply down at me. Laurent was dead--wasn't he? Jacob had killed him.
"Laurent...isn't he--" she cut me off suddenly. "You thought your little wolf friend killed him; He was just telling you that so you would depend on him more. No, Laurent is impossible to kill." I wanted to cry--I wanted to break down and tell her to just kill me now. Who knew--maybe she would turn me into a vampire, and then I would have the strength to kill her--and fight, and not be so worried about my mortality. It wouldn't matter. "Where are we going?" I demanded after a long moment of silence. She had dragged me into a jeep, and she was speeding down the highway--out of Forks, away from La Push--any means of my survival. "Away...from here."
"I can't just leave!" I shouted at her. She growled at me, showing her fangs. "Your love took mine--so I'm taking his."
"So its me you want--not him." She smiled and nodded. "I'm surprised you humans aren't as dumb as I thought." If she weren't a vampire, I would have punched her then and there.
"Edward will come after me."
"It doesn't matter--Laurent and I's strength could never be met by his."
"That's so true." I whispered, glaring at her. "His is much more stronger." She growled again, slamming on the breaks, and coming closer to my neck.
"I could end this all, Bella Swan. I could kill you--and you wouldn't stand a chance. I would let you suffer...I would let you die...and then I would throw you off in the weeds, and no one would ever find you."
"Then do it" I snarled back. Two could play this game. "Do it--I swear Edward would kill you."
"Revenge is a game, Bella sweet. All vampires can play the game...its all on how you deal with the cards your dealt with." She started the car back up and drove with too much speed--much faster than Edward. I looked out the window and felt tears form in my eyes. For a moment, I wished for nothing but death. A life without Edward was not worth living.
Edward's POV
I went into the driveway, moving faster as I regained my strength. Alice followed, I told Emmett and Jasper to come as well. We would need all of the man power we could get. I didn't bother getting into my Volvo. Too slow. I climbed into my Vanquish. As the doors closed, I turned the key and we sped out and onto the highway. "Which way?" I asked Alice. "I can't sense Victor--"
"Then try to sense Bella. You've been becoming more 'in tune' with her, haven't you?" I snapped. Alice stuttered, "Edward, I-I can't."
"Please, Alice. Try harder," I pleaded. She held Jasper's hand and focused. "Go North," she said. I smiled. Here we go.
I sped up as we weaved in and out of cars. "Emmett, Jasper, keep an eye on the cars. When you see Victoria or Bella, tell me."
"Alright, chief!" Emmett saluted. We drove for a while, getting farther and farther away from home, with Alice spitting directions out every few minutes. It was a race. A race for Bella's life. It's my entire fault. If I just would have changed her after she agreed to get married, this wouldn't be a problem…
Bella's POV
I was just falling asleep as twilight touched the sky. I wondered as I stared out into the dark, and now intimidating forest—what Edward was doing. I was sure he was angry—probably yelling at everyone. I suddenly felt bad for Alice and Jasper; I knew Emmett wouldn't put up with Edward's temper for long. I wanted to laugh—but I didn't want to break the impending silence between Victoria and I.
Thankfully, it wasn't me who spoke first—it was her.
"Your boyfriend is coming." She growled, looking in her rearview mirror. I saw the taillights in my side mirror and smiled; Edward had come after me.
"Edward." I whispered, sitting up straight in my seat, waiting for his lights to get closer. "I wouldn't get too excited, missy." She snarled. I knew Edward would have to win the fight before I could go with him—unless I fought back myself. Before Victoria had time to think, I grabbed the steering wheel, and gave it hard pull toward me.
"What do you think you're doing?" Victoria shouted angrily at me, trying to get back control over the steering wheel. I had just bought Edward more time. I didn't let go though, and pulled again.
"You're going to pay human!" She snarled; her teeth gleaming in the dark. I shivered—I just needed to live until Edward caught up—then he would save me.
The car was out of control, and before I knew it; it was off the road, flipping over and over again in the side ditch.
When I opened my eyes, Victoria was gone. I felt prying hands on my seatbelt and clothing—was it Edward? I couldn't see…
I tried to open my weak eyes again, and saw Edward's blurry, but worried face.
"Ed…ward…" I gasped, suddenly at a loss for breath.
"Are you alright, Bella?" He asked harshly; worry gripped his words.
"I'm okay."
"I'm trying to get you out."
"Victoria?" I managed, trying to help him with my nibble and weak fingers.
"She's gone. I don't know why she left. Maybe she thought you were dead." He stopped and looked at me. "I thought you were dead, Bella. This accident should have killed you." I looked down at my shirt to see it soaked with blood. I suddenly looked at him worried. Could he really handle my blood right in front of him?
"Edward?" He didn't look back up at me—he kept his gaze on what he was doing. Finally, he cut me loose, and I felt his strong arms pull me free.
"Are you in pain anywhere, Bella?"
My head felt dizzy and was throbbing slightly—but nothing that would kill me.
The pain didn't matter though. I saw Edward and lunged on top of him. I felt his lips kiss the top of my head; I immediately raised my head and kissed him; wanting to feel like lips on mine. "Bella, you're alright now. You're safe."
"She'll be back though." I whispered—knowing how true my words were. He didn't reply, but kissed me again. Perhaps he was as afraid as me.
I just prayed nothing like this happened to me on my wedding day. I would kill Victoria.
Edward's POV
It was getting darker as we sped along the highway. "Are we getting close?" I asked Alice. Then I directed a question towards Jasper and Emmett, "Any sight of her?" Alice said yes, the guys said no.
A Jeep swerved on the road a mile or so ahead of us. That had to be her. Victoria must have told her that we were coming. The car then flipped over into a ditch off the side of the highway. Bella?
I floored the gas pedal, and then slammed the breaks as I pulled over a jumped out of the car. I saw red hair far off in the distance. Victoria had left. But why? Alice, Jasper and Emmett stayed in the Vanquish, as I ran over to the wreckage. No way she survived this. I pried her out of her seatbelt. Please tell me she's alive.
She gasped, "Ed…ward…"
Thank God. "Are you alright, Bella?" I asked.
"I'm okay."
I grunted as I tried to pull her from the car. "I'm trying to get you out."
"Victoria?"
"She's gone. I don't know why she left. Maybe she thought you were dead. I thought you were dead, Bella. This accident should have killed you," I was thankful it hadn't though. As I pulled her out of the car, I saw that she was bleeding profusely. Control yourself, Edward. You can do this. You tasted her blood before, you can deal seeing it now.
I focused on what I was doing, to keep my mind off of her scent. I barely heard her call my name. "Are you in pain anywhere, Bella?" She didn't answer, instead she threw her arms around me. I kissed her on her forehead, "Bella, you're alright now. You're safe."
"She'll be back though," she told me. I knew that. I knew it far too well. I kissed her again. Now I had to bring her home, or to the hospital rather. I couldn't bring her in the car though, not with Jasper.
Bella's POV
Edward swung me up onto his back--I could feel the sticky blood matting itself against my stomach, and now onto Edward's back. I just tried to imagine it was water. I knew that I couldn't get in the car with Jasper; He was still too new to the whole vampire/non-drinking blood thing. I didn't blame Edward at all for taking precautions. So he began to run.
"I'm happy...you came." I whispered against his neck; really knowing that I should have expected his quick reactions.
"Next time I won't let you out of my sight." I knew his words were spoken in truth. Edward wouldn't let me out of his sight. I could just imagine that he would want to speed the wedding up; so then he had an excuse to be in my bedroom all night long...and Charlie wouldn't be able to do a thing. I wondered for a moment where we would live. Would I live with the Cullen Family? Or would Edward move in with Charlie and me?
I hated the idea of leaving Charlie in that house full of memories--all by himself.
I was trying to focus on something other than the pain coming from my shoulder and arms--trying to think of rainy days when I had first met Edward; Times when I had been with my mother--even times when Phil and I would joke and talk about bands and baseball. "Are you alright?" He asked again; Perhaps he felt my pain, and when I didn't answer, he turned his head and looked at me. "Bella?"
"Yes, I'm alright Edward." For a moment, we didn't speak. Was he angry with me?
"I'm sorry that I left your side, Edward. I don't know what I was thinking." He didn't speak. "If...I became part of the family...none of this would have happened." Edward shook his head and stopped running. "You don't know that, Bella. She could have taken you anyway...and you would have died. She knows the way to torture me is to change you...without my consent." I knew his words were true. "Then change me." I whispered into his ear. "I'm going to marry you--change me."
He shook his head. "No...I can't Bella."
"Not now, or not ever?" I asked--looking into his eyes. "You really want this, Bella?" He asked after a long moment. I nodded, holding my breath...hoping. He nodded. "Fine... I'll take you to your house..." He whispered. I suddenly had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. Edward was going to change me...
But was this the time to do? Edward began to ran, and he didn't stop until we reached my room.
Edward's POV
I told Alice to take the car and drive the Emmett and Jasper back. I swung Bella onto my back, and I started to run back into Forks. The scent of Bella's blood started haunting me. Be patient. Behave.
She tried to make conversation. The scent of blood makes her sick, like rust and salt, she says. She was trying to get her mind off of it. So we were both trying to ignore the smell, but for different reasons. "I'm happy...you came," she said softly.
"Next time I won't let you out of my sight," I promised. She didn't answer. "Are you alright?" I asked. Still no answer. "Bella?"
"Yes, I'm alright Edward." I kept silent as I ran. I didn't want to go too fast, and have her get sicker than she already was.
"I'm sorry that I left your side, Edward. I don't know what I was thinking," she apologized. "If...I became part of the family...none of this would have happened."
I had been thinking the same thing as I drove. It hadn't taken me to dismiss that thought, however. I stopped running momentarily. "You don't know that, Bella. She could have taken you anyway...and you would have died," I told her, "She knows the way to torture me is to change you...without my consent."
"Then change me," Bella argued, "I'm going to marry you--change me."
I expected that she would say that. She brought it up at any opportunity. "No...I can't Bella," I said. I had promised her that I would, but she should have known that it was an empty promise. The same time of promise a politician does to win the campaign., only I did it to win her hand in marriage.
"Not now, or not ever?"
I thought about it. If I didn't do it, Victoria would, or the Volturi. If I changed her, Victoria wouldn't have any form of torture to use against me. If I changed her, I wouldn't have to keep a constant eye on her. But, if I did it, I would lose a lot of the qualities that I loved about her. I couldn't believe what I was about to do. "You really want this, Bella?"
Bella looked hocked. I bet that she hadn't been expecting that response either. After a moment she nodded. I took a deep breath. I thought about what I was agreeing to, and I still couldn't believe myself. But, I had to do it. "Fine... I'll take you to your house..."
I ran. I ran into Forks, and then to her house. I should probably tell the others first. I should probably think things through more. I jumped through her bedroom window and lay her onto her be. She hadn't said anything the whole time. I guess reality finally set it. I guess she finally realized that I was a vampire, something she never fully comprehended until this point.
Bella's POV
Edward laid me back flat against the bed. I felt so scared for a moment; I didn't really know just what to expect. I knew it was going to be painful.
Perhaps I was just realizing what I was getting myself into. Edward was a vampire--a real living, breathing vampire. He didn't move for a moment--maybe he was waiting for me to back out. But I couldn't. I wanted to be with him forever. "Bella...this is going to hurt." He murmured sadly. I knew he was upset. I knew he didn't want to turn me into what he was; but it was the only way I could survive next to him. If he didn't...someone else would. And I wanted Edward to change me. "I know." I whispered, slowly nodding--taking a deep breath. God--what would I tell Charlie or my Mom, down the line--20 years from now, when I'm still 18. Perhaps I would "disappear." ... I couldn't do that to Charlie or Renee...it would kill them. I know Edward saw the conflict in my eyes, and he slowly kissed me. "We don't have to do this today, Bella. We don't have to do this at all..."
I felt tears gather in my eyes. If I didn't...I would lose Edward forever. I would grow old, and die... I couldn't bear the thought. "We do." I whispered, pushing him back gently.
Edward must have been so absorbed in the moment--thinking and pondering, I'm sure--that as he leaned over my neck; gently moving my hair and kissing my pulse, the door opened. "What on earth is going on in here?" I heard my father shout. We both jumped up--and we were both speechless. Perhaps this wasn't the time... or maybe it was time to tell Charlie the truth.