The dawn came and we were still intimately entwined, as close to sleep as we could be in this existence. The pink rays of the sun shone through the large window of our bedroom causing our bare skin take on a pink glow, almost as if there were blood still flowing just underneath, through our cold veins. For a split second I closed my eyes and gave in to the idea of Bella and I being human together, her baring our children, to watch them grow, to grow old with her, to die with her. And then, just as quickly, it was gone, as the angle of the sun became more direct to reveal the unnatural iridescence of our skin, leaving no doubt that we were very far from human.
Having put the past few bleak days behind us, I was ready to look ahead. I knew we were not entirely whole without our family and having come to that realization, I wanted to initiate the next step.
"Bella, love," I whispered into her hair, her eyes were closed as she nuzzled into my shoulder, pulling my torso closer to her. I eagerly responded to her awakening touch, stroking her cheek with my thumb, letting my hands run through the length of her hair.
"Edward…I would really love to…again," a sly grin came across her face as she slowly opened her eyes, "But I have got to hunt first."
I chuckled at her insatiable thirst for me. I thought that traditionally the male in the relationship had that problem, if you could call it that. Another way that Bell exceeds my expectations.
"That isn't what I was going to ask, but would be happy to oblige on both accounts," I felt my lips go into that silly crooked grin she loved so much.
"Oh, well, what was it you were going to ask then." She seemed a little taken aback that that my mind didn't seem to follow the same lustful thoughts that hers did. Oh, if she only knew! Since we had been married, and even before, it was almost all I could think about.
"Don't get me wrong, I was thinking that too. But there is something that I have been meaning to talk with you about ever since we came back to Forks." She pushed on my chest to straighten herself up therefore looking me in the eyes. She wore a look of concern.
"It's nothing to be worried about." I said before she let her imagination ramp up. "It's good, at least I think, but of course want to know what you think." I paused letting her see that I wasn't worried about anything in the least. I already knew she would be in favor, thanks to Alice.
"Since we have been reunited with everyone, our family, I have seen a light in you that I haven't seen since we have been in Alaska. You are doing exceptionally well with controlling your instincts, better than anyone thought possible." I took a deep breath in, and studied her face for a moment, she hadn't determined where this was going. "I want you to be as happy and fulfilled as possible. I know that although I want to, I can't fulfill every one of your emotional needs, like Alice and Esme can. With that said, what would you think about moving back in with the family, I mean we will have to move…" she cut me off by firmly placing her lips on mine.
"That would be wonderful Edward." She beamed. "I noticed that change in you too since we have been home, but didn't want to say anything. I felt terrible that I wasn't the one making you feel that way and I know you have missed your brothers very much. I guess I'll admit I really have missed female companionship." Her smile fading a bit at her revelation.
"Please don't feel that way love, I wasn't unhappy at all in Alaska. It has taken me a century of existence to realize that each person in our lives adds a little piece to make us whole, though you alone account for most of my happiness." I lovingly gazed at her while I spoke, wrapping my finger around a strand of her hair. "We are blessed with an amazing family, especially considering the life we lead, and are lucky they love both of us so much. Don't ever feel bad that you love and need them as much as they do you." I reassured her, brushing the tips of my fingers along her jaw line causing an involuntarily chill to run through her.
"Do you think that everyone will be okay with moving? I hate to put them out." Her brow furrowed slightly at the idea of upsetting anyone.
"I am sure everyone will be more than okay with moving. We have been in Forks longer than any other place. Alice and Jasper have been bored not being in school and I am certain Esme is ready for a new project." I hadn't had a chance to speak with Carlisle about it yet with all of unexpected events yesterday, but Alice's visions assured me that everyone would be on board, even Rosalie. I am sure there will be stipulations, as there always were, but we have yet to find a town we couldn't all agree on.
Bella was looking at me, trying to fight the grin from taking over her face. I put my hands on her face and pulled her to me, brushing her lips with mine.
"It doesn't take much to make you happy, does it?" I whispered into her mouth.
"Not as long as I'm with you," as she formed her lips around mine.
"Well let's take you hunting so we can get back and talk with everyone." And with that we finally relinquished our embrace and got dressed. We swiftly headed out into the woods and within five minutes came across a herd of deer. With no desire to prolong this trip, we hastily fed and within an hour were back in the living room.
Bella moved over to the couch as I went into the entranceway to call to everyone. Within moments, our family was heading downstairs to join us. I returned to Bella on the couch and lifted her onto my lap to make room for the others.
Emmett, as usual, was the first to speak up, "So what is this all about? By the way Bella, that was fantastic how you showed up Jane. I mean, if she had decided to torture us all, I probably wouldn't have been as entertained, but since she didn't, nice job!" he grinned at her like a the proud big-brother he was.
"Thanks Emmett. I don't know what came over me, " she innocently shrugged her shoulders, "I just couldn't stand to let her think she was better than me, than my family."
"I agree with Emmett, I certainly would not have encouraged your boldness Bella, but since it ended well, it was nice to see the look on Jane's face." Carlisle mused. Esme nodded her head in agreement and Emmett was going on about how it would have been great to fight Felix.
Jasper spoke up, he had been sitting quietly with Alice, his soothing, calm voice shushed everyone instantly. "Bella, Carlisle told us what you did for Jacob Black. It's really incredible, your gift." I could hear the admiration in his voice.
"Thank you Jasper. I feel quite lucky to have this...ability. I only hope that I am able use it as it was intended, to help, unlike what the Volturi use their gifts for." Bella smiled modestly.
"I believe you already have dear." Esme beamed at her. Everyone's thoughts agreed with Esme, except for Rosalie's. She was thinking she wouldn't have bothered to save the mangy dog if it had been her choice. There were many times over the years that I had been thankful that Rose had not taken a liking to me, like Carlisle had wished when he changed her. This was definitely one of those times.
"So, Edward," Alice turned her devilish gaze on me, "Why did you gather the whole family here? What's going on?" I shot her back a brotherly glower.
I took a deep breath, I wasn't sure why I was nervous, but I was. I was once again asking my family to be inconvenienced by Bella and me. After all they had done for us it didn't seem right, but I also knew they would have it no other way.
"Well…Bella and I have been talking," I looked at her and she gave me an encouraging smile back, "and although we are happy in Alaska, we both miss everyone very much. We have had our time alone and Bella is adjusting amazing well, as you all know. I guess what I am getting at is, we would like to move back in with everyone. I know that means we would need to relocate again and…" Carlisle cut me off suddenly.
"That is wonderful news Edward. We would be delighted to have you and Bella back with us. And don't worry about the move, we have been ready for some time, but just haven't had the motivation. I am sure you have made your mother very happy." He lovingly looked over at his wife.
"It's true. I've been lost without my whole family and am in desperate need of a new focus. Finding a new home for our family is a perfect project." Esme smiled. I knew out of everyone she would be the most delighted with our decision.
Alice was clapping her hands in delight. She had missed Bella very much and I had to admit I missed Alice's delightful enthusiasm. She was the rare little diamond of our family.
I looked at Jasper to gather his thoughts. You know I am fine with wherever we live, as long as Alice is there. Plus it hasn't been nearly as much fun messing with Emmett since you have been gone. I gave him a knowing smirk in acknowledgement.
Rosalie hadn't said a word and when I scanned her thoughts, for once she wasn't thinking of putting up too much of stink over something involving Bella and I.
"Don't worry Rose, we won't move anyplace too far from a reputable mall." She gave me a condescending glance back, but I knew that was her main concern. That, and Emmett, consumed the majority of her thoughts.
We spent the rest of the morning discussing possible locations. I suggested somewhere in the Adirondack Park in northern New York State. There was over a million acres of land with abundance of wildlife and to Emmett's liking; they had a sizable bear population. There were more overcast days than not and we were certain to find a home with privacy, considering most of the homes in the area were seasonal. Carlisle said he would start putting calls into some of his contacts to see about openings at hospitals in the area.
Bella and I would need to return to our house in Alaska to pack our things. It was funny how although the little cabin was the first place we lived together, as husband and wife; it didn't feel nearly as special as this house did. Forks would forever be where my life began.
Over the next few days there was an excitement in the air for the move. Esme had expeditiously located a home in Dannemora, NY that looked promising and she was flying out this afternoon to meet with the realtor tomorrow. Carlisle heard through one of his connections that there was an opening at the hospital in Plattsburgh, a slightly larger town about fifteen miles east, situated on Lake Champlain.
Emmett, Jasper and I had picked up where we left off in the competitive arena. I repeatedly beat Emmett in Xbox and Playstation games; his strength was of no use to the little controller, of which he had broken one a day, and I had immeasurably quicker reflexes. Most of the time the competitions ended in wrestling matches, and invariably we would break something in the room. Generally I beat Emmett, not without a fight, but his sheer brawn caused him to navigate around much less agilely than me. And, he tended to not have very sophisticated moves.
Bella came down the stairs during one of our many brawls, leaning against the doorway near Jasper.
"Emmett, come here a sec." He broke his hold from me and jumped over to her, looking over his shoulder to see if I was going to attack while his back was turned. I gave her a suspicious look. She waved him down so she could speak in his ear.
She was speaking below a whisper so even my keen hearing could not make it out, and Emmett was blocking his thoughts from me. Jasper was looking up at them from the couch with amusement. I heard in his thoughts that he could sense a change in Emmett's mood; he was excited for some reason. I then saw it in his eyes. "Thanks Bells," as he gave her a high five.
"What were you two talking about?" I asked cautiously of her then glanced over at Emmett, he was still doing a thorough job of blocking me.
"Oh nothing," she smirked.
"Edward, you want a rematch on Spiderman?" Emmett asked me casually as he sat back down, grabbing the wireless controller, in front of the wide screen TV.
"Sure, if you want you to be beat again," I chortled. Bella took a seat next to Jasper, her face showing only slight amusement, pulling her knees up to her chest.
Emmett and I reinstated our dueling and within minutes were back to physically brawling once I had swiftly killed off his character. I had the upper hand once again, my feet dancing around him as he reached out to grab me. I am sure to a human, we would have been a blur of indecipherable movements, but our matches were generally well-choreographed jabs and feins. To my surprise, he got a hold of my wrist and twisted it behind my back, throwing me to the floor. Normally, I could have easily escaped by pushing away with my free arm, but Emmett grabbed that a split second after the first. Suddenly I found myself pressed on the ground, both of my arms twisted and pinned up behind my back, with Emmett sitting on me.
"Yeah!" Bella cried out in victory. Jasper was laughing hysterically at my compromised position. Emmett was shaking with laughter on top of me.
"Bella, love. Did you tell him about this move?" I requested as I strained my neck to look up at her on the couch.
"Who me?" Bella said with faked abashment, casually pointing her finger at herself. "I would never give away my secrets Edward," as a huge grin spread across her face, lighting it up like sunshine, but with a hint of deviousness. I could see she was trying to mask her triumph.
While in Alaska we had taken to playfully wrestling, though ours generally ended in making love all over the house, not me having my face plastered to the living room floor. This was the one move she had mastered that she could use to prevail over me.
Emmett finally released me and backed away slowly. "You have one evil wife Edward, telling me how I could beat you." He shook his head in disparagement, trying to hold back his grin. I quickly jumped to my feet and took off after him again, but was stopped by Rosalie yelling over the banister.
"I realize Esme is not here to yell at you, but could you please keep it down before someone's head goes through a wall again!" she shook her head and returned to her room, most likely to continue gazing at her own reflection.
"This isn't over Emmett." I laughed as I sauntered over to Bella and Jasper on the couch.
"And you, what am I going to do if my own wife gives away my weaknesses!" I said with shock and amusement as I leaned over and scooped her up, throwing her over my shoulder and running up the stairs with her.
"Emmett, I have more where that came from. Come see me later." She yelled while flipped upside down. I heard Emmett and Jasper chuckling in delight.
Once in our room, I leaned over and rolled Bella off my shoulder onto the bed. I crept over to her on all fours, pinning her hands over her head.
"I see how it is going to be now that we're living with everyone. I'm no longer the sad, lonely- man out. I have to watch my back, don't I?" I said as I nuzzled my nose on the side of her face into her hair, breathing in deeply, placing kisses along the curve of her ear.
"Edward…you know I can't…think straight when you do that…" she murmured.
"And why, pray tell, do you need to think straight, so you can pass along other tips to Emmett?" I continued my exploration down her neck and along her collarbone as she let out a groan.
"I guess…you will have to do…this forever then…just to keep…me quiet," she said in little gasps. I loved the way she responded to me. In the back of my mind, I had feared that my touch wouldn't affect her the same way once she was turned, but I couldn't have been more wrong. Since our physical restraints were completely gone, she responded to my every glance and touch.
"When do you want to leave for Alaska?" I asked while lifting myself from her, she scowled in disapproval and wrapped her arms around my back, pulling me again on top of her. I rested my head on her chest as she ran her fingers through my hair.
"Doesn't matter," she murmured, kissing the top of my head.
"Let's leave first thing in the morning. We have one stop to make on the way." I replied with a smile, my eyes closed from the warmth her touch was sending through me.
"Where are we going?" Her voice perked up with curiosity.
"Don't you worry about it, just be ready to go in the morning." I mused back, excited about my surprise for her.
The next morning I was packing a bag for us when Alice showed up in our doorway. "Bella, could you come to my room?" she had a knowing smile as she held out her hand to Bella.
"Sure, why?" She asked, always suspicious of Alice. I smiled at Alice as she let me know with her thoughts that she was going to get Bella ready for my surprise. I smiled at her with a nod. Alice always knew how to make an event even more special.
By the next hour, Bella and Alice had still not surfaced from the bedroom. I was starting to worry for my wife's safety. I had put on a pair of black slacks and a light blue button down, the top button open. I was waiting in the entranceway when Bella started to come down the stairs. Alice was behind her with a big grin on her pixie-like face.
Bella floated down the staircase like an angel, wearing a merlot-colored silk blouse that tied at the side, showcasing her womanly curves, with a low cut front, a thin line of matching lace peeking out, a long, black velvet skirt that fluttered around her ankles with each step down the stairs. She had on black high heels that she could walk in with much more gracefully now. Alice had put her hair in sexy, loose waves, one side pulled up in a delicate crystal hairpin. Her makeup was minimal but for slightly smoky eyes and deep red lips. Her skin was luminescent again the color of her blouse. I gasped at her beauty, which was almost causing me physical pain, with my desire for her. She once again stunned me into silence. All I could do was hold my hand out to her.
She turned around as she grasped mine, "Thank you Alice," she beamed. Alice nodded.
Edward, she had no idea where you two are going. She's so nervous. I smiled in return, thanking her for her doting attention to my wife.
I led Bella to our truck, opening the door to help her in, a silly grin on my face as she tried to read my expression.
"Edward, where are we going?" she asked nervously once we were both in the truck.
"You look beautiful Bella, absolutely glorious." My eyes smoldering as I gazed at my love, bringing her hand to my lips.
"Thank you, and you are perfection as always," she said her glance averting, she was never good at taking compliments, "and you are avoiding my question." She looked up and smiled at me.
"No, not avoiding, just not telling. This is our first real date since we've been married. You're not learning anything until it's time."
Bella found out a long time ago that I lived for surprising her. She let out a deep sigh of acceptance and leaned her head back on the seat, turning her head towards me,"I love you Edward."
"I love you too." And with that I stepped on the gas speeding towards Vancouver