"Sorry love… does it hurt? Luckily it isn't broken." I swore. Did I have to present myself especially clumsy and fragile in my last human days? The thought made my heart jump, and of course they heard, and six eyes looked at me questioningly.
"What's wrong Bella?" Edward asked cautiously.
"Nothing," I said, blushing.
"Please tell me, you know you can always tell me what you're thinking…" His eyes did that incredibly lovely smoldering thing that made my brain go mush. Cheater!
"Do I have to present myself especially clumsy, weak or breakable …especially in front of them…and to top it all of in my last human days!" Darn. I shouldn't have said that last line, because Edward's eyes immediately went darker, although Emmett chuckled in the front.
"That's why I love you Bella…you can still turn back, you know…" His face became serious.
"No, I can't … and I won't…no, don't try to cheat on me…I won't turn back, … not a chance!" He smirked as he saw how angry I had become. But then he sighed again.
"Come on, we're home, I wanna talk to you, in my room and alone…" Edward added as he saw the expressions in the eyes of Rosalie and Emmett. I hadn't noticed we were there already, but I hastily got out of the car, thanked Eleazar and Carmen again, before Edward scooped me up to carry me into his room.
We sat down on his, wait – our, new bed and he looked deep into my eyes, dazzling me, but obvioulsly lost in thought and not noticing what he did to me until he had to remind me to breathe.
"Bella…why do you want to become one of us? Is this just because of the Volturi, or because of Victoria, or even because my family would like it…?"
"Oh, Edward, don't say any of this. I am not afraid of the Volturi, and this is not because of Victoria, but this is just and only because of you, so if you want to blame someone, blame yourself for ever having fallen in love with me, but I doubt you would regret that…would you?" I looked down, not sure how he would possibly react, afraid he would get mad. He grabbed my head with his hand and softly turned it around to make me look at him.
"I can't ever regret that, even if I regret what I've caused you to endure, could I never ever feel sorry for loving you…I'm just worried that you let yourself be forced into this…Bella, tell me and please be honest, do you feel yourself forced in any way?" His stare on me was intense so I just spilled out what I was thinking.
"You could call it forced – no, let me finish – what possibly world's biggest and most powerful force does to me: love. Everything that ever made me do anything was love, and because I love you, I did these things for you, and I wanted it, because to love you is my only will…and I want this love to last forever, I want to make you happy all the time during the rest of your existance…wouldn't you love that Edward? Don't you love me enough to give me what would make both of us happy?" I was on the verge of tears when I had finished, and he quickly kissed the water off my cheeks and then kissed my lips.
"I want you to be happy, Bella, and now you have made it perfectly clear to me that this is what makes you happy, and I can't tell you how happy it makes me to be able to look forward to spending an eternity with you. Promise me…" I didn't get to know what I should have promised him, because this very moment Alice burst into our room – I love the way that sounds.
"Bella, oh Bella, I'm so sorry, I should have seen this earlier-" My cell phone started ringing.
"Hello?" I asked.
"Hello Isabella…" Said a velvet voice, not as beautiful as the Cullens' voices, but clearly not human. Female, though. Only one person came into my mind who could be calling me and fit these points…
"What do you want?" I asked, my voice as harsh and angry as I could manage. I was afraid, and positive she had Charlie.
"Be polite, Bella, what have I done to you…up to now…" There was an unmistakable thread in her voice.
"Are you alone, Isabella, or is your filthy so called boyfriend anywhere near you?"
"Don't you dare call him filthy. That description only matches you!" Gosh, I was pissed.
"I guess you're alone then, otherwise I would've heard someone growl…" Thank god Alice had her hand pressed to Edward's mouth and held his hands with the other one.
"I ask you again, Victoria, what do you want?"
"I am truly impressed you have figured out who I am, but rather disappointed you don't know what I want, but I can tell you. I want YOU, Isabella." My heart started to beat franatically.
"And you thing I'd just come over to wherever you are and let you kill me? Very wrong, if you ask me…" I tried to hide my fear not only from her, but from Edward and Alice as well.
"That has already worked once. James told you he had your mother. I can't tell you that, I've already killed her – oh, I'm so sorry, I guess you didn't know that…"
"I did know, but now I have confirmation. And I can tell you one thing: I'll get revenge for her, and for Charlie as well. I'll personally burn the shreds I will have torn you into!" I was more than pissed, and on the verge of tears. I could feel that Charlie was dead, just like I had had a bad feeling when my mum was dead.
"Your father is still alive…you can talk to him, if you wish." A scream followed and Alice, who still didn't dare to talk afraid Victoria could hear, showed me a piece of paper with her elegant handwriting on it. It read:
Bella, Charlie is dead, you are right. But Victoria hadn't planned this. He got a heart attack when she told you that she wanted to kill you and had killed your mother. I am sorry, but at least she didn't physically kill him…sorry…sorry…sorry…Alice.
I vaguely smiled at her to show her it was ok with me. I had said goodbye to him already and we had parted on good terms. What more could I ask for? I leaned on Edward, waiting for Victoria to continue speaking.
"He won't talk to you. Your dear father is too afraid, but I guess you will have to come over to his house and calm him down, before I will kill you…" She said, I imagined her sanding nervously in our kitchen and holding the reciever into her red hair.
"No, thank you. I'll attend the funeral tomorrow and tell everybody he had a heart attack, they don't have to know why, do they? I guess the next time we'll meet is the moment just before your final death. Have a nice time, Victoria." I said and hung up, throwing myself into Edward's arms and shaking with tears of fear, pain, anger and anticipation.
"Shhhh, it's alright,Bella. I love you, you are so brave…I am sorry we weren'T there to protect Charlie…Alice, tell Carlisle to call the hospital to get the corpse out of the house."
"Sorry, Bella. I should have been able to warn you…" With that she hugged me and before I could respond darted out of the room.
"What is she doing?" I asked Edward through my sobs.
"She's calling Carlisle so the corpse will be removed from the house. And he has to know about Victoria being so near." He carefully stroke my hair back. Suddenly Alice was back.
"I'm sorry Bella. I have one good and one bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?"
"Just start with the bad one …" I said. I was so exhausted from all the terrible accidents fate had held for me the past days.
"Bella, after your comment about the funeral…Victoria disappeared – and with her Charlie's body…"
"WHAT? That … that … woman!!! She's really gonna pay!!!" I was so pissed and so sad. I would't be able to have one last look at Charlie…
"But the good news Bella…cheer up! Your mom's alive!!!" She beamed at me.
"What? But – how?" Victoria herself had said she'd killed my mum.
"I don't really know, Carlisle told me she was in the hospital. They have rescued twenty people alive!!! Come on, I guess you want to see her!" I couldn't believe it. My mom was supposed to live? Should fate be not completely against me? Could I finally tell her I was engaged? I jumped up and hurried towards the door, Edward silently followed and helped me into his Volvo.
As soon as we arrived at the hospital I dtormed through the front doors and ran to the information, but no one was there, so I rang the bell franatically. After what seemed like years to me, an old nurse finally arrived, politely asking for my wishes.
"I am searching for Renee Dwyer. Where do I find her?" She typed something into her computer.
"Sorry, I can't find Duier here."
"D-W-Y-E-R. It has to be there, I know for sure she lies here."
"Madam, I can't find this, either. You must be wrong, I am afraid."
"Then try Higginbottom. H-I-G- -" I was pissed, but I got interrupted by the familiar voice I had hoped for all the time: Carlisle.
"Bella! Come here, I'll take you to your mother."
"Thank you Calrisle." I was happy he took us personally, because I couldn't have stood another annoying nurse. I was so very relieved when we ran past and not through the door towards the intensive care station. Directing us to a small corridor, and turning into one of the first doors, he led Edward and me to my mother. She was lying in a white bed, an IV hanging beside her and her head in countless bandages, the other body parts were covered by the blanket, but looked unnaturally big. More bandages there, I supposed.
"Mum?" I whispered, not wanting to wake her in case she was asleep. But se opened her eyes in an instant, looking around to face me.
"Bella? Bella darling…I thought I'd see you never again." I ran over to her bed and sat down on the blanket, getting a tight grip on her hand.
"Hush…it's allright, I'm here mum…what happened?"
"The plane – that woman – aunt Merilyn – we crashed…" Was all she managed to choke out. In that instant I knew what had happened: My mum had not only flown with Phil, but she had also brought aunt Merilyn with her. Merilyn was her twin sister and they looked excactly the same, so it was no wonder Victoria got hold on the wrong one.
"We sat in this plane. I was on the toilet. When I returned Mer hang in her seat. Dead. People screamed. Phil had a broken neck. Also dead. One of the emergency exits opened. A woman jumped out. I just saw red hair –" She began to cry. She had always loved Phil, and although she hadn't always been on best terms with her sister, they were still sisters and I had always loved my Auntie-Merie, like I used to call her when I was little.
"It's alright. You're alive, and you still have me. We'll make it through this, I promise." I turned around to look at Edward. His eyes were so full of love while he watched me nursing my mum, and Carlisle gave me an understanding and supporting look.
"She'll make it, no doubt. She had incredible luck. Not considered any other circumstances she crashed with a plane – and has only a couple of broken ribs, a broken arm, sprained ankle and a minor head injury. We can take her home if you want. I'd just have to check her head."
"Thank you Carlisle. Mum? Do you want me to take you home?" I asked carefully.
"I'd love to be around you. But Charlie –" She began, but Edward interrupted her.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you Mrs Dwyer, but I think Bella considered home as our place. She's living there with us now and it would be a pleasure to have you there."
"She WHAT??? She lives there with YOU? What the hell –" She started to rant.
"Mum, relax. I'm sorry I have to tell you after all this, but Charlie had a heart attack. He's dead. Either you come with us or you stay, but please consider the fact that I missed you and cried my heart out when I heard that your plane had crashed…" Instead of answering me, she turned to Carlisle.
"Dr Cullen, I'm sorry I have to bother you, but I would like to be with my daughter."
"No problem, but please call me Carlisle." He smiled and went to remove the bandage around Renee's head.
"Thank you – ouch – if I'm well enou – ouch – enough I'll take Bella back – ouch – back to – ouch – to Jack – ouch – ouch –" I smiled and Carlisle smiled back. Edward shook his head and held back his laughter. Renee then recognised that Carlisle had wanted her to not finish that sentence. She gave me a dirty look and Carlisle sent me and Edward outside, following us and then going to sign the papers for my mother. Edward and I sat down outside the room and waited for Renee to finish dressing.
"What do you think?" Edward asked me.
"I'm thinking of how to tell my mum. About the engagement and everything …" I was happy she hadn't seen Victoria kill her sister, but she'd have to know about vampires, because I couldn't stand leaving her without a word or even with a lie.
"I guess no one will find out if we tell her. Don't worry. She'll get down to the news."
"You mean we can tell her? I couldn't stand leaving her with a lie."
"Of course,but I think we should tell her about the marriage first. How would she react if she knew the other one first?" I giggled, and in that moment my mother came out of her room, a big plaster on the forhead, but no bandages visable, beside the cast around her arm. Thank god it was her left arm, so she could still do everything with her right.
"Shall we?" Edward asked her, and I placed my arm around her waist to steady her, while she still wobbled from the time in bed and the sprained ankle. I was so happy to have her back. When I helped her into the car and later into the Cullen's house Edward was even more of a gentelman then usual.
"Welcome to our home, Mrs Dwyer! I am Esme, Carlisle's wife." Esme greeted her after hugging me motherly.
"Renee, please." She said, eying Esme suspiciously, almost as if she was envious that I had something like a second mother.
"These are Alice and Jasper, Rosalie and Emmett, and our guests: Carmen and Eleazar with Tanya, Katharina – called Kate - and Irina. We are so happy to have you here. Actually even more you're alive. You won't believe how much Bella cried in the past days when she thought she was suddenly missing both of her parents."
"Thank you for supporting my daughter, especially when I couldn't. I really don't want to cause any trouble, but would it be possible for me to rest a bit? I also want to talk to my daughter." Uh-oh. Talk to her daughter? That couldn't be good.
"Of course. Bella, can you show your mother the guest room near yours and Edwards?" I nodded and tried to ignore Renee's looks at the thought of my and Edward's room. We went up the stairs slowly, and went into the apricot couloured bedroom, with a light four poster and yellow blankets, a peach colored sofa and a small table were there as well. She sat down on the bed and I let myself fall onto the sofa.
"Bella, don't you think you bother them too much?" She asked, not the least bit cautiosly.
"No, I don't. They are as much my family as you are, well, maybe you're a bit more important to me, but still…I love them. I love Edward."
"I don't believe you love him. He left you! You can't just move in with him and his family."
"A, I love him more than my life. More than I believe you have ever loved Charlie and Phil together. B, that was all a big misunderstanding. C, they asked me if I wanted, especially after we believed you dead and Charlie had a heart attack. D, they are my family now. That would be as if you had said I couldn't move in with Charlie. E, you won't take me back to Jacksonville, because F, I went here because of you! So you could be with Phil and I was sure it would be excruciating here, but out of everything developed the love of my life, the only place I was ever truly happy, and a completely new life." Wosh. When I was finished her jaw dropped and she looked at me as if I had speaken in fluid Indonesian.
"What do you want to say? Do you mean – you don't care what I say? That you will do your own thing?" She was taken aback.
"Essentially yes. I'd love if you agreed with, or at least understood, me, but if you are against what I have choosen I won't care. I came here for you, I always cared about you, I had to care about wether the bills were paid and there was food in the fridge or gas in the car. Now it's time for me to do something for myself." I walked over to her and sat beside her, placing my right hand over hers, which was lying on her tigh, and looked into her eyes.
"Look, I love you mom, but I love Edward. I will stay in Forks, finish school here, and then move away with him or all of them. You ran away with Charlie. That didn't work. I don't run away with Edward, but I am more than positive that our relationship will work out. We belong to each other, try to understand this, mom. Mom? MOM???" She looked down, her mouth open, her eyes wide.
"I see. … You … he … I can't believe it … my Bella …" She started to cry, not sobbing, but tears running down her cheeks and falling on my hand. I realised she was staring at my beautiful engagement ring. I thought she was going to scram at me or cry a lot, or even burst out in laughter. I was prepared for everything, expect the question she actually asked me:
"May I … Bella, may I walk you down the aisle?"
"Of course mom. Thank you! Does that mean you agree with us? You're the best mum I ever had!" I kissed her on the cheek, something I usually never did, except to Edward.
"Yes, but, please, let me sleep a bit now. Ok, Bella? I love you!"
"I love you, too!" I said and walked out of the room, downstairs to where everybody was still waiting. Of course my bloody klutziness kicked in. I tripped on the stairs and fell right into a bowl with heads of flowers, one of Esme's beautiful decorations. Edward wasn't fast enough. When he reached me, I had already scattered the glass bowl, shards in my left arm, similar to what had happened at my birthday.
Luckily most of the Cullens were aware of what happened, so Emmett grabbed Jaspers arms, Rosalie stood in front of the three girls and Esme put her hands on Carmen's and Eleazar's shoulders. Alice came running with a towel and water, Edward stopped breathing and carried me into our room, while Alice was already cleaning away the blood. Esme stepped into the room, a hand over mouth and nose, carrying Carlisle's doctor's kit.
I looked up at her. She looked so very ashamed, as if she would have burst into tears if she could. In exact the same moment we both sobbed "Sorry!", she because she was ashamed, I because my arm hurt and I had once again caused them problems. That eased the atmosphere a bit, because Edward let out a low chuckle. He had his jaw clenched and wasn't breathing, but I didn't see his eyes shining.
The clock in the living room made its sound; it was 6.15pm. As if on command I heard the door open and close, a cough and one minute later Carlisle stood in front of me. I smiled apologetically, but as he saw my arm he just laughed.
"Didn't we have this situation just lately?" He teased, taking his bag from Esme.
"I guess you know what's going to come now? Edward, could you carry her to the kitchen?" That made all of us laugh. Carlisle kissed his wife and whispered something, obviously telling her to go and not make it hard for herself. When we were in the kitchen and I once again sat on the table Carlisle also turned towards Edward.
"You can go, Edward, I will take care of her."
"I can take it, Carlisle." He said. I could see that he was slowly taking a breath.
"Don't leave …" I whispered. Both, Carlisle and Edward knew it had a double meaning. Edward placed himself beside me and put his arm around my waist, while Carlisle on the other side of me already started working.
"I will stay right beside you. I promise." He kissed me lovingly on the lips, and breathed. Slow, but deep intakes of breath.
"Why are you doing this?"
"What?"
"You are breathing. You just make it worse for yourself. I don't want you to suffer because I was stupid once again." I hated to see him try to resist my scent.
"I won't have that scent much longer…at least not in that form. And I'm trying to make myself stronger. How should I resist the taste when the smell already drives me crazy?" That made a shiver go down my spine. A good one, though.
"Wanna take a taste?" I teased. Itwas a joke, but what Edward did next shocked me. Even Carlisle looked up from his work on my arm: Edward ran his finger along my wound and then licked the blood off it. His eyes gleamed, but quickly got back to normal, although a lot of shades darker than before.
"Wow…" He breathed, kissing my neck carefuly and then my lips. As he pulled away I looked at him as if … as if he'd just … what to compare it with? As always in such moments I flushed beet red and Edward laid his hand on my cheek, sighing.
"I'll miss the warmth. Your blush. Bella …"
"You'll get everything in return. I promise."
"I don't want to have anything more. You have already given me so much. I should not have wondered if you would finally run if I did what I've just done."
"I take that as an insult. How could you still think I'd run anywhere? Except perhaps to you?"
"So, you two lovebirds. You can go now. Everything ok, Bella?" Carlisle suddenly asked. Edward chuckled at how long it took me to remember that he'd just wrapped my whole left arm in bandage. Instead of an answer he scooped me up and was on his old black sofa in an instant.
"I'm sorry, Bella."
"Don't be! What for should you be sorry?" I asked, startled how he could once again feel guilty for things he hadn't done.
"For what I've just done. I feel like I used you …" He placed his hand over his face, just like the times we had spoken in Port Angeles and the cafeteria. He was suffering and I didn't quite understand why.
"You're being ridiculos! If somebody should be sorry it would be me! I still don't learn how not to fall and bleed in a house full of vampires. I'm sorry, Edward, and I am proud of you, if I may say this." I took his hand in mine and pulled it off his angelic face.
"Why? I'm a mon-"
"Don't finish that sentence or I …" He smirked.
"You what?" Teasing me was the wrongest thing he could do.
"I'll kiss Mike, tyler and Eric at school tomorrow." I answered with an evil smirk.
"Then I won't let you go tomorrow."
"You have to. My mum will know it if I ditch." I sighed. I had no wishes at all to face everyone, because they had to know about Charlie's death.
"By the way. What did she think when she talked to me? About you and the wedding, I mean." I asked him.
"She doesn't trust me. She fears I'll ditch you right before. She thinks I'm only using you, and she thinks I'm not worth your love after I left you. She doesn't want you to bind yourself so early to a man, and she's worried because we're both still school kids and don't know how we'll afford a life together. And she misses Charlie and Phil. In some points I have to agree." He listed everything matter of factly.
"Where do you have to agree?" How could he ever agree with my mum???
"I feel like I am only using you. I am everything but worth your love. And she doesn't know what to do after she lost her love." He looked into my eyes, his full of agony.
"Don't look at me like this. I hate seeing that look in your eyes. You have never been using me. And I don't know why I should deserve you, not the other way around. You wouldn't leave me ever again, would you?" I whispered.
"I fear I have to make you leave my side tomorrow, I'm sorry, Bella. Alice's seen it becoming sunny…" He stroke my back with his strong hand. I sighed deeply.
"I don't want to face them all without you…"
"I'm sorry, I quite understand you. But we can't change how it is. Now what do you think about doing the same as your mother and go to sleep?" He asked, striking my cheek this time.
"You'll be there, right?" I asked and walked towards the closet as soon as he nodded. My human moment was unusually long, and I quickly grabbed my jogging trousers and holey shirt. Walking over to a chair in the corner to sit down and dress, because I was too tired to stand, I tripped over the carpet and let out a high piercing scream, my face coming nearer to the ground every second. In an instant I felt two cold hands wrapped around me.
"Oh, Bella. What am I going to do with you?" He asked, steadying me to stand on firm ground. Suddenly I recognised that I was only wearing my underwear and bra. And Edward was standing right beside me. I grasped for air and flushed as red as I could. He just laughed.
"Don't worry. I'm not looking, I'm too busy with your face."
"Um … I …" Oh my gosh. How should I put it that I loved him and it was absoulutely irrelevant to me wether he was looking or not.
"You … you know … IloveyousoIdontreallymind…" I flushed even deeper what I hadn't believed possible a few moments ago.
"What do you mean with 'you don't mind'?" He asked, looking straight in my face and taking a step back.
"Hell, I don't mind you being a vampire. I don't mind being in mortal danger around you. I don't mind placing myself into agony and peril for you. I don't mind leaving my world behind for you. So why the bloody hell should I mind wether you are looking or not?" Somehow I managed another shade of red deeper.
"Are you serious? Oh my Bella. I so love you." He kissed my lips, careful as always, and as we parted in our eyes gleamed the same thought: As soon as I would be like him, we wouldn't have to be so careful…
I dressed and we walked to the bed. The next thing I remembered was waking right beside a shining and sparkling angel in the sunlight of his room.