Disclaimer: I don't own twilight or any of its characters. If I did, I'd have made it a little darker. But damn that SM owns them. :P
A/N: First up, please be patient my dear readers. I try my best to update this story as soon as possible, but sometimes my luck fails me. Like this time, when my Word crashed. I totes don't intend to abandon this story, so get that fear right outa your mind. And no, I won't pull it either (unless some gigantic fail like real life people discovering it occurs.)
So, I guess we're all cleared up on these issues.
Now, let me tell you a few things. First, Lake Crescent was known as Lake Everett in those times, so no, I didn't dif another lake around Forks.
Second, please read Jasper's Yorkshire ascent correctly. He doesn't utter the phonetic of 'H,' so wherever H is missing, please do your own additions.
Third, some of you wondered why Edward didn't know she'll bleed or why he wasn't nice to her. He has been a vamp for almost a century, and he doesn't interact much with humans, let alone listening to sexing thoughts of virgins. (Haha) And he wasn't nice to her, because he didn't know how to stop himself from chomping her up.
And now, I'd just use one sentence to thank my PTB betas for their awesome work. You rock!
Edward closed his eyes and tried to distract his mind from the blood that lay in front of him. He thought of the horrible experience he had eating dinner only an hour ago. He thought of the times when the human blood he drank smelled of stale bread and rotten cheese, often laced with foul smelling intoxicants.
A few minutes into his meditation, he felt a little better. His throat still felt parched and burnt, but he willed himself to stand the pain, to be strong enough to hold the bloodthirsty monster in.
The monster tried to break free, it even tried to persuade him to chase the source of the sweetest blood ever. He could actually hear it whispering in his ear.
Take it, it's yours for the taking. It's the sweetest dessert. You can find intimacy somewhere else; perhaps there'd be more silent minds out there for you. But nothing would compare to this delicacy…
His mind drifted to the sound of Isabella's movements inside her bathroom. She was taking a bath, washing herself, washing away the sweet wine of her blood. It was going to waste…
"No…" Edward uttered a tortured cry and covered his ears. He was on the verge of breaking.
Then, in a flash, he was out of the room and into the coppice of green that surrounded the manor.
He ran… to get as far away from the smell of Isabella's blood as possible. He couldn't.
Upon reaching the banks of Lake Everett, he broke down and collapsed on his knees, his hands frantically threading through his hair.
He could see it happening in his mind's eye—he would cage her in his grasp and then suck the life out of her slowly, savouring the rich taste on his tongue. She would struggle and cry out, but he wouldn't listen.
And then he saw her going limp in his embrace, pallid and lifeless. Her warm brown eyes turned glassy, still staring ahead with a look of horror frozen forever on her face.
Edward shook his head wildly and tried to get rid of the unsettlingly lucid vision. Yet, it remained in his head, repeating itself over and over.
"No!" he roared in rage, "I won't let it happen! I won't kill her!"
The vision suddenly disappeared from his eyes, replaced by a new one. This time, Isabella was alive. Her cheeks were stained with a rosy blush, her brown eyes sparkling with an unknown emotion as she stared back at him.
He engraved this new vision in his mind, to refer back to it whenever he felt his control slipping.
Then all the visions suddenly vanished from his head, replaced by the very relieved voice of his sister, Alice.
That's better, Edward, much better…
Edward's eyes bulged in disbelief at first, but then he sighed in relief and slight indignation. "Of course, Alice, you would know…" he said in a shaky voice, still feeling unsettled from seeing the visions the future.
Jasper wasn't far behind. Edward! Bloody 'ell tell me what's the matter? Because the antics of your sister are driving me nuts!
Their thoughts were getting clearer; they were close. Edward could hear them interacting as well.
"Jasper, I'm going to the manor," she told him quickly as she made a detour from the path of the lake.
"Wait, Ally!" Jasper growled behind her, "Why? You said 'e is at the lake!"
"Yes!" she replied, still running at her best speed, "But he needs clothes!"
"Clothes?" he yelled in exasperation and shock, "Edward's running around without clothes?" His mind conjured up a few scenarios for his humour, which thoroughly embarrassed Edward.
"Just go to him, he needs you!" With that, Alice's voice faded away.
Edward didn't like hearing of himself as the needy one as suggested by Alice. Needy was the last thing he had ever been. He considered if Isabella was making him weak.
He heard Jasper bursting onto the lakefront a few feet away from him.
Jasper had no trouble spotting him. Edward could see himself in his brother's mind, sitting on his knees, looking forlorn and resigned—a picture of pity.
Edward abhorred that view of himself. He resented pity with the utmost passion.
"Bloody 'ell, Edward!" Jasper exclaimed as he approached him with caution. "Why the anger? Why the resentment? But first, what 'appened?"
Slowly, a hazy calm grew upon him, and he relaxed. It was a welcome feeling after the deranging bloodlust and the resultant repression of it.
Edward raised his head and stared at him blankly, unsure as to how to explain.
"Oh…" Jasper whispered as he came to sit beside him. I smell 'er …'er blood on you…. Did you….?
Edward shook his head and pulled in a heavy breath. "No, we…" he muttered a little irately, "we were—"
"Intimate," Jasper concluded finally, reading Edward's hesitancy. "I should 'ave known this, seeing you like this, in your naked glory." And I think I smell 'er as well now. Not as strong as the blood, but I can smell 'er on you.
Edward vaguely nodded in acknowledgement as Jasper's observation brought a twinge of bloodlust back. Isabella's blood still clung to him, still smelling very sweet. He knew why he couldn't run away from it, he was bathed in her essence.
"You need to wash yourself, get rid of the blood…" Jasper sighed and shook his head in amusement. Looks like someone nearly castrated you…
Edward growled at him, shaking off the calm that Jasper had imposed on him.
"At least for my sake, take a dip, brother," Jasper pleaded. He had weak control over his own bloodlust, and exposure to fresh human blood was his undoing.
The only thing that's keeping me off that blood is the fact that it's coating your… uhh…
Without another word, Edward plunged into the dark waters of the lake.
The manor was ghoulishly silent except for the mellow trickling of bath water. Isabella was cleaning herself.
Alice felt like reaching out to her and helping her in some way. She knew that she couldn't.
Her sudden arrival would raise suspicions.
Alice decided to wait for the sun to rise. It would also serve to buy her time to think of an excuse for her surprise visit.
She crept inside Isabella's room, silent as a ghost. Isabella was still inside the bathroom, going through the motions of a painful bath.
Alice could smell it still; Isabella's blood-laden scent permeated the entire room, the whole manor even. It was a potent smell of lavender and strawberries and freesia. Alice's eyes darkened as the scent assaulted her senses.
She retreated from the room when she heard Isabella approaching.
A quick glance into the future reassured her that Isabella would be all right, while not perfectly in good condition, but much less hurt than she had anticipated. There would bruises, and the unavoidable sting between the legs, but other than that, everything would be fine.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Alice turned towards her brother's room, the room that reeked of Isabella's blood. As she stepped inside, her eyes became pitch black from the natural draw of human blood.
She stopped breathing and began with the cleaning task immediately. First, the floor was cleaned, then the bed linens were changed. When she was satisfied that the scent of blood was reduced to a bare minimum, she headed for Edward's wardrobe.
In a minute, Isabella would be collapsing on her bed and falling asleep almost instantaneously. Alice welcomed that. The humans were weak creatures, and Isabella needed her rest for her recovery's sake.
The way to the lake was made in silent contemplation. Isabella's blood was sweet, yes, but it didn't make Alice feel reckless or unstable. She felt perfectly in control, barring the natural darkening of her irises, which couldn't be helped. There was no maddening bloodlust.
Recalling the vision of Edward's loss of control, Alice became more and more confused. He was known for his control—next only to Carlisle. He had often been near human blood, and not a single time did he appear to be lost to bloodlust.
"Then why now?" Alice asked to herself, but the answer to the question seemed elusive.
She threw the clothes at Jasper as soon as she broke on to the lakefront.
"Oof!" Jasper cried, securing the clothes in his hands, "Why so cantankerous, Ally?"
"Bloody ask your brother," she hissed, seeing Edward's pale form emerging from the lake waters behind Jasper, "…if you still haven't."
Alice turned away from the lake to let Edward get dressed.
"What happened now?" Jasper sounded confused again.
"Bella is bruised, and he nearly bit her!" Alice screeched angrily, "He nearly killed her, Jasper, that is what happened! That is why I came here."
Jasper shook his head and chuckled lightly. "It 'appens; 'e isn't an incarnation of perfection. 'e isn't Carlisle."
Edward growled at that quip, and Alice glared at him. "Of course, he isn't Carlisle," she muttered angrily, her words laden with heavy insinuation.
You and I are going to have a long conversation about this, Edward, she told him mentally, I think you owe me an explanation, and I think you know why.
Edward's shoulders slumped slightly, and she saw something close to reluctance in his eyes. It only fuelled her suspicions.
Jasper darted his eyes between Edward and her, clearly not happy with the internal conversation. "Do tell me?" he asked with a hint of irritation.
"Jasper, we're not going back to the manor for a while," Alice announced, keeping her eyes steady on Edward, who was looking more and more uncomfortable as the moments passed. "I believe Edward has some explanations up his sleeve."
"For what?"
"Let's walk," she suggested, hoping that the human activity of a relaxing walk in the woods would calm Edward.
"Bella…?" Edward whispered, his voice full of contrition.
Alice knew what he meant. "She's alright… sleeping right now. She'll be fine. And I will know if she is waking up in the middle of the night." She deliberately suppressed the memory of her recent short trip to the manor.
"Will anyone tell me why we're 'aving this little walk about the bush?" Jasper waved between Alice and Edward, looking thoroughly exasperated.
"Edward has a confession to make." Alice looked accusingly at her brother, waiting for a response.
"What be that confession, Edward?" Jasper asked with faux civility.
"I don't know what you're trying to insinuate, Alice," Edward tried to prevaricate, but Alice knew him all too well.
"Where did your phenomenal control go, Edward? You were the one that helped Carlisle with Rosalie; you were the one that helped him in his medical endeavours on many occasions!"
Edward grimaced but remained silent.
"Ally, I told you—" Jasper tried to interject again, but Edward raised his hand and stopped him.
"I lost control, I just forgot that…" Edward looked ill at ease, talking about his intimacy in such a casual manner.
"You didn't remember that human women bleed the first time," Alice completed his sentence.
Jasper gaped at her, while Edward stiffened.
She glared at both of them. "I don't care if it's unladylike to talk about physical intimacy so freely, but someone has to bell the cat," she said, dismissing their appalled expressions with a wave of her hand.
"Yes," Edward said dejectedly, pulling at his hair, "I didn't remember… and it caught me off guard."
Alice felt the calming emotion emanating from her husband. She looked at him questioningly.
"Edward 'ere is on the verge of pulling his hair out," he replied with an amused smile and then turned towards Edward. "Your emotions are like a loose wild 'orse, brother, put a rein on them."
"I won't repeat it, Alice, I don't want to kill her. I do want to make her happy, I'm not that selfish. I'm ready to play the good husband, I'm ready to eat human food everyday," Edward babbled, looking more remorseful and desperate than ever.
"'uman food everyday, eh? That's a real sacrifice!" Jasper commented with a look of disgust. That made Alice giggle.
Edward glowered at both of them. "You think it's bloody humorous? I ate oysters, stewed rabbits and roasted mutton for her sake, you fools!"
His ranting and raving ceased as another surge of Jasper's calm surrounded them.
"I know," Alice nodded, "I even saw you running away from the dining table, but then the vision changed and you stayed."
"I won't hurt her," he whispered, leaning against a tree, "I know how to stop myself now, I know how to control myself."
Jasper sighed and leapt on a humongous rock, happily perching atop it. He beckoned Alice to join him, and she complied.
"Be very careful, Edward," Alice warned as she hopped up and sat beside her husband. "Humans are fragile"
"Wouldn't I know that?" Edward shook his head in dismay.
"Change her then," she suggested as Jasper began whistling, causing a small scare amongst the creatures of the forest.
A threatening snarl from Edward let her know that he didn't intend to.
Jasper's whistles didn't cease, just like his exercise of calm over Edward. He winked at Alice and gave Edward a pleading smile. Alice loved her husband more in that moment.
Isabella opened her eyes to the bright golden rays of the sun. It stunned her, and she wondered if it was still a dream. It wasn't, for even dreams lacked the light of a bright sunny day when one lived in Forks Prairie.
Then, it struck her that the sun only crossed her window past noontime, for it opened in the west. How long had she been sleeping, she didn't know.
As an involuntary act, her hands lifted above her head to stretch her sleepy form. Halfway through, she stopped and groaned in pain.
And just like that the horror of last night returned to haunt her.
Her eyes fixated on the pastel hue of the ceiling, refusing to bat even once as the events of the night before flashed through them. Her gaze then shifted towards the window where the sun shone brightly, blinding her with its glare.
But Isabella refused to blink. She just couldn't…
Edward's volatile nature frightened her, but something else within herself angered her. She didn't know what to think, what to make of this odd behaviour of her husband.
Then the pain…
She had never actually given it a conscious thought. Whatever she knew was by her mother's grace. Yet, she couldn't reconcile with the pain brought on by the mere act of intimacy.
A dull ache ran throughout her body. It reminded her of the time when she got lost in the rainstorm. Her body had ached in a similar way back then when Edward had given her refuge.
He was the cause of the pain this time. Isabella wondered morbidly if the hurt was the same for everyone or if bruises were a common occurrence.
She knew where the bruises were, and she desired not to see them again. Ignorance was bliss, a numbing one at that.
"Bella?" a tiny voice alerted her, and she spun her head to see an equally tiny form standing in her doorway.
She recognised the voice, even though her momentary blindness kept her from seeing her sister-in-law's face.
"Margot, please close the curtains," she heard Alice call out to one of the housemaids.
Soon, the heavy layers of dark maroon curtains blocked the sun out entirely, returning the room to its old gloom.
Isabella blinked profusely, but the stamp of the sun's bright circular form remained wedged in front of her eyes, obstructing her vision.
She sat up and tried to get out of the bed. Alice sat beside her and offered her a helping hand, balancing a platter on the other hand effortlessly.
"What are you doing here?" Isabella asked bluntly, feeling the anger rising within herself. Alice was its first recipient, even though she wasn't the cause behind it.
Alice was taken aback by the sting in Isabella's voice.
"I, uh well, I came to see you and Edward," Alice replied, her eyes avoiding Isabella's. "I was missing you."
"When did you reach?" Isabella inquired in the same cold voice, her glare shifting towards the curtains.
"Only half an hour ago," Alice replied blandly, following Isabella's gaze. Lying seemed like a better bet at this moment. Something about Isabella's questions unsettled her.
"Mr. Mase—Edward?" Isabella continued her interrogation, her inquiring eyes darting back at hers.
"He… is not here at this moment," Alice answered carefully, not knowing where Isabella's mind was. Edward had accompanied Jasper for his impromptu hunt, since smelling a human's blood had accentuated his thirst. She obviously couldn't tell Isabella the truth.
Isabella narrowed her eyes and nodded. "But obviously…"
Alice had never felt more uncomfortable and edgy with a human before. "Bella, I—"
"Why are you all so secretive about it?" Isabella asked suddenly, cutting off Alice. Her tone was impatient and demanding. "Why can't you just tell me the way it is?"
"Pardon?"
"I already know, Alice, I know how horrific it looks, you can't hide the truth. He scares me when he's affected, but I'm trying to cope. I know…"
Alice's eyes widened at Isabella's words, she didn't know an ounce of what she was talking about.
"It's more than a mere headache," Isabella sighed, and it wasn't a question. "It's some sort of a violent seizure that grips him. And he can't control himself while it lasts."
Alice still didn't speak, she was too stunned with her words. Suddenly, everything was clear, everything sorted out on its own, courtesy Isabella. There was no need for any further explanation. All that was left for Alice to do was to corroborate it further.
"Yes, Bella, you're right," she said, feeling relieved yet guilty, "it's more than a headache. We still don't have a cure for these sudden seizures, but my father is trying his best."
"So," Isabella mumbled, rubbing her face tiredly with her hands, "Edward is at Port Angeles, with Dr. Cullen, right?"
Alice nodded and supplied her with the details that proved her right. "He will be staying at our new house for a few days, under Carlisle's observation."
Isabella's shoulders slumped as she began to murmur to herself, "I couldn't understand it at that time, I was so scared… I left him; I just went to bed, when he was suffering… only now I realized."
"Bella, it isn't your fault, you did the right thing by staying away. Edward doesn't need anyone near him at that time. It's too dangerous." Alice was trying her best to palliate Isabella's guilt. It made her feel more culpable than ever.
"You know what happened," Isabella stated, eyeing Alice for any indication that she didn't.
Alice let out a heavy breath and gave her a short nod. She couldn't predict any of her thoughts, perhaps, because Isabella's thoughts were too confusing for even herself.
"He just told me to go away, he was shaking with the spasms, and I didn't understand it in that moment. I wish I could…"
"Bella, if anything, Edward should feel sorry for hurting you, not the other way!" Alice couldn't believe the sudden turn of events. Isabella's guilt was misplaced, but she couldn't tell her the truth to make her see it. "Everything is fine, Edward is fine. You did the right thing by walking away."
"When will he return?"
Alice saw a deep concern in Isabella's eyes, concern for Edward. "Two or three days. Not more than that," she made up an answer, hoping that it would convince Isabella. "I'll be here with you while he's away."
Isabella shook her head and looked away. "You should go back," she asserted, "I'll be fine. I think I might as well pay my uncle a visit. I haven't seen him for days."
Alice couldn't argue with Isabella. She had every right to see Charles, and her presence would only cause interference.
Furthermore, she would be able to have a word with Edward after he returned with Jasper. They needed to know of the made-up scenario of his visit to Port Angeles. If they showed up without her prior warning, Isabella would be quick to put two and two together.
"I think you are right," Alice said thoughtfully, "You should visit your uncle. I'll take care of Edward, and I'll tell him that you know."
She gave Isabella a brief hug and then got up to help her off the bed. "I brought your breakfast here only," she said as she ushered her to the bathroom, "be back soon, and then we can talk some more before I leave."
At that moment, a brief hazy vision caught Alice's attention. She saw that Isabella was contemplating having a discussion with her. The vision made her smile, for she did want Isabella to know more about intimacy between a man and a woman.
Alice knew how to make hazy visions clearer by meddling in the events herself.
Isabella and Charles ate in silence. It felt awkward to be eating supper together again after a long time.
"So, he has gone to see family?" Charles asked, his eyes concentrating on the meal only.
"Yes," Isabella answered stiffly, feigning interest in the scattered breadcrumbs on her own plate.
"Wasn't it his first visit after the wedding?"
"Yes."
"Then why didn't you accompany him?" This time, his eyes met with hers.
"I would visit them soon," she replied as calmly as possible. "I wanted to visit you first. This is a weekend, and I can spend time with you."
He smiled sadly upon hearing her plea. "I'm glad that you came."
Isabella couldn't help the tears that began forming in her eyes. She tried to bat them away, but they just kept coming back.
Charles frowned then, as his gaze came to rest upon her wrist. "Is that a… bruise?" His voice rose as spoke the last word.
Isabella quickly covered her wrist with her sleeve, but she knew it was too late. "Um, yes, I-I fell, and Mr. Masen tried to keep me from rolling down the stairs. He had to pull me up by my wrists, so…"
Charles appeared skeptical, but Isabella refrained herself from explaining too much; it would only serve to deepen his suspicions.
"Issy, are you happy… with him?" he asked suddenly, pushing his plate away, "I mean, is he treating you properly?"
She replied without delay, "Yes, I'm very happy. I'm beginning to get spoilt even. He keeps me in absolute luxury."
Charles's frown didn't ease, but he nodded nonetheless.
"How would you like to spend this weekend, Uncle? Shall we go to the beach?" she tried to ask cheerfully, in hope to change the subject. "Angela told me that it looks beautiful. Perhaps I'll invite her as well? I've never been there."
Charles smiled at her over-enthusiasm, but it failed to reach his eyes. "Of course, my child."
Isabella nodded and then prepared to clean up the dining table, but Charles stopped her.
"Don't," he said when Isabella looked at him questioningly, "you'll have me spoiled again. I'll have to learn everything anew after you're gone."
Isabella lowered her gaze to the floor in an attempt to hide the rushing tears, but it was too late. They trailed down her cheeks in tiny streams.
Charles pulled her into a hug and wiped her tears, his own eyes moistened. "Now go to your room and sleep. Tomorrow we'll go to the Webbers' to invite them for the beach picnic."
She gave him a slight nod and then made for her room.
Everything in her room was kept the same, including the few books that she had left behind. They were sitting in the same manner on her little reading table as they always did before her wedding. It was as if she hadn't gone away at all.
Instinctively, Isabella opened the drawer of her table to find the script written by her late Aunt Clara. As always, it beckoned her to read it.
Isabella frowned at she waited in decision over whether to read it again or not. She wasn't comfortable enough with the story of Hades and Persephone.
A long drawn yawn decided for her finally. She went to sleep soon, where in she travelled down the Styx, with Edward keeping her company.
"Issy!" Angela called out, throwing an apple towards Isabella.
Isabella tried her best, but she missed catching it. The apple pummelled into the sand a feet away from her.
"Ugh! Angela!" Isabella scolded, feeling incompetent, "I told you not to throw things like that! What has gotten into you?"
Angela giggled and picked up the fallen apple. "Nothing, it's not my fault that you're so ungainly," she shrugged. "Perhaps you should practice?"
"And why would I need to practice apple catching, Angela?" Isabella asked, annoyed at her friend's antics.
Angela poked her tongue out at her and plopped on a huge gnarled driftwood on the beach. She pulled Isabella down to sit with her and began to clean the apple with her handkerchief.
"So, Issy, now that we're alone for a while, would you like tell me something?" Angela's eyes were curious, like a small child waiting enthusiastically for a cookie.
"Tell you what?" Isabella felt awkward, for she could sense an impending interrogation.
"You've been married for more than a week now…" Angela wiggled her eyebrows, "how has it been?"
Isabella's face ran scarlet at Angela's question. "I …don't really know. It has been strange. I still haven't adjusted to his way of life."
"His way of life?"
"The luxury, the whole fleet of house servants… I'm not meant to work at all. I cooked a meal just once, and he seemed a bit annoyed that I had ventured into the kitchen." Isabella wanted to spill her heart out to her friend, but she suppressed the urge. Some things weren't meant to be discussed at all.
She waited for Angela to respond, but only silence followed.
When the silence began to grow awkward, she turned herself towards Angela to see why she was quiet. "Angela?"
"So, you're not happy there?" Angela questioned suddenly, "You seem sad and burdened, Issy."
"No, it's not like that," Isabella stated in an attempt to weather Angela's intrusive questions. "I'm just homesick. I miss Uncle. It'll take some time for me to adjust to a new home."
"What about Mr. Masen?" Angela persevered, "does he show affection towards you?"
Isabella hid her face in her hands and groaned in embarrassment. Her blush grew more intense as her body remembered Edward's coaxing touches, his passionate kisses, and his wandering hands.
"When Ben kisses me, I feel alive," Angela sighed, without making any attempt to change Isabella's demeanour. "You don't have to divulge anything, Issy. I just want you to be as happy as I am, in love and happy."
Isabella raised her head smiled shyly. "He does kiss me… a lot."
Angela giggled loudly, earning a playful shove from Isabella. "Oh I'm happy to hear that. Do you reciprocate?"
"I won't tell beyond that." Isabella smiled, despite a minor flinch at the memory of her first intimate night with Edward.
"You mean there is something else beyond that?" Angela gasped in mock surprise, at which Isabella stood up and began walking towards the less sandy parts, where Charles sat conversing with the Webbers.
Her pace slowed down as she observed a group of burly young men heading for the beach. They were tall and looked exceptionally strong, so much that she felt intimidated by their presence.
Angela caught up with her sluggish pace and followed her gaze. "The Quileutes," she commented causally, "they are so huge, they scare me sometimes."
Isabella lagged behind, watching her step carefully so as not to trip over the small rocks and pebbles in her way. Angela took the opportunity to rush for her fruit basket and retrieve another apple.
"Issy! Try and catch it this time!" she shouted, throwing the apple for Isabella to catch again.
"No, Angela!" Isabella shrieked as she tried to hustle towards the dipping apple. Her right shoe got wedged between the rocks and she lost her balance.
Isabella covered her face with her hands as she prepared to fall face first onto a milieu of colourful rocks. Something hard and hot caught her arm and slung her back on her feet.
Miraculously, Isabella was saved from the painful fall, but not from the embarrassment. She peered to her side, where her arm was still secured in a hot grip.
She stared up at her saviour, who looked quite amused. His eyes twinkle with concealed mirth while he peered down at her. Being a Quileute, he indeed was huge, and Isabella felt like a midget standing beside him.
His long hair wisped into his eyes as a slight grin formed on his lips. Isabella blushed with embarrassment and looked down.
"Be careful," he spoke in a deep, clear voice with heavy accent, "You almost ruined your face on these rocks."
"Thank you," Isabella mumbled as he let go of her arm.
"Here, your culprit," he smirked, handing her the apple that Angela had thrown, "be sure you eat it and finish it off. Revenge."
"You caught it?" she asked, rather shocked. "How?"
"I caught it before I caught you, but I saved you both." His smile widened as he began walking away, in the same direction as the other Quileute men had gone a while back.
"Thank you," Isabella mumbled to his retreating form, and he waved back at her.
She turned and hobbled over to Angela, glaring at her all the while. Charles joined them soon, having witnessed her loss of balance.
"Are you all right, Issy?" he asked, frowning in concern as he held her shoulders. She nodded and then returned to glower at Angela.
"He was fast to catch you… and the apple. Thank God for his divine intervention, Issy, otherwise you nearly split your head open." Angela stared at her in disbelief. "You can't catch an apple for the life of you."
Isabella shoved the apple in her hands. "I told you so, but you weren't listening. I'm not like you, Angela; I wasn't the one spending my childhood days climbing trees with Ben!"
Charles tried to hush her, but Isabella was livid.
Angela smiled at her quip but then sobered as she saw Isabella glowering. "All right, I'm sorry. No more apples for you," she said teasingly, though her eyes looked contrite.
Isabella crossed her arms and didn't respond. She was angry at her own clumsiness, than at Angela. She started walking again, and at that moment, her right ankle began to hurt a little.
"I think I may have sprained my ankle slightly in the process of trying to catch that apple," she muttered.
Charles nodded and helped her towards the carriage. "I'll let the Webbers know. We'll call it a day. You need to rest that foot, otherwise it might get worse."
"I'm sorry," Angela said after Charles left. "I didn't mean to… please forgive me, Issy?"
Isabella shook her head and smiled at her despite the pain. Angela's pouting and pleading had weathered her anger. "I'm not mad at you. These things happen, especially with me."
"Thank you," Angela kissed her cheek and hugged her tightly. "I'm glad that you were saved, otherwise I would've spent my entire lifetime hating myself."
Isabella rolled her eyes and hugged her again. "Forget about sprained ankles and apples, and help your parents in packing thing up."
Hence, the picnic came to an end, and everyone headed for their respective homes.
On the way, Charles asked Isabella about her injured foot repeatedly, but Isabella brushed it off. It didn't hurt that much, and she was sure that it would get better once she got some rest.
Upon reaching the Swan residence, Charles helped her in stepping out of the carriage and held her hand until she was safely inside the house. Isabella didn't need the assistance, but she couldn't say no to him and his fatherly love and care.
"I'll close the door, Uncle," she said finally as Charles let her stand on her own. "I feel fine, really."
Charles shook his head and smiled ruefully. "You don't have to brave everything, Issy. Let me take care of everything today. You need to rest your ankle."
"Yes, Uncle, but you must go and freshen up first," she said, pointing to the fine grains of sand stuck to his waistcoat.
"Oh Issy, if you must insist. But no more than closing that door. You go straight to your room after that," Charles scolded her good-naturedly and then hurried over to his room. Isabella smiled as she turned to close the main door.
She had almost closed the door when she caught a glimpse of coppery brown hair around the front porch. Opening the door to double check, she gasped as she saw Edward standing right in front of her.
His hair looked even more disorderly than before while his eyes appeared fierce and alert, as though he was expecting for something to jump at him. He looked perplexed while his nostrils flared as he stared at her from head to toe.
"Bella," he uttered in what sounded like relief. Without giving her another moment to settle with the shock of seeing him, he pulled her to him and gave her a deep, needful kiss on the lips.
The kiss ignited her insides and made her heart flip delightfully. Isabella wheezed a little as her feet hit the floor, she hadn't realized that he had lifted her off the ground. Yet, the throb in her feet wasn't enough to make her break the kiss.
She felt Edward growl into her mouth, the vibrations causing a sweet ache within her. It was surprising how easily she lost all her inhibitions with him once again. It was getting worse every time they touched; the fright was being replaced by passion.
Slowly, the growling changed to a soft purr, and Isabella found herself caressing his wayward tresses. Edward relaxed beneath her fingers, and she marvelled at her ability to cause the change.
She detached her lips from him slowly, but his eager mouth followed her, not yet willing to end their reunion kiss.
"I see you're fine now," she sighed, feeling his lips move to her neck.
He replied with a soft "Hmm."
The throbbing in her ankle increased as he pressed a bit of his weight on her. She groaned in pain then, and that was enough to make Edward desist.
"What? What's wrong?" Edward asked, once again sounding very tense and alert.
"I-I twisted my ankle," she replied softly, looking into his golden eyes. "We went for a picnic to the beach at La Push."
"I… see," Edward's voice sounded strained. Even though he masked it well, Isabella had learnt to note the subtle changes.
"Someone was kind enough to catch my arm. He saved me many a scratches and a possible split forehead," she continued, sensing him stiffen a bit.
"Was he a… a Quileute?" Edward asked carefully, as though he was wishing for it to be untrue.
"Yes."
Isabella saw his eyes darken at her answer, and for once, the fear returned…
Please leave me some reviews and let me know that you're not bailing out on me. I don't want the WIP phobia to touch my fic. See me through the epilogue ppl!
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