A/N - the end of the story has a little twist, I decided to write this from Edward's perspective so you could hear everyone's thoughts (in the next chapter) – also it was a chance to put a bit more fluff in this chapter!! enjoy!
Chapter 8 – Edward
I pulled Bella into the shop, I could feel her slight reluctance and I couldn't help but be a little mad at Alice for putting Bella through this, hadn't she been through enough today already? I held her for comfort and security, hers and mine.
Stop Edward I heard Alice's thoughts and my frustration level increased but Alice showed me what would happen if I argued.
I turned to Bella and, after giving her a hug and wishing desperately that Alice could at least wait until we had got back to Denali, said, "Alice commands that I stay here... oh, and she's planning on using your abilities to her advantage," I tried to pass of nonchalance, but I wasn't sure it worked.
Bella gave me a quick kiss, and I could see that she wasn't too upset, so I let it go – reluctantly – and leant against the wall by the entrance to the shop with and watched Bella move with new grace – enough to rival Alice's – into the clothes. Her clumsiness had been endearing but now I was mesmerised by her grace.
I saw Bella's face drawn with mental weariness briefly through Alice's eyes, Alice was going to pay for this. And then I couldn't hear or see though her eyes any more, it was like she had completely disappeared, although I could still see the top of her head when I looked. I started to become slightly uneasy, I knew Bella wouldn't trip and bang her head any more, and I knew the only thing that could hurt her now was another vampire – and there weren't any others around – I looked through the minds of some of the humans dotted about, but no-one paid any attention to them. In theory, I had nothing to worry about, in practice I was separated from Bella again. I couldn't feel her safely in my arms, see her well being with my own – or any one else's – eyes.
I had no other choice than to wait, Alice was very close to being my least favourite person in the world. I finally felt some relief when I saw Alice paying for the mystery clothes but it was short-lived as Alice marched Bella straight from the till to the dressing room. Alice was really pushing her luck to the limit.
I could hear Alice again, so at least she was giving Bella a break, but she was being unscrupulous with her thoughts, giving nothing away. I heard complex maths problems being solved very quickly and then Alice was stood in front of me. I uttered a low snarl to let her know just how completely furious I was...
"Oh calm down Edward," she said exasperated, it made me wonder what right she had to be exasperated with me, I was the only one looking out for Bella.
"Bella doesn't need this she been put through enough strain as it is today," I almost growled at her.
"Have you seen her?" she asked unnecessarily as I had hardly been able to tear my eyes away from her since she had reached me in Volterra, "Of course she needs a new wardrobe!"
"She doesn't need it right now!" I hissed.
Alice gave me a withering look, "I'm going to get a brush, don't even think about moving from that spot," she shot at me.
As Alice walked away I contemplated exactly what shape my revenge would take, it was an amazingly satisfying subject on which to dwell, and it kept me occupied for several minutes. I toyed with the idea of Alice coming home one day to find her favourite clothes all torn and burnt.
Alice came back at that moment looking very smug and extremely proud of herself. She was concentrating so hard on lots of different things. She was so excited, yet so determined not to let me in, as soon as she felt her concentration waver, she would immediately switch to something else. I never got anything out of her.
She came grabbed my hand and lead me, without a word, to the dressing room where Bella was being held prisoner. She quickly grabbed the curtain, I noticed some cracks beginning to form in her once solid concentration, and threw it back.
I was speechless... thoughtless.
My mind went blank, overwhelmed by the beauty of this angel who stood before me. I was in awe. How did I deserve her? How had I been able to walk away from her? Of course it seemed obvious now that that was a mistake! Why did she not walk away from me right now? I answered my own question with confirmation of the overwhelming love in her eyes when she looked at me, she wanted me too.
I could feel a slow smile spreading on my face, I tried to control it but it was a lost cause so I quickly gave up. She hadn't changed much from being human, the deep blue of her delicate dress complimented her skin perfectly, and I could still read her face like an open book, even without her trademark blush, I could see she was embarrassed.
Desire coursed through me like an electric current, as compelling and as destructive. My arms ached to be around her, holding her tightly, never to let go... I decided my hands needed restraining. I sighed at the impossibility and wrestled my hands into my jeans pockets.
Alice ran forward to stand impatiently next to the mirror ready to reveal Bella to herself. I walked at human speed, mainly because I couldn't handle fast movements, I was going for slow and steady. Yet I couldn't resist just offering her my hand, then there was only pure joy as she accepted and held on tightly. I could tell she was nervous so gave her a little squeeze of encouragement, and was very pleased when she started to relax a little.
As Alice uncovered the mirror with an extremely unnecessary, theatrical flourish, she exclaimed "Tadaa!"
As Bella saw herself properly for the first time, she froze. What had she seen to make her so... distressed? I really started to worry, I had to know what was bothering her, once I knew, it wouldn't be bothering her for much longer.
"Bella, what's wrong?"
"The eyes... How long?" she whispered, still staring at her reflection.
"Erm, well, animal blood dilutes the colour quicker, so, only a few months," I was unsure how she would take this but I had a fairly strong feeling...
Yep. I could see her starting to panic, her grip tightened and kept growing stronger on my hand. I stepped in front of her, placing myself between her and the image of her eyes, and her grip started to lessen. I put my hands either side of her face, the desire was still there, only it was being drowned out by more urgent emotions, like worry and concern. I stared into her red eyes, I had no trouble with this as, whatever colour they were, they were still endless. I could still loose myself in them never to be found again. But now wasn't the time for getting lost, Bella needed me.
"It'll be okay Bella," I promised.
I saw the hopelessness in her eyes, it was so great she looked close to impossible tears. I couldn't stand it any longer. I pulled her into a tight hug, but she still needed convincing. I released her – not completely though, I still held her face – and decided to say the first words that found their way into my head.
"You look incredibly beautiful... exquisite," I breathed, it still wasn't enough to tell her how beautiful, how perfect she was.
There were no words I could find to encompass her beauty, she was beyond description. However my – poorly chosen – words had done their job, I could see the apprehension leaving her eyes. I stepped out of her way again, so she could see herself, and she cast her eyes down, wary of seeing their vivid red colour again. Her eyes slowly travelled upwards, it made me anxious again to see her unease had not completely disappeared. However, as she studied her reflection more she began to look pleased with what she saw. It made me slightly more relaxed also.
A small smile crept onto Bella's face and Alice also relaxed, and was finally satisfied enough that we were able to go home. Of course Alice was planning yet another shopping trip once we got home, but this time she would wait until Bella felt up to it.
My hand snaked around Bella's waist and she automatically leaned into my side. We stood there for a moment or two contentedly then we finally headed back to the car.
We walked leisurely to the car, still wrapped in each others embrace. I leaned in to kiss her forehead, inhaling her new scent at the same time, it was different yet still the same. She still smelt of fresia, but it no longer burnt my throat, it was still sweet, yet not promising to quench an unquenchable thirst. I knew if took out the part where Bella had now become one of the eternally damned, this would be heaven. It couldn't get any better than this, and I didn't want to try, this moment was so perfect, so precious, it seemed extremely fragile, like one wrong move, one breath, could shatter it into a thousand pieces.
Once again we climbed into the back of the car and we sat quietly in the back while Alice drove to the airport. For once I was happy not to drive, I was still slightly in shock over her sudden reappearance in my life/existence, I had to continuously hold onto her just to make sure she was real, not just my brain deceiving me.
In no time we were at the airport, I found myself slowly getting out the car with Bella following soon after. I wrapped my arms around her again and we walked slowly across the whole car park towards the airport. Alice, being extremely impatient, had already run right up to the entrance, and was now booking our flight. We had plenty of time and I was in no rush, although I did want to see my – correction, our – family again.
I felt Bella's face move against my shoulder, I looked down at her, to stare into her beautiful – if red – eyes. I was lost there, again. My hands moved with out a conscious thought to pull her closer to me. I was used to being the strong one, being careful with her, refusing to go any further than I was certain I wouldn't hurt her, it was hard, it was always hard. But now, after being separated from her for six long, unbearable months, it was harder than ever to control myself. Then I realised I didn't have to any more.
I noticed my breathing accelerating, I also noticed we had stopped walking a while ago and that Bella's breathing was coming in ragged bursts as well. My eyes were drawn to her full lips, plump and a delicious shade of red even without lipstick or lip gloss or whatever. They were parted slightly, an irresistible invitation.
I bowed my head and kissed her with as much passion and desire as there was in me, and Bella responded equally. I felt her fingers slide up the back of my neck into my hair sending shivers down my spine, and then her hands knotted themselves in my hair clutching her closer to me, or me closer to her.
I was on fire, but I felt pleasantly cold. It was an impossible situation. I hated the feeling but at the same time didn't want it to end, I could never seem to get close enough to her, yet it was the best feeling in the world, her body pressed against mine, her small form wrapped in my arms. One hand moved up to her neck, I laced my fingers into her long, mahogany hair.
I could feel the pit of my stomach knotting itself over and over with each time our lips danced together, "Bella," I sighed, it was almost a moan.
I opened my eyes just as she did, then stared into them thinking they would be the most beautiful eyes anywhere, whatever colour they were, right now they were the brightest rubies sparkling in a perfect, pearl face. And that was when Alice interrupted me with her thoughts. She was screaming at me to hurry up and get on the damn plane.
"What is it?" she asked only curious, I was pleased that she seemed no longer wary or drained.
I guessed she had caught the frown on my face, "Alice is practically screaming at me to get us on the plane."
Bella rolled her eyes but at the same time I could tell she was amused.
"Come on then, we better not keep Alice waiting," Bella said, a smile playing on her lips, "we'll have plenty of time afterwards."
That made me grin in response, yes, she was right, we had literally forever afterwards – minus Alice's other – unfortunately compulsory – shopping trips.