The trickle of rain slowly died as the cover of clouds drifted away. The sun lit the sky brightly; Bella and I shone as one, the light of our diamond skin melting into the other's. I glanced at my love, noticing droplets of mud covering spots on her cool face. Her eyes flickered open as I used my thumbs to softly wipe the dirt away.
"Hi," she smiled at me.
"Hey," I answered, grinning back. Her eyes warmed, scanning over my face and slowly down my stone body. I chuckled, cupping her chin in my palm and lifting her gaze to meet mine. "Are you checking me out?" I raised an eyebrow.
Her grin turned sly, an eyebrow rising to match mine. "Well, aren't we conceited?"
I shook my head and sighed, loosening my hold on her and sitting up. "Well?" I asked, trying hard to hide my smile; I failed miserably.
Her face turned mock serious. "I'm sorry—I remembered you as being much more attractive. I guess I was wrong. I'm afraid I can't be with you anymore." Bella shrugged her shoulders, sitting up as well.
"Good, because I was just about to say the same thing about you," I informed her sarcastically. "I'm glad I don't have to worry about hurting your feelings." We both stared at each other with narrowed eyes until she wasn't able to take it; a small smile appeared on her face as she broke out in laughter. It was a sound I could only compare to a heavenly song, filling the air with angelic music that I knew would become stuck in my head. I had no choice but to laugh along.
I stood, my clothes dripping with rain and mud. I reached my hand out for her and she obliged. I felt that familiar spark as our fingers touched, sending chills down my spine. When she was fully upright I released her hand and tucked a strand of her dripping hair lightly behind her ear. She stared into my eyes timidly. I knew she was wondering where my reaction was, why I hadn't blown up yet.
"I'm not going to waste my time being angry with you," I whispered softly to Bella. I allowed my cold hand to trace the line of her jaw. Her eyes were sad but accepting; she let a long sigh escape from between her luscious lips. I could almost taste her sweet breath tickling at my senses.
"You shouldn't waste your time being angry with anyone," Bella's musical voice informed me. She glanced down at herself and shook her head at the mess she had become.
"What do you mean?" I asked her, my voice tinted with agitation. "I'm allowed to be angry, Bella."
She sighed again and her stunning eyes met my own, holding them for a while. "It's not going to do you any good. First of all, it's not Esme's fault. Second, Esme… she's not here." Bella's eyes held a knowing despondence. Mine held confusion.
"What do you mean?" I questioned, my eyebrows scrunched. "I thought you said Carlisle was here with you."
"He is." She turned her gaze to the ground again; it seemed almost as though she was ashamed. "Esme left without him."
I couldn't believe what she was saying. Esme left without Carlisle? That was… impossible. They had always been together. I couldn't imagine them apart. I glanced at Bella to find her nodding very slowly at me, as though she knew what I was thinking.
"It's my fault," she whispered. The pained look on my love's face was excruciating for me to endure—I wanted to wipe it away, to soothe her anguish. I started to shake my head, but she stopped me. "Edward, it is. If I hadn't made her… everything would be okay. You would have been able to change me like I'd always dreamed—that is, if you had ever given in—and Esme would be with Carlisle, where she belongs." I could have sworn I saw tears forming, but I knew that was impossible. "I'm a home wrecker," she mumbled quietly.
"Bella," I sighed, slightly angry with her thoughts. "You are not a home wrecker." She tilted her head at me with a challenging face. "You're not." She stood there waiting for more, but I couldn't think of anything to say at that moment—I felt as though I should comfort my love, but my mind was empty of comforting words. I finally spoke the mundane ones that were usually spoken in a situation such as this. "Everything will be all right."
She just stared at me with her angel eyes, unbelieving. "I think Carlisle would like to see you," she told me softly. I wasn't sure I wanted to leave this perfect spot with my lovely Bella, but I was convinced—partly by Bella's pleading eyes and partly by the image of Carlisle sitting alone, dwelling over his loss of the most important thing in his entire existence. I could relate.
We ran through the forest quickly, but not hurriedly. It was a stroll in vampire speed. The closer we got to the beautiful home, the more I expected the voices to start in my head. I wanted to know what Carlisle was thinking; I needed to know what Alice and Jasper had told him. However, as we slowed in the large front yard, the only thoughts I could hear were Jasper's and Alice's.
Bella squeezed my hand and pulled me forward slowly, acting as though I was the visitor in this house instead of her. "Are you sure Carlisle is here?" I whispered questioningly. She didn't meet my gaze but she nodded, her chocolaty brown hair falling in front of her face. She got to it before I could reach up and brush it away.
As we entered the door to my old familiar house, I felt as though I was walking in a dream. It was perfect—just as I remembered it. The total white expanse of the walls and windows embraced me, welcoming me back like an old friend. I took a look around and noticed the piano, the useless kitchen, the couches…
It was then I took notice of the people sitting on the couches. There was Alice and Jasper, staring wide-eyed at the breathtaking vampire holding my hand—and then there was Carlisle. A Carlisle I would not have recognized if I had run into him on the street. A Carlisle whose mind was an empty slate. A Carlisle who sat idly, staring blankly at my face. There was no depth to the black orbs I knew to be eyes—no emotion whatsoever on his handsome face. The bruises underneath his lids were the darkest I had ever seen them. I could feel my face contorting into shock, into fear—fear for Carlisle, fear for my family, and fear for the guilt that Bella must have felt seeing him like this every day.
It was silent for minutes on end. I could feel Bella squirming beside me; she was never good with silence. Finally, Alice broke through the quiet with her thoughts.
"Who is that?" she scoffed. I glanced at her—surprisingly, her face was enraged. I narrowed my eyes, warning her to stop. She didn't, of course.
"Couldn't find Bella so you had to go find a new girl? Made her better looking this time so as to make up for losing the other?" My eyes turned shocked, then furious. We stared at each other, a snarl rising from deep in my throat.
Jasper noticed the sudden rage in the room and glanced, wide-eyed, between Alice and me. "Wha-," he started.
"Stop!" I growled, my voice as low as ever.
"Why should I?" Alice screeched. Her melodic voice was filled with fury.
"Because you have no idea what you're talking about."
Alice sat glaring at me. I turned my gaze towards Bella, whose hand was gripping mine so tightly it almost hurt. "Bella?" I whispered, my harsh voice turning soft.
Bella only stared. "Alice?" she choked out. It was obvious she hadn't known my siblings had come along for the show.
Alice's irritated eyes left my face and turned to Bella's. They raked her up and down, taking special time on her beautiful features. Slowly—ever so slowly—Alice's expression softened, turning into shock and disbelief.
It was then that Carlisle spoke.
Well, here you go. :) I've started the next chapter, but I'm sure you all know what would make it appear faster! heh. And by the way, I have found my epitome of Edward. I just thought I would share. The link is on my author's page if you would like to see. :) Thank you and goodnight!