AN- I don't like this chapter xx please excuse its lameness. It starts of really slow but it picks up a bit towards the end… I hope XD I took a little while writing this chapter because a certain character was begging entry. I'm mad at them XD I didn't plan to incorporate them till a lot later on. But oh well! I hope you like it! Reviews please!!
Standard Disclaimer AppliesChapter 5. "I Do"
As I lay in bed I shivered. I couldn't be sure if it was just my body readjusting to the lack of Quileute heat it had become accustomed to in the past two days, or if I was going into shock. Jacob had walked me home Saturday morning as Sam requested and I forced back tears as Jacob walked out of my life once again. I was in control, I kept reminding myself. A rather disgruntled Charlie then confronted me, and I groaned internally at the thought of suffering his parental wrath once again. Surprisingly he didn't seem that worried. He had assumed I had spent the night with Alice and Edward. I lied, telling him that I had done exactly that; it was safer than any excuse I could dare to dream up.
Later that afternoon I answered the phone to receive further questioning from Sam. Together we explored our options, none of which were encouraging, except one. As the conversation neared its end I heard a tone of defeat in Sam's voice. We had agreed I could not run nor hide without pointlessly endangering and involving innocent people. Besides, I reminded him, Forks was the first place the Volturi would begin their search. With Sam's reassurance that he would take his opinions to the elders I felt the conversation coming to a close.
"Once again, I'm terribly sorry for the treatment you received this morning."
It was obvious he did not wish to provoke my future family any more than I wanted to endure the wrath of a wolf pack.
"How is Jacob?" I asked. It had been all I could think about since he left.
"He never returned after walking you home. He refused to leave you unguarded with scoundrels such as Victoria and…Paul on the loose. He was quite shocked that the Cullen's left you unprotected, seeing as you're practically family now," he stated passively.
What did Emily see in him? It was as though Sam had given over to his canine half, no emotion, simply instinct. His inability to feel emotion, or otherwise immaculate ability to hide and control it disturbed me, and I constantly found myself on edge during my interaction with him. No emotions, just instinct. How could Emily love what essentially lacked a soul?
I thanked Sam for considering my views, fully aware that I had forced them upon him, and hung up. That was the end of a very full day, which began a very empty night.
I had completed every scrap of homework imaginable, studying for exams that were literally months ahead. After I read and re-read all my notes I desperately searched for something to comfort my uneasy, impatient, loneliness. I scrubbed the bathroom and kitchen mercilessly, not letting a single speck evade my critical inspection.
As the clock gleefully reminded me of the time I smiled in satisfaction. Eight o'clock, slightly early but a perfectly reasonable hour for sleep. My smile faded as my mind registered the startlingly blank day Sunday promised to be. Perturbed by my bleak outlook, I showered and flopped into bed. Thankfully weariness had rapidly consumed me and I drifted to the familiar scenery of my nightmares.
Dream after dream hosted my uneasy rest until they crumbled away to darkness, giving way to an unfamiliar sequence. There was nothing but pure darkness, so hollow it pained me just to see it, but then even worse pain came. A set of rosary beads materialized, drenched in blood. From either side an attacker pounced. From the left, a terrifying rust-colored wolf bounded, snarling threateningly at Edward, who was crouched menacingly on the other side. They were going to fight, I realized, upset.
"No, Edward!" I heard myself scream, but neither Edward nor Jacob looked my way.
"No!"
I woke with a start, shivering. I groggily raced for the shower, hoping the heat of the steam would relax my shaking body. Though sleep had come to me rest continued to escape me, and I felt wearier than I had when I lay down in bed that night.
I spent an excessive amount of time in the bathroom before heading downstairs for breakfast. My modest appetite surprised me as I sat stirring my cereal. What was I going to do all day? I groaned, placing my elbows on the table and my head in my hands. Charlie was gone, presumably fishing and Edward wouldn't be back until some time that night. While I was extremely thankful to have Jacob hiding somewhere nearby to protect me, it hurt to have him so close and not be able to see him.
I got up and tossed my bowl into the sink frustrated. As I put the box of cereal back into the cupboard relief washed over me. The cupboard was sparse. I would go shopping. I emptied the contents of the "FOOD MONEY" jar in the cupboard into my hand and headed for the Thriftway, surprised by my urgency.
I shopped at a snails pace delaying every decision as much as possible. I knew I couldn't spend the whole day there, but what else could I do? As I passed by the fruits and vegetables section my attention was caught by a stand of rosy red apples. I remembered watching mum cook toffee apples when I was younger. I picked up an apple and stared at it, letting the memories flood in until it dawned upon me how strange I must look. I took eight apples and finished my shopping. Thankfully I no longer felt the need to delay.
When I got home I packed the shopping away neatly, rearranging things where necessary, before turning to the stove to begin the toffee. Unfortunately, the toffee contained very few ingredients and I was left to stare at the honey colored liquid as it cooked. I dragged a chair over to the stove and sat reluctantly. The thought of Edwards return distracted me.
I had done as much as possible to secure my future with Edward, but there was one flaw with my plan. The Quileutes seemed to be considering my suggestion, the Volturi would be no threat once I was a Vampire, and Victoria…well I wouldn't be as vulnerable to her attacks. I would be able to defend myself…to an extent. I sighed. She would be dealt with when the time came. But as brilliant as I thought my planning was I knew the most pivotal part of it all would be my downfall; becoming a vampire. Edward wouldn't change me until we were married. His stance was absolute, but I couldn't turn my back on Charlie and Renee, could I?
I struggled to think logically rather than emotionally. Once I was a vampire my bloodlust and inability to age would separate me from my parents eventually, regardless of any good intentions I may have had. I might as well marry Edward; it wouldn't make much difference although it would create an excuse for my absence. It made me sad to realize what I would be leaving behind, but at the same time uncontainable excitement welled up inside me. I was going to get married!
My excitement was interrupted by a high-pitched tone. It beeped loudly, piercing the air eerily. What was going on? I looked over to my creation on the stove and realized. The toffee had turned to a hard, black lump and smoke was pouring through the house and settling into a gray haze around me. I rushed to take the saucepan off the stove but for some reason my mind was moving in slow motion. I coughed and chocked on the smoke fumes as they burned my throat mercilessly. And before I could figure out what was happening my head became light and my vision failed me. I was suffocating. The smoke stung my eyes and I felt tears streaming down my face. I fell to the floor and snatched one last gasp of air before my consciousness seeped away.
"Bella!!" Edwards voice echoed through my mind in sheer panic.
How confusing, when did he get back? I wanted to call out to him, to calm his fear, but no matter how hard I tried my lips refused to obey me. I had no air in my lungs to sustain speech anyway.
I felt the ground slip from under me and suddenly I was floating on the smoke that threatened my existence. I heard a loud banging sound as a door was opened somewhere nearby. Suddenly the heat dissolved and I felt torrents of rain beating my face mercilessly, removing all traces of ash and my tears.
"Come on Bella breathe!" Edwards voice pleaded with me. He laid me on the ground and pushed fiercely on my chest. I felt my throat burn again as the smoke I had inhaled passed out of my body. I choked as it left me winded and gasping for air. I was relieved when pure air filled my sore lungs and enabled me to breathe. I lay on my side for a few long moments panting as Edward spoke softly into my ear.
"Its ok Bella, its ok," he soothed me, his hand rubbing my back softly. I only realized then that I was crying. I wondered how he could tell in the rain. After my breathing slowed to its regular pace I found I was able to open my eyes. Edward knelt beside me, leaning over to shield me from the rain. I raised my hand weakly towards him and noticed vaguely that it was shaking. He caught it with his other hand and rubbed soothing circles into the back of it with his thumb. He tried to calm me, chuckling lightly.
"It seems I can't leave you alone for a second, you can't even cook without attracting some sort of danger." He smiled down at me lovingly.
The slightly traumatic near death experience had left me weak and shaken. I managed to mumble a disjointed "I'm so-ry" before the darkness closed in on me again and I drifted peacefully.
I woke up some time later in a familiar room. It was Edwards, I realized, but a small change had been made. The sofa had been pushed sideways slightly to allow room for a King sized bed. The head was made of numerous thin, black metal poles that entwined to create a vine like effect. It was soft and comfortable, and I was lying under a soft, warm quilt. I was curled up on my side and as I shifted to look behind me I felt Edward beside me. I turned to him and buried my head in his chest.
"I'm so sorry Edward."
"Shh it's ok," he whispered, running his fingers through my hair affectionately.
"Just save all activities wrought with peril for when I'm around deal?" he chuckled.
I sighed.
"You do realize when I'm involved that includes just about everything." My clumsiness would be the death of me. He chuckled, but his laughter sounded off.
"True," he smiled at me as I inclined my head towards him, and his soft lips embraced mine cautiously yet passionately. As we came apart and I rested my head on his chest.
"Edward?"
"Mm?"
"I do"
"What?" he asked, though I heard his voice light up. I giggled and raised my head to face him once again.
"Edward, I accept your proposal. I want to marry you."
His face stretched into the biggest grin I had ever seen.
"I love you Edward." And I leant in to kiss him again. It was unlike any other kiss we had shared. It felt almost like a celebration, until I felt his body go rigid. I pulled away.
"Edward what's wrong?"
I felt him move and saw him standing beside me at what felt like the same moment. His inhumane speed never ceased to amaze me. He helped me untangle myself from the mass of blankets I had wrapped myself in like a cocoon during my restless sleep and I realized that I was wearing a fresh set of clothes, which weren't mine, but I would press for details later. All that concerned me at that moment was Edwards's sudden mood change. He pulled me into his cold arms protectively and I felt a stone barrier form around me.
"Alice just saw…" he trailed off.
"Saw...?" I prompted, though fear had already consumed me. Alice never saw werewolves.
"Victoria."