Twilight and all subsequent copyrights belong to Stephenie Meyer. The plot bunnies however have gifted me with this storyline…
A/N: Okay A few people have been PMing me about what Bella said during her sleep talking at the end of the last chapter. She was referring to the fact that Rosalie had asked her to make Edward grovel. While it isn't in Bella's character to make Edward beg for forgiveness, she did make him work for it a little. She did that for her 'sister' Rosalie. I hope that clears up any confusion.
This chapter contains a little of 'bedroom' time between Bella and Edward. Please let me know if you think that Edward is too OOC in this. I tried very hard to keep him canon.
I fretted all morning about what to say to Bella when she woke up. I know I promised her that I would do anything to prove my love for her but I really was not ready to change her and I know without a doubt that that is what she will ask me for.
Alice had sent me a text stating that Esme had called the school informing them of my absence. I thanked them both through a reply before putting all of my focus on Bella and the situation at hand.
My mind ran through every scenario imaginable. There had to be a way to convince her to give me more time. She had only begun to live her life. I know Alice had seen her as one of us and I had slowly came to accept that but I still wanted more for her than this half life that I led yet at the same time I wanted her by my side forever.
She needed more human experiences before she left humanity behind for eternity. She needed to travel the world and walk down an aisle in a long flowing white dress on her father's arm and she needed the chance to be a mother. That was the one thing that I could not give her no matter how much I wished I could.
When Bella woke we would need to have a seriously discuss all of these things and more and I resolved that whatever she decided would come to pass. I love her with every fiber of my being and nothing is too much to ask.
It was just before noon that my love opened her lovely brown eyes. She smiled sleepily up at me sighing contently as she moved to lay her head upon my chest. Her left hand lay directly over my heart.
"Good morning my love. Did you sleep well?" I nuzzled he hair taking pleasure in the burning that he scent inflicted. I truly understood the meaning behind the phrase 'hurts so good' now.
"Good morning to you too Edward. What time is it?" she yawned and stretched pushing her torso against my side. Even through the blankets I could feel her heat. The pressure of her against me sent a shiver of pleasure through me.
I needed to distance myself from her quickly if I was going to maintain my composure. She kept her body aligned with mine but moved to throw her arm around my waist. Her leg wrapped around mine. She placed her head on my chest again only this time she pressed tiny kisses along my sternum.
She moved the hand that was resting against my abdomen underneath the hem of my shirt. There was no way for my to suppress the growl of desire that ripped from deep in my chest when her hot fingers ran across my stomach circling my navel.
She shifted a bit, and her lips came crushing against mine. I kissed her back letting my hands cup her face, bringing her impossibly closer slowly moving to lay her back against the mattress. I didn't want to let her go, ever. I kissed her roughly, desperately. Even this closeness wasn't close enough, not now.
I felt her arms snake around my neck, tugging at the hair at the nape. Her warm body trembling against mine but I was completely sure that it had nothing to do with my body temperature.
She was the first to break the kiss, and her urgent pants reminded me that she needed to breathe. But even then, I couldn't let her go. I let my lips drift against her skin, her cheek, her collarbone, her throat, as her hands moved between us.
My shirt suddenly hung loose on my body. It seemed that I wasn't alone in my desperation to get closer. I held back a laugh, which soon turned into a growl when her fingers traced along my chest. There was a whole new level of intensity between us. She was bolder as if drunk with desire. My lack of resistance seemed to drive her further into a lustful haze.
We were kissing again and I held her tighter against me. It was intoxicating. I had never felt more human than I did in this moment. Her name fell from my lips as reverently as a prayer when she broke away again to breathe.
"Edward" she moaned breathlessly as my lips brushed over her collarbone. The sound of her voice sent shockwaves through me. I growled again this time the sound was so low that it sounded more like a purr.
My phone vibrating in my pocket seemed to break the spell that I was under and I quickly became conscious of the position that Bella and I were in.
I untangled myself from her embrace, moving to sit in the rocking chair across the room from her. I could not risk being close to her until I had my desires under control.
My phone buzzed again just as Bella began to speak. I held my finger up to ask her for a moment. She sighed dejectedly but nodded.
"What did you see?" I asked Alice as a form of greeting as I redid the buttons of my shirt.
"Only that the two of you needed to stop before something terrible happened." she said in a somber tone.
"Was I going to hurt her?" I heard Bella huff indignantly from the bed. I looked up as she was shaking her head no while glaring at the phone.
"Oh course not, silly. Bella would have been fantastically well. I just didn't think that you'd want Chief Swan catching you in a compromising position. He should be there in about ten minutes." her tone was full of mirth. She coughed out an ill disguised laugh.
"Fantastic huh? I mean thanks for the warning, Alice" I said awkwardly embarrassed that my sister had seen Bella and I at our most intimate moment, yet sincerely grateful that it had been her and not Bella's father.
"What's going on Edward?" Bella demanded from her perch on the edge of her bed.
"Alice called to warn us that your father would be here very soon. I will go home to get the car. I should be back just after he arrives. I was thinking that we could spend the afternoon in our meadow, if you'd like. I think that there are a few things that we need to discuss without disruption. Don't you?"
"Okay now I'm glad that Alice called. I don't think Charlie's heart is strong enough to walk in on us. Now go and get the car so that we can have an afternoon of serious discussions and spectacular make out sessions" Bella laughed blushing so deeply she turned a startling shade of vermilion.
I chuckled moving to press a tender kiss to both of her inflamed cheeks.
I made my way home happy that my family siblings weren't at home. Surely Alice had told them about what had occurred in Bella's room. I was not in the mood for a ribbing from Emmett or Jasper. I changed my clothes, threw a blanket, a water bottle and some food for Bella into a backpack and was in my car in less than three minutes.
I could not have planned my arrival to Bella's any better if I had tried. Chief Swan was stepping out of his car just as I pulled mine into is driveway.
"Hello, Edward. How are you today?" he asked pleasantly.
"My day has been pleasant so far. How are you sir?" I responded politely.
"Oh, I'm good. You here to check on Bella?" His thoughts were swirling around trying to figure out how someone of my age ad such good manners. He settled on praising Carlisle and Esme's parenting skills. I decided not to tell him that being raised at the beginning of the last century was actually the cause.
He led me to the house calling for Bella when we got to the foot of the stairs.
"Coming" she sang happily smiling widely when she spied me there.
My answering smile caused her heart rate to increase.
My love came bounding down the stairs stumbling on the third step from the bottom.
I caught her just before she made contact with the floor. My arms wrapped instinctively around her waist as I pulled her to her feet.
"Are you alright, love?" My lips were just inches from her own due to her position on the stairs.
"I'm great," she whispered breathlessly leaning closer to me. Our lips were millimeters from touching when her father cleared his throat.
I quickly relinquished my hold on Bella pausing only to make sure that she was steady on her feet.
"I'm sorry, that was highly inappropriate of me." I apologized to both Bella and her father.
Bella made a scoffing sound that showed her displeasure at my apology. I assumed that she thought my actions quite tamed compared to my earlier behavior.
Chief Swan thought I sounded properly repentant and grunted before smiling at Bella and me amusedly.
"At least there was no Bella floor contact this time" he chuckled and made his way into the kitchen.
"You look like your feeling better" he commented as he began to prepare himself a sandwich for lunch.
"I am thanks. If it's okay with you Edward and I are going to out." Bella looked at him with a pout that would rival Alice's.
"Sure Bells. Just don't be too late." She nodded, before she kissed his cheek murmuring a quick "thanks, dad."
I helped Bella down from my back careful to ensure her balance. I quickly arranged the blanket and helped Bella to get comfortable before lying down beside her looking up at the gray cloud covered sky. We lay there in silence but it was not as comfortable as it usually is, the air was charged with the tension between us. Just as I decided that I would start the conversation that I had been dreading since I had promised my love anything she sighed and sat up looking discontent.
"You changed your mind didn't you?" she accused.
No, love not exactly. I truly want to have you by my side for all of eternity it's just I feel selfish for even thinking that but god help me I do think it every day. Several times a day but that does not make it right. You have a right to live your life, a long healthy human life. I want you to have children and grow old and die a sweet old lady safe and warm in her bed. I want you to go to heaven where all angels should be. I feel like a monster even contemplating taking that from you." I told her my fear hoping that she would understand.
"But it's my choice. You're not taking something from me, Edward. I honestly have no interest in having babies Edward. I had to take care of Renee for the last seventeen years. I had time to be a mother, granted it was to my own mother but that was enough for me. The only baby that I would ever even consider having would be yours and we both know that can't happen so let's just drop that excuse from your list please." I sighed running my hand through my hair. She seemed so sure but I still needed time. I couldn't take much more. As if she could read my mind she scooted closer looking up at me with pleading eyes.
"You'd be giving me everything I want. I am the selfish one here. I made this decision when I realized that I love you. I swear that you aren't taking anything from me. I have already given you everything you just have to receive it. My heart, soul, mind and body all belong to you." She said through tears, breaking my heart.
"Bella, what if you changed your mind? This change is permanent. I could never live with myself knowing that you resent me, hate me even, for what you are." I needed to voice all of my concerns to her I had to show he the consequences of this decision.
"I could never hate you Edward Cullen, I love you no matter what happens!" She almost shouted.
"It's not like I woke up this morning thinking that I wanted to become a vampire. I have thought this through many times! I want to be with you for all of forever Edward. You have told me about life as a vampire and I know it will be difficult but I know beyond any doubt that being with you is worth it." Her voice was steady despite the tears rolling down her cheeks and I saw the fierce determination in her eyes.
I knew that she wouldn't give up on this so I decided to change tactics. I decided to distract her until I could gather my thoughts and prepare a proper argument for my side.
I looked down at her, smiling the crooked smile I knew she loved. Her eyes glazed over as they met my persuasive stare. I pulled her closer to me taking full advantage of her dazed state. She shook her head to clear it as I let her name roll off my tongue with a purr.
"Bella," Her eyes rolled back and closed for a moment then snapped open staring into mine. She smiled lazily as she moved forward to press her lips against mine.
I groaned, my lips moving against hers for several minutes. I pulled away slowly letting her catch her breath.
Her heart beat was racing and her breath was coming in pants now. I had decided what I needed to do. Instead of fighting against her wishes I would compromise and get what I wanted as well. I smiled widely at the prospect of getting everything I wanted, time and Bella as my wife.
"Alright Bella. If you want me to change you into a vampire I will." I relented.
"Really?" She gasped her eyes alight with happiness for a moment before they narrowed in suspicion.
"What is the catch Edward? I know you better than to believe that you would just give in" I could see the gears turning in her mind trying to figure out my motives.
"Bella, my love I promise you that I will change you but not until after we are married." I smirked pulling her back up against my chest.
"What?! Did you just say married?" her voice rose two octaves on the word married. Her heart skipped a beat and she gulped nervously. I knew that this was a good idea.
"Yes love I said married." I said with no inflection in my voice so that I didn't inadvertently chuckle at her tone.
"Oh be serious Edward. I am only seventeen and I'm only a junior in high school! It's not even legal to for me to get married." her voice was still too high.
"I know that love. We can wait until you graduate from high school if you want. You know, we could even wait until you graduate from college. I am in no rush to change you I just want you to marry me first." I kept my voice calm and pleasant.
She sat thinking for a long while. It was killing me that I couldn't hear her thoughts but I knew that this was something she needed to reason out for herself.
Eventually she leaned her head against my chest and sighed dejectedly.
"I have been thinking and while I can see that us being married is important to you but I'm not sure why. So could you explain it to me?"
Now it was my turn to sigh dejectedly. I stared out over the forest as I made my confession.
"Bella love, I want to marry you because I love you. It will be the most glorious moment of my existence when I look up and see you walking towards me on your father's arm, dressed in all in white with the glow that only a bride in love has on her wedding day. I can not pretend that that image isn't one I daydream about often." I turned to look her in the eye showing her all of my love for her.
"Oh Edward" she cried as she pulled herself closer to me, kissing along my jaw line. If this was the reaction I got from that little tidbit, I couldn't wait to tell her the rest.
"I will admit that I want you to stay human for a while longer but my main motivation in this is you. I want for you to have the memory of Charlie walking you down the aisle while Renee sits crying in the front row. You know that once you are like me you won't be able to contact them so I want you to at least have this human moment with your parents."
"Okay Edward. I see your point but think about what everyone would say if we got married straight out of high school? The rumors would spread around Forks like a wildfire. Everyone will assume that I am pregnant." she groaned and threw herself back on the blanket.
"We would know the truth love as would anyone who truly knew us so why does it matter? Plus if we get engaged soon people will know without a doubt that's not the case since there is still over a year of high school left. Or better yet if we wait until you're a college graduate getting married won't seem so strange to other people." I tried to sooth her worries.
"That's true" she mused looking at the sky. "Alright Edward I will marry you but we have to do it on my terms." she nodded as if confirming her declaration. I chuckled.
"May I ask what your terms are, love?"
"I want a small wedding only family and a few close friends in attendance. I want final veto on any planning that Alice does" I interrupted then.
"What do you mean Alice's plans?" I asked genuinely confused.
"Oh come on Edward! You know Alice is going to want to plan the wedding. She told me once that she planned both of her own weddings, the last four of Rosalie's and two of Esme's. She is the only one I trust to do it. Now, back to my terms. I want to do this next summer before my nineteenth birthday. I will not be twenty years old and have a seventeen year old husband." She crossed her arms over her chest and huffed indignantly.
"I can agree to those terms love but you are forgetting one thing" I smiled her favorite smile dazzling her again.
"What, what did I forget" she was adorable when she was in a daze.
"I haven't asked you yet." The look on her face was pure unadulterated anger.
"Yes you did! You said that you wouldn't change me unless we were married." he voice was shaking with her fury.
"I did say that, but Isabella when I purpose to you it will be the epitome of a romantic gesture. It most certainly will not being during a discussion about making you like me. I was simply stating my conditions for said change, but rest assured my love it will happen and soon." This statement caused her to smile at me slightly. I assumed that I was forgiven.
"Oh, well I guess that's okay then." She snuggled up to me again and we lay in our meadow until it twilight.
I dropped Bella off at her house so that I could take the Volvo home. I ignored Alice's exuberant thoughts and ran back to Bella's room. As I held her sleeping form in my arms I began to plan the perfect moment to ask her to be mine.