Synchronous Rotation: Always Facing

Chapter 2

The Horror of Our Love, Ludo, Edward/Bella

Moonlight walking, I smell your softness

Edward was back in the rainforest.

Though with notable differences. The rainforests of Columbia were vibrant and alive, filled with colors jumping and flying between every tree. The great trees of the Washington rainforests were a deep green from moss and leaves. Though plenty of sounds, never as deafening as the tropics. Edward paused in his near two-thousand mile sprint, to let his hand sink into the damp moss coating the thick trunk of the spruce trees. It was quieter here, subdue. The rainforests of South America have many mysteries, but only this place seemed to hold its secrets close.

Edward looked up at the clouded sky, feeling pulled into the forest by a great force. He wondered if Alice was like him, and enjoyed the feeling of being boxed in. It felt good to have the low clouds overhead and the thick trees around him. Sometimes, when it rained, Edward felt like her could sink into the earth and understand what it was like to have a heartbeat again.

His family loved the Olympic Peninsula and he wondered if it was just for that reason. Perhaps it was best that the southern vampires didn't know of this Eden; a war for this land would never end.

Familiar scents washed over him as Edward continued further towards Forks. He followed the path to the Swan residence like he had never left. It was all so achingly familiar that it nearly hurt.

It was only a hundred meters away did he cross the first scent trail. It was so potent that he had to pause and cough up the awful smell. As if he could easily rid it from his nose. It was an old trail, but unmistakably one of those werewolves had left it. It had been so long since he had smelt it, but he memories of creating the treaty with Ephraim Black came roaring back with the scent.

Edward traveled slower then, noticing the many werewolves, but all their scents were old. There was one more recent, perhaps only a few days old. Edward examined a branch with a bit of fur still clinging on. The smell wasn't as terrible as the older trails, though more fresh. He shrugged it off, guessing that not all werewolves reek the same.

As Bella's house came into sight, Edward took to the trees. He didn't even know if the Swan's lived there anymore. He could have asked Alice, but he didn't want to stay in her presence for too long, in case she found a way to truly tie him to the ground. But even if she wasn't in the house, Bella was there in Forks, he could feel it.

Peering into her room, Edward felt an overwhelming sense of nostalgia. He longed to climb to her window and ease himself back into those lovely memories. It was odd how time distorted even his perfect memory. He had never felt so happy in his long life when he was with her. Yet he left her and now he couldn't even conceive of how he did it.

No one was home, but Edward didn't dare to leave the tree. He didn't know if he could handle being so close to memory yet so very far at the same time. The room was different, but it only took Edward a moment to realize that the furniture had simply been rearranged. There were posters on the wall now and it had been freshly painted. It wasn't Bella's room anymore. From a distance, he guessed a child, a girl, slept there now.

He was about the leave and explore the rest of the town for more hints when the wind changed. He snapped his eyes back to the house, fixated as the myriad of scents came to him. Most of them familiar, though he couldn't place them. But above all, he smelt Bella.

He barely noticed that he was crushing the branch he was perched on. Not in thirteen years, not in several different countries, not surrounded by the most beautiful and rare flowers did he smell something that sweet and delicious. Bella was like someone opening the door to a stagnate room, bringing in a fresh spring breeze. Edward longed to jump into that scent and curl up in it. Bath himself. Nourish himself.

Perhaps it was a blessing that Bella wasn't home and only the shadow of her scent could reach him. He felt overwhelmed by it, but he knew it would be awful to reunite with it in the flesh. Perhaps it would be as bad as when he first saw her that fateful day in biology. But now he had the opportunity to become accustomed again to it without hurting anyone.

Like a soft breeze, Edward let himself into her house. He used the front door, finding the spare key where she always left it. He smiled at the old habit. The house was different, though just as clean. Bella obviously never grew out of her nervous cleaning habit. Edward was glad to make out Charlie's scent, most prominently on the couch. Even though the man never really liked Edward, he was pretty tolerant of his daughter dating a vampire. Edward never asked Alice, but he wondered how much Charlie hated him after he left Bella. Alice had only hinted at the struggle the man went through in order to care for Bella's depression.

Edward wandered around the living room. Four humans and the werewolf scent. Edward felt himself growling as the scent was recent here, and very present. There was Bella and Charlie, of course. Someone else that tickled Edward's memory, but he couldn't place it. And one entirely unfamiliar. He supposed it was the girl living in the Bella's room. Her scent was brighter, as all children are.

Edward walked upstairs, already piecing the puzzle together. The child must belong to the other stranger in the house. Edward wasn't dense enough not to consider that she was also Bella's child as well. There was still the possibility, however, that it was a friend and their child that the Swan's took in.

Glancing into the rooms told the truth. Edward looked into the bedroom that used to be the guest room. A double bed and two dressers. Edward didn't need to see the wedding photo on one of the bedside tables. Bella had spent a great deal of time in this room, and so did the other person.

For awhile, Edward could only stand in the middle of the room and stare at the empty bed. Bella had married. Bella had a daughter. It was unbelievable, or at least it used to be. Thirteen years was a lot to a human. Yet in a small corner of his mind, he had expected Bella to never change. It's what she used to want, never to age. But here she was, married with a family.

A car came up the driveway and Edward disappeared out the window. He climbed to the roof, so he could see the people exit the car. It was only as he tried to remain still did he realize that he was trembling. He calmed himself and watched the car park in the driveway.

Bella exited from the passenger seat and Edward held his breath. She was older, of course, but still beautiful. Her eyes were still large. They may be no longer innocent, but they were still playful. Her lips were quirked in a smile, directed at the driver of the car.

"Do I have to drag you?" Her voice was rougher with age and Edward found himself smiling.

The wind picked up just as the driver opened the door. Edward was growling before the man had even exited the car. He was obviously a Quileute and a shape-shifter as well. He was rolling his eyes at Bella, but as he came closer to the house, Edward knew he was found out.

The man shuddered to a halt, trying to pin-point the scent. He suddenly rushed inside. Bella gave a cry of surprise but Edward was already leaping into the trees. The wolf would follow his scent and he really didn't want to be found on the roof. He would loose the creature in the woods, then double back and try to meet with Bella alone. He didn't want her to worry about the werewolf's reaction.

Edward discarded his shirt a couple miles into the woods, it was ruined anyway, and made his way back to Bella's house. He stayed near the tops of trees, taking a round-a-bout way, just in case.

It was apparent his planned worked as Bella was alone when he returned. He decided to knock on her door, so he wouldn't surprised her too much. Waiting for her to answer, he felt suddenly very unsure. What could he say to her? How would she feel, seeing him after so long? How would Edward feel, being so close to the only one he had ever loved?

The door opened and Edward forgot to breathe. Bella was beautiful, more so from only a foot away. Her hair was shorter, in a messy bun, but with strands hanging carelessly in her face. Her lips had become fuller, somehow, and she gasped. They stared at each other for a long moment, so long that anyone passing by would think they were etched into stone.

Bella looked like she had forgotten to breathe as well. It all came rushing back to Edward as he saw her going dangerously pale. "Bella," He reached out and held her by the elbow as her legs buckled under her.

"Edward," She breathed and she smelled more than sweet, she was like no time had passed. Edward rain his fingers through her hair as she leaned into him. She was the same, completely the same. Her hair soft and fragrant, her eyes like melting pools of emotions. He kissed her on the forehead, wondering how her could have gone more than month without feeling her warm skin beneath his lips. Her heard her fragile heart flutter and speed up. The sound of it could never compare to the hundreds of birdsongs in the rainforest.

"Bella, I-"

She cut him off and gently pushed him away. "Edward, come inside. Jacob will be back soon and I don't want him to think you're attacking me," She took his hand and led him into the kitchen. She sat him down in one of the chairs and sat across from his, staring like she was dreaming.

He smiled, leaning forward. "It is good to see you. You have no idea how good."

She smiled back, but he saw tears leaking from her eyes. He automatically went to her side and tried to wipe them away. It only seemed to encourage them and Bella flung herself into his arms, crying too much for words.

"I'm sorry," He whispered. "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have…I shouldn't have come. I'm sorry."

She shook her head. "No Edward, no. I am glad you are here," She looked up at him. "I'm so glad that I'm crying!" She suddenly laughed and hiccupped and fresh tears fell. "It's been…wow, it's been so long. I feel like I'm breaking and healing all at the same time. God, Edward, why do I feel seventeen again?"

He chuckled, stroking her hair as she hiccupped into his shoulder. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, I feel seventeen too."

She snorted and sat up, grinning like she couldn't stop. "Edward you're so…you," She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "And you're shirtless?" She sounded so confused that Edward felt a laugh burst from him. She laughed too and it felt good, it felt so good.

"I'm trying to confuse your dog."

She frowned and it took her a minute. "Dog? You mean Jacob?" She laughed again, "Aw, I'll have to apologize to him later. But for the effort, let me get you a replacement. I have a feeling Jacob will shred your shirt the minute he finds it."

Edward shrugged, following her as she walked up the stairs. He wanted to walk automatically to her old room, but he resisted the urge. Bella did turn a bit pink as she led him into her bedroom and fumbled around in the dresser that was obviously not hers. "A lot has changed," She muttered, by way of explanation and handed him a clean white shirt.

He took it, dressing himself quickly. "I know. If your dog hasn't already told you, I've been looking around your house."

She giggled, absently fixing her hair in the mirror. "Still the stalker I remember. I'm glad some things in this world will never change."

The house shuddered slightly as the door banged open. "Bella!"

She quickly ran past Edward. "Jacob! It's alright!" He followed her as she ran down the stairs. Just as she stepped into the hallway, he darted in front of her. He wasn't ready to let her face a werewolf alone. "Edward!" She admonished, but he held her behind him as he faced the beast.

The wolf was already growling, his human form blurring, ready to change. He was looking at Bella, trying to asses the situation. Bella tried to squeeze by Edward, but he held her still. Perhaps a little too harshly, as she gasped in pain. The shifter's attention snapped to Edward and suddenly everything went still.

Edward was trying to read the wolf's mind, ready for an attack. But the shifter's mind was curiously blank. Well, not entirely blank, it was filled with Edward, like there was no other room for thought. They stared at each other for a tense eternity, neither breathing or moving.

"Jacob!" Bella cried and time sprang back and the werewolf transformed.

It was like an explosion, the sound of ripping skin and breaking bones nearly drowned out the sound of the walls groaning and cracking from the massive wolf now in their presence. Edward braced for an attack, but the wolf was writhing uncontrollably. Edward pushed Bella back up the stairs as the wolf growled and cried, trying to turn around. The walls took a beating and Bella screamed as the door was smashed from the hinges, letting the wolf escape.

Throughout it all, Edward tried to read the frantic mind. It was far too disorganized and chaotic. The only real thought was to escape, run away, run far away, get away from the vampire. Run.

He did not expect such a reaction, especially since the wolf seemed intent on fighting the minute he opened the front door. Edward recovered first, glancing back to Bella to see if she was alright. She was pale, but not frightened looking or even grateful. She looked quite angry in fact.

"Edward Cullen! What right do you have to shove me around and upset Jacob!" She stood up, fuming. "If you just would back off, I could have talked to him and saved us a lot of grief. Just look my the front door!"

'Door' was a loose term. The wood was all but shredded, leaving a gaping hole at the front of the house. Though the entire hall needed some serious restoration. He looked steadily back at her. "I was merely protecting you."

Bella rolled her eyes and shoved past him. "Protecting me! From my best friend, no less. Great, just look at this!" She poked at the peeling wallpaper. Edward found that odd, peeling wallpaper was the least of problems. She whirled around to him, gasping as he had gotten closer silently. "You!" She waved her arms, "Fix this! You enrage Jacob, you take the credit!" She gave a sound very near to a growl and stormed into the kitchen, yanking up the phone.

"What are you doing?" Edward followed her, though she was less startled this time.

"Calling Charlie, you dunce. Unless you can snap your fingers and fix my front door, I can't have them come home to this!" She deliberately turned away from him, talking tersely into the phone. If Edward stayed close enough, he would be able to overhear, but he decided not to enrage her further, instead he took a full assessment of the damage done.

Edward wasn't an expert carpenter, but he knew enough to make a good patch job. Perhaps later, when there was more time, he could do a thorough job. A new door would be the hardest without inciting questions. He shrugged it off, it was easy enough to give an excuse.

He heard Bella hang up the phone and grab her jacket. "What are you doing?"

She rolled her eyes and he wondered where she picked up the habit. "I'm going to find Jacob. I need some serious answers."

Edward grabbed her elbow before she could take another step. "No, I can't let you do that."

She only looked more ticked off. "Why not?"

He tightened his grip minutely. "You just saw a wolf destroy your front door and you are just going to go visit him?" His voice was tense.

She tried to move out of his grasp. With no success, she instead moved closer, giving Edward a glare that he had never seen before. "Release me, Edward Cullen. Jacob has been my very close friend for over ten years. I have never been harmed by him even when he was younger and more prone to shift unwillingly. His control is impeccable, if he slipped today, that's because something is seriously wrong. I will go to him and you will release me."

Her tone was so cold that Edward immediately let go. She darted from him and went to the car, starting the engine. He was too shocked to even move. That wasn't Bella, who was full of anger and cold. Bella wouldn't look at him like that or speak to him like that. He could only stare in wonder as she stuck her head out the window.

"You have four hours!"

Alice was right, Edward had been gone too long.

The patch job was acceptable, at least to Edward. It was time consuming to get the lumber and materials, mostly because he had to stop at the bank and withdraw money. He had only finished putting up new wallpaper when he heard a car approach. Bella would have to explain the new door and walls, he hadn't the time to find an exact match. Glancing out the window, he saw Charlie exiting the vehicle.

Darting out the nearest window and taking to the trees, Edward watched as two more figures came out of the car. A man, Bella's age, with blond hair. He reminded Edward of someone, just as his scent, but he still couldn't place it. He put an arm around the young girl, his daughter. She had beautiful golden hair and a round face like her father's. She was the first to notice the new door.

Edward didn't get to hear the response Charlie gave as he quickly ushered them into the house. He suddenly wondered what Charlie knew. Bella had called him in order to stall her family, but what did she say? What did he believe?

With no Bella in sight, Edward decided it was time to give Alice a call. Running into town and getting a new cell phone was easy enough. He found a quiet spot in the woods to have the conversation.

Alice was, of course, indignant. "What didn't you call earlier? I know you've been there for several hours now!"

"There wasn't time, I had to see Bella and she just arrived home."

He didn't have to explain much of that meeting, Alice had seen it all already. Instead she asked, "What happened next?"

He knew she must be referring to the encounter with the wolf. "Bella was with her pet dog. I led him astray for awhile, but when he caught up with me…he exploded. Quite literally."

She giggled and the sound made Edward smile. "I warned you that she was close to the werewolves. I guess that is why you had to rebuild the front door."

"Yes, she was furious with me," He paused. "I mean, really angry. Like it was me who blew a hole in her house."

Alice was silent and Edward ached for her to be there so he could look into her mind. "She isn't seventeen anymore," Her voice was quiet.

"I know she's thirty now. But how can a person change so much?"

"Because she's human," Alice sighed. "You're eternally seventeen, Edward, you don't understand what it is like to be thirty or forty or even a hundred years old."

"I am a hundred years old."

"You're not at the same time. We vampires have a hard time with major changes. It's why we are immortal, because we refuse to grow. You were made a vampire when you were seventeen, that's hard to let go of. Bella has…aged, Edward. She has seen and experienced things that have changed her. No human is the same when they are seventeen or thirty or whatever. We, on the other hand, are both victims of the teenage experience, we can't escape it."

He frowned, "If we both are, how do you know this?"

He could feel her smile, somehow. "Perhaps it's because I can see the future. It gives me perspective that a normal teen would never have. It's how an adult looks at the world. I can't say that I am quite an adult, but I can understand a little better than you," She paused, "I'm sure if you could look into her mind, you would see what I mean."

Edward dragged his foot along the moss, creating large tracks of mud. "She's married, you know."

"Yeah, I know."

"And has a daughter."

"She's beautiful, I can see her."

"I guess that was my first hint that she is no longer the Bella I knew," He stopped dragging his foot, somehow feeling guilty for destroying the moss bed.

"She's still Bella, Edward. Don't give up on that. You'll have more interaction with that werewolf, but in the flickers, I see you being very happy catching up with her."

"It sounds like you want me to stay here."

He meant it half as a joke, but Alice was quiet for a minute, contemplating her answer. "When you left, you told me you wanted closure. I can see now that there is much that you must understand. You do need closure, you need to stay there."

"What are you hiding from me?"

"Candlelight, there is too much darkness for me to see clearly."

"Won't you speak normally to me?"

She giggled, like bells. "Carlisle and Esme understand and await your return with patience. Keep calling so they don't think you've disappeared again. We all love you."

He hung up the phone, sighing deeply. He had been half-wanting to ask if Alice would come down, but he knew she didn't see herself here. It was dark now and Edward knew he should wait until morning before visiting Bella again. Besides, there was one place he hadn't visited yet.

The Cullen house was empty as Edward let himself in. Whenever they left a town, they usually sold the house, but in Forks, they always kept this place to themselves. It was incredibly dusty, but the blankets over all the furniture helped protect it. Edward let his fingers go over the piano cover, disturbing the dust in a small cloud. He wanted to play, it had been so long.

But he couldn't. The house was empty and it felt wrong from Edward to be there without the rest of his family. Esme wasn't sitting on the couch, enjoying his music. Emmet wasn't in the other room, screaming at the TV. And Alice wasn't waiting in his room, knowing he would want to talk to her.

Edward locked the place up again, knowing he probably wouldn't reenter.