Bella POV
I walked inside and locked the door behind me.
Edward didn't know why he liked me, why he loved me. He didn't understand why he couldn't leave me alone...
Of course, I couldn't either. But I could at least I could understand why I loved him.
Obviously there was a physical attraction- his golden-topaz eyes, which seemed to extend to immeasurable depths. His auburn-bronze hair; curly and unkempt in appearance. His pale angular features; his muscular chest and arms- but there was more to it than that.
He was so caring and kind and protective. He listened, genuinely interested, when I talked and watched over me lovingly.
Perhaps I was only a pet to him. He had obviously observed me and my reactions to him: watching me eat and sleep.
I didn't want to be only his pet, though, but if it was the only way I could be with him... Was I willing?
Of course! You would do anything for Edward, anything to be with Edward.
But you're only his pet! Would it truly be for him? Or would it be for you?
Sometimes I wondered if the angel/devil alter-ego idea was just a cover-up for insanity.
I checked the clock, and it was only four-o-clock. Edward wouldn't be here for another two hours, but Charlie would be home sooner. I figured I should start on dinner.
Once Charlie found out that I would be going out with a member of the opposite sex, he wouldn't be happy. To prepare for his possible confusion and definite rage, I decided to suck up and make Grandma Swan's Stroganoff, one of his favorites. He was also likely to give both me and Edward interrogations as well. Perhaps he would even threaten Edward with his uniform on- including his gun- not that Edward would be afraid of a human. But I knew he would act scared to placate Charlie.
I checked the clock. Again. The impending doom of Charlie's overreactions- His "You're too young to have a boyfriend" wrath- was only a few minutes away. Even if I was just a pet to the Cullens, my time spent with Edward would be seen as dating to my father.
I finished cooking dinner and set the table. For a few moments, the kitchen was completely silent. The only sound to be heard was the constant patter of rain outside.
That was why I could clearly hear Charlie's cruiser pull into the driveway. His headlights flashed across the dark windows. I heard as the engine cut off and as he shut the door and walked up the path. He stopped at the porch to unlock the door. It seemed to take forever.
I turned back to the table, where dinner was waiting. It appeared so innocent on the plates.
Why did I just think that?
Because you're feeling guilty. Get over it!
"Bella?" Charlie called in when he opened the door.
"Yeah," I answered. Until today I might have been annoyed- who else would it be? However, now knowing the Cullen's for whom they truly were, what they could do, I wasn't so sure if I was the only one it would be.
"Mmm; that smells good," Charlie commented as he entered the kitchen.
"Yeah, I made Grandma Swan's Stroganoff," I told him.
Charlie, clueless as ever, completely missed the nervous tone in my voice. He sat down and started eating almost immediately. I knew I needed to tell him, but I really didn't want to, so I put it off until he was almost done eating. I had barely touched my food, but of course Charlie didn't notice that.
"Err... Dad?" I started feebly.
"What Bella?" he asked cheerfully. Could he be any more oblivious?
"Well, I'm um... I'm going on a date tonight," I finally spit out.
"With whom?" he asked, finally suspicious.
"Erm, Edward Cullen and his family," I admitted.
His fork clattered down onto his plate.
"Dad?" I asked. It appeared Charlie was having an aneurism. (Twilight, Chapter 17)
"Edward Cullen? Well, his family will be there?" He asked, finally regaining enough composure to talk.
"Yes," I answered truthfully.
"I'm not sure, you seem too young, Bella."
"Dad, he and I are both juniors," I answered, mentally adding even though he is almost a century older than me.
"Which one is Edmund again?" he asked. Great he couldn't even get the name right.
"Edward is the youngest, the one with the reddish brown hair." The beautiful one, the godlike one...
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"I'm going to watch his family play baseball," I answered.
Charlie started, skeptical,"Baseball? Fine! But I don't like it."
"Thank you so much Dad!" I told him, one of the few times I had actually told him such and exclamation of emotion. "He should be here in..." I checked the clock, "fifteen minutes."
After quickly washing both my and Charlie's dishes I walked, very careful not to trip, upstairs to my bedroom. I found a midnight blue cotton sweater and a silver-grey camisole with a darker silver embellishment at the neckline. I pulled on a pair of dark-wash jeans.
I had just finished brushing my hair so that it would fall smoothly and moderately straight when the doorbell rang.
"I got it!" I yelled to Charlie, stumbling- but managing not to fall- down the stairs. I heard him mumble something that wasn't quite coherent to me in the family room. Charlie flipped off the TV, or at least muted it.
By the time I got to the door, my stomach was doing little flips. What if I was only Edward's pet?
Once I opened the door, however, all my fears dissipated. I took in the face of my angel and I knew that I couldn't live without him, so I wouldn't live without him. I would do whatever it took to stay.
He was wearing blue jeans and a deep blue, long sleeved, button up shirt. His bronze hair was wet with rain, and his black raincoat has shimmering from the water that was dripping off of it. Even now, he looked like someone who belonged in a magazine, not on my shabby old porch.
His eyes- topaz and as deep as ever- questioned mine, but I wasn't sure the question, so I couldn't quite answer. He stood there, motionless as a statue, on the porch.
"I missed you," I whispered truthfully. I knew he heard.
Edward smiled then, and walked inside without making a sound. He stepped forward more hesitantly than, wrapping his cool arms around me. They tightened as I wrapped mine around him, leaning my head to rest against his chest.
"I'm glad you missed me," his flawless deep voice whispered in my ear.
I sighed deeply against his shirt, cool from his chest. I inhaled his wonderful scent and tightened my grip on him.
The "Humph" I heard next was followed by the sound of a throat being cleared.
Edward stepped away from me, holding only my hand as we faced my father. This was going to be interesting.
Edward POV
I went home with Alice to prepare for the possibility that I would have a date tonight. I would have doubted it, but Alice was sure, and I knew better than to bet against Alice.
I pulled on a clean pair of jeans and a long sleeved navy blue shirt. I looked at myself in the mirror, unsure of what to do.
On one hand, I knew I loved Bella; I couldn't imagine going back to my life without her. The idea terrified me; it was extremely monotonous.
But, in order to keep Bella, to ensure I would never lose her, I would have to doom her to an eternity of night, of thirst.
Who says Bella would even want to join you?
Damn that little voice inside my head! I knew that it was very true, but I didn't need more self doubt at this moment. Bella was obviously upset by what I had said earlier. I wasn't sure exactly what yet, I couldn't read her mind.
I looked back at my crystal clear memory, examining her exact reaction again and again. It hurt to watch it, knowing I had caused her pain, that I had caused her tears.
I went to talk to Alice.
Alice POV
Edward was on his way to my room for the advice I used to give, but stopped when he never took it. He was even wearing a similar outfit to Bella's! It was SO perfect. I hid my thoughts from Edward, computing Pi in my head.
"Alice I need help," Edward said as he entered the room.
Edward, it's fine, she forgives you.
"But does she understand why she forgives me? Does she understand what I meant?" he asked harshly.
I shook my head. But you can find out, and you can talk to her and let her know how you really feel. Let her understand what she means to you, and what you meant before.
"Fine!" he spat, which was as good as admitting I was right. He disappeared out the door. I heard him rip his raincoat off of its hook before slamming the door of the house and then his Volvo. He sped down the long driveway, still angry at himself.
Edward POV
Of course Alice was right; I couldn't allow Bella to think that I didn't care, to think that I didn't want her.
As I drove closer, I could hear Charlie's angry thoughts.
...he thinks he can mess with my daughter just because she's new here? I'll show him better when he gets here... Where's my gun...
I parked the car on the street in front of the house, her house.
I assumed that if Charlie was having homicidal thoughts about a male with his daughter, then Bella must have told him about me. I smiled to myself, relieved. If Bella told him about me, she must have enough forgiveness in her heart to spend a bit more time with me.
I walked up the driveway and onto the porch where I rang the doorbell.
Inside, I heard Bella's heart start to race. Was she nervous, angry, or excited?
"I got it!" I heard my angel call. I head her quick steps down the stairs and to the door. I tensed for a fall I could not save her from, but it never came. Charlie muttered "Go away" which made me laugh quietly.
And then the door started to open.
Bella stood there, silent, watching me from inside, I wasn't sure what to say or do, so I waited for her to make the first move.
She looked beautiful tonight, even more so than usual. She was wearing dark jeans that made her legs appear even skinnier and longer. Her dark blue sweater had a deep v-neck with a grey camisole underneath. Both clung to her figure, accentuating her curves. The strap of her black lace bra showed in between her sweater and the strap of her camisole. I knew that I couldn't think about that, however, so I focused on her heart shaped face and deep brown eyes.
Looking into them I was unsure. What did she want me to do?
"I missed you," she whispered. Her voice was like silk, like music.
I was still unsure of exactly what to do; I stepped inside and closed the door. Immediately I knew I had to wrap my arms around her, so I did. It felt good to feel her heart beat in her chest, to know I was protecting her again.
I was relieved when she met my embrace and hugged me back. I tightened my arms around her as she rested her head on my chest.
"I'm very glad you missed me," I told her truthfully.
That must have been the reaction she wanted because she sighed heavily against my chest and pulled me against her even tighter.
I was so immersed in her I missed Charlie get up from the couch and walk to the front door.
I did notice his "Humph" and when he cleared his throat. I also heard his thoughts.
Where's my gun. He's been here for five seconds and he's already got his arms around her? I need my gun, where the hell is it?
Bella and I pulled apart. Of course, she was blushing.
"Edward this is my Dad. Dad this is my date, Edward Cullen," she introduced hesitantly.
"It's nice to meet you, Chief Swan," I said respectfully.
Kiss ass, he thought as we walked into the living room.
"Take a seat, Edward. And call me Charlie," he suggested. I complied by sitting in a chair by the couch, where Bella and Charlie sat down.
Stay Focused, Charlie was thinking, this could be Bella's first boyfriend, or date even. Be nice to him for her.
First date? I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Could I really be Bella's first date? That didn't make much sense to me, especially the way boys here reacted to her. Especially the way she kissed...
I would have to ask Bella about that later when we were alone. Her life, her mind, it was all a mystery to me. It made me feel so human, as did the feelings, emotions, which she was resurrecting in me.
Charlie's question brought me back from my revere.
"So you're taking my girl to play baseball?" His voice was strained, even though he tried to make it casual.
"Well, I figured that she would mostly watch the game," I told him, hiding a small smile.
I stopped hiding it when Charlie burst out laughing. Next to him, Bella grimaced at me. I gave her an apologetic shrug and her favorite crooked smile.
"Enough humor at my expense," she said before Charlie fully recovered. She stood up and grabbed my arm, making it look like she was pulling me up, even though I stood up on my own power. "We're leaving."
Charlie pushed himself up and followed us to the door.
"Have her back before ten," he told me, all traces of humor gone. Bella raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms at him. He looked bewildered. "Fine, 10:45 at the latest."
"Will do, Charlie, I assured him.
"Bye Dad1" Bella shouted, pulling me out the door.
I took the lead then, taking her to my awaiting Volvo. I opened the door for her, and she blushed as she sat down. I walked around to my side at human speed; Charlie was peeking at us through the blinds in the living room.
Turning on the car, I faced Bella.
"Do you want to talk?" I asked her as I pulled out of the driveway.
Bella POV
"Yes," I choked out.
"You want to know what I meant by what I said earlier," he stated.
I considered asking him if he really couldn't read my mind, but I just nodded my head.
"Well, other than the fact that it's not safe for you to be with me, my family, for now, you would have to give up so much to stay," He explained. His voice was pleading, but I could tell that part of him didn't want to believe what he was saying. The pained unsure look in his eyes told me that.
I nodded, giving myself time to find my newly lost voice.
"What do you mean by giving up things to be with you?" I asked, already prepared for the answer. Whatever it was I would give it.
"Humanity," he said simply.
I didn't have to think about my answer, Edward was everything to me.
"I'd give it."
Part of me wondered if it was even healthy to be so infatuated, so in love with someone after only a few days, not even.
I looked out the window and noticed that the car had stopped. We were somewhere in the forest, on a wide gravel path that ended just a few feet ahead. The rain had stopped, but small beads of water fell from the leaves, left over from the last storm.
When I finally met his gaze, his eyes were harsh. "You don't know what that means," he said. His usually velvet voice sounded rough, strained.
"Then tell me why I'm wrong. I love you, much more than I should. Much more than I have every felt anything about anyone before; I'm not going to lose you because of our differences." By the time I was finished my voice was exasperated.
"You're not going to lose me, Bella," he said.
"Yes, you're right. You are going to lose me. I'm going to die one day, and if you love me anywhere close to as much as you say, the rest of your existence would be torture," I paused, saying the next part in a whisper, "I know mine would be."
When I looked up and met his butterscotch eyes again, they were soft accepting.
"Alice has already seen you as one of us, but I didn't want to accept it," he admitted, "So I guess you'll get your way eventually. Just not tonight and probably not tomorrow."
I sighed, relieved. "So long as you aren't saying goodbye," I said smiling.
With his crooked smile, my breath hitched.
"Never."
Edward POV
"Yes, you're right. You are going to lose me. I'm going to die one day, and if you love me anywhere close to as much as you say, the rest of your existence would be torture, I know mine would be."
As much as I hated to admit it, she had a pint. My life had been so terribly monotonous before she came into it. I had lived almost one hundred years not knowing what I was missing. Now that I knew, my life would be so much worse than monotony. I couldn't lose her. Not now, not ever,
"Alice has already seen you as one of us, but I didn't want to accept it, so I guess you'll get your way eventually. Just not tonight and probably not tomorrow," I told her. Alice had seen Bella as one of us; I had seen it in her mind. I knew that Alice's visions were almost always true, and I couldn't see how this one was avoidable.
"So long as you aren't saying goodbye," she said, relieved. A small smile crept across her face.
"Never," I promised, smiling back at her. Her eyes sparkled, questioning. I knew what she wanted, so I leaned over and kissed her.
Her warm lips moved against mine as her heart sped faster. I took her hair gently in my hand, holding her face to mine, caressing the back of her neck. Her hands found their way to my hair as well. Her fingers wound through my hair, grasping tightly. Her lips, so soft, so smooth and pink with blood, parted and breathed into me. Her scent, so concentrated and direct, reminded me that I had to be careful. I could tell she needed to breath, so I pulled her face away, ending the kiss. We were both panting.
"I believe we have a baseball game to attend," I reminded her.