Author's Notes: I'll do another update sometime later tonight. And get the two disc Twilight DVD, I spent my morning watching it. It's excellent =D
Chapter Six: A Proposition and Compromise
Edward was going through the window in a short time, quickly rushing to Bella's side and giving her a hug. He rubbed her back and shushed her. He wrapped his stone arms around her, like he was protecting her from something terrible. He kissed her on the forehead, letting his lips rest for a few minutes, before they moved down to her lips. He broke off a few seconds later and let go, smiling at her and holding her hands still, looking a little tired. His golden eyes were beginning to get thirsty. She smiled weakly as he stood back from her.
"Well that could've been worse. She sighed. "I suppose you heard about me being grounded until the day I die?" She laughed slightly, looking up into his eyes, of course he'd heard.
Then the colour of his eyes registered with her, "You're thirsty." She said, no question about it, she knew him well enough to know that his eyes turned dark brown or black when he was thirsty and needed to hunt, but she wasn't going to make that suggestion tonight, no matter how selfish she was being.
Edward nodded. "But not tonight. Get changed. I'll be waiting." he said kissing her forehead and smiling down at her face.
She smiled as he spoke, her human moments were an unfortunate necessity, though she made no move to leave the room, not wanting to be away from him again just yet, even if only for a couple of minutes. He waited, still holding her hands. He didn't want her to go for one moment. But he also knew she wasn't going to change in front of him.
Finally she pulled her hands free from Edwards grasp, "I'll be two minutes." She promised, holding one of his palms to her lips as she kissed it gently. She turned from him, hating every second he wasn't in view, and darted into the bathroom, brushing her teeth and changing into the sweats and tatty old t-shirt that she used as pyjamas. She ran a brush through her hair before pulling it up into a ponytail.
He listened into the woods and caught the sound of a rabbit sleeping. If he really needed something, the rabbit would do till he went with Jasper and Emmett sometime. Fork's lions were the best kind of lions around.
Darting back out of the bathroom and to her bedroom, she shut the door once more, slightly louder than before, to make sure Charlie heard it. She took a deep breath as he eyes searched for him once more.
"See." She smiled.
Edward grinned at Bella. "New record." he whispered to her, pulling her close to his cold chest again.
"Very possibly." She smiled up at him, those her voice faded to a whisper as his lips found hers.
His smiled never faded from his lips and they met Bella's, holding them there for awhile. His hands found a resting spot on her back as he slowly lifted her up, helping her reach for this height. She smiled, opening her eyes to look at him. He pulled away, smiling as he noticed she had stopped to look at him. She smiled back, still looking into his eyes, though they weren't that much higher than hers now, since he'd lifted her up.
Edward couldn't help being so tall. But it was a nice advantage, none of the guys at school dare thinking about Bella anymore. It was like they knew if they thought a single thought, he come over and rip their heads off. Though, as much as he wanted to, he wouldn't do it. It would cause a scene, not good for a family of vampires. Her arms had wound round his neck once more, overlapping slightly so she could pull herself closer to him.
"What're you thinking?" A question he often asked her, but she was curious as to what went on behind those perfect golden eyes. Edward laughed quietly. She grinned as he laughed at her question.
"Now you want in on my mind?" He kissed the top of her head and carried her over to her bed, placing her down carefully. As he picked her up and carried her over to her bed she locked her arms round his neck, she didn't let go as her gently placed her down on the bed.
"Well, ever since we've gone public, since I've started breaking the rules more or less, none of the guys seem to have a thought about you when your near me. Its like they know I can read their minds." he explained, concentrating hard on one of her strands of hair. She nodded slightly as she spoke, though she kept her eyes fixed on his face.
"It was terrible to hear their thoughts before, knowing that at the time they had as well of a chance at you as I did. I just got in quicker." He smiled crookedly, proud of his accomplishment. She laughed as he finished talking,
"You honestly think that anyone else stood a chance?" She shook her head, still laughing slightly as her right hand slid down onto his cheek, as she leant up towards him, placing her lips gently on his. Edward kissed her back, his hand moving into the forest that was her hair, tangling his fingers. A second later he pulled his lips off hers.
"Well, that Mike Newton seemed pretty fond of you when you first came here. And he didn't seem too fond of me either, I believe he thought you stabbed me with a pencil?" He joked locking his lips on hers again. He laid his hand on the side of her lap, stroking it gently.
She laughed at the memory of that conversation with Mike, it had happened right after her first Biology lesson, when Edward had been slightly less than polite.
"Yeah, he did. Only because of how rude you were being to me." She smirked, her lips meeting his again.
"But seriously, Mike? Please! Give my taste some credit." She rolled her eyes at him, but the grin stayed on her lips. She thought for a moment.
"Did...?" She shook her head, not sure she wanted to ask her question anymore.
"Did I like anyone before you?" he finished her question. "No. There was Tanya, who liked me. I never found anything interesting about her though. We were just friends." Edward explained.
"Besides, I prefer brunettes." he laughed slightly, kissing her lightly on the lips. She laughed and shook her head at him.
"You don't know how long I have waited for you Bella." he whispered the last sentence in her ear and kissed along her neck gently. He wrapped his stone arms around her and pulled down on the bed, cuddling into her. Fitting perfect, of course.
"That wasn't what I was going to ask though." She smiled, as they lay down. A soft moan escaped her lips as he kissed along her neck, her cheeks going blood red. He laughed at her, kissing both of her rosy cheeks.
Her heart was pounding, for once not from his kisses, or how close he was holding her. It was curiosity. It almost seemed like her heart was trying to ask the question in morse code. She moved her head ever so slightly, so there lips met again, but only for a moment. One hand was running its fingers up and down the smooth, cold skin of his upper arm, while the other ran through his hair.
"Oh?" Edward stopped, raising himself on his elbow, looking into her chocolate brown eyes.
"Then may I ask what you were planning on asking me? Don't you dare say nothing." he said growling at her playfully. He smiled her smile for the millionth time today and placed his cool hand on her cheek, gently tracing her pale round face. It was so human, he loved it.
"Of course you can ask." She smirked. "Whether or not I answer is a completely different matter though." She laughed and continued twisting some of his hair round her fingers, his cool body still close to hers.
Her eyes were fixed on his, as she spoke again. "I was just going to ask you, if, any of the girls at Forks had...shown an interest?" She said after a moments pause, knowing it wasn't worth not answering. He could be stubborn if he wanted to be.
Edward burst out into laughter, quickly cover his mouth. He didn't want Charlie to come up and spaz out at Bella anymore, he had caused her enough damage for one day.
"Well Bella, before you came around, most girls have shown interest in me. Its everything about me that draws them in, my camouflage if you will. Its what draw you in, am I not correct?" he asked, resting his head next to hers, wrapping his arm around her. She nodded slightly as he stated something she'd always known.
"But I chose you, the most fairest of them all." he whispered gently in her ear as he pulled her hair away from it. She shook her head, but moved her hand to the side of her face, kissing him lightly, no hard feelings.
"Yeah, I guess I knew the answer already." She smiled, "But your 'camouflage' is no what drew me in. You did." She grinned. Of course girls had been drawn to him, he was beautiful, and as he'd once pointed out, he was designed to do just that. Draw prey in. But as usual she had to be different, sure his good looks had been a small factor, but there was so much more under his stone-like skin, that was what she'd fallen in love with. After all, if it had just been the cover, she would have run a mile when she realized what he really was. As was evident in the past year, she hadn't run. In fact she'd done the opposite, submerged herself in the supernatural world completely.
Edward looked over at the clock, now reading 12:01. "Bella darling, you just made another day for me." he grinned meeting her lips, squeezing her to his cold body. She returned his kiss willingly, her hand combing through his hair.
After a few minutes, he moved his lips to her neck, just like did the night before. Her breath caught once more in her lungs as he moved his lips to her neck. He chuckled slightly, his hand lowered from her cheek on to heart, feeling her heart racing per usual. He smiled, cuddling into Bella again, he stopped kissing her neck and rubbed his head on her shoulder, like some sort of animal. One of her hands moved to his chin, guiding his head up to look at her again, lifting it off her shoulder. He looked up into her eyes, giving her a giant crooked smile. Her favorite, of course.
"Really? How so?" she managed to say finally, Looking into his eyes for a moment she smiled, then pressed her lips to his, just like he had in the meadow, when he'd just let himself go. Her heart pounded in her chest, under his hand.
"I'll explain later." he moaned, reaching his lips for hers, her hand still rest on her heart, feeling it explode in her chest.
"Ok." She breathed, her lips brushing his as she spoke, laughing slightly at his moan. He grinned as his lips moved from hers to her cheeks, and then back again, continuing this cycle. Her breaths became shallower and more frequent. One hand twisting in the ends of his hair, the other arm wrapping round his back, pulling him closer to her. She also shifted to shrink the slight gap between their bodies. His other hand rested on her neck, gently pushing on it, releasing any tension from it. He slowly wrapped his foot around hers. He was getting lost in the moment again, but he quickly decided against it to stop. This was too nice of a moment. Her eyes closed as she enjoyed one of the rare moments where he let himself go a little more than usual.
Edward tilted his head, pulling away from her lips, letting her breathe became regular again. As he pulled away from her she sighed, but her breathing slowed and leveled, returning to normal. He sighed and pulled his head back to her pillow, wrapping both his arms around her, cooling her body. He looked down at her, stroking her hair.
"I'm sorry I have to stop. I just can't lose myself with you. I may do something to hurt you. I really wish I wouldn't have to." he said resting his chin on her head. He really wish he didn't have to. He would never stop if there was no danger for her. But, really, just being with him was dangerous. But he couldn't stand to be apart from her anymore. It was something he would just have to deal with.
"I know. I just wish..." She didn't need to finish that sentence. They'd had that conversation too many times, she knew exactly how it would go. But this time there was a slight spark of hope. After Italy, and Alice's promise... She rested her head on his chest, not willing to move too far from his cool skin, as she had suddenly found that she was rather warm.
"I know Bella." Edward sighed, playing with her hair. He had always tried to think of a way around it, but after the promise he made with the Volturi, it had to happen now. She had to be transformed, otherwise she would just become a snack for them. He thought for a moment, then moved his body so that he could see her face perfectly.
"I have a proposition for you Bella." he said, grinning widely. She was going to get it done, but he had already told her he wasn't doing it. Of course, there were loopholes.
"A proposition?" She asked, frowning slightly. What kind of proposition could he possibly make to her on this topic. They'd already established that he wasn't going to change her, under any circumstances. She took a deep breath,
"Well, what is this proposition then Mr. Cullen?" She asked, her frown being temporarily replaced by a smile.
Edward smiled. "Well Ms. Swan.. you know how I told you I would not change you under any circumstances, well, unless you were dying and there was nothing else that could be done for you of course." he said. He looked into her eyes, watching how interested she seemed to be.
"What if I told you I would, if, and only if,... you marry me first?" he asked her, watching her carefully for her reaction. His smile faded, his expression blank. He didn't want to come off as if he were joking. Edward would do it if she married him first.
What? Had she heard him right? Married? She shook her head slightly sitting up and untangling their legs so she could cross hers. Turning to look at him, fighting back the laughter building up inside, he couldn't be serious.
"Let me check something." She paused, "Did you say you'd change me, without my dying being involved, if I married you?" She looked at him, trying to discern whether or not he was serious.
"Bella, I understand that this kind of came out all of the sudden, but I am being one hundred percent serious." Edward said, sitting up next to her.
"Now not right after the ceremony of course, probably after we get home from the honeymoon. I don't want you suffering during that." He explained, reaching his fingers for hers. He played with the tips of them, and finally looked up into her eyes. He knew she didn't believe him. Typical stupid lamb. Typical lamb that the lion fell in love with of course.
"I...Edward, I...marriage?" Not the most coherent sentence she'd ever managed. Marriage? It wasn't exactly high on her list of priorities, or even goals. It's not that she didn't love him, or that she doubted the fact that she'd love him forever, it was just that she'd always been told that marriage wasn't necessary for happiness when it came to love.
But at that moment another of his words hit her slightly, honeymoon. How would that work? Apparently it would be too risky for them to have a proper honeymoon. She took a deep breath.
"What brought this on?" She asked finally, when she was sure that she could speak without her voice catching.
"Well.." Edward began. "I was thinking about our promise to the Volturi, to turn you into a vampire. We would have to do it one way or another, and you probably get Carlisle to do it for you. But I know how much you want me to do it. Then I thought, Well, the only way I'll do it is if I know she will be mine forever, not that I am doubting your love for me, the fact is that if you wanted, you could go and run off with you wolf friend." he said looking passed her face. He dropped his golden eyes to her chocolate's and continued.
"That's when dawned on me. Marriage. You know how I am about old fashion things and traditions. Around this time, back in 1910, people were finding people to settle down with." He smiled and lifted his hand slowly to her cheek, gently rubbing it with his thumb.
"And, of course, my biggest reason. The reason that I cannot see myself with any other, just my Bella. Because of the fact I am in love with you. If we are going spend eternity for ever with each other, we might as well do it the right way." Edward leaned in and gave her a peck on the lips and leaned back, smiling gently at her.
His words sent shock waves through her body, causing her to practically jump off the bed away from him. She stood by the window, leaning slightly on the wall beside it, looking out into the night. Her arms folded across her stomach. After a moment she turned to face him again.
"So, even though you asked me to marry you, even though you say you love me, even though you know how much I love you. You still think me capable of running off into the sunset with Jacob?" Disbelief in her voice, reflected in her eyes. She took a deep breath.
"I know you were raised with traditions Edward, but nowadays marriage doesn't necessarily mean forever. Look at Charlie and Renee! So forgetting about the more physically painful side of this conversation, why do you want to marry me? Love isn't a good enough reason, because for there to be love there has to be trust, but you don't seem to trust how much I love you." Her eyes searched him, eager for his answer.
Edward sighed, knowing he had messed up. He got up and moved to her side, his hands in his pockets down at her. He pulled his hand through his hair, wondering how he was going to fix it this time.
"Bella, I never doubt your love for me. I trust you. Jacob is just.. just.. he's just human. A normal shape shifter if you will. He is a lot less dangerous then me." he whispered the last sentence, looking out her window.
"And we are different from Renee and Charlie, you know that." he said holding her hands up. He didn't mean to make this a bad thing, he was trying to make this a good thing.
"I wasn't the one who broke the trust." She whispered, forgetting, for the first time, that he could hear her, and even if he couldn't, he'd be able to read her lips.
As she whispered, he closed his eyes and bowed his head, he looked in serious pain. "Maybe.. Maybe I should just go now..." he whispered, turning to open the window.
"No!" She replied quickly as he suggested leaving. He couldn't go, they needed to sort this out. Fear rose in her, however unwelcome it may have been, he couldn't leave like this, who knew where he's be tomorrow if he did. Taking deep breath she composed herself.
"We are different from Renee and Charlie, we're different from everyone else. But you can't just run away 'cause things get hard Edward." She unfolded her arms from around herself and held them out towards him.
"For the record though, if I were going to run off with some other guy, it'd be Mike." she spoke in a matter of fact tone, but a broad grin flashed across her face for a moment, "Do you trust me?" Edward grinned and turned back to her, walking into her open arms and wrapped his around her.
"Always." he whispered, kissing the top of her head.
"I didn't mean you to take it that serious Bella. And I don't mean we go get hitched right now either. I mean we can take our time. And the only way I'll make you a vampire is if you marry me first. I'm a man of traditions. I suppose, in a way, its like the whole sex before marriage thing." he said chuckling, squeezing her closer. He wished she wouldn't take things so seriously some times. He was quiet aware she wouldn't run off to Jacob, but if Edward had actually run off and left her, she would most likely end up with Jacob. That's is what he really meant by it.
Her arms wrapped around him tightly, she almost laughed when he spoke again. "So you didn't want me to take your proposition seriously?" She looked up at him grinning. She wasn't willing to argue with him at the moment. She bit her lip slightly before she spoke, but her smile was still wide on her face
Edward sighed. "I want you take it seriously. I meant the thing about Jacob. Any ways, Consider it." he whispered rocking her in his arms slightly. He laughed silently. She could be so jumpy sometimes. Just like him, he supposed. Perfect for each other.
She nodded, "I'll think about it." She agreed, though what her answer was going to be she already had a vague idea.
"So where do you stand n the whole sex before marriage thing?" another curiosity fanned question.
"It's not going to happen Bella. I can very well kill you. Maybe once I transform you, you won't be so fragile and well, breakable." He leaned back and smiled at her face, crookedly, just the way she liked it.
Typical. She thought to herself, but she said nothing, instead she nodded slightly and rested her head on his chest. Her thoughts were still racing though. This whole topic had come out f the blue, but it showed promise. And was evidence that he could compromise.
Edward looked down at her, one eyebrow raised. She was planning. He could tell.
"Bella, mind sharing what you are thinking?" he asked her. He wished that there could be some way he could get into her head just for the faintest moment. Just to hear one thought was all he asked for. It killed Edward that she was the only one's thoughts he couldn't hear. He could hear the wolf for god sakes.
"I wasn't thinking about anything in particular, you know, just processing." She smiled up at him, before shifting slightly in his arms, unwrapping hers from around him and stepping out of his grasp. She headed for the bed, sitting on the end of it. Her eyes still fixed on his.
Edward followed her, his eyes fixed on hers. He sat down and grabbed her hands, lifting them to his lips and kissed them gently. She smiled as he sat beside her, laughing gently as he kissed her hands. They were so soft, he couldn't get over it. Edward gave her a small smile. Taking back one of her hands, Bella placed it gently on his cheek.
"Want to tell me any ways?" he asked her, tilting his head to the side slightly.
"There's nothing to tell, just some errant thoughts." She smiled again as she moved so their lips met, "Nothing." she whispered against his lips. Edward nodded and pulled her closer to him, their lips meeting once again. His hand rested on her arm, his fingers gently tracing shapes. He wrapped his other arm around her waist, pulling her on to his lap.
After a few moments, he pulled away and sighed, leaning his head on her shoulder. She smiled and rested her cheek on the top of his head. He reached out for her hand opened it, taking his finger and tracing the lines on her palm over and over again, trying to remember what everything meant. The skin on her palm tingled as he drew his smooth cold fingers across it. He had read a book about it before. It had been a while ago now.
She bit her lip and closed her eyes, thinking everything over. Was she willing to marry him? There was no question that she wanted to spend eternity with him, but marriage? She sighed quietly,
"Ok...I'll marry you—" she started, but was cut off.
Edward rose his head, grinning fiercely. "Thank you. I will never be able to tell you how grateful I am. I will owe you for the rest of my… existence." he said wrapping his arms around her.
She laughed at Edward, her fiancé now. She shook her head, remembering her condition. "But I have a condition.
He rose his head, loosening his arms only slightly around her. He looked at her eyes, trying to read her face. He couldn't, typically. He sighed, raising an eyebrow. "And that condition is..?"
Smirking slightly at him she kissed him for a moment, pulling away from his lips as looked into his eyes. "My condition. Right, you mentioned the honeymoon, right, but I don't see how it could be a proper honeymoon if you won't change me until afterwards." She looked at him seriously.
"I want a proper, human, honeymoon." She finished, waiting for his reaction.
A human honeymoon? That would be.. terribly dangerous. Edward looked into her eyes as he thought. Surely she realized this, since he couldn't go longer then five minutes kissing her before he had to pull away, to protect her. Now, she asked for this.
"Bella, I hope you realize how dangerous that would be. I could easily lose control and.." he stopped, looking down. Just thinking about it hurt him.
"I understand why you're worried, and I know the general dangers. But I don't think you would, or could hurt me." She sighed slightly, knowing he'd think she meant physically,
"I think your not wanting to hurt me would prevent you, for doing anything too bad." She shrugged slightly, "Regardless that's my condition. Take it or leave it Edward." She smiled kissing him lightly. Edward leaned back his head, thinking this through. She did make some good points he suppose. He sighed, looking at Bella and smiling.
"You do make a few good points love." he whispered. he closed his eyes, thinking it through one more time, and then nodded his head.
"Alright. That's what we'll do. We'll get married and then have ourselves a human honeymoon." He said smiling, leaning in a pressing his lips to her forehead.
Author's Notes: So he agrees to sex right away. A little OOC for Edward but, meh. We all know how it goes, might as well just speed the process up for the two of them and get it over with.