(11) Reckoning

I saw my arms weaving above me making figure eights in the ocean water. I felt the water stinging my nostrils and throat. The darkness surrounded me and no light filtered to provide a view. I was scared. I didn't know who was winning the fight above. I reassured myself that Edward would succeed then pull me free from the trapped surface.

Seconds passed and my reassurances were replaced with immense doubts. I didn't hear anything no splash breaking through or voice calling my name. I felt the giant breath of air I took slowly escaping my chest. I didn't have strength in my left arm to bend down and break the ties that claimed my feet. My right arm throbbed and I was sure it was sprained or worse broken.

I was trying to remember how long it took for someone to drown. Was it thirty seconds? Longer? I counted the seconds after all my life depended on it. Forty seconds! and the final air began burning my ribs. I was going to swallow water in another ten seconds. Salty, ocean water that was sure to sting my sensitive throat, I wasn't looking forward to that. Fifty seconds! I clenched my lips to not release that last bit of air.

Sixty seconds!! I was losing the fight. I knew that. There was no more air in my body to grasp. I was going to die. I kicked my feet hard and that motion let the last breath I had escape. I panicked and choked underwater. Sure enough the water burned and my ears started ringing loud and deafening. I would have cried if the option were even possible. Seventy seconds!!! Where was Edward? My last thought was it was too late. I love you, Edward. I lost my consciousness and saw bright streaks flashing across my vision. It was stunning, spectacular too bizarre for words.

I was in the meadow listening to the bubbling stream of water flowing gently over rocks. I bent down to get a better view of the crystal clear water sinuous breaking softly to the rhythm of the wind. I touched the water and it was warm caressing my hand. I smiled and saw the white lilies ahead.

I went over and plucked a single lily to place in my hair long and fluid. Edward walked towards me bare-chested with his skin glittering in the sunlight too stunning beyond words. He was saying something but I couldn't hear the words.

"What is it, Edward?" I asked and saw a tiny blue fish swim next to my hand. The urge to grab the fish was hard to ignore. The little fish kept going along the water, I laughed he looked so funny.

Edward spoke again but I could not hear what he said. I stood up and walked over to him stumbling along the rocks. "You know I can't hear as well as you, I am only human." I teased him.

"Wake up, Bella." He commanded and his face had become a severe mask. He was clutching my arms and slightly shaking them. His features were twisted into a grimace with small lines crinkling his forehead.

"Oww, Edward. Stop it! You're Hurting Me!" I exclaimed shockingly and tried to break out of his rough grip. I turned my head back and forth resisting his pleas. "I want to stay here please don't make me leave." I started crying. I couldn't help it I didn't want to leave the most magnificent place I would ever know.

"Bella, love, you need to open your eyes." He released his grip and used the full force of his determination in his gaze. "Please, Bella, Please." He reached up and lightly brushed my tears from my cheeks. "You look so beautiful. Don't Do This To Me!"

"I don't know if I can?" I touched his face memorizing the contours of his cheekbones. He was the most significant person, he would always be.

"Try please Bella for me!" He urged and put his arms around me and picked me up. He set me on the soft pillow of grass. He leaned over me looking over my body. "You Need To Do This!"

"Edward I'm just going to close my eyes and rest. I'm just so exhausted." I murmured and put my face against the ground, which felt a little rough. I brought my legs up and moved into a more comfortable position. I felt the heavy weight drooping my eyelids. I couldn't give Edward what he wanted. Great, another thing I couldn't give him, he gave me the world and I couldn't stay awake for him.

Edward knelt beside me and touched his fingers to my cheek. Through the tiny slits of my eyes I saw him trace his fingers across my jaw. He moved his hand further down the middle of my chest and stopped by my heart. He brought his other hand and folded them together. What was he doing?

He began to pump his fists together continuously and bent to hear my heartbeat. That caught my attention. "Edward, what are you doing?" I whispered my voice rough and I tried to bring my hand up to move his hands away from me.

I closed my eyes again. I felt the rough pressure of his thrusts to my chest. I turned to let out a yell and felt something grainy in my mouth. Eww, what was that? I opened my eyes and fluttered my eyelashes. For a brief second I saw the faces above me staring. Alice silently grieving I tried to reach for her but my arms were heavy, so heavy. Jasper had his arms wrapped around Alice his eyes were horrified. I saved the best for last. Edward using all his effort to save me, his features twisted into a hollow mask of grief and determination. Could I be saved? Was I strong enough? The choice was mine.