A/N:Thanks to all those that reviewed! You're amazing! Here's some angst.
For three weeks I spent time in Arizona. It's sounds selfish I know but Carlisle would be at the house meaning Edward would be there. I just needed to clear my head before my heart to heart. I was so freaked out by the fact that Cassie stomach was at an unstoppable growth rate. She also had a thirst for blood. It was my fault so I didn't go near her. Besides she now had Hannah. The most annoying person. Hannah stuck by because she really did love her sister and she was totally in love with Rosalie. Hannah loved fashion and beauty and Rosalie was so beautiful she put Aphrodite to shame.
I was back now. For good. Carlisle was worried cause the baby seemed to be breaking Cassie's bones and using her uterus as a fight ring. I was scared cause Cassie had given up. And she knew I killed Riley. Which sucked because I felt even more guilty. She just lay there. She refused to moved. She would drink the blood we gave her but then she'd turn away and be…empty. I looked across the meadow, waiting.
'Edward?'
I waited for a moment then he finally came out. I did promise we would talk.
'Bella.'
'You wanted to explain. So explain.'
'First tell me, was anything Victoria said true. More importantly, did you believe it?'
'Does it matter.'
'Yes or no.'
'No, it wasn't all true. Changing me would have been wrong, killing James was the only way. And Riley should have never even have thought to touch Cassie. But everything she said was true, about me at least. I believe what I feel.'
'How can you doubt how I feel about you?'
'By remembering being left in the forest, feeling nothing.'
'I left a note for Charlie.'
'I would have preferred to die. You know I used to hear your voice.'
'What?'
'Whenever I was in danger. It started when I was on the street once. Your voice told me that I was doing something dangerous. Then I got a motorcycles.'
'Oh my god, Bella, why…'
'Then the voice stopped when I changed. You're right. It does hurt. It burned so bad.'
'I know.'
'But losing you hurt more.'
'Bella look at me.'
I turned hesitantly to face him. His eyes burned amber.
'I'm here, and I love you. I have always loved you, and I will always love you. I was thinking of you, seeing your face in my mind every second that I was away. When I told you that I didn't want you, it was the very blackest kind of blasphemy.'
'Yet came back expecting me to be dead.'
'I came back knowing I'd soon be dead.'
'Volturi?'
'Huh? How did you…'
'Charming people. I was there during my two year trip to Italy. Aro became quite fond of me.'
'Surprising he didn't collect you.'
'That time I couldn't control my power. My power without control is just a hindrance.'
'...Just tell me know whether of not you can still love me, after everything I've done to you. Can you?'
'What kind of idiotic question is that?'
'Just answer it. Please.'
'The way I feel about you will never change. Of course I love you.'
'That's all I needed to hear.'
He leaned towards and I suddenly felt scared. His hand came around my neck, fingers curling around my short hair. I closed my eyes and felt his breath on my lips. A shiver ran down my spine.
'Bella…' he whispered.
In a moment I was that seventeen year old girl, in the arms of her true love. I could practically feel his lips they were so close, so close.
Ring!
My eyes snapped open and I stepped away. Taking out my cell I flipped it open.
'Hello?'
'Iz, it's time.'
'I'm coming.'
I snapped the phone shut and without looking back, rushed over. I was there in two minutes. Cassie was lying on the floor surrounded by blankets and towels. Carlisle was taking her temperature as Jake patted her hand. Hannah was backed against the wall. She rushed up to me and hugged me.
'I don't want it. Please, don't make me take it.'
'It's okay sweety. It's okay. Just be here for her.'
She pulled back and nodded to me. Then she retreated back to her corner. I looked and saw Amy looking very uncomfortable. I nodded at the door and she mumbled a thank you before leaving. I bent over Cassie.
'Hey Sweetie.'
She frowned but continued to look at the ceiling. I looked at Carlisle.
'We have to get the baby out by biting open her stomach. Our teeth is the only that can pierce this skin.'
'Okay, you do that and I'll change her.'
'No.'
I frowned and placed a hand on Cassie's cheek.
'Cass, please.'
'Listen, I always thought I wanted this. But I'm not like you. I just look like you. I had a great life. Sure, it was short but, I don't want to suffer anymore. For some people being a vampire works but we can't all be saved. Some people have to die. You could have changed so many people. But when they asked you not to you didn't. Not everyone wants to be a vampire and you knew that. You're reason for becoming one is standing over there.'
I looked over to Edward. We just stared at each other for a moment. Then I turned back to Cassie.
'Carlisle is going to take the baby out.'
She nodded. Carlisle busied himself by her stomach. Suddenly she grunted in pain and I could smell blood. Then her eyes were closing. I could hear a cry in the background. I leant closer to her.
'Now you have a reason for living. You have a baby.'
'It's a girl.' came a soft voice.
'A girl, Cass. You have a daughter.'
'No, she's yours. She always was.'
'Cassie, listen, stay with me.'
'If you save me, then I'll be really pissed.'
She smiled then closed her eyes. I held my hand to her heart but I knew before then that it stopped beating. I heard a wail and I ran over to Hannah. I hugged her tightly as she sobbed into my shoulder. I could hear the baby crying still. Hannah could too. She looked at me, shook her head and ran out of the house. Then I finally turned to the baby. She was beautiful. Carlisle tipped her into my arms. Jake covered Cassie's body with a sheet. I looked carefully at the baby. She had sparkling green eyes and beautiful, brown hair. I felt immense pain as I looked at her. I took her upstairs to my room where I locked the door. I just needed to be alone. I just needed to know I wasn't a monster.
-xXx-
