All characters except for Annabelle Causley and a few others belong to Stephenie Meyer…and, of course, the writer is not receiving any profit for this story whatsoever.
This is an AU out of Stephenie Meyers' Twilight series. This story starts after Eclipse, two weeks before Edward and Bella's wedding.
AN: Emer, thank you for the reviews. They make me smile.
Chapter Six
Annabelle stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows of the room the Cullens had given her. In the end, she hadn't been able to tell them.
Sighing, she turned to look at the room that was now hers. Looking at the walls, she wondered if they would allow her to decorate the room.
Pushing herself away from the windows, she walked towards the plush leather couch. It was black, a color she thoroughly disliked. Sitting down, she wondered how long it would take before Edward came looking for her.
Leaning back into the cushions, she watched the slow setting of the sun, grateful her room faced west. She loved sunsets, which, strangely enough, reminded her of a simpler life. She closed her eyes as she tried to remember the last time she had seen a sunset before her human life was taken from her –that's right, it was that very last human moment, when she looked out the window and marveled at the way the setting sun turned the stones of the Voltura walls a blood red with golden streaks.
"You have a beautiful view," Annabelle turned as Edward softly closed the door behind him. Turning back to the sunset, she held herself still as he took a seat next to her, "Alice was wondering if you would like to go shopping this weekend."
Annabelle looked down at the designer denim jeans she was wearing. She was a little more curvaceous than Alice, which was why the jeans she had borrowed from her fit a little too snug. A pair of Rosalie's would have been a perfect fit but it seemed that Rosalie wasn't willing to share what was hers.
"I take it she doesn't want me stretching out her clothes," Annabelle smirked, rubbing her fingers over the denim, keeping her eyes on the sunset. The sky was going from a deep red and orange to a gray and sable blue. It would soon be dark enough for the stars to shine.
"She just thinks it would be easier for you to have your own clothes," Edward leaned back into the cushions, crossing his arms across his chest, "And yes, you can do whatever you want with the room."
"Thanks," Annabelle turned to look at Edward's profile, "I don't have any money, though."
"Don't worry about that. I'll take care of it."
"Won't that bother Bella," Annabelle's smirk turned mocking as Edward turned to look into her eyes, "You spending money on an ex-girlfriend?"
"No," Edward's jaw tensed, "It's only a bother when I spend money on her."
"I'm sure it will bother her once she finds out who I used to be," Annabelle turned her eyes to the window in time to see the sun slip out of sight, leaving behind a dark blue sky darkening to black in seconds.
"I think that's a conversation that needs to be only between us three," Edward leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he stared at the dark blue rug between his feet.
"The sooner you tell her, Edward, the better," Annabelle crossed her legs at the ankles as she slid down the couch into a slouched position, "The last thing you want is for her to freak out about you and I without knowing the details. Especially since your wedding is, what, two weeks away?"
"Yes," Edward turned to look at Annabelle, "Bella is not the jealous type. At least I don't think she is."
"I bet she's insecure, though," Annabelle pursed her lips to keep herself from smiling, "If I were in her shoes, I'd be truly insecure about this whole situation. A new female vampire with connections to your human life…not only that, but I'm everything she thinks she isn't. Beautiful, sexy, graceful. I bet she's at home right now, wondering if I was all these things before I became a vampire. I bet she's freaking out right now because you are here with me instead of with her."
"No, that's not true. She knows better than to worry about that," Edward leaned back into the cushions, crossing his arms again. Annabelle chuckled softly, seeing his lie for what it was.
"Liar," Annabelle turned her body sideways as she leaned slightly closer to Edward, her voice low and sultry, "You don't believe that."
Edward held his breath as he looked into her black eyes, feeling the sexual energy directed at him. He knew that his physical reaction to her was due to her talent and yet, he couldn't pull away. Watching her lean closer, he wondered how exactly he was going to explain all this to Bella just as her lips touched his. He moved so fast, it was a testament to Annabelle's reaction that she caught herself before she fell face first into the sofa cushions. Looking up, she found Edward standing on the opposite side of her room, his face contorting with his effort to control his anger.
"Don't ever do that again, Annabelle," Edward growled softly, glaring at her, "I'm not a toy to play with…and I'm not yours to kiss."
"Edward," Annabelle stood up, taking a step towards him, stopping as he quickly moved from his corner to the door. He was about to walk out and Annabelle knew she couldn't leave things as they were, "Wait, please. I'm sorry. I won't do that again."
Edward turned to look at her, his breath coming in shallow spurts. He needed to get out of here, away from her. He needed to clear his mind, release some anger…he needed to go to Bella.
"Make sure you don't," Edward blanked his face, pulling in his anger, which was mostly at himself, "I'll tell Alice you'll go shopping with her. Also, I'm bringing Bella by tomorrow…so we can talk. Make sure you can be around her."
Annabelle nodded, holding herself still as he walked out without a backward glance, closing the door behind him. Sitting on the floor, she covered her face with her hands, feeling shame at what she had done. She and Edward had been such close friends when they were human. She recalled the day it had all changed…the day she had made a promise to him…a promise she had just broken…
Annabelle smiled sweetly at the brown-eyed gentleman that had come calling. Her blue eyes twinkled as he talked to her about non-sense she didn't bother really listening to. All she knew was that she needed an escort for the opera this coming weekend and since Daniel was the catch of the season, she knew having him with her would make her the envy of all her debutante friends.
"That is very interesting," Annabelle purred softly as she laid a hand on his arm, her fingers softly stroking the fabric of his coat, "And I would love to listen to more but, unfortunately, a family friend is coming over for a visit and I must attend to him and his family. I hope I can see you this weekend?"
"This weekend," Daniel stared deep into her blue eyes, his mind turning to mush as she smiled at him.
"There's an opera at the Chicago Auditorium Theatre and I would love to attend," Annabelle lowered her eyes in an effort to look disappointed, "Unfortunately, Father would not be able to escort me and I haven't had any offers. I am hoping Mother will come with me but her health hasn't been well."
"If your father will allow, I would be honored to escort you," Daniel watched as a pretty blush stole across her alabaster skin, her eyes shining with sincere gratitude. He had never before met such an innocent sweet girl.
"Thank you. I am sure he will agree once you ask him," Annabelle leaned in and softly kissed his cheek before standing up, "I am really sorry to cut this visit short but I must go help Mother."
Daniel stood up, following her as she showed him out the door. Taking her small hand, he gently kissed the back of it before turning away, walking down the steps as she closed the door behind him.
Annabelle smiled triumphantly as she turned, her face flushing an embarrassing shade of red as her blue eyes collided with the mocking green eyes of her childhood best friend, Edward Masen.
"I see you now have an escort for the opera," Edward gave her a mocking smile, "You sure know how to play them, Annie."
"Be quiet, Edward," Annabelle pushed herself away from the oak door, pouting prettily at him, "Besides, you didn't offer to take me so I had to find someone suitable."
"Daniel Burnham is a suitable escort indeed. Catch of the season is what you debutantes call him, is it not?" Edward crossed his arms as he gave her that patronizing look he knew irritated her.
"Be quiet, Edward," Annabelle stopped a couple of steps away from him, "I need an escort for the opera and since you don't ever come calling, there was nothing I could do but settle for Daniel."
"Settle for Daniel," Edward shook his head as he smiled down at this girl that had been like a sister to him for so long and yet, something was changing between them, "I don't come calling, dear Annie, because I don't like your games. I'm not a toy and until you understand that, I am staying away."
"Eddie, I would never play games with you," Annabelle pouted, her eyes oozing sincerity that Edward knew was false.
"There it is. You're still playing," Edward cocked an eyebrow, his green eyes still glinting with mockery, "And don't call me Eddie. I've out growned that name."
"Well, I've out grown Annie and you still call me that," Annabelle frowned as she turned away from Edward, feeling slightly hurt that he wasn't fawning over her as her other male suitors, "Besides, accusing me of playing games when you don't take me seriously is not fair."
"I'll start taking you seriously when you stop playing games…Annabelle," she turned to look at him, her eyes widening as the possibility of something happening between them flashed through her mind. Clasping her shaking hands, she stared into his green eyes, watching the mockery slip away.
"All right…you want me to stop playing games? You want me to be honest with you?" Annabelle walked closer to him, keeping her hands clasped before her to keep herself from touching him, "I like you Edward. I find you fascinating. I think, that given time, I could possibly fall in love with you. I never told you this because I believe you only see me as that irritating little girl that followed you everywhere and got you in trouble for teaching me to climb trees and hunt frogs. Edward…I've never told you because I didn't think you would take me seriously."
Annabelle stared into his green eyes for a few more seconds before embarrassment forced her to turn her back to him. She took a step away from him, intending to head to the kitchen, or somewhere private where she could cry, but his hand on her arm stopped her, pulling her around and into his arms.
"I like you Annabelle," Edward stared down into her blue eyes, which glittered with unshed tears, "I find you fascinating. And with time, I know I'll fall in love with you…but I'm not willing to play the fool like your other suitors. I want us to be honest with each other, just like when we were kids. Promise me you won't play any games with me. I promise I will always take you seriously."
Annabelle smiled up at him as a tear spilled over, her fingers clutching his overcoat, "I promise I won't play anymore games with you."
Edward smiled down at her as he wiped the tear away with his thumb before leaning down and softly pressing his lips against hers. Annabelle shivered as her lips warmed against his and her body melted into his arms. Chuckling, Edward pulled back, keeping his arms loosely around her.
"Give it time, Annabelle," Edward kissed her forehead before turning her loose, "We'll get to know each other all over again and before you know it, we'll be in love. And when that happens, we'll get married…have a family…grow old together…"
Annabelle's full-lipped mouth widened into a smile as she covered her cheeks, which were reddening, "You have no idea what it does to my heart to listen to you talk like that."
Edward laughed as he stared down at her, loving the way her face turned red whenever she was feeling a strong emotion. It had always been that way, since they were kids. Taking her left hand, he kissed each finger before tucking it into his arm, "My parents want to see you."
"Why," Annabelle looked up at him, feeling vulnerable yet safe.
"Because they are certain you've grown prettier since the last time they saw you," Edward looked down at her, his eyes roaming over her lovely face, "And I must say, I think they are right."
Annabelle laughed as she walked towards the family room, Edward by her side. Life couldn't possibly get any better than this, she was certain.
Annabelle sighed as she fell back onto the floor, staring at the ceiling. She wasn't sure yet how to explain to Edward why she was here, in Forks, in the Cullen's home, back in his life, so to speak.
It was more than just a case of old emotions, faded memories, long-forgotten promises. It was more than just Edward and Bella and herself. She knew that in time, which was the one thing she didn't have, she would have to tell Edward, and the rest of the Cullens, why she decided to come to Forks.
