Chapter 20—A Jewel of a Memory

Men always want to be a woman's first love. That is their clumsy vanity. We women have a more subtle instinct about things. What we like is to be a man's last romance.

Oscar Wilde

Edward's POV

I was amazed Bella had brought about another first. I had said the words "I love you" before, but I'd never meant them. In the past, when I'd said them, it was only because the "girl" I was dating demanded them. They were also a lie, and I hated myself every time I uttered them.

It helped that Bella said them first. She was direct—no beating around the bush, no story, and no asking for them in return, not that I gave her much of a chance. My heart swelled, and without a single thought, I was in front of her, kissing her. The words spilled out of me, unforced and entirely true.

After Bella turned in for the night, I called Tanya Denali, a friend and jeweler, and made an appointment. I wanted to mark Bella as mine, not physically but with jewelry. I wasn't lying when I said days ago that she deserved to be showered in jewels. She would probably fight me. I envisioned a gold or silver heart hanging at her throat, with an "E" at its center, or maybe a diamond pendant.

Bella was still asleep when I left to meet with Tanya. I conjured a single red rose, placing it on the pillow next to her along with a note telling her that I had an errand to run and a meeting with a client. After kissing her cheek, I vanished, reappearing in the garage.

An hour later, I was standing in front of a display counter with Tanya on the other side. I tried explaining what I was looking for.

"I want something subtle, not overpowering. Think delicate," I said, turning away from the counter and pinching the bridge of my nose.

I could feel Tanya's eyes on me. "I've never seen you so flustered, Edward. You usually don't know what to get the 'toddler' you're dating and take whatever I suggest. Today you've rejected everything I've shown you. What's going on?"

Tanya was a good friend, and despite the one extremely awkward date we had gone on in college, she understood the struggle I had committing to someone. She had the same problem. I looked over my shoulder at her. "This young woman is different, Tanya. She's stolen my heart."

She shook her head. "If you hadn't come to me, I wouldn't have believed it. She must be some woman."

I smiled. "Isabella is."

"Okay. So something subtle and delicate," she said, returning my smile. "I think I have just the thing. Give me a few minutes."

She disappeared behind a curtain, pacing throughout the store while she searched. I was the only customer at the moment and could freely peruse the various displays. Other than the necklace for Bella, I wasn't looking for anything but thought that while I was there, I might be able to find something for Mom for Christmas.

A ring set caught my eye. I motioned for one of Tanya's salesclerks to come over. "I want to see that set," I said—well, more like demanded. I flinched at the undertone in my voice. "Sorry. Please may I see the set?"

"Certainly, Mr. Cullen," the gentleman answered. He pulled the two rings out and set them in front of me.

I picked up the one with a diamond jutting up. "How many carats?"

"The whole set is one carat," he replied.

I nodded. "White gold or platinum?"

"Fourteen carat white gold."

"Is the center diamond inscribed?"

"Yes."

I looked back up at the clerk. His face was furrowed in confusion, but he didn't ask why I was interested in the ring.

"Edward?" Tanya said.

I turned my head and saw her approaching. I was caught.

She set two black velvet boxes down in front of me, and a second later, her hands were on her hips. "Care to explain why you are looking at a bridal set?"

"No," I answered, crossing my arms over my chest. "But I'll take the rings."

Her eyes went wide. "You really are in love," she whispered.

Nodding, I opened the first of the boxes in front of me. A grin spread across my face; this was exactly what I was looking for. Putting it back down, I reached for the second box. Tanya's hand was covering it. My gaze snapped up to meet her eyes.

Tanya didn't say anything, and neither did I. I knew she was seeking some sort of answer. And apparently, after several breaths, she had it.

"All right, then," she said, removing her hand from the second box.

"What the hell was that about?" I asked, snatching up the box before she could prevent me from doing so again.

She started laughing. "Can you seriously tell me that you don't know what my look was about? Remember Irina?"

"Self-proclaimed spinster, my ass," I said with a laugh. "It was a shock when I got her wedding invitation."

"And you are—or were—a self-proclaimed bachelor. I gave Irina that same searching look before she walked down the aisle."

"And what conclusion did you come to?" I asked.

"The same one that I came to with you. I hope to one day find a guy that is over the moon in love with me," she answered.

"You will," I said, opening the box.

Bella's POV

I stretched languidly where I lay on the bed, blinking my eyes open. What a wonderful dream. I was on Edward's arm at some movie premiere. Cameras were flashing left and right. Reporters and photographers were both yelling for Edward to come over to answer a couple of questions or to pose for a picture with this or that celebrity. A glittering diamond was on my left hand, too. Oh, how I wished it wasn't a dream.

Rolling on my side, I smiled at what I found—a red rose. I sat up with the rose in hand, lifting it to my nose. Its sweet fragrance filled my nostrils. Lowering it, I saw a folded white sheet of paper.

Bella, my love,

I like how that sounds. Do you?

I didn't want to wake you, so this note will have to do. There was one errand that I was unable to run yesterday—the detour to my mom's office was not planned, but I wouldn't go back and change it. I'm very happy that we went.

But I digress. I have an appointment, a meeting with a client this morning, and I need to pick up some supplies for Samhain. Ms. Cope has the day off. You have my phone number, but if you really need me, call for me with your mind. I love you.

Edward

I shivered as something brushed across my cheek, but I had felt a similar sensation years ago. My dad had to go out of town and departed early in the morning before I had woken. He had left a magical kiss hanging in the air, and when I woke, it brushed my forehead.

A giggle escaped me at Edward's silly thoughtfulness. Thank you, I thought, directing it to him.

I had no idea what I was going to do until Edward got home … the packages! Squealing, I jumped out of bed, surprising myself by not getting hurt in the process, and rushed to the entry hall. The boxes were not there.

In my room, love, Edward's voice said in my head. A map appeared, too, showing me exactly where he had put them.

I swung around, searching the room for Edward. He wasn't anywhere. How? It didn't matter at the moment. Rushing back down the hall, I entered Edward's room, going straight into the bathroom and then the closet. Stacked neatly in front of me were the three boxes. The topmost box was stamped with the word "Fragile." Opening it, I was confronted with bubble-wrapped items. I was careful when I picked up the item and unwrapped it—my mother's vase. The nightmare I'd had coming to mind and the vase fell from my hands. If it wasn't for my magic, it would have shattered. It hovered in front of me, and I rewrapped it in the bubble wrap. I couldn't find the strength to go through the rest of the box.

After placing the one box from Maggie to the side, I opened the ones from Ian. A smiled formed when I saw the tartan and other dresses. The wools and silks slid through my fingers and brought back memories of a festival dance in Forks.

I was wearing a shimmering, ice blue dress. All the girls were envious, even Angela. Usually I was shy, but as soon as I put on the dress, I felt different. It was the first time someone outside my family called me beautiful. The boy was Riley Biers; he was five years older than me. I was only twelve, and I didn't know Riley was only playing a part in order to distract me.

Riley had just asked me to dance. It was a bit awkward; he was two heads taller than me. I lived it up though. Little did I know that his twin brother, James …

I shivered. James and Riley Biers. They were menaces, and my dad had warned me about them when we had gotten home from the festival. What he had said wasn't coming to me, but I did remember that he wasn't happy when he stepped between me and James. Dad had gotten what was meant for me—a glass of hot water with boric acid mixed in.

A laugh escaped me. The acid James had chosen was harmless and would have made my dress flame resistant. Of course, when Dad turned to face Riley and me, I saw that the front of his shirt was dark red.

Later, I had learned that both brothers hung out with Jacob Black. Again, I shivered.

Edward, I thought and not waiting, I continued. James knows Jacob.

No sooner than I had transmitted the information, Edward was in front of me. His eyes registered shock as he slowly drew me to his chest. "Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yes," I whispered. "I'm not sure if they still run in the same circles. The last I heard, James had cut a lot of people out of his life, including his twin brother."

Edward stroked my hair and sighed. "I've asked Emmett to run James through the FBI's database."

I nodded. "Good idea. If he still associates with Jacob, we'll find out, right?"

"That we will." He kissed my temple. "I still have a client to meet with. Get changed, please. You're coming with me."

A/N: Edward is definitely thinking about a future with Bella, and she is dreaming of one with him.

Bella remembered how she knew James. And it's a matter of time before we find out if he is still associated with Jacob.

What do you think about the twist of Edward's power? I know in the books he can't read Bella's mind, but since he's not a vampire in this story, I thought I'd change it up.