*** This story contains some mild language, suspense, romance, and some frightening images and situations—13 and older, please.

** 5/8/09 edited for clarity. Added about 250 words to prose and dialogue. OTM

In the Grip of Twilight

By:

Olivia Tannis Moore

Chapter Fifty Six:

Reunion

I pushed the metal grate away from the opening and pulled myself up onto the alleyway. It was hard to believe that it was the same terrifying dark hole that Edward had lowered me through only weeks ago. It was child's play now.

I stood and dusted my jeans off, my hands pale and slightly shimmering in the moonlight. I paused and held them up to my face. What if I'd changed too much? Physically…emotionally…nevermind that there was a past life trying its best to awaken inside of me…

I tormented myself with the mental checklist of changes: One, I was no longer his 'Bumble-Bella'—my clumsiness would never again bring a smile and roll of his eyes…Two, I no longer needed to ride upon his back… I stopped myself; the list could go on and on.

After the transformation, part of me had inevitably gone away…but which part? The important part? The part that Edward loved? Was that why he objected so strongly to my becoming a vampire? Did he know something that I was foolishly blind to?

I'd always depended so heavily on him. Weak little Bella, with my delicate bones and skin, he was always afraid he'd break me in some way. Would he miss that Bella, the frail one?

Suddenly my stomach churned; I wouldn't be able to bear the look in his eyes if he found a stranger in my place.

I stared down at the grate-covered hole. What was I thinking? I wasn't in the right state of mind to greet anyone—much less Edward. It would be so easy to go back and let someone else meet Edward and his family.

But the thought of sending someone else made me cringe. I so desperately missed him and wanted him with me. I held my arms against my stomach and took a deep breath. Then, in an almost unconscious decision, I set out in the direction of the tower.

One foot in front of the other, I told myself, pretending to be brave. The brick walls of the alleyway blurred as I hurried past. I did not allow myself to hesitate or think of anything other than my goal of the clock tower.

I was somewhat proud of myself when I reached the walkway under the tower. It seemed a minor accomplishment, but somewhere between the alleyway and the clock tower I had committed to the bravery and had stopped pretending.

It wasn't as dark as the last time when Edward had been by my side. The two electric sconces on opposite walls glowed warmly and managed to ease the tightening of my stomach. Somewhere beyond the walls, I heard water trickle, and this too had a calming effect. I closed my eyes and listened to the water and its answering echo within the corridor.

…and then there was something else mingling within the echoing drops of water…footsteps…

I opened my eyes to see eight dark silhouettes crossing the street to the tower—one, in particular, out in front.

As soon as he'd crossed the street, he dropped his duffel bag from his shoulder and left it on the ground, all the while staring straight ahead at me as he walked.

His voice was taut and breathless across the walkway. "Bella…"

I couldn't speak; couldn't move. My throat closed around his name as my heart tried to beat its way out of my chest. That familiar cat-stride, the leanness of his body underneath the white tee-shirt…I couldn't have turned my eyes away if I'd tried.

With lightening-quick speed he crossed the distance between us, catching me and spinning me up off my feet. Then, he grasped me in his arms tightly, my check against his chest. I heard him inhale deeply against my hair. "Oh, thank God," he sighed, "you still smell the same."

My bottom lip trembled as I nodded my head underneath his chin. In human-terms it sounded strange, but in Edward-terms, it was as normal as could be. Yet, it made my heart ache; it seemed like a confirmation of my fears that the human parts of me, those endearing quirks that Edward loved, had almost disappeared. All but my scent…

But how far would that take me when I didn't even recognize the human side of myself anymore?

I held my breath and waited for him to notice the dreaded changes that had taken place while he was away. I was already convinced that I would ultimately disappoint him—if not now, then later, when he realized just how much I had changed.

He lifted my chin and traced along my cheekbone with the tip of his finger, his eyes following his finger's trail. "God, how I've missed you…"

I bit my lip, remembering how gossamer my skin was now, after the transformation…another change he was bound to notice.

"You don't… like it…do you?" I murmured, sure that he didn't.

"I like it," he said, bending to kiss my mouth. "A different kind of perfection."

His words caused me to stiffen in his arms. "How different?" I asked pulling back slightly.

He reached up and held the sides of my face. "Hardly different at all," he spoke softly. "I'm just happy to see you."

I closed my eyes. "What if you miss the old Bella?—I can't go back…"

"Shhh", he put his finger to my lips. "What's this old Bella, new Bella talk? You don't have amnesia do you?" he joked.

I shook my head between his hands. "I'm serious…"

"Hey, open your eyes and look at me," he commanded gently.

I opened them, warily, and he continued. "I'm serious, too. I wouldn't have bonded with you in this way if I had any doubts of the outcome. I had hoped that you would smell the same…and I'm pleased that you do...but I know by now that your scent is not all that you are."

"But, Edward…I…"

He lowered his mouth until his lips brushed against mine. "All that I am, and I'm not just talking about the venom, is inside you—and everything that you are…it's inside me, too, and has been for a long time now…it's time you accepted the fact that I love you, not just one part of you.."

If not for his body next to mine, I would've crumbled to the ground. Earlier, I worried that I'd taken the vampire's trait of being unable to cry…but now, I couldn't control the floodgates of relief. I clutched Edward to me and sobbed into his chest. His arms instantly cradled me protectively, as he kissed the sides of my head.

Behind us, the Cullens had finally caught up; they stood awkwardly smiling at one another as I sniffed and waved my hand at them from Edward's back. Elena stood off to the side with her hands on her hips, mouth pinched in disgust.

Emmett was the first to break the silence with his dry humor. "Dude, did you have to go and make her cry?" He leaned in suddenly, eyes wide, "—and why's your shirt all gold?"

Their gasps alarmed me. I pulled back and my mouth went slack with shock.

There were strange topaz streaks and splatters on Edward's otherwise white tee shirt—still wet from my tears.

***

(I do hope you like this chapter—it took long enough to write after I scraped it twice…at 2 Oh-God-O'clock in the morning. But once I was on the right track, it was fun. Thanks for reading. New update on Friday. OTM)

** 5/8/09** It seemed neccessary to clarify that the "gold" Emmett was the first to see was "liquid topaz". Guys don't usually distinguish colors like girls do--if something is maroon, they call it red, if something is azure blue, they simply call it blue. Could you imagine Emmett saying, "Dude...Why's your shirt all liquid topaz?" I can't.