I do not own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.
CH. 7
1918 (EPOV)
The towel started to slip from her body as she kissed me enthusiastically. My hand was quick to catch it and I brushed against her breasts lightly. She moaned softly and I pulled back, her brown eyes begged for me to continue.
I warred with myself over what was proper and my desire. I watched as she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. She watched me closely as well and her arousal was becoming overwhelming. She was my temptress and I was at her call.
"Edward?" she whispered my name. She was starting to look unsure, blush colored her cheeks and spread lightly over her breasts. I could never understand why she felt that way about herself.
I let her towel slip from my fingers as I started to cup her breast. I held her eyes with my own to watch for signs that I should stop. I should've known there wouldn't have been any. Her eyes clouded over in lust.
I lowered my lips to hers and kissed her harder then before. Scooping her up in my arms I laid her down on our bed. I rolled so I was just hovering over her enough to feel all her curves but not placing any of my weight on to her. Her heart was flying away, prompting me to continue.
My hand glided down her body to above her knee. Hesitating only briefly I lifted it until I hitched her leg over my hip. I could feel her warmth press up against my length.
"Edward," her breath hitched, her hips bucked against me.
I sat up abruptly in my bed. A sharp knock on my door alerted me to someone on the other side.
"Edward, are you awake," my mother called. I still wasn't used to hearing her voice again.
"Yes, Mother," I called back. I quickly fixed my covers as I heard her start to come in. "Edward, why are you still in bed? Are you well?" she grew concerned. My school had closed the week prior due to the growing epidemic.
"I am well, Mother. I have just spilt some water on my sheets. I was about to take care of it." I felt my cheeks blush in embarrassment.
"Again? You need to be more careful. Well, get up then, so I can strip the bed and take care of them." She started to head for me.
"I will take care of them," I cried out in alarm.
"You know how to wash sheets?" my mother looked amused.
"Well, ah…" I wasn't sure what to say, my mother knew when I lied. I couldn't very well say I knew how to use a machine not invented yet.
"I thought so. Come on, up with you. Get yourself presentable. You have a guest waiting in the sitting room." She waved me with her hands.
"Who is it?" I asked. Maybe Carlisle had sought me out.
"A young man, going by the name of Jasper Whitlock. He says he knows you from school." She answered. She appeared to be calm, but was it his doing? If he is here he must be a vampire if he looked young enough to be a classmate. If he was human he would be in his seventies at least. His diet at this time originally was human though.
"Edward, stop wasting time. I will leave so you can get dressed, but I will be back in a moment to get the sheets." My mother scolded.
"Yes, mother," I waited until she closed the door to get up.
Out of the blue a week ago I woke up at school finding myself as human, remembering everything about being a vampire.
(Flashback)
Slam!
My head flew up and my eyes darted around. Where were my Bella and my family? I was surrounded by boys dressed in old school uniforms laughing. The professor was standing in front of the desk I was sitting in. He must have used his rod to hit my desk as it still rested upon my books. I was thrown off by the thundering in my chest and it took a moment to realize that it was my heart. I was human again some how.
"Mr. Masen, since you have found class so boring that you rather sleep, answer me this. Hamlet spoke of Yorick. Who was he?" The professor looked unamused.
"Yorick was the court jester of the palace when Hamlet was a boy." I answered. The professor's eyes narrowed as he watched me.
"Correct, Mr. Masen." He answered lifting his stick.
"Professor, I do beg your pardon, but I am feeling poorly, might I be accused?" I asked. He turned back to me with a frown.
"I suppose it might be for the best. With that epidemic approaching one must take care of one self. There is talk of the school closing if it reaches our streets" he shook his head. "Off with you then." He dismissed me. I grabbed my books and checked the chair for a coat before I left the school. Glancing around I knew I was at my private school my parent's had made me attend.
My mind raced as I tried to figure out what was going on. How could this have happened? What happen to Bella and was she okay?
A couple days later they closed the school and I headed back on the train to Chicago. My first thought was to head directly to Carlisle. To see if he was a vampire and find out if he knew what happened.
But then I stopped. Perhaps this time I could avoid getting sick, or even if I did, perhaps it was for the best that Carlisle didn't change me. My life as a vampire put Bella in constant danger. If I was never a vampire she would be safer and she wouldn't miss me since I would never have met her. It pained me to think that, but it might be best for her.
BS&EC
Once I was dressed, I hurried on downstairs to the sitting room. As I entered Jasper stood to greet me. I was surprised and pleased to see his eyes were golden. He must have switched his diet already.
"Edward, good to see you. You look well rested." He smirked as he held out his hand. He must have heard the earlier conversation and picked up on my embarrassment.
"Jasper, I have to say I am mighty surprised to see you here in the city." I shook his hand and grimaced a little when he squeezed too strong.
"Sorry," he frowned apologetically. He looked at me like he was trying to convey something to me with his mind.
"So tell me what brings you here. I am not a mind reader you know." I joked, but tried to convey to him that he couldn't speak to me in his thoughts.
"Right, of course you are not." Jasper nodded, catching on. "Perhaps, we can discuss matters else where?" he suggested looking around. I realized he did not want to be overheard.
"Yes, I should give you a tour of the city." I suggested. He nodded in agreement as he followed me back towards the door.
"Edward, are you heading out?" my mother appeared down the hallway.
"Yes, Mother. I was going to give Jasper a tour of our fair city." I smiled at her but she frowned slightly.
"Well, mind that you wear your mask and lend Mr. Whitlock one. I do not want you boys getting sick." She grabbed the white masks off the table and handed them to us.
"Yes, Mother," I obediently replied.
"Thank you, Ma'am," Jasper thanked her politely.
"You are welcome, Mr. Whitlock, will you be joining us for the evening meal?" She smiled at him.
"I would be delighted." He thanked her before following me out.
We walked a ways to the park which was fairly empty given the scare of the epidemic.
"So Jasper, why are you here?" I asked taking a seat on an empty bench.
"Alice sent me. I bet you can guess why?" he replied smoothly. I could tell he wasn't happy with me.
"Where is Alice?" I asked directing the conversation away from me. If Alice could see the future, I had a good feeling why she and he might be upset with me.
"Alice is still in Biloxi. She said she had to stay there for awhile longer, that she should not be changed yet." He looked forlorn.
"I am surprised you left her side, given that she's going to be sent to the asylum soon." I replied cautiously.
"For that reason I didn't want to leave her. But she insisted that it was best that I went after you first and that she would be okay." He glared at me slightly.
"So she can see the future clearly while being human." I mumbled astound. I was ashamed I hadn't factored Alice intervening in.
"Yes, but I think it's a strain for her. Stop avoiding me, you know why she sent me." Jasper's voice was cold.
"I have made no decisions yet, but Bella is my first concern. I will do what is best for her." I defended myself. I wasn't going to let him intimidate me, vampire or not.
"So you are going to make the same mistake and leave her again. Did you forget how badly that turned out last time?" Jasper scoffed at me.
"It would be different this time. If I am never a vampire she will not meet me and she will not be in danger like she was after I entered her life." I explained to him. He shook his head, he clearly didn't believe me.
"Are you sure about that?" He asked. One eyebrow rose challenging me.
"What did Alice see?" I asked worriedly. My heart ached for her.
"She can't see Bella at all yet. She thinks it is because she has yet to be born. She only recently has seen Rose and Emmett." Jasper told me. He sighed before continuing. "How do you know she will not remember you regardless? I woke up one day suddenly remembering being a vampire, just like you. I am not sure how long Alice has known, but I suspect for awhile longer than we have. Perhaps it's due to her visions. I am pretty sure Carlisle knows and he is a vampire. He sought me out two years before I was changed, but I did not remember him then. It was not until the day I was going to be changed that I remembered everything.
The same might happen for Bella. She might wake up at some point remembering everything and you won't be there if you don't get changed. She will think you left her yet again"
"But she was never changed." I previously thought only we had been sent back before we were changed.
"She was bitten though." Jasper pointed out. "James could still show up in Forks and without you there," he shrugged as I scowled. I knew he was trying to get to me riled up.
"Do you think you have me fooled into thinking you are not going to go after him? You know that in the near future he is going to go after Alice." I pointed out smugly.
"I have not forgotten. All the more reason to convince you quickly, that you should be changed, so I can get back. In fact, I welcome you to come with me so you can take care of Victoria. For all we know, even if Bella isn't sent back in time, we could have left her in Forks, by the fire, by herself, unprotected like a sitting duck." Jasper looked at me. I felt the anger and worry building in me, I wouldn't be surprised if Jasper was egging it on.
"That mutt will take care of her. He might be best for her anyways." I grumbled.
"You do not expect me to believe that, do you? That you will leave Bella with someone that treated her so poorly? Have you also forgotten that if you are never there that Tyler would have killed her? You altered her life path that day, I told you that then. Without you there, she would just be a bloody stain on the pavement at Forks high school." Jasper seemed indifferent but he knew he was pushing the right buttons.
"Enough," I hissed more mad at myself then him. He looked smug knowing that he pretty much won.
"You promised not to leave her again. Isn't the slightest change she might remember you enough to try to make it back to her?" he asked spreading calm to me and wasn't sure if he was adding the guilt or if it was already there.
"Yes, that is why my decision has not been firm yet." I sighed running my hand through my hair. "I would do anything for Bella, she comes first."
"I get it more now. How hard it is to be around her while she is human. Afraid a simple squeeze of the hand could hurt her or the thirst that comes alive from just a simple kiss. You made it look easy, but perhaps it is because you two are meant to be." Jasper said softly. His frown made me wonder what had happen with a human Alice.
"How do you know us being sent back was not a chance to change our lives?" I asked.
"It could have been. I am not sure how we were sent back. I thought it was the Volturi. I have made some changes myself. I wanted to be stronger in my control, especially since I wanted to be around Alice as soon as I could." Jasper admitted.
"What if Alice tells you she does not want to be changed?" I asked.
"I would never force her. But we both know she will choose it. It was written in the stars for us to be together. If it wasn't, then I would not have felt connected to her still and you would not feel connected to Bella. We were always meant to become vampires to find our other halves." Jasper seemed confident. "So, am I dragging you to Carlisle or are you coming willingly?"
"I will be changed willingly." I smirked. When I didn't think she would realize I was missing it was easy to stay away. But if she had any chance of remembering me then I had to make it back to her some how. I wasn't going to break another promise to her.
"Glad to hear it," Jasper smiled in relief. I thought more of what he said and frowned. He looked at me skeptically.
"Whatever or whoever sent us back I doubt it was the Volturi. I saw into their minds when I was there and as far as I know none of them had the ability to do so." Jasper's smiled faded and he frowned.
"I think we need to find Carlisle to see what he knows. Someone or something sent us back and I would like to know why?" I stood up. "He works the evening shifts so perhaps we could go there tonight." I suggested.
We stood up at the same time from the bench.
"Sounds good the sooner I am back with Alice the happier I will be. I have the feeling she was up to something." Jasper had a far of look as we started walking.
"I am sure you will see her again soon. Sooner in fact then I will see my Bella." I sighed realizing how long again I will have to wait for her again.
"Who is Bella?" a nasally voice demanded. I looked up to see a girl with blonde hair glaring at me with her mask around her neck rather than her face. She must have been walking towards us in the opposite direction. I vaguely remembered her; she was the daughter of my father's partner. I think her name was Jessica.
"Bella is the girl I am courting." I answered her politely. Her eyes looked furious just before she slapped me and stormed off.
"What was that about? She was infuriated with you." Jasper snickered.
"I have no idea. This is one of those times mind reading would've come in handy." I rubbed my cheek.
BS&EC
We were eating dinner that night when my father got a phone call. When he came back into the room he looked angry.
"Edward, who is this Bella?" he was red in the face.
"She is the girl that I am courting; I met her while in school." I bent the truth. I was curious to find out how he found out about her. I wasn't planning on telling them about her.
"You have met a girl?" my mother looked pleased. My father on the other hand did not.
"Yes, I have. You would love her, mother; she is sweet, caring, smart and very beautiful. She has beautiful brown hair with hints of red in it. Her eyes are chocolate brown." I smiled wishing she could meet her somehow.
"Why have you hidden the fact that you are courting a girl from your mother and me? Is she not suitable?" my father spoke up. My anger flared that my father insulted Bella without even knowing her. Before I could speak up, Jasper surprised me by doing so.
"I am afraid that is partly mine and my father's fault, sir." Jasper's voice remained calm but there was a cold edge to it. My father's eyes shot to him, the look on his face made it obvious that he forgot we had a guest.
"You see, Isabella, or Bella as those close to her call her, is my sister. Before my father would give permission for Edward to court her, he wanted me to visit Edward's home to make sure he was a suitable choice for her. I told Edward after arriving here he had our blessing. It was very clear to me before that Edward loves my sister and my father just wanted to be reassured she would be taken care of so far from home." Jasper spoke up evenly. There was a mischievous glint in his eyes, although I was grateful for his intervention, my father still wouldn't be happy it seemed.
"My boy is to be a lawyer; he would be more than fit to take care for a wife. Which is why I had chosen Miss Jessica Miller for him." My father announced. My brows furrowed before it clicked in my head. The girl in the park was Jessica, my father's partner's daughter. I frowned in distaste.
"Mr. Masen, if I may, that young lady does not care for our son, just his name and his wallet. He has found love and is happy. We should trust his judgment and give him our blessing." My mother spoke very softly as she implored my father to agree with her. His eyes soften and his mouth frowned slightly. She didn't often speak up to him. She turned to Jasper.
"Does your sister love my son?" she asked her eyes looked hopeful.
"Yes, ma'am, very much. Which is why, I am even happier to approve of Edward for her intended." Jasper smiled charmingly. My mother beamed then shot my father another pleading look.
"What does your family do, Mr. Whitlock?" my father asked. His voice was lighter, but his face was redder. He was looking flushed and it dawned on me he was starting to get sick.
"My family owns a successful ranch in Texas, sir." Jasper drawled, emphasizing his accent. "Isabella has been brought up learning to cook and manage a house. Our mother has taught her well. Isabella has also been to finishing school and was at the top of her class." Jasper lied well; giving information that he knew that would please both my parents.
"She sounds like a lovely girl." My mother was smiling. She looked at my father pointedly. "If I recall, Miss Miller has been asked to leave two finishing schools." My mother's lip twitched and I fought a grin. I knew since she was on my side it was only a moment of time that my father would cave.
"Three as of last week," my father shook his head, he sighed heavily. "I am not sure what I will say to William, but I will respect your decision, son. I hope you bring her to meet us soon."
"Yes, Father," I grinned and exchanged a smile with Jasper.
My father started to have a coughing fit. Out of the corner of my eye I watched Jasper tense and hold his breath. My father brought his napkin from his mouth and there was a tinge of blood.
"Mr. Masen," my mother cried out in alarm. She stood up frantically and went to him. "Boys, please help me carry him to the couch." She was trying to calm my father who was wheezing.
I stood glancing at Jasper, who just nodded to me. I was pleased to see that he had maintained his control.
Once we had him settled on the couch my mother continued to fret over him.
"It is just a matter of time. There is a phone in my father's office. Please, ask the operator to connect you to the hospital and see if you can get Carlisle." I whispered under my breath. Jasper nodded and left quickly for the other room.
I tried to console my mother who was a sobbing mess. I knew she would get sick soon as well as myself. I don't think I could leave her side until then. Jasper would have to go to Alice without me.
BS&EC
It was about thirty minutes later that there was a knock on the door. I went to open it assuming that it was Carlisle, however, I found a surprise on my door step.
"Edward, how are you holding up?' Carlisle asked softly. He stood in front of me looking as I have always known him. My surprise stood next to him.
"Edward," Esme gushed as she hugged me tightly. Almost too tight. She was turned already.
"Careful, dear," Carlisle chuckled pulling her back to him.
"I am sorry. I am just happy to see you again. How are doing, dear? Are you feeling sick?' Esme's hand went to my forehead. She was looking me over with mother's eyes.
"I am fine, Esme," I smiled.
"Headaches? Coughing?" she continued to ask. I shook my head.
"Esme, stop trying to take over my job." Carlisle smirked amusingly. I heard Jasper snicker behind me.
"Oh, Jasper, dear," Esme flew past me and hugged him tightly. Jasper tried to hug her back.
"I see you're still a newborn," he grimaced slightly.
"Oh, I am sorry," Esme stepped back looking sheepish. "I am just glad that I am getting my family back." I smiled sadly. As much as I loved them it was still hard to see my parents go again. Esme's smile faltered as she looked at my face.
"Oh, dear, I didn't mean…I wasn't thinking. I am sure this is hard on you." Esme came back to hug me, again.
"I guess I should check on the patient." Carlisle clasped me on the shoulder. I nodded and led them to the sitting room. Carlisle paused and looked back to the other two.
"Perhaps you two should stay back. In case he is coughing up blood." Carlisle suggested.
"I will start cleaning up the kitchen for your mother. Jasper, you can help me." Esme nodded and looked to Jasper who nodded back and showed her the way.
Carlisle's exam was short and I 'helped' him carry my father to his room. My mother followed behind in silent tears. She stayed with him sitting by his side.
Carlisle and I headed to the kitchen to the others.
"He will be gone before the morning. I am sorry, son." Carlisle told me softly.
"I knew it was close," I sighed as I leaned against a counter.
"I hate to bring this up now, but do you still intend to be changed?" Carlisle asked setting his bag on the table in the kitchen. Esme stopped washing dishes to look at me. Jasper shot me a glare.
"Yes, but not until my parents are gone, I can't let my mother be alone right now." I nodded.
"That is understandable. I must say I am relieved. I wasn't sure if you would choose to be changed. I thought you might not want me to, if you had some obtuse notion you would be saving Bella by not being a vampire." Jasper scoffed loudly causing Carlisle to look at him.
"Came close. Alice saw him try to stay human and sent me along." Jasper dried a dish that Esme handed to him.
"Alice. Is she here and a vampire too," Esme asked looking at him excitedly.
"No, she is still human and she still with her poor excuse of a father." Jasper gave her an apologetic smile.
"But she can see the future? How long has she known that we were sent back?" Carlisle asked looking curious.
"I am not sure. I suspect for several years, maybe even when she was a child. She used to stop and stare into the woods where I was and would smile and wave." Jasper smiled softly.
"Interesting that she has known for so long. I myself remembered maybe two days before I was turned. Esme knew when she was sixteen, when I first met her." Carlisle beamed at her.
"Really?" I asked surprised. I had assumed that it had to do when we were turned. Perhaps Bella would remember everything after all, it only cemented my decision.
"I myself only remembered the day of," Jasper shrugged.
"I remembered about a week ago." I brought up.
"Very curious," Carlisle grew thoughtful.
"Do you think Rose or Emmett know already?" Esme asked.
"Let's hope not. Can you imagine a two year old Emmett thinking he was a vampire?" I started laughing and Jasper joined me.
"That would be a very scary thought. He might try his luck wrestling bear cubs," Jasper smirked tossing down his towel.
"Oh, dear," Esme bit her lip looking worried but also like she was trying not to laugh.
"Carlisle, you have any theories as to why we were sent back? Edward said as far as he knew no one in the Volturi had the ability to." Jasper asked. Carlisle glanced at me and I nodded.
"Hmmm, perhaps they added someone new or possibly Victoria made a friend." Carlisle frowned in thought. "I had suspected Volturi myself."
"It's quite possible it's a vampire from whatever was going on in Seattle." Jasper frowned. "I had suspicions, but still wasn't sure. It seemed like someone might have been building an army."
"Why would they need an army of newborns," Esme looked at Carlisle. He glanced at me and I scowled. We were the only coven near by.
"I am not sure, dear," he gave Jasper a sharp look. I felt slightly sick at the thought though.
"Do you have any theories what might have happened to Bella? I assumed it was just us sent back, but Jasper has me guessing otherwise." I asked. He glanced at me then at Jasper again.
"Did Alice see Bella being sent back?" he asked.
"She can't see Bella at all. She is guessing it is because Bella isn't born yet." Jasper answered.
"I do hope she is alright? You are going back to her young man, right?" Esme glanced at me sharply.
"Yes, if there is any chance of her remembering, I am going to be there for her." She smiled in relief.
"Mentioning that it might be Victoria has me concerned for Alice. I understand you want to wait, but I think it would be best if I left…" he paused and turned his head to the stairs.
My mother appeared a moment later.
"Did I hear that you are leaving, Mr. Whitlock?' My mother asked, her eyes were red from tears.
"Yes, ma'am, I think it is best that I get back to my family. I am sorry to hear about, Mr. Masen," He told her.
"Thank you. I hope you both have a safe journey," she looked at me sadly.
"Both? Mother, I have no plans to leave you here while Dad is sick." I informed her.
She came over to me and placed a warm hand on my cheek. I had to look down to see into her eyes. They were firm, though they brimmed with tears.
"Go, to your beloved, Edward, while there is still time. Do not worry about your father or me. I want you safe. If that means you need to leave then you must go. Marry this Bella and have a happy life together, that would make me happy. I couldn't bear it for you to get sick too. Promise me." She looked at me with love as she was letting me go.
"I promise," I vowed. She nodded giving me a watery smile. She stepped back and pulled her engagement ring from her finger. She placed it in my hand and closed my fingers over it, placing hers over mine.
"Give this ring to Bella," she smiled gently.
"I will," I smiled. Thinking silently, if I can ever get her to agree to marry me.
"Good boy," she hugged me and kissed my cheek before letting go. I wanted to hold on to her a bit longer. When she stepped back from me she silently went back up the stairs. Esme came over and hugged me.
"I am sorry, Edward." She said softly. I nodded and looked for Carlisle who was looking grim.
"So I guess I don't need to wait for you to change me. The sooner you do and I can help Jasper out with James and Victoria." I sighed heavily.
"We will all go down to help Alice." Carlisle said firmly. "I wish to save her from that infernal asylum if we can."
"My thoughts, exactly." Jasper's eyes looked dark.
A/N: So Edward only thought about it staying human. He made no decision too. Luckily Jasper gave him the truth even if it was a little blunt.
Is Alice up to something? She is up next.
I don't own Hamlet, that belongs to Shakespeare.
Thank You For All Reviews.
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Preview Alert
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Preview:
"The time has come then?" she looked frightened.
"Not if I can change it." I stumbled out of the vehicle.
"Stop or I will shot," I bravely held up the pistol realizing I didn't know how to shoot or check the safety. Did they even have safeties? Maybe I should have thought about this more.
Two figures got out and walked in the shadows towards us. One was male the other female. The male chuckled and for some reason it sound familiar and not in a good way.
"Oh look the little girl has a gun," the man and the women laughed together. I froze as I recognized the voice.