Disclaimer: All the Twilight stuff belongs to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended. I'm just playing in her sandbox.

Chapter 15 Past

EPOV

Sue and Bella were downstairs cooking dinner, a dinner that I was not going to be able to avoid eating. I was not looking forward to it.

Sue had been over for ah hour or so and the girls were in the kitchen. Charlie and I took up typical male posts watching a game on TV. I was listening to the minds of the humans around me and watching Bella through Sue's eyes. Sue was a member of the Quilette Tribe out at La Push and she new their legends. She kept playing the story over and over in her mind, a story about 'cold ones'. She didn't quite know what to do. She was afraid I was a cold one, but that didn't add up in her mind because I was married to a human.

She was making small talk with Bella, but she was thinking of asking some questions and offering some advise, as an older married woman, if Bella had any "marital" problems. She was trying to find out if we had sex, as she thought we did. This would mean that the stories about the Cullens could not be true, she knew that a 'cold one' would kill a human in that close a proximity.

"So, how do you like being married, Bella?", she finally worked up the nerve to ask as they prepared dinner.

"Well, I love Edward and I can not imagine being without him. If the marriage part is just us being together all the time, then I love it!", my Bella told her. I loved the way she looked at things.

"He seems very sweet to you and attentive. He isn't too . . . demanding in the bedroom is he, I just worry that you were hurt so badly and you need time to recover!"

Sue looked at Bella as though knowing she had overstepped some imaginary line.

"He is a very demanding man, Sue, but he slept beside me and held me for weeks while I recovered", she told her, "We necked and giggled for weeks in bed like the teenagers we are I suppose."

"He wouldn't make love to me till we moved into the new house almost three weeks ago", my wife blushed as she told her, "he wanted to make sure I had recovered, too, what with all the ribs broken and such." She whispered to Sue, "He is really very sweet and caring, Sue! He is also hot!"

Sue was feeling embarrassed and angry. She was terrified that Bella was in danger, but not able to fully believe her legends regarding me because of how good I had been to Bella. I would have to have a talk with her and probably tonight.

Bella had made pot roast, somehow thinking that if it was meat, it would go over better with me. Good thought, but cooked meat was just as bad as anything else, it tasted disgusting. I complimented her on the meal that I was forced to eat. Sue watched me like a hawk to see that I was indeed eating the food. I excused myself for a moment to go upstairs when the meal was over, humans did after all take bathroom breaks.

Charlie was oblivious to all, he was just enjoying the company of Sue and Bella and having them together? What was this . . . Charlie and Sue were an item! Well, that was news, but there was no mistaking the thoughts in Charlies mind. He and Sue had been going out, and were becoming quite close.

Charlie had offered to wash dishes and Bella and Sue were sitting out on the back porch, enjoying the evening when I went out the door and joined them.

"Hey, sweetheart!", I said as I stood behind her chair and put my hands on her shoulders, her hand reaching up to caress the back of my hand. "Hey", she said, "Sit with us?"

I did as requested, scooting my chair close to Bella so that she could rest her hand on my leg. Sue watched us carefully, noting the familiarity between us and starring at Bellas' hand on my thigh like it was on fire. Her thoughts were racing. I decided to help her out, there was no need to hide, the elders of her tribe knew and the treaty was there for all of them to see.

"Sue, I hear that you joined the Quilette high council, taking your husbands place after he passed away".

She starred at me, not knowing if she should say anything, if she should acknowledge the legends or the treaty, after all Bella was there and telling outsiders was considered breaching the treaty.

"Yes, that's true, Edward. You know of the high council?", she asked in reply.

"Sue, can we agree that it is alright for Bella to hear any discussion between us, without it breaking any confidences or agreements?", I asked her as her eyes widened.

"Yes, we can agree on that. No agreements will be considered broken from any discussion between us three."

"Good, then let me tell you that yes, I was there when the treaty was signed with Ephraim Black, and yes, I am what you would refer to as a 'cold one'."

She gasped, gripping the arm rests of her chair and starring at the hand that was holding Bella's hand on my leg.

"It's alright, Sue. I know what my husband is, I have known all along", Bella told her.

"Sue, you should know some of the facts that will help you understand what has happened the last couple of years. I left last year because I didn't want Bella exposed to me, to my world. We were falling in love and I realized how dangerous that exposure to us was," I said looking lovingly into my wife's eyes, "even if she didn't. I left, taking her choice in the decision away and you saw what it did to her. You saw the hurt it caused and I didn't fair any better without her than she did without me."

"But you can't be serious. You can't be together . . . married!", Sue declared in horror.

"We are, Sue", Bella told her. "He is my husband in every sense and though we can never have children together, we can have an otherwise normal relationship! Forever!"

"Bella! You would become one of them!", she almost shouted.

"I continue to try and talk her out of it, Sue, but in the end, if that's what she wants, I'll give it to her", I told her, no inflection in my voice.

"Bella, you're not safe with him, you must know that," Sue said as she reached for Bella's hand.

"Sue, think. Edward has saved my life several times over, at the race track, in the hospital. Have you ever seen him do anything other than take care of me and protect me? I ask you, Sue, if you could have a man that would always look this gorgeous and was your mate for eternity, caring, loving and loyal, would you not choose to be with him?"

Our discussion came to a halt as Charlie came out of the house and sat down by Sue. "That was sure a good meal, ladies! Thank you!".

"It was", I agreed. I opted to try and be honest and not have to lie, "I love it that Bella enjoys cooking so much!"

"So, kids, how long are you staying? Is till Christmas too much to ask?", Charlie laughed.

Bella laughed, "I think Christmas is a little far away, Dad, but I would love to have you come and spend Christmas at our house", she turned to me looking for approval, "Wouldn't we Edward!"

"Absolutely. Charlie, why don't you and Sue come out for Christmas, we would love to have you share our first Christmas together!", I added, "I would suggest Thanksgiving as well, but we agreed to spend that in Jacksonville with Phil and Renee".

Sue looked stunned. She was having trouble believing that if the legends were true and I was a 'cold one' as I had just confirmed, how was it that I was calmly sitting here talking to she and Charlie about visiting them for Christmas and going to sunny Florida for Thanksgiving!

"You should go, Charlie", Sue encouraged, "I have to be here with my children for Christmas, but I could join you for a few days afterwords, I would love to see the kids new house!"

"Well that all sounds like a plan, and I would like to come and see you for Christmas, Bells!", Charlie said.

"Excellent, I'll make the arrangements!", I offered, "Sue, just let me know the dates and I'll have a ticket for you at the airport waiting!"

"To answer your question though, Charlie, we're going to go stay at my house for a day or two, then spend he weekend here if that's OK, then head home", I explained, "We're planning to make some stops and vacation a bit while driving cross country since Bella has never seen many of the states!."

Bella yawned. "I think it's my bedtime!", she said standing and holding her hand out to me. I stood and held her extended hand, turning to Charlie and Sue as Bella added, "Goodnight Dad, Sue!" "Goodnight!", I said as I followed her into the house.

"It's good that you wanted to go to bed, love, Charlie and Sue wanted to be alone for a little while and were just being polite to us!", I told her as I lifted her to carry her upstairs. "No! Edward! Really? My Dad and Sue?", she looked at me incredulous. "Yep", I told her, "Your Dad and Sue!"

I listened to Sues' mind after we walked away as her thoughts ran wild. She felt she had to say something, anything . . . but she couldn't. She couldn't tell Charlie without breaking the treaty and she was scarred to death for Bella! She would speak to the tribal council about this and see what needed to be done. She knew that I hadn't broken the treaty, I had not bit Bella as far as Sue could tell, but I had boldly said that I would if Bella wanted me to. Sue was wondering how Bella could possibly want that! I would need to call Carlisle and see how he wanted me to handle this. It would be as good a time as any to speak to the Quilettes while I was already out here.

We undressed and spent a quiet evening in Bella's room, following what had now become our bedtime and morning routine. I never thought I would love routine, but I loved this one. I could spend weeks making love with Bella, literally, so several times a day was never enough. I could not imagine ever tiring of our "routine"!

~oooOooo~

BPOV

I tossed my toiletry bag into my new car as Edward put our suitcase in the trunk and we headed to the grocery store on the way to the Cullen house to spend a couple of days alone. Really alone. We stopped at the grocers as there was no food in the Cullen house and Edward was really insistent about me eating at least three meals a day. I had started to gain a little of the weight back that I had lost while he had been gone, but I was still too thin.

"How do you eat this stuff?

Edward asked, his face contorted as he read the ingredients on the box of cereal.

"Half the stuff in here I can't even pronounce and the other half is sugar! Not even real sugar at that!"

He continued to read the labels of the things I had placed in the cart.

"Bella, you would be better off eating this box than eating its contents and it smells like the box would be tastier!", he said as he sniffed the box and scrunched up his nose.

I was laughing so hard I thought I would fall to the floor. Edward was following me around the store, reading the contents and nutritional information on the food I was buying and telling me how unnatural it was to eat any of it. It was one of the funniest things I had ever seen!

As I turned up another aisle of canned goods, I heard someone exclaim,

"Edward! Bella! I never expected to just run into you Bella, much less the two of you!"

"Hi Angela, it's so good to see you! ", I said as I gave her a big hug. "I was just getting some things for dinner and Edward was telling me how bad they were for me! , I gestured in his direction and frowned, disapprovingly.

"Is it any worse than the things you eat, Edward?"

Angela asked him trying to take my side. A crooked grin covered his face and I knew he was going to have some fun with this.

"Angela, I eat only a fresh, natural food diet with no additives or preservatives, ever!"

Edward told her, smiling at me with that evil gleam in his eyes!

It was all I could do to keep the hysterics under control as I looked at him and commented,

"That's true. He doesn't even cook any of the food he eats, ever!"

"Wow", Angela said, "a macrobiotic diet like that is really hard to follow, but you look really fit and healthy, maybe I should try it!"

"It's not for everyone," he told her, "but I have been doing it for quite a number of years now."

He actually said it with a straight face, delivering the line perfectly. I was relieved when Angela changed the subject.

"Bella, when did you get back! I was so worried about you when you disappeared, then I heard you were in an accident of some kind and you Dad flew off last summer to somewhere back East for you to have surgery! Why haven't I heard from you?"

"Sweetheart," I said turning to Edward, "I'm through shopping, would you mind paying for this while Angela and I sit on the bench out front and catch up?" His answer was immediate and incredibly sweet as he kissed me on the cheek, "Sure, is there anything else you want me to get while we are here?"

"No, everything is in the basket, oh, except eggs and milk, thanks!", I told him as Angela and I headed to the door.

"Bella! He's back?", Angela caught my arm and ducked her head to whisper to me. "What's going on and why are you two acting so cuddly?", she asked as she put her arm through mine and we sat on the bench outside.

"He is back, Angela, he came looking for me, searching really. We're married now!", I giggled as I extended my hand to show her my rings!

"Oh my gosh! I don't believe it! I always knew that you two should be together! Congratulations, Bella, really! I am so happy for you!", she exclaimed. "For both of you!" She added as Edward approached.

"I see you told her our good news!", Edward said, coming to sit by me.

"I'm just so happy for both of you! I was so surprised when you left and Bella was just so unhappy and I am so glad that it all worked out and you two found each other!" Angela was just bubbling over with good wishes for us. I didn't realize how much I missed her till just this moment.

"Bella, I have to go, I have to be at work. Please keep in touch!", she said as she followed us to the car. Edward opened the trunk and loaded the groceries while I reached inside the car for my cell phone. "Edward!", Angela exclaimed, "I really like your new car! Did you get rid of the Volvo?"

"No, I still have my Volvo. This is Bella's car, Angela", he told her with that crooked smile showing again. "Stop, just stop that Edward Cullen!", I cut my eyes at him.

"Edward bought the car for me as a present. Isn't it awesome!"

"It's really cool. Eric and Mike would probably drool over it! Call me soon, gotta go!", Angela said as she hurried away through the parking lot.

"You are incorrigible! You just wanted to see a reaction out of her, even after that display in the store! You only eat fresh foods, geez! You forgot to mention they also have to be alive!", I laughed at my husband as he closed my car door for me and climbed in the drivers seat to drive us home.

~oooOooo~

Edward played piano while I cooked my dinner. He had bought wine and flowers as well after I had left the store with Angela and it was looking more and more like a romantic dinner for two. Hearing him play again was the most wonderful sound I could imagine. I enjoyed it on the piano at his parents' house in Highlands, but the grand piano here sounded amazing. He played quite a repertoire, then morphed into my lullaby. He was just the sweetest man.

"More wine, sweetie?", he asked as he filled my glass again.

"Mr Cullen, are you trying to get me drunk and have your way with me?", I asked as we sat at the counter and I ate my dinner.

"Of course, Mrs. Cullen. I believe I have been having my way with you for a few weeks now!", he said as he nuzzled my neck and kissed under my ear.

"Edward, will it be like this between us when I am a newborn? Will we still feel and act like this with each other?"

He straightened in his chair and frowned slightly. "It's different for everyone, Bella. I think since you're making a conscious choice, it will be easier for you, easier for us to just be ourselves once you become accustomed to the new body and how it works", he starred down at my plate as he spoke.

"My body will work differently?", I looked at him, concerned as I sipped my wine.

"Everything will be different in that your senses and abilities will be heightened. You will have to learn to function with it, get used to the power that you will have. You will be much stronger than me the first year and you'll need to not break me!", he chided me.

"We will still make love just the same, right?"

"If you still want to, love. Bella . . . newborns only care about their thirst for the first year or so. After that, yes, we will still make love just the same as now, you'll just be a lot more durable and I won't have to worry about breaking you!", he said as he reached over and kissed my lips.

"What about Charlie and Renee. I know I can't be around humans the first year or so, but after that. Couldn't we just go away for a year, Europe or somewhere they couldn't visit and I could see them after that? I know I couldn't do it for many years, with the not aging and all, but just for a few?"

"We can try, if that's what you want. It would be hard to hide the changes, your skin tone, your eyes," he said, a sadness showing on his beautiful face, "but eventually you would have to give them up, fake your death, something. It isn't easy Bella and it's a lot to give up."

"It's a lot to gain!", I said, grabbing my glass of wine and leading my husband by the hand to the sofa in the living room. "I love you, Edward. I'm just trying to figure out what it will be like", I said as I sat in his lap.

"You have been thinking about this a lot lately, haven't you?", he asked, "Have you decided then?"

I starred into the molten gold eyes of my husband, "I decided long ago that I wanted you forever, we're just crunching out the details!"

He took my face in his hands and stared into my eyes for a long minute, "Good, because I'm sure that one lifetime would never be enough to share with you!"

I finished my glass, which finished almost the whole bottle as I was carried upstairs, my lips already claimed by my husband. When he opened the door to his room, I thought there had been some mistake, that he had taken a wrong turn. Of course, that would never have happened, but there was a huge king sized bed in the center of the room against the wall of bookcases covered in a gold comforter and loads of fluffy throw pillows.

"When did you do this?", I asked him.

"I ordered it a few days ago. I thought we might end up spending some time her and I wasn't bringing my wife home to sleep on the floor!", he said as he set me on my feet.

"Well," I said putting my glass down and putting an arm around him to play with the soft hair on the back of his neck, "I suppose we should make use of it then?" I reached up and kissed him as I undid the button of his jeans and lowered his zipper with my other hand.

"Why, Mrs. Cullen! You are becoming quite forward!", he smiled as we tumbled into bed together.

~oooOooo~

I awoke some hours later, it was dark outside though it didn't feel very late. Edward was with me, his arms around me and his lips on my neck. I played with the soft hair that decorated his chest and pulled him to me, wrapping my leg around him as we lay side by side.

"Hi", he whispered in my ear, "I think I like it when you're a little tipsy!"

"I think I like you anytime," I said as my hand traveled down his body. I had nothing in particular in mind, I just liked feeling him inside me, connected to me.

We talked and laughed about our day, about running into Angela, about how shocked Sue had seemed about us. We discussed my Dad being with Sue now and what we would do at Christmas with everyone there, and what his family usually did for Christmas. We talked about how much we loved each other, and how just being in a room together was exciting, and what things we wanted to stop and see on our trip cross country.

We gently moved together the whole time we talked, just enjoying the feeling of being connected so intimately, like it was the most natural and normal thing in the world. My hands felt his soft hair and the plans of his chest while he kept his arms around me, tracing circles on my back and playing with my hair, gently rocking his hips.

Edward stiffened, a frown crossing his face. He reached a hand down and brought his fingers back up to his mouth. His body went rigid. "Bella, you're bleeding, baby", he quietly told me.

"I'll be right back," I said as I disengaged our bodies and made my way to the bathroom. It appeared as though I had gotten my period. Now that I thought about it, it had been almost a year since I had had one. I looked under the cabinet and found the necessary items to take care of it and warmed a washcloth to take to Edward.

I climbed back in bed, his face filled with questions and tension evident in his brow. I pulled the covers down and gently wiped and cleaned him with the warm cloth. Sure enough, there was blood all over him as well.

"It appears as though I have my period," I said, slightly embarrassed and blushing.

"Bella, are you sure," he asked me, concerned, "Are you sure you aren't hurt?"

"Sweetie, I know you worry and I know this is the first time it has happened, but the cramps I'm feeling are unmistakable. It's just my period."

He let out a deep breath and started breathing again. It surprised me that he breathed, I thought at the very least he would hold his breath but that was not the case. He looked so relieved, no longer tense or upset.

"Edward, the blood, it really doesn't bother you?"

"Not in the way you think"he snuggled me close, "My blood lust is completely under control, but the lust I have for your body is difficult to restrain." He appraised me for a long moment.

"Remember when we talked of being together years ago and I told you I didn't think it would be possible?", he asked.

"I remember. I was so upset at the thought of never being able to make love with you! You said it would be too dangerous!"

"That was because, at the moment a climax occurs, all control is gone. The call of instinct and blood come into play. Since I no longer fear that I would want to drain you, blood now would just increase the pleasure for me exponentially, but I would so loose control."

"Are you saying that this blood is a turn on for you?", I asked horrified.

"It's blood, Bella. I'm a vampire, so yes."