Story

We sat down on the couch together not letting go of each other.

"Why didn't either of you mention Bella to us?"

"Jasper had been gone over a year when I started courting Bella. He never knew and I thought it would be better if he didn't know."

"We were best friends ever since we were younger. Edward was our neighbour and shares a birthday with Bella. When I went to war, in 1916 I lost my best friend and family. It wasn't until Alice and I came here did I connect back with my human life."

"What happened to my parents Bella?"

"Your father became ill with the Spanish influenza in December 1919. He didn't make it Edward. I'm so sorry."

"No it's okay. You couldn't do anything to help. What about my mother?"

"She became crushed as she lost both her Edwards. She became ill quite quickly but fought until her dying breath. Her last thoughts were of you Edward."

"Oh."

"I'm sorry Edward. They loved you."

"I know. I knew they wouldn't be around any longer but I hoped they'd have lived longer than they did."

I didn't know what to say so leaned up and kissed his lips.

"What about your parents Bella? You mentioned they split up."

"Your parents split up?"

"Yeah. When Jasper was announced dead, my father blamed my mother. I'm not really sure why, but he did. After I was changed he left my mother. I think she reminded him of Jasper and I too much. He moved here, I'm living in his old house now actually. There are faint traces of his scent in the house."

"How long did they live?"

"Our mother became depressed as she lost her children, her husband and then her best friend- Elizabeth- who was Edward's mother. She eventually caught the Spanish influenza and died mid-1921. Our father lived until he was 69. Whilst his life wasn't great, he got by reasonably well."

"How do you know all this Bella?"

"I watched. For the first ten years I stayed in the forest, keeping an eye on everyone. I got as many jobs as I could and bought both our houses and have had them ever since all though they are passed onto myself every fifty years."

"Didn't you have any thirst?"

"I've never needed to hunt. After a while it gets a little uncomfortable but I can go a couple of months without hunting. I prefer going once every two weeks though."

"I'm guessing you never drank from a human."

"No. I understand it's a part of our nature and I accept that some vampires do hunt humans but I couldn't do that."

Edward and Jasper moved away from me slightly, looking away.

"What's wrong?"

"Bella. Jasper and Edward haven't always been a part of the vegetarian diet."

"So?"

"We killed humans Bella. You don't care that we killed people?"

"Like I said, it's in our nature to feed from humans. When you went to war did you kill people?"

They both nodded their heads.

"So what's the difference? I can't hold your past against you. I love you no matter what you did or will do."

"I love you too sis. Thank you."

Edward was still looking away from me.

"Edward. Look at me please."

When he didn't look at me I wrapped my arm around his neck, my hand going into his hair.

"I don't care Edward. I love you and this isn't going to stop me. I just got you back, please don't do this. I need you. I've always needed you."

"I'm sorry Bella. I love you too but I killed people Bella. You can't ignore that."

I stood up and held my hand out to him.

"Edward come with me. We'll be back in a few minutes. Sorry about this."

"It's alright Bella. Take your time."

"Thank you Esme."

"I'll see you in a minute Jazz."

"I love you Bella."

"I love you too Jazz."

I pulled him into a quick hug before running out the door with Edward. Climbing a tree about a mile or two into the forest, Edward followed. As soon as he sat down I crashed my lips to his.

"I love you Edward."

"I love you too Bella. So much."

"When was it?"

"About 1932."

"Who?"

"Criminals. Those who went after women. Who hurt others. Who killed."

"Then what's the problem?"

"You don't get it Bella. I killed people. It's doesn't matter who it was, I still killed them."

"Do you know how many lives you saved though?"

"A couple."

"More than a couple Edward. Would you have killed them if they were a threat to me?"

"Yes."

"Then think of it this way. You saved hundreds of me. Imagine all those you killed were going to hurt me and you saved me from that. I'm proud of you Edward. You not only saved lots of people but went back to the vegetarian diet. Since you came back to it have you killed anyone else?"

"No."

"Amazing. I know it's difficult for you to get back onto the right track once being off it and the fact that once you stopped you haven't harmed another being is amazing. Don't ever think badly of yourself Edward because do you know what? I love you."

"I love you too Bella. I always have. Thank you."

His lips descended to mine as he wrapped his arms around my waist pulling me closer to him. Just as I went to deepen the kiss I was sucked into a vision.

"Edward. I'm sorry. Go back to your family."

"What?"

Before he could realise what was happening I leapt from the tree and ran east, further from the Cullen house. I stood in a large clearing awaiting the approaching vampires.