Promises

The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep.

Robert Frost

EDWARD'S POV

A song. Bella had written me a song as a declaration of her love… for me. Despite not understanding the words last night, I was moved by the music and Bella's beautiful voice, but neither could compare to the play of emotions I saw on her face. The way she looked at me when we finally came together, I easily interpreted as an unconditional and irrevocable love, but I also thought it was just the way the song was meant to be sung.

When I had drawn her into my arms, I had fallen more in love with her. Hell, I was a goner when I met her in the woods. She was more amazing than I imagined. As I had gotten to know her, had heard her laugh at the slightest thing, and had seen her smile when all she wanted was to run.

How could I not love her?

She put herself second when it came to others and never asked for anything in return, never expected anything.

"I will treasure it as long as I live," I whispered. I wasn't merely talking about the sheet music, but the woman, herself. The woman who existed as some strange, yet wonderful and beautiful perfection, body and soul, that my frozen heart had achingly known.

Her face lit up with her shy smile. Raising my left hand, I caressed her cheek in a feather soft touch. She had no idea the depth of my love for her, only Jasper knew and even confronted me during our last hunt.

"Edward, can I talk to you a moment?" Jasper called.

I slowed to a walk, waiting for him to catch up. His thoughts betrayed him before he could broach the subject.

"I don't know, Jazz," I answered, rubbing the back of my neck. "Bella's different from any other girl I've had the pleasure of meeting."

He smiled. "You're different with Bella, Edward. Gentler, slower to anger, but quick to protect. She moves, you move. Like magnets. To me, it looks like you're in love. I get it if you are."

I glared at him, raising an eyebrow before scowling. The gall of him… I took a step toward him, balling my fists.

Jasper stood his ground. "I'm not saying this to get a rise out of you. I just want to give you something to think about in the next few days," he said.

I wasn't buying it and took another step toward him.

He held up his hands. "You're forgetting my ability," he said.

I stopped mid-step, palming my face. With Jasper, I was an open book with my feelings. How had I forgotten I couldn't hide anything from him?

"Please keep don't say anything," I pleaded. "I'm not sure Bella feels the same way and don't you dare tell me if she does."

Jasper chuckled. "I've been keeping quiet for weeks."

I laughed at the memory of how long he knew. Had Jasper know Bella returned the sentiment? Or, had she recently realized she was in love with me? Those questions could wait.

~~ B3W ~~

The rest of the week went by quickly. Bella and I spent much of the time touring the clan. Bella speaking to the people and translating what they said. I watched as she listened to all that we encountered, and the caring way that she looked at each person, it was uncanny. It was as if she knew each and every one of them.

When our last night finally came, we sat in the great hall talking.

"It pains me to leave knowing there are families here in need. Grandfather does his best but without Grandmother by his side, but he can't help everyone," she said, a note of sadness in her voice.

"What more could you do that he can't?" I asked, taking her hands within mine. My thumbs ran over her knuckles.

She looked over her shoulder and around the room. "Not all of the clan knows what I am," she confided in a low voice. "Most in this room are either one or the other, or neither. Only those closest to my grandfather know of the prophecy and about me."

She smiled at me, knowing I wanted to hear more about the prophecy.

"This is not the time or the place for that discussion. I will tell you, I promise." She squeezed my hand and looked around again. "I will tell you this." She leaned forward and lowered her voice more. "I'm the one person the clan has waited for, the person who can save them." I raised my eyebrow. She sighed. "Every member is shunned by the Wizarding and Wiccan worlds because of my greatest grandparents. Right now, I'm not sure what role I'm to play. None of my grandmother's knew when I would be born or what would happen when I was. They all hoped their eldest granddaughter would be me."

"So what exactly are you saying?" I asked.

"That's the thing, Edward." She sat back, releasing my hands. Still whispered, she went on. "I don't know. I only know my time has not fully come yet. Despite that I can't help feeling there is more I could do during my visits."

I was quiet for the longest time, letting her words run over and over in my mind. "Have you told anyone else how you feel, other than me? Your grandfather perhaps?" I asked.

BELLA'S POV

It had never crossed my mind to talk to anyone about how I was feeling. Edward had a way of getting me to talk, to spill my secrets. Not that I had any friends I felt I could talk to. So, I suffered in silence.

"No," I said.

He didn't ask me why. "I think it's time you told your grandfather," he remarked.

Standing, I held at my hand. "Come with me," I requested.

He gave me a crooked smile before getting up and taking hold of my hand. Many clan members smiled at us as we walked toward where Grandfather sat, speaking with friends. The clan was happy I found someone who made me smile. Ever since I realized that I was in love with Edward, I was smiling all the time. No, I was smiling a lot before I came to the realization. I was so lost in my own thoughts I hadn't even noticed we had come to a stop until Grandfather cleared his throat.

"Is there something you wanted, Isabella?" he asked.

"Yes, is there somewhere I could talk to you alone?" I asked.

Grandfather nodded, getting up. He led the way out of a hidden door and into a sitting room. He waited until Edward and I had taken a seat before asking, "What's on your mind?"

"I feel at a loss. I'm sad I'll be leaving tomorrow. With so many of the clan in need, I don't know how I can leave." I spoke simply so Edward would understand.

"Come here, lass," Grandfather said and I stood, going to him.

He pulled to sit on his lap.

"There's not much you can do right now. Your time will come." I went to protest and he hushed me with a finger to my lips. "I know you have a kind heart. Everybody in the clan can see it." He sighed. "I'm constantly petitioning the government for help, but there are many clans in similar situations and the government helps where they can."

"There has to be something I can do now, something small."

"Ah, Isabella, there is," Grandmother said in my mind. "You're doing it now and have been doing it for some time. You have been showing compassion, showing the clan you care by visiting with them, listening to them. That is all you can do, all they are asking you to do. By listening, you are relieving them of their fears." Her voice fell silence a few breaths. "Everyone's fear is that no one cares and, when they are at their lowest, you visit reminding them that you care. Not that your grandfather doesn't care about them."

"Bella," Edward called, waving his hand in front of my face. "You zoned out on us."

Right, he doesn't know about that yet. Note to self, tell Edward about me being able to ask a question and get an answer from my deceased grandmother.

"Sorry," I said, smiling at him. I went on knowing Edward would not understand. "So, the clan fears no one cares about them."

"Yes," Grandfather answered. "When you visit, that dissipates for several months."

"I should visit more then," I said, mostly to myself.

I got up from Grandfather's lap, walked out of the room, and into the great hall. I didn't stop until I was in my chambers. I stood there not seeing or hearing anything. I was confused. Why hadn't the prophecy revealed my purpose yet? I knew it said I still had things to learn, but it could have at least given me some clue.

I stiffened when a hand came down on my shoulder.

"Bella, it's me," Edward said softly in my ear, wrapping his arms around. "You're miles away. What are you thinking?"

"I don't want to leave tomorrow, but I know we have to leave at some point. Grandfather is right. There is nothing I can do right now. It doesn't stop me from being scared that every member of the clan doesn't know how much I care."

The tears I'd been holding back fell and my shoulder shook.

Edward turned me before picking me up. He laid me on the bed and lying with me, holding me close.

"Stay with me tonight, hold me," I said, closing my eyes.

EDWARD'S POV

"Always," I whispered, kissing the side of her face. "I promise, Bella."

Alice had called before dinner and told me to be sure I was packed. She didn't know what exactly was going to happen. All she could tell me was that Bella was going to need me.

When morning came, and Bella was still asleep when the maid came in. I was sitting in a chair next to the bed, reading. The maid finished Bella's packing and left the room with the bags. I had already taken my mine down.

Malcolm knocked on the door twenty minutes later.

"Is she still asleep?" he asked, popping his head around the door.

"Yes, and I don't think it would be wise to wake her. I'll just carry her," I said, gathering her into my arms before following Malcolm out of the room and the Keep.

"I trust you'll take good care of my granddaughter."

"That I will, Malcolm," I said, climbing carefully into the limo.