A Night Alone with Edward (Part Two)
BELLA'S POV
Edward drew me up out of the car and into his arms. The car door clicked shut as he whispered, "You are so beautiful, Bella." His lips claimed mine.
Melting against him, I though, I could so get use to this. The kiss ended all too quickly for my liking, and I knew it showed on my face since I frowned.
"Bella, don't look so glum we have the whole night ahead of us. Come," he said, taking my gloved hand and turning on a flashlight at the same time.
We walked into the woods, not following any particular path. Twigs snapped as we continued to go deeper. "Shouldn't we be on the path?" I asked, a little nervous and sure we would get lost.
Edward glanced over at me. "The place I'm taking you is not on the path, and don't worry. I know where I'm going."
I huffed. "It's easy for you. You don't have the knack of tripping over thin air."
He shook his head and squeezed my hand. "I'll catch you if you stumble," he said.
"So are you going to tell me now where you're taking me?" I asked.
The corner of his mouth curl up into a smile. "A place I go when I need to think. I have only taken one person here before you."
Hadn't he said that he'd not taken Alice or Rosalie where he was taking me? "Who?" I asked in an accusatory tone.
"Your father," he answered, not going into any further explanation. "We're almost there."
CHARLIE'S POV
When Edward first came to me asking for help I was a bit surprised. My shock turned to awe as he laid out what he was planning for Bella, and I was only too happy to help make his vision come to life.
After a short trip to Ecuador to purchase the roses, I was sitting next to Edward as he drove to the start of a trail; however, we didn't follow it. I communicated with Star Command to trace my signal along the way as Edward led me to the meadow. As we had walked, he indicated where he wanted the rose petals to start, and I had the coordinates marked.
A few off-duty security officers and I were putting together the scene Edward had described. One officer was in the woods, littering the path with rose petals. Another was arranging the rose vases around the meadow, and yet another was putting the finishing touches to the strings of lights. I started a fire in the area I had cleared of snow. An officer had helped me with some pallets and planks we spread out blankets and furs atop it. A picnic basket and roasting forks were the last I needed to place near the fire.
"They should be arriving soon, Commander," one of the officers shouted.
"We should get going then," I yelled. "Go back to the transport point and I'll join in a second." I placed the basket down and opened the cider, pouring some into a kettle and placing it on a stone near the fire.
A sound came not too far from the entry point, and I raced back to the transport point. I saw Edward and Bella walk out as we were transport back to the base. I smiled.
EDWARD'S POV
I kept careful watch out for any dangers that would trip Bella up and guided her around any I found. When I caught a glimpse of someone up ahead, I knew everything wasn't quite ready. Drawing her to a stop, I stepped in front of her, facing her.
"Edward, why are we stopping? It's cold out," she said.
"I wanted to do this," I whispered a second before capturing her bottom lip between my lips. "I love you so much, Bella."
I meant those words and needed her to know, that was what tonight was about. Listening closely to the sounds coming from the meadow, I heard Charlie give the command to leave.
"I love you too, Edward," she whispered back.
"I'm afraid of hurting you." I admitted.
"You could never hurt me."
"I already have," I said, wrapping my arms around her. "I broke the promise I made to you in Scotland."
"I barely remember what I made you promise."
I smiled against her hair. "But I do remember, and I want to make it up to you." I took her hand again and walked next to her.
I saw the rose petals before Bella and watched her closely so not to miss her reaction. The smile that lit her face was remarkable.
"Bella," I said, drawing the camera out of my coat pocket.
When she turned, I snapped a picture.
"I had to get a picture of your beautiful smile," I remarked. "Not that I didn't want to capture this moment anyway."
She let out a musical laugh before grabbing the camera from my hands, snapping a picture of me before running down the path of rose petals.
I was right behind her. The moment she stopped, the camera fall from her hands. I caught it before it reached her knees. Positioning the camera in front of her, I took a picture of the both of us. It was a good thing the camera Alice had slipped me with an LCD screen on both sides.
"What is this?" she asked, turning to face me.
"This is my meadow," I answered.
"Not that. The fire, the music, the roses, all of it." She motioned to the meadow behind her with tears in her eyes.
"It's for you," I said, catching a tear with a gloved finger. "I thought we should spend some time alone with no distractions."
"It's–it's so beautiful," she said, throwing her arms around me. "It's like a dream I had when I was little. I only told Grandfather and Grandmother about it."
I smiled to myself glad that I had spoken to Malcolm instead of Charlie. "Come, let's sit by the fire and roast hotdogs and marshmallows."
BELLA'S POV
I couldn't believe Edward went to so much trouble. He led me to the mound of blankets and furs. The bottom blanket was not even wet. After draping a blanket and then a fur over my lap, he handed me a mug of cider.
"It hot," I said, taking another sip.
"Please be careful."
A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth. "How did you know about my dream?" I asked as he sat down next to me.
Edward glanced at me and grinned. "I wanted to do something special for you and asked Malcolm for advice. We talked for a good hour with him telling me some of your likes. He brought of the dream. I had to create it. With the help of Charlie, it become a reality," he answered.
"Isabella, you need to tell Edward about the rest of the dream. The part you didn't tell your grandfather, but only me," Grandmother whispered.
Tears of happiness were streaming down my face. "Thank you, Edward. There was one thing I didn't tell him, though."
"And what would that be?" he asked, giving me his heart-stopping smile again.
"There was someone with me in the dream," I said before biting my lower lip.
"Who?" he queried, prizing my lip free.
I picked up the camera and turned it toward Edward, framing his face within the screen before answering. "You," I said and snapped the picture after shock crossed his face.
He reached out for me as I snapped another picture.
"Give me that camera," he said, laughing.
I leaned back as he tried again to take it.
"No way, Edward."
I snapped another picture as I fell back against the rest of the furs, Edward falling next to me and gathering me up into his arms. I turned the camera toward the both of us and clicked just as he kissed me.
"That's going to be a good picture," I said before Edward pulled back and looked at me.
"Bella, you don't know how sorry I am. I never meant to treat you like I do Alice and Rosalie."
"You are more than forgiven, Edward. Especially if you keep treating me like this."
"I know you're my girlfriend and all, but would you please allow me the honor of escorting you to the Valentine's Masquerade next month?" he asked.
"I'd like nothing more," I responded as he helped me up and handed my one of the roasting sticks.
"Soooo hotdogs or marshmallows," he asked, opening the basket.
"Both, a hotdog and marshmallow sandwich," I said, giggling when he looked at me with a raised eyebrow.
Once both were done, Edward snapped a picture of my creation and another as I took a bite.
"This is really good," I said with my mouth full and swallowed. "I haven't had one since the last camp out with Danielle and Matthew."
I cuddled up to Edward when I felt I would start crying. I had cried enough for one night and didn't want another tear to fall. "Oh, before I forget, there was something else I wanted to tell you."
"You can tell me anything," he said, wrapping his arms around my middle.
"But the question is can you keep it from Alice and Rosalie."
"I'm sure I can."
"Well, my cousin is designing their masquerade dresses. You'll have to find a way of telling Jasper and Emmett the colors. Knowing Alice she will want everything color coordinated for that night."
EDWARD'S POV
Bella amazed me. How she had managed to talk her cousin into designing dresses for Alice and Rosalie without Alice knowing was beyond me.
"She will. What colors did you pick out?" I asked.
"Hot pink for Alice and burnt orange for Rosalie," she answered.
"And how about you?" I probed. She looked lovely in blue.
"Red," she said with a blush.
"Why red?"
"Every gown that I have is some shade of blue, silver, or gold. I wanted something different."
"You would look beautiful in any color," I said honestly, my lips again descending to hers.
Her breath tickled my lips as she melted against me.
I definitely have to do more things like tonight, I thought.
Not able to resist the urge to take another picture, I raised the camera and clicked.
"Edward," she said, pulling away.
I was looking down into her eyes and she up into mine. Looking out the corner of my eye, I lined up the camera for another picture before looking fully at Bella again and snapped a few times.
"I can't resist. We're just too cute together."
"We should be getting back," she said. "I'm getting really cold and the furs and blankets will only hold the cold at bay for so long."
"Okay, let's go. Your father is monitoring your badge location and will come back to douse the fire and take care of everything else."
"The roses—" she started to say, and I silenced her with a kiss.
"Will be brought to you," I said, helping her to stand. "Get on my back, and I'll get us back faster."
"How?" she asked.
"By running through the woods," I told her. Once she was on my back, I started running toward the trees dodging them easily. Bella's grip on me tightened as I ran and in no time we were back at the car. Her arms and legs stayed locked around me once we came to a stop.
"Bella?" I asked concern evident in my voice.
"I think I need to lie down," she gasped.
"Oh, sorry."
I waited for her to move but she didn't.
"Bella?"
"I think I need help," she admitted before burying her head against my neck.
I laughed quietly and ever so gently loosened her stranglehold on me. I pulled her around to face me, cradling her to my chest.
"How do you feel?"
She was holding on to me for dear life as she answered.
"Dizzy, I think."
I unlocked the door and opened it, urging her to sit. "Put your head between your legs."
I waited a few minutes, kneeling in front of her as she breathed in and out.
"I guess that wasn't the best idea."
"No, it was very interesting."
I stifled a laugh as I spoke.
"You're as white as a ghost—no, you're as white as me."
"I think I should have closed my eyes."
I kissed the top of her head.
"Remember that for next time."
"There'll be a next time," she groaned, looking up at me.
I laughed.
"Of course there will be a next time."
"Show-off," she muttered, looking back down and closing her eyes.
"Bella, looked at me," I whispered quietly.
BELLA'S POV
I looked up at him again, his face not so fuzzy this time.
"I was thinking, while I was running…"
"About not hitting the trees, I hope."
"No, not at all, Bella. Running is second nature to me. It's not something I have to think about."
"Show-off," I said for a second time.
He smiled. "I was thinking about what you said earlier. About how I could never hurt you. What do you mean?"
Oh dear, how do I begin to explain.
"Ask him to bite you," Grandmother suggested.
I didn't question this suggestion. Grandmother had never lead me to danger. "Do you trust me, Edward?"
"Yes," he answered me.
"Enough to try and bite me," I asked.
"Bella, I don't think that is a good idea. I won't be able to stop myself," he said, moving back a step or two.
"You said you trusted me, and you biting me is the best way to explain." I raised my wrist up to him. "Trust me, Edward."
He sighed and took my wrist. I felt his teeth scrape against my skin before he increased the pressure. His teeth sank in deep.
I smelt the coppery scent of my blood as it flowed out of me. I felt the magic rush my injured wrist and to eradicate the venom entering my system. It was in that moment I came to realize I didn't know what would happen to Edward. I didn't have to wait long for an answer.
Edward a few seconds after he bit me, he jumped back as if he had been burned.
"What was that?" he asked, watching the bite on my wrist as it closed up before looking up at me.
I was a bit nauseous but nothing more. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly and the feeling left. The answer entered my mind, but it wasn't Grandmother's voice this time. I didn't recognize it but what I was told was Edward's answer.
"My magic won't let your venom pass into my bloodstream," I explained, not sure why that was. "Although, I won't be able to ward off an attack from other vampires. You see, I'm protected from you and, I believe, your family only. It has to be my decision to become a vampire for you to change me."
"What if another vampire bites you?" he asked.
The same voice answered.
"Then the whole clan would be changed." I let out a long breath. "You see, I'm magically linked to each of them. If I'm forcibly bitten, then it is like the whole clan was bitten."
Edward pushed his hand roughly through his hair. He was silent for a long time, and I had no choice but to wait him out.
"Is there any way to fortify the whole clan?" he asked with a sad puppy-dog face.
This answer I knew. "No way has yet to be discovered. Maybe Carlisle could help," I suggested.
"Then we're going to the hospital to talk to him."
He closed the door once I was settled in the car, and he was in the driver's seat before I could latch the seatbelt. He backed out and raced down the highway. The speedometer read one-ten.
"You should slow down," I said, gripping the door handle.
"We're fine, Bella. Plus, I have always driven this fast even with you in the car."
"Please, slow down at least to under a hundred."
I felt the car slow some and the speedometer now read about ninety-nine.
"Thank you."
"Anything for you, Bella," he said, reaching over for my hand.
Carlisle was waiting outside the ER doors when we parked.
"Edward, Alice called. Has something happened to Bella," he asked as Edward helped me out of the car.
"I'm fine, Carlisle."
"There's something we need to talk to you about," Edward said.
Carlisle looked at his watched. "I get a break in ten minutes. Wait in my office."
EDWARD'S POV
As soon as we reached Carlisle's office my phone rang. The caller id read Alice. I groaned.
"Alice?" Bella asked.
I nodded, answering not really wanting to talk to her.
"Alice, Bella is fine. We need some help from Carlisle."
"Edward, what's going on?" Alice asked.
"Later, Alice," I said, hanging up.
Carlisle joined us soon enough, finding Bella and I just staring off into space.
"Edward," was all he needed to say and my eyes snapped to his.
"The clan needs help," I said, divulging to Carlisle what Bella had told me. "The bottom line is this: if Bella gets bitten by a vampire, other than me, the whole clan is bitten."
"There is no way I can protect the clan if that happens," Bella said.
"Don't worry, there has to be something we can do to prevent that from happening," I said, facing Bella.
"Bella, you told Edward you are magically connected to the clan. How?" Carlisle asked.
"I'm a bridge of sorts, since I have both Wiccan and Wizard powers. Why does that matter?" I asked.
Carlisle smiled at me. "What if you were to drink the venom of my family, what do you think would happen?"
She was silent for a long time. Her eyes glazed over.
"Bella," Carlisle said, placing his hand on her shoulder.
"It could work," she said, looking up at him. "No other magical guardian has ever been as close to a vampire, let alone a family, like I am."
"Okay, we'll try that tomorrow afternoon. I'll burrow some equipment from the hospital so I can monitor you."
I gave him a questioning look.
"I'm not sure what the effect on you will be. And don't trust our abilities where you magic is concerned."
"There should be no harm to me, but you're right, I should be monitored."
"I had best be getting back to the ER. See you both in the morning," he said.
Bella and I walked hand-in-hand back to the car not saying a word. Bella looked tired and the low hum of the car soon had lolled her to sleep. I parked the car in the garage. After a moment to calm my racing thought, I got out and went around to Bella's side unlatched the seatbelt before gathering her up in my arms.
"Alice," I whispered from the kitchen.
"In Bella's room, Edward."
I raced up the stairs and laid her on the bed, leaving the room so Alice and Esme could change Bella into something more comfortable. I went into my room and also changed. When Alice and Esme came out of Bella's room, I was waiting. I handed Alice the camera before entering Bella's room and closing the door behind me.
I climbed on the bed, lying on top of the covers drawing Bella to my side. I don't know what I would do if I ever lost her, and I knew one day, I would.