Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of the characters.
Chapter Eleven
Eclipse 23-28
Monster
Edward says do you want me to take his arms all the way off:
"I don't think she wants you to maim the pup," Emmett chuckled. "But I wouldn't mind …."
"Emmett!" Esme scolded sharply.
"Sorry," Emmett said - not really looking sorry, but at least he stopped talking.
Mentions and then his weight was gone, and she felt the impact as Jacob flew into the tent poles:
"Edward!" Esme said, looking incredulously at him.
"He was crushing her," Edward muttered, the corner of his mouth was twinged upwards, but he looked like he was trying to appear somber.
"That's still no excuse to throw him," Esme said sharply.
"Sorry," Edward sighed, looking a lot more serious about that this time.
Yeah right, Alice thought, and Edward gave the smallest indication of agreement to that.
Mentions that Jacob was half crouched and his whole body was quivering while growls rumbled through his clenched teeth:
"Now see what you've done," Esme said.
"You're right. I really should not have done that," Edward said.
You're only saying that because Bella is in the tent too, Alice thought and again Edward seemed to agree with that.
Edward says my apologies, dog:
"Well … at least he apologized," Emmett laughed.
"That's not much of an apology," Esme sighed. "Haven't I taught you better manners than that?"
Edward shifted uncomfortably as Esme was giving her slightly hurt expression. "Yes," he finally sighed, "I'm sorry."
Jacob says I wasn't quite ready to wake up, that wasn't the best night's sleep I ever had:
"Hm … I thought the pup would have liked that," Emmett frowned. "Isn't it what he's been dreaming of…?"
"Argh," Edward groaned.
"It might be - he just wished that Edward wasn't there," Alice teased.
"Yeah … that would have made it much better for the pup," Emmett agreed, laughing.
Bella says there're too many nights I don't know about, a century of them:
"As if any of those would count," Edward scoffed.
"What about meeting me?" Alice pouted and Edward rolled his eyes.
"That's one of my worst," Edward smirked, dodging Alice's smack.
"Jerk," Alice muttered, glaring at him.
Edward says yes, that's one of mine, too:
"Er … do you mean the first night that you stayed or the first night that you stayed that she knew of?" Emmett chuckled.
"I'm guessing the latter," Edward said. "At least, I'm relatively sure that's the one that Bella is thinking about."
Edward says you started mumbling some nonsense about Jacob, my Jacob:
Edward let out a sigh and his good mood seemed to vanish.
"No wonder the pup thought it was such a good night," Emmett teased little, but even he didn't seem that into it.
Edward says no that would be two nights ago, when you finally agreed to marry me:
"Yes … that would be number one," Edward muttered, starting to look happy again and Esme was positively beaming at him.
"Just remember that you have to have a real wedding," Alice put in, beaming too.
Edward just rolled his eyes at her.
Mentions of an earsplitting howl of pain:
"You didn't," Emmett said smirking and Esme said sharply.
"Er …." Edward stammered.
"Well, that's sure to get to the pup," Emmett continued to laugh.
"You really shouldn't have done that, Edward," Esme said, sounding disappointed.
Edward says truce over:
Esme was shaking her head and looking sadly at Edward but didn't say anything.
"I'm not sure that was the smartest move," Alice said. She didn't really like how Bella was taking this. "I think this might backfire on you."
"Yeah," Edward huffed as he seemed to be coming to the same conclusion.
Edward says that he never promised to fight fair, and Jacob deserves to know:
Not like that Edward, Alice thought. Haven't you already seen how his depression seems to affect her?
Bella says every time I turn around, I'm hurting Jacob again:
"Which is why you should stop seeing him," Alice sighed.
"And just how is she supposed to do that when he's thrown on her at every stupid turn?" Rosalie hissed.
Bella says it's my fault, I did everything wrong:
Edward looked more dejected the longer this was going on and everyone else seemed to be glum, too.
Bella says I should have told him … and thinks what could have made this right:
"Nothing," Alice sighed.
"But it still would have been better coming from her," Esme said, trying to shoot a glare at Edward, but she couldn't. He was looking so depressed, and she really was afraid of what was going to happen next.
Mentions Bella was not able to watch Jacob go with composure knowing it was the right thing, the only way:
"She really should do that," Rosalie said.
"That's easier said than done," Alice said, trying to stop herself from thinking about why that would be, but everyone seemed to be thinking that now. How much did she care about the pup?
Edward just seemed to have frozen into a statue again, looking more pained than ever.
Bella thinks if Edward returns with Jacob, she will have to tell Jacob to go away and never come back:
"Then why do you want him to come so much?" Emmett asked, confused. "Isn't that a little pointless?"
"She should have given herself some time to think about this," Esme sighed. If she had, she wouldn't have hurt everyone as much.
Bella thinks what if Edward and Jacob were fighting, and then they wouldn't do that, would they:
Everyone flinched at that. There was definitely a chance that they would, and that wouldn't be good … especially right now.
Edward says to Seth have Sam ask Alice to try to nail the schedule down better:
"What's that about?" Emmett asked.
"I don't know," Carlisle said, his voice was graver than normal, but he tried to think about what the book Edward had just said. "I think it might have something to do with the Volturi though."
"Really?" Jasper asked, looking at his father closely. "You think they're going to wait and see what happens in our fight with the vampire army?"
"It seems that way," Carlisle frowned.
Edward says I know you wouldn't want an audience no matter which way you decide to go:
Everyone flinched at that, and the only movement that Edward made was to clench his fists tightly.
Jacob says I don't think it would be difficult to take myself out of the picture:
"He isn't serious," Emmett said in disbelief.
A growl came from Edward, but he still seemed unable to speak. However, it was almost nice to see the anger on his face instead of just the pain he was experiencing for most of this chapter.
"No, I don't think the mutt is," Rosalie growled, too. She looked beyond angry right now, "The stupid mutt is going to play her … play on her sympathies."
"I supposed that's all he could do now," Emmett frowned. He didn't really find that amusing at all.
"He's a stupid, obnoxious, arrogant bastard," Rosalie hissed.
Bella says you know I'm a terrible liar, I'll stay if you do:
Edward was really starting to look angry at that.
"Does the stupid mutt have no limits?" Rosalie growled. "I bet he would be glad to have her by him this way."
Jacob says if you can convince me, you really wanted me to come back, more than you wanted to do the selfless thing:
"Manipulative bastard!" Rosalie yelled and Edward was now shaking with fury. To use Bella's compassion against her really seemed low. How could she not do whatever he wanted if it was his life that was at stake? She would do anything to save someone she cared about.
Bella says will you kiss me Jacob:
Edward growled loudly; his eyes were now closed, but the pain and anger there were still as clear as ever.
"Don't fall for his trick," Rosalie hissed, but she knew it had been useless since the time the mutt had brought this whole subject up.
Bella thinks that's why it was so impossible to tell him goodbye, because I was in love with him:
More pain went through the room with that, and everyone's eyes were on Edward, who looked completely lost.
Bella continues to think I love him much more than I should, but nowhere near enough:
She still loves you most, Alice thought, heartbroken about what was going on, but it didn't seem to have any effect on Edward.
Bella thinks an entirely different path expanded behind the lids of my tear-wet eyes:
Emmett paused here … knowing what this would do to Edward if he read this next part.
"Read it!" Edward commanded in a dead voice and Emmett didn't have a choice.
Bella thinks about a life with Jacob including the head of two black haired children and when they disappeared, they took the rest of the vision with them:
Edward seemed to break down at this and Esme went over to him. She was crying as well.
Rosalie was growling, not at the actions by the mutt this time, but because a part of her really did want Bella to have that life that was just painted … a normal life with a future.
Everyone knew that Edward would be thinking the same thing now … that if Bella could have that future … he would want her to have it … even if he had to let her go. No one said anything though; they knew it was coming, but right now wasn't the time to bring it up.
Jacob says that should have been our first kiss:
"You're still a manipulative bastard," Rosalie hissed. She may have wanted Bella to have the future that was just painted, but that didn't mean she would wish that mutt on her.
End of chapter:
"That's the end of the chapter," Emmett said, holding the book out.
"Maybe we should take a break," Carlisle suggested, sounding really depressed himself.
Edward looked up. He was beyond devastated at this point, but it was clear that he wanted them to read the next chapter. He needed to know that she was going to be okay, even after what had just happened.
"I think I should read the next one," Jasper said, taking the book. He was looking at Esme comforting Edward and knew she wouldn't be able to read right now.
O
Snap Decision
Bella thinks maybe an avalanche could bury her because she never wanted to see her face in the mirror again:
"Don't …." Edward's voice was weak. He was obviously trying to find his control again, but it was difficult for him. He was taking comfort, being held by his mom like that, but he just felt so empty right now. Still … he never wanted to hear Bella think like that. He would never want something to happen to her.
Jacob transforms into a wolf and broadcasting everything that happened, and Edward hears Seth's thoughts:
That's probably not the best way to find out about that, Alice thought to herself. Then again, there is no good way to find out about something like this.
Mentions that Bella was stunned when Edward chuckled:
Everyone in the room, reading the book now, were indeed stunned by that.
"He doesn't know what she thought," Rosalie was the one to say. It seemed that, right now, Edward and Rosalie were the most in-tune with each other.
Edward says I do wish you hadn't asked him to kiss you:
"It definitely would have made me feel better if you broke his face," Rosalie hissed. She was looking at Edward, and her anger just seemed to get stronger after seeing how hurt her brother was.
Edward says there are holes in your life that I can't fill, I understand that:
Edward swallowed hard at that, a wave of agony washing over him again, and it was clear he was wishing that he could - that he could give her the things that she had dreamed about.
Edward says I can't blame either of you for something I made necessary and I my gain forgiveness, but I don't escape the consequences:
"So, you're going to take the blame yourself?" Alice rolled her eyes.
"Do you really believe that's the reason why they like each other?" Emmett asked Edward, as Rosalie, Alice, and Esme all glared at him.
Edward didn't answer.
"Then it's not really going to happen that way in our reality," Emmett went on as if Edward had answered yes. The girls' glares relaxed, but Edward didn't show any signs of feeling better about that. "Just something to think about," he added, shrugging.
Bella says fight back:
"Please fight for her," Esme said pleadingly, her voice soft and cracked and it was clear she wasn't just talking to the Edward in the book. In fact, it seemed like she was only talking to the Edward in the room. She didn't want her son to just walk away, which seem to be a distinct possibility at the moment.
Edward froze then suddenly Bella was standing on her feet and the tent collapsed around them:
"Someone's there," Jasper said.
"You were right … Bella's luck had brought someone to her," Emmett said.
"It's a good thing that Edward was with her then," Alice said, seeing how much Edward tensed at this.
Bella thinks that if she had to bleed to save them, she would, that she would die to do it like the third wife:
"No," Edward groaned. "Please don't think like that."
Edward says Victoria:
"Of course, it's her," Emmett said.
"This isn't so bad," Jasper said, glancing at Edward. "I'm sure you could handle her."
Edward nodded but didn't say anything - his eyes still wary and pained.
Edward says Victoria made a spur of the moment decision to find me guessing Bella would have been with him:
"So, if Eddy wasn't there, she would never have found them," Emmett said.
"Perhaps," Jasper said, "but if Edward would have stayed the night with her and then left for the fight …."
"A trail would still have been there," Alice finished for him, looking more pale than normal.
Bella is relieved that it's not the Volturi they would both be dead, but with Victoria it didn't have to be both:
"She's being absurd again …." Edward started, but stopped, the look of pain in his eyes intensifying.
Bella thinks I'm glad he sent Seth away:
"I don't think you sent him away," Jasper said, smiling now - trying to work out whatever tactic it was that they were planning on using.
Mentions Victoria can't keep her eyes off of Bella's face:
"That's good," Jasper said and Edward hissed at him. "Victoria will be distracted … you can use that to your advantage."
Edward talks to Riley saying is it so hard to believe that she's lied to you too:
"Good strategy," Jasper said, nodding his head in approval. "Make him unbalanced."
Edward says she doesn't love you, she loved someone named James, and Riley cast a frantic glance in Victoria's direction:
Jasper frowned at this, seeming to be thinking about his own time of being a soldier in a vampire army.
Bella thinks it would be so easy for Victoria to kill her, it would just take the tiniest margin of opportunity:
Edward tensed at that.
"Does she have to think of that?" Alice grumbled, sounding worried.
Mentions the mammoth tan shape flew through the opening throwing Riley to the ground:
"Perfect!" Jasper smiled.
Mentions that Riley took a swipe at Seth with one mangled hand:
"Oh, dear … I hope he's going to be okay," Esme said. "Can he handle a vampire by himself?"
"I'm sure he will be okay," Carlisle assured her, but looking a little worried himself. "His surprise attack seems to have helped him."
Edward says James could have used your skill when we caught up to him in Phoenix:
"That's right, make her so furious at you that she has to attack," Emmett chuckled.
Edward says you were never more than a convenience to him, I would know:
"And now playing with her head … you really are a cheater," Emmett continued to chuckle.
Bella thinks why hadn't Seth run away, why doesn't he run now:
"Good question," Jasper said. "Perhaps the boy is feigning injury. That would be a good strategy."
Edward says nothing is impossible except what you want, you'll never touch her:
The Edward in the room seemed to agree with that. There was no way, in any reality, that Victoria would touch Bella.
Bella mentions being able to tell the difference between Riley and Victoria and that Seth wouldn't have been able to last long in the fight with Victoria:
"No … I don't think he would last very long at all," Carlisle sighed.
"Which again proves that it was a good thing that Edward was with them," Alice said.
Bella mentions a jagged rock rolled down my right arm:
"Argh," Edward groaned, and everyone looked wary.
Mentions that Riley was prepared to rip out Seth's throat:
Esme whimpered at that, and Carlisle wrapped his arms around her securely. She was afraid for the poor boy, knowing that Edward might not be able to help him, and she was worried about whatever it was that Bella might do.
"It will be okay," Carlisle soothed.
Bella thinks that they needed help, a distraction, something to give them an edge:
"Stupid mutts," Edward growled. "Stupid legend."
Mentions Edward planted his foot against Riley's back and heaved:
"Good," Esme sighed with relief.
"I won't let the bo - Seth get hurt when he's protecting Bella like that," Edward said.
Mentions something small and white collided with Victoria mid-flight:
"You threw a body part at her," Emmett chuckled.
"Well, that would stop her," Jasper smiled.
Mentions Riley's arm began to drag itself mindlessly across the ground:
"I wonder if it's really mindlessly … or does it know where to go," Carlisle mused.
"Now's not the time for that," Esme interrupted his ramblings.
"Right … sorry," Carlisle sighed.
Riley screams his plea, Victoria:
"Yeah … good luck with that one," Emmett chuckled. "You should have listened to Eddy before."
Victoria gives Bella one short, agonized stare of longing and then retreats faster:
"As if I would let her go," Edward said darkly.
Mentions then the fiery tangle of hair was no longer connected to the rest of her body:
"Er … well, that went better than I would have imagined," Edward said, almost smiling and then his eyes went hollow again.
O
Mirror
Bella thinks, he was lithe and graceful as ever, I couldn't even see a tear in his clothes:
"Ah … she's worried," Esme smiled sadly.
"Yeah, she doesn't even care that you're disembodying someone," Emmett laughed.
Mentions Seth was carrying a large chunk, the torso, in his mouth:
"Well, that's a lovely image for her to see," Emmett chuckled. "Playing fetch with your werewolf, Eddy?"
Mentions Edward stretched out his arm in a fist and Seth grinned and bumped his nose against Edward's hand:
"Well, it looks like we've got at least one werewolf friend," Jasper laughed.
"What about the pup? I thought he was starting to warm up to us," Emmett said.
"I think what he said about trusting us not to kill him, sums up our relationship with him pretty well," Jasper shrugged.
Carlisle, in the meantime, was smiling. It was nice to see that a werewolf could really be that accepting of them and that there weren't any hostilities there.
Mentions Edward turns to Bella, and he looks wary as if she was an enemy, that he was afraid:
"Why are you afraid, Eddy?" Emmett asked, looking hopefully at his brother.
"I don't know," Edward said, his voice still hollow. Emmett sighed.
"It's going to be okay, Edward," Emmett said. "I'm sure everything will work out the right way."
Edward didn't say anything - just went back to his brooding.
Edward says you're safe, I won't hurt you:
"What?" Emmett asked, sounding very confused.
"Oh," Edward sighed. "Naturally, I would think that."
"What?" Emmett repeated.
"You'll see," Edward sighed, not having the energy to explain.
Bella thinks I stared at him like an imbecile, trying to understand:
"Yes, Em … you're doing a good impression of that," Jasper teased.
"Shut up," Emmett pouted.
Edward asks, aren't you afraid of me:
Emmett started chuckling.
"Come on, you would think that she would be at least a little terrified after seeing that," Jasper said. "Then again, when does Bella ever do what you think she should?"
Edward says about Seth, more than fine, very pleased with himself, in fact:
"He should be, the little guy handled himself pretty well," Jasper said.
Edward says it went smoothly there, we got the worst of it here:
"I can imagine … you had the only experienced fighter," Jasper said.
"And you had to be on the defensive … that would make it more of a challenge," Emmett said. "Man, why couldn't I have been the one that stayed behind."
"I'm sure you had plenty of fun in the clearing too," Rosalie said.
"Yeah, probably," Emmett shrugged and then smiled.
Edward says I didn't want you to see me like that, I know I must have terrified you:
"Nope … you really didn't," Emmett said. "It looks like Bella isn't the only one that looks at things pessimistically."
Edward says, I just beheaded a sentient creature, that doesn't bother you:
Carlisle seemed to be bothered by this, judging by his frown, but no one else was.
Bella says I wanted to help, but there's only so much I can do:
"No … there was nothing you could do," Edward corrected - his voice still hollow sounding, but there was a flicker of amusement in it this time.
Edward says, Seth is a little disappointed he couldn't claim a single-handed defeat now:
"Ah … too bad, cub," Emmett said.
"Cub?" Alice questioned.
"Well, I like this Seth kid, I think he deserves his own nickname," Emmett shrugged. "What do you think?"
"You're crazy," Alice shrugged, "but I guess it's okay."
Edward says what's she doing:
"Er … staring at you, waiting for you to answer her," Emmett said.
"I think he's talking about someone the boy …." Jasper started.
"The cub," Emmett corrected him.
"Whatever," Jasper rolled his eyes. "Someone the cub was thinking about."
"Oh," Emmett said.
Edward says we're going to be fine, it's …:
"We … you don't think one of the wolves could be hurt," Esme fretted.
"Maybe," Carlisle said. "Hmm … It seems like their link causes them to literally feel each other's pain … at least to some extent."
Edward says Seth trust me, and Seth looks into his eyes before he disappears:
"He really seems to trust you," Carlisle said. In this sense, he was really pleased with this book.
Edward says Alice saw it and passed it through Sam and Seth, the Volturi decided it was time to intercede:
There were several hisses at that.
"And they just stood by and waited to see if we would get destroyed," Jasper said angrily.
Bella thinks I was close to a breaking point:
"Maybe you should take her home," Esme fretted. "She needs some rest."
"She really does," Carlisle agreed, but he was shaking his head. "But it wouldn't be good for Bella to be alone … or for Bella and Edward to be alone. No, it's best we met them as a family."
Bella says, Leah and she too weak to feel shame for the relief that flooded her:
"Oh, I don't think you will get off that easy … he said him," Emmett said. "I'm sure it's the pup."
"You don't think that he's seriously hurt, do you?" Esme asked in a worried voice.
"Who cares," Rosalie said with venom in her voice.
"I'm sure he's fine," Carlisle soothed.
Bella thinks of course I already knew the answer:
"The mutt can't even keep himself safe after that despicable act," Rosalie hissed.
Mentions everything went black:
"It caused her to pass out?" Emmett asked.
"I think it was a combination of everything that made her pass out," Carlisle sighed. "It really was a lot for a human to handle in one day."
Edward anxiously says Carlisle, it's been five minutes:
"Ah … of course … Edward, the mothering hen," Emmett laughed. "I think he even has you beat, Mom, on how he worries about Bella."
Mentions that Carlisle's expression was serious and reassuring at the same time, it was impossible to doubt him:
"Well, that's most certainly true," Emmett smiled. "And he hardly ever lies … well, except for the basics, that is."
Carlisle says most of Jacob's bones on the right half of his body were shattered:
"That's what you get for being manipulative," Rosalie muttered.
"Rose," Esme reprimanded, though her heart didn't seem to be in it this time.
Mentions Jasper was crouched over something with wary intensity:
"What?" Jasper asked, narrowing his eyes. "Is there another vampire there? Someone from the army?"
"It seems like it," Emmett said.
"Why?" Jasper asked.
"How should I know?" Emmett shrugged.
Mentions of the vampire's eyes were shocking, brilliant red, much brighter than Riley's:
"Riley seems to be a bit older then," Jasper mused. "I wonder if he was the one in Bella's room … he did seem to be Victoria's right-hand man."
Edward says she surrendered, only Carlisle would think of offering:
Jasper looked at Carlisle, who just shrugged.
"I suppose I should have guessed," Jasper rolled his eyes.
Carlisle says, you must exercise control, it's the only thing that will save you now:
"I don't think that's going to help her," Jasper sighed. "Not with the Volturi coming … All members of the newborn army must die."
Bella thinks I stared at her and wondered if I were looking into a mirror of my future:
"I don't think so," Carlisle said. "I'm sure you would have better control than that."
Jane says that is irrelevant:
"I wish they could be a little more compassionate," Carlisle sighed.
"It doesn't look like that word is in their vocabulary," Emmett said.
The Volturi's reactions after Carlisle says there were Eighteen:
"Ah … they're impressed by us," Emmett beamed.
"That's because they don't know about the wolves," Jasper reminded him.
"Do you have to bring me down?" Emmett muttered.
Mentions the newborn shot a baleful glare at Jane, her lips pressed tightly:
"That wasn't a smart move," Carlisle sighed.
"How was she to know what Jane could do?" Jasper asked. "I don't think your hostage is going to make it out of this."
"No … probably not," Carlisle sighed again.
Mentions Jane smiled, and the girl shrieked again:
"She really need not have done that," Carlisle frowned. "She would have listened."
"But I think she enjoys doing that," Emmett pointed out.
Bree says he didn't want us to be able to think of her, he said our thoughts weren't safe:
"Of course, not … because then Edward would have known everything that happened and there was a chance she would have survived," Jasper said. "Victoria would not want to face the wrath of the Volturi."
Edward says to Jane, would you please not do that:
Edward hissed at that, and several people looked angry.
"What did she do?" Emmett asked.
"I'll give you one guess," Jasper said.
"Oh," Emmett said. "It's okay … it's not like that could hurt Bella anyways."
Jane says quite a pity how things turned out and it confirms Edward's suspicions:
"Stupid Volturi," Emmett grumbled.
Carlisle let out a sigh at hearing that, hanging his head.
Jasper was looking similar to Carlisle. He had always thought highly of the Volturi and it seemed like he was letting that image go now.
Edward tries to defend Bree, saying she didn't know what she was doing:
"Are you speaking for Carlisle or yourself there?" Emmett asked, again hoping his brother was going to interact with them.
"I'm not sure," Edward said in his deadened voice. "I think both."
"Right," Emmett said, happy that Edward at least attempted to answer him.
O
Ethics
Bella asks Alice, will I be like that, like that girl Bree in the meadow:
"I really don't think so," Carlisle said. "Not to that extent, though it wouldn't be good for her to be near humans."
Bella asks how soon:
"Depends on too many factors to give a definitive answer …." Carlisle started.
"You're not going to be giving her that whole speech too, are you?" Emmett asked. Carlisle had a talk similar to this with all his 'children' (and Esme too) when he had first changed them.
"It doesn't seem like I'll really need to … what with Bella knowing all of this already," Carlisle said.
"Lucky her," Emmett muttered.
Alices says, I've never seen anyone go through this who's chosen it beforehand, it should be interesting to see how that affects you:
"That doesn't mean that there aren't people who do," Jasper said.
"Yeah, I'm sure the Volturi have turned an assistant or two over the millennia," Emmett said. "They would have known what was coming."
"But they didn't care about becoming monsters," Alice pointed out, "about killing people … this is different."
"True," Jasper agreed.
Bella asks, you do see my future, why do you think that is works when nothing else works on me:
"But still curious about it all the same," Carlisle said, looking thoughtful about what she had just asked. They had already discussed this once and came up with a reasonable explanation.
Alice says I see visions of outcomes, not the reasons and thoughts behind the decisions that create them:
"That is interesting," Carlisle mused. He had never really put too much thought into how Alice had her visions. "I knew this of course, but it's fascinating to hear how you think of it."
Alice says it's no wonder that Aro was so curious about your future abilities:
Carlisle frowned at that, not liking the fact that he was just as interested as his old friend.
"You're not the same," Edward said in his hollow voice, his eyes not really looking at his father, just staring off into space. "You're just curious … he …." he stopped there, not really sure what to say and not really having the energy to try and think of something.
"Thanks, Edward," Carlisle smiled sadly at him. He didn't really need to say more than that. It meant a lot that Edward would even speak at the moment.
Alice says I'm so sorry you have to choose between two good things:
"Good things?" Rosalie scoffed. "The mutt is not good."
"But the life she could have is," Emmett muttered, hoping that Edward wouldn't hear this, but of course he could.
"Right," Rosalie let out a breath.
Charlie says Edward is more mature than Jacob when it comes to your safety:
"Hah, it seems like Charlie might be warming up to you, Eddy," Emmett said, looking at his brother who only shrugged at his comment. Emmett sighed. He was trying his hardest to act normally and it wasn't too difficult, but he couldn't help but be put out by Edward's lack of enthusiasm.
Charlie says it was like Billy knew something bad was going to happen to Jacob, he was as nervous as a turkey on Thanksgiving:
"It seems that Billy was more nervous than Bella had thought," Jasper said.
"Yeah, wasn't he wishing he could join the fight before?" Emmett chuckled.
"That doesn't mean he wasn't worried," Esme said. "It's tough sitting on the sidelines when your family is in danger."
Charlie says, one minute it was the wolf yowling and then Jake's cussing drowned it right out:
"Yeah … that's it," Emmett laughed. "You'd think he would figure it out."
"Of course not," Carlisle smiled. "Humans tend to disregard things like that when they are faced with the world's darker truths … it keeps them happy."
Charlie says I didn't think they were ever going to get over their fool prejudice against the Cullens:
"I hope it really has worked that way," Carlisle said. "It seems that we really did make a step in the right direction. And now I know it's not impossible."
Charlie says Edward was really nice, he seemed as worried about Jacob as you are, like it was his brother lying there:
Esme glanced over at Edward. He still hadn't reacted at all, but she couldn't help but wonder what his motivation for that was. She knew that her son would be worried about Jacob for Bella's sake, but she thought he might have worried at least a little for his own sake too.
Charlie says that Edward's a decent guy, I'll try to remember that:
"He's more than decent," Esme smiled. She was pleased that Charlie really seemed to be coming around, though she was still worried about Edward's silence. They all were.
Charlie says I feel like I'm going to lose you soon:
"It not surprising that he would say that," Jasper said. "Bella had to get her observational skills from someone."
Charlie says, just give me advance notice. Give me a chance to hug you goodbye:
"He does deserve that," Esme said. "Even if you can't give him the real reason, he deserves something."
Jacob says how did it go, was Edward mean to you, I'm sorry f t was bad:
"He thinks you were going to be mad at her for k … for what happened," Emmett said.
"You should be," Rosalie said, "though you really should just rip the mutt's head off. Manipulative jerk."
"But that doesn't really match with Edward's character throughout the book," Jasper said, looking at the Edward in the room who wasn't looking at any of them, just staring out the window. "Bella's happiness is the only thing he cares about. There was no way he could be angry with her."
Bella tells Jacob that Edward wasn't mad at all, I wish he would have yelled, I deserved it:
"Perhaps that was the best way for him to deal with this situation," Emmett muttered. "Let you punish yourself."
Edward hissed at that and snapped a glare at his brother, a glare that was filled with emotions that were difficult to read. "I'm not playing games with her!"
"I didn't say that …." Emmett started.
"She will be happy," Edward stated firmly, before looking away again.
Jacob says, well damn:
Rosalie was glaring at this - it seemed that she was liking the mutt less and less the longer he was in these books.
Jacob says, I can't believe this, he didn't give you an ultimatum or anything:
This time Rosalie growled, and Emmett chuckled.
"This isn't funny," Rosalie hissed at her husband. "This jerk says he loves her but see how much he's plotting … staging his next move … it's despicable."
"It really is," Alice agreed in disdain.
Jacob says damn it all, he's better than I thought:
Edward's eyes flashed with anger at those words, anger that didn't disappear into despair as it had in the past.
"Edward already said he's not playing games," Emmett said.
Jacob says don't blame me because Edward is a better manipulator than I am, I haven't been around long enough to learn all the tricks:
Everyone was hissing at this, everyone that is but Emmett, who was chuckling again.
"Emmett!" Rosalie growled at him.
"Eddy doesn't have any more experience in this than the pup has," Emmett choked out before he started to really laugh. Though no one joined him, it did at least stop Rosalie from hitting him.
"It would be best if I never meet that mutt in our reality," Rosalie hissed a second later, her fists balled. "That he would have the audacity to say that about Edward after what he just pulled …."
"After how understanding Edward is being about this whole situation," Alice added looking almost as upset as Rosalie was.
Bella says at least he didn't say he would kill himself to make me kiss him, and then says pretend I didn't say that, I swore I wouldn't bring that up:
"Why not?" Rosalie hissed. "He deserves to hear what a stupid hypocrite he's being."
"She's already going to break his heart," Esme said. "Isn't that enough?"
Rosalie looked like it would be nowhere near enough, but she didn't say any more.
Jacob says at least I made you see that you do love me, that's worth something:
"I don't know how he could say he loves her," Edward hissed and everyone looked hopefully at him. His anger a welcoming change from his glum. However, it didn't seem to extend very far, he was still looking off. "He knows all this would do is hurt her. It doesn't even look like he cares."
Jacob says it's better that Bella knows, because if she hadn't, he would always wonder if he could have done more, but now he knows:
And Edward's head dropped at that; he was back to being dejected.
"What happened?" Jasper asked, his voice almost as gloomy as Edward looked. He couldn't understand why Edward seemed to lose hope there.
"Trying to save her," Edward said, barely a whisper.
"You can't excuse his actions just because of that," Rosalie hissed. "Edward …"
"Read," Edward said as loudly as he could, and his father did as he was told.
Jacob says I'm not going to cut you in half anymore, Bella:
"As if Edward would," Alice scoffed. "He proved that in the eighth chapter of this book when he started accepting you."
"Biggest mistake he made," Rosalie muttered.
Jacob says if the world was the way it was supposed to be, if there was no monsters and no magic:
Edward closed his eyes tightly at that, again looking more pained than any other point in these books.
Bella thinks that they would have been soul mates in that world, in this world if his claim had not been overshadowed by something stronger:
Edward's face hardened at that and shook slightly.
Alice, on the other hand, was thinking the passage at him again making emphasis on in that world and something stronger. She was hoping that it would somehow reach him, make him think.
Jacob says I would have been healthier for you, not a drug, I would have been air, the sun:
Everyone was glaring at that, and at Edward, because he seemed to agree with that sentence in some ways.
"You're not a drug to her, Edward," Esme said.
Bella explains the worst part ending with, maybe that's why I was fighting against you so hard:
Edward didn't make any movement, but Esme, Rosalie and Alice were all frowning. That didn't really paint her love for Edward very well.
O
Needs
Mentions the door creaked open, and Edward pulled me into his arms:
"Oh dear," Esme said, looking at Edward the statue who was frozen in pain, not appearing to be really listening to what was being said, but of course he heard. She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him.
Bella says I have to be with you, it's the only way I can live:
Listen to that, Alice thought.
Edward looked at her and his eyes said quite clearly 'Our reality is different.'
Bella thinks I should never have let him stay with me last night, but I needed him so much:
"That's no excuse … you shouldn't have let him stay," Rosalie hissed. "That must have killed him."
"She was in pain," Edward said in his dead voice.
"So, it's okay to put you through that pain, too?" Rosalie groaned.
"She was in pain," Edward repeated.
"Edward couldn't have left her," Esme said sadly, she would have had tears in her eyes if she could have, her voice was disapproving, but understanding. "Even if she asked him to."
"That's true," Jasper said, looking at his brother. "He would have taken the pain a thousand times if it might have helped her."
"Hmph," Rosalie huffed, looking madder than she was before.
Bella asks when did you get me a dress:
"Probably since the right proposal," Alice said the turned her head, "or perhaps it was the time that she had thought of the dress … yes I think must have been it," she ended with a smile that was starting to get excited, though the excitement was marred by the uncertainty that seemed to be in the room now.
Alice says he's not supposed to see the dress till the day of:
"That's right … you have to keep up with the traditions," Emmett chuckled. "Or Shortie here will kill you."
"Not kill," Alice said, "just maim."
Bella thinks it was my Anne Green Gables vision all over again:
"Yes, that's what I thought it was," Alice said looking a little sad. "It would have been a good dress for the both of you …." I'll just have to think of something for our reality, she thought steely, letting Edward know that she was still planning on this happening.
Bella says I know you'll do a great job with this, if you can keep yourself in check:
"Hmm … I wonder how far I can go with her restrictions," Alice mused.
"Who knows, but when you hit them, you see it before she does," Emmett said. "So, you'll be able to push the envelope."
Bella says I wouldn't want my maid of honor to wear something off the rack:
Alice was now beaming at that.
Bella says how couldn't you not see that coming, some psychic you are:
Emmett laughed at that. "She's got you there, Shortie."
Bella says I've chosen my life, now I want to start living it:
"She really seems to have done that," Carlisle said. "It's not fear or just a thing she had chosen rashly, she is ready."
Bella says even if he thinks it's too early, I won't cheat him out of the chance to walk me down the aisle:
"No, you wouldn't want to do that," Emmett laughed.
"Hush," Esme said, she was smiling sadly at these words. "It's a really lovely thought … Her parents do deserve to see that."
Bella says at least my parents and friends will know the best part of my choice:
"That is a nice thought," Esme smiled, it was the closest to a good thing Bella had said about marriage.
Edward abruptly says deal's off:
"What?" Alice and Esme both said.
"What's the problem?" Alice asked.
Edward didn't seem to be about to answer that, so Rosalie continued to read.
Edward says whatever you want, no strings attached:
"Oh you," Esme said, squeezing her son, absent tears in her eyes again; he really was the perfect man.
"You can't do this to me," Alice hissed; obviously she didn't think that. "You're going to have a real wedding …."
"Or Shortie will kill you," Emmett said, "trust me, you really don't want to go against her."
"Don't worry," Jasper said, putting a calming hand on his wife, "Bella won't let that happen."
"Right," Alice sighed, letting herself be relaxed. "You're right."
Edward says, I haven't forgotten the rest of your demands:
"Ah, now we know what Eddy's really after …." Emmett said.
"Emmett!" Esme glared at him.
"Sorry," Emmett sighed.
Edward says but at least there's no need for a side trip:
"You keep that in your pocket, do you?" Emmett teased.
"Just in case she agreed to wear it, I'm sure," Alice smiled.
Bella thinks where it would stay - conceivably for the rest of eternity.
Edward smiled for the first time in a while, a longing look in his eyes, and his family chorused a sigh of relief.
"That's the end of the chapter," Rosalie said and Alice took the book.
O
Epilogue-Choice
Jacob Black
"Hm …." Alice scanned the next few lines quickly. "It seems like this chapter is from the pup's point of view."
"Great," Rosalie hissed.
"It might be interesting to see his perspective on things," Carlisle said.
Jacob thinks like it was his fault that she'd turned into this bitter harpy:
"Not his fault, but it's understandable that he would feel that way," Esme said. "He must still love her in a way, and it would be hard to see her that hurt all the time."
Leah says, he's going to try to change her into one of them, time to move on, boy:
"Hmph," Esme was glaring at the book. She obviously didn't like Edward being called 'that thing'.
"I think she's actually trying to help him," Alice said. "It's hard to tell with the wolves."
Jacob thinks about how it would be once Bella is turned, could I want to kill her, could I not want to kill one of them:
"It really would be tough on him," Carlisle said.
"But we're going to move before that happens," Jasper reminded him. "So, he's not even going to see her."
"Maybe we won't have to move," Emmett said. "If the wolves would just let this happen, we could stay."
Billy says a wedding invitation:
"I thought Bella didn't want to invite him?" Emmett questioned.
"She's not the only one that could invite him," Alice answered.
"I thought she had veto power," Emmett said.
"I'm not the only one either," Alice said, looking at Edward this time.
"Right," Emmett said.
End of Book:
"That's the end of the book," Alice said, putting it down and she looked over at Edward. It seemed like everyone was looking at Edward, waiting for him to say the thing they all knew was coming now.
"I can't meet her," he said softly, but everyone could hear him.
"Edward," Esme said, her voice just as soft and just as hurt. "She's your mate."
"She can be happy without me," Edward said.
"But she chose you," Emmett reminded him. "You were the one that she wanted more than anything else in the world."
"Yes, and that's true for the Bella in the book," Edward said, his voice dead, as were his eyes. "She can't live without m - that Edward. But that's not true in this reality."
"But you love her," Esme repeated, really starting to break down at this point.
"With everything that I am," Edward said, his face breaking terribly as he said that, "which is why I have to let her live the normal, human life that she wants - even though she doesn't realize it … I just can't do that …"
"So … er … do we get to read the last book?" Emmett asked.
Rosalie, Esme and Alice were all glaring at him at his insensitivity.
"What? I just thought it might help," Emmett said.
"Yeah, I'm sure that's the reason," Rosalie said, who was being surprisingly quiet during this conversation.
"I think we should all take a break … let's go hunting," Alice said, looking at Edward. She really wanted to talk to him alone. She could get things out of him like no one else could and if anyone was going to make him change his mind, it would be her.
"I …" Esme hesitated, looking like she didn't want to leave Edward right now, but she looked at Alice and sighed. She knew they had a special connection, "Okay."
Carlisle walked over to Esme, and she stood, leaning on him for support as they left silently. Jasper gave his wife one look and a second later he followed them just as silently.
"I guess that's cool. Let's go babe," Emmett said.
"Edward," Rosalie said. "I just want to say that I'm with you whatever you decide."
"Rose?" Edward asked, looking at her confused. "But … you want her to have the other life … the other future."
"Yes," Rosalie agreed, "but not with that mutt."
Edward actually rolled his eyes at that, something he hadn't done in the last few hours.
"I've never seen you like this, Edward," Rosalie went on. "I like you this way. Selfish, I know … but I … I'll stand by you, whatever you decide." And with those words she ran from the house closely followed by Emmett.
"Well, that was unexpected," Alice said, going over to sit next to Edward.
"You're pleased that she said that, and we both know it," Edward sighed. "And I don't care what you have to say … I'm not going to change my mind."
"You know that's not going to stop me from trying anyways," Alice smiled at him.
"I know," Edward narrowed his eyes. "And I don't want to know how low you'll go to make …"
"I'm not going to threaten you, Edward," Alice scoffed. "I won't even try and turn Bella and force her on you …."
"You did the last time," Edward said.
"This is different …" Alice said, sounding like she wished it wasn't true. "I don't know what's best either. But still, there are a few things that I have got to say."
"And what's that?" Edward asked, his voice becoming stiff again.
"You can't know what would happen if you took yourself out of the picture," Alice said. "Their relationship …."
"It's not just about their relationship," Edward said gravely. "It's about her future. Besides, you heard her. He's her soul mate," he said this part bitterly.
"Would have been without you," Alice corrected. "But you don't know if that's true anymore than she does … I don't think it's true at least."
"And what's your proof of that?" Edward scoffed.
"She needed two kisses to even think that she loved him," Alice said. "If she really had loved him, it would have only taken one."
"She didn't kiss him the first time … it doesn't count," Edward said dejectedly.
"Trust me, Edward. It counts," Alice said. "If she really loved him like she claimed, she would have felt it right away."
"She's stubborn," Edward sighed.
"She's not the only one," Alice glared at him.
"This still isn't the point," Edward said. "This isn't about him …."
"Edward don't walk away from this," Alice pleaded with him. "You won't get a second chance at meeting her."
"I know," Edward said, his voice cracking with strain.
"Are you going to read the next book with us?" Alice asked, hoping like hell that there was something in the next book that would change his mind. A thought that she knew wasn't a good thing for him to hear, but she couldn't block it fast enough; stupid mind reading vampire.
"I don't think so," Edward said.
"Don't you want to know how this all ends?" Alice asked. "Don't you want to know what she is thinking?"
Edward was shaking his head, but she could see that he was struggling with this decision.
"Edward, you know you want to know what's going to happen," Alice said sharply. "You want to know everything about her, real or not."
"It would just mean more pain, Alice," Edward sighed. "There's no point in reading any more of this, knowing that she's better off without knowing me. And don't tell me I'm wrong, Alice."
"But you are!" Alice countered.
"I'm doing the right thing here," Edward said, his voice firm. He had made up his mind.
"I'm not so sure you are," Carlisle said, reappearing in the room.
"What?" Edward asked, furrowing his eyebrows.
"I have no idea why these books were sent here, but I can't imagine that it would be to break the two of you up," Carlisle said.
"Why not?" Edward asked. "I'm obviously taking her away from her life … a normal life where she could be happy and have kids and grow old."
"That's the way it looks right now," Carlisle said, "but you can't leave the story unfinished, Edward. That wouldn't be fair to Bella - to either of you."
"What?" Edward asked, again looking confused.
"You said that your mind is made up, but you don't have all the facts," Carlisle explained. "I understand that if something was going to change your mind now, it would have to be something big. Something impossible probably, but we've seen some pretty amazing things in these books already, so I tend to think that nothing is impossible. And if you don't want to do this for yourself, do it for Bella. The way I've seen you love her already is worth having."
"But she could love someone else." Edward argued.
"You don't know what the future holds for her anymore," Carlisle said, "or how your decision today will affect her life. Perhaps she and Jacob would find each other, perhaps not. Taking yourself out of the picture doesn't automatically mean that she's going to have the life she envisioned. In fact, without you, she might never have found her niche in life and wouldn't know how to relate to anyone. I'm just telling you not to do anything rash."
"Having me in her life has just caused her pain," Edward grumbled. It looked like he was trying to stop himself from listening to Carlisle's plea, but he was having trouble with it.
"Not only pain, son," Carlisle said. "You've also made her happy. Plus, sometimes making it through the struggle is what makes things all worth it in the end."
"What are you talking about?" Edward asked.
"Edward, you know better than anyone how much I had to go through to keep myself from hurting anyone. At the time, I wondered why I wasn't able to kill myself, what was the reason that I was able to keep living. I decided to become a doctor so I could help those in need. It was very painful to accomplish this goal, but I knew that it was what I needed to do … what I was supposed to do. So, I worked on it as hard as I could and eventually, I was given everything that I could ever have dreamed of having. In you, and Esme," Carlisle's smile widened the way it always did when he was talking about Esme in this manner, "and your brothers and sisters … in you I find everything I hoped for. In you I learned that the struggle I went through was worth it.
"Edward, the struggle just makes life better when you have time to look at what you have gained," Carlisle finished.
"Fine," Edward sighed miserably. "I'll read the book, but I'm not making any promises."
"I understand," Carlisle smiled at him. "And if you prefer to read the book alone, I will understand that, too. I'm sure there are going to be more … er … private moments in this book and your brothers might …."
"Tease you mercilessly," Alice supplied.
"No, it's okay. We can read it together," Edward said.
"Fine, but you better not be moody the whole time we read this book," Alice said. "You can't be a statue like you have been for the last six chapters."
"I don't think I will be," Edward said. Alice looked into his eyes, and she could see the subtle change there. It seemed that Carlisle had filled him with just enough hope that he might actually get to enjoy reading this next book.