The Moon And The Sun

by Rivca

After everything that happened with James, Alice goes to see Bella in the hospital, tells her that Edward is just looking for an excuse, for something "bad" to happen to convince himself that she's better off without him, safer. She also warns Bella of the dire consequences if Edward does leave. When Bella sees Edward next, she confronts him about it, convinces him to stay.

11. 11 THE BEGINNING OF A PHOENIX

11

The BEGINNING OF A PHOENIX RISING FROM THE ASHES

SOON AS ELIZABETH DISAPPEARED, Edward turned Bella to face him, stroked his hands up and down her arms, took her lips in a kiss, slow, deep, deep as he was willing to make it without fear of hurting her—and sweet, his tongue, cold as ice, darting out to take in the sweet taste of her skin. "You, my Bella, my only love," Edward took another kiss, this one slow and passionate, making Bella's breathing speed up, her heartbeat increase, become twice as fast, "are akin to a phoenix, remaining the same, the girl I love, yet becoming all new. Did you want your second cup of tea now, or can we do something else, go to our bedroom, practice for our wedding night and honeymoon?"

She wrapped her arms around his neck, buried her fingers in his hair, the soft strands akin to silk, took another deep, sweet kiss. "This is how you get just because you know I'll be wearing a corset? If I would have known this would be your reaction, I would have worn a corset a lot sooner to get underneath your skin even more, make you kiss me, lose yourself in me, in us, our love. My second cup of tea, along with lunch, can wait, I'm not really that hungry or thirsty, anyway. Let's go practice for our wedding night and honeymoon."

Edward stood up, Bella yet held firmly in his arms, like how a groom carried his new bride, cradled close to his chest. "It is not only the fact that you will be wearing a corset, though that certainly has me excited, beyond happy, because, according to what I understood, my beloved mother, Elizabeth, a unique creature, for she is the only one of her kind, told you wearing a corset, it will not hurt you—but also because you want me to be the one to help you change, out of your bridal gown, into your going away frock, and that, it has me beyond ecstatic, for you will be my wife, and I want to help you in all things."

A pause, Edward's eyebrows knitting together, a little vee marring his forehead. "Of course, this, you wearing a corset, along with myself helping you change after our wedding nuptials, does mean I will have to make certain arrangements, changes to the means by which we will get to our honeymoon destination, as I want you to be as comfortable as possible, but everything will be fine, perfect, in fact." Edward shifted her weight so he held her with naught but one arm, caressed her face, stroked her hair tenderly. "As I will be the one helping you change and not Alice, Esme, Renee, and my beloved mother, Elizabeth—I will have to search for a place where I can whisk you away fast when the time comes for me to help you change after our wedding nuptials and the reception have finished."

He ran his cold thumb over her lips, igniting a fire there. "I do not want Jasper to be privy to our emotions when I undress you, see you as only a husband should see his wife for the first time, nor for any of our family, be it the Cullens or my beloved mother, Elizabeth, to be privy to the conversation that will no doubt arise."

Before Bella could speak, say anything, Edward moved, fast like only he could, and they were in their bedroom in less than a second, Edward laying her down gently on the bed, his beautiful, strong, perfect body coming over hers, gently pressed against hers, his shirt and black leather jacket already off, discarded on the floor. Bella stroked her hands up and down his arms, over his shoulders, down his back, his cold, smooth, hard, diamond skin feeling like velvet under her fingertips, the temperature of it soothing and refreshing against the scorching, burning heat in the room. "You know, your beloved mother, Elizabeth, told Alice and Esme something to that effect when Alice started to object to you helping me change, that you wouldn't want to make love to me, become inflamed with passion, until we were alone, far, far away from everyone. Of course, your beloved mother, Elizabeth, either she had no idea you'd come up with this brilliant plan, whisking me away somewhere where we would be alone to help me change—or she wasn't telling Esme and Alice everything she knew, all so Alice didn't throw a fit . . ."

Bella flinched, clung to Edward so hard, she'd been choking him if he'd been human. "Oh, no, Alice will probably throw a fit anyway, when she learns you're taking me somewhere to help me change, say that we'll lose our flight."

Edward's smile was soft, filled with love, both for his beloved mother, Elizabeth, and Bella, his bride-to-be and future wife. "Of course my beloved mother, Elizabeth, would say that to Alice and Esme, she knows me as only a mother knows her son, no matter that we spent eighty-six years apart—just as only we will know our future child, be it Edward or Nessy Elizabeth, best." He bent his head, took her lips for his own in a slow, sweet, sipping kiss, letting his tongue, cold as ice, dart out to explore the seam of her lips. "Fret not over Alice throwing a fit when she learns of my plan to take you somewhere private, far away from prying eyes and ears, to help you change—telling us we will loose our flight, for that will not come to pass, as we will not miss our flight, no matter how long I take undressing you, helping you change into your going away frock."

Bella raised an eyebrow, lines of confusion marring her forehead. "What do you mean—"

Edward shook his head, his beautiful golden eyes glinting, blazing with love and secrets, leaned down, took her lips in a kiss that made all of her thoughts go out the window, her mind incoherent, her body reacting to his touch, wanting to curve itsself around him, Bella herself wanting to claw and pry at his skin, kiss him until she forgot where and who she was, couldn't breathe. "No, Bella, Love, I am not telling you anything, you will have to wait until after our wedding nuptials and reception to find out what I mean, what I have planned, but just know this, everything will be alright, perfect, actually, especially now that my birth mother, Elizabeth, is involved with your wedding outfit, taking charge, following your wishes down to the tiniest of details, will not permit Alice to go overboard, become self-absorbed."

Edward shifted, turned them over so Bella was the one on top, straddling his hips, then sat up, bringing her with him, one hand knotted in her hair. "Enough talk of Alice, along with the rest of our family, I want to kiss you, my Bella, my beautiful bride-to-be and future wife, practice for our wedding night and honeymoon."

He kissed her before she could respond, a hard, yet soft, passionate, persuasive kiss, and his kiss, it made her body turn to gelatin, melt against his, her mind a fussy, incoherent mess, Bella humming with pleasure from head to toe.

She fought against the pleasure really, truly hard, because, much as she didn't want him to stop, Bella needed to remind Edward of something, something important, for he'd never forgive himself if something happened to her, if he hurt her, even if it was accidental. Bella broke away from the kiss, gasping for breath, but Edward, he didn't stop kissing her, his lips simply moving on to her neck and throat, her head automatically angling to give him further access to her skin, his strong, cold, gentle hands—loving hands, pulling at the fabric of her dress, shifting it slightly to the side, exposing more of her skin so he could kiss it, but still remaining polite, keeping Bella mostly covered, for they were not married yet. "Edward, wait," the words were hard to say, came out a whisper, "you need to get a tube of tungsten before we continue doing this."

Edward pulled away from her skin, his eyes dancing, glittering with love and desire, desire not for her blood, but to kiss her and hold her close. "So responsible, my Bella." He stroked her cheek, her face, his fingertips leaving a trail of fire across her skin. 'Are we at an alternate universe, some parallel dimension? I am usually the responsible one in this relationship and you, my sweet, only love, the one who wants to throw caution to the wind, for me to never stop kissing you, holding you close, and caressing you." He shook his head, pressed a soft kiss to a particularly sensitive spot on her throat, making Bella moan and arch herself into him. "Regardless, right you are, I need to get a tube of tungsten, for I would never forgive myself if I hurt you."

He moved, fast like only he could, got a tube of tungsten, was back on the bed, hovering above Bella, his body lightly pressed against hers, in less than a second. Bella wrapped her arms around his neck, buried her fingers in his hair, pulled gently at the soft, heavy silk, took another deep, sweet kiss. "It's not that I suddenly became the responsible one in this relationship, because, believe me, I don't like being the responsible one, but I also know you, my beautiful fiance and future husband, know how you can get if you think you hurt me, even if it's just the tiniest of bruises, and I don't want you getting that way, would rather stop momentarily, take precautions now, continue kissing later, without having to worry about you becoming absorbed with self-loathing if something 'tragic' were to happen to me while we are kissing."

A soft, quiet, musical laugh that held a dark edge, a kiss pressed to the center of her chest, slightly to the left, right over her heart, which was beating like that of a trapped bird's, desire, not just for the flesh, but to be his in every way possible, and love, thick in her blood. "It is not a joke, your safety, Bella, Love, you know how much you mean to me, that I love you with every fiber of my being."

Bella stroked a hand over his face, ran her forefinger over his lips. "I don't, in any way, shape, or form, see my safety as a joke, else, I'd have never called you and Carlisle to come get me when that dog and Billy showed up at my house, went to see Charlie, for I know how much I mean to you, that I hold your heart in my hands, just as you hold mine." She leaned up on her elbows, pressed her forehead to his, closed her eyes. "That being said, I think my theory, you know, the one I told you when you 'kidnapped' me, brought me to the house last weekend so I could spend it with you, about you not being able to hurt me because of your love for me—was right on point. I mean, your beloved mother, Elizabeth, she did just tell me wearing a corset won't hurt me because of the love you and I share, so beautiful, pure, and potent, it is an entity of its own."

Edward's hand, cold, strong, gentle, and loving, glided from her left shoulder, down her arm, over her neck and throat, down and across her chest, avoiding her breasts, for Bella was not his wife yet and he was old-fashioned, her beautiful fiance and future husband, chivalrous, down her belly, his fingers spread over her stomach and navel. "That may be so, my Bella, that your theory is, indeed, reality, but still, I am not willing, in any way, shape, or form, to put your life and safety at risk, even if that risk is minuscule, will have safeguards, take every precaution that I can."

Bella groaned in frustration, took a deep kiss, deep as he would allow her to, pouring all of her frustration into it. "What about when I'm a vampire, will you finally throw caution to the wind then, stop holding back, kiss me properly, without hesitation, you constantly worrying about my safety?"

Edward dropped the tungsten tube lightly on the bed beside them, and Bella saw it was twisted and mangled, took her face between his hands, gently, slowly, stroking her cheekbones with his cold thumbs, and, when Bella opened her eyes, she saw Edward's eyes, his whole body, in fact . . . it was glowing, as if a flame or hot fire lived beneath his cold, hard, diamond skin. "Yes," his voice was soft and velvet, naught but a whisper, seductive, "when you are a vampire I will throw caution to the wind, will even rip your clothes off sometimes, but we must lean on the side of caution for now, while you remain human, unless, of course, your body magically changes, becomes stronger, less breakable, while you remain human somehow, then I will take no issues with throwing caution to the wind."

Edward let out a long sigh, his sweet, addictive, intoxicating breath washing over Bella's face. "Much as I want to stop not, we cannot push your human needs away for much longer, it is nearly three thirty, and while you may not be getting that hungry yet, it is best for you to eat lunch now, before we leave for the mall, as neither of us, I am sure, want you to eat anything there, as the food is full of preservatives and fattening, and it will be a couple of hours, nightfall—before we get home and I can make you something." He stroked a hand over her hair, tucked it behind her ears, left his fingers pressed against her skin. "And I did promise you a second cup of tea when I gave you breakfast, and I do not plan on breaking my promise."

He shrugged on his shirt and black leather jacket so fast, Bella didn't even see him move, took her into his arms, carried her to the kitchen, had her sitting on top of the counter, beside him while he prepared the mise en place for her lunch, in less than a second, Edward going over to the fridge, taking out several ingredients, then pausing, turning to look at Bella, cocking his head to the side. "Is spicy rice, grilled vegetables, and grilled chicken breast seasoned with herbs and spices, along with poached pears and the cup of tea I promised you okay for lunch? I know lunch is supposed to be a light meal, usually consists only of one dish, but it is healthier if you consume the majority of your calories during the day rather than at night, before you go to bed, keeps your metabolism running for longer. I also want to mix natural water with some chlorophyll and chia seeds, take it with us in a cold thermos when we go to the mall so you can drink it. Chlorophyll is an antioxidant, helps keep you hydrated, and I am sure you already know the benefits of chia seeds, because you, my Bella, my sweet, only love, like to eat very healthy."

Bella nodded, her deep, chocolate brown eyes, becoming soft, wet with tears, for Edward, her beautiful fiance and future husband, he loved her so, took care of her in all things. "Yes, everything you said sounds fine, perfect, actually, thank you for taking care of me in all things, thinking of even the smallest details."

Edward was in front of her, standing between her legs, in less than a second, his cold, strong, gentle hands framing her face, thumbs stroking her cheekbones. "You need not ever thank me for things such as this, taking care of you, thinking of even the smallest details, I am only doing what a husband is suppose to do."

Edward began cooking her lunch, and Bella watched him move, fast, sometimes too fast for her eye to capture, and graceful, around their kitchen, as if he'd been doing this, cooking for her, for years rather than just over a week. When he was finished preparing her lunch, he took all dishes to the table, then returned for Bella, carried her to the table, sat down on a chair with her in his lap, watched her eat. When she was done, had drunken her tea and ate the poached pears, too, Edward washed the dishes, fast like only he could, and soon they were in the car, his Aston Martin, driving to the mall.

The mall they went to wasn't really a mall, more like a whole bunch of high-end streets, a private, residential area of Chicago, and the stores, they were all luxury brands, some, Gucci, Valentino, Alexander McQueen, Jenny Packham, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, she recognized, but most of them were a mystery to her. Her mouth dropped open, and she turned to Edward, still gaping. He laughed, quiet, soft, and musical, closed her mouth with his forefinger under her chin. "Oh, close your mouth, Bella, Love, stop looking so innocently adorable and shocked. I told you perhaps I would take you to Europe, to England and France, on an escapade to buy your honeymoon wardrobe, after we take the test, graduate from High school, but we will make do with this in the meantime."

Bella opened her mouth, about to argue, but he pressed his cold index finger to her lips, not letting her speak. "No, Love, I know what you are about to say—that it is not necessary for me to spend a voluptuous amount of money on your clothing, as this is not your honeymoon wardrobe, but all of this, what we will spend now, it is nothing, really, Bella, fifty million pounds just came into my bank accounts yesterday, and I expect large quantities of money such as that to continue to pour in over the next couple of days, as I did something, something so you, my beautiful, humble bride-to-be, need not fret about us spending too much money, and no, before you ask, I did not sell any of my properties, nor possessions. What I did, it is a kind of new investment, shall we say, something I am trying out to have another source of income, more money, that seems to be working flawlessly. Fret not over Alice nagging you, either, telling you that with me you are alright buying luxury and expensive things, but you will not allow her to do the same, choose clothing for you, as that will not come to pass, for I will not allow it."

Edward got out of the car, walked slowly, like a human, for they were in public now, to the other side, opened her door, helped her out of the car, his arm coming around her waist and taking most of her weight so she didn't hurt her broken leg, nor trip over her own two feet, as she was wearing a high heel shoe. She made a move to turn to face him, and Edward understood, helped her, Bella setting her left hand on his chest, her fingers spread over the still organ that was his heart. "Thank you for taking such good care of me, being so understanding. It will take me a while to get used to this new, luxurious lifestyle, but I will get used to it at some point, might actually enjoy it." Bella let out a small, quiet laugh, her deep, chocolate brown eyes blazing, happy and filled with love. "I mean, look at me, I'm wearing a dress, a high heel shoe, and jewelry without anyone forcing me, actually enjoying it, too. I've changed a lot since I met you, learned to enjoy wearing dresses, along with much nicer clothing than t-shirts and jeans, but don't tell Alice this, else, I'm afraid she'll start treating me as her own life-sized doll or Barbie."

He pressed a kiss to her forehead, then the crown of her head. "Yes, you definitely have changed a lot since we met, blossomed, akin to a beautiful, fragile flower, your petals spread. Fret not, as I will definitely not tell Alice you enjoy wearing dresses and nice clothes, as your style is very different from hers, less in the face, more elegant, classy, and chic. Come, my sweet, only love, we will only go to the stores of English and French luxury brands, for I know that is what you like, and perhaps we will buy you a duffel bag and purse so you can pack your essentials, what you will need on hand when we go to our honeymoon."

They went inside a lot of stores, all English or French luxury brands, Bella ending up with a lot of new clothes, mostly dresses, their colors all different shades of blue, though she chose a couple of different jeans and blouses, too, so Charlie wouldn't ask any questions, along with some accessories Edward insisted on getting for her and the duffel bag and purse she'd used to pack the more intimate items, what she needed to keep on hand for their honeymoon, Edward, too, taking advantage, buying some new clothes for himself. Bella also bought some soft silk and satin pajamas, nightgowns and some undergarments, panties and bras, Edward politely not paying attention to what she chose when it came to her undergarments, for she was not his wife yet. Of course, just like when they went grocery shopping yesterday, they kept going to the car between each store, Edward placing their bags in the trunk. After what seemed like hours and Edward only knew how many stores they'd gone to, when Bella told him she'd had enough shopping for one day, wanted to go home, Edward insisted on going to one last store, only this, it wasn't a store, more like half a spa and half a store, where they bought a whole bunch of things for her skin, and Edward insisted on Bella getting a spa treatment, along with a manicure and pedicure, someone painting her nails in The French style, decorating them with white lines, both at the tip and in the center of each nail. When that was all finished, Edward practically carried her to the car, Bella so relaxed and happy, and soon they were heading home, Edward driving very, very fast, not bothering to adhere to traffic laws.

The rest of the weekend went by fast, too fast, Edward's beloved mother, Elizabeth, coming from time to time, both to see Edward and Bella, spend time with both of them as a whole, and to continue designing Bella's wedding outfit, Edward leaving them for brief periods of time. Soon it was time to leave, go back to Forks, their suitcases already packed, Edward's biological mother, Elizabeth, having helped Bella pack hers, replace the clothing Edward and Bella had brought from Alice's monster of a closet with the one they'd bought over the long weekend, Bella ending up with several extra suitcases, which Edward would have to pay for.

Now, as they stood by the gates of their home, waiting for the taxi that would take them to the airport, Bella felt a sense of sadness and melancholy, didn't want to leave. Edward must have sensed this, because his arms came around her, cradled her to him. She set her hands against his chest, over the still organ that was his heart. "I really don't want to leave, go back to the Cullen household, like this, having our own place, privacy."

He took her lips in a sweet kiss, then kissed the crown of her head, too. "I know, my Bella, my beautiful bride-to-be and future wife, for I, too, do not wish to leave, but, alas, leave, we must, Darling, so we can take the test, graduate from High school. However, just because we will be returning to Forks does not mean we need return to the Cullen household, not if we do not wish to."

Bella gave him a confused look, raised an eyebrow.

He stroked her hair, her face, his fingertips, cold as ice, leaving a trail of fire on her skin, his lips curving into that half smile she loved, that made her heart beat faster. "You see, Love, every couple of years before I met you and you turned my life upside down in the best way possible, perhaps every six or so, I would get homesick, the ache of missing my mother, Elizabeth, becoming acute to the point of pain, would return here, where I felt the closest to her, for this place, our home, it holds my childhood memories, live apart from the rest of my adoptive family for two years before I would return to them wherever they might be."

A pause, a soft, honey-sweet kiss pressed against her lips. "Six months before I met you, Esme could tell I was beginning to pull away again, though neither she, nor any of the rest of the members of my adoptive family knew the true reason behind my leaving, suggested that I should build a small home for myself if I wanted to live apart from them for some time, but so I would not be too far away, so I did. This 'home,' though, it is not an apt place for us to live in after our honeymoon, when you are carrying our future child, be at Edward or Nessy Elizabeth, for it is still in Forks, in the same vicinity as werewolves, is quite small, too, but it is enough for the two of us, at least for now, will provide us with some privacy."

When the taxi picked them up, Edward gently helped Bella into the backseat, then put their suitcases in the trunk, before getting in beside her, pulling her close to his beautiful, perfect, strong body, his arm coming around her shoulders, massaging her muscles gently, not the least bit worried about the cold temperature of his skin because of the long white leather coat with some light brown fur near her neck and throat she was wearing under her dress. The ride to the airport was frustratingly slow, not because there was lots of traffic, but because she was used to Edward's style of driving, and her beautiful fiance and future husband, he didn't adhere to traffic laws, had no need to, not with his ability to read people's minds. However, time went by pretty quickly after that, Edward helping her through security, then on to her seat on the plane, his arms coming around her, cradling her to him, and Bella falling asleep with her head against his shoulder, the First Class seat wide and comfortable.

Before she knew it, Edward was waking her and they were disembarking the plane, then getting their suitcases, before getting into Edward's car, his other Aston Martin, driving away, towards the Cullen household, very, very fast. It wasn't until they were about three minutes away that Bella spoke. "I think things might get awkward and uncomfortable when we return to the Cullen household if Rosalie is home. I mean, remember her reaction when she heard Carlisle address your beloved mother, Elizabeth . . ." Bella shuddered, closed her eyes. "I didn't understand everything she said, as I don't speak multiple languages, but from what I did understand, the things that were in English, along with the way you kissed me, I'm assuming it wasn't at all pleasant."

Edward parked the car, not in the garage as Bella'd expected, but in the front lawn, near the front door, turned off the ignition, took off Bella seatbelt, brought her onto his lap, caressed her face, cold thumbs stroking her cheekbones, kept his voice low, for Bella's ears only. "You need only ignore Rosalie and Emmett, my Bella, just like I will." He pressed a soft, honey-sweet, soothing kiss to her lips. "Besides, stay here long, we will not, Darling—only came to say hello, speak with Carlisle, come up with what the best time is for us to come back here, take the test, as we need to go to our new home, unpack, then go grocery shopping so I can cook for you, for you have not eaten anything since I gave you breakfast this morning."

Edward took off his seatbelt, got out of the car, his keys already in his pocket, and Bella still held firmly in his arms, before he set her down, his arm coming around her waist, taking most of her weight, helping her up the steps.

They were in the living room, all of them, Carlisle, Esme, Alice, Jasper, Emmett, and Rosalie, all sitting beside their respective partners, and Rosalie's lips, they were curled back into a sneer. There was something different in the atmosphere of the house, a slight emotional shift, one Bella hadn't ever felt before, except . . . no, she'd always felt it deep down, but had never noticed it before, it was minute, much less pronounced, but now it was much more evident, so potent Bella couldn't act oblivious to it. While Edward did consider the Cullens his family to some extent, he did not give all of himself to them, kept a part of himself locked, a part that only came out when he was with his biological mother, Elizabeth, or alone with Bella, his love, the way he cared for them, though different, for Bella was his bride-to-be and future wife, and Elizabeth was his biological mother—so strong and potent, it didn't hold a candle to the way he cared about the Cullens.

Edward ignored Rosalie and Emmett just like he said he would, sat down on the couch, pulled Bella into his lap, his arms coming around her, fitting her to him, pressed a kiss to the top of her head. The living room was quiet for several minutes, and at first Bella felt awkward, but then Edward began running his hands up and down Bella's arms, pressing sweet, soft kisses to her hair and face, making her relax. She saw Jasper pull Alice closer to him, his arm coming around her, Edward and Bella's love—infectious and strong, saturating the room. Eventually, Esme cleared her throat, breaking the silence, glanced beside Edward and Bella, at the front door. "You're not staying here or living with us anymore, are you?"

A shake of Edwards head, a quick glance at Bella, his beautiful golden eyes blazing, filled with love. "No, we want privacy, to be by ourselves, only came here to say a quick hello, ask Carlile when he thinks the best time would be for us to come here, take the test . . ." Edward's eyes glided from Esme to Carlisle. "If Mr Green already emailed it to you?"

Esme nodded solemnly, resigned. "You did like your privacy, Edward, even before you met Bella, fell in love, are the only one of us, apart from Carlisle, who hasn't taken a single human life, either by mistake or out of greed, are very different from the rest of us, though you're similar in a lot of ways, too. I never understood why, but now, now that I saw you with your biological mother, Elizabeth, even if it was only through video, I'm beginning to understand why. The love between you—mother and son, is so strong and pure, Alice, Carlisle, and I could feel it through the camera. She raised you to be a gentleman, Elizabeth, chivalrous, kind, loving, and respectful, not to be promiscuous."

Carlisle was the one who spoke next, Rosalie's toxic, angry, violent energy trying to compete with the one coming from Edward and Bella, pure and loving. "No, Mr Green hasn't sent me the test you and Bella need to take to graduate early yet. I think perhaps he'll send it to me early tomorrow morning, and maybe I should send it back to him halfway through the deadline he gave you, on Tuesday at midday rather than right away after you've completed it. The reason why I'm bringing this up is because I'm assuming you'll help Bella fill out hers, won't bother doing any of the tests at human speed, as you'll be doing it here and there's no need for you to pretend. I'll text you or call when I get the email from Mr Green so you can come take the tests."

Edward nodded, a soft, genuine smile on his face. "Yes, I will be helping Bella take her test, complete it, as it is much easier this way, puts less pressure on her, and, besides, she will have plenty of time to learn what they teach in High School, as we will no doubt go to High School and College over and over again. Your plan sounds perfect, Carlisle, Bella and I will come take the test when I get a call or text from you."

Bella took Edward's hand, turned it over, looked at the time on his wrist watch, tensed slightly. "Um, Edward, it's not that I want to cut this conversation short or anything, but we really have to go, we still need to go grocery shopping for me, stop by Charlie's house, my old home, to take care of some things, and get home and unpack before four a clock, as your beloved mother, Elizabeth, will stop by the house then, as she wants to take some measurements for an off-the-shoulder silk chemise she is designing for me, which I will wear under the corset."

Alice's mouth dropped open, and she pulled away from Jasper's embrace, stood up, set her hands on her hips, let out an incredulous huff. "I'll go with the two of you. It's not fair, Edward, that your mother, Elizabeth, gets to have all the fun, be the one who designs clothes for Bella. I do have multiple degrees on clothing design and fashion, you know?"

Bella tensed. She loved Alice, loved her similar to the way she imagined sisters loved each other, but if she came, "helped" Edward's beloved mother, Elizabeth, design her off-the‐shoulder chemise, she could go overboard, get self‐absorbed, try to modernize it a bit too much, and Bella wanted to keep her undergarments as authentic as possible, wanted to surprise Edward, make him happy . . . not that Elizabeth couldn't hold her own against Alice, make her adhere to Bella's wishes, Bella had seen how she was perfectly capable of that, but it would be much easier, faster, if Elizabeth designed her off the shoulder chemise on her own, without Alice's interference.

Edward must have inferred this from her body language, because he came up with the perfect excuse for Alice not to come, and she couldn't get offended, not with what Edward told her. Edward shook his head. "I know you have multiple degrees on clothing design and fashion, Alice, but those are pretty modern, and I am certain Bella and my beloved mother, Elizabeth, want to design Bella's off‐the‐shoulder chemise as it would have been done in days long since past, and, in addition, I am also certain my beloved mother, Elizabeth, desires to bond with Bella and I further, spend some Masen family time. I do not want you to feel out of place, akin to a third wheel."

Esme and Carlisle both stood up, each setting a hand on one of Alice's shoulders. "Let Edward and Bella go, Alice, bond with Elizabeth even more. Edward's her only son, and though we're incapable of understanding the bond between Edward, his mother, Elizabeth, and Bella, as none of us can have biological children of our own, we should let them be. The fact that Edward and Bella want to spend a lot of time with Elizabeth, Edward's biological mother, without us, the Cullens, coming, disrupting it, it doesn't mean they love us any less, just that their bond with Elizabeth is quite different than the one they have with us."

Alice sighed, rolled her eyes, stuck out her tongue good-naturedly at Edward and Bella, then smiled. "Alright, fine, but promise me one thing, please, Bella. Esme and I get to be involved with your bridal makeup, getting you dressed the day of your wedding, whenever that might be, as I cannot see a specific date anymore, though I have an idea of the timeline."

Bella took a deep, calming breath, inhaled through her nose, let it out slowly through her mouth. "Fine, Alice, but with one condition." Bella held up a finger to emphasize her words. "There are certain things which I only want Edward's biological mother, Elizabeth, to do when it comes to getting me dressed, preparing me to walk down the aisle."

Alice was practically jumping up and down, a huge grin on her face—jittery with excitement. She darted over to where Bella sat on Edward's lap, moved so fast, Bella didn't even see it, threw her cold, sisterly arms around Bella, giving her a light, gentle hug. "Yay! Thank you, Bella."

Esme set a hand on Alice's shoulder, prying her away from Bella. "You can tell me, Alice, and Elizabeth, what things only Elizabeth is allowed to do later, when we're getting you dressed, preparing you to walk down the aisle."

Bella gave Esme a grateful look, felt Edward press a kiss to the top of her head, shift on the couch. "Alright, my Bella, my beautiful bride-to-be, we must go now, as we have a lot to do."

Still ignoring Rosalie and Emmett, Edward rose, got off the couch, still holding Bella in his arms, shifted his hold around her so he carried her like a groom carried his new bride, walked out the door, then moved fast like only he could, and Bella was sitting on the passenger seat of Edwards Aston Martin, her seatbelt on, Edward beside her, her left hand held firmly in his, in less than a second. Bella waited for Edward to start the car, was driving away fast, so fast, Bella was sure they weren't adhering to traffic laws, but she didn't care. She didn't speak, not until they were far, far away from the Cullen household, enough that Bella was sure none of them would overhear her conversation with Edward, no matter that they had very enhanced, acute senses. "That went better than I expected."

Soft, quiet laughter, Edward turning so he could press a soft, honey-sweet kiss to Bella's lips. "I suppose it would seem that way to you, after all, you had not Rosalie's vile, wretched, jealous thoughts shouting for your attention, nor Emmett's really annoying, dirty, disgusting ones, wondering about our love life, whether or not we are having sex, as if I would ever make love to you without being married to you first." He let out a snort, his laughter holding dark, satisfied humor. "I think my beloved mother, Elizabeth, would have a thing or two to say to those two if she could hear their thoughts, had been there." He shook his head, let go of her hand momentarily so he could touch his cold knuckles to her cheek. "Rosalie and Emmett's vile thoughts, they matter not, not now that we are far, far away from them, too far for me to hear their thoughts."

Bella flinched internally, leaned over, pressed a soft, sweet kiss to Edwards lips. "I'm sorry you had to go through that, hear Rosalie and Emmett's thoughts, especially if they were vile, dirty, disgusting, and jealous."

Edward shook his head, his beautiful lips curving into that half smile she loved, that made her heart beat faster. "You need not be sorry, Bella, Love, Rosalie and Emmett's thoughts, it is nothing you could have stopped, protected me from. Let us stop talking about Emmett and Rosalie, switch the subject, plan out what we are going to do next, shall we? I am driving out of the forks Town limits, towards Port Angeles, where we will go to various organic food stores, akin to how we did in Chicago, then, when we have finished, gotten enough food for you, at least for the next couple of days, we will go to Charlie's house, where, if he is not home, I will cook lunch for you, quick and fast, like only I can, then we will do what you wanted to do there, which, I am assuming, is to go to your room, burn all of your old clothes, get rid of it."

The grocery shopping trip, it went by fast, Edward buying everything he needed to cook for Bella, all of the food organic, of course, within less than half an hour, not counting the trip to and from Port Angeles, and soon they were back in Edward's Aston Martin, less than five minutes away from Charlie's house. Edward and Bella were lucky, really, really lucky, because Edward couldn't hear any minds in or near Charlie's house, which meant Charlie wasn't home and no one was in the vicinity. Edward parked the car in the driveway, next to Bella's truck, and looking at it, it made Bella shiver, remember Jacob's cold eyes, the violence and hatred in his gaze.

A light squeeze of her hand, Edward's cold, strong, gentle fingers running over her wrist, the lines of her palm. "Hey, Bella, what is the matter? Talk to me, Love, tell me what it is that you are thinking so I can help you."

Bella shivered again, somehow managed to bury her face against his chest, though her seatbelt was still on, inhale the sweet, addictive, intoxicating scent of his skin. "It's nothing, really, I'm just looking at that truck, my truck, and I—"

Edward didn't need, nor let her say anymore, pressed his cold forefinger against her lips, then reached over, took off her seatbelt, brought her into his lap. Gently, slowly, his hands came up to frame her face, and Edward, he took a kiss, soft, honey-sweet, and deep, deep as he was willing to make it without fear of hurting her, his tongue, cold as ice, darting out to explore the seam of her lips, take in the taste of her skin. "I will get you a new car soon, help you rid yourself of that monstrosity of a truck that relates you to that filthy, wretched, immature, rabid, feral, teenage dog. Come now, my Bella, my sweet, only love, let me give you something to eat, cook for you, as you must be starving, then we will put the first phase of our plan into action, burn all of your old clothing, after which I will take you to our new, semi-permanent home, where we will unpack, see my beloved mother, Elizabeth, spend some time with her. And then, after she leaves, I will hold you and kiss you in our bed, where we will practice for our wedding night and honeymoon."

He took off his seatbelt, got out of the car, still holding Bella in his arms, briefly setting her down so he could open the door, then carried her inside, to the dining room table, sat her down on a chair, then moved, fast like only he could, went back to the car, took out the things he needed to cook for her, and soon he was back in the house, making Bella her lunch, only pausing to ask her where certain utensils were. Soon, the scent of fresh herbs and spices and homemade, organic food was filling the air, making Bella's stomach grumble, her mouth watering.

Soon, Edward had a plate of delicately, perfectly seasoned halibut, with a side of potatoes, broccoli, wilted spinach, asparagus, and mushrooms, in front of her. Bella waited, watched him walk around the table, his long, strong, cold fingers brushing over the smooth wood, sit in front of her, then began to eat. The food, it was delicious, all of it, perfectly seasoned, like with everything Edward cooked for her. She ate slowly, trying to enjoy her food, yet also quickly, wanting to take care of her human needs fast as possible, then burn her old clothes, and get out of here, this house, go to her and Edward's new, semi-permanent home. Edward didn't say anything, likely sensing she wanted to get out of here quickly as possible, simply watched her eat with a soft, loving smile on his lips, washed all the dishes when she was done, fast like only he could, return to her, lifted her into his arms, like how a groom carried his new bride.

Bella wrapped her arms round his neck, buried her face against his chest, took a deep breath in preparation for going to her room as he took her upstairs, inhaled the sweet, addictive, intoxicating scent of his skin. He shifted her weight so he held her with naught but one arm, opened the door of her bedroom. Bella let out a sigh, turned away from his chest, the delicious, sweet scent of his skin, was about to survey her room, but Edward's beautiful, perfect face, it caught her attention, made her heart beat faster, adrenaline and fear a mixture in her bloodstream. She wasn't afraid of Edward, of course not, could never and would never be afraid of him, for her beautiful fiance and future husband, he'd never heard her, would do the opposite, protect her with his life if necessary, but his face, it told her she should be afraid, that something dangerous was or had been in her room. His lips were curled back into a sneer, exposing his beautiful, but very sharp teeth, a mixture of a hiss and a growl coming from deep within his chest. He held her tight against his body, crushed her to him as much as he could without hurting her. "Edward, wah—"

He pressed his cold forefinger against her lips, quieting her, then kissed her, and his kiss, it was filled with love, held a desperate edge, as if he wanted to protect her, shield her with his body and his kiss. "The dog has been here quite recently, perhaps about a half an hour or so ago, maybe a little more, not only in the house, but in your room, your private space as well. What he was doing here, I know not, for he has no business coming here, into your room, but I thank God that you were with me, not here, in Charlie's house, alone with Charlie, the dog, and his father." Edward kissed her again, this kiss hard, but soft, holding relief. "I shudder to think what could have happened to you with your luck, my sweet, only love"

Bella scowled in disgust, her eyebrows knitting together. "Don't set me down, let go of me, I don't want to get that dog's filthy, disgusting scent all over me."

He laughed, quiet, soft, and dark, stroked her hair, her face. "Oh, Bella, do you have any idea how happy this makes me, the fact that you see the dog and his father as I do, dangerous and a menace?" Edward kissed her before she could answer, quick, soft, and light. "I, like you, do not wish to let you go, set you down anywhere in this room or this entire house, for that matter, but, alas, set you down and let go of you momentarily, I must, Darling, so I can empty your closet, place everything in trash bags, which we will take with us when we leave, go to our new, semi-permanent home, and we will burn your clothing that was here, in the same vicinity as that dog and his father, shortly after we get there. Perhaps, if you would like, we can ask my beloved mother, Elizabeth, to help you bathe when she comes to our new, semi-permanent home to take the measurements for your off‐the ‐shoulder chemise, wash away any traces of that dog's filthy, disgusting sent that might cling to you."

He set her down gently on her bed, then moved fast like only he could, brought a roll of trash bags, began throwing all of her old clothes into trash bag after trash bag, pausing once to ask Bella if there was anything from her closet she wanted to keep. Bella shook her head, reiterated what she'd told Alice what seemed like so long ago, but was only a week ago—that she didn't want to have anything that linked her to that dog, adding that he'd bought her a whole bunch of new clothes anyway, really, really beautiful, elegant, expensive clothes, would buy her even more when they went to England and France, shopping for her honeymoon wardrobe. Edward didn't speak, say anything after that, simply continued putting all of her old clothes in trash bags, neatly tying each trash bag when it got full, moving on to the next.

When he was finished, perhaps only about five minutes after he first got started, Bella's room looked somewhat different, piled with black trash bags on one corner, her closet completely empty, devoid of clothes or shoes. It was a good thing Charlie never came into Bella's room, snooped around her closet, or bothered trying to do the laundry, else, he'd notice pretty quickly something was off, had changed dramatically in Bella's life. Edward walked slowly, like a human, closer to Bella, picked her up into his arms, like how a groom carried his new bride, nestled her hair, pressed a kiss to it. Bella pulled away from his embrace, set her hands on his shoulders, holding him at arm's length. "Edward, don't hold me close and kiss me right now . . . God, this kills me." Bella decided to chance it, cupped his cheek, brushing her thumb over his cheekbone, then his beautiful, full lips. "You know how much I love getting under your skin, my love, my beautiful fiance and future husband, but I don't want to get that dog's filthy, disgusting scent all over you, ruin the sweet, addictive scent of your skin."

He laughed, low and soft, pressed a quick, butterfly kiss to her throat, making her pulse somersault, her heart beat faster. "Ah, my Bella, you barely smell of that filthy dog, mostly smell of you, my sweet, only love, your sweet scent intertwined with mine, for we are together all the time, you and I, and the scent of your skin combined with my scent, it calls not to the predator part of me, the part that thirsts for your blood, though that part of me will never totally go away, not until I change you, make you like me, a vampire—but to a part of me that wants to kiss and hold you close, make you mine, be together with you as only husband and wife should be." He kissed her again, her lips, warm and yielding, shaping themselves around his. 'Come, my Bella, I will get you to the car, return here, get all of these bags containing your old clothes, then we will go to our new, semi-permanent home, where we will burn all of this rubbish."

He moved, fast like only he could, and Bella was in the passenger seat of the car, her door shut. Another minute and a half and all the rubbish bags containing Bella's old clothing and shoes were in the trunk and backseats of the car, Edward beside her, her left hand held firmly in one of his, his cold thumb tracing soft, soothing circles on her wrist, over the thin white gold chain that was that of her bracelet that had been Edward's gift to her, which had once belonged to his beloved mother, Elizabeth.

Edward drove fast like he always did, not bothering to adhere to traffic laws because it wasn't necessary, not with his ability to read minds, coupled with his very, very fast reflexes, drove out of town, deep, deep into the forest, to the other side of the Forks River. Bella wasn't sure how long they drove for, was too busy staring at his hand, his pale, pale snow white skin that sparkled as faint rays of sunlight hit it. There was something different about the way his skin sparkled under the sun than the first time she'd seen it, because his skin, it wasn't simply sparkling, throwing rainbows on the glass of the car, but glowing, as if a white flame, bright, pure, and hot, burnt behind his skin, and his skin, it wasn't the only thing that was glowing, because his irises, they, too, glowed, glittered with gold-green flames, the color a mixture between the golden color of his eyes, and that of his mother's, Elizabeth's eyes, whose color was akin to emeralds. She reached out with her hand to gently touch his cheek, gasped quietly when the skin of her hand that was in contact with Edward's skin began to glow, sparkle, too, though she wasn't a vampire yet.

Edward seemed to be oblivious to this, or wasn't paying attention to what was happening to his body, his seemingly out of nowhere evolution. Regardless of whether or not he was paying attention to what was happening in the car, his beautiful, musical voice broke through Bella's fascination, her state of shock. "Bella, look there, Love."

Bella squinted, trying to see what he pointed towards, was surprised when her vision actually became slightly better, just enough for her to barely make out what he was pointing at. There, some distance away, was a clearing, only . . . no, it wasn't just a clearing but a medium-sized meadow, the terrain wasn't quite as large as the one of their home in Chicago, but it was more than decent enough for two people to live in. The meadow was beautiful, had all sorts of roses, white, blush pink, ruby red, and purple, their vines twining around the miniature garden that wasn't quite so small. Accompanying all the different roses were, of course, heliotropes and lilies, along with azaleas, peonies, and hydrangeas. Also in the meadow was a small, beautiful, artificial pond that Edward must have crafted himself, the water a deep, dark, vibrant blue, that was yet crystalline as glass.

All of this, the meadow, flowers, and small pond, it was the perfect background to the center of attention, a small white cottage right in the center of the meadow. It looked cozy, the cottage, as if it had been designed for two people, a romantically involved couple, to live in. The cottage reminded Bella of an English cottage on a postcard, complete with a black elm tree. The roof of the cottage, a light gray, it was a thatched roof, and some of the vines from the roses twined lightly around the walls of the cottage, giving it a beautiful, elegant, graceful, rustic effect, making Bella feel as if she was in a fairy tale all over again, her and Edward's own, little fairy tale. In the center of the cottage, above the door frame, Bella could just make out what must be a family crest, consisting of white and purple roses, along with hydrangeas and violets, tied together by a gold leaflet. "Wow, Edward, this is beautiful, our new, semi-permanent home, perfect for us to live in while we get married, go to our honeymoon, and you impregnate me, be it with Edward or Nessy Elizabeth." Bella was aware her voice was low, naught but a whisper, full of awe.

Bella could hear a smile, love and relieve clear in Edward's voice when he spoke. "I am happy to hear that you like our new, semi-permanent home." Edward turned, cupped her cheek, stroked her hair, tucked it back behind her ears. "I tried bringing elements from all of our properties, both in England and Chicago, here, though, of course, I knew not then that I would be bringing you here, could have never dreamed of living here with my sweet, only love while we impatiently waited for all the wedding preparations to be finished. You have only seen the outside of our new, semi-permanent home, but the inside, it, too, is supposed to resemble and reflect our homes, both in England and in Chicago." He kissed her, quick, fast, and light. "Wait here, please, my Bella, I am going to go get our luggage inside, then return for you, carry you over the threshold, my beautiful bride-to-be and future wife, give you a thorough, detailed, complete tour of the cottage, as it is quite small, but hopefully you find it cozy, homey."

He kissed her again, this time her forehead, then the crown of her head. 'I will return to you in naught but a moment, so soon, that, have time to miss me, you will not, Darling." Then he was gone, moved fast like only he could, took their baggage with him, leaving only the trash bags containing Bella's old clothes, was back in less than a second, before Bella blinked three times, the car door open, Edward bending down, taking Bella into his arms, like how a groom carried his new bride, pressing a soft, sweet kiss to her lips. "Alright, let us get you Inside, Love, so that I might show you the inside of our new, semi-permanent home, then, once I have finished giving you a tour, I will build a fire pyre, and we will throw your old clothing in it, let it burn up, be consumed by the heart of the flames until it is naught but gray ashes left upon the soil, easily swiped away."

He moved slowly, slower than even a human at walking pace, letting Bella take the outside of their new, semi-permanent home in, and, when they got close enough to the white cottage at the center of the meadow, Bella pointed to what she thought was a family crest. "What is that, Edward, my beautiful fiance and future husband, the love of my existence?"

Edward shifted her weight so he held her with naught but one arm, traced the curve of her lips with his thumb, his touch leaving a trail of fire on her skin despite the cold temperature of his own. "Such a way with words you have, my Bella, my sweet, only love, can get under my skin like no one else can, all you need do is speak sweet, loving words such as the ones you spoke now, and I am bewitched, under your spell, my heart and soul in your hands as they always are. That is my father's family crest, along with my mother's, Elizabeth's family crest put together, combined into one unique, beautiful family crest, my birthright, of course, because you, along with our future child, be it Edward or Nessy Elizabeth—are indelibly a part of me, a piece of my heart, it is now your birthright, too."

Edward opened the door made of ebony walnut wood, the doorway through which they walked slightly arched and pointed, reminding Bella of some paintings she'd seen of Hampton Court and medieval churches and cathedrals. The room they walked into—a formal drawing room, it was a smaller copy of the drawing room in their home back in Chicago, had the same color palette, same kind of plaster work, and nearly identical copies of the furniture, at least what furniture could fit in the room, because this drawing room, it was half the size of the one in Chicago, was complete with a sleek, black, grand piano, and a sizeable fireplace that somehow managed to look majestic and not too in the face at the same time, graceful, the plaster work on the edges tiny, handcrafted roses and lilies with hummingbirds standing on some of the rose vines—beautiful and delicate.

"Some of the rooms," Edward's beautiful voice broke through Bella's thoughts, his sweet, cold breath washing over her skin, "such as this, the drawing room, our bedroom, the kitchen, and bathroom, might seem very familiar to you, as I tried to make them as close as I could to their respective counterparts in our home in Chicago, though, of course, they are significantly smaller, as this cottage is quite small compared to our home in Chicago, but others, such as the small, modest library, and my study, which I use as an office, had time not to show them to you while we were in Chicago, will be quite new to you." A pause, Edwards eyebrows knitting together, a little vee marring his forehead. Bella stretched up, pressed a kiss to it, smoothing it away, sensed rather than saw Edward's smile. "Perhaps I should wait until after my beloved mother, Elizabeth, comes, to give you the complete tour of our new, semi-permanent home. Yes, I reckon that will be best, that way my beloved mother, Elizabeth, can help you bathe and unpack, for, as much as I want to do so myself, help you bathe and unpack, I cannot see you fully undressed yet, as you are not my wife yet, nor should I see your undergarments, help you organize them."

Bella groaned in frustration, pressed sweet, soft, warm kisses to the hard, cold, smooth skin of his throat, felt him kiss her hair repeatedly in turn. "I know it is frustrating, my love, that we cannot do everything together yet, but we need only wait a couple more weeks, then it will be I who helps you bathe, as I will be bathing with you, will help you unpack, too." He took her lips in a soft, honey-sweet kiss, his hand framing her face. "Come, let us go burn your old clothing in the meantime, while we wait for my beloved mother, Elizabeth, to come."

He took her back outside before she could speak, fast like only he could, sat her down on a bench made of a tree trunk, in front of what Bella realized was the perfect place to light a bonfire, stones already set in a circle, the pile of wood built up high, enough so the bonfire would burn for hours. Not saying anything, he went to go get the bags containing her old clothes, was back in less than a second, had started the bonfire. He went over to Bella, helped her stand, his arm around her waist, taking most of her weight, guided her closer to the bonfire, then handed her an item of her old clothing.

She threw it into the raging fire, watched as the fabric was consumed by the flames. As she and Edward burned more and more of her old clothing, she felt a weight being lifted, as if she was being reborn, like a phoenix.