Writing on the Wall

Chapter 14: Visitors

Carlisle

I was sitting on the recliner I'd moved to the bedroom, watching the rise and fall of Bella's chest as she slept peacefully, when I heard the soft knock on the door.

"Come in," I murmured softly, not wanting to wake her.

It was Edward who came in, his expression unsure and troubled. In a whisper, he asked: "How is she?"

"Her wound healed up quite nicely, thankfully. She just needs to catch up on rest." I stood up from my seat and gestured for Edward to join me at the other end of the room to continue the conversation.

"They're arriving in a few minutes," he reminded me.

"I'll be ready then."

Silence. Edward's eyes kept darting to Bella's sleeping form on the bed, his lips pursed in a fine line. He tucked both of his hands––the arm had healed up well without complication––in his pockets and eventually sighed softly. "Carlisle, I have to tell you––"

"I already know."

He froze then, his eyes widening and searching mine.

It was the truth. On the way to the camp the previous day, Alice had described her vision in great detail. She'd foreseen Edward's sacrifice, even his death, as well as his final request.

Tell me you love me.

And Bella had kissed him fervently.

"I thought I wasn't going to make it," Edward explained, his expression remorseful. "I hope…I beg of you to not take this transgression against me, and especially not against her––"

"Edward," I cut off softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. I was silent then, letting him read my thoughts.

There's nothing to forgive.

And it was the truth. It hadn't slipped my notice that Bella's first love would always be Edward, and it was bound to manifest in some way. That didn't just disappear, not entirely. And I was sure it was the same for him.

I understood. And my love for her was unconditional, and my respect for Edward was unwavering. I trusted them; they were my family.

"You're too kind for your own good," Edward sighed softly, relaxing his posture.

I chuckled, leaning back against the grey wall. "If anything, I should be thanking you."

"Why?"

"You saved her," I said. "I was the one who put you in that dangerous situation, and you risked everything––your own life, for her sake. I am indebted to you."

Edward's fingers wandered to the faint scar across his forearm. After a moment, he responded: "I think you have it quite wrong. I may have risked my life, but she saved it."

My eyes turned to Bella again for a moment, who'd mumbled something unintelligible in her sleep before shifting her position to face the other side of the room. "Still never fails to amaze me, how willing she is to do so. For beings like us."

"She's too good for us," Edward agreed. After a few seconds however, he looked up at me, and retracted: "No, she's too good for me."

I raised an eyebrow.

"You gave and continue to give her everything that she needs and more," he continued, his gaze earnest. "I may have given my blessing before…but it was more a response to defeat and of respect. Only now do I truly understand that it's you she's meant for. And I could only feel relief and contentment with that fact."

My chest swelled at his words, and I reached out again to hold him by his shoulder. He took it another step further by opening his arms and pulling me in a tight embrace.

Edward wasn't much of a hugger.

"Just promise me you'll take care of her," he whispered. "Actually, never mind. I know you will."

"Correct," I chuckled.

When he pulled away, his eyes remained transfixed on the window next to me. He nodded to the view below him. "They're here."

I turned around and followed his line of sight, which landed on the approaching convoy of vintage cars in our driveway. One by one, the passengers hopped out of the vehicles. It was the pack, complete and all in their human form, led by Jacob with his Rabbit.

I was mildly surprised as I watched Jacob pull out a wheelchair from his trunk. Embry and Quil hopped to his side aided him in setting the familiar man in the passenger seat on it.

I turned to my right and found Edward already gone.

"Dr. Cullen."

Billy Black's greeting was formal and professional. Even though I'd invited our guests inside our home, he'd insisted to have the conversation outside. As Jacob pushed his chair forward slowly, Billy had his hands around a brown package on his lap, his eyes wary.

It was the first time we'd be properly conversing since he'd awoken from his vampire-induced coma––or even more than that, since we'd never formally met.

"Good morning, Billy," I greeted warmly anyway, stepping forward from my place between Edward and Alice on the porch. "I'm glad to see you up and awake. I hope you've been feeling well."

His mouth betrayed a small smile, then. A grateful one. "Very well, doctor. I believe I owe that part to you."

"You owe me nothing," I insisted.

Billy's eyes narrowed, and his expression turned thoughtful and solemn. "I've been briefed on the recent events, and feel it best to talk about where to go from here."

The treaty. "I understand. We're open to hear your terms."

Billy surprised me by laughing, and I noticed that the man turned several years younger when he did. "Terms?"

Jacob was smiling, too.

I bowed my head. "I apologize. I merely assumed you're here to formally reinstate the treaty we'd temporarily put on hold due to the battle. Now that it's over…"

"Are you trustworthy, Dr. Cullen?"

I looked up, slightly taken aback by the question. "I beg your pardon?"

"Do you believe yourself to be good?" Billy pressed, his voice deep and countenance astute. "To be worthy?"

It took me a moment before I was able to form a proper response. "I cannot claim to be so, because I believe no one in the world is purely and only good. But I try." I gestured to my family on the porch. "We try."

"Why did you help us?" he asked. "Even against those of your own kind?"

"Because…It was right thing to do," I sighed. "We fought by your side because Victoria and her army were a threat to those we care about."

Billy pursed his lips. "And you protect those you love?"

I nodded earnestly.

He leaned back on his chair, looking satisfied. "Then we are not so different after all, doctor. You are protectors, too, in your own way. Which is why we don't believe a treaty, at least with your coven, is necessary anymore."

My eyes widened, and I heard Rosalie quietly gasp from behind me.

"Billy…" I let out an incredulous breath.

He reached out and held out a hand. "Terms are unnecessary when you are on the same side."

I returned his smile, and took his firm grip, shaking it once. I caught Jacob chuckling from the corner of my eye.

"Billy? Is that you?"

I turned to the sweet, sleepy voice that came from the open doorway. I felt my heart warming at the sight of Bella, cheeks flushed from a good rest, and hair tucked in a quick, sloppy bun. She seemed to have rushed in dressing up, and the jacket she'd probably fished out in a hurry was tucked in slightly to her shorts.

"My darling Bella," Billy greeted with pleasant surprise, arms opening wide.

Bella laughed mirthfully and ran the rest of the way, crouching slightly to give Billy a warm embrace at his side. Jacob also greeted her by ruffling the hair at the top of her head.

It was an endearing sight to see, and I understood now what she meant when she said the Blacks were her second family.

"This is for you," Billy said, handing her the brown package. It was only when Bella opened the bag slightly that I took a whiff of it.

"Your lasagna," Bella whispered in shock. Her eyes were beginning to swell with jovial tears, and she turned her gaze back to the man on the wheelchair. "I'm so glad you're okay," she sighed, hugging him again.

"Likewise," he said, suddenly turning pensive when Bella pulled away. "Jacob told me what you'd done."

She blushed a gorgeous scarlet as Billy turned her arm over and lifted the sleeve of her jacket, revealing the bandage I'd replaced that morning. "It's nothing, it was stupid. Nothing compared to what everyone else did."

He smiled up at her, patting her arm gently. "My brave girl."

She chuckled then, pulling her arm away. She sauntered back in my direction, her eyes looking up at me softly as she did, and a gentle smile across her pink lips. When she took her rightful place by my side, I felt her warm, slender fingers timidly brush against mine.

I spent no time in smoothly intwining my fingers around hers, taking her hand wholly. Her breath caught in her throat next to me, to my delight.

The gesture didn't go unnoticed by the chieftain, whose lips quirked in understanding.

"Sometimes, Dr. Cullen," he began, his gaze fixed on our entwined fingers, "you can admit that you're good." He looked up at me then, looking thoroughly amused. "Only good people deserve good things."

I tightened my hand around my heart. "Perhaps."

"Am I allowed to speak freely, then?" It was Alice, who had bounded down the steps and stood on my other side, taking my free arm. "With the treaty dissolved and all, I mean. I'd like to make a suggestion."

Sam, who had been standing next to Jacob, snorted. "What kind of suggestion are we talking about?" he asked, crossing his arms.

I heard Edward chuckle behind me.

"A party," Alice finally said, clasping her hands together excitedly. "To celebrate this new chapter in our alliance."

Bella

As it turned out, the wolves were big on parties.

Alice had set the first floor and the backyard of the Cullen home with lanterns and decorations, while Emmett had helped set the long outdoor tables and stools. The house glowed alluringly in the night, and with the help of Edward's great taste in all sorts of music, it also seemed to pulsate as Cider Sky played in the background.

Naturally, Carlisle was in charge of the food.

I was surprised to see that not only the wolves arrived to the party, but also other citizens from the reservation.

Some of the boys even brought their girlfriends with them. Sam was apparently seeing Leah's cousin, Emily, a Native American beauty with an entrancing smile. Jared brought Kim, a shy looking girl who never left his side.

I spotted Leah and Seth coming out of their family car, accompanied by their mom. Sue. She smiled at me knowingly, but didn't move to approach me any further.

After spending the first couple of hours at the party bringing out the food from the kitchen––it had to be constantly refilled, with eight ravenous wolves at our midst––and making small talk the new guests awkwardly, I jumped from a sudden voice behind me. "Hey there."

I turned around quickly to face Jacob, who'd popped out of nowhere. He was smiling his signature toothy grin, and his arms pulled me in for a welcoming bear hug.

"Hey, Jake."

He let me go, then looked around at the venue. "Your friends know how to fix a party, for sure."

I chuckled. "It's Alice. It's her thing."

He hummed in acknowledgment, then gestured for me to follow him to the corner of the backyard. When we reached a rather secluded spot behind a tree, he proceeded to cross his arms and lean against the bark.

"So when is it?" he asked.

"What?"

His expression turned a little solemn. "You know, when you plan to join them. Like, be one of them. A bloodsucker."

I had to take a step back, not expecting the question. "Jake, I don't get what you're implying."

He sighed exasperatedly. "It's one of the other reasons we dropped the treaty. I…We know that's how it's gonna end, right? With the doctor being your…mate and all?"

I narrowed my eyes. "And you're okay with that?"

"Of course not," he said ruefully, kicking the grass beneath him. "If it were up to me…But we respect it. It's a choice you're making. All I'm doing––also Dad––is to make sure you make the right one."

I leaned against the tree next to him, crossing my arms like he did. "Okay, you're right. It's most likely how it's gonna end."

"Most likely?"

"Nothing's set in stone," I said, looking up at him. "I'm taking my time. He's not forcing me into it. Can't we just enjoy right here, right now, without thinking about that yet?"

Jacob hesitated, before taking my hand in his. He was so warm.

"I'm always going to be here, Jake, if that's what you're worried about," I said, squeezing his palm. "For you."

He returned my smile. "No more snobby bitch Bella when you leave, then?"

"I'll put you on speed dial," I promised seriously. "We can call once a day."

That widened his grin, and he looked utterly satisfied with my offer. Letting go of my hand, he said, "Deal."

There was a polite clearing of throat from across us, and I looked up to see Edward, dressed in a casual gray t-shirt, his hands tucked in his pockets. He regarded Jacob with kind eyes.

"May I borrow her?" he asked, bowing his head slightly. "I'd invite you to stay, but I understand how you are in awkward situations."

I choked on my laughter, and I turned to see Jacob shaking his head incredulously. "Very funny, Limbless," he said. Then, to me, "I'll see you later."

Edward took Jacob's place next to me, his honey-golden eyes never leaving mine.

I cleared my throat awkwardly, looking away. It was, after all, going to be our first one-on-one conversation since the incident at the camp. I'd expected him or Carlisle to bring it up sooner, but they never did.

Well, I suppose until now.

"How's the limb?" I decided to open when he showed no intention of speaking yet.

He shrugged, stretching out the arm in question. "Good as new, I suppose."

"Good," I nodded, then pursed my lips. "Your arm getting cut off, that was absolutely traumatizing to watch. I think I even had a nightmare about it last night. But the reattachment part…"

Edward tilted his head curiously.

"Fascinating, really," I admitted sheepishly. "It's the first time I've ever seen what's under there." I poked the skin of his arm at the last word.

He chuckled once, and his mouth froze on a lopsided grin. "You've seen all of me then."

A comfortable silence. Edward's features gradually turned more somber. Eventually, he said, "I'm staying with the family."

"Hmm?"

"Esme's convinced everyone to come back, as she always does," he said slowly. "There's a small fishing town near Kingston where we plan to stay a while. Rosalie and Emmett will enroll where Alice and Jasper are staying, while I attend the local high school as a junior."

I scoffed in disbelief. "High school, again?"

Edward shrugged. "The usual."

I was still in shock, processing the news. The Cullens were back together. That was good news, wasn't it? I couldn't help but wonder if the choice of their new home was because of me––

Then it finally sunk in. The Cullens were back together. Did that mean…? Was that was Edward was trying to say?

I decided it best to just ask. "And Carlisle?"

He broke a knowing grin, then, probably already expecting the question. "Well, you should talk to him about that, after the party. He's the only one of us left undecided."

I swallowed. "I don't want to be the reason he separates from you all."

To my surprise, his expression abruptly turned serious. "Do you still not understand his feelings for you at all? After everything?"

I opened and closed my mouth a few times, before deciding to keep it shut.

Edward sighed––musically, if that was possible––and walked over stand directly across from me. He gently took both of my forearms in his hands. He twisted them upwards, and that was when I noticed what he was looking at: on my left wrist was the distinctive scar from James' bite, and on my right was the wound I'd made on myself to distract the newborns.

"Both of these, caused by me," he said quietly.

"Don't do that."

"I know," he replied, looking up at me sadly. "It's just an observation, I suppose."

He let go, and I let my arms fall limply at my sides.

"What happened at the camp…" he finally began, his eyes fixed on the ground, "I just want it to be clear that you owe me nothing."

I bit my lip. I'd actually been practicing in my head the past couple of days what I was going to say, if the topic was to ever come up. After a deep breath, I said, "I do love you."

His eyes darted up to me immediately, silently questioning.

"There's always going to be that part of me that will love you," I said in almost a whisper. "At the camp…That was when it was so clear to me that even though things didn't work out the way we'd hoped before, I still never want to lose you." I looked up at him. "You said you wanted to stay in my life. Do you still mean that?"

"As unconventional that may be, yes," he replied, a smile slowly forming.

"Then you're stuck with me," I deadpanned, crossing my arms.

"How unfortunate," he sighed, before pulling me in for a grateful embrace.

Carlisle kept himself busy and conversed with all the guests throughout the entire party, that I'd given up waiting for him to be alone. This was, after all, a celebration of their indefinite alliance, and I understood that this night was for them.

When my social battery ran out, I decided to just secretly duck back in the house and lie myself down on the couch by the fireplace. I didn't even notice that I'd fallen sleep, until I was gently brought back to consciousness by a cool, familiar hand caressing the side of my jaw.

I opened my eyes and my heart instantly fluttered at the sight of Carlisle's angelic features illuminated by the fire.

"Let me bring you to bed, sweetheart," he murmured.

While that was a very tempting offer, I decided to sit up straight––ignoring the dizziness I felt from the sudden movement––and stretched out my arms with a yawn. "Nope. Not sleepy." I looked around, noticing the house was quiet. "Party over so soon?"

He frowned. "It's three in the morning, so yes."

Oh. I rubbed the corners of my eyes, trying to shake myself awake. "I need to talk to you."

"Bella," he said, worry etched on his perfect features. "We can talk about anything you want once you're fully rested."

I groaned, opening my eyes wide. I was becoming more and more awake, though it was taking a while. "Nope. I've been resting like a bum for days already."

Carlisle sighed, finally obliging. He tucked a leg up on the couch and shifted his position so he was facing me, his arm resting on the back of the seat.

He waited patiently.

"First things first," I started, clearing my throat and setting my now-sweaty palms on my lap. "I'd like to ask for your forgiveness. For what happened with Edward."

To my chagrin, Carlisle simply rolled his eyes. "Is that all?"

"Are you––" I scoffed incredulously. "That doesn't bother you?"

He puckered his lips into an adorable, slightly condescending frown. "Should it?"

"Well…no, but––"

"That settles it then," he said simply. "You know me, Bella. You're aware of the extent of my feelings for you. How I've shown it to you." He leaned in closer, and pressed his hand against the bare top of my chest.

My heart pounded like a jackhammer instantaneously.

His lips curved into a satisfied smile. "And I know you, and where I stand to you."

I released a breath shakily. His self-assured manner made him ten times more attractive, if that was even possible. With all the strength and dignity I had left, I cleared my throat and struggled to keep my composure. "Okay then."

He pulled his hand away slowly and placed it on his lap. I instantly missed the contact, but I had stupid important things to continue.

"Second note," I continued. "We need to talk about your plans after we leave Forks."

His lighthearted aura dissipated temporarily then, and his expression turned a bit grave. "Right…You've heard of the family's plans, I presume?"

"Carlisle, if you want to join them, I promise the roles-to-play gig won't bother me."

He surprised me when he threw his head back in genuine laughter––a sound I realized I'd sorely missed the past few days.

"If I want?" he repeated. "I thought you knew me. Can you tell me what you think I want?"

"I––" I choked. "I just thought you'd want the option there. They're your family, after all."

He nodded slowly. "Okay, that's fair, to an extent. I do want to be close to my family. But what else do I want, Bella?"

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

He tutted a couple of times, and suddenly lifted me with ease from my place on the couch and sat me sideways on his lap. His hands lingered on the sides of my thighs; I was wearing shorts, and I knew he felt the rise of the hairs on my skin when he touched me.

"Would you like me to tell you?" he said in a dangerously low voice against my collarbone. "Show you? Perhaps both?"

He began peppering languid kisses on my clavicle, his cool tongue occasionally darting out. I sighed and instantly melted against him, already starting to forget my worries.

"I want to quit my job," he whispered, positioning me to lean lower against him whilst cradled in his arm, my head nestled on his shoulder. He looked at me with tenderness, before nuzzling the side of my neck and leaving love bites on the skin.

I gasped and moaned, pressing my thighs together as I felt the familiar, growing need in my core. His other hand inserted itself between my legs, caressing my inner thigh.

"I want to get an apartment, a house with you," he continued. The arm supporting my back shifted that his hand had access to my chest. With his other hand, he roughly pulled the neckline of my shirt down––there was a slight ripping sound as he did, making me gasp––and exposed the purple bra I'd decided to wear that day.

He groaned, and his eyes darkened with pure lust as he shamelessly stared at my cleavage.

Suddenly, he was on his feet and I was in his arms. In a span of a few seconds, he'd brought us up the stairs and into his room at the end of the hall. He used his leg to slam the door closed behind us, and threw me backwards on the king-sized bed.

I propped myself up on my elbows and looked up at him. He stood motionless for a moment, with his eyes roving over my body from head to toe.

Carlisle wet his lips when I opened my legs.

He knelt between them and leaned down to press his lips against my own. His kiss was demanding and authoritative. I moaned as his tongue claimed my mouth, and sighed when I felt his hands wandering up under my shirt.

"I want you––to come home to me––every single day," he said feverishly between kisses.

"Oh, Carlisle," I moaned, my head spinning from the pleasure building up under my skin.

As soon as I murmured his name, he decided to completely rip my shirt apart. He threw the offending garment to the other side of the room and pulled down the straps of my bra, until he finally exposed my breasts.

He kept his golden orbs on me as his mouth moved to claim one of my hardened pink nipples, while his fingers twisted the other. I instinctively jerked my body towards him and twitched as his tongue teased the sensitive skin. My moans were just out of control at this point.

"I need you," I begged. "Now."

Carlisle smirked up at me as he continued to suck on my breast. I trembled as his hand wandered down my stomach and settled at the hem of my shorts. He purposely lightened the pressure of his touch, barely grazing the skin that met the fabric––that I was now loathing for being impossibly thick––and seemed to revel at the feel of my squirming beneath him.

He released my breast with a bit of a pop, while I released a whimper seeing the string of his saliva that still connected his open mouth to my nipple. Carlisle smiled devilishly again, before crawling downwards––leaving gentle kisses on the skin on his way––until he was face to face with the apex of my thighs.

"I want to cook for you, every day," he murmured breathlessly as his hands finally unbuttoned my shorts, pulling it down swiftly with my underwear. He kneeled down on the carpeted ground in front the bed, pulling me roughly by the hips as he did, until my legs were hung around his shoulders.

"I want you to let me…take care of you," he whispered, and I quivered when I felt his breath against my warm center.

I felt his tongue lick me slowly and sloppily, tracing the whole line of my pussy. I basically screamed in pleasure––at the back of my mind, I suddenly wondered if the other Cullens were home, and if they were aware of the ungodly things Carlisle was doing to me in that moment. However, the thought didn't last long, and when Carlisle began to gently suck on the sensitive bud, I decided I didn't even care.

Both of his hands reached up to cup each of my breasts, squeezing the nipples in sync with his lapping, heightening my pleasure. As I moaned––wailed––I reached down and tangled my fingers in his impossibly soft, tussled hair.

I was already unbelievably close when he pulled away abruptly. His cool breath continued to tickle my moist folds, and he looked up at me from his position, eyes turning a shade darker.

He slowly stood up, straightening his back. His lips were curved into a wicked smirk as he made me watch him unbutton his pants. I knew my mouth was agape and that I probably looked stupid, but I couldn't help but stare as he leisurely stripped down––for me.

He shrugged off every bit of his clothing, and I bit my lip as I ached lustfully for his perfect, lean form, towering over me.

"I want the privilege of fucking you," he whispered as he crawled on top of me, his irreverent words so deliciously paradoxical to his angelic features. "Every single time you'll let me."

"That's going to be a lot of times," I said, widening my legs further. "You're never going to catch a break."

He hummed, positioning himself against my entrance. As he always did, he wasted no time and buried himself to the hilt quickly and desperately. And as I always did, I moaned in absolute pleasure; did he feel the same way I did, that it was like our bodies were meant to connect this way?

Carlisle stayed unmoving inside me. "Really, Bella," he chuckled, his lips hovering centimeters away from mine, "do I look the type to need a break?"

"Maybe," I whispered, leaning up to bite his lip gently. "You're the oldest man I've ever met."

"Oh, you'll pay for that," he growled in a deliciously low tone.

I giggled––but was it was cut short swiftly and transformed into a whine when he thrusted in me slowly, but forcefully. A mischievous smile played across his lips as he proceeded with an unhurried, traitorous pace. I quickly became impatient, and my nails began to dig deeper on his back. Eventually, though, he couldn't resist speeding up, and each thrust gradually turned quick, full, and desperate. My breaths were in quick, hyperventilating bursts, while his grunts complimented mine.

Strangely, his playful smirk slowly but surely disappeared, and the twinkle in his eyes turned soft and affectionate. His erratic pace slowed, and his intense gaze never left my face.

He didn't say it, but didn't have to. He loves me.

I continued to feel the pleasure building up inside me despite our leisurely pace. I felt my hands wander and trail to his face, where my fingers traced across his features. I felt him release a shaky breath when my fingers lingered on his lips.

I love him.

He set himself on his elbows, closing the space between us, and cradled me impossibly close to him as he continued to make love to me. His expression remained soft and serious, his eyes grazing over my face so fondly. Like I was…important. The most important.

I just hope he knew I thought of him the same.

"Bella," he said, his voice laced with so much love and desperation.

His thrusts quickened then, and I felt my face contort and my throat release strangled cries as I teetered closer and closer to the edge. My hands wandered everywhere, grasping every inch of him, needing him. I held on to him for dear life, like I would a lifesaver, as I always did––

And we came together. Even though I kept my eyes open and fixed on him, my climax blinded me with stars. I vaguely heard him mumble something I didn't catch, but was able to watch his inhuman features exude pure euphoria. His entire body trembled as I felt him release inside me.

I was complete.

Carlisle pulled himself out slowly, before setting himself to my side and spooning me with my back against him. He reverently trailed kisses across the nape of my neck and shoulders, and I sighed with contentment.

"You said something," I said when I was able to catch my breath. I tilted my head a bit to the side to face him. "I didn't quite catch it."

He chuckled softly, before his expression morphed into pure warmth. "I said that I want you forever."

I shifted my position and turned around to fully face him then. "Forever?"

He nodded once, and I felt his hand play with the tips of my hair on my back.

"Jacob said something related to that," I murmured, my fingers trailing his jaw. He raised an eyebrow, but let me continue. "He said they expect me…to turn, one day. Called me your mate or something."

Carlisle snorted. "How crude."

"Am I, though?" I asked, looking up from my eyelashes. My hand rested on his shoulder. "Are you that sure of me? Forever's a long time, you know. What if you get sick of me? Or––"

"You're doing it again," he murmured, kissing the tip of my nose.

"Doing what?"

"Underestimating yourself to the extreme." He smiled, then lifted a finger to tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear. His fingers lingered there, and I shuddered as he grazed the sensitive skin. "You asked me once, if Edward was right. That all my life, I'd been looking for a lifetime companion."

I nodded, remembering. "Yeah. You said 'perhaps'."

Carlisle chuckled. "Perhaps I didn't want to scare you off, yet. But now I'm sure of it. Edward was wrong."

My head twitched backwards in surprise.

"'Looking for a lifetime companion'," he repeated. "It connotes…that there are several potential matches. That I had a list of things I needed, and I was looking for anyone who fit. The way he thought Esme did, back then."

He noticed me frown instinctively, and laughed again.

"He was wrong," he continued, his thumb grazing my cheek. "I was waiting for the single one."

I felt my breath catch in my throat.

"It's so natural and liberating to be honest with you about it," he whispered, his voice uneven and passionate. "Because I'm so sure of it. I've never been so sure about anything in my long life, except maybe my resolve against human blood.

"And to be honest, you don't have to feel as passionately as I do." He sighed, kissing my forehead. "Not yet. You can take all the time you need, because this time…I'm confident you're worth it all."

My fingers trembled on the side of his face. "You do it too, you know."

He tilted his head.

"You underestimate yourself," I mumbled. "You assume you love me way more than I love you."

Carlisle's eyes softened. "Oh, Bella," he whispered, pulling me closer in his embrace, and resting his head on top of my head.

Then a few seconds later, he murmured cheekily against my hair, "But it's the truth."

I pushed him away abruptly then, and looked up at him incredulously. He was stifling his laughter, his lips curled into a mischievous grin. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" I cried.

"Oh, are you telling me you're devoted to me just as equally, then?" he said, sitting up straighter suddenly. There was a prominent, almost manic glint in his eyes.

No, I wasn't going to be intimidated. "Of course I am."

"You want to be with me?" he continued, his voice a soft bass. He shifted his position to hover above me on the bed, his legs pinning my sides, and one of his hands holding himself up on the headboard.

I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms beneath him. "Obviously."

"For your whole life?" he pressed, his free hand attaching itself to my jaw, making sure I kept looking at him.

I nodded, though his grip made it difficult. "I only want you, Carlisle. I thought that was clear––"

He leaned in closer, until his nose was touching mine. I instantly felt my heart beat faster, as his scent overwhelmed me again. "Forever?" he whispered, his eyes narrowing.

"Always," I said, my voice cracking.

What I said seemed hilarious to him, because he cracked a teasing smile. With his hand still around my jaw, he dragged his nose across my cheek, inhaling deeply. I sighed, succumbing to his touch. However, he surprised me by tilting my head quite roughly to the side, making me face the other way from him, while his nose remained on the other side of my throat, lingering on my pulse.

I gasped when I felt his lips on my neck. But it wasn't puckered in the usual way of a kiss, but open mouthed. Very open to be exact, because I could feel his teeth grazing my skin––

Oh. By forever, he meant…

I felt my hands tremble in their place on his bare chest and my eyes squeeze shut. He was so still, and I could still feel his teeth on me, hovering. Almost threateningly. Suddenly, I was afraid.

But just as quickly, I felt him pull himself away. I suddenly released a long breath I didn't realize I was holding, and my trembling fingers dropped to my sides.

I opened my eyes slowly and found him poised above me again with his hand leaning against the headboard, grinning like he won. "Why do you look so pale, sweetheart? I thought you want to be with me forever."

I stuttered like an idiot then. "I––I mean, yeah, I do, I just…Of course I do, but––I don't––"

Carlisle brought a finger to my lips, still looking wildly amused. "You don't have to explain yourself, Bella. I understand. And like I said, I'm willing to wait." He leaned over one side and lay next to me, pulling me close to him. "Forever, if I have to."

"That doesn't mean you love me more," I pouted.

Carlisle hummed, kissing my temple. "Just concede, love. You won't win this one."

A/N: Only the Epilogue next! Can't believe it's been almost three years since I started writing this, and I'm very grateful for everyone who stopped by, and especially those who stuck by this story until the end.