Fanfiction Based On Characters From Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Series

Rated MA for Mature Adult

Bound To A Secret

By Struckatthesky

Summary: Bella and Edward fall in love in 1918. Bella relocates and Edward

falls victim to the flu and is changed by Carlisle. Soon Bella realizes she is

no longer aging. Can love tie someone to life? What happens when they cross

paths 90 years later?

Chapter One

My heart was aching. To be a lady was the way I was brought up. To be courted by eligible men was to be
expected. For me to actually fall in love with him was a whole different experience. Some would call us

naïve but we knew differently.
My Edward was slipping away in some hospital back home in Chicago. I was bleeding inside.
It was early May here in New York City. The city was full of life and the charity luncheons that my mother

orchestrated were in full swing. The sun was beautiful and the earth in bloom, but I sat alone, staring out
my window, knowing this fact deep in my bones. He would be gone before tomorrow morning.
My father called it luck that we were staying in our townhome in New York City when word of the influenza
outbreak in Chicago spread among society. I called it torture. If he died, surely I would too. If his heart

stopped beating, surely God wouldn’t be so cruel as to keep mine vital and healthy. I knew where I should
be. I would take his place without a second thought. Or join him if it pained him less. I closed my eyes to

comfort myself with memories. The beginning… I willed myself… I’ll find you…
The cool Chicago wind blew furiously, shaking my father’s motor car with strong gusts. I was bored, sitting in

the back with mother, idly smoothing the front of my dress, getting ready to be introduced to more of the
drones that Father associated with. We had been invited to stay with a ‘valued business partner’ of his for a

week while the finishing touches were put on our home deeper in the city.
“Look at the estate ladies,” Father piped in. “Mr. Masen has quite the taste.”
I looked up from the deep blue silk of my dinner dress and spotted the grounds of Edward and Elizabeth
Masens’ home. Even with the chill of December and snow covering the grass, it was impressive. Potted

Poinsettias and evergreen bushes tastefully lined the walk to the sprawling mansion. With my experience, a

large home like this wasn’t a home at all. It was a showcase, letting the world know that its occupants had
money, that they had prestige.
The Masens' home was different somehow. It was a lovely Victorian, with balconies and attic towers. Its rosy
brick exterior and wide porch looked inviting and warm. I suddenly found my interest peaking with

excitement. I couldn’t wait to get inside.

“Banking is quite a lucrative business, Charles,” Mother commented, straightening her hat with the help of a

small mirror she kept in her overcoat pocket.
My father laughed as he was a banker himself, “Yes, my dear Renee, it is.”
Mother turned to me and spoke quietly so that only I could hear. “Isabella, I would like to ask you to please be
careful. There could possibly be ice involved as it is winter, and it would be rather embarrassing if you were to

slip as often as you do.”
I sighed, “Yes, Mother.” It wasn’t my fault that balance and I rarely ever rode the same ship.
“And please be a lady. Do not humor the men with your intellectual talk. I hear the Masens have a son, Edward
Junior. He’s a very eligible young man from good stock I presume. Speak sweetly and be charming,” she added,

much to my dismay.
I fought the urge to roll my eyes. I took my schooling very seriously and I kept up to date on the Great War and

politics as good as any man would. I didn’t like double standards. My father was supportive of my studies,
buying books for me as rewards for getting top marks with all of my tutors. He told me that I would have made

a great son. I wasn’t sure what to make of that.
I walked slowly, watching my feet, as we finally left the warmth of our motor car and made our way up the

Masens' expansive front porch. A butler opened the door for us before Father had the chance to ring the bell.
“Welcome, Charles!” A man that I assumed was Edward Senior greeted us.
Father removed his top hat and shook the man's hand, “Thank you, Edward. I must say that your home is

impressive.”
Edward Senior laughed heartily. I liked him immediately. “Thank you, though I have to admit that my wife

Elizabeth is the one who should be credited. She knows how to make a home.”
“Edward, dear, you’re much too humble.”
I looked up as one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen stepped gracefully down the curved staircase.
Her bronze hair was a mane of beautiful ringlets that fell down her back, her eyes a piercing shade of green. I

found myself holding my breath at Elizabeth Masen’s beauty.
“I was merely speaking the truth,” Edward Senior said to her, taking her hand in his. He turned his attention

back to my family, “This is my wife Elizabeth.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Elizabeth. This is my wife Renee and our daughter Isabella,” my father introduced

us.
“It’s lovely to have you all. Please make yourselves at home during your stay,” Elizabeth smiled serenely.
“Thank you,” my mother said, letting the butler take her coat. He turned to me to take mine also.
“Oliver will retrieve your luggage and put it in your rooms while we have dinner,” Edward Senior said,
motioning for us to follow him into the dining room to the left of the beautiful entryway.
I drank in the polished wood floors and the silvery blue wallpaper lining the walls. I was admiring a
grandfather clock when the sounds of a piano tinkling in the distance distracted me.
Elizabeth wrapped her arm around my shoulder and smiled. She was as comforting as she was intimidating.
“That’s our son Edward Junior. He’s musically inclined like me.”
I listened a little harder; catching the notes of… what was it? Beethoven? Edward Junior was playing quite
well. I sucked in my breath as we turned the corner into the dining room. Off to the side of the table, in front of

the window, sat a gorgeous grand piano, but it wasn’t the instrument that shocked me into a daze. No… it was
the boy playing it.

His hands swiftly moved across the ivory keys, his brow furrowed in concentration. His hair was the same

coppery shade as his mother’s and his eyes glinted emerald in the light. I felt my cheeks flush as my heart
began a rapid rhythm. Never had I seen a boy with such innate beauty as Edward Masen Junior.
Night fell over New York and my tears had seemed to run dry as I remembered the first time I saw the rest
of my life.

His mother Elizabeth knew things. I learned that very quickly in the four months my family lived in Chicago.

I’ll never forget the way her eyes blazed the night she took me into the courtyard of her home and told me
that her son and I were two halves of a whole. It frightened me, the conviction in her words. “You and my

son are special. A love that will last as long as time itself. Neither of you will be able to live without one
another. Your heart is his heart, your life is his life, and I know it’s the same for you when it comes to him.”

How right she was, this strange woman.
I wrapped my arms about myself as I felt him slipping away. He was so close now, his fever raging, his
breathing more shallow than it had been this afternoon. My Edward. I felt his delirious thoughts, his fear. I

hugged myself tighter, trying to keep my pain from overwhelming me and I focused my thoughts.

Something was changing. What was this new sensation? Heat? My pulse points began to sting dully. I
scratched at my skin and loosened my dress collar thinking that might help. I felt it then, like someone

punched me in the gut and knocked all of the air out of me. The stinging wasn’t a sting at all… he was
burning. And so was I.

~*~~*~~*~

Chapter Two

The hours felt like days as I laid in bed writhing. My parents and our physician didn’t know what to make of
it. I had no fever, I had no outward signs of illness, just pain. It was crushing as it fell over me in waves. I

wanted nothing more than to tear my heart out and end this madness. The only thing tying me to life was
the fact that Edward was still alive. Even in my agony-ridden mind, he was still my center, my gravity. God

help him if this is what he’s going through!
I never dared to speak aloud these thoughts to anyone. I knew that I would be sent to the asylum if anyone

even guessed at my inclinations, my truth. I clenched my jaw and willed myself to be still, to feign sleep, as I
lay in a pool of my own sweat, my body on the verge of shock. My relief came when I finally could sleep, the

pain dulling enough for me to lose consciousness.
I woke with a start, my heart palpitating in an off-beat rhythm. My senses were keen and my mind clearer

than ever before; most likely due to the fact that I had been on the verge of hysteria for a few days. I noticed
my mother had nodded off on the chaise lounge sitting in the corner of my room, worry lines etched on her

face even in sleep. It struck me in that moment that the pain was gone; no longer were my limbs stinging

and burning. It was quite the opposite; I felt perfect, healthy, and whole.
Edward! My mind searched. Surely he was alive and well if I was. I relaxed, stilling myself, focusing my

thoughts on the man I loved.
Shock reverberated through my body as I saw him clearly in my mind. This was different. I was staring at

him through his eyes, I considered after a moment. I was almost sure of it. I flicked my gaze over the
beveled edge of the mirror, focusing for a second on an inhumanly beautiful blonde man standing behind

me. Behind Edward, I corrected myself. A hundred emotions seemed to fill me at the sight of that man;

relief, comfort, curiosity, destitution, anger… before I, No! – before Edward, settled on confusion.
I watched as Edward looked down at his hands, pale and perfect. He flexed his fingers and turned his palms

up, studying them as if it were his first time discovering them. Nothing could have prepared me, or Edward
for that matter, for the horror that filled us both when we looked into his eyes. They were no longer the

shocking shade of green that he had inherited from his mother. They were the most vibrant crimson I could
possibly fathom.
My heart was racing as my own eyes flew open, frantically searching around my bedroom. My mother was
still sleeping, and the breeze was still blowing slightly through my half opened window. As quietly as I

could manage, I walked into my bathroom, my limbs shaky from disuse. I took a deep breath and closed the
door, flipping on the light and taking cautious steps towards my mirror. Relief flooded me as I looked into

my own eyes, still the same deep brown they had been my whole life.
Questions flitted through my mind in that instant. What happened to my Edward? Who was the man with

him? What of his eyes? Was it a result of the sickness? Am I dreaming?
I pinched my arm as hard as I could bear and looked down at the angry red mark I had left. No, I wasn’t

asleep. On the verge of lunacy? Possibly. But no, I knew Elizabeth was right. I felt it and so did Edward. He

had told me this in the letters that we had corresponded with since I was forced to leave Chicago. He felt me
too, so I mustn’t be completely mad.
That still didn’t explain his eyes. No. I sank down to the cool marble floor and willed myself to find him
again. The connection was stronger this time, barely giving me an idea that Edward and I were two

separate people.
“I am Dr. Carlisle Cullen, Edward.” The blonde man spoke, his honey colored eyes calming me with their

sincerity.
“Where are my parents?” The shock of hearing the new velvet smooth echo of my voice filled me almost as

suddenly as seeing my eyes.
“They passed from the influenza,” Carlisle murmured, looking at me with pity.
My emotions were violent in nature, consuming me more so than I had ever remembered. I can’t remember.
Inklings more or less. My parents and the smell of freesias seemed to be the only things I could conjure at the

moment.
“What’s wrong with me?”
“Nothing is wrong with you, Edward. In fact, you’re quite well.”
“Why is my throat burning? Is it from the sickness?” I questioned, as the flames in my throat became almost
unbearable.
Carlisle kept his eyes locked on mine and shook his head slowly. “It’s only thirst.”
“I need water,” I stood quickly. Too quickly. Carlisle watched as I picked up a glass that was sitting on the table

and it shattered in my hand. My eyes widened, an apology instantly spilling from my lips. “I’m sorry. I don’t
know why that happened I..."
“It’s quite alright, Edward. You’ll get used to the strength.”
Horror filled me as I realized his lips were not moving. I quickly squashed the emotion; surely it was a trick, an

illusion. Yes, this doctor is strange, if he’s even a doctor at all.
“Water will not satiate your thirst, Edward. There is much for me to teach you, much for you to learn.”

“What do you mean? And why do you talk through unmoving lips?”
Carlisle grinned slightly. “You can hear my thoughts. Some of our kind are gifted.”
I frowned as the confusion I had been staving off returned. “What do you mean I can hear your thoughts? And

what do you mean by our kind?”
Before he answered a scent entered through my nostrils, sending my senses into frenzy. It was right outside the

apartment door; the wet, heavy thudding sound that accompanied it was music to my ears. Before I knew
what was happening I was running towards the door, ready to taste whatever beheld that delicious scent.
Instantly, a pair of arms locked around me and a guttural roar escaped my aching throat. The sound brought
me back to my senses and I became still like stone in Carlisle’s iron hold.
“What was that?” I questioned him, not sure if I was asking about the inhuman sound I had made or the scent
that had now faded. What I did know is that I was afraid of the answer on both accounts.
“You growling is only instinct. I thwarted you from your hunt. It was quite natural, Edward, and nothing to be
ashamed of.”
I grimaced. My hunt? “What exactly was I hunting as you call it?”
Carlisle sighed and loosened his grip on me only to turn and look me in the eye. I saw an ancient sadness flicker

across his face and heard his inner indecision in his mind, making the suspense worsen. “Please tell me,

Carlisle. I know something happened to me.”
“I couldn’t waste you,” he whispered.
“What!?” I demanded, a sudden fury overtaking my body like an electric jolt.
“You’re no longer human, Edward. You were dying and I saved you in the only way I could.”
“I’m not human? If I’m not human then how am I standing here with you having this conversation?” I asked
sarcastically, barking out a humorless laugh.
Carlisle was quiet for the next few moments, making my irritation grow. I contemplated leaving and trying to
find my way home before I realized I wasn’t exactly sure how to get there. Carlisle must have sensed my

thoughts because he said, “I can’t let you leave, Edward. Not without an explanation. I owe you that much.”
“Yes, you do,” I agreed forcefully. “What did you mean by hunting?”
“The scent that entices you so is that of human blood.”
I laughed, “Human blood, you say?”
Carlisle nodded grimly, dismissing my amusement. “You and I are both immortal, Edward. You are a newborn
vampire.”
I laughed again at the absurdity of his statement. How could I possibly be something that doesn’t exist? “I’m

sorry, Carlisle, I just can’t believe this.”
He nodded, “I understand the confusion, Edward. I was once there myself. I on the other hand had no mentor.

No one prepared me for what was to come. Have you not noticed that your heart no longer beats or that you
can see perfectly clear yet it is night and there are no lights on?”
My eyes flickered around the room to the few lamps and overhead lights. No they were not on. Yes I really
could see everything clearly. My index and middle fingers pressed lightly below my jaw, expecting to feel the

tiny beat of my pulse. Nothing. I pressed to my wrists. Nothing. I placed my hand to my chest where my heart is.
Nothing.
“What – I - …”

Carlisle nodded and spoke to me through his thoughts. “I’m sorry, Edward. You are a vampire now.”
I could hear the remorse in his thoughts. He spoke the truth. Vampire? I felt like gagging on the atrocity of
what I had become.

~*~~*~~*~

I pulled myself away from Edward, choking and gasping for air. One word assaulted me as I tried to process

the information. Vampire. It sounded like a curse.

My first reaction was to scream but I quickly settled for the tears that began pouring from eyes. How is this
possible? What happened to him? Why did I feel it too?

I shuddered as Elizabeth Masen’s words echoed through my mind:

“You and my son are special. A love that will last as long as time its self. Neither of you will be able to live
without one another. Your heart is his heart, your life is his life, and I know it’s the same for you when it comes

to him.”

Could that woman have really known what was to come?

I’m happy, he’s happy. He suffers, I suffer. He’s content, I’m content. He’s a vampire, I’m… I couldn’t make
myself say the word in reference to myself. I knew that I wasn’t a bloodlust fueled vampire. But what about

the immortal part? I shivered as my blood ran cold through my veins as I contemplated this new
information.

Present time BPOV
I sat in the backseat of the blue Buick that my new foster family drove. Carolyn and Harry Johnston. It was
easier this way, to pass myself off as a homeless teenager whose drug addict Mother ran off without her. It

was easy to play dumb and pretend like I never really knew where I was born or if I had a birth certificate

or not.

If only they knew the truth, I smiled to myself.

I often wondered what their faces would look like if I said, “Hello, I’m Isabella Marie Swan, daughter of
Charles and Renee Swan. I was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in September of 1901… The love of my life,

my soul mate, whatever endearment you may use, was turned into a vampire, an immortal creature, and
somehow tied me to immortality right along with him.”
I wonder how quickly they could get the straight jacket and paddy wagon to the house.
“Bella, dear, we’re almost home now,” Carolyn’s soft voice said to me from the front pass
enger seat. She was in her early sixties and her voice was soothing. If only she knew that I was older than
her grandmother, who I had been informed was born in 1902 and played a big role in the women’s suffrage

movement. Ha! I had her beat by a year… and I played a role in that movement too. I just didn’t age like a

normal human. My ticker kept on ticking.
I had decided in the last few years to start heading out west slowly. I exhausted the east coast over the last

century or so. I high tailed it out of New York when I ran into a woman I had lived with in a shelter fifteen
years prior. She asked if I was my own daughter. It kind of hurt my heart to lie to her and say no, Bella Swan

was not my mother and I had no idea who she was talking about. She had been a good friend to me.
But here I was, Bella Swan, freshly seventeen, again…moving in with another foster family. I used to feel

guilty about taking advantage of the foster parent system but then again, I decided that surely the Fates
wouldn’t punish me for trying to survive with the ridiculous hand they dealt me. And Edward… I reminded

myself.
Even now, after so much time, I still love him deeply. I rarely open my connection to him anymore because I

know he’s content in his life which is enough for me. He has a beautiful family who truly love one another,
and although I crave to be a part of it, I don’t know if I could face him and have him reject me. I realized a

long time ago that the only memory he has of me is my smell. Freesias. He had told me the same thing when
he was human.
I’m not sure where he is now. The last I knew he was in Alaska somewhere. Of course, I don’t know unless

he thinks about it. I also learned a long time ago that he can’t seem to hear my mind like I can his. That was
another slap in the face. I always assumed there was a purpose for my inability to… I don’t know… age and

die. But now, I’m not so sure.
I smiled up at Carolyn as we pulled into the wet driveway of their home. It’s a nice, cozy, two story house,

with a pale yellow exterior and burgundy shutters, and a covered wrap around porch. I couldn’t help but
feel excited as the rain beat down, thrumming against the car. It really did feel like a new beginning this

time and not just mandatory for survival. Even though I was told that it rained constantly, this small town
called Forks, was starting to look really good to me.

~*~~*~~*~

Chapter Three

My new room was beautiful to put it lightly. I fingered one of the tiny white embroidered flowers on the

sage green bed spread as Carolyn knocked softly on the door.
“May I come in?”
“Of course,” I answered quickly.
I noticed how nervous she looked, standing in the doorway, unsure of how to proceed. I decided to help her
out. “This room is really nice, Carolyn. I can’t begin to thank you and Harry enough for letting me stay here.”
She smiled sweetly, a look of triumph in her eyes. “Oh, it’s nothing dear. It breaks my heart to know how
rough your life has been. I just wanted to ask if you needed help with anything and if you’re comfortable

with your accommodations.”
I chuckled lightly, “I’m more than comfortable with the room. Like I said, it really is nice. I don’t have much

in the way of possessions but I already put my clothes in the dresser. I think I’m done with everything.”

Carolyn nodded and motioned her hand towards the door, signaling Harry to walk in. He held something

behind his back and he gave me a sheepish smile before clearing his throat to speak. “I’m glad you like your
room, Bella. Our home is now your home for as long as you would like.”
My heart clenched. Although living a lie was second nature now, my emotions still betrayed me when
people offered me a chance at normalcy without question and with open arms nonetheless. I gritted my

teeth, hoping they wouldn’t notice my small internal sob. I took a breath and spoke, hoping my voice
wouldn’t crack. “Thank you Harry, Carolyn. This really does mean a lot to me.”
“Of course, Bella; it really is no trouble at all. It’ll be nice to have some youth in this house, lightening things
up,” Carolyn chuckled.
Eternal youth, I said to myself. The bitterness that welled up inside of me was searing and again, I sucked it
back. I couldn’t lose my wits about me with an audience. I plastered a smile on my face, even though it

pained me a little. “I’ll see what I can do.”
Harry smiled at me and took a step forward, “Your social worker told us that you were an avid writer. I

believe in nurturing natural gifts like that so Carolyn and I decided to help you along with it.”
My mouth fell open as he handed me a brand new laptop with a big blue bow perched on its lid. “Uh… you

didn’t have to do this,” I stammered as traitor tears welled in my eyes at their thoughtful gesture.
“Don’t be silly, Bella. We wanted to do this for you. Don’t think of it as a gift but as a necessity. You’ll have
lots of school work to keep up with and college is right around the corner. You’ll be needing a good

computer to handle the load,” Harry stated his case well. He was a lawyer after all.
I just nodded and listened to Carolyn ramble on about taking a trip to Port Angeles the following day,

Saturday, to buy me some new clothes for school which I would be starting the following Monday. Knowing
that it would be futile to object to their generosity, I agreed to wake up early and attend the shopping

excursion before settling in to bed for the night.
I dreamt of Edward that night. Well, I dreamt of him most nights but this was different. We were standing in

a beautiful clearing amongst the woods that surrounded Forks. It was perhaps a meadow. He was brilliant
in the thinly veiled sun, his skin giving off a slight luminescent sheen. That crooked smile that had won me

over so many years ago played on his lips and he held his hand out for me.
“I’m here, silly Bella. How could you?”
I stopped walking towards him, confusion filling me. “How could I what?”
His honey colored eyes darkened slightly and the crooked grin was replaced with a serious frown. “How

could you believe all this time that my heart forgot you?”
I woke with a sheen of sweat on my forehead and that old ache raging in my chest. I wrapped my arms
around myself to hold me together. It wasn’t easy to breathe when I felt so desolate and empty. I battled

with myself to not connect with his mind. I hadn’t done it in over two years. The last time I had, he was in
Alaska, running alongside a beautiful, strawberry blonde vampire, in the cold snowy terrain. He told

himself that she was beautiful and I wrenched my mind back, not being able to stand the crushing pain of
him looking at another female with such thoughts. Apparently jealousy was something that I had plenty of

room to feel.
I calmed myself down and looked at the alarm clock sitting on my night stand. It was a little after seven a.m.

so I decided to go ahead and take a shower and get dressed for the day ahead of me.
I stuffed my feet into the old pair of boots that I had purchased almost a year ago when I was working at a

pizza shop in Chicago of all places. I was in between homes then, posing as a twenty year old named
Isabella Green. I had to leave my small apartment behind that year. Five years was my personal limit with

staying in the same city. Cities were much easier. It wasn’t hard to get lost in the hustle of people too

preoccupied with their own life to remember a face as plain as mine.
After Chicago, I had worked in Kansas City, Missouri, for a few months before I decided I didn’t like it and

bought a bus ticket to Seattle, Washington. I stayed in a cheap motel the night I arrived, being careful to cut
up and dispose of my license and social security card, making myself untraceable. I had decided to go by the

last name of Swan again, knowing that it had been close to twenty years since I had last used it in New York
City. I figured it would be safe. Not only that, how could someone try to say that I was the same girl? I didn’t

fit the mold of a woman in her late thirties. Not the amazing, never aging, Bella Swan. I had learned quickly
that bitterness and I were companionable.
It was easy to stumble into the police station and turn on the water works for one of the cops. The normal
paperwork was finished and I was given a social worker who placed me with the Johnston’s after a hellish

autumn living in an orphanage.
I broke out of my reverie and grabbed my blue cardigan before making my way downstairs.
Carolyn was sitting in the small breakfast nook talking to Harry, who was pouring himself a cup of coffee.
“Good morning, Bella. Did you sleep well?” she asked me.
“Yes, I did actually. Very well.”
Harry patted my shoulder as he took a seat beside Carolyn. He smiled up at me, “Please feel free to make
yourself at home. You can have some coffee or orange juice, whatever you’d like. Carolyn is taking you out

for breakfast on your way to Port Angeles.”
I nodded and poured myself a cup of coffee. It was one of the simple pleasures that I couldn’t deny myself. It

reminded me of my father, who had let me have a cup with him every now and then. It broke my heart to
leave my parents. They had gone out of town on a business venture in the spring of 1922 and I chose to stay

behind in New York. I had realized by that time that I was no longer changing and that my assumptions
about what had happened between Edward and I was correct.
I had packed a satchel with clothes and the money I had been saving from selling some of my jewelry and
formal attire. I had written a note saying that I had fallen in love with a traveling musician and we were

leaving to start our lives together. I had three days to get as far away as possible before they returned home
and realized I had left. It pained me in a way that I can not begin to describe as I relocated to Columbus,

Ohio, knowing that I would never see my parents again. I cried for days over the unfair situation of being
bound to a secret by a man who no longer knew who I was.
Carolyn and I sat in comfortable silence for the duration of the trip to Port Angeles. We had eaten breakfast

in Forks beforehand, so we could get a start on shopping as soon as we reached the city.
I hated shopping for the most part. Carolyn, on the other hand was girlishly excited, throwing things into

my arms to try on at a break neck speed that I didn’t think she was capable of. I had to admit that she had
good taste, as we left the final store in our little shopping excursion. I felt slightly ashamed as I loaded the

bags into the trunk of her Buick, trying to forget the numbers that I had seen tally up on the registers. I
didn’t really need an entire wardrobe, but that’s what she had decided to get me. Including an expensive

messenger bag filled with everything I would need for school.
I was exhausted as we reached the house and I carried everything in. Harry had ordered pizza for everyone

and we ate together at the table, laughing and talking like a normal family. Although I was happy, I couldn’t
completely forget the wistful feeling lurking in the backdrop of my mind, reminding me that this wasn’t real

and that it would end when my time to stay ran out.
I spent Sunday inside reading because in true Pacific Northwest fashion, it was raining to beat hell. I was

dreading having to start school Monday so of course… the day was coming way too quickly. I couldn’t sleep

so I nervously picked out the clothes I would wear, settling on a pair of khaki pants and a hyacinth blue

button down shirt that Carolyn insisted that I get because it made my skin look ‘lovely’. Nothing makes pale
look ‘lovely’. Unless you’re a vampire and that I was definitely not.
Monday morning was a frenzy, as I showered and dressed while Carolyn checked off a list she had made to
make sure I had everything I needed. It was nice to be looked after and I felt the tendrils of affection

growing in my heart for this woman. It was nice to have someone care about me even though I could never
let her in to my own personal world. It pained me to have to distance myself so often from the amazing

people who had entered my life throughout the years, especially him. I was thankful that my love for him
was selfless and not selfish. It kept me from hunting him down. I chuckled softly as I imagined what I might

say if I ever did meet him again.
“Hello Edward, I’m Bella Swan. We fell in love over Christmas of 1917 when you were still human, and

when you were changed, I became the fountain of youth. Your status as an immortal vampire has done
wonders for my complexion… almost 108 years old and I have not one wrinkle or gray hair. I think it might

be your mother Elizabeth’s fault, but who needs to worry themselves with such details?”
I bit back my sarcasm, knowing that I would probably be knocked to my knees if I ever crossed his path. I

would be desperate, most likely, knowing that I could share this strange life with him. Loneliness does that

to a person.
My heart felt like it was going to fly out of my rib cage as Carolyn dropped me off at Forks High School, with

the promise that she would be here when the final bell rang. I think she felt that she needed to reassure me
since I was supposedly dealing with abandonment issues. If she only knew…
I walked slowly up to the office building to get my schedule for classes. I cursed to myself as I realized I had
Physical Education for my final period. There was nothing remotely educational about that torture.

Clumsiness was something I carried along with me still.
As I made my way to the building for my first class, I saw a small girl with spiky black hair stepping out of

the passenger side of a shiny silver Volvo. Something about her made my heart speed up again as she lithely
made her way to the building I was heading towards. She was familiar, maybe, but I couldn’t see her eyes

that were shaded by a big pair of designer sunglasses. Sunglasses in a sunless town, it must be a new
fashion statement. I didn’t usually bother myself with keeping up with trends.
I took a breath and willed myself to calm down, knowing that I would be the center of attention today. The
new girl, as I had been many times over. I ran my fingers through my hair and straightened out my coat

before I walked into the classroom.

~*~~*~~*~

Chapter Four

My classes were mundane and repetitive. It was going to be easy to ace all of my classes. Hopefully Carolyn

and Harry would be pleased. A girl named Jessica Stanley had inadvertently taken me under her wing and

chattered mindlessly about boys. I nodded and smiled at the appropriate times, not having the heart to tell
her such things didn’t concern me. She was essentially my peer and I understood her even though my heart

was chained to a boy that I would probably never see again.
Like I knew would happen, there was the low buzz of excitement over someone new being added to the

student body. It seemed like a spot light was shining on me, drawing everyone’s attention to me. It was
most likely concentrated due to the fact that Forks was essentially a very small town, something I had

never really experienced before. I kept my eyes down, blushing accordingly (an uncontrollable habit I’ve

always had), and focused on getting my food and sitting down with Jessica and her group of friends at one

of the lunch tables.
My attention was pulled in every direction as they fired off questions with blatant curiosity. Where are you

from? When is your birthday? How did you end up living with the Johnstons? Do you have a car? How do you
like Forks so far?
The only thing I could do was grit my teeth and endure it. I had my story straight and my mind went on
auto pilot, answering their questions while trying to eat. Soon enough, the bell rang and a girl named

Angela Weber had offered to walk me to my next class, biology, which we shared. I accepted and went to
throw my tray away as I saw her again, the girl with spiky black hair. Her back was turned to me and I had

the urge to run after her as she exited the lunch room with a blonde guy on her arm.
I tried to push her out of my mind as I walked with Angela to biology, listening to her talk about her small

twin brothers whom she seemed to love dearly. It was a nice change from talking about me. I decided that I
liked Angela. She smiled as she pushed open the door for me and led me to the teacher who introduced

himself as Mr. Banner and handed me a syllabus of the class and the appropriate text book. He looked at a
chart in his notebook and seated me at an empty table towards the back.
I settled into my seat and pulled out a notebook and pen, preparing myself for the notes we were

apparently taking today, when I heard the chair next to me slide out.
“Bella!” Mike Newton, the slightly willful boy I had been introduced to earlier yelled, causing me to look

over at him across the room. “It’s nice to see you in here.”
I smiled and gave him a curt nod before turning my gaze around to the person who had just taken the seat

next to mine.
I felt like I had been smashed into by a semi as my eyes raked over the boy sitting next to me. His copper

hair was in beautiful disarray and I knew it would be silk to the touch. His handsome face was the same, his
lips full and impossibly flawless. And his eyes, though the wrong color now, still pinned me down and left

me breathless.
No, this couldn’t be happening. I wasn’t ready for this. I really wasn’t ready for this to happen in a

classroom full of people nonetheless. Without thinking I connected to him and my shock was quickly
replaced with a primal need. A thirst. I shuddered as I felt the impact of my scent on his senses, causing his

thoughts to become close to belligerent as he warred with himself not to lure me away right then. This
wasn’t supposed to be this way!
I thought quickly, hoping I could feign an illness to go to the nurse’s office to relieve him of myself, before

something new came over him. He was holding his breath and thinking of Carlisle, the man who had
damned him, yet whom he had grown to love and respect above all others. Now is not the time to be weak,

Cullen! Edward internally berated himself.
His face became a mask of fury as he directed his anger towards me, his self control steeling against the

enticing scent of my blood. Idiotically, I turned my face to meet his full on, staring into his now coal black
irises. I screamed internally, Edward, it’s me, Bella! – hoping like hell the message would get to him

somehow.
My mind froze, as did his, as a long buried memory resurfaced in his mind. It was a human memory, murky

and foreign, as we both watched Elizabeth entrust him with a diamond heart charm. The charm he had
given me the day I left for New York from Chicago. The smell of freesias, my scent, was connected to the

memory unequivocally.
I felt the prick of tears beginning to form in my eyes and I turned away, placing a hand over the violent

thrumming of my heart. Of course he wouldn’t remember me. What cruel joke were the Fates playing,

giving him nothing more of me than the desire to drink me dry? White hot pain buried its self in my chest,

making it hard to breathe properly. I wanted to find the nearest cliff and lunge myself off of it and end this
insanity.
I quickly pushed away that thought. I couldn’t do it. If Edward living was the reason for my prolonged
existence then that could very well mean that he was tied to my life as well. I couldn’t harm him, even if I

wasn’t truly positive if it would have that affect on him. I didn’t want to take my chances.
I focused, as hard as it was, on taking notes. I had to find a reprieve somehow from the boy that I longed for,

who was unmistakably sitting next to me after nearly a century of no contact. The cellular anatomy of
plants was not something that easily distracted me from the aching urge to declare myself to this beautiful

vampire that destiny had chosen for me. Edward, my Edward, was barely a foot away from me and no
happy reunion would be taking place. I pained him with my presence; the mere scent of my blood causing

him to clench his fist and cut off his breath.
Maybe if you give him the heart he’ll remember. The elusive thought entered my mind and my hand acted of

its own accord, fingering the dainty silver chain around my neck that the heart dangled from. I wore it
always, keeping it tucked inside my shirt collar. The only times I had ever went without it was when the

many chains it adorned had broken and I had to wait to replace them. I knew he remembered this because I

had just relived the memory with him a few moments ago.
By the time the bell rang, signaling the end of class, Edward left almost too quickly. The pain of him running

from me, although I understood the necessity of it, was still excruciating. The overly presumptuous and
slightly annoying boy, Mike Newton, insisted on escorting me to our next class which we shared. Gym. I

shuddered, really not wanting to have to deal with this now.
I was thankful as Coach Clapp excused me for the day and had me walk laps around the gymnasium instead

of participating due to the fact that I was new and didn’t have a change of clothes. It gave me time to think
about what I was going to do. Well, how, I was going to do it. It was obvious he violently wanted my blood

and had no desire to speak to me. I knew that if I were to somehow give him the charm, I would be setting
myself up for potential disaster. He would either kill me, remember me, or crush me with avoidance.

Whatever outcome the Fates had in store for me, I knew I was a true glutton for punishment.
My heart was thudding in my chest as the school day came to an end and I walked out into the drizzle that

had begun to fall. My eyes darted around the grounds, hoping to see him, as my fingers fumbled with the
small clasp. As soon as I unhooked it, the small girl with jet black hair walked past me with the tall blonde

man on her arm. He too was familiar. Alice and Jasper. The memory hit me. No wonder she looked familiar.

She was Edward’s favorite sister and he thought of her often throughout the better part of a century.
A plan formed in my mind and without thinking it through, her name spilled from my lips. “Alice?”
She stopped and turned to me, as did Jasper, both wearing confused looks on their faces. She recovered
quickly and smiled, “Do I know you?”
I blushed slightly and shook my head, “No, we’ve never been formally introduced. But I need to ask
something of you.”
I saw the slight tightening of her eyes as she contemplated what I had said. “What is it?”
I took a slow step towards her and held out my hand that held the charm in it. She opened her palm and I

dropped the diamond heart into it before looking up at her. “I need you to give that to Edward. It’s
imperative that he gets it. I’m sure he would like it back after all this time.” She and Jasper’s faces were both

masks of confusion as I walked away from them, stumbling to Carolyn’s car which was parked right up
front like she had promised.

I felt naked without that charm. It was the one thing, other than his letters and a few other small and easily

hid items, which I had kept with me throughout time. Carolyn seemed to sense my stress as she questioned
me about my day.
“It was fine, really. I think I may have made a few new friends.”
She smiled, “Of course people will like you. You’re a lovely girl, Bella. How did classes go?”
I smiled a bit, although it was fake and slightly painful. “Good. Biology was especially interesting. Gym on
the other hand, not so much.”
Carolyn slapped the steering wheel lightly, “I knew there was something I was forgetting. You need clothes
for gym. I’ll pick you up a few sweat suits while I run errands tomorrow.”
I shook my, “No you don’t have to do that. I have some t shirts and shorts that’ll do.”
Carolyn smirked a little and I knew that no matter what I said, I’d come home tomorrow to new sweat suits.
I tried like hell to not think of Edward that evening but no matter what I did, it reminded me of him. Even
the color of my bed spread reminded me of his eyes, before they were changed. It was sickening. My hand

kept rubbing the back of my neck, my heart jumping when I didn’t feel the necklace that was usually there.
It was as if I lost a limb, something important and vital to my well being. I was desperate to have it back and

prayed almost non stop that it would be given to me.
I was sitting with Carolyn in the kitchen when someone rang the doorbell.
“Could you get that please,” Carolyn asked, busy with preparing her ‘famous enchiladas’, as Harry called

them.
“Of course,” I said, walking towards the front door, almost tripping over the edge of the rug. I steadied

myself and opened the door, only to have the wind knocked out of me. Alice Cullen was standing on the
porch, a small smile playing on her lips.
“Hello Bella,” she said sweetly. “I believe you and I need to talk.”

EPOV
As soon as I hit the fresh air outside my mind cleared and I could think rationally. This new, insignificant

human had almost made me lose any shred of humanity I had acquired over the years. How dare she? I
sighed internally to myself. It wasn’t her fault. I wasn’t being very fair with my anger.
Never once had I crossed a scent so enticing; so… familiar. This scent, her scent, had been in the back of my
mind since Carlisle changed me. My memories did no justice to the impact it had on me, smelling it in true

form. And what about the memory that came with it? I remembered my mother most clearly, but the long

forgotten memory that resurfaced at the moment her scent washed over me was so vivid compared to my
few other human memories. My mother had given me a diamond heart charm, something I had no

recollection of and that wasn’t among the items that I had inherited after my parents death.
I shook my head and contemplated what I was going to do about this new problem… this girl. Her mind was

quiet to me, which was disconcerting. Her eyes had shone with tears at the sight of me, her face a mask of
shock. Of course she was afraid of me. I was the disgusting monster who had fruitlessly gone over my

strategy for the better part of an hour of how I would get her alone and drink the warm, sweet liquid that
pulsed through her veins. Surely her instincts had told her to run.
I grimaced at the thought of being so weak. Shame coursed through me as I thought about Carlisle. He was
so patient and kind; a true humanitarian. He would turn an understanding eye on me and my dilemma and

that left a sour taste in my mouth. I wanted him to hate me for even having thoughts of killing the girl. But

that was Carlisle; he never judged.
I sat in the Volvo and tried to quiet my mind by drowning out my thoughts with Debussy. Music was the

one comfort I had found in this existence. I let it crash over me, sending away the ugly thoughts that had
clouded my mind since I sat next to the girl. I should have turned away when I saw her instead of taking my

seat, but how was I to know that Mike Newton would call her name and cause her to fling her hair over her
shoulder, making her scent wash over me? I couldn’t have known.
I jumped slightly as Alice opened the passenger side door and sat inside. She had a perturbed look on her
face, as did Jasper, who had taken a seat in the back. Alice looked at me with an appraising look and shame

filled me again. Surely she had visions of what I was deciding in Biology.
She spoke and confirmed my thoughts. “You almost did a very bad thing today.”
I clenched my jaw and nodded stiffly for I couldn’t speak it out loud. She continued, “Although I’m proud
that you didn’t do something you would regret, and yes, I saw that you would if you followed through with

it, there is something very interesting about Bella.”
Yes, Bella Swan. I had heard her name spoken in many minds over the course of the day. Boys and girls

nearly tripped over themselves to get a peek at the new girl that interrupted my existence so forcefully. I

took Alice’s bait and asked, “What do you mean?”
Alice held out her hand to me and I took the item that it held. I looked down at the… charm. If I had a heart

beat, surely it would have stopped as my newly resurfaced memory hit me again; the memory that I had so
elusively remembered while sitting next to Bella. “Where did you get this?”
Alice cocked an eyebrow, “From Bella.”
I sat there in shock as she replayed her memory for me. How did Bella know my name? And how did she

acquire my mother’s charm? What did she mean by ‘I’m sure he wants it back after all this time,’? I looked
at Alice and shook my head in disbelief. Something had to be going on. Some cruel trick in the universe.

Repentance for my sins perhaps.
Emmett and Rosalie finally made their way to the car and sat in the back with Jasper, who was asking me

what was wrong in his mind. I shook my head again and he silently replied, “Bullshit, Edward. I can feel
what you feel in case you’ve forgotten.”
“Not now, Jazz,” I muttered quietly as I sped off towards home with thoughts of Bella wreaking havoc on my
mind.

~*~~*~~*~

Chapter Five

BPOV
My mouth hung open as I processed Alice standing in front of me. She shot me an amused smirk as Carolyn

walked into the room. “Who is it, Bella?”
Alice reprieved me from having to speak. “Hello, Mrs. Johnston. I’m Alice Cullen. Bella and I met today and I
wanted to ask her a question about tomorrow. I don’t have your phone number. I apologize if it was too

forward to come to the house.”
Carolyn smiled, “Not at all, Alice! I’m very happy that Bella has made a friend so quickly. Please come in and

have a seat.”

Alice gave a blinding smile to Carolyn, who retreated to the kitchen to finish dinner, and walked past me to

take her place on the navy blue loveseat. I closed the door and shook my head to clear my thoughts, before
sitting on the edge of the sofa near Alice.
She gave me an appraising look, apparently waiting for me to finally address her presence. I inhaled and
asked the obvious question, “So, Alice, what brings you here?”
Her eyes bore into mine for what seemed like an eternity before she asked, “Would you like to explain the
diamond you gave me to give to my brother? That small piece of jewelry left him unsettled and I would like

to know why.”
My chest tightened and I couldn’t seem to find the words to explain anything. I focused on my breathing

and finally settled on saying, “I don’t know how to explain it to you, Alice. At least not without you thinking
I’m crazy.”
Alice rolled her eyes and huffed in a display of impatience. “Nonsense, Bella. I can assure you that I have a
very open mind.”
You would have to have an open mind to be a psychic vampire, I thought to myself, staring at my hands as if
they held to key to best explain this madness. It occurred to me then that Alice couldn’t possibly know that I

knew what she was. I looked over to Alice, who was waiting with a cocked eyebrow for me to continue, and

contemplated how I would go about this. There really was no good way to share a secret I had held so
tightly for so long. I found myself feeling exasperated as I sighed, “Really, Alice, this isn’t how I planned this.

In fact, I hadn’t planned on this happening at all.”
“What hadn’t you planned on?” She asked, leaning towards me.
I could feel the coolness emanating from her skin and I could smell the sweetness of her breath. Vampires
are truly beautiful creatures. I’m sure that’s the way that nature intended them to be; humans were drawn

to beauty, even if said beauty was nothing more than a device to lure us as their prey. I was suddenly glad
that my scent wasn’t as powerful to her as it was for Edward. At least, it didn’t seem to be.
“I don’t know how to tell you, Alice.” I finally gave up on trying to find the right explanation.
She shook her head. “No, Bella; that won’t do. I assure you that I can be very stubborn when I pursue

something so I suggest you start talking.”
I was suddenly very intimidated by this small waif of a vampire. The truth, although vague, began pouring

out of my mouth. “I’m older than I look, Alice.”
Before she could respond, Carolyn walked back into the living room and asked, “Would you girls like

something to drink? We have tea and Coke.”
I shook my head, and Alice said, “No thank you, Mrs. Johnston.”
I couldn’t help the small smile that twitched on my lips. I knew she would say no. She just didn’t know that I

was aware of her charade.
Carolyn smiled, “Well, I figured I would ask. Harry will be home soon and dinner is almost finished. Will you

be staying over for dinner, Alice?”
Alice grinned sweetly, “No, Mrs. Johnston. I told my parents that I would be home before dinner.”
“Alright, well let me know if you two need anything,” Carolyn said, before walking back into the kitchen.
Alice turned her attention back to me. “Can we go somewhere more private?”

I tried to swallow the lump slowly forming in my throat and nodded, before leading her upstairs to my

room. I closed the door behind us and Alice sat on the edge of my bed, making herself right at home. “Now,”
she began, “Where were we? Oh, yes, you said that you are older than you look. Care to explain that?”
How could I? I sat down in my desk chair and eyed my closet door, knowing that my suitcase held the key
to my secrets. Edwards’ notes, a few photographs, and my original birth certificate were sewn safely into

the silk lining. I had hidden them there for fear that someone might go through my things. How would she
react if I were to show her the links to my fantastical past?
“Bella, I know you’re keeping something from me. I can see it in your eyes.”
My eyes watered at her statement and I bit my bottom lip. Waves of pain brewed in my chest and I began to

tremble. Edward was so close after all this time and I wasn’t sure what to do. I was terrified in so many
ways to open myself up to him, well, to Alice, who was certain to tell him.
My vision was blurry with unshed tears as Alice embraced me with her small, cold arms. She soothed,
“Bella, it’s going to be fine. You can tell me. This is obviously very serious to you.”
A sob tore from my throat as I tried to speak. I hiccupped and stuttered like a child, “I-it’s my w-whole life,
A-Alice.”
Her hands cupped each side of my face and she looked me in the eye. “Breathe, Bella. You can tell me.”
“I can’t die.”
Alice froze and so did I. I hadn’t meant to say that so bluntly. Something I couldn’t quite comprehend

flickered through her honey colored eyes, the same color as Edward's now. “What?”
I stood then, finding strength somewhere within me, and grabbed my suitcase from the closet. I opened the

clasp and grabbed a pair of scissors from my desk and hacked away at the silk lining, exposing my most
cherished possessions. With trembling hands, I laid out the few photos of myself, beginning with the very

old family portrait of my parents and me from 1921. In succession I laid down the picture of myself from
1931, then the pictures from 1945, 1953, 1967, 1976, 1987, 1998, and the most recent, 2003. I motioned

for her to look at the pictures, clearly showing me in different time periods. “I can’t die,” I repeated.
Alice was completely immobile except for her eyes, which darted from picture to picture. Her eyes finally

flickered up to me and confusion was clear in her gaze. I suddenly felt an urgent need for her to understand
fully what I was telling her. I pulled out my birth certificate and Edward’s letters, my heart pounding as I

handed them to her.
Faster than I thought possible, she skimmed over the age worn paper, worry drawing her face into a frown.

When she got to Edward’s letters, her jaw dropped and her eyebrows rose. “Bella, is this real?”
I nodded. “I haven’t been able to age since Edward was changed. It was May of 1918; the Spanish Influenza
had hit Chicago and Edward and his parents had fallen victim to it. I was in New York City with my parents;

we had relocated there after living in Chicago for four months. Edward’s father was a business partner of
my own father. I met him, Edward, a week before Christmas in 1917. It was rather quick, how quickly we

fell for one another. The diamond heart that I had you pass along to Edward, it was given to me by him in
early April before I left. He said it would have to do until he could buy me a ring.”
Alice shook her head, apparently deemed speechless by the information I had just entrusted her with.
Surely me knowing so many details was proof enough that I wasn’t lying. She recovered quickly, “Bella, this

is impossible.”
I shook my head, “No, I assure you, it isn’t.”
“I can’t believe this.”

“I can see what Edward is thinking; it’s similar to his gift, but it only works with him when it comes to me. I

also know you have visions of the future,” I blurted out in desperation.
Alice recoiled slightly and her expression became guarded. “What do you mean?”
“Alice, I know that he, that you, that the whole Cullen family are vampires. I also know about your gifts
because of my weird little quirk with Edward. The family started with Carlisle, when he changed Edward to

keep him from dying back in Chicago. I know that he changed Esme afterwards, then Rosalie and Emmett. I
know that you and Jasper came together and weren’t changed by Carlisle himself.”
Edward’s letters and my birth certificate slipped from her hands and fell on to the bed. “We need to speak
to Carlisle, immediately.”
“I don’t think I can face Edward, Alice.”
She shook her head, “He left after he dropped us off from school. He went to…” she stopped her sentence

abruptly. She then challenged me by asking, “Can you tell me where he’s going, Bella?”
“I’ll try,” I whispered. My heart was pounding as I connected to Edward. I could see that he was driving and

that he was thinking about me and the necklace. He was bitter, I could tell that much. I waited, hoping he
would think about where he was going, when his thoughts turned to… Tanya.
My heart clenched as the strawberry blonde vampire from long ago entered his mind. I was quickly

relieved by his apprehension in seeing her. His mind quickly flipped through the many advances she had
made at him, and the many times he had turned her down. He then proceeded to think of the peace and

quiet that the Denali wilderness offered and how he hoped it would clear his mind enough to reconcile the
sudden events in his life with himself.
I opened my eyes and looked to Alice, who was curiously watching me. I smiled a little before saying, “He
didn’t say exactly where, but he did mention the Denali wilderness. He also seemed quite apprehensive

about a strawberry blonde vampire named Tanya. He seems to hate how forward she is with her lust.”
Alice’s jaw dropped before she chuckled a little, seeming pleased by my answer. “Interesting; Carlisle is

going to have a hay day with this one.”
“I don’t know if I can leave, Alice. Dinner is almost finished and Harry will be coming home soon. It’s also a

school night. I don’t want to ruin anything with my new foster family. It’s a necessary part of survival for
me.”
Alice nodded, understanding. She knew that the obstacles of living the nomadic lifestyle of the never aging
were difficult. “We’ll discuss this tomorrow then. I’ll clear your schedule,” she said, before walking out of

my bedroom, looking like a girl on a mission.
I stuffed my mementos back into the cut I had made in the suitcase lining before I quickly followed Alice,
who was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs. She smiled and walked into the kitchen where Carolyn

was.
“Excuse me, Mrs. Johnston?” Alice said, making it sound like a question.
“Oh, please call me Carolyn.”
Alice nodded, “Carolyn, would it be alright if Bella comes home with me tomorrow? We both have an

English test coming up and I figured we could study together.”
Carolyn grinned, “That sounds like a lovely idea, Alice. Is it alright with your parents?”
“I told Esme that I wanted to invite Bella over tomorrow for a study session, which is why I came here. I
didn’t want to ask her tomorrow at school without making sure it was alright with you first; it would have

been rude of me,” Alice said sweetly, exuding politeness. Carolyn was eating it up.

“Alice, you’re a very sweet young lady. Of course, I wouldn’t expect anything less from a child being raised

by Dr. and Mrs. Cullen.”
“Thank you, Carolyn. So it’s okay if Bella rides home tomorrow with me?”
“Yes, it’s alright. Will she need to be picked up?”
“No, I can bring her home. She can eat with us, also. What time do you want her back?”
“Anytime before nine o’ clock would be appreciated. It’s a school night.”
Alice smiled and turned to me, “It’s settled then. You can just ride home with me tomorrow. We’ll have fun,”

she winked.
I grinned, suddenly relieved that I had someone to share this burden with. I walked into the living room,

Alice following me. I turned to her and asked, “Are you going to tell everyone at home what I told you?”
Alice thought for a moment before answering, “I think it might be best if I warn them first. Actually, do you

think I could borrow your evidence?”
I laughed a little and we headed back up to my room. I pulled everything out and handed it to Alice, who

quickly put it into her oversized purse she carried with her. “Could you do me a favor, Alice?”
“What?”
“Can you keep these things safe for me? I kind of ruined my hiding place earlier,” I motioned to the hole I

had cut in the suit case lining. Even though I could re-sew it, it would still be obvious that someone had cut
it.
“Of course, Bella; I won’t let anything happen to it,” she smiled and patted her purse.
“Thank you. And thank you for listening to me. You have no idea how long I’ve had to keep up this charade

with no one to share it with.”
“Well, I do have an idea, but I couldn’t imagine doing it alone. I’m lucky to have my family,” she said,

wrapping her small arm around my waist in a hug.
“It’s nice to know that I have someone to talk to now.”
Alice chuckled, “You know, Bella? – I have a feeling we’re going to be great friends.”
“I hope so, Alice. I’m just really scared of what your brother might think. He was always a very skeptical

individual.”
Alice beamed up at me, “You really do know Edward, don’t you?”
I nodded and bit my lip. Now that I had shared my secret with Alice, I realized just how deeply lonely I was.
It had been so long since I let someone into my life. In fact, it was Edward last, who had walked right into

my heart and carved out a place for himself. I knew I would love him forever but ‘forever’ didn’t mean quite

the same thing then as it does now. The ache I had learned to bear suddenly felt fresh, as if I were feeling it
for the first time. It was probably because I had seen him again after so many years. Years that suddenly felt

wasted by my stubborn decision to love him from afar. I decided then in that moment, to make him
remember. Even if I couldn’t have him, I had to make him remember.
Alice pulled me out of my thoughts by inhaling sharply, her eyes clouded over as if she were seeing
something far away. Gooseflesh rose on my arms and I realized she was having a vision. I had seen her do it

many times through Edward.
I shook her shoulder lightly and she snapped out of her reverie. “What was it, Alice?”
She shook her head and said, “That wouldn’t be any fun, now would it, if I were to tell you what I saw?”

Another thing I realized; Alice likes to play hardball.

EPOV
I lay supine, against the frozen earth of Alaska, staring up at the sky. Succeeding in not thinking about Bella
was something that I was failing at miserably. I saw nothing but her face, her eyes, as they welled with tears

at my murderous glare. So close I was to ruining everything my family has built.
Not only did I feel the shame that my weakness brought on, but I ached somewhere deep in my chest. I

wasn’t familiar with this feeling, the slow burn that would cause my eyes to sting with tears if that were
possible in my frozen body. Emotion had never caused me physical pain before.
I sighed as I pulled the small bauble from my pocket, watching the silver moon glint off of its many facets.
This little piece of jewelry was the culprit to my running; to my emotions being pulled into disarray. I felt

like a coward because it truly was fear that had made me leave. I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t hear her
mind. I longed to be near her without wanting to kill her.
To my surprise, not only at my train of thought, but also the ache in my chest, as it intensified as I thought
of Bella. It was as if I… missed her. I shook my head at such a notion. I couldn’t miss someone that I didn’t

know; someone who I’d never before spoken too. Not only that, she was a human; my intended prey. Her

blood would be the sweetest drink I could possibly taste on my tongue. I knew that if I ever tasted the blood
that she held beneath her translucent skin, I would know euphoria like no other before me.
Which is why I needed to stay away from her at all costs, I reminded myself with disgust.
No! I don’t want too! I chuckled lightly to my sudden internal dialogue as my mind considered never seeing

her again. It was all instinct. This ache had to be my urge to hunt her down and satisfy the primal monster
within me. I held the chain to my nose and inhaled; her scent still lingering on the silver links.
Nothing could have prepared me for the shock that her scent brought me. A long forgotten human memory,
just like before, filtered through my mind.
There was a girl lying on a blanket in the courtyard of my parents’ home. The weather was warm, but not
too much so; it was spring perhaps. My human heart was succumbed with the similar ache I was

experiencing now, as I walked towards her. I stood above her and looked down at the angel napping in the
sun, a book shading her face from its rays. I knew no other beauty but her dark hair spilling out across the

blanket. My hand reached down to wake her and she stirred, grabbing the book from her face…
Irritation seared through me as the memory winked out before I saw her face at the same moment my cell

phone vibrated in my pocket. I grabbed it and fought with myself to not contract my fingers around it,

turning it into a pile of debris. I looked at the screen and saw that I had a new text from Carlisle. I was
weary as I went to my inbox to retrieve his message.
E –
Please come home immediately. It’s very important. It’s about what happened today.
Horror filled me. Had Bella guessed what I was? Had she told someone who would believe a story about
vampires?
My mind raced over possible outcomes as I sent a text back to Carlisle, telling him that I was on my way. I
pushed my legs as fast as I could and ran back to my car. I was already berating myself as I sped off, hoping

to make it home in record time. This was all my fault.

~*~~*~~*~

Chapter Six

BPOV
We were in the frozen courtyard; a place where we both could get away from the crowds of people invited over
for the Masens’ New Years Soiree. Edward and I had been almost inseparable since that first dinner the

Masens’ and my family shared. He spoke over dinner about the soldier’s glory and wanting to be part of it. I put
him in his place with many facts about how there was no glory in men getting killed and families being torn by

the violence of it. He later told me that he admired my astute mind; telling me it was relief from the chattering,
bumbling, females that plagued our social circle. I had rubbed it in my mother’s face that he found my

intelligence intriguing.
But here we stood, Edward and me, talking about the works of Shakespeare and how he hated Romeo and

Juliet; one of my favorite plays that was ever written.
“They were naïve! Juliet was merely thirteen. No thirteen year old girl could possibly fathom love. It was
nothing more than melodramatic obsession that ended badly.”
I huffed at Edward’s dismissal of something I held so dear to my heart. “I disagree. First off, you have never
been a thirteen year old female. Second, who are you to dictate what goes on in ones’ heart? I don’t see you

falling all over yourself for anyone.”
Edward chuckled, “I’ve fallen for someone, thank you very much. I know what love is, and I know how it

changes your perception. I just think Romeo was lustful and Juliet didn’t know any better.”
Edward had fallen for someone? My heart throbbed with pain and my cheeks blushed scarlet as I imagined this

beautiful boy who made me feel so good, so alive, being with someone else.
“Are you alright, Bella?” Edward asked, taking my hand in his.
No! I yelled at him in my mind. Instead of telling him the truth, I asked him about something that had kept me
wondering. “Why do you call me Bella? No one else ever has.”
Edward smiled and pulled me against his chest. My breath hitched as he led one of his perfect fingers down the
side of my cheek, leaving a trail of scarlet in its wake. “Bella suits you.”
I sucked in a breath, trying to form a coherent sentence as his eyes blazed into mine. “How so?” I choked out.
His breath was warm in my face as he leaned down and whispered, “Bella means beautiful. It’s merely my way
of telling you how I see you.”
My heart jumped and my mind spun as Edward continued to lower his face towards mine. I thought I might die
right then as his velvet voice said, “Breathe, Bella.”
I exhaled and breathed in his scent before his lips softly pressed into mine. It took me a moment to register
what was happening, and when I did, my instincts took over. My hands knotted in his silky bronze hair and his

hands fell to my waist and pulled me in closer. Our lips met hungrily, again and again, as our bodies strained
to be closer. My heart was leaping madly in my chest; it was I who Edward wanted. The urgency in his kisses

washed away any doubt I had.
When my hands moved to trail up his chest, Edward pulled away, cupping the side of my face in his hand. He

sighed, breathlessly, “I’m sorry, love. That was wrong of me to be so forward.”
I laughed, as Edward turned back into the gentleman he had been raised to be. “No need to apologize. If you

hadn’t noticed, I didn’t mind.”

He smiled, and tucked his head into the crevice between my neck and shoulder. “Bella, I’ve never felt this way

about anyone. I want to do this right. I want you, all of you, but I want to make you mine first. I’ll want you
forever.”
“I’ll want you forever too, Edward,” I sighed, holding him tighter. I never wanted to let him go. I never will, I
told myself.
I couldn’t help the tears streaming down my face when I woke up from my dream. It was a replay of one of
the best memories I had, when we declared ourselves to each other. My dreams were so vivid and real

again. It was as if my heart was waking up now that I knew Edward was near. The crushing realization of
the depth of loneliness in my life was enough to fuel me to do what I needed to do. I needed more than

anything for him to remember; for him to love me again.
**
School was an atrocity that I didn’t want to deal with. I searched everywhere, but there was no sign of the
Cullen’s. I knew Edward wouldn’t be there, but I had assumed that everyone else, especially Alice, would

have been.
My nerves were frazzled and my patience tested by the end of the day, when I walked out into the parking

lot, not seeing Alice anywhere. My stomach lurched and I had the feeling that I had been left behind. My face

fell, and I turned to walk to the office to call Carolyn, when an overly loud horn blew. My head swung
around only to see Emmett barreling down the parking lot in a massive jeep, his arm flinging out the

window to flag me down.
I glanced around me and noticed that half the student body was staring at me with blatant curiosity as

Emmett yelled my name out the window. I walked over towards the vehicle, avoiding eye contact with
those in my audience. Apparently the Cullen’s kept to themselves more than I thought, and people were

eager to see why ‘the new girl’ was being singled out by one of them. My cheeks flushed and Emmett shot
me a big goofy grin and opened the door for me from the inside. I got in and slammed the door behind me,

wanting to get away from all of the people gawking at me.
“What’s up, Bella?” Emmett asked loudly, over the music blaring from his speakers. I could have sworn

vampires had no need for the volume to be up that many decibels.
I took it upon myself to turn it down before I answered him, “Honestly, I’m stressed out and nervous as

hell.”
“Well duh,” he laughed. “It’s not everyday that a human gets to roll with vampires. I’m Emmett, by the way.”
I cracked a smile, simply because around Emmett, it was inevitable. “I know who you are. Where is Alice?”
“She had some things to attend too. Ol’ Eddie is back in town.”
My heart beat accelerated. Alice said he wouldn’t be there. “I’m not ready to see him, Emmett!”
He looked at me with a glint in his eye, “Don’t worry about it, kid. I won’t let him get to you if he can’t take
the heat.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m not afraid that he’ll kill me, I’m afraid of what it would do to me to be around him
without any charade to keep up. And don’t call me kid; I’m older than you are.”
Emmett flashed me a smile, dimples and all, and asked, “You’re a feisty one, aren’t you?”
I sighed and gave into his banter, “Only when provoked.”
Emmett nodded, “I like a good challenge, Grandma.”
“Excuse me?” I raised an eyebrow.

Emmett shot me a devilish grin, “Kid or Grandma; take your pick.”
“You’re a shit,” I huffed, earning a hearty laugh from him.
Even though Emmett was the strongest of all the Cullen’s, a fact that he liked to rub in Edward’s face, he

was also a kid at heart. His charm and simplistic view on things were infectious and I found it very easy to
be comfortable around him. I knew he was Edward’s favorite brother and it wasn’t hard to see why. I really

should have been more concerned with the fact that I was heading to the home base of a family of vampires,
but I wasn’t. Even Edward being a vampire was irrelevant. I would still want him, no matter what form he

came in. I had to take my chances.
“Alright, Miss Swan, here we go,” Emmett said, in a mock emcee voice that had me laughing.
The Cullen’s drive was long and winding, even though it didn’t seem so with Emmett driving like a maniac. I
had to put my faith in his stellar spatial abilities as a vampire, that he wouldn’t smash us into one of the

trees.
“Welcome to La Casa De Cullen,” Emmett said, as the large white mansion loomed before us.
My hands were sweating and I was running on a nervous high; this wasn’t going to be easy for me. I
swallowed loudly and Emmett looked at me with as much concern as he could muster. “You okay, Bella?

You look a little pale.”
“I am pale,” I tried to joke. I honestly felt like I was going to have a panic attack at any moment. My
breathing was labored and my heart took off, reacting to the adrenaline that my body produced at the

onslaught of fear.
“Hey,” Emmett whispered and took one of my clammy hands in his cold grasp. “I’m not going to pretend

that I understand what you’ve dealt with. I mean, I don’t know what to make of any of this either; but if you
don’t deal with this now, how are you going to feel for the rest of eternity if you knew you had the chance

and backed down because you were afraid?”
My mouth hung open at his words. Of all the people to give me the courage that I needed, I hadn’t expected

it to be Emmett. I smiled a little, feeling myself calm down. “You’re right.”
“Of course I am,” he said in a mock cocky tone. He looked over at the house, “There’s Esme; she’s about to

burst with excitement over you.”
I laughed at the thought as I looked over to Esme, who was smiling sweetly in my direction. She was the

mother hen of the Cullen’s and I could see why; her appearance reminded me immediately of fresh baked
cookies and comfort.
“Let’s get this over with,” I sighed, getting out of the jeep.
“Hello, Bella! I’m Esme, but you probably already know that. Welcome to our home,” She greeted me
warmly. She really did look tickled that I was here.
“Thank you, Esme,” I whispered.
My throat felt like it was closing off again as she led me into the family room, only to be greeted by Rosalie

and Carlisle. “Hello, Bella. I must admit that I’m very interested in speaking with you,” Carlisle said, placing
a hand on my shoulder.
I nodded and looked over to Rosalie. Her beauty was intimidating as she stood from her seat on the couch
and walked towards me. I had the feeling that she wasn’t particularly happy with me being here. “I’m

Rosalie, but you seem to already know everything about our family. What Alice has seen is enough for me
now, but I want you to know that I don’t trust you at all. You haven’t earned it.” Note to self: Rosalie wasn’t

one to hold anything back.

Esme began to scold Rosalie for being rude but I waved my hand to stop her. “It’s alright, Esme. She’s more

than okay with letting me know how she feels. I just hope I get the chance to change it.”
Rosalie rolled her eyes and walked outside at the same moment that Alice jetted down the stairs, not

bothering to keep up her human appearance. She stopped in front of me abruptly and asked, “Can I please
have you cardigan?”
I gave her a questioning look, “Um, I guess so. Why do you need it?”
Alice shook her head, “It isn’t for me. He wants to talk to you and he thinks if he desensitizes himself to your

scent then it’ll be easier. Which it will be; I saw it.”
Edward wanted my sweater. Edward wanted to talk to me. My fingers fumbled with the buttons and I

pulled it off, handing it to Alice. “Is he upset?”
Alice smiled a little, “No, not at all. He’s curious more than anything. You should have seen his face when I

let him see everything. He keeps reading his letters over and over. I think he’s frustrated that he isn’t
remembering you.”
My face fell at her words. Wasn’t that the point of all this? I felt disheartened that even though the facts
were staring him in the face, he didn’t seem to be getting it. I hated being frustrated and that’s all I seemed

to be able to feel at the moment.
“He’ll come around, Bella.” I jumped as Jasper seemed to appear out of nowhere and placed his hand on my
shoulder. “Calm down.”
And I did just that. Alice chuckled, “He’ll remember, Bella. I know he will, I just don’t know when or how.”
“Well that makes me feel better,” I said, sarcasm lacing my voice.
“It should,” she grinned and took off back upstairs.
Today was going to change my life. I could feel it. I just wasn’t sure if it would be in a good way or a bad

way.

EPOV
My hands held the age worn letters lightly as I skimmed over them. The photographs, the diamond, Bella’s

birth certificate, and my letters, all taunted me with the promise that I had loved while human. Why can’t I
remember her?
Of all the things that had crossed my mind while speeding back to Forks, this was definitely not one of
them. For ninety years, Bella had kept this secret and endured the burden of immortality alone. I felt so bad

for her; having to say goodbye to everything again and again. Nothing was constant in her life. Although I’d

had to change my location, I still had my family and others like myself. Bella had no one and it was most
likely my fault. I had loved her deeply; my letters were evidence of this. Everything I touched tarnished.
Alice had shown me her vision of Bella and myself, which was the deciding factor in believing all of this.
Knowing that I would remember, even though when was still a mystery, made my dilemma that much

harder. I could see now, why my reaction to Bella was so violent. My human core had to remember her
somewhere. Although the craving to drink from her wasn’t my idea of a happy reunion, it was something to

base this ordeal off of. Her presence demanded my attention and her quiet mind kept me curious. I had to
know.
“Here you go, Edward,” Alice walked into my room holding Bella’s blue cardigan. “Sniff away.”

I grimaced, ashamed of myself for having to resort to smelling the girls’ clothes to prepare myself to meet

her. I pressed my face into the wool and inhaled, feeling my throat rip open with the fiery thirst her scent
provoked from me. Her scent was concentrated in the fabric that was still warm, having just left her body. I

can do this. I will do this.
Alice’s vision clouded my mind. Bella and I were sitting at the dining table, across from each other, having a

conversation. I couldn’t help but notice we were smiling at each other and I seemed to be at ease in her
company.
“Looks like it worked,” Alice commented.
I nodded in agreement. “Should I go save her from Carlisle’s interrogation?”
Alice laughed, “If you’d like. You’re probably going to grill her more so than he is. I’m going to go warn them
before you come down.”
Alice left the room and I continued to inhale Bella’s scent. I knew it would still hit me to smell it fresh from
her skin, but it wouldn’t be as intoxicating as yesterday. I was afraid of what this situation might do to me,

but the desperation of wanting to know her mind, to know her, outweighed my fear.
We’re ready for you, Edward. Alice called to me.
I inhaled one last breath from Bella’s sweater and quickly made my way down the stairs. I stopped on the

landing that led down to the ground level of the house and used a human pace, not wanting to make her
nervous. I wasn’t sure how to act around her.
“She’s in the dining room,” Emmett whispered, greeting me at the bottom of the stairs. I knew that he and
Jasper would take up defense against me if I were to lose my cool. We had agreed upon it earlier.
Bella’s scent lingered in the air and became more potent with each step I took towards her. I was incredibly
nervous, when I rounded the corner and saw her sitting in one of the chairs, quietly waiting for me. Her

eyes flickered up and locked on mine, causing a new hunger to overcome me. I wanted, no, I had to be near
her.
I took a breath and let the burn wash over me. I wanted nothing more than to get used to it. It took a few
seconds but I found my voice and greeted her. “Hello, Bella.”
I watched as she flinched when her name left my lips. This couldn’t possibly be easy for her. “Hello, Edward.
It’s been a long time.”
“I’d imagine so.” I’d never been self conscious, but here I stood, wanting desperately to impress this human
girl. I was surprised with myself, how quickly my feelings changed towards her.
Bella continued to stare at me and the tension in the room was electric. I wasn’t sure what to do with

myself. I’d read in the letters, my letters, that I had deemed her as ‘made for me’. Everything good in me
was Bella, to my human self, or so I wrote. I was never one for lying unless necessary. I doubt I would have

written something so endearing if it weren’t true.
“Are you just going to stand there?” Bella surprised me by asking. I wasn’t used to being caught off guard.
Emmett snickered at my side, reminding me that Bella and I had an audience. I apparently lost the sense of
my surroundings when she gazed into my eyes. I glared at Emmett and turned back to Bella, “I have a few

questions to ask you.”
She smiled, making my frozen heart soar. “Well ask away, Edward.”
I slowly walked towards her, Emmett and Jasper holding out their arms, readied for any change of course
from me. I wanted to tell them that I was fine but I didn’t want to take my chances. This girl was too

precious to take chances with. I sat at the chair across the table from hers and slid her cardigan towards

her. “You can have this back now.”
I earned another smile from her, “Thank you. It’s a little cold in here.”
“I’ll turn the heat on, Bella,” Esme said quietly, leaving the room.
“Come on, Emmett, Jazz; I want to play Rock Band,” Alice chirped. I knew she was trying to clear the room

and I was thankful; being near Bella seemed too personal for witnesses.
“But what about his…” Emmett began but was cut off quickly.
“It’s fine, really,” Alice said, tugging him out of the room by his hand.
Carlisle followed the other three out of the room, taking the hint. When I knew all the others were

preoccupied with other things, I turned my attention back to Bella. She was buttoning up her sweater so I
had a moment to really look at her.
Her skin was pale and translucent, with the faintest traces of pink on her cheeks. Her lips were full and her
eyes wide and honest, their color a bottomless chocolate brown. And her hair was the color of deep

mahogany, falling in waves to the middle of her back. I couldn’t help the grin that spread on my face as I
realized that Bella was the perfect name for her. Beautiful.
“What?” Bella asked, her blush returning with full force as she caught me staring.
I looked down at my hands and shook my head. I didn’t know what to say.
“So are you ever going to ask those questions?”
My head snapped up and I met her eyes again. She was good at rendering me unsure of myself. “How did
we meet?”
“Our fathers were business partners on a new chain of banks in Chicago. My parents and I stayed at your
house for a week while renovations were being finished up at our own house.”
That was simple enough. “What did I like about you?”
Bella grinned and clasped her hands together. “I was good at running my mouth and challenging your

opinions. Apparently I was different from all of the other females throwing themselves at you.”
I had to laugh at that one, “So you put me in my place? It seems I was a glutton for punishment while

human.”
“No, just misguided. I had to set you straight,” Bella said with faux arrogance.
Her sarcasm enlightened me. I couldn’t help the light, buoyant feeling welling in my chest. “So it seems.
Who initiated the relationship?”
Bella chuckled and blushed a little more before she pointed a finger at me. “How did I do it?”
“You kissed me on New Years Eve 1918,” she said quietly.
So I’d known her lips and tasted them? It was an odd feeling, being jealous of yourself. It was crushing to

realize that a kiss was impossible for us now. “I hope it met your expectations.”
Bella rolled her eyes and motioned at herself. “I’m still alive, aren’t I?”
It took me a moment to realize the connotations of her statement. Her love for me is what seemed to be
keeping her alive. Or my love for her, even though I couldn’t find it. “I’m sorry, Bella.”
“For what?” She asked me, locking her eyes on mine.

“For loving me.” The words sounded incredulous to say them out loud. How could someone so beautiful

love me?
“Don’t say that, Edward. You’ve always been my favorite part,” Bella said sharply, reaching her hand out to

mine. I couldn’t make myself recoil from her and I allowed her warmth to cover my hand.
A jolt shot down my spine and my body tingled at her touch as my mind drifted back to another time.
“Austen, eh?” I asked, kneeling down to the blanket she laid on and taking the book she held.
“She’s a woman of many words,” Bella’s sweet, husky voice was music to my ears.
“I won’t hold it against you,” I teased the angel lying beside me.
“Edward, Pride and Prejudice is a classic novel. Obviously, if it’s still being read over 100 years later, many

people, including myself, have found it…”
I silenced Bella with a kiss which she happily reciprocated. To my surprise, and my pleasure, she pushed me

onto my back and straddled my hips. “Say Jane Austen was an amazing woman.” I laughed and shook my head.
“Say it, Edward,” she warned, narrowing her eyes at me.
“No,” I said, trying to keep a straight face.
“I’ll simply have to get you to change your mind.” Bella challenged me.
My heart flew into overdrive as Bella placed soft, open mouth kisses down my neck, biting the skin below my

ear lightly. I shivered as she whispered in my ear, “Have you reconsidered your opinion?”
I shook my head again, causing an adorable growl to escape her lips. She placed my hands on either side of her

waist and rocked her hips against mine. I gasped, as lust surged through my body and I met her lips as
fervently as she met mine.
“I’ll end up taking advantage of you if you don’t change your mine,” Bella sighed. I could see she was feeling the
same, her body reacting to our closeness just as mine was.
I was afraid that I didn’t want her to stop, but I knew we had too. “Jane Austen was a great woman.”
“Ha! I knew I’d get you to admit it!”
I laughed and looked up into Bella’s face, her hair curtaining us from the world. She was my love, my heart, my
Bella. “It’s nearly impossible to say no to you.”
She threw her head back and laughed, as I studied how graceful her neck was. “Why is that?” she asked.
“Because I love you, Bella,” I said, running my finger along the side of her face.
“As I love you, Edward. Forever,” she breathed before kissing me once more.
I was gasping for breath, even though I didn’t need it, when I looked over to Bella, my Bella, who looked

confused. Her hand was still on mine, the memory having replayed in seconds. She pulled her hand away

and blushed, assuming her touch was what caused my erratic breathing.
I smiled then, and reclaimed her warm hand in mine. “So, Bella, are you still an Austen fan?”
“Yes, why?” She asked me reluctantly.
“I seem to remember you coercing me into saying she was an amazing woman.”
Recognition flickered in her eyes before they welled with tears, “Do you remember, Edward?”
I nodded and used vampire speed to kneel down in front of her, my finger touching the side of her face. I

had to be close to her. “I remember, love.”

~*~~*~~*~

Chapter Seven

BPOV
Elation. The one word that wrapped up everything I was feeling. The silver side of my coin was that Edward
remembered me. He didn’t remember it all, but enough to know how much I meant to him. The tarnished

side of my coin, Carolyn and Harry were beginning to grow concerned about how much time I had been

spending at the Cullen’s the last two weeks.
“Really, Bella; all I am saying is that it wouldn’t hurt to venture out into new territory. You mentioned

Angela Weber; she’s our minister’s daughter and a lovely young lady. You should put more efforts into
developing a friendship with her,” Carolyn suggested over breakfast the third Saturday I had spent with

them in their home.
How could I make this woman see that the Cullen’s were like a real family to me? Edward and I had decided

to keep his revelations about our relationship under wraps for awhile to the public, but when we were at
his house, we had no secrets between us. I had waited ninety years to satiate my craving for him, and damn

it, I was selfish and didn’t want Carolyn to get in the way of my happiness.
“They’re all foster children too,” I whispered, using the only thing I had left; the sympathy card.
Carolyn sighed, “I understand that, Bella. I feel like you’re never here. You go to school and you go home
with the Cullen’s until the late evening. You were not even here last weekend. It’s unhealthy to grow so

attached to people so quickly.”
There was nothing quick about it! I screamed at her inside my head. I wasn’t good at keeping my mouth shut

when I was angry. “Carolyn, first you told me to make friends with other people, now you’re telling me to

stay here more. Which is it that you want?”
I jumped as Harry slammed his fist on the table, causing the plates to clatter with the vibrations from the

force he used. “You will not disrespect my wife like that! We’ve brought you into our home and given you
everything you need and more. I won’t tolerate you walking all over my wife when all she’s trying to do is

help you!”
My own father had never spoken to me like that before. Tears stung my eyes and I gritted my teeth to keep

my anger in check. My voice was surprisingly calm amidst the tension filled room. “I am very much thankful
for everything you both have done for me. As far as the Cullen’s go, Alice and I have become really good

friends. I don’t think it’s that big of a deal to spend time with someone who is around my own age.”
Harry wiped his mouth on his napkin and shook his head. “One week, no Cullen’s. You’ll see her at school

and that’s it.”
“I’m afraid that won’t happen!” I yelled at him.
“Fine,” Harry acquiesced, taking hold of Carolyn’s hand. I felt bad for making them upset, but I was finally
happy and I didn’t want to suffer anymore than I already had.
I left the table and walked out to the back porch and sat on the stairs. It was ridiculous for them to meddle

in my life so much. It was one thing to be concerned, like if I was hanging out with the ‘wrong’ crowd, but to
just dictate my friends was ludicrous and an abuse of power in my opinion. I may look like a seventeen year

old girl, but I knew more about life than they did. I wrapped my arms around my knees and consoled
myself. I tried to, anyway.

It was still hard to comprehend that Edward was back in my life. Sometimes I just stared at him, drinking

him in, afraid that he’d disappear at any moment. Seeing him smile and getting a rise out of him when we
debated about things was the reason I was still alive, literally. I’d do anything for him.
We hadn’t actually exchanged an ‘I love you’ yet, nor had we kissed; he said I was too precious to be
careless with. I knew this of course. I laughed to myself; Edward wasn’t used to the tables being turned

with the whole mind reading thing. For almost a century he had invaded the thoughts of others, playing
voyeur among unsuspecting people. He hated that my mind was still a mystery to him, though his wasn’t to

me. It was cute.
I sat there on the porch thinking about Edward until the cold started bothering me and I debated on

whether or not to go inside yet. My pride kept me rooted there just a little longer. I was good at being
stubborn. It had to have been at least an hour, maybe two; enough for my legs to be numb from sitting too

long. I sighed, and picked myself up, hoping that Harry and Carolyn had forgiven me.
The kitchen and dining room was empty, though our plates still sat on the table, the food unfinished. This

wasn’t good. I couldn’t shake the dread as I walked up the stairs to my room. My stomach dropped and my
heart picked up at what I saw. Someone, Carolyn or Harry, maybe both, had packed up all of my belongings.

The clothes were filled in two duffel bags, and my few novels and notebooks were stuffed into my old

suitcase. The lap top they had bought for me was among the other things and my two other pairs of shoes
were tied inside of a plastic grocery bag. Instinctively, I grabbed the phone on my night stand and called

Edward’s cell phone.
He picked up on the first ring, “Hello, love.”
“They’re sending me away, Edward.”
“What?”
“We had an argument this morning because I spend too much time at your house so I sat outside for awhile.
I just came back in and they have all of my stuff packed up.”
Edward cursed under his breath before he said, “I’ll take care of it, Bella.”
“I don’t know what to do. I can’t run away, I’m in the system. They’ll report me as missing and send out an

alert. They did it to a girl I lived with several years ago.” I was starting to panic now. I couldn’t leave him.
Edward’s velvet voice tried to calm me, “Bella, like I said, I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry, love.”
He hung up and I started to cry. He couldn’t do anything more about it than I could. Of course this was too
good to be true. I finally found what I wanted all along and it was being ripped away from me. I jumped as I

heard a car door shut and I walked to my window, knowing what I would see.
My case worker Jackie was walking towards the front door, a solemn expression on her face. No, no, no! My
vision tunneled and my chest tightened, making me fall to my knees. My stomach lurched and I felt like my

soul was shattering into a million little pieces. I can’t do this again! I couldn’t lose him again. I’d be dead.
Maybe not literally, but to the world I would be. There would be nothing left but the shell of my body.
“We’re sorry it didn’t work out, Bella.”
“It was nice having you here, even if it was only for a few weeks.”
“I’ll never forget you, Bella.”
“I’ll miss you.”
Carolyn and Harry’s generic goodbyes reverberated through my head as I sat in the passenger seat of
Jackie’s Mustang. The drive to Seattle was taking longer than expected, due to traffic. I didn’t mind. I had

nothing left.

“Are you ever going to talk to me, Bella?” Jackie asked.
I couldn’t make my mouth form words, so I just continued to stare out the window, watching the buildings
grow taller as we rode deeper into the city. My heart, my will, my survival was back in Forks, sitting in a big

white house. There was nothing left for me anywhere. No matter where I went, I’d never be whole again. I
was tired of bothering.
I was a different entity, hovering over my body, watching my feet shuffle up the front steps of the
orphanage. I didn’t feel anything when I met the eyes of people I had left behind just weeks ago, as they

shot me accusatory looks and smug expressions. I couldn’t care anymore. I was a prisoner here until my
‘18th’ birthday, unless some other family decided to try me on for size.
I was assigned to a shared room with a girl named Miranda, who scratched her stomach with a safety pin as
a coping mechanism. She had a missing tooth, which she informed me was knocked out of her mouth by her

father in one of his drunken rages. She was as empty as I was now; I could only sympathize, when before, I
would have pitied her.
“Have you ever been with a man before, Bella?”
I lay on my cot and stared at the ceiling, trying to ignore her question. She was only searching for common

ground, a conversation starter. I couldn’t tell her that I had no dark past of abuse, only a secret that I kept at

all cost.
She was undeterred by my silence and continued her one person conversation. “That Felix kid in Waverly

Hall told me that your mom left you at a restaurant. Said she wanted the smack more than she wanted a kid.
She probably thought you were old enough to take care of yourself. My mom was a junkie too; it’s what she

did to me after we left my dad.”
I nodded, hoping she would leave me alone. I was relieved when she left after that, mumbling about a group

session for cutters.
This wasn’t what life was meant to be like. I wasn’t supposed to be empty and hearing constantly about

young teenagers having their spirit beaten out of them. Life was cruel. I didn’t have the luxury of growing
old like the rest of them did. Pain ripped through my chest again as I realized that I no longer hand anything

of Edward’s. All of my mementos from my former life were in Alice’s possession, except for the heart.
Edward had my heart. My lip twitched into a bitter smile as I thought about how fitting that was.
The sky outside my window was growing dark as I drifted in and out of consciousness. It wasn’t as easy as I
had hoped it would be, to slip into the oblivion of slumber. My dreams plagued me with visions of Edward,

all ending with him running from me and me not being able to keep up. The story of my life.
“Bella, there are some people who would like to speak to you,” Jackie had entered the room without
knocking.
I hated when they made you speak to counselors. They expected you to have deeply rooted issues and they
grilled you relentlessly to admit it so you could start the healing process. I wanted to tell them that they

shouldn’t waste their time on me; there was nothing inside of me to heal.
I followed Jackie out into the hall and walked a few paces behind her, not paying attention to the people

looking at me. These kids still had a chance at a normal life, whereas I didn’t. I’d be ‘18’ in seven months.
Anything could happen in seven months. They might have to leave Forks. Panic rose inside of me. Would he

wait for me?
“Have a seat, Bella,” Jackie said, motioning me towards a chair at one of the tables in the conference room.

I sat down and studied the faux wood grain in the laminated table top. Maybe my stoic face would be

enough for them to realize that I was no longer eligible for help. Emptiness and pain, dashed with the slow
ache of desperately missing him already was all I was capable of.
“Bella, we’ve come to take you home.”
I stood up quickly, knocking my chair back in the process. Impossible! My eyes danced between two sets of

honey colored eyes and I gasped.
“You belong with us, Bella,” Esme said, with a certain fierceness in her voice telling me that her statement

was nothing other than the truth.
Carlisle nodded in agreement and held his hand out to me but I didn’t take it. Instead, I fell to my knees and

sobbed, relief crashing over me. I’d never cried so hard before. I was so sure that I had lost them all. Esme
pulled me into her arms and rocked me back and forth, keeping me together.
“You belong with us, Bella.” I heard Esme’s voice say again in my head.
Us. They wanted me. Not just Edward. They wanted me to come home. I smiled through my tears. This was

right… finally.

EPOV
“They’re sending me away, Edward.”
The panic in Bella’s voice haunted me all day, even though I knew Carlisle and Esme were going to bring

her home; exactly where she should be. It had only taken a moment to explain the situation before Esme
went into action. She was the happiest over the fact that I had finally found someone. Well, found the same

girl again.
Alice and I spent the day running errands, renting a trailer that we hitched to the back of Emmett’s jeep so

we could go bed shopping. The only thing in my room that she could sleep on was a black leather sofa and I
couldn’t have my Bella doing that. She deserved the best and I wanted to give it to her.
Alice and I chose an intricate canopy bed that suited Bella. It looked like an antique and something straight
out of the classic novels she loved so much. Alice coordinated the bedspread, choosing colors that would go

with the existing color scheme in my room. She was detail oriented like that. I, on the other hand, just
wanted Bella to be comfortable. Alice insisted we could manage that level of comfort by filling the bed with

pillows.
“Get the big down filled pillows at the top,” Alice ordered me. She was too short to reach the top shelf.
“The feathers always work their way out,” I grumbled, grabbing four of them.
“Yes, but they are the most squishy. Humans like squishy. Besides, we have a vacuum.”
I rolled my eyes and added the pillows to our overflowing cart. It was nearly impossible to argue with Alice.

“How long do we have before it starts raining again?”
Alice scrunched up her face for a moment before saying, “Forty-three minutes. Do you think you can get us

back to Forks in time? I don’t want the bed to get wet.”
I just laughed at her and nodded as we headed for the check out. Emmett’s jeep was a beast, especially with

me behind the wheel. I could get us back from Port Angeles in twenty.
Rosalie was sitting in the living room, flipping through channels with a sour look on her face, when we got

back. She wasn’t happy that Bella, a human, was coming to live with us. She’d just have to get over herself
as far as I was concerned.

I hoisted the bed up the stairs to my room quickly. There were some perks to this damned existence as a

vampire, like the strength and speed. I had the bed nearly put together before Alice came in to help.
“I put the linens in the wash.”
“Thanks, Alice,” I said, flipping the box spring and mattress onto the bed frame.
“Are you nervous, Edward?”
I sighed, “Not nearly as much as I am happy. I get to keep her.”
Alice chuckled, “You sound like you’re in love.”
I gave her a crooked grin, “I’m pretty sure I am. My life seems meaningless without her in it.”
“I’m happy for you, Edward. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for you to sit back and watch the rest of us in

relationships. I was sure you’d finally give in to Tanya after awhile.”
I grimaced at the thought of Tanya. “I never saw her that way and now I know why.”
Alice bounced on the bed, making me laugh. “Tell me!”
I looked over to the picture of Bella, one of the pictures she’d left here, which I had put in a frame and sat on

my shelf. “I couldn’t give my heart away when it already belonged so deeply to someone else. I just didn’t
know it yet.”
I shook my head as Alice squealed in delight. The little pixie was always way too full of vivaciousness.
We’re back, Edward.
“Emmett and Jazz are back from the grocery store,” I told Alice and we both ran downstairs.
I wasn’t to keen on the idea of Emmett grocery shopping but when Jasper had offered to go as well; it
seemed like a better idea. I love Emmett, but sometimes he just over does it.
“We got all the food groups. Look at this!” Emmett said excitedly, pulling out a jar of peanut butter and jelly
both in the same container. “Tell me I don’t shop smart.”
Jasper rolled his eyes, “He was getting on my nerves. I’ve never known another vampire to get so worked
up over human food.”
Emmett scoffed, “There’s so many things to choose from! And the soap and stuff, that was fun. I made sure
to get the ones that smelled the best.”
I eyed the strawberry shampoo and body wash. I did trust Emmett’s sense of smell over his ability to shop
alone.
“Did you buy the feminine products on the list?” Alice asked, looking through the bags.
“Yep, I made Jasper pick them out. There was a chick over there; I didn’t want to make her feel weird. He

can control that shit.”
I laughed and turned to Jasper, “I’m sorry about this, Jazz.”
“No problem. She didn’t actually care. She did pity me a little though.”
“Oh! The linens can go in the dryer now!” Alice sped off into the laundry room as if it fascinated her to do
something domestic. It probably did, knowing Alice.
My brothers and I finished putting the groceries away and I headed back up to my room to be alone. I sat on
my couch and listened to music, eyeing the bed that Bella would sleep in tonight. I smiled at the thought of

her face, peaceful during slumber. Maybe I’d sing her to sleep.

The black and ivory keys lay out before me; memories of watching Bella sleep in the courtyard that afternoon

were heavy on my mind. It was one thing to compose music that sounded pleasant but a whole different
experience to try to capture a feeling with piano notes. I had to try. She was leaving soon. My heart ached at

the thought.
I closed my eyes and studied the emotions that Bella made me feel regularly. Needless to say, there were many

to choose from. My hands moved across the keys softly, picking out the notes that matched how I was feeling.
Comfort, for the way Bella made me feel in her presence.
Joy, for the way she made me laugh.
Irritation, for the way she undermined me constantly.
Elation, for the way I felt when she looked at me with a smile.
Surprise, for the way she always caught me off guard.
Awe, for the way she loved me selflessly.
Need, for the way she left me hungry for more.
Lust, for the way she touched me when no one else was around.
Love, for the way she walked into my life and completed me.
Hope, for the way she opened my future to better possibilities, with her beside me.
Desperation, for the way her kisses left me breathless.
Melancholy, for the way I would miss her.
I opened my eyes and smiled to myself. I had done it. It was for her; her… lullaby. Of course, I could do anything
with Bella as my muse. This funny, smart, clumsy, and beautiful girl that held my heart in her hands; she was

everything to me.
I was smiling when I pulled out of the memory. I had something to live for again. I’ve always had something,

no, someone, to live for. I loved her; there was no way around it. I suddenly wanted for her to be here
quicker; I couldn’t wait to tell her. But first, I had a date with my piano.
It had been awhile since I sat on the bench and played something. It too, had become dull. But Bella had
awoken something inside of me. I couldn’t wait to jump head first into everything. She was under my skin

and in my heart. She was mine.
The melody that my human hands had composed was beautiful. I was lost in it, because I was lost in Bella. I

never wanted to find my way out again.
“It’s nice to know you feel that way,” Jasper said, standing beside me.
I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face. I was happy for once. “She’s everything. I don’t know

how I lived so long without her. I don’t know how I ever forgot her.”
Jasper was always the philosophical one. “The way I see it, you had to have the time just to stand being

around her. Even after ninety years of learning self control, you still almost lost it. Imagine being young and
coming across that scent. You remembered her when you could handle being near her.”
I processed what Jasper said and had to agree with him. “That’s a good theory. You’re probably right.”
“Of course I am,” Jasper smiled. “Alice wanted me to let you know that they’ll be here in five minutes. She’s

making the bed right now.”
“Good; I can’t wait to see her.”

Jasper shook his head, laughing at me. He knew that ‘her’ was Bella. It was different for all of them to see

me act differently. I hadn’t realized how often I would brood until Bella came along and changed it.
Everything good in me really was her.
I fidgeted like a fool until I saw the headlights coming up the drive. Carlisle was the most human out of all of
us. I tended to forget things like turning on headlights, having no need for them; but not Carlisle. The scent

of human blood didn’t even faze him anymore.
I nervously ran my hands through my hair when I heard them getting out of the car. Esme was worried

about Bella, having seen her cry so hard. Wait – Bella cried? My chest constricted, seeing her face contorted
with pain. I never wanted to see that look on her face again. Her pain was my pain.
Emmett, Alice, and Jasper all stood by the door, ready to welcome Bella home. Rosalie was still in the
garage, tinkering with her car. She was still pissed off and would be until she could see that Bella was

amazing. She was amazing to me, anyway.
Emmett grabbed Bella up into a bear hug as soon as she walked through the door. It was comical, seeing the

surprise on Bella’s face. “You’re stuck with us Cullen’s, kid.”
“I guess I am,” Bella smiled.
Jasper placed a hand on her shoulder and sent her warm, soothing emotions. “Welcome home, Bella.”
“Thanks, Jasper.”
“I’m so glad you’re here, Bella! Now we can go shopping and do whatever we want as late as we want

because you don’t have to go home because you are home!” Alice trilled, all in one breath.
I laughed, then, seeing Bella’s look of apprehension. I didn’t think she liked shopping.
She looked up at me and our eyes locked. Without thought or question, just need, Bella ran towards me. I
met her half way and scooped her up into my arms, her scent trailing heat in my throat. I didn’t care. I

welcomed the burn, because it meant she was near me; where she was meant to be.
“I was so scared that I’d never see you again,” she whispered into my shoulder.
I used my free hand and pulled her chin up so I could look into her eyes. “I’ll never leave you, Bella. I love
you.”
I listened to her heart accelerate and watched a blush tinge her cheeks as she whispered, “Finally, Edward. I
love you too.”
“I know,” I grinned.
Maybe it was the realization that she was with me for good now, or maybe it was just the moment of

recognizing the love between us; either way, I couldn’t help my self. I cupped Bella’s face in my hand and

gave into one of my hungers by pressing my lips against hers. My cold, marble lips against her soft, warm
ones sent a shock through us both. I needed her. Venom pooled in my mouth but I knew that I was fine. I

could never hurt this beautiful girl who gave her self to me so willingly. If I did, I would only be hurting
myself. She didn’t care that I was a vampire. She loved me. And I loved her just the same right back.

~*~~*~~*~

Chapter Eight

BPOV

It was surreal, being home. They say that home is where the heart is and this is definitely where mine was.

It was joy beyond reason, having Edward carry me bridal style up the stairs to his room. Our room, he had
said. He laid me down on the bed and took his place next to me, exactly where I wanted him. It was

satisfying, knowing that I still fit into the nook of his arm as if it were made just for me.
“I’m happy to have you here, Bella.”
I smiled, “I’m happy just to be with you.”
“I have no complaints about that,” Edward laughed lightly, running his fingers through my hair.
“Is it hard for you, being close to me like this?” I whispered into the dark room.
“Your scent is irrelevant now. It doesn’t bother me because it means you’re with me. I need you much more

in other ways, so that monstrous side of me has been trumped.” He held me tighter against his chest and
kissed the top of my head.
“I’ve wanted this so long, Edward. It’s hard to fathom that I’m actually here with you after so long. I feel like
I can’t get close enough.”
Edward chuckled, “How close would you like to get?”
I felt the burn of my blush. Was Edward asking me a suggestive question? I met the challenge. “How close

can I get?”
“I’ll let you know once we figure that out.”
I gasped as he rolled me onto my back, pressing his body lightly into mine above me. His cold kiss covered

my mouth and I responded, fisting my hands in his hair to hold him in place. The taste of Edward’s kiss was
consuming, leaving me dizzy and wanting more. My breathing hitched when he left my lips, trailing kisses

down the side of my neck to the base of my throat.
His hand reached for the first button on my blouse and he whispered, “May I?”
My voice surprised me when it came in a husky whisper, “Only if you do the same.”
I felt him nod his head as he deftly unbuttoned my blouse, pushing the fabric aside to reveal more skin for

him to kiss. My eyes were adjusted enough to the dark to make out his form when he leaned up on his
knees and pulled his white sweater over his head. My hands acted of their own accord and trailed up the

smooth marble skin of his arms. I smiled when I reached his shoulders, strong and broad, and followed his
collar bone until I got to the hard plains of chest.
“Impressive,” I whispered playfully. I could feel his breaths coming in quick gasps and I felt exultant,
knowing that I affected him like this.
“I assure you that what I’m looking at is much better.”
I blushed forcefully at his words and a little more still, when he leaned down and placed a kiss in the middle
of my chest. I held my breath when he placed his left hand on my hip and moved upward, leaving a trail of

gooseflesh. My body had turned into a live wire, sending off sparks through me when he gingerly cupped
the side of my breast.
“Beautiful,” he breathed before kissing the mound of flesh through the lace of my bra.
“Edward!” I gasped, when his nose grazed the sensitive peak.
He did it again, only this time using the tip of his cold tongue. “I love when you say my name, Bella.”

I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t think; I was consumed by Edward and the way he made my body feel. It would

have been easy to black out by how aroused I was, but I couldn’t let myself miss out on any of this. I tangled
my fingers in his bronze hair while he licked and kissed down my stomach.
I couldn’t help the soft moan that escaped my lips when he pressed a firm kiss on the patch of skin between
my navel and the waist of my jeans. Shock filled me when he quickly undid the button and pulled down the

zipper, sliding the denim off my legs. My body was trembling when he pressed his fingers into the soft skin
of my inner thighs. I’d never expected him to do anything like this. I could feel his cool breath against my

heat, sending my heart into overdrive. He was so close to where I wanted him to be, while he licked and
kissed teasingly, pressing my knees apart with his shoulders.
“Edward… I… I…” I couldn’t form a sentence. I couldn’t tell him what I wanted. It was already too much.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, love; I want to try something.”
Of course, I listened to him. This beautiful god of a man had chosen me. My pulse was pounding in my ears
when he unclasped my bra, throwing it across the room. I had never been this undressed in front of him

before, but I loved every second of it. His persistent hands and fervent kisses melted away any insecurity I
had. It had been too long of being without him to bother myself with such details now.
He sat up and rested himself against the pillows before he pulled me onto his lap, my back against his chest.

My head fell to the side and he kissed my neck and shoulder, working his hands from my breasts down to
my stomach.
“Can I touch you, Bella?”
“You are touching me,” I choked out.
“Not where I want too,” he whispered into my ear.
Oh! The realization of what he wanted hit me hard, sending a tingling sensation down my spine. I nodded,

giving him the silent permission to do whatever he wanted.
The world fell away and the only thing real to me was Edward’s hand, falling lower to feel me through the

thin fabric of my panties. I cried out as his fingers clamped down on my sex, creating an exquisite friction
that I had never known before.
My hips arched into his hand instinctively, seeking a reprieve from the ache his kisses had caused. He
increased the pressure and worked his hand faster against me while his free hand found its way to my

breast, pinching the sensitive nub. I was racing with myself towards something, my breathing erratic, when
Edward licked the skin below my ear.
“Come for me, Bella,” His velvet voice demanded in the dark.
I threw my head back against his shoulder, my stomach tightening on the threshold of something
instinctive; needed. My body shuddered and I exploded; the pleasure shattering me and piecing me back

together all in one moment. I slumped down into Edward’s chest, trembling uncontrollably. I’d never
experienced euphoria like this before.
“Are you alright, love?”
Although completely unromantic, the only thing I could do was laugh. My nerve endings were still twitching

from the massive sensation overload I’d just endured. I brought his hand to my lips and kissed it, hoping he
would understand I couldn’t talk yet.
He wiped my hair away from my face and kissed my cheek. “I take it you enjoyed yourself, then.”
I nodded and took a few deep breaths, finding my voice again. “You have no idea. Where did you learn how

to do that?”

It was Edward’s turn to chuckle. “I can read minds. At school, I’m around teenagers all day, so ruled by

hormones. You can imagine the type of things they think about while surrounded by one another.”
I laughed and decided to fill him in on what I thought about all of this. “Well, both vampires and humans are

ruled by instinct. Your biggest instinct is to drink blood. A human’s primal instinct is survival. With my
weird little case aside, humans die, so they have an urge to pass on genetics. You don’t die so you don’t have

to worry about that.”
“Your logic makes sex seem completely unromantic, you know.”
I shook my head, “It is romantic. Sex is instinct, but who we choose to do that with is what makes the
difference. Sex and making love are two entirely different things. Like what we just did; you got nothing out

of it. Why did you do it?”
Edward tightened his arms around me. “I wanted to make you feel good. Knowing that you’re happy makes

me happy. You’re still human also; I can’t lose myself with something like that.”
“What do you mean?” I asked curiously.
Edward sighed, “If we were to be that close, I don’t think I could handle myself.”
I was beginning to understand, “So you might sink your teeth into something you didn’t mean too?”
Edward huffed, “No. I’m not worried about biting you. What I am worried about is losing control, even for a

few moments, and holding on a little too tightly. I could kill you.”
I giggled. That thought was completely incredulous to me. “And you say my logic makes sex seem

unromantic.”
“I’m serious, Bella. I can’t take any chances with you.”
A very ugly thought occurred to me. “So you and I will never be able to be intimate together?”
“Not unless you change.”
Change? I bit my lip at the thought of going through that, again. “I don’t know if I could handle that again,
Edward.”
He turned my face towards his and I could make out the furrow of his brow in the moonlight. “What do you
mean, Bella?”
How to explain this one? I’d give it a shot. “Before you were changed, we had this weird little connection.
We could feel what each other felt. It got stronger when we were apart. You mentioned it in your letters to

me, I’m sure you read, so you felt it too at some point. I felt when you got sick. I felt how hard it was on your
body. I also felt when Carlisle changed you. I was delirious with a burning pain throughout my body for

three days and I had no idea what was happening. I thought it was because of the flu; I’d read how vile the

disease was. But when the pain went away, I realized I could connect to your mind and I saw what had
happened. I’d never been able to actually get into your thoughts before, but after that I could. Anyway, I

know what it feels like to burn. I don’t think I could do it again willingly.”
Edward stood up quickly and flipped on a small lamp on one of the shelves. His face was contorted with an

emotion I couldn’t decipher. “Get dressed, Bella. We need to speak to Carlisle.”
***
“I know that you knew Edward had been changed; why did you never mention that you went through the
motions of being changed yourself?” Carlisle asked me as we sat in his office.
I was chewing on my lip, feeling like a child being interrogated. “I didn’t think it mattered. It was so long
ago and I’m still human. I obviously didn’t change.”

“But you did stop aging, Bella. I’ve never seen such an anomaly. I’ve been researching old legends and

rituals trying to figure out some cause for all of this. It leaves me completely baffled,” Carlisle said, resting
his chin on his hand. He looked tired, as if that were possible.
“I always assumed that it was because Edward and I were so connected while he was human,” I offered my
explanation.
Edward was still as stone next to me; most likely berating himself and twisting the pain I had went through
to be his fault. He was a martyr like that.
“What made you realize you weren’t aging?” Carlisle drew my attention back to him with his question.
“Well, it started when I shaved my legs actually. The hair never grew back. Then I cut the hair on my head,

just a few inches. It had always grown like weeds and it never grew again after that. I’m very thankful that I
figured that out before the whole flapper style of the 20’s came about. Then I realized that I was no longer

having a monthly cycle. I haven’t had one since May of 1918. I’ve also never been sick after that either.”
Carlisle nodded his head before asking, “This connection you had with Edward while he was human; did

you have to consciously connect to him or was it involuntary?”
I thought about that. There was only one difference. “The only time I never had to consciously do it was

when he was changing. I couldn’t make it stop or go away.”
Edward’s hand twined with mine and I looked up at him. He looked so melancholy. I didn’t want to make
him feel this way. Of course he was worth the pain. How could I have been so selfish and think I wouldn’t

endure the burning to be with him in every way possible? Nothing would ever keep me from him again.
Carlisle spoke again. “Bella, would you be alright with me taking a blood sample from you? I’d like to test

something.”
I was leery of blood to be quite honest. The thought of a needle piercing my skin made my stomach tighten

but I couldn’t say no. “Of course, Carlisle.”
“Edward, you might want to leave the room for this,” Carlisle said, walking over to a cabinet filled with

medical supplies.
“I really should leave; you know, just in case.” Edward whispered to me.
“I didn’t expect you to stay. I’m a big girl,” I said, trying to get him to smile.
It didn’t work. “I’ll be in my room,” he muttered, leaving me alone with Carlisle.
It wasn’t hard to forget that Edward was almost impossible to bring out of a bad mood. When he insisted
the issue at hand was his fault, it became fact for him. No matter what facts stared him in the face, showing

him that it wasn’t so, he’d still sulk until he felt he repented enough. It was one of the very few things that I

didn’t like about him.
Carlisle tried to make me as comfortable as possible when he retrieved the sample from a vein in the crease

of my elbow. “It doesn’t matter if I look away; I still know what you’re doing. Not only that, I can smell the
blood.”
I glared at Carlisle when he laughed at me. “Humans can’t smell blood, Bella.”
“I can! It overwhelms me.” I defended myself.
“In what way does it overwhelm you?” He asked curiously. I had a feeling this would go into my impromptu
medical chart.
“It’s not so much overwhelming as it is an aversion. I usually get sick,” I said, taking a deep breath from my
mouth. I really could smell the metallic tang of blood. It was disgusting. “So what are you going to look for?”

“I want to see if anything abnormal shows up in it. I’m also curious to see how it reacts to vampire venom.”
I understood him checking for abnormalities, but not the venom part. I asked him, confused. “Why the
venom? It’s human blood.”
Carlisle finished putting the bandage over my puncture wound and looked up at me; his honey eyes seemed
to be searching for something. “I had a theory that your cells rapidly renewed themselves and that is why

you’ve stopped aging. I thought maybe with that out of the way we could figure out the why. But with this
new information about your hair not growing and your lack of menstruating, I’m afraid that my theory is

implausible and we’re back at square one.”
“Oh,” I sighed, feeling like a science experiment. Maybe there was no scientific reason for me being, other

than the fact that I was tied to Edward; heart, body, and mind. I didn’t care, as long as I was with him.

EPOV
The elation of being with Bella was the highlight of my existence. To hold this soft, warm, beautiful girl in

my arms made the monotony of the last ninety years fade instantly. Giving her pleasure in any way that I
could made me the happiest that I could ever remember being.
But that was marred now. To know that she had burned along side me; it was a pain too much to bear. I

would kill anything that harmed Bella, but what could I do when it was I who had caused this harm? She
was a selfless creature and wouldn’t understand the inner turmoil that the pain she endured by loving me

had created inside my chest. I pounded my fists against my thighs in frustration. Nothing about this was
fair; especially not for her.
Knowing Carlisle; he wouldn’t stop until he figured this anomaly out. I was uneasy over the way that he
controlled his thoughts after she had told him what had happened so long ago. Carlisle had flinched and

started repeating the periodic tables. He knew I would question him but something told me that my
explanation would only come when he was sure.
How easily distraught I could become over Bella.
The infamous Chicago wind blew Bella’s hair into a wild mess and left a blush on her cheeks. How incredibly

fitting it was to have the day of her departure to be uncharacteristically cold and grey. The weather matched
my heart, as I watched my love standing on the stoop of her family’s townhouse, prepared to leave for the train

station. She was leaving for New York against her will and she was taking the best part of me with her.
“Don’t cry, love. It’s only for a little while. July will be here before you know it and you’ll be back here with me,”

I spoke calmly, trying to soothe her tears. It broke me inside to know she was hurting.
“It won’t come soon enough,” she choked out, pressing her face into the lapel of my overcoat.
My hand reached into my pocket and my fingers clasped around the charm that my mother had given me. She

knew that Bella and I were nothing without one another. “I have something to give you.”
“What?” She looked up into my eyes, her own watering and wide with pain. I never wanted to see that look on

her face again.
I took a deep breath and pulled the heart out of my pocket, turning Bella to clasp it around her neck. I

smoothed out her hair and kissed her shoulder before she spun to face me again. “Edward, it’s beautiful.”
I smiled at her minute happiness. “It’s not as beautiful as you are, but it’ll do until I have a ring for your finger.”
The smile that I was hoping for twitched on her lips. “I love you, Edward; forever.”

“As I love you, Bella; always, every day, every minute.” I held this girl in my arms, breathing in her scent,

wanting to remember every detail about her. It was going to be a very long three months until she was with
me again.
Bella’s mother rolled the window down on the car parked on the street. “Isabella, we have to leave if we’re
going to make the train.”
My love nodded and turned back to me, placing an urgent kiss on my lips. I held her flush against me and her
arms wrapped around my neck. It wasn’t moral to share something so private on a busy Chicago street but

neither of us cared. It was our goodbye, if only for a little while. I would take what I could get, hoping it was
enough to tie me over until I saw her again.
Too soon, she pulled away, leaving me cold in the absence of her body against mine. She grabbed the heart in
her small hand and gave me a trembling smile. “Forever.”
“Forever,” I repeated in a whisper.
I stood there rooted to the spot, as I watched my love get into her father’s car. She stared out the back window,

pain adorning her features. I watched the car pull away, my heart shattering a little with every inch put
between us. A single tear slid down my cheek and I brushed it away quickly, comforting myself with the

thought that she would be back by the summer. Once I saw her again, she would never have to leave me.
My newest memory winked out; leaving that awful ache that only Bella could cure in my chest. How naïve
we were to speak of forever when we knew not the meaning behind it. I didn’t care why Bella never again

aged. As long as I walked this eternity with her at my side, it didn’t matter.
Just getting a taste of her.
Seeing her face in the midst of the ecstasy that I had given her.
Earning her smiles and knowing she was happy.
She was worth my pain. She was worth everything.
My misconception that I was whole and complete within myself was nothing more than an illusion.
The truth of all this settled into every fiber of my being.
I would be nothing without her now. I never was anything without her.

~*~~*~~*~

Chapter Nine

BPOV
Monday morning was dreary and unbelievably cold as I got ready to go back to Forks High with a new

family. I was more than ecstatic that I was taking my place with the rest of the Cullen’s but there was
something to mar this experience for me. I had learned very quickly that Carolyn and Harry were

prominent citizens in Forks and Carolyn was friends with a lot of the mother’s of kids that attended the
high school. I felt like I was getting ready to walk through a mine field, having left the Johnston’s home

Saturday only to be back with the Cullen’s by Monday. It left a knot in my stomach that wouldn’t go away no

matter how hard I tried.
I was in the bathroom brushing my teeth when Edward came in. “Are you nervous?”
I shrugged my shoulders, opting for nonchalance. I was a better liar that way. “Not really. I’m prepared for
people to say things but they’ll just have to deal with it I guess.”

Edward kissed the top of my head and smiled, “Yes, they will. If it gets too out of hand, I’ll know.” He tapped

his forehead.
I smiled, the toothpaste lather dripping on my chin. I blushed a little. “Do vampires brush their teeth? I’m

honestly curious.”
Edward chuckled lightly and grabbed the extra toothbrush in the holder, “Watch.”
I continued rinsing my mouth out and looked up at him expectantly as he put the bristles against his perfect
teeth. He gently stroked back and forth a few times and handed me the results.
“You killed it, Edward!” I said in mock horror. All but a few of the bristles were frayed and split off. I
realized just how sharp his teeth really were.
He laughed before spitting out the severed bristles. “My teeth are very sharp obviously, and our venom
breaks down anything that may get left behind unlike your saliva.”
“I’m sure it helps that you’re on a strictly liquid diet,” I offered my two cents.
Edward allowed that, “It might have something to do with it.”
Edward, Jasper, Alice, and I were all riding in the Volvo while Emmett and Rosalie took the Jeep because
with one extra person, the Volvo wouldn’t accommodate everyone anymore. Jasper noticed my

apprehension when we parked and some of the students, Jessica, Mike, and Angela included, stared at me.
“Calm down, Bella; they’re just curious. They might talk for a week and then something new will grab their
attention.” Jasper tried to reassure me without actually calming me down with his gift to control emotions.
“He’s right, Bella. I know this,” Alice smiled, tapping the space between her brows indicating her ‘third eye’.
I sighed, “I’ll be fine. This is just new to me. I’m used to being a wallflower, not the center of everyone’s

attention.”
We all got out of the car and started our ascent towards the high school. Edward surprised me by taking my

hand in his, squeezing it gently. “Jessica already filled them in on what went down over the weekend.
Apparently her mother and Carolyn are good friends. Not to mention her aunt works at the hospital and

heard Carlisle talking about his new ward.”
“Great,” I grumbled. People should just rename Forks to Gossip Central. I smiled a little, knowing that there

were still a few secrets in this town; myself and the man holding my hand included.
“She’s going to corner you and try to get the details. Apparently the fact that you now live with us and that I

am holding your hand is making her suspicious. She wants to know if we’re dating and if I talked Carlisle
into taking you on.”
It was nice to be with someone who could give you a play by play of the goings on in other people’s minds. I

chewed my lip and asked, “Oh, that’s a tough one. What should I tell her?”
Edward’s eyes darkened a little and a devilish grin spread across his face. “I don’t care what anyone thinks.

You’re mine.”
I gasped when he pressed his lips to mine right there in front of everyone. I kissed him back, lost in the

taste of his lips. He’d only kissed me like this alone and the fact that he was doing it in front of everyone
made my heart soar. He was totally marking his territory. It was sexy, for lack of a better word. Emmett and

Rosalie snickered behind us and Edward pulled away, leaving my lips oddly warm.
“I thought I’d have to turn the hose on you two.” Emmett laughed.
“Shush, Emmett; you ruined my moment,” I pouted sarcastically.

“Come on, Bells. It’s not like you don’t have lots of time ahead of you to test Edward’s boundaries,” Emmett

said, shooting me a knowing smile.
I felt my cheeks turn a brilliant shade of scarlet at his implications. Of course they heard me while Edward

and I explored our newfound intimacy. Stellar it is, that vampire hearing. I’d have to find a dark corner to
crawl into.
“Don’t mind him, Bella.” Edward hugged me against his chest.
Emmett scoffed, “Ain’t no shame in getting some long overdue lovin’.”
“Emmett! – Don’t embarrass her,” Rosalie chided him. I was surprised that she had my back.
“I was just having a little fun. Everyone around here needs to lighten up a bit. The ambience in this family

can be so oppressive,” Emmett shook his head.
“Wow! – Emmett just used two big words in a sentence. I think hell might be freezing over this very

second,” Jasper laughed.
“Oh, yeah, laugh at the big guy. I do have a brain, you know.”
Jasper patted his shoulder, “Aw, Em, we know you have a brain… now.”
Emmett shoved Jasper’s hand away, “Below the belt, dude.”
I giggled, “Come on, Em; weren’t you just saying everyone needed to lighten up a bit? It’s all in good fun.”
“Bella one; Emmett zero,” Alice smiled.
Before Emmett could respond, the bell rang to signal us to get to class. Edward gave me a quick kiss and

squeezed my hand, “You’ll be alright. I’ll see you at lunch.”
I nodded and walked off to class, waiting for the tirade of questions that was sure to come.
Jessica Stanley was relentless. “How in the hell did you manage to move in with the Cullen’s and snag
Edward, the eternal bachelor, all in one weekend?”
I bit my tongue at how rude she could be. I wanted to smack her a little and say that it was a very long
process, drawn out over ninety years, but I couldn’t. So I opted for a one word answer, hoping she would

get the hint that I didn’t really want to discuss it. “Fate.”
I seriously considered telling her that journalism might be a good career choice for her as she rolled her

eyes and asked another question, ignoring my reluctance. “That doesn’t help. I didn’t even know you were
close enough to them to get a slot in the house of Cullen. How did you make such an impression?”
I sighed, “I don’t know, Jess. Alice and I were pretty good friends and I spent a lot of time over there. The
reason the Johnston’s didn’t work out is because apparently I spent too much time with her. Maybe the

Cullen’s just felt guilty about it, blaming themselves that I no longer had a home and decided to take me on.

It’s not like it’s a new thing for them to have foster children.”
She seemed a little more appeased by that answer but she kept right on asking another question anyway.

“Fair enough; but what about Edward?”
“We just clicked I guess.” She would never possibly understand how big of an understatement that was.
Jessica laughed lowly, “Well, it all works out now. He’s no longer the fifth wheel in the sibling department.
Now he has someone.”
I caught a hint of something bitter in her statement. I almost felt sorry for her as I realized that Edward
must have turned her down at some point. The woman part of me roared in triumph but the other part of

me sympathized with her. I’m sure it wouldn’t be easy to be turned down by the most gorgeous man that

ever walked the earth. Knowing Edward, he had done it in a nice way.
Jessica didn’t fail me as far as spreading around the story of how I ended up with the Cullen’s. I was

thankful for the gossip for once. Edward had heard my ‘cover story’ that I had given Jessica and went along
with it when a few of the braver students had questioned him about me. It was hilarious to think that

anyone was terrified of talking to Edward. I humored myself with imagining how I would react to the
Edward of today if I were actually seventeen and had never known who he was when he still had a pulse. I

wondered if I would still be as drawn to him as I had been the first moment we met. Most definitely, I
concluded to myself.
“I bet I could make a better pizza than that slimy crap you’re ingesting right now,” Emmett said as he
watched me eat my lunch.
It made me a little self conscious to be eating in front of five people who seemed fascinated that I actually
ate the food on my tray. Being the only human among vampires was an interesting thing to get used too. “I

bet you couldn’t.”
“I like bets. I will make an awesome pizza. The best you ever had.” Emmett nodded his head at the

challenge.
“I highly doubt that, Emmett. I lived in both Chicago and New York City. They’re both renowned for making
fantastic pizza,” I said cockily.
“Edward, I think we may need to pick up a fire extinguisher before we go home if Emmett is going to be
using the stove. I see a lot of smoke coming out of his decision,” Alice said with a serious expression.
“I can see what you see, Alice. I’ll make sure we get one before he gets anywhere near the kitchen,” Edward
said, giving me a sly wink.
I caught on quickly. They were just messing with Emmett, but the look on his face was worth it. The big oaf
looked a little nervous. I suddenly couldn’t wait to get home and watch him.
Biology was laughable. Edward and I, being lab partners, had to identify certain plant cells using a
microscope. I had been doing the lab since the seventies and Edward had a photographic memory. We

timed each other on who could name them the fastest. I won by two seconds but I had a feeling that he just
did that out of being a gentleman.
Edward and I were sitting in companionable silence, just staring into one another’s eyes when his iris’s
suddenly darkened and his lip curled a bit. It alarmed me. “What’s wrong?”
“The little tike Mike Newton is having very… unclean thoughts about you. I don’t like it.” Edward

whispered.
I giggled and whispered back, “Maybe you should just pee on me and mark your territory.”
My giggles grew a little harder as Edward stared at me with a horrified expression. I thought I would die
from laughing when he said in all seriousness, “Bella, I can’t pee.”
I couldn’t help but to razz him a little bit. “So you’re saying you would pee on me if you could?”
Edward’s face scrunched into a dumbfounded expression, “No… I mean… I…. No.”
I rocked with laughter and Edward’s mouth broke into a grin as he caught up with me. I looked up to sneak
a peek at Mike but Mr. Banner was standing next to our table, glaring down at Edward and me. “I hate to

break up this little laugh fest, but are you two finished by any chance?”
“Yes we are,” Edward chimed in, handing Mr. Banner our paper. My cheeks were on fire, embarrassingly

enough.

Mr. Banner scanned our paper and saw that our answers were correct and said, “Please be considerate of

the other students in this class who aren’t finished. No distractions.”
I turned to look at Edward when Mr. Banner walked away. He was shaking his head. “Bella, you’d think

after so many years you would know how to be subordinate in a classroom.”
I scowled at him but it quickly turned into a smile when he shot me his crooked grin and patted my knee. It

only took a touch from him to send a jolt through me. “Wait until tonight, love.” He whispered, putting his
hands back on the table.
I was glad for once, that gym was my next class and didn’t require much concentration because his little
statement was more than enough to keep me distracted.
Emmett wasn’t lying when we got home and went straight to work, googling authentic pizza recipes and
pulling ingredients out of the cupboards at a fast pace. I sat on one of the barstools at the kitchen island and

watched him. I was impressed by his one track mind and furious determination to do something nice for
me. Emmett didn’t like to lose.
I finished my homework with Edward while we simultaneously watched Emmett spin the dough in his
hands. I knew he’d be good at it, being a vampire and all. Edward surprised me by questioning me about the

past. “Do you remember my mother well?”
I smiled, opening the gates of my memory. Elizabeth Masen was one of the fondest I had. “She was beautiful
first and foremost. I don’t just mean physically, although she was, it was more like her soul just radiated

good and it showed on the outside.”
Edward’s eyes looked wistful for a moment before they glazed over with sadness. “I just remember feeling

comfortable around her and I know that I could tell her everything.”
“She knew everything anyway. You probably got your little talent from her.” It seemed more than possible

to me.
“Carlisle believes that I was perceptive to others thoughts while human and that ability was enhanced

during my change.”
“Well you were a little bit, just not so much with me,” I smiled at him smugly. “But I still think your mother

passed something on to you. It was like she could see the depth in people and could tell you all about it.”
Edward wore a look of confusion. “What happened to make you believe that?”
He always went straight for the jugular when asking questions. I shrugged and went into the explanation
about what Elizabeth had said about Edward and me. I explained how she almost looked crazed, telling me

how we were tied to each other. “So maybe she knew this was going to happen. Maybe she could see that

we were so complete with one another that our life depended on each other’s survival. I can’t explain all of
this any better my self.”
Edward took my hand in his and said with as much reverence as his mother had, “I know now that I could
never live in a world where you don’t exist. I’ve realized why I’ve walked through this life alone, never

taking any of the offers laid out before me. I know now why sometimes I would become docile with
loneliness, aching for something out of my reach. I’ve always been connected to you but I just never knew

it.”
My heart warmed and I rested my head against his shoulder. It was incredible, just being as we were in this

moment. He was content, as was I, and I finally let myself fall head first into the fact that he wasn’t going
anywhere. Edward needed me as much as I needed him. This was real and true and right. I felt like I was

going to burst with the solace that knowing this brought me.
“Okay, kid; pizza is finished. Back off my brother while you’re at it. He bites,” Emmett grinned at me.

The literal undertone in his statement paired with Edward’s growl sent me into a fit of laughter. Emmett

growled back playfully and said to me, “He’s nothing but a punk when it comes to a fight; the little bitch
cheats.”
Edward’s face contorted and for a moment he truly looked like a vampire to me. Emmett tensed up as
Edward hurled himself over the kitchen island, knocking Emmett to the ground. There were smacks and

growls and snarls before Jasper, Alice, and Rosalie came in to watch with me. Emmett’s brute strength and
Edward’s agility balanced out the fight. My self and the other’s were laughing as Edward grabbed the pizza

Emmett had so diligently prepared for me and shoved a handful of it into Emmett’s face.
“Damn, baby; you wear human food well,” Rosalie whooped, doubled over in laughter.
Emmett scowled and grabbed a handful of goopy cheese and flung it at her with precision, landing right in
the cleavage of her blouse.
Alice cracked up, “Nice aim, Emmett!”
Rosalie looked downright vicious as she opened the refrigerator and grabbed the carton of eggs, flinging

one at Alice.
“Damn it, Rosalie! – I got this shirt on back order! You ruined it!” The little pixie wailed, sloughing off the

gooey yolk from her shirt.
“Not so funny when it’s you,” Jasper said to her smugly, apparently trying to stay neutral in this fiasco.
I knew what was coming. Alice pelted him with an egg, before Edward got one in the back of the head from

Rose. I decided to stay out of the way and grabbed my messenger bag to use it as a shield before backing
into a corner. Never in my life would I have considered I’d see vampires flinging human food at each other.

Edward had told me it was repulsive to them but it didn’t seem so as the pantry and refrigerator were
savagely stripped bare by each of them.
“Children! – what on earth are you doing?” Esme looked horrified, seeing the demolition zone that was now
her kitchen.
Alice rubbed flour out of her eye, “We’re discovering the hidden joys of human food.”
“I see that. I expect you all to behave like adults and get this mess cleaned up before Carlisle gets home,”

Esme said sternly, making all of them look like scolded, particularly dirty children.
“Sorry, Ma; Edward started it,” Emmett pouted through the pizza sauce and flour on his face.
Before I could warn her, I noticed the slimy egg yolk that had somehow made its way to one of the ceiling
beams in the kitchen, fall towards her. She stiffened when it made contact with her left shoulder and she

took a peak out of the corner of her eye. She grimaced first and then burst into giggles with the rest of us.

“Seriously, though; clean up your mess.”
Esme walked off and Emmett turned to me, “Sorry about the pizza, Bella. I guess I’ll have to try this again

some other time when Little Miss Pansy Ass isn’t present.” He motioned to Edward.
I smiled, “No, Emmett; even without tasting it, it was the best pizza ever.”
“You mean it?” He beamed.
“Absolutely! - especially when your face is covered with it.”
I sat at the dining room table and waited for the five of them to finish cleaning. It was fascinating, seeing
them blur around the kitchen, leaving cleanliness in their wake. There were definitely perks to being a

vampire. It would have taken me all afternoon to do what they did in ten minutes.

Everyone went to their respective wash rooms to clean up, Edward included, while I waited for him on the

bed and ate a lunch meat sandwich. The thought of his naked body in the shower assaulted my mind and I
was suddenly very glad that he wasn’t able to read it. But you can read his, I said to myself.
It felt intrusive to get inside of Edward’s head when I had no reason to do it other than my own curiosity.
My breath caught when visions of me with him in the shower entered into my mind. I realized that these

weren’t my thoughts but his. A confidence that I never knew I could muster washed over me and I started
to tear off my clothes as quickly as I could. I lightly pushed the bathroom door open and walked on the balls

of my feet across the cold tile to the shower stall. It was foggy from the hot water and I could make out the
outline of his perfect body through the glass enclosure. I breathed in deeply and opened the door, stepping

inside.
Edward whirled around to face me and quickly grabbed a wash cloth to cover him self. “Bella, what are you

doing in here?”
I bit my bottom lip and took a step towards him, closing the gap between us. “You saw me, I want to see

you. Fair is fair.”
He looked so innocent for a few seconds and I saw the old Edward that I knew; the Edward who wasn’t so

sure of himself. It made my heart ache and made me happy, all in one moment. “Can I touch you, Edward?” I

mimicked his question to me from the first night we had spent together.
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Bella.” His voice was strangled and breathless.
“You’re lying, Edward. Do you forget what I can do?” I asked devilishly. He did want me to touch him. I
wouldn’t deny this beautiful god of a man anything.
I pressed my breasts against his chest and ran my hand down his flawless stomach. I found his lips and
traced my tongue around them, tasting him. Nothing was better than Edward. I blushed slightly when I felt

his body react to me and he froze. “We shouldn’t do this, Bella.”
“There are many things in life that one shouldn’t do, but we do them anyway,” I whispered into his ear

while my hand wrapped around his length. Never once had I ever thought I would be so forward sexually
with Edward. Maybe it was need, maybe it was the fact that I had been away from him for so long. Being

with him was real; it made me real. I craved him.
“Bella…” my name was a strangled groan that escaped his lips as I worked my hand around him, hoping it

was right. I had been at his mercy, now I wanted nothing more than for him to be at mine.
“I love you,” I said breathlessly. I was vibrating with lust, my body calling to him to make me whole, to

complete me. I wanted him.
“We can’t,” Edward said, but he didn’t pull away from me. He was battling internally with him self over
doing the right thing. I listened to his thoughts to understand the reasoning behind his ludicrous idea that

we couldn’t be together. He didn’t want to hurt me. We weren’t married. He didn’t know what to expect. He
didn’t know if he could please me. All of these notions running through his mind weren’t good enough for

me.
“Remember our conversation about teenage hormones, Edward? I’ve been stuck in a seventeen year old

human body for ninety years with no reprieve. Can we just try?” I was desperate now.
“It’s too fast, Bella.”
My body shut down in an instant and I backed away from him. I knew it was irrational to be hurt by what
he said, but I was. It wasn’t too fast for me. It was long overdue for me. I wasn’t oblivious to him all this

time. I knew who he was and I knew what we had. He was the reason for me being alive in a century that I
didn’t belong in.

“What’s wrong?” He asked me.
“Nothing; it’s too fast,” I muttered bitterly, stepping out of the shower as quickly as I could. I grabbed a
towel and tripped over the rug, catching myself on the counter. It was bad enough to be rejected but even

worse for the klutz in me to act up in a moment like this. I wanted to crawl under the covers and pretend
none of this had happened. After putting on a fresh t-shirt and underwear, that’s exactly what I did.

EPOV
Hot and cold. I had no other explanation for what had happened in the shower with Bella. One minute she
was the sexiest being in the world, the next, she was retreating away from me as quickly as she could. I

hated the look on her face. She looked… hurt. I tried to think back over what I had said, what I had done, to
offend her so deeply. My mind came up blank and when I went to talk to her about it, she was halfway

asleep under the covers. I didn’t want to disturb her and make her more upset with me. It was torture
beyond reason to know that I had displeased her in any form. I had to fix this, whatever it was.
I sat on the leather sofa and watched her sleep. Her brow puckered and lips pouted and I was irritated with
my self, not being able to read her mind and know what she was dreaming. She had mumbled in her sleep

the last two nights but it was never anything I could make out. I wished I could tell her how she was

everything and that I was sorry, though I didn’t know what for. I felt disgusted with my self.
Edward, could you please come to my study? There’s something I would like you to see.
Carlisle had beckoned me and I went to his study, throwing a last glance at Bella over my shoulder. I would
make it right when she woke. I found Carlisle hunched over his desk with his microscope on the table.
We seem to have a problem, Edward.
“What is it, Carlisle?” He looked worn, the way he had when Bella explained her story to him.
She can’t be changed. It’s all opposite.
“What do you mean?” Bella was human after all. It shouldn’t matter how old her blood is. Venom always

reacted to human blood.
Carlisle motioned towards the microscope and I took a peek, gasping at what I saw. It was neutralizing it. I

looked up at Carlisle in silent question.
Everyone else’s, also. I don’t want to test yours; you may be too tied to her for it to be safe for you.
I looked at the six slides of Bella’s blood mixed with my family’s venom. All six showed the same thing. “I’ve
never heard of anything like this. Have you?”
Carlisle shrugged his shoulders and old memories of his flitted about quickly before landing on the one that

seemed connected to the situation we were presented with. It was an old legend he had heard about while
staying in Italy.
Diligo Cruor Vomica, Carlisle sighed internally.
I shook my head vehemently as he rehashed the old tale in his mind. This couldn’t be possible, but I

couldn’t deny it either.

~*~~*~~*~

Chapter Ten

BPOV
I woke to the unfamiliar sight of the sun shining through Edward’s window. I glared at it. I was in no mood
for sunshine and smiles. Pretending last night didn’t happen wasn’t working. I had dreamt about it all night

and it was my waking thought, aside from the sun’s assault. I thought the clouds would at least have my
back and make the world match my mood.
I stretched and threw the covers off of me, noticing that Edward wasn’t lying beside me like he had been
the last few nights. Of course not. Why would he? I sighed and scanned my eyes around the room, stopping

on him. He was here, just on the couch. Smart boy. I cocked my head away from him and set my jaw
stubbornly. Maybe I wasn’t being fair, but he hurt me. I wanted to whine like a child, ‘what about me!?’ but I

didn’t. I’d brood. It seemed like the best option.
I could see him stand in my peripheral vision, hesitating to walk towards me. He knew I wasn’t happy.

Good. “Bella, love; may I sit next to you?”
It shocked me a little that he was asking permission to get near me. Maybe my ‘mad face’ was working

better than I intended it too. I smiled inside a little. “Sure,” I said, my voice sounding nonchalant.
He took a seat next to me and put his arm around my shoulder, only to drop it immediately when he

noticed I stiffened. I glared at his anguished face. “What did I do, Bella? I can’t bear you being angry with

me!”
Oh… no… he…. didn’t. I stood up quickly, adrenaline and anger helping me keep my balance, and I shoved

my finger into his chest. “You… you, can’t bear me being angry? Let me tell you something, Edward. I have
known you my whole life, minus the seventeen years before we met. I have loved you and wanted you for

the better part of ninety years, and you have the audacity to tell me it’s too fast! There is nothing that’s too
fast about this for me. That hurt. Yet here you sit, saying you can’t bear my anger. Selfish much?”
I could feel the blush coloring my cheeks and the angry tears welling in my eyes. Edward looked stricken,
and of course, I started to feel guilty over my outburst. I could never stay mad at him. I felt my defenses

weakening when he said, “I’m sorry, love. I didn’t realize you felt so strongly about things like this.”
Screw feeling guilty. “No, Edward. I don’t feel strongly. I’ve just lost the ability to die like a normal human

for no reason. I’ve lost the ability to have a husband and children and live a normal life, watching the years
pass, changing me like they should have because I don’t feel anything. If I didn’t feel so damn strongly, I

wouldn’t be here having this conversation with you. How could you not have realized how strongly finally
finding you after being so goddamn alone for so long would affect me?”
Cold iron arms wrapped around me and I was cradled to his stone chest. The pain that had flashed in his

now dark ochre eyes wasn’t something I was prepared to see. I knew that sadness. I knew how much it took
to look that way. The shame for letting my mouth get ahead of me was searing, on top of finally verbalizing

how hard it was to live this lie so long alone. I wanted to take my words back and kiss away the pain on
Edward’s face. He’d make it his fault. He was as innocent as I was in this situation, but he always found a

way to bear the burden. “Edward, I’m sorry. This, being here with you, makes the last ninety years seem
like nothing. I’m sorry I said those things. I was angry.”
“It’s only the truth, Bella.” Edward said his voiced laced with melancholy.
I sighed into his chest, “Please don’t find a way to make this your fault. I know that you’re overly sensitive

and all that, but there is no blame to pin on anyone. If loving you is what did this, I’d gladly do it again.”
“Would you?” His voice was doubtful.
“Without a second thought. In fact, I’ve been thinking about it. There really is no reason for me to stay
human, and if it’s an obstacle for us, I want to be changed.”

Edward stiffened, “I can’t change you, Bella.”
I nodded, “I know that, Edward. I can’t imagine what my blood would do to you if you actually tasted it. I
was thinking maybe Carlisle could do it, since he has so much experience.”
“You don’t understand,” he sighed into my hair, sending a shiver down my spine from his cold breath.
“Then make me understand, Edward,” I said, pulling my head up to look him in the eyes. They were

guarded and worried. It left me feeling uneasy.
He looked into my eyes for a few moments, searching for something. My stomach was in knots when he

finally spoke. “Carlisle tested your blood, seeing how it reacted to venom.”
My heart accelerated. “What did he find?”
“Your blood neutralizes our venom, Bella.”
“Okay; that means what?”
“It neutralizes our venom, making it obsolete. It breaks it down and basically turns it into water, killing the
effects it has. But that isn’t all; if one of us ingested your blood, even a mouth full, we would die. We need

venom to survive just like a human needs blood to survive. It’s basically poison to us.”
I struggled to get out of his arms. “Edward, that’s incredulous. My blood is just that, blood. Why would it kill

a vampire?”
Edward shook his head. “Carlisle is doing some research. He has an idea about what might be going on and
he’s looking further into it.”
My legs felt shaky and I sat down on the ground. This was totally unexpected. Of course, we never truly
want something until we can’t have it anymore. I was content with my humanity and now, knowing that it

was impossible to be changed, I never wanted to be a vampire more. “What’s his idea? I have a right to
know.”
Edward sat down on the floor next to me and rubbed soothing circles down my back. “Diligo Cruor
Vomica… roughly translated means, ‘Lover’s Blood Curse’.”
“Sounds lovely,” I said sarcastically. “What’s this curse?”
“Carlisle is trying to find the whole story. He heard whispers about it when he spent time in Italy before he

came to America. It’s like an old Vampire legend that seems to be true in our case. Kind of like how humans
connect with mythology. To make a long story short, two humans fall in love and are so interconnected that

if one is changed into a vampire, it ties the other to life. The lover that is still human possesses blood that
calls to her lover above all others. The catch is her blood is imminent death to all vampires, including her

lover. When he drinks it, he dies, as does she, because neither can live without the life force of the other.”
I shuddered. Love was supposed to be warm and fuzzy and happy. It was supposed to bring two people
together to live their lives as partners, as lovers; not this. There was no happy ending for us. No beginning.

Nothing was good. I was damned to the frailties of being human, while he was damned with a thirst for me
above all others. Maybe we were breaking the mold, with him being controlled. Maybe this curse would

wear down his control. Maybe, maybe, maybe… there were too many possibilities. I felt like vomiting. We
never had a chance. “This is just… fucked up; for lack of a better phrase.”
“We’ll be alright, Bella. We’re here together and that’s all that matters.”
I laughed bitterly, “I guess this solves the problem of whether or not I should be changed.”
Edward pulled me onto his lap. “I didn’t want you to change anyway. I’ve grown attached to your blushes.”

I knew he was just trying to make me feel better. I wanted him to make me feel better. “Will this curse

cause my scent to be too much for you eventually?”
Edward sighed, “Carlisle is trying to figure that out. As for now, I can assure you that it isn’t.”
I started to cry into his chest, wanting this thought to go away. I wanted all of this to go away. I wanted to
find a time capsule and go back to April of 1918 and persuade Edward to come to New York with me. I

wanted to wake up from this nightmare and find myself in his warm human arms. Like I said, you never
want something as bad as you do when it’s no longer possible. “I just got you back.”
Edward’s arms tightened around me. “I know that it seems I haven’t had to wait as long, theoretically, but I
won’t ever let you go.”
“Why is everything always against us? Are we not allowed happiness in this existence?” I questioned him. I
felt like smashing my fist into something hard. I wanted to get this bitterness out of me.
“Bella, love; don’t let this distract you from the present. I’m not going to drink from you. I don’t care if I
have to hunt everyday and hire Emmett as your personal bodyguard. I will not give in.” I looked into his

eyes and saw no hint of doubt. Even as human, when he set his mind to something, he came through with it.
That hadn’t changed.
I wanted to immerse my self into anything that would get this off of my mind, even if it was only for a little

while. That was still an option. “Is everyone else home today?”
“The sun is out, so no school for us Cullens. Everyone went hunting near Oregon.”
“Why, Oregon?”
“The bears are starting to wake up. Emmett has had this planned for about a month now. Today seemed

like the perfect day. They’ll be back around dusk.”
“Didn’t a bear almost kill Emmett when he was human?” I inquired. I was pretty sure it resulted in his being

changed.
Edward smiled, “Yes, one did. He’s also had a personal vendetta against bears ever since.”
I laughed a little, letting the weight of hearing about the curse lift off my shoulders. We had the advantage,
we knew what would happen if things went too far. Even if it became too much and he did succumb to my

blood, I wanted to make the time we had left worth while. If I had learned anything throughout my life, it
was to enjoy the time I still had with those I loved. And I loved him above everything else. “So, Edward;

what do you want to do today?”
He smiled at me, satisfied that I was taking the initiative to get out of the gloom I was in. “There is a place I

would like to show you. A surprise perhaps, unless you’re invading my thoughts at the moment,” he

smirked at me. “We could go there if you would like. We haven’t actually got to go anywhere outside of
school and this house. The weather is a little warmer so it should be pleasant for you.”
I smiled at him, letting him know that I wasn’t being intrusive. “I’m guessing this place is outside. Give me a
few minutes and let me get dressed,” I said, standing up to get some clothes.
“I’ll leave you to yourself then. Meet me downstairs when you’ve finished will you?” Edward gave me that
crooked grin that always melted my heart.
“Of course,” I mumbled, looking through the clothes in the closet. Alice must have donated a few things
because I’d never owned anything from Versace before. I grabbed the artfully faded jeans and a brown V

neck sweater and headed off to the bathroom.

I washed my face and brushed my teeth before I got dressed. My hair was in shambles due to me going to

bed with wet hair the previous night so I just pulled it back into a ponytail to keep it under control. I looked
in the mirror and studied my face for a moment, the face that hadn’t changed in almost a century.
I was plain, nothing special. How is it that I held the key to kill vampires in my blood? I remembered
thinking that Edward’s vampirism was a curse when I realized what had happened to him. Little did I know

that he was cursed; as was I. Ignorance is bliss. I would have loved to be one of the few who had no idea
about fables and magic and curses. Normalcy sounded wonderful. Humanity sounded wonderful even more

so. Neither of us deserved this. Atheism wasn’t an option for me; there really was a higher power, even if it
was trying to destroy me.
Edward was waiting in the foyer for me, a small back pack in his hand. I raised my eyebrow and he said, “I
figured you might get hungry eventually.”
I smiled, “Don’t go being thoughtful now; I might fall further for you than what I already have.”
“It’s my way of apologizing beforehand.”
“What will you need to apologize for?” I asked.
He didn’t answer me with words, but with action. He grabbed my wrist and effortlessly flung me over his

back, my legs wrapping around his torso. I clutched his shoulders and gritted my teeth as he bolted,

running so fast that there was no sensation of movement. The world was a blur of green and dark as he
pushed our way through the forest. I was drunk with speed and my heart was pounding but I had complete

trust in Edward. He would never let anything like a tree hurt me. If we were to hit anything at this velocity,
the only thing getting hurt would be whatever was in his way.
I had no sense of time as I closed my eyes, feeling the wind caress its self through my hair and sting my face
a little. It was peaceful. Running gave Edward joy and he was sharing it with me. I ate it up.
Edward spoke before I noticed the delicious breeze had stopped. “We’re here, love.”
I opened my eyes and looked around, taking in a sharp breath. This place was familiar to me yet so very

foreign. It was a meadow, sprawling out before us. Spring had touched here and the small buds of flowers
and the blue grass blowing in the small gusts of wind gave off a sweet smell mixed with the musky scent of

the fresh earth. It was untouched here, tucked away from civilization. It was beautiful and perfect and so
very Edward. I was instantly reminded of the wild and overgrown courtyard at his parent’s house back in

the outskirts of Chicago. “This is beautiful, Edward. I love it already.”
“This place is my escape. It’s soothing and far enough away from people that I don’t hear any thoughts

other than the one’s I conjure myself. It’s a piece of serenity in my overly crowded mind.”
Although I could relate to hearing one person’s thoughts, I could not relate to hearing literally everyone’s.
How unbearably loud a rape that would be. I’d have a constant headache. “I’m glad that you brought me

here, Edward. It’s perfect.”
“I’m afraid it pales in comparison to you, love.” Edward gazed into my eyes and I saw a hint of vulnerability.

How silly he was, to think there was even the slightest chance that I wouldn’t love anything he had to offer.
“Does this bother you?” He asked hesitantly, holding out his hand for me.
I was confused. “Does what bother me?”
Edward sighed and rolled the sleeve up on his sweater, showing more of his skin that sparkled in the

sunlight’s kiss. “Does my unnaturalness not disgust you?”
His self loathing tore at my heart. He didn’t have a choice. Carlisle had made it for him. His beauty was

staggering, even if it was unnatural. I met his gaze again and tried to put as much conviction into my eyes as

I could while shaking my head. “I love you, Edward. Forever,” I echoed my words from years ago, knowing

that they were nothing short of truth now. “No matter what you’re skin looks like in the sun, or what your
diet consists of, you are mine and I love you no less.”
“I love you too, Bella; always, even when I couldn’t remember you. My heart never forgot,” The relief and
intensity in which Edward spoke set my nerve endings on fire. It never seemed to take much as I wrapped

my arms around his neck and sunk down to the lush earth with him, our lips and bodies crashing together
without hesitation.

EPOV
I was panting for breath that I no longer needed when I forced my self to pull away from Bella. She
awakened my human core with a touch, sending me into battle with my self control. My body was in

torture, wanting to satiate a different kind of urge that I was new too. Lust filled my senses, not for her
blood, but for filling her with that part of my self that seemed to have a mind of its own. My conscience won,

only by a hair, as I made my self see the situation clearly. One thought of Bella’s body bruised and broken
kept me from tearing her clothes from her body and taking her in a way that neither of us knew what to

expect from. What I did know is that I would stop it before we got to that point. I couldn’t do that to her,

even though her body and mine were screaming at us to make it happen.
“I understand I guess,” Bella sighed into my chest. I chuckled lightly, knowing that she was just saying that

to appease me. Her frustration was clear in her eyes.
“I’m sorry, love. I want to just as much as you do. I know it doesn’t seem that way but I really could hurt

you.”
Bella lifted her head and looked down at me as we lay on the grass. Her jaw tightened and I knew that she

was thinking, planning, something. “You and I have never done this, Edward. Neither of us knows what to
expect. I think we should take baby steps in that direction and build up your control.”
Was she always so determined? Probably so. “Maybe.”
Bella rolled her eyes and jutted out her chin in a stubborn stance. She looked lovely when her kitten-like

anger showed. “No, not maybe; yes. We are going to try. You are going to listen to me for once because it’s
only fair. If it’s too much, we’ll stop, no questions asked. I’ll be damned if I spend eternity with a man who

wants nothing more than celibacy from me.”
Bella could melt any man’s heart with her spit fire attitude. “We’ll try, eventually.”
“I’ll hold you to that, Masen.” She said defiantly, only to blush and dart her eyes to the ground before I

realized what she had said.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve gone by my given name. I assure you that it’s fine,” I cupped her blazing

cheek in my hand, turning her face towards mine.
“You’ll always be Edward Masen to me. I know you’re a Cullen now and I respect that, but I know where

you came from.”
She knew so much that I didn’t. “Chicago is such a mystery for me. I hate that I can’t remember everything.

It’s been awhile since I’ve went back to the estate.”
Bella looked at me sharply, “Do you own it?”
I nodded, “Yes, Carlisle made sure that I inherited what was rightfully mine from my parents. He told the
lawyers that I was weakened from the flu and it would take months to recover fully from sustaining such a

high fever for so long. I also played up that I was blind, my eyes having taken months to turn into the gold

they are now. I’ve kept it in my name over the years. Of course, I’m my great great grandson now.”
Bella chuckled lightly, “I want to go back. Even when I lived in Chicago I couldn’t make myself drive by that

house. It was too painful.”
An idea formed in my mind and I swear my frozen heart jumped at the idea. “Spring break is in two weeks.

We could take a little trip down memory lane and go to the estate if you’d like. I have a lawyer in Chicago
who is basically like an overseer, keeping it clean and in repair. I could make a few phone calls and have it

ready by then.”
Bella’s beautiful face broke into a grin. “I can not tell you how much I would absolutely love to go back there

with you. Maybe I can help you remember a few things.”
I sighed, feeling that wistful longing in my chest. It was an emotion that Bella brought out in me. “It’s settled

then. I’ll arrange for things to be taken care of when we get home.”
Bella laughed and clapped her hands together like an excited child. I loved seeing her so happy. “This is

going to be good for us, I just know it.”
I hope so, love. We need something good.

~*~~*~~*~

Chapter Eleven

BPOV
The weeks that followed Edward’s and my decision to go back to Chicago went by quicker than I had

anticipated. Edward had made arrangements to have the estate set up for us when we arrived and now the

only thing left to do was pack what we needed and board a plane. The Cullens were smitten with the idea of
Edward and me taking a trip down memory lane, especially Alice; who was using our little vacation as bait

to get me to the mall.
“Okay Bella, all freaky blood curses aside, we need to amp up your wardrobe for your little trip to Chicago.”
Alice had been nothing more than relentless about my clothes. Between the vacation and me making the
mistake of thanking her for the new jeans she had slipped into my side of the closet, she was wearing down

my defenses. She was good at that. “Alice, I have plenty of clothes. I’m sure what I have will do just fine.”
“But Bella! – you’ve been with us for almost a month and haven’t gone shopping with me once!”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s just Chicago. I used to live there. So did Edward.”
Alice perked up with a devious glint in her eye. “Well, you should at least let me stock you up with come-

hither undies. No distractions, no interruptions; you do want to look sex-ay if and when he decides to rip
your clothes off, don’t you?
I felt the fiery burn of my blush and swallowed. This was a humiliating topic but one I had admittedly
thought about. I really did want to try and be as seductive as possible for Edward. I had thought many times

since our plans were made that maybe Chicago would be the last straw in his crumbling defenses. I looked

up at Alice and saw her unfocused gaze before she came to and gave me a smug smirk. “I’ll go ask Rose and
Esme if they want to join us.”
Dammit, Alice!

I went upstairs to change out of my pajamas and into something more presentable. I couldn’t imagine the

kind of marathon Alice would have me run, disguised as a shopping trip. She was always so full of life. No
wonder Jasper was her soul mate. He could actually calm her down.
All of the Cullen men had gone to northern California on a hunting trip before Edward and I flew to Chicago
late Sunday night. We were going to leave earlier but Alice came to our aid and informed us that the

weather in Chicago would be overcast by Monday. That bit of information made planning a lot easier.
Humans tended to freak out at things like sparkly skin.
The mall in Seattle was crowded when we arrived. I, of course, felt like a bum walking alongside three of
the most beautiful women ever who were undoubtedly drawing the attention of fellow shoppers. Especially

Rose, who was enjoying the attention.
We were headed towards a trendy women’s apparel shop when Alice stopped abruptly. “You know, on

second though, let’s go look at the lingerie first.”
Rose must have noticed something that I didn’t because a malicious smile spread across her face and she

said, “Oh no, let’s not.”
Esme’s eyes flickered over towards the store and her mouth formed into a tight smile. “Rosalie, dear, let’s

not make a scene.”
What the hell? Rose grabbed my hand and practically dragged me into in the store. “Play along, Bella,” she
whispered into my ear.
I opened my mouth to ask her what I was supposed to play along with but I caught a glimpse of a familiar
face. “Rose, let’s go to a different store please!” I begged under my breath.
“Over my pile of ashes,” she said quietly. I cringed when she spoke in a normal voice, inadvertently catching
Carolyn’s attention. “So Bella; how about this blue dress?”
I blushed when she held the dress up against me. “It’s nice, Rose.”
“What do you think, Alice?”
I hadn’t noticed that Esme and Alice were standing behind me. “Good eye, Rose. Edward loves her in that
color.”
My eyes darted over to Carolyn and much to my dismay; she was looking right at me. She had a strange
look on her face, somewhere between a smile and a grimace. I wasn’t sure if she would acknowledge me

verbally or leave. It wasn’t long before I found out.
“Hello, Bella! It’s nice to see you.” Her voice was sugary sweet. Too sweet. I could see her thinly veiled

disapproval over the situation.
Two could play that game. “Hello, Carolyn. It’s nice to see you as well.”
“So I see you’re staying with the Cullens now. How is that working out?” For the first time since I had met

Carolyn, I saw her clearly. She was arrogant and flighty. When I no longer fit the mold of what she thought I
should be, she kicked me to the curb.
My revelation caused anger to course through me and I struggled to keep my voice composed. “It’s
absolutely wonderful! I’ve never seen two people with such a sense of family as Carlisle and Esme.”
“What do you mean by that?” Carolyn glared at me.
Rosalie decided to voice her opinion before I had a chance to retort. “What my sister means is that the

Cullens work through their problems like a real family would. They don’t discard people when they don’t
live up to their idea because they don’t expect anything from teens that come from assorted backgrounds.”

Stupid, silly Carolyn. Did she really think she could go toe to toe with Rose? Apparently so. “I don’t like your

tone, little girl. None of you,” she looked at Esme in particular, “Have children of your own. Granted they are
grown, but I do. You can not insinuate that I have no sense of family just because I couldn’t bear having an

ungrateful brat, not of my flesh in blood, in my home.”
Alice, Rosalie, and I all took a step towards Carolyn but it was Esme who stopped us dead in our tracks. I

had never seen such cold fury than that in Esme’s eyes. Her family was her whole existence. She looked
ethereal and deadly all at the same time as she squared off her shoulders and got in Carolyn’s face. I was

intimidated and fascinated as Esme spoke. “Mrs. Johnston, Bella is not an ungrateful brat, nor is Rosalie a
little girl. I would also like to speak my opinion on your warped idea of family.
I did have a son. I went through the joys of having a new life growing inside of me, the pains of labor, and
the unconditional love and instinct to protect the baby that my body had created. Unfortunately, he died

soon after his birth and I found out that I couldn’t bear anymore children. I was devastated to say the least.
All I wanted was to be a mother, to nurture and teach my children to the best of my abilities. I couldn’t have

any of my own, but I soon realized that there were other children out there who needed a mother as much
as I wanted children. It was a choice.
When my husband and I decided to adopt, it was in no way a part of our plan to ‘try it on for size’ and give

up if things got rough. We did it wholeheartedly. I love these children the same way that I loved my own
son. Do I get mad at them? Yes. Do they cause me stress? Yes. Do they test my sanity at times? Yes. Would I

ever send them back because of this? Absolutely not.
A mother learns as much from her children as her children learn from her. It has absolutely nothing to do

with flesh and blood. A family is a group of people who take the good with the bad and get through it all
with patience, understanding, and most of all love. No one is perfect, Carolyn. Do not tell me that I have no

idea of what it means to have a family. I assure you that I do. Now,” Esme gave Carolyn a pity filled look.
“Why do your children, your flesh and blood, only visit once a year when you’re so reverent and schooled on

what a family is?”
I could have kissed Esme as she left Carolyn pale and speechless. I almost, almost, felt bad for Carolyn as

she walked out of the store with a chip off her shoulder. “That was unparalleled, Esme.” I hugged her as
tightly as I could.
“You are the eternal mother.” Alice joined our hug.
“I agree. And Bella really is our sister,” Rosalie joined our embrace as well.
It was wonderful, standing there with these three women. Rosalie had finally given me her seal of approval

and Esme had stood up for me. Alice loved me from the get go, but it made this moment no less special for
me. I was a part of their family. I had a place in the world, aside from with Edward. I had a family now who I

didn’t have to hide anything from. And they had chosen me because they wanted too.

EPOV
An entire week with my Bella, alone; I couldn’t wait. I was also terrified. She had been very forward on the

intimacy issue since we had made arrangements to go back to where we began. It was… hard, to not give
into her when she was so warm and seductive beneath me. I had never seen a body more tempting than

that of Bella. Just the thought of her caused lust to trickle through my body.
Of course, Jasper picked up on said feeling. “Feeling lusty, eh? Thinking about this coming week?”
“Bite me,” I muttered.

“Come on now, Eddie. It’s all good. You better hit that shit every way from Sunday.” Good God, Emmett

could be completely untactful.
“You’re pissing him off, Emmett.” Jasper defended me.
“Stop feeling up his feelings, dude.” I laughed lightly as Jasper tackled Emmett to the ground, effortlessly.
“I can’t help that I’m an empath, Emmett!” Carlisle and I looked at each other and both shook our heads.

Jasper was essentially mature, unless Emmett was involved.
“Come on, gentlemen; let’s get home to the ladies, shall we?” Carlisle broke up the little tiff. He was good for

that.
Our hunting trip had been fruitful and I had drunk until I felt the animal blood sloshing inside of me with

every step I took. I wanted to make sure that I would be good for the week ahead of me, considering that
large cities weren’t practical for hunting large game unless I decided to take a break from my ‘vegetarian’

lifestyle, which I had no intention of doing. I was just glad to have the opportunity to bond with my
brothers and father figure before I headed back to Chicago. It helped calm down my frazzled nerves a bit.
I was driving, of course, because I could get us back faster without any tickets because of my little mind
reading quirk. Carlisle was sitting next to me in the passenger seat while Emmett and Jasper were holed up

in the back. I was thinking about Bella, simply because she seemed to be the only thing I could think about

anymore, when Jasper asked me a question. “Are you sure you can handle this whole alone time thing with
Bella?”
I mulled over his question before I answered. I was nervous because of what she wanted from me and I had
a feeling that she would be pulling out all the stops in her quest for us to be intimate while we were in

Chicago. “I can handle it, Jazz.”
“Can you handle her being close to you? You know what Alice has seen.”
I did know what Alice had seen. It kept changing, blurring around the edges, but it always ended up with
Bella having bruises and me in a bad mood while she assured me she was fine. “I just don’t want to hurt

her.”
“Well, bite a pillow or something… or tear up the headboard instead of holding on to her.” Emmett said. Any

other time, I would disregard his suggestions, but that didn’t seem like too bad of an idea.
“I’ll have to keep that in mind, Emmett,” I admitted reluctantly. “Why is it so hard to control yourself when

it comes to sex?” I muttered under my breath. Vampire hearing… Emmett. No.
“Well, Edward; when we um… jizz, it’s a religious experience. You see God for a few seconds and you lose

control over your body in that moment. I’m sure you’ve seen some colorful things in your life, with your

mind reading thing and all. “
Granted that Emmett was trying to be tactful with this conversation, I’d still blush like Bella if I could.

“Thinking and experiencing are two entirely different things, Emmett.”
“You could always try your hand at some self love, no pun intended.”
What!? “Alright, I think this conversation is over.” I said dismissively. I was not going to discuss
masturbation with my family.
“Nothing wrong with it, but okay,” Emmett shrugged, sinking back down in the seat.
The ride home went by quickly and quietly after our little conversation and soon, the anticipation of seeing

Bella again crept up on me as I pulled into the drive. I knew she would be asleep at four in the morning but
watching her do so was enough for me. I felt like I was missing a vital part of myself when she wasn’t near,

and I didn’t like dealing with that.

Carlisle, Emmett, and Jasper all ran off to their mates and I ran up to mine. I smiled, knowing that I wasn’t

alone anymore and that I had someone to come home to. She was sleeping of course, but I couldn’t help the
happiness that coursed through me at the mere sight of her. I laid down softly, as not to disturb her, and

watched her sleeping face. A small smile was twitching on her lips and again, I wished that I knew what she
was thinking.
I hadn’t seen Bella in two days because of a business trip I had to take with my father. I didn’t enjoy being
away from her and I was determined, as I prowled the space between her home and the house beside of it, to

muster the courage to knock on her window. Coming to her house in the middle of the night, probably scaring
her in an attempt to get her attention was completely out of character for me. I couldn’t help the need to be

near her though. Love makes a person do crazy things. It was my only way to justify my actions.
Her window was on the back corner, and I found myself glad that she hadn’t been given a room on the second

floor. It made this much easier for me. I found an old milk crate sitting near the back porch and used it to hoist
myself up to her window before I knocked softly.
My heart jumped in my chest when Bella pulled the drapes back quickly, wearing only her sleeping robes. Her
hair was down and fell wildly around her shoulders and the oil lamp burning in her room cast an orange glow

around her that made her look more like an angel than she already did. A smile crept across her face at the

sight of me, and I let my breath out in a low whistle of relief.
She quietly raised the window and stuck her head out. “What are you doing here, Edward?”
Her scent hit me and my heart accelerated. Home. “I couldn’t wait until dinner tomorrow to see you. It’s been
far too long as it is.”
She laughed under her breath. “I was planning on coming early. It looks like you beat me to it.”
Her warm breath hit my cold cheeks and I reached out my hand to touch her. Her eyes drifted close and she

turned her lips into my palm to kiss it. “Get in here,” she whispered, backing away from the window.
I lifted my leg over the sill as quietly as I could, hoping that I didn’t lose my footing on the crate below me. With

a little skill and a whole lot of luck, I managed to crawl through her window without much noise. We stood still
and listened for a few moments, hoping that I hadn’t awoken her parents with my little midnight tryst.
“All seems well,” Bella laughed quietly against my chest.
I held her warm body tightly, relishing in the way that she fit perfectly into my arms. I pressed my face against

her hair and inhaled, letting her scent wash over me as if it were the remedy to the ache in my chest. It was. “I
missed you so.”
“I missed you as well. I’m glad you’re here,” she whispered, lifting her face to mine.
Her dark eyes were burning in a way that I had never seen before and I gasped when she pushed me down on
her bed. I adjusted my legs and held out my arms to her but she seemed to have a different idea. She chuckled

breathlessly and straddled my hips, pinning me beneath her. “Bella, this isn’t appropriate.”
“And you coming to a girl’s room in the middle of the night is appropriate? I don’t think you have any room to

talk, Edward Masen.”
She had me there. “You’re taking advantage of me.”
“Maybe,” she whispered playfully, placing kisses along my jaw before finding purchase at my lips.
I pulled her face closer to mine, crashing my lips against hers, hungry to feel her. Her hair fell on either side of

my face and her scent surrounded me, sending a wave of lust through me. Smelling her wasn’t enough; I
wanted to taste her. I shocked us both when I traced her lips with my tongue, asking for permission through

action.

Bella was never one to disappoint and her tongue darted through my lips. She tasted like cinnamon and home

as our tongues battled against each other’s, exploring. I groaned when she ground her hips into mine, causing
that part of me to harden against her. Without thinking, I rolled over on top of her and nestled myself between

her thighs, wanting the friction.
“Edward,” she gasped, arching her backs, giving me access to kiss her neck and shoulder. Her robe was

bunched around her hips and my hand trailed up her side and found its way to her breast. I was crazy with
need, as I rolled her hardened peak between my thumb and forefinger, garnering a quiet moan from this angel

beneath me.
Yes! My mind yelled, when she wrapped her legs around my waist, adding to the ache that was already

painfully erect against my trousers. Bella’s hand worked at the button and zipper, making me shudder with
anticipation. I couldn’t wait to feel her warmth wrapped around that part of me. I wanted nothing more than

to be inside of her, to make love to her.
Wait… I groaned internally. I couldn’t do this. We couldn’t do this. We weren’t married and mistakes could be

made. I couldn’t take her virtue like this. I knew people who played with fire, but I was raised better than that.
A child could be the result of doing something so sacred when we weren’t ready. People would know that we

had been so careless. I couldn’t do this to Bella; not yet.
“Love, we have to stop.”
Bella sighed in frustration and dropped her arms to her sides. “Why?”
“We’ll be married in the fall, Bella. We have to wait, love.” She groaned and I knew her frustration. It had to be
just as hard for her as well.
“We’ll stop. But I want you to know that I’m frustrated and I think it’s stupid that we’re waiting.”
I smiled against her shoulder and rolled us over so I could cradle her in my arms. “I feel similar, Bella. Please

believe me when I say that I want you more than anything right now.”
She smirked, “You’re not doing anything about that, now are you?”
I placed kisses on her face and said, “Soon enough, love; soon enough.”
My memory faded in the background and I looked down at my sleeping angel. I owed her this. I had wanted

her just as badly and had almost taken advantage of her when I was still human. I knew now her
frustration. To be on the edge of fire and not be fulfilled had to be killing her some how. And she had waited

for me for ninety years, remembering and knowing what it felt like. I could give her this. She had already
given me more than I had ever thought to ask for.
Yes, Bella. Soon enough, my love.

~*~~*~~*~

Chapter Twelve

BPOV
The windy city; where it all began.
It hadn’t been too long since I had been in Chicago but of course, coming back here with Edward was doing
funny little things to my heart. Our plane ride had been comfortable and as Alice promised, Chicago was

overcast. It wasn’t raining yet, but the wind was blowing furiously and black clouds were rolling in over the
skyline. It still felt like home though. And with Edward with me, that feeling was now complete.

Edward had hired a chauffer to pick us up at the airport and shuttle us to his boyhood home. It seemed a

little ostentatious to me to ride around Chicago in a limousine, but Edward had insisted on it. I would have
been just fine with renting a Volvo.
My nerves were on edge as we neared the neighborhood in which the Masen’s house was located. Of
course, ninety years had changed things quite a bit. I wouldn’t doubt that Edward’s home would be valued

at a few million, taking into consideration that it was sitting on a few acres all to its self.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve come back to this place,” Edward whispered so low that I wasn’t sure I was

supposed to hear as we pulled into the drive. We got out of the car and he paid the driver and took our
luggage from the trunk with ease, clearly more prepared than I was for this.
“Not as long as it has been for me.” I added as an afterthought, finally lifting my eyes to look at my
surroundings.
There it stood with every ounce of charm it had when I first laid eyes on it. Without question I knew this
house was beautiful and prestigious on the outside, but was home and comfort on the inside. I knew that

just around the corner, behind the trees, lay a courtyard where Edward and I had shared our first kiss and
started this crazy ride. This place had been the haven in which Edward and I had developed and nurtured

our relationship; a love that had defeated time and eluded death.
I knew now why I had avoided this place while I lived in Chicago. It put that old longing in my heart.
Edward wasn’t lying when he said he had kept it restored all of these years. I understood though, it was the

one human thing he still had; a place that reminded him where he began, where his history started. I
shivered, as we walked up the steps to the front porch. Ninety years of emptiness, and here we are, hand in

hand. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was meant to happen like this.
“Home sweet home,” Edward whispered, turning the old brass knob and beckoning me to come inside.
I was overcome with nostalgia and memories of standing in this very foyer assaulted me. My eyes watered
up as the echo of my father’s voice, along with Edward Senior’s, rang through my ears. I gazed at the

staircase and from memory saw Elizabeth walking down it, feeling the way her beauty overwhelmed me all
over again. Her warm smile and the way she laughed easily snapped the barrier inside of my chest and I

finally let everything hit me.
Tears welled in my eyes and I smiled, not only because I was happy, but because I had survived. I had

burned. I turned away from my family not because I wanted to, but because I had to. I left the comfort of my
life before I was truly prepared to make that leap because I didn’t have enough time. I tucked the idea of

being with Edward away in my heart because I never thought he would remember me, and I was afraid of

what that would do to me. I had slept in homeless shelters and worked odd jobs until I thought I might
finally die from exhaustion. I had even put myself through the foster care system all to keep this secret.
I always kept going though, even when I wanted to give up. My life was nowhere near what I had thought it
would be the first time I was in this house, not by a long shot. Yet here I was, finding what really mattered. I

had loved these people, my own and Edward’s parents, and I had loved Edward. Ninety years had taken
their toll on me mentally, but I had come full circle. I no longer had to worry. I no longer had to be alone. I

could finally breathe and let go of some of the pain. I had Edward again; something I never thought would
happen for me, for us. The best part was that he knew me before all of this. He knew me when I was still

fresh to the world and loved me anyway.
I know now that everything bad had all happened with a purpose. We found each other again, when the

timing was right. This curse that lurked in the corner could not break us because we had the time to
prepare ourselves for it, unknowingly. I acquired the inner strength to bear it and Edward had acquired the

self control to endure it. The best part of my life was not broken and never had been. Though this suffering
had all been necessary, I know that I should have had more faith.

“Are you alright, love?”
Although I was smiling, tears were now rolling freely down my cheeks. “We did it, Edward.”
“What do you mean?”
I wiped away my tears and looked into his bright golden eyes, searching for the words that would make
him understand what all of this meant to me. “I had given up all of this. I had given up on you and locked

you away in my heart forever. How wrong that was of me. Just when I thought nothing good would ever
happen for me and I reconciled that within my self, you came back. Not literally, but I just realized that the

past ninety years weren’t about life hardening me and making me bitter. No; we were slowly finding our
way towards each other again. We did it.”
“Yes, we did.” Edward held me against his chest. Having him with me made this all the sweeter.
“Is the piano still in the dining room?” I asked eager to explore the rest of the house.
“You remember?” Edward smiled.
“It was the first place I ever saw you,” I said, walking into the atrium with silvery blue wallpaper that led

into the dining room. The grandfather clock that I had once admired long ago still stood in the corner. I
closed my eyes and remembered the sounds of the piano tinkling in the next room while Elizabeth Masen

wrapped her arms around my shoulders and explained to me that it was Edward.
“What are you thinking, Bella?”
I smiled wistfully and walked into the dining room, the same as it always was. The table, the fire place, the

piano; nothing had changed. Not even Edward and me, although his eye color wasn’t green anymore. “I
remember this all so vividly. I wish you could see into my mind for a few moments.”
“So do I. There really is no pattern to the way I remember things. Surely if it were objects, I would have
remembered you sooner.” Edward’s eyes looked a little sad with his admission.
I wrapped my arms around his waist and pressed my lips to his jaw. “You were playing Beethoven and I
was standing here with your mother watching you. You looked so serious, the way your brow furrowed

while you played. Your concentration was appealing to me. I was dazzled I guess.”
“I wonder if you dazzled me.”
“I wasn’t exactly nice to you.” I admitted, holding him tighter.
Edward laughed easily and kissed the top of my head. “Did I deserve your rebuffs?”
I looked up at him and bit my lip before breaking into a smile. “A little, yes; I deemed you chauvinistic, but
the truth was that I didn’t understand you yet. My peers of the opposite sex never spoke to me as if I had

half a brain. Not you though. I was on the defense before I realized that I didn’t need to be.”
“Apparently you did something right.”
“Yes, apparently so.”
I walked over to the piano and lifted the cover on the keys, pressing a few down and smiling at the erratic
sounds. I never learned how to play well even though Edward had tried to teach me a few things while he

was still human. I laughed out loud, an elusive thought coming to mind, and looked up at Edward as I sat
myself down on the bench.
“This song is dedicated to Edward Masen, who taught it to me in December of 1917,” I called out in a low
voice.

Edward was clearly amused as I started the little melody to ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’. It was an easy

little tune spanning six keys. I remembered how proud I was when I learned it.
“Bravo!” Edward yelled and clapped for me as I hit the last note.
I couldn’t help but throw my head back and laugh. I was happy, really truly happy. It felt so incredibly good
to be here with Edward. “Thank you!”
Edward sat down next to me on the bench and looked at me while he tinkered around with a few keys,
looking slightly nervous. I recognized the melody almost immediately and my eyes welled up. “I haven’t

heard this in almost a century.”
“I remembered it the day you came to live with us. I was just waiting for the right moment to play it for

you.” Edward kissed my cheek and continued to play my lullaby.
I rested my head on his shoulder and listened to the sweet and slightly melancholic music that he had

written for me all those years ago. I was an incredibly lucky woman to have a man like Edward in my life. I
smiled and tapped my foot to the music only to hear it stop suddenly. I frowned and looked up at Edward

whose eyes were closed and his body stiff. Alarmed, I connected to his mind.

EPOV
I heard the arrival of our guests, the Swans, Father had said. Charles Swan was a good business correspondent
of his that he had acquired over the summer while visiting New York City. He had persuaded Charles to

relocate to Chicago to work on a new banking venture that Father was carrying. He had also told me that the
Swans had a daughter around my age, Isabella. I was frustrated with my father seeming to push frivolous,

vapid females towards me. I was nearly a man and I understood courtship, but none of that interested me. My
piano and the war were my only concern and I was nearly fed up with this little game of meet and greets with

societies finest.
Instead of meeting the Swans in the foyer alongside my parents, I sat down at my piano and began to play. It

always helped me clear my head and prepare for the storm of turning down overzealous girls. Unfortunately,
the Swans would be staying with us for a couple of weeks until their home was finished. Hopefully it wouldn’t

be hard to avoid this Isabella.
I closed my eyes and let my fingers flow over the ivory keys, willing my mind to find that place where there was

nothing but the music and the way it made me feel. I loved getting lost in the notes, to fall away from the
world. It was one of the few times that I wasn’t over thinking or worrying about anything. I simply existed.
“That’s our son, Edward Junior. He’s musically inclined like me.” I heard my mother tell someone, probably

Isabella.
My mother and I were close and she understood my reluctance in choosing a wife. I didn’t want a pretty little

trophy that came from a good name and money. Her and my father was lucky; neither had much of anything
when they had met and fell in love. They didn’t have the same pretenses as I do in choosing someone. Maybe it

was selfish of me, but I almost wished we were still poor. They had started out that way but with my father’s
determination, he made his fortune through hard work. He was charismatic and intelligent and he had an

uncanny ability to see good opportunities. He always said that my mother was the best decision he ever made.
I wanted to be able to say that too when I married. I didn’t want to share my life with someone who I could

merely get along with. I wanted to be with someone who I couldn’t live without.
I finished my composition and looked up, only to see my mother standing in the archway with her arm draped

over the shoulders of a girl around my age. Isabella Swan was looking at me and I suddenly felt self conscious.
It was her eyes that did it, so filled with curiosity though her face was reasonably stoic. She looked… weary, if

my knowledge of emotion was correct. Her posture was proud and her lips harbored no mindless smile. A

funny little tightening in my chest occurred with that realization. I wanted her to smile.
My mother was the one to break me out of my stand still. “Edward, I would like to introduce you to Isabella

Swan.”
My manners caught up with me and I walked towards her, giving her a half smile, hoping she would take the

initiative of smiling back. She didn’t. “It’s nice to meet you, Isabella.”
“Likewise,” her husky voice sent a shiver down my spine. She held her hand out to me and I was going to place

a kiss on it, but what happened surprised me. When our skin touched it was like a static shock. We shook our
hands quickly and pulled away, looking intently at one another. The tightening in her eyes told me that she

had felt it too.
My mother gave me a strange little smile and I knew that she would be discussing something with me at a

more appropriate time. “Let’s sit down to dinner, shall we?”
“Yes, Mother.”
Isabella and I followed her to the dining table and after a small introduction to Charles and Renee Swan who
had came in with my father, we all took our seats. I sat across from Isabella and watched in fascination as she

rolled out her dinner napkin and placed it across her lap. I hated that the table was in the way and I couldn’t

watch her hands, delicate and feminine. I felt like a fool when her eyes rose and met mine and a lump formed
in my throat. Those eyes looked as if they were scrutinizing me. I felt like I should sit up straighter and try to

smooth out my hair a bit better. Her affect on me was not only instantaneous, but potent and unfounded; I
didn’t understand it.
Oliver served the lamb with mint sauce and new potatoes, one of my favorite meals, and we all began our
casual dinner talk.
“So Edward, your father tells me that you’re considering joining the great patriots of this country and enlisting
in the military this summer,” Charles commented.
I swallowed my bite of food and nodded. “Yes, I’m considering doing so. Much to my mother’s dismay, but I find
that there is glory and respect when one fights for his country.”
“What a brave young man you are,” Renee added with a smile.
“Thank you, Renee.” I said warmly.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Isabella open her mouth to say something but when her mother spoke, she
pursed her lips and continued eating. I wanted nothing more than to hear her voice again so I turned my full

attention towards her and asked, “What were you going to say, Isabella?”
She sat her fork down and looked me square in the eyes. I was surprised to see the intelligence and conviction
in them. I wanted to know her mind. “I’m afraid I have to ask you, Edward, what is the glory in fighting a war

that leaves not only men, but families broken? We lived next door to a family in New York, the McGregors, and
their son Alec went off to fight with the same notions as you’ve presented, only to come back this past

November blind and unable to ever walk again. Is that truly what you’re willing to risk? He was such a proud
man and now he is dependent on his parents and nurses.”
No one had ever put it to me like that before. Unfortunately, I was stubborn. “If I die or am disabled by such
events, I’ll know that it isn’t in vain.”
“Are you truly that selfish? If something were to happen to you which does seem to be a common scenario in
this war. If you die, you leave your parents childless, if you are disabled, you leave them to carry you through.”

“That may be so, but isn’t it more selfish of me as an able bodied man to not help our country to bring justice to

the Germans who have killed innocent people?”
Isabella snorted and rolled her eyes, something I had never seen a girl do. Her frustration was evident in the

beautiful blush that colored her cheeks. “It’s a truly mad world if one thinks that killing people who killed
others is a way to justify the act of murder in general. It makes you no better. Could you honestly look a man in

the face and pull the trigger on your gun? Could you find it within yourself to drop bombs in areas knowing
that innocents are mixed in with the villains?”
Pierce me with your words, Isabella. I want more. “You don’t know my train of thought when it comes to this.”
“Then please, Edward; school me. I’d love to know how you can justify such atrocities other than to say they

wouldn’t be in vain.” A thrill shot through me when she said my name.
“Perhaps at a later time,” I countered. I didn’t know what else to say.
“I’ll hold you to that,” she said, finally giving me the smile that I wanted. It was more of a smirk, but a smile
nonetheless.
“Absolutely.”
“Well done, Isabella. I’ve never seen my son concede first in an argument,” I overheard my mother whisper to

her.
That was the truth. I was fairly good at arguing and getting my way, but with Isabella, it didn’t seem so. She
was obviously observant and was one hell of a diplomat. Had she revealed a side that clearly showed me that

she cared more for important things than she did for parties and fashion like most females? Her fiery
conclusions and the confidence in which she had spoken with left me unnerved. I didn’t know what to expect,

but I wanted to learn her.
“You’ll have to excuse my daughter, Edward. She reads far too much.” Renee said, looking at her with disdain.

Isabella had obviously overstepped a boundary which her mother had warned her against.
Even though I had to swallow my pride a bit, I wouldn’t have changed a thing. “There is nothing to be excused.

Isabella’s opinion is just as important as my own, although they may differ.”
Renee nodded and Isabella looked at me with those bewitching eyes. They fascinated me and I couldn’t look

away. My heart did a strange little jump when she smiled at me, a real smile, and mouthed the words ‘thank
you’. I smiled back and shrugged my shoulder a bit. I didn’t want her to dislike me.
Dinner was over and the Swans turned in early for the night having traveled for the better part of the day. I sat
in my room, knowing that Isabella was in the room next to mine. I wondered what she was doing. Reading

perhaps? Her mother said she read too much. I doubt that one could read too much. The urge I had to speak to

her again was almost compulsory. I had never experienced anything like that before. Deeming myself crazy, I
grabbed an overcoat from my wardrobe and walked out onto the balcony.
My heart stopped dead as I came face to face with Isabella. How could I have forgotten that her room
connected to this balcony as well?
“I’m sorry; I didn’t know anyone was out here.” I stammered while the smell of freesias was strong on the wind.
Her scent was intoxicating.
“No need to apologize, Edward. It’s your house. I just needed some fresh air.”
“I know the feeling,” I said, looking at her profile. She had a lounging blanket wrapped around her shoulders

and her hair was free from the pins and flowing down her back. I wanted to touch it. She looked like an angel
with the moonlight hitting her pale, translucent skin. I had to fight the urge to put my arms around her. Just to

be near her.

“You play the piano well.”
I was startled by her voice as it broke me out of my reverie. She had given me a compliment. My heart sprang
to life, beating rapidly. “Well I admire your intelligence.”
“Were you assuming that I wouldn’t be?”
The fire in her eyes and the stubborn set of her jaw made her more beautiful than any other girl I had ever laid

eyes on. “Most of you aren’t very much so.”
Isabella scoffed and her hand suddenly shot out, poking one of her delicate fingers in my chest. “Most of us

aren’t? Do you think that biologically, being a female inhibits us from being able to comprehend the world
around us? I’m insulted that you would say something so obtuse. I assure you that I learn at a pace that could

rival any man’s.”
“No, I didn’t mean that. It came out wrong.” I tried to explain to her. I took her tiny hand in mine so she would

stop trying to drill a hole through my sternum. I liked the way it felt to hold it.
“You seem to have a knack for not explaining yourself correctly.”
I sighed and met her eyes again. “I’m going to be honest with you. I’ve been subjected to this whole courting
thing that is supposedly necessary in my development towards becoming a man. Every girl that I’ve come

across seems to only think about material things or social events, not the things that matter to me. I’m

intrigued that I can discuss politics with you because other than my mother, I’ve never met another girl who
would give a second thought to educate her self on subjects that are considered a man’s business. You don’t

just sit there to look pretty. I admire your forward thinking. I find it refreshing.”
“Well I’m glad that I fascinate you so. I’m tired. Thank you for humoring me for the evening. Have a good

night.” I was stunned as she wrenched her hand from mine, spun on her heel, and retreated to her room.
I ached to further our conversation. I did not want to offend her but I felt as though I had. I looked at her door

and thought about the unexpected turns of the evening. I had met a girl who was intelligent. I had talked to
her, offended her, and didn’t get the chance to apologize. I was almost certain she hated me. And I was very

much certain that she was what I had always been looking for. I wanted Isabella Swan. As crazy as it sounded,
as quickly as it happened, I knew she was just right for me. I was capable of being ruthlessly arrogant but she

somehow managed to knock me off my pedestal and fuel my curiosity without even trying. Normally, I would
have conquered and avoided if someone would have talked to me the way that she did. But no, she left me

wanting more. I wanted to, no I would make her see me. The real me. She was the only one that I wanted to
show that side of myself to.
Bella was sitting next to me on the piano bench when I opened my eyes. She was smiling at me sheepishly

and I knew that she had seen what I just had. “You were so very much mean to me, Bella.”
“I was so very much trying to hide the fact that I thought you were the most handsome man I had ever laid

eyes on. You had me wrapped around your pinky from the moment you told my mother that my opinion
mattered just as much as yours did.”
I laughed, “You’ve always been a little hot headed haven’t you?”
“I’d like to think that I am but only when necessary. I had no clue how to come across as anything other

than myself. We were only sixteen. I didn’t know how to handle being near you. I wasn’t actually offended. ”
The affect we had on each other had always been instantaneous. I loved knowing that. There was one thing

that I was still curious about though. “You were sixteen when I was changed. Why are you claiming to be
forever seventeen?”
She rolled her eyes and I smiled a little at how adorable it was. “Seventeen was my last birthday before I
was completely certain that I was stuck in time so to speak. You were sixteen as well.”

I scoffed, “I was barely three weeks away from my seventeenth birthday. Three weeks for me, four months

for you; who took the bigger leap?”
“Shut up, Edward.”
I loved our banter. “Kiss me and I will.”
She smirked at me. “No.”
Much to my surprise, Bella stood up and ran for the stairs laughing. I was almost hurt that she had
disregarded my advances until I realized she was being playful. I stood and ran up the stairs after her and

wrapped my arms around her waist while she was mid stride, cradling her bridal style in my arms. “Silly
Bella, running away from a vampire; I’ll always catch you.”
“I was hoping for that.”
Her lips sought out mine and she was kissing me deeper than she ever had. Her scent surrounded me and

venom pooled in my mouth but it was urgently replaced with a different and much stronger hunger. I
opened my mouth to her and the most delicious, erotic taste hit my tongue. I could hear her heart

accelerating and her breaths were coming in fast, shallow pants. She wanted me as much as I wanted her.
I walked a few more paces down the hall, never breaking our kiss, and turned the knob of my old bedroom

door, stepping us inside

~*~~*~~*~

Chapter Thirteen

BPOV
Bedroom, Edward, alone, bed…
Yes, bed.
Lay me down.
Good, so, so good.
My head was spinning and my body on fire.
His cool hands playing me like a fine instrument, taking off my clothes.
Savage need. The shredding of fabric. Such a sweet sound.
“I want you, Bella, every part. You’re mine. I’ll make you mine, in every way.”
Yes, Edward, please do.
Spontaneous is the best way. There is no perfect moment to be had. Planning could have made this no
better. Vows spoken beforehand would have made no difference. We already belonged to each other. I

knew it and so did he. Kiss me again.

He obliged and crushed his lips to mine, almost painfully. I smiled beneath his kiss, feeling his naked body

pressed against mine. My heart began a manic rhythm when his hands roamed the plains of my ribcage,
settling on my breasts. I whimpered when he sucked one of my nipples into his cold mouth, flicking his

tongue across it. I being warm and he being cold only seemed to intensify every sensation. I didn’t expect
this to be so good.
“I want to be everything for you, Bella.” Edward’s voice was strained and his eyes were dark. I could see
that desire; the same desire that was consuming me as well.
“You already are,” my voice came out in a shaky mess.
I sat up and pressed Edward into the mattress, hovering above him. I kissed and licked, starting at his lips,

working my way down his neck and chest, lower still. Exploring, I traced the path to what I wanted most
with my tongue. Fiery hunger coursed through my veins as I wrapped my hand around him, eliciting a soft

groan from his chest. I smiled in satisfaction as I watched his hands curl into fists and his stomach muscles
ripple; he wanted this.
I turned my attention back to his body. Edward was… perfect, to say the least; thick and rigid in my hand. I
lowered my mouth around him, tasting. Sugary sweet with a bitter aftertaste, I kept moving my head up

and down, hoping I was doing it right. It was hard to gauge his satisfaction when he was so desperately

trying to stay in control. A devilish thought occurred to me and I moaned around him just thinking it; I
could see his thoughts.
Don’t touch her. Don’t break her. Broken Bella isn’t what we need, Cullen. Focus! God, this is amazing. Her lips!
I could feel myself grow even more wet, knowing that I was pleasing him. I ran my tongue along the

underside of his shaft, my mouth and hand working in unison, milking him. It was deliciously fun, watching
the way his fingers dug into the duvet cover, gouging holes into it. I knew it was crazy to even think it, but

the fact that he was potentially dangerous was turning me on. I used my teeth, grazing his smooth skin
lightly.
She’s going to be the death of me!
“Bella,” he growled, sitting up a little too quickly. He picked me up as if I weighed nothing and laid me back

down, taking control over the situation.
I have to taste her. Scent is driving me crazy.
I watched, fascinated, as he put my legs on either side of his shoulders, nestling himself between my thighs.
The last thing I saw was his full lips lowering towards my throbbing sex. My eyes rolled into the back of my

head when he kissed my lower lips and I was shocked, seeing my self through Edward’s mind. I didn’t look

like the Bella I always saw in the mirror. My head was thrown back, my mouth hanging open, my chest
heaving with labored breaths. I looked ethereal and beautiful in his mind; the object of his desire.
His cold tongue darted between my folds, hitting that sensitive bundle of nerves that made my hips buck up
into his face. With one hand, he held my pelvis still, increasing the pressure of his tongue. Without warning,

he slid a finger inside of me, curling upwards to hit a spot I never knew I had.
“Edward! Oh God…”
So warm and slick… and the taste; all mine. She’ll always be mine. Want to make her scream my name…my
name. I like the way she makes it sound.
I moaned and dug my fingers into his silky bronze coif, pressing his face into me. I could feel my release
building, so quickly because I could hear him. I was right on the edge, so close…
Not yet, love.

Edward pulled away from me and I groaned in frustration. “Why did you do that?” I asked in an accusatory

tone, snapping my knees together. “You just… don’t do that.”
Edward gave me that crooked grin and spread my legs apart again, wider this time. “Because, Bella. I can’t

wait another minute. I want to be inside of you, as deeply as I can get.”
What do you say to something like that? I just nodded and curled my arms around his neck, pulling his lips

to mine. “I want you, Bella.”
“Then take me,” I whispered against his lips before I kissed him. With a ragged breath, he grabbed the edge

of the headboard and guided himself to my entrance with his other hand.
“Are you sure, love?” He asked one last time, rubbing the head of his manhood along my slit.
“Yes, Edward. Please…” I whispered the ache almost unbearable. I needed him.
Excruciatingly slow, he pressed into me. I could feel my body’s resistance, and the way it fell away, letting

him stretch me to make room for him. The dull sting was calmed by the coolness of his body and every inch
was a slow, sweet pain until he bottomed out inside of my heat. I felt full; complete.
So… hot, wet, and… tight. God, Bella… I listened to his frantic thoughts, smiling as his hips twitched, lust
urging him to move.
I wrapped my legs around his waist and lifted my head to whisper in his ear. “Make love to me, Edward.”
Something broke inside of him and he grabbed my hip with his free hand, effortlessly lifting me. Only when
he started to move in and out did I realize why. The new angle allowed for long, deep strokes, which hit the

spot he had discovered in me just moments before with his fingers.
Tendrils of pleasure were beginning to coil in my stomach and I was lost; I couldn’t believe this was

actually happening. I opened my eyes and looked into his, seeing the tempest there, twisting with emotion
and carnal need. “I love you, Bella.”
“I love you too,” I whispered, trapped in his gaze. I couldn’t look away as his movements increased. He
wanted this too. Ninety years it took to get to this point. I threw my head back and arched my hips into him,

crying out when his lips sought my nipples, teasing them.
Tastes good… even better when I’m inside of her… so deep. I made sounds I never thought I could make when

his hips jolted forward, burying his length in me as deeply as he could get, which could have been further if
I had been able to accommodate him. He moved his hand from the headboard and grabbed the other side of

my hips, pulling me on to his lap, never losing contact.
I was the consistency of putty as he moved me up and down on him, holding me tight. My arms wrapped

around his shoulders and I kissed him, muffling the whimpers that escaped my lips with every thrust. I

ground my hips into his, so close to what I wanted.
“Edward… I…” I lost control of my thoughts, my body giving over to instinct. My hands fisted in his hair,

pulling; he growled against my neck.
“I want to come with you, Bella; inside of you.” His voice was hoarse and primal. He was on the edge right

alongside me.
To feel my pleasure and to see Edward’s in his mind finally drove me over. My walls tightened and

quivered, my release hitting me with violent, brute force. Edward groaned, the sexiest sound ever, and I felt
him twitch as his orgasm came forth, filling me. The only coherent thought I could form was his name, as I

chanted it over and over again, riding out the last waves of joy and love and sensation above anything I had
ever experienced prior to this moment.

I crashed back to earth, shaking and sweaty, my breathing ragged. Edward was gripping the duvet cover,

now a shredded mess when he looked up at me. A small grin played on his lips, and to my surprise, hot
tears spilled down my cheeks. His love for me knew no boundaries; I could see that now. As close as we had

just been with one another, I knew I could never get close enough.
Edward lifted me off of him, my body already protesting his absence. He laid us down and held me in his

arms, kissing away my tears. “What’s wrong, Bella?”
There was nothing wrong. I was whole again. I was alive and well in Edward’s arms. Nothing could get

better than this. “Happy tears, Edward.”
“I know how you feel,” he murmured against my hair.
“I know,” I whispered, letting my lips curl into a lazy grin. Exhaustion seemed to be the only thing my body
was capable of at the moment. Lying in the nook of Edward’s arm, with my head on his chest, where I was

meant to be, I let my self fall asleep.

EPOV
I had accomplished the hardest task of my existence. Bella was sleeping upstairs in my bed where I had left

her, unscathed, and I had made love to her. I could not help the exultant feeling in my chest. It was freeing

to know that I shared something so sacred with the woman I loved without marring her skin with bruises. I
wanted to do it again, but she was a human with limited stamina. She would wake soon enough.
I walked out into the courtyard barefoot, feeling the damp cobblestone path beneath my feet. Rain had
fallen over Chicago while Bella and I were preoccupied with one another. I tuned out the monotonous,

every day drivel of the human minds around me and listened to the wind that whistled through the
budding branches of the trees. Spring was the perfect time for a fresh start
I was smiling like an idiot when my phone vibrated in the pocket of my lounging pants. I had a feeling as to
who would be calling. Without looking at the screen, I answered. “Hello, Alice.”
“You did it, Edward!” She trilled.
“It’s nice to know my sister can see my private moments. Thanks for reminding me,” I huffed, slightly

embarrassed.
“You can see mine while in action, so shut up,” she defended herself. “Emmett wants to talk to you.”
Oh dear God. “Hey Edward; I hear you’re a man now, courtesy of Bella.”
“That’s such a nice way to put it, Em.” I said sarcastically.
“Don’t be like that! Alice said Bella is sleeping right now; you Pow Wowed that shit didn’t you?”
I pinched the bridge of my nose and grimaced. “Emmett, I don’t want to discuss the details of the more
intimate aspects of my relationship with you. What Bella and I do is our business and ours alone.”
“I was just giving you shit. You know I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. I can’t let it go
unnoticed. Carlisle needs to talk to you now.”
I sighed; my whole damn family seemed to want to intrude on the best time of my existence. “Hello,
Edward; don’t worry, I’m not going to discuss your private life with you.”
“Thank you, Carlisle.” Alice and Emmett should take a page out of his book on tact.
“Not a problem, Edward. I spoke to Alistair finally. He returned my call soon after you and Bella left for

Chicago. His knowledge on the curse was very insightful.”

The wretched curse. “I’m listening.”
“He knew of three cases similar to yours and Bella’s. All of which ended badly. He told me to tell you that if
you value your own existence, and that of Bella’s, that you should step away as quickly as possible.”
Anger coursed through me at the thought of leaving Bella alone. “I can’t do that, Carlisle.”
“I know you can’t. I then explained to Alistair that you and Bella are together, that you have controlled your

thirst, and that you have begun to remember your past with her.”
I frowned. “What did he say to that?”
Carlisle chuckled a bit. “He said that was preposterous and then he began mumbling about how vampires
who feed on animal blood must be crazy.”
“He’s a strange man, Carlisle. I’m glad that he didn’t have anything dire to say about that. I could never hurt
Bella.”
Carlisle sighed, “I know that, Edward. I have the utmost faith in you not to do something like that. Alice, by
the way, is letting me break the wonderful news to you. She had a clear vision…”
“Clear as a bell!” Alice yelled in the background.
“That you will only grow in your resistance against the call of Bella’s blood. The curse won’t hamper your

progress as you feared.”
Relief flooded through me. We beat the curse. Bella would never be a vampire, but I could handle that. We
had jumped through hurdles quickly and with little effort. Our love was different from the others who had

suffered through this. We had a fighting chance. “Thank you, Carlisle.”
“For what?” he asked.
“For teaching me how to control my thirst and for showing me a different way to live in this existence,” I
said with reverence. I didn’t think it was possible, but my respect for Carlisle became even more profound

in that moment.
“Of course, Edward; it’s been nothing but a pleasure to have you as a part of my family.”
“It’s been a pleasure to be a part of your family.” And it was.
I got off the phone with Carlisle and made my way back inside to check on Bella. She was still curled on her

side, sleeping soundly the same way that I had left her. I smiled, knowing that she would be thrilled over
Alice’s new vision. I couldn’t wait to tell her.
To bide time before Bella woke up; I decided to look around the house a little. I closed my bedroom door
and continued walking down the familiar hallway, my smile faltering when I realized where I was headed.
There at the end, the darkest point in the hall stood the entrance to my parent’s room. It had been nearly

sixty years since I had last stepped foot inside. I’d come to this house many times, but rarely ever did I
intrude in their sanctuary. I put my hand on the brass knob, the same apprehension filling me as always

whenever I entered.
The door creaked slightly as I pushed it open and I was taken back. Their room had never changed. I made

sure of that. It seemed wrong to change anything, like I would be tampering with a perfect history. My
mother had designed this room to her tastes and I wasn’t about to take away from anything she did. Maybe

it was with gratitude and honor for the woman who gave me life to not change what she had done long ago.
It was my duty as a son to never forget. Truthfully, it was the only thing I had left to do for her.
I walked across the soft, wooden floor towards the vanity where my mother had sat and combed her hair. I
felt like a child as I pulled out the stool and took a seat on the ivory cushion, looking around the room.

The bed was still dressed in an ivory coverlet and the Tiffany lamps were still perched atop the nightstands

on each side. On the left, my mother’s bible sat at an angle on the tabletop like it always did. On the right,
my father’s reading glasses sat on top of an old newspaper that was apt to disintegrate if it were handled.

The paper was yellowed and brittle but it stood as a testament of that day because he had taken breakfast
in bed that morning saying he didn’t feel well.
The ancient grief over my parent’s deaths still haunted me from time to time and now was no exception. I
stood and walked towards the window that faced the back, opening the navy blue velvet drapes so I could

look across the courtyard. It was my mother’s pride and joy. She worked on it relentlessly spring through
fall, berating my father when he suggested we hire a gardener. It was her place in the world. I was just lucky

enough to have been part of that world.
“Edward, darling; would you join me for a moment?” My mother had asked, after opening my bedroom door

without warning.
“Of course, Mother; what do you need?”
She shook her head and motioned for me to follow her, which I did. It wasn’t often that she sought me out to
speak with me privately, but I had a feeling that she would after the fiasco of my introduction to Isabella Swan.

I knew from the look in my mother’s eyes that she was going to ask me about it. I wondered if I would have the

heart to tell her that I had made even more of a mess out of the situation than she knew..
Mother opened the door to her and Father’s room, stepping aside so I could enter. “Sit on the chaise, Edward.”
I did as she asked and watched apprehensively as she took a seat on her vanity stool and gave me an
appraising look. The half grin that I had inherited from her made an appearance on her lips and she cocked

her brow. “Isabella has won your affections with very little effort.”
Her statement left me reeling inside. It was no use trying to hide anything from my mother. She always knew.

“I’ve already made her hate me as well.”
She chuckled, running her fingers through her bronze hair, the same shade as mine. “Don’t be silly, Edward. It’s

never too late to start over. Granted, Isabella has a strange wall around her but it’s nothing that a son of mine
can’t break down. Sometimes first impressions take a second opinion.”
I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose; a habit I picked up from my father when faced with no-win
situations. “I assure you that I tried. I only succeeded in offending her even more so than what she already

was.”
“That’s blarney, Edward.” My mother’s Irish heritage was showing through, her long faded accent coming

forth a bit. “Did you ever think that maybe Isabella is as unsure of you as you are of her? Personal defense can

get in the way of something great. Let her know that you value her mind. I know that you do, but she doesn’t.
It’s the quickest way to her heart which is where you should be.”
“What makes you so sure of that?” I asked with a little self pity peppering my voice.
“I just am. I am as sure of you and Isabella as I am that the sun will rise in the morning. Don’t fight The Fates,

Edward; you will lose miserably.”
“She’s just so… stubborn?” I wasn’t sure if that was the right word to describe Isabella.
“And so are you, my son. You felt a shock didn’t you?” My mother’s eyes seemed to pierce my very soul when she
asked her strange question.
“What do you mean?” I wasn’t sure.
“When you touched her, you felt a shock.” It was a statement this time.

My mouth hung open a little. My mother knew the most ridiculous of things. Secrets seemed to be no match for

her. “It was static, Mother. It’s quite common.”
“Or so you may think, Edward. That shock that you deem as static is what let me know that your father was

the man for me.” She said in a matter-of-fact tone.
I didn’t know that her and my father had any strange signs to mark their relationship. I just know that I grew

up in a home where my parent’s were loving and very happy with one another. “I don’t know what to do. She
leaves me utterly baffled. All I know is that I want to know her more than anyone I’ve ever met in my life. That

might sound insane, considering we just met, but she is intriguing to me like no other.”
“That’s how great love always starts, Edward.”
I blushed a little. I wasn’t used to speaking to my mother about emotions. It was just something a man didn’t
do unless he was with his lover in complete privacy. I wanted this conversation to be over. “I’ll keep all of this

in mind, Mother. I should be going to bed soon.”
My mother grinned and turned towards her jewelry box. “Before you go, there is something I want to give you.”
I stood and walked towards her, curious. She took my hand in hers and put her diamond heart necklace in my
palm, curling my fingers around it. “Give this to her when the time is right.”
I couldn’t believe she was giving me the first big piece of jewelry my father had bought for her aside from her

wedding ring. “How will I know when the time is right?”
She gave me a strange, knowing smile. “After she gives it back.”
I hadn’t even given it to Bella. My mother wasn’t making any sense. “I don’t understand, Mother.”
She laughed lightly, “You will, Edward. Now go to bed so you can be well rested for another day. I have a

feeling that you’re going to need lots of energy to keep up with Isabella.”
Elizabeth Masen, my wonderful, strange, beautiful mother, really had ‘known’ things. Just weeks ago, Bella

had told me what my mother had said to her and I hadn’t really given it much thought. Obviously, I
remembered now.
And Bella really had given me back the necklace.
The first memory that dredged itself up when Bella came back into my life was that of the necklace. I

remembered my mother placing it in my hand, but not any of the conversation that had gone on in that
moment in time. I hadn’t given it back to Bella for some reason, even though it was hers, but I had brought

it with me. I usually carried it in my pocket but because of the airport security and everything, I had packed
it in my overnight case that went on the plane with me.
Maybe I had a reason after all to protect a piece of jewelry so fiercely. Of course, when that reason woke

from her post coital nap, I would give it back to her.

~*~~*~~*~

Chapter Fourteen

BPOV
I opened my eyes to see the faint traces of pink in the sky as the sun rose for a new day. Yes, and what a new
day it is, I smiled to myself. Edward wasn’t next to me in bed anymore, though he had been when I woke up

from my nap the day before. He fed me a massive dinner in bed and drew me a bath afterwards, in which he
ever so lovingly washed every nook and cranny of my body.

I sat up and wrapped the flat sheet from the bed around my frame, smiling a bit wider over the new

memories we had made together. Good, wonderful, mind-blowing memories. I shivered at what might
happen today. I wasn’t sure it could get any better.
“Edward?” I called out in a low voice, knowing he would hear me.
“Out here, love.”
I walked over and opened the French doors that led to the balcony. Edward was leaning on the rail with his
elbows, twirling a thin chain in his fingers. I would know that chain anywhere, I had bought it myself. I

watched as Edward held the diamond heart up to the sun that was barely peeking over the horizon, the
rays breaking on it in prisms of color, much like that coming from Edward’s skin. “I remembered when my

mother gave this to me yesterday while you were napping.”
I was a little confused by what he said. He had remembered her giving it to him while we were in biology

that fateful day. I had seen it my self. “No, you remembered that awhile back.”
Edward shook his head. “Not all of it. I finally remembered what she said to me. She gave this to me the

night that you and your family came to stay with us. It was odd, that conversation. She really did know
things.”
“What do you mean?” I inched closer to him. He looked so serious.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about us, Bella. How odd and intense our love is; how we managed to conquer time.
My mother knew that we were meant to be right off the bat. She even knew about the shock that occurred

when we touched. When she gave this to me,” he held the diamond between his thumb and forefinger. “She
told me to give it to you when the time was right. When I asked her when that may be, she replied with

‘after she gives it back to you’. How was she to know that you would give it back to me, even if it was ninety
years later?” It seemed as if he were asking himself more so than he was me.
“I don’t know, Edward. Why didn’t you mention any of this before I went back to bed?” I asked, putting my
arm around his waist.
“The right moment never came up and I wanted it to be perfect.” He said simply, turning to face me.
“Perfect for what?”
Edward chuckled a bit, the brooding demeanor he’d had just minutes ago vanishing and being replaced
with a light spirit about him. “I’m trying to ask you to be my wife again, Bella. Now will you quit asking me

questions?”
My heart soared into a manic beat and I opened my mouth, finding no words. I could only nod.
“Good, now where was I? Oh yes; I’ve been meaning to say a few things to you and now seems like a good

enough time to start.” I watched in fascination as Edward got down on one knee in front of me, looking
nervous. His hand circled around my left wrist and in a movement too quick for my eyes to catch, left the

necklace wrapped around it like a bracelet.
I was shaking as Edward turned his seraphic face up to meet my gaze. I was rendered breathless by how

beautiful he was in that moment; this man that I love, kneeling and vulnerable before me. He let out a quick
breath and started to speak. “Bella, love; many years ago I gave you this charm completely ignorant to the

fact that when I said forever, it literally would be. Fate is seemingly vengeful and unfair, but she knows
what she’s doing. When you came back into my life awakening the heart that I have long feared to be dead

and untouchable, I wondered how I could have walked through this existence without you.
You, love, are all that is vital to me. You are the gravity that keeps me together. I once believed that I was

whole and complete within myself, but now I know that it was because you were alive somewhere that I
felt that way. I didn’t consciously remember you the last ninety years, but my heart never forgot you. Even

in the beginning when I wanted to jump into the fiery pit of Hades, I kept going in this life, because the soul

I thought was lost was attached to yours. That misconception I had about not having a soul anymore was
essentially true because you weren’t with me. You were the life force that kept me here.
Like I said, fate knows what she’s doing. She kept us apart until I could handle this. God forbid had you tried
to find me when I was a newborn. Fate made you selfless to keep you away, and she brought us back

together when I had become strong enough to make it work.”
I was shaking all over and the tears were flowing freely as Edward continued to pour his heart out to me. “I

cannot express to you how much it means to me that you kept loving me after all this. I feel undeserving of
your affections because for almost a century I wasn’t a part of your life. I was a memory to you, yet you still

kept me alive in your heart.”
A crooked grin crept on his face and my heart felt full; painfully full. “So with everything that has gone

wrong for us, I want to do something right. Bella, you are everything to me. I cannot fathom ever spending
another moment without you at my side. Will you, Bella Swan, be my wife?”
I sank to the ground a blubbering mess and wrapped my arms around Edward. I chanted the word ‘yes’ in
between kisses, my body aching to be as close to him as I could possibly get. The way he asked me was so

different from last time. I was happy that he had given me the heart instead of a ring. It was a link to our

past and epitomized what we were; two hearts forged into one, forever frozen in time.
“I love you so much…” I breathed into his neck.
“I love you too. I do have to ask though; are you trying to give the neighbors a show?” Edward whispered
into my ear.
Reality hit me and my cheeks flamed red. Although we were at an angle that no one could see us, I was still
embarrassed. When I wrapped my arms around Edward, I had let go of the sheet, which was now pooled

around my hips. I lifted it up to cover me, offering an ‘oops’ while Edward laughed. “See, Edward; you’re
rather good at distracting me.”
“I guess so. Why don’t you get dressed for the day and I’ll make you breakfast.”
“Sounds good,” I conceded, heading back into the room.
The weather was already warm so I put on a white, cap-sleeve button down and a pair of jeans. While I tied
my shoes I thought about the courtyard and all the rose bushes that surrounded the perimeter. I decided

then that after breakfast I would take a walk outside and do some pruning to prepare the gardens for
summer. Edward kept everything manicured by professionals but it had been a long time since I had

anything to do with a garden. Elizabeth had taught me a few things and I wanted to put them to good use.
I walked down the staircase and into the dining room where Edward already had my breakfast prepared.
Warm, fluffy croissants and fruit salad was dished out in an immaculate setting. I smiled and shook my

head; that vampire speed was a nifty thing.
“Looks delicious,” I said, kissing Edward quickly and taking a seat. I laughed when he very easily pushed my

chair in and just a little harder still when he tucked a napkin into my collar for me.
“So what do you want to do today?” Edward asked me, sitting in the chair across from me. It didn’t leave my

attention that we were sitting in the same seats that we did during meals those many years ago.
I swallowed a piece of strawberry and took a drink of milk before I answered him. “I want to go out in the

courtyard today and prune back some of the rose bushes. Your mother taught me how to do it and it’s the
end of March, so now is a good time.”
“I think she would have liked that,” Edward said softly, his eyes taking on a wistful expression. I knew he
and Elizabeth had been really close.

“Hopefully I can do her justice. She was really good at ‘working the earth’, as she used to say.”
“I remember. We always had flowers around the house during the warmer months.”
I nodded my head in agreement, remembering the many vases that were set around the house when things

began to bloom before I left. I finished my breakfast quickly and helped Edward wash the dishes, wanting
to get outside as fast as possible.
“Are you coming out with me?” I asked Edward before I opened the back door.
“I’ll join you in a bit. I wanted to try my hand at making Oliver’s rack of lamb. I found the recipes in an old

tin box and it calls to sit in marinade for several hours. Once I get that going I’ll be out.
I chuckled a little at how seriously he was taking the whole ‘Bella’s personal Chef’ thing. “Alright, but I have

to say that when none of my clothes fit by the end of the week, it’ll be all your fault.”
Edward shook his head and laughed as I walked out onto the back porch, making my way over to the small

shed off to the side of the courtyard. The landscaper’s that Edward commissioned had kept it fully stocked
and organized, making it easy to find the shears that I needed. I grabbed a bucket to put the debris in and

started at the far left of the garden so I could work my way around.
Elizabeth’s rose bushes were still as lush and beautiful as they always had been, even though they weren’t

flowering yet. I snipped away the broken pieces and the ones that were turning brown at the tips, down to

where the light green color would show through just like she had taught me. Come the end of April, the
tight little buds would blossom into delicate red and white petals. I was lucky enough to have seen a few

begin to bloom before I left. It was always peaceful here in the garden, quiet even. The city of Chicago was
merely several blocks away, but you would never know it standing here in the back of the Masen’s estate.
I hummed my lullaby softly, walking along the cobblestone paths, bucket in tow. I was so happy. The man I
loved was back in my life and had asked me to be bound to him more so than I already was. We had finally

made love, a few times even, and each time had been better than the last. I laughed as my eyes misted over
with happy tears, letting the fact that Edward and I were finally going to be together ‘forever’, warm my

heart.
In the middle of my sickeningly sweet thoughts, I heard a light buzzing sound behind me and I turned my

head to see a hummingbird flitting around. I always loved hummingbirds. I watched in fascination as it
flapped it’s tiny, rapid wings in the old birdbath that was filled with rainwater that had collected from the

storm the day before. I wanted to get a closer look so I took a few steps closer, inadvertently catching the
toe of my sneaker on an uneven piece of the walkway. I fell ungracefully and let out a sharp gasp as pain

pierced my chest. I stood up quickly, adrenaline pumping through my veins and looked down, only to pull

out the gardening shears that had sunk beneath my flesh. I felt a strange, creeping cold sensation and my
eyes widened in horror as the blood began to seep through the fabric of my shirt.

EPOV
Lamb was an absolutely disgusting meat. I could see the marbled fat that would give it its decadent flavor
once cooked, but looking at the hunk of animal carcass wasn’t something I liked to do. Give me blood over

cold, gelatinous meat any day. I arranged the meat inside of a bowl with different spices and broth just as
Oliver’s recipe had called for. I knew Bella would enjoy the meal, which is the only reason I was doing this.

Well, not the only; it was also the first meal we had eaten together and it seemed to be a fitting thing to
prepare, however repulsive it may be to me now.
I laid the bowl in the refrigerator and washed my hands, thinking of Bella. She had agreed to be my wife. I
smiled just thinking about it. I knew she loved me and that she would accept my proposal, but it didn’t

make it any less special. She had smiled and cried and kissed me with so much emotion that I was left in

awe of her. My Bella had the most beautiful heart that I had ever had the chance to come in contact with. It

wasn’t enough to say that I was lucky, but it would have to do. God, I love that woman!
I walked at a human pace outside, taking care that my steps were quiet. I wanted to observe Bella before

making my presence known; to savor her beauty as she worked in my mother’s garden. She was standing
still towards the back, her head down, probably savoring the sweet smell of the morning dew. Spring was

the best time for us; a season of renewal and hope with the sun waking up after its sabbatical in winter.
Bella and I were awakening as well.
“Are you having a good time?” I asked in a chipper voice, letting the happiness of the day sweep through
me.
Bella turned her head towards me and the look on her face stopped me dead in my tracks. Her eyes were
wide and teary and her lips were quivering. Panic overtook me and I ran to her side. “What’s wrong, love?”
She didn’t have to answer. My nose filled with the best, most enticing scent ever. I looked down slowly to
see her hand pressed flat against her chest, the red decadence seeping through her fingers. I was horrified

at my initial reaction and the venom that was pooling in my mouth, but even more so, because my love was
clearly bleeding to death.
I fought the monster within me and caught Bella in my arms as she fell towards the ground. I noticed the

shears in her other hand, seeing the blood on the short metal tips. “Bella, love; we’re going to the hospital.”
I stood swiftly and went to take a step, only to feel like a heavy hand was pressing on me. I sank to my

knees with Bella, my strength beginning to fail me. This was odd.
“Edward,” Bella’s voice sounded like delicate glass, ready to shatter at any moment. “I’m cold.”
My senses were still working, even if my strength had left me. Her heart was beating slower in an erratic
rhythm that sounded weak and vulnerable. I cried out as the reality of the situation set in. Bella was dying

and she was taking me with her. I couldn’t do anything but feel the weakness in my bones and muscles that
had not once failed me since I became a vampire.
“Love, I don’t know what to do. I…” My voice trailed off into a hoarse whisper. It was getting hard to think
properly.
“Try…” her soft whisper shook me. I knew what she wanted me to try and I didn’t know if it would work.
We were already dying, what more could it hurt?
I acted quickly, mustering my last bit of strength, not only for control, but to initiate the act. I brushed her
hair from her shoulder and pulled her shirt collar away from her skin. With a shaky breath I inhaled, letting

the venom fill my mouth before I lowered my teeth to her flesh, piercing the skin. I sucked in a little, letting

her warm blood wash over my tongue, mixing with the venom. Even now completely weak, her blood still
sent my body into animalistic turmoil. I snapped my eyes closed and focused on the task at hand. Bella was

dying and I was trying to save her, to save myself as well.
With the last remnants of strength and willpower I had; I forced her blood and venom back into the wound

that my teeth had created. I licked the gash to seal it and hoped like hell my venom would do something. I
didn’t know if it would be enough or if it would make any difference at all, but it wasn’t long until I got my

answer. Bella’s heart was fading quickly, even though I could smell my venom in the blood flowing from her
chest wound. Her eyes went unfocused and closed before they snapped open again, gazing into mine with

fire. “I love you, Edward. Never forget…”
I didn’t know what to expect from dying; if it was painful, or if it was peaceful. My attempt was futile and

went by with little notice, making no difference. An agonized sob tore through my throat as Bella’s beautiful
heart thrummed its last beat, giving over to the still silence. I yelled in torture as my own heart shredded in

my chest, my emotions having no release. I couldn’t move as I lay there, Bella’s cooling body in my arms. My

eyes closed at their own accord and with my last bit of breath I whispered, “I love you too, Bella.”
I felt my consciousness slipping away and somewhere inside my memory I heard my mother’s voice. I

couldn’t process what she said to me but I knew it was important. The only thing I could do was slip further
into the blackness, the place where Bella went, and I couldn’t get there fast enough. I no longer had a

choice.

BPOV
I was standing with Edward on the stoop of my family’s townhouse as we said our goodbyes. My family and

I were leaving for New York and I was leaving my love behind in Chicago. To say my heart was breaking
would be a gross injustice. I was leaving my whole life behind.
My eyes were streaming and my hand was clutching the diamond heart that Edward had just placed around
my neck. “It will have to do until I can put a ring on your finger.”
Confusion swept through me, as did an innate sense of Déjà vu. It seemed like we’d done this before. The
sensation was growing, almost choking me, and causing my breaths to come in short pants. It was almost

like hysteria, like I needed to remember something, I just didn’t know what.
“Bella, love; are you alright?” Edward’s voice sounded strained with concern. I took as deep of a breath as I
could and looked up into his eyes. An elusive ray of sunshine broke through the clouds, igniting the sparse

gold flecks in his predominantly emerald irises. Golden eyes…
My knees buckled as a tidal wave of memories crashed down on me.
The pain of leaving Edward, the brokenness of going without him, the fear and destitution I experienced
when the flu hit him, the shock of seeing his eyes blazing red in the mirror, the torture of learning that I

could no longer age, the loneliness of walking through an immortal life without him.
I thought the wave was over but then there was more: the joy of discovering him again, being a part of the

Cullens, first kisses and intimacy, Edward’s proposal and how our love stood the test of time.
I had almost reached my breaking point as the last memory crashed into my brain painfully, as if a dagger

was forcing its way into my skull; the pain in Edward’s eyes as I felt my life slipping away, the sticky blood
pouring from the wound I sustained from falling on the pruning shears.
I was trembling uncontrollably when I came back to reality in Edward’s arms; his warm, human arms. We
were, well, I was being given the chance to start all of this over. I was unnerved and bewildered to say the

least. Never in my most fantastical thoughts did I think anything like this was possible.
“Bella! – What is it?” Edward asked, panic stricken. He didn’t remember. Again, it was only me who knew
what had happened.
Whether this was a dream or not, I knew that my choice was crucial. I felt it deep within my bones that I
was at a crossroads and that what I did from this moment on would decide not only my, but Edward’s fate

as well. I looked around me and knew that I was back in Chicago and that if I found a calendar, it would tell
me that the year was 1918.
The most obvious choice was to beg him to come with me to New York. He was training to seal a spot in his
father’s bank, but surely if I begged him he would come away with me. We could avoid the Spanish

Influenza and start our lives together. We could marry this autumn like we were meant to, maybe have a
few children and watch the years pass by, changing us.
But that would be selfish.

It was then that my thoughts moved to Carlisle. He was good down to his very core. He loved not only his

family, but he also valued the life of humans; a true humanitarian. What if he had never changed Edward?
Esme. Carlisle may never find her if not for Edward. Who knows what he will do, where he will go, without

him. Esme’s suicide attempt over her son will surely be a success and she will not have the opportunity to
share her love with Carlisle, healing the sadness that festered within him for so long.
And Rosalie… What if Carlisle never finds her on the street? What if she bleeds to death and dies in
humiliation and pain? Who would bring justice to those brutal men that attacked her if she weren’t given

the chance to avenge herself?
Of course, without Rosalie, there would be no Emmett. That bear will finish him off and he’ll never again

crack a joke and bring joy and laughter to another.
Alice and Jasper; without Carlisle and his established family, Alice may never have a vision of what could

be. She may end up hunting humans and living without the family ties of the Cullen clan. Everyone will miss
out on the child-like spirit she brings to those around her. And Jasper; his quiet demeanor and gentle caring

will go without notice.
My decision wasn’t about just Edward and myself. What I would choose could affect so many different lives,

even destructing a family that deserved each other. I knew then that I was being given the chance to

recreate all of our history with the wisdom I had gained through years of suffering. The choice was mine, all
depending on how selfish or selfless I could be. I wanted Edward more than anything, but the diplomat

inside of me wouldn’t let me make the most obvious choice.
“I’m staying here.” I forced the words out of my mouth before I had the chance to reconsider. I shuddered

lightly and I felt like a weight had been lifted off of me. I wondered if that meant I was choosing the right
path.
“Bella, you have to go back to New York. July will be here before you know it.”
“It won’t come quickly enough, Edward. I’m staying,” I whispered harshly, hoping like hell that this really

was the right thing to do. I was very good at doubting everything.
“But, Bella – “
I cut him off. “I’m staying here, in Chicago, with you. Your mother offered to let me stay and I’m taking her
up on the offer even though my parents want differently. This is what I want and this is the first

opportunity I have to do something for me. It would be nice to have your approval.”
Edward looked me in the eye and I knew he was searching for something, some spark of weakness on my

part to use to his advantage. I squared off my shoulders and stood my ground. He had no idea how much

was riding on me staying here with him. I couldn’t let him coerce me out of it.
“Alright, Bella; let me speak with your parents and gather your things.”
I stood there in shock, maybe even a little awe, as Edward walked over to my parent’s car and began
speaking with my father. Edward’s face was light but steely, knowing that my father was rather forceful

when it came to ‘what was good for me’. I prayed silently to the Fates that they would make my parents
understand and let me stay. This wasn’t just about me.
My heart thudded against my ribcage as my mother and father got out of the car and made their way
towards me. Both of their faces were solemn and my mother’s eyes were glistening with unshed tears.
“Isabella…” my mother whispered and pulled me to her in a crushing embrace. “Is this really what you
want?”

I held little hesitation as I hugged her back just as tightly. “I’ve never been more sure of something in my

life.”
She pulled away from me and patted my cheeks, her lips quivering as she fought for control over her

emotions. “You have to write once a week. Your studies must be taken into consideration. You are not to
sleep anywhere near Edward until after the wedding. And you must promise me that you’ll be happy.”
I laughed a little, even though my heart was aching. I had a feeling that we wouldn’t be seeing each other
ever again. It was such a blessing to see my parent’s as they were; warm and alive. So many nights I had

wished with everything in me to be able to tell them that they didn’t do anything wrong, that I still loved
them both fiercely. I was getting my chance to say goodbye and bring closure to the other wound that had

ached in my heart for so long. “He’s everything, Mother. I can’t imagine my life without him in it. I love you;
you’re the best mother that I could have asked for. No matter what may happen, just know that I consider

myself lucky for being your daughter.”
She kissed my cheek and smiled before I turned to my father. Charles Swan was never a man of many

words, especially not when it came to his emotions, so it surprised me when he pulled me to him and kissed
the top of my head out on the street. “He promised to take care of you. If he were any less of a man, I would

not even consider letting you stay. I see now though how much you two mean to one another. I can’t step in

and inhibit something so rare. Just be happy, Isabella; that’s all I ask.”
“I will, Father. I promise you that I will.”
Tears and hugs and smiles were given before I watched my parent’s drive away to catch their train. I was
sitting on the front steps as Edward wrestled to move my trunk into the chauffeured car that had brought

him here. I smiled to myself, thinking that if he still had his vampire strength; it would have been no
problem.
“Are you happy?” I asked Edward spontaneously.
He knelt down in front of me and brushed a stray hair out of my face, tucking it behind my ear. “I can not

tell you how incredible I feel knowing that you’ll be greeting me at the end of each day when I come home.
I’ll be able to hold you and kiss you and have you near me. You’re my one and only love, of course I’m happy

that I get to keep you.” I laughed and kissed him before he held my hand and walked me to the car, opening
my door for me. He was always a gentleman.
“Home sweet home,” Edward whispered into my ear as we pulled up to his house. Butterflies were flapping
away in my stomach, my nerves getting the best of me knowing that I would be seeing Elizabeth again.
“I knew you’d come back. I see you’ve finally made the right decision.” Elizabeth was standing in the

doorway, speaking to me with a knowing smile on her face.
My heart began to pound. Did she know?
“What do you mean, Mother?” Edward asked, clutching my hand.
Elizabeth laughed merrily and shook her head. “What I mean, Edward, is that it’s never too late to start

over; especially not for you two. It may have taken awhile for you to see, but Isabella got it right.”
My mouth was hanging open as Elizabeth winked at me and went back inside. The hairs on the back of my

neck were standing on end. What I would give! – To pick her brain.
“I apologize, Bella. My mother is a little off sometimes. I’ve learned to live with it.”
“Don’t apologize, Edward. She’s right. I did choose right this time.”
I laughed at Edward’s baffled expression. “Don’t tell me you’re going to start with all of this cryptic

nonsense, are you?”

“Maybe,” I teased.
“I won’t have it!” Edward yelled playfully, scooping me up into his arms. I pressed a kiss against his warm,
pouting lips. “I love you, Bella.”
“I love you too, Edward; forever.”
I knew then in that moment that Edward and I were not doomed. Time can slip away so easily from anyone.

For everything that hurts in this life, I know it’s necessary. If I didn’t know the low feeling of sadness, I
would never be able to experience the highest joy of happiness. If I had never experienced cold, rainy days;

I would have never learned to appreciate the warm, sunny days. Every action has a reaction.
So no matter what may happen to Edward and me; I know that it isn’t my place to try to defy fate. I was

given the chance to start over and I chose a different way this time. I don’t know if it’s right, I don’t know if
it’s wrong; the only thing I can do is sit back and try to make the most of it. I don’t know what the future has

in store for us anymore. But I’m okay with not knowing. I have Edward, he has me, and we have our love. I
know that we can face whatever it is lurking around the corner, as long as we do it together. Our love has

never made much sense, but I know that it’s wroth it.
Time is a precious gift and if I have learned anything, it would be to not waste one moment of it.

~*~~*~~*~

Epilogue

BPOV
To be honest, I had no idea what to expect after my revelations on what happened in the ninety years after I

left Chicago that first time. Sometimes, when I was alone, I would ponder these thoughts and wonder if I

was a complete basket-case. Vampires, immortality, curses, and maybe even time travel were just not
common occurrences in a sane person’s life.
So when I stayed in Chicago with Edward, I was taking a chance. Did I know the outcome? Absolutely not.
Did I have faith in my ‘memories-of-the-future’? A smidge. It wasn’t long until I got my answer though.
When Edward’s father became ill, I was hit with the fact that maybe I wasn’t so crazy after all. When
Elizabeth too, was struck with the illness I realized that I needed to prepare myself for the next person

down the line who was going to fall victim if my memory served me correct.
I cannot begin to describe how absolutely terrifying it was to find Edward in his bed, shaking violently,

teeth chattering, sweat covering his body. I put my hand to his forehead, feeling the fever raging, and when
he coughed and his chest rattled; I knew it would be soon.
The final straw for me was seeing Carlisle again. I half expected him to remember me as I sat in a chair
between Edward and his mothers’ cots in the crowded hospital, but when he smiled at me solemnly and

introduced himself I knew my hopes were not feasible.
And with that realization, I knew that falling ill with this vile disease wasn’t going to happen for me.
“You know that doctor.” Elizabeth stated to me as I held Edward’s hand while he slumbered.
“No more than you do,” I sighed.
“I don’t believe you for a minute, Isabella. You call the man Carlisle when he introduced himself as Dr.

Cullen.”

So I had slipped up. Carlisle hadn’t noticed and if he did, he must have assumed I had learned his name

through the nurses. But Elizabeth, she knew better, and I was soon pinned down by her intense gaze.
I opened my mouth to speak but she cut me off with a firm shake of her head. “You know more than you let

on. I do as well so I do not hold it against you. I can see secrets swimming in your eyes and though you may
not tell me what they are, I know they affect my son. Why were you so relieved to see that man? There are

other doctors here yet you only look contented after you see Dr. Cullen.”
“You wouldn’t understand,” I sighed again, giving up the charade. I wouldn’t tell her the truth but I was

already too worn out from watching the sickness ravage Edward’s body to keep denying everything. I was
half tempted to think my lethargy was due to Edward being sick. We were obviously linked beyond

comprehension.
“I do understand, Isabella, more than you can imagine. You know what happens; you just have to do things

differently this time. I was hoping you would be open with me if I prompted you.”
You know that creeping sensation you get? When the hair on the back of your neck stands on end and it

feels as if someone is watching you? Elizabeth made me feel that way when she talked like that. “What do
you mean?”
Elizabeth was fiddling with the frayed edge of the blanket wrapped around her, not making eye contact

with me. If I didn’t know any better, I would assume she was going to recover because of how healthy she
looked. “Please tell me what you mean, Elizabeth.”
“What I mean is that I know what it is to love, Isabella. I know what it means to be tied to someone through
life and through death. My son won’t be going anywhere, not with that new doctor. And you won’t be going

anywhere either, because of my son.”
“Elizabeth, if you know, then tell me how to change it.” I was suddenly desperate, hoping she had some

morsel of advice, a common ground that I could stand upon and understand. I didn’t want to be bitter
anymore.
She looked at me then, tears in her eyes. “Eleven generations of women in my family, all dying on the same
day as their lover, my mother included. It starts with a shock, it’s almost too good to be true, and then it

ends on the same note. I thought it would be different for him since he was born a boy,” she looked
remorseful as she gazed at Edward’s sleeping form. “But then he met you, and he experienced the shock as

well.”
“What are you saying?” I whispered harshly, not wanting to wake Edward or his father. I knew the shock;

the shock I get every time I touch Edward.
“He won’t be the first in my bloodline to become an immortal.”
My blood ran cold and my mouth went dry. She had just given me all the validation I needed that I was not,

in fact, insane.
“What does, Lover’s Blood Curse, mean to you, Isabella?”
I shook my head back and forth and tried to fight the bile rising up in my throat. “Did you let this happen?” I
choked out.
Elizabeth looked sad as she chose her words carefully. “I’m changing it. It started with my family, and it will
end with my son.”
This was all nonsensical to me. I waited for her to explain. “Not many would believe me, but I know that you
will. I can see Fate.”

I was shaking uncontrollably and my throat felt tight as I stared into Elizabeth’s eyes, so much like her

son’s. “What do I do?”
“You sit back and wait, Isabella. The future you doubt is not a dream your mind concocted. It was my 11th

great grandparents who were in the same predicament as you and Edward. The only difference is they
didn’t get the second chance. He drank her dry because he couldn’t stop himself. Edward, though, could.”
My heart was racing out of my chest as Elizabeth kept explaining after she realized how bewildered I was.
“Like I said, I can see Fate. I taught you how to garden for a reason. I also instilled in Edward to always have

control and a conscience, so that it would be an innate part of who he is when he becomes what he
becomes.”
“Elizabeth, I’m so confused.” I whispered almost inaudibly.
“My 11th great grandparent’s daughter, Ana, kept the tale of our peculiar curse alive, even giving it a name.

She doctored her mother as she burned from what seemed to be a fever, but was really the burn of the
venom in her husband.” Elizabeth looked at me with one of her ‘knowing’ smiles before she continued. “Ana

listened as her mother told her that her father would be different, no longer human, and that she could read
his thoughts. Ana thought her mother was plagued by a witch, which was common in the late 1600’s, but

she wouldn’t say anything to the priests because she didn’t want her mother to be burned at the stake.”
I was breathing in shallow gasps as Elizabeth retold the tale of this anomaly. I felt so sorry for Edward’s
ancestors who had gone through this. “No one expected such an ill-fated death to come out of the situation.

Ana made sure to keep the story alive through the generations, mother to daughter, and even told the story
to an immortal; Alistair was his name, because he had witnessed the death of her parents out on the rocky

Irish coast and was quite baffled apparently.”
“I can’t believe this, Elizabeth. I wonder if Carlisle was talking about your ancestors when he explained the

curse to Edward and me,” I mused.
Elizabeth just smirked and nodded slightly. “We’re not the only ones, though we are the first. It seems to

run rampant in our family. When I laid eyes on my son for the first time, I knew not to speak of it, because I
saw what was waiting for him. Unlike a subjective clairvoyant, my visions are always truth; they do not

change because of last minute decisions, they are predestined, unless I try to change them. And I was
inclined when it came to my son, and to you. I know I am going to die with my husband like everyone else

in my family since Ana’s parents, but I know that my son will live. He gave you the key to break this curse.”
I was left in complete amazement of this tale, never once having thought that it may have been linked to

Edward’s family. The thought had never even crossed my mind. But she said he gave me the key to break it.

I had to know. “How so?”
Elizabeth gave me a watery smile, her tears flowing freely now. “His venom is still in your veins, Isabella.

When he is changed, you will change as well alongside him.”
“If I change now, what will happen to the rest of the Cullens?”
Elizabeth chuckled and shook her head. “You’ll just have to suggest to my son and Carlisle where to go, and
you’ll have to make a concrete decision about a particular psychic pixie in the late 30’s now won’t you?”
“What if I forget everything?” I was frantic now.
Elizabeth just smiled. “Your mind is shielded in such an odd way, something I’ve never seen. Your mind is

yours, Isabella. Nothing, not even vampire venom, can take it away from you.”
“Will he forget me again?” I motioned towards Edward.
“How could he forget when you’ll be with him this time?”

“What about Carlisle and explaining why I changed without being bitten?”
“Did I not give you the story in enough detail?”
So she answered my question with a question, but I knew then that everything was going to be ok if I truly

let it be.
I couldn’t help but fantasize about the possibilities that lay ahead for Edward and me. I squeezed his hand

and kissed his knuckled gently. We would get our forever, together, finally…

~*~~*~~*~

~Fin~

The Story Continues in the Sequel: Bound To A Secret 2 – Full Circle.