Disclaimer: Boy, these are really over-rated. But you know the drill. I own nothing except, hm let's see: Tiernan, Bella's necklace, Edward (I wish), nothing, nothing, Tiernan and last but not least, Bella's necklace. That should give you some ideas.
Thanks for the nice reviews, yet again. Here you have it folks, the last chapter. Long author's note at the end (I think) so read on!
Captivation
I stood as still as I could in the middle of the living room allowing the words to process through my mind. If it was Lena who was here, then where was Edward? Or better yet, if it was Edward, why was he with her? I awaited the knock on the door as I heard two sets of feet crunching up the walkway. The light tapping of stone hands on glass met my ears and I shot for the door anxiously. A sweat built on my forehead as I hoped beyond hope that the beautiful face of my savior stood behind the wooden door. When I threw open the door, I wasn't disappointed.
It took about half a second for his face to register in my mind and for me to be swept off my feet. My surroundings seemed to disappear as I held my arms tightly around Edward's neck, slightly squished by the force. My heart raced as I breathed in his breathtaking scent, causing tears of happiness to fall from my eyes. When my feet met the floor again I leaned against the wall for support as I pulled Edwards smiling face toward me, locking his lips to mine. Our lips touched with the taste of my salty tears and the curves of our smiles.
As my knees weakened and I began sliding down the wall I felt Edward's arms snake around my whole body, slowly pulling me away from him due to my lack of breath. I leaned against Edward's offered shoulder with my eyes closed as I allowed his scent to calm and regulate my breathing. The soft hums of my lullaby hinted at my ears as Edward held me close to his body, rocking us slightly. When I'd finally been able to breath normally I snaked my arms around his neck again, dropping me mouth to his ear.
"You almost lost me forever."
I felt his body stiffen slightly at my words, but he immediately loosened up. "I love you Bella."
I sighed, giving myself up to his every word from his curvy mouth. "I love you too."
I'd been lost in the moment and failed to remember that there should have been two other people in the room. I opened my eyes quickly to seek them out but even in the darkness I knew we were alone. I stood against the wall with Edward leaning into me for a few more minutes before I pulled back to study his beautiful face. We both stood staring into each others eyes before I sighed deeply, looking around the room again.
"So, where is this mysterious 'Lena' girl?" My voice held suspicion and a hint of excitement.
"Bella, there's a few things you should―"
Edward broke off as a shattering noise came from one of the rooms. Edward took my hand and quickly pulled me toward the sounds as they became more frequent and louder. When we stopped outside the only occupied room with the door open my body and mind froze. Rosalie stood with a picture frame in her hand mid-throw, next to a dresser filled with them. The shards of what looked like glass ornaments stood at Tiernan's feet as he backed toward the wall with each of Rosalie's throws.
"How dare you," smash, a picture frame shattered as it met Tiernan's arm, "Use your," smash, "powers," another smashed into his head, "On me!"
At the last words, Rosalie lunged herself at Tiernan as all the picture frames were gone. Tiernan seemed ready for the attack as he grabbed both of her wrists tightly, forcing her to keep a certain distance from him. I watched Rosalie's face break out into what I thought to be laughter but immediately corrected it as tear-less sobs. She yanked her arms out of Tiernan's hands and sank to the floor as Edward closed the door before me, blocking them from view.
"Come on Bella." Edward's voice was barely a whisper as he pushed against my lower back, leading me to the living room.
I was completely shocked. It wasn't hard to tell by the look in Tiernan's eyes that he had been referring to Rosalie as his mysterious lover. I sat willingly as Edward gently forced me down beside him in the love seat. I instinctively leaned against him and intertwined my fingers with him.
"What's going on Edward?"
He sighed heavily before answering me. "Let's just say Rosalie and Tiernan have a bit of a history."
I flinched as I heard a deep sob come from Tiernan's room. "What do you mean?"
He began to explain. "Tiernan was in love with Rosalie when she was human, except she wasn't Rosalie back them. He's been searching for her for a while but she hadn't remembered anything from her past lives until she saw him with you at the mall." I could tell he was giving me the shorter version of the story.
"Why was Tiernan after me then?" I still hadn't a clue as to how Tiernan had mistaken me for someone he'd loved.
"Your human scent resembles Rosalie's, and when he first spotted you he must have smelt Rosalie's scent along with your own. And he hadn't noticed who Rosalie was because she was a vampire, the girl he'd been looking for was still human."
I sat against Edward as I ran the thoughts through my mind. Tiernan must have fallen in love with Rosalie many times, life times ago when she was still human. Perhaps that was why she missed being human so much. It was now obvious why Tiernan hadn't seen 'Lena' in almost a hundred years. He's been looking amongst the living and Rosalie was dead. My mind raced as pictures of a human Rosalie ran through my mind being killed by Tiernan. No wonder she seemed so familiar, I knew her all along.
Edward squeezing my shoulder tightly pulled me out of my thought.
"Don't trouble yourself over this, we've been expecting it," he spoke slowly to me, knowing I was holding on to his every word.
"Expecting it?" I asked curiously.
"Alice."
I nodded in understanding, it was the only logical explanation as to how they could know.
"When Rosalie recognized Tiernan at the mall all the memories of him came back to her. I think Emmett always knew she'd loved someone before him but I don't think he knew enough to place who it was."
I nodded against his arm, encouraging him to continue.
"Over the last few months they've been fighting a lot over how much she loves him, or how little he thinks she does. Stupid really," he paused quickly giving a sigh, "I've known Tiernan almost my whole life and by his thoughts I always knew it was Rosalie he was after. But I couldn't do that to Emmett...so I kept them apart as long as I could."
I felt Edward shaking his head in the dark and I knew he was finished talking. I struggled to grasp all the confusing information being thrown at me but soon gave up as I got lost in Edward's dazzling scent he was breathing down at me.
I looked up into his eyes and struggled slightly to keep breathing. A cool finger swept under my chin lifting my face enough so my lips were accessible to his. I closed my eyes as his light breaths tickled my face due to his closeness. His cold lips suddenly came crashing down to mine as his arms swept me up into his lap. My arms snaked around his neck and he pulled his lips from mine, slowly beginning to his from my jaw to my ear.
"I love you," he whispered, before snaking a trail of kisses down my neck.
I didn't risk answering back as I knew it would probably come out as a squeal. It was unexplainable; what Edward's touch did to me. I felt I could give my whole body up to him and trust he would only do good.
His lips and tongue now caressed my collarbone as one of his cool hands snaked up the back of the baggy shirt tracing circles up and down my back. I kept my eyes closed and dug my body closer to him as I felt his need to be closer. My heart melted under his touch and the cool breath that was now being blown across my suddenly hot skin. Edward pulled his face far enough from my neck to rest his cool forehead against mine, holding my gaze. I still felt his hand tracing circles on my back, and I shivered in delight as it soothed my hot body.
I held my hands against his rock hard shoulders taking in every inch of his face. As I stared into his eyes he lifted us both off of the couch and I noticed he was now walking down the hallway, toward my room. I didn't know how he knew which room to enter, but I soon found myself being pushed under the silk sheets, Edward climbing in behind me. He kicked his shoes to the floor and threw his shirt over his head before packing us both tightly into the sheets.
"Hm," he moaned into my ear as he propped himself onto one elbow, "Today's been a long day."
I turned myself to look at him, positioning myself in the same manner, "Tell me about it."
I watched as a small smile crept onto his face. "I have something for you."
I smiled delightedly, "What is it?"
I saw his hand sink beneath the sheets, most likely to his pocket, and he pulled out my own necklace he's gotten me for my birthday. I smiled at the memory as I sat up and pulled my long hair to the side. I felt Edward slip the necklace around my neck and I heard it clasp in the back. I held on to my hair as I felt Edward trail light butterfly kisses down my neck.
"Make sure you wear it at all times, okay Bella?"
I was only half-heartedly paying attention to his words as the proximity of his mouth kept my mind elsewhere. I leaned against his chest as he placed one more cool kiss against the back of my neck. He sighed heavily into my back and it was the first time I noticed he was troubled by something. I pulled back slightly, attempting to look him in the eyes but I did not succeed. I settled to leaning against him and squeezing his hand in a caring way.
"What's wrong?"
He pulled away from me slightly, trying to see my face. "Nothing, why do you ask?"
"You seem troubled by something."
My fingers drummed along his rock hard arms waiting for an answer.
"Nothings troubling me. I'm fine." I already saw through this one.
"Edward..." he head the pleading in my voice.
"Bella..." I also heard it in his, "It's nothing, really."
I didn't believe him for a second as I saw the look in his eyes. After staring at him for a few more minutes, I saw the look of defeat was over him. As I turned in his arms to fully face him, his grip on my hand tightened but he didn't look me in the eyes.
"Edward, what's wrong?"
He stared at me with troubled eyes, obviously contemplating what to say.
"Bella," he sighed, "This is all really complicated..."
I just stared, wishing for him to continue.
"Remember when I told you Emmett had an―accident―a little while ago?"
I hadn't totally forgotten but it wasn't as if it was constantly nagging at me either.
I nodded blatantly.
"Well, Bella," I wished he would just spit it out already, "We're moving."
RPOV (Rosalie, just quick, I need to stall)
I lay on the couch thinking of what had just happened. I felt guilty, dirty and disobedient. How would I have done that to Emmett?
Kissing another man wasn't something I could take back―unlike words.
Seeing Tiernan tonight had undoubtedly brought back feelings that I truly thought to be distinguished forever. As I lay staring at the ceiling I listened as a door opened and shut again quite forcefully. I hoped against hope that it was not Tiernan. When the slight smell of flowers, salt and human filled my lungs I raised my head from the pillow.
"Bella?" I said as I saw the girl standing above me, with tears down her face, holding a blanket and pillow.
I slowly convinced my brain―myself―that I had heard wrongly. He couldn't have possibly have said he was moving, could he? He evidently saw that look of disbelief plastered on my face because he sat us both up and stared at me seriously.
"Now would be the time to say something." I could hear himself pleading for me to break the silence.
I thought once more about what he had said and finally came up with only one (half) logical answer.
"Well, I'll be coming with you of course?"
A shot of guilt ran through Edward's eyes and I realized that he had no notion to take me. I shot up and slid over him, out of the bed in disbelief. There was no way in hell I was staying left alone without my angel from heaven. Maybe I relayed on him just a little too much. I rounded on Edward as he sat on my bed, watching me blankly.
"I'm coming with you Edward." My voice came out shakily, trying to convince even myself.
"Bella..."
He was not getting out of this one.
"I'm going with you and that's final!" My shrill voice rang off the walls.
Edwards head hung as he watched his busily fidgeting hands, at a loss for words. I felt tears starting to moisten my eyes as I stared at him in all pitifulness feeling guilty for making me feel this way. Before the first tear fell out of my eye Edward was instantly at his feet ready to catch it as it fell.
"Don't cry, Bella, please."
I felt more tears fall as I looked into his desperate eyes, "How can you do this to me?"
"Please, it's for the best."
Thoughts of many times he'd warned me similarly ran through my mind.
"I'm sorry," he'd sounded sincere. "I'm being very rude, I know. But it's better this way, really."
"I don't know what you mean."
"It's better if we're not friends, trust me."
I stood staring at him as I tried to think of something witty and cunning to say. The look in his eyes held remorse and guilt and I knew he meant what he was saying. I wouldn't be going with him.
"You don't know what's the best for me Edward."
My voice was low and weak but held such powerful meaning to me. I hung my head as I turned from the love of my life and walked slowly to the door, pulling it open then slamming it in his face. I leaned against the door frame almost expecting the door to open and for Edward to explain he was joking. When that moment never came I thrust my self from the door angrily and opened a hall closet in search for pillows and a blanket. I found a single white, fluffy pillow and a blue wool blanket the proceeded to make my way to my temporary lair of solitude; the couch.
My mixed emotions of anger, sadness and fear formed more tears in my eyes as I strode down the hall toward the living room. When I made it into the room I physically froze as I noticed a body already laying in my place.
"Bella?" It was Rosalie.
I visibly relaxed at her sweet voice and continued walking, trying to wipe the tears from my eyes before she noticed. I had no such luck. As I sat down on the sofa across from her, her eyes looked me over worriedly.
"What happened?"
I curled up into a ball, hugging my pillow while I formed an answer to Rosalie's question. Thoughts were swimming through my head so fast that I failed to notice Rosalie's presence by my side and the new tears falling down my face. I felt Rosalie put her arms around my shoulder and I immediately dug my face into her rock hard shoulder.
"It's okay Bella."
She whispered soothing words into my ear as I sobbed against her. I awaited the moment for my tears to cease and when it happened I sat up straight, wiping the tears, refusing to let anymore fall. Rosalie looked at me with a small smile on her face them reached her arms around me, hugging me lightly.
"You okay?"
I pulled away from her and gave her a watery smile along with a simple nod.
"So, what happened?"
I knew she'd keep asking so I just sighed and dug my chin into the pillow between my propped up legs.
"Edward told me about you guys moving," I murmured into my pillow.
Rosalie's face froze and she looked at me sympathetically. "Bella I'm so sorry!"
I was slightly taken aback by her words, "What are you sorry for? You didn't even do anything."
I continued to keep my face against the pillow as she answered me.
"But it's Emmett's fault and I feel responsible."
I was shocked at her words. She was blaming herself, and Emmett, and that wasn't even what really mattered. I could forgive Emmett for killing Angela (surprisingly), but I couldn't forgive Edward for breaking my heart. Rosalie noticed my silence and began talking again.
"Bella, I really wish it hadn't happened, really, you can just go with them can't you?"
I noticed her choice of words carefully. She said them rather than us. Was she planning on not joining the rest of the family?
I shook my head lazily, "Edward won't let me," my voice was barely an audible whisper.
"He can't not let you. I'll talk to Carlisle about it." She tried to smile reassuringly but I noticed how low her voice had been. Probably so Edward didn't hear.
I gave a small smile then sighed heavily into my pillow.
"Where are you guys even planning on moving?"
Her smile faltered and turned into a slight frown, "I think they were talking about England or France."
My mouth opened wide as the reality of her words sunk in. Europe? That was a few miles too far for my liking.
Rosalie noticed the look on my face and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.
"He won't leave without you Bella."
Somehow, despite the argument between Edward and I, I realized that she was right. Edward wouldn't be able to do that to me. He could barely even leave me alone for a few days let alone move to Europe!
I sat next to Rosalie, troubled by the frown appearing on her beautiful face, and I turned to her to ask what was wrong. Before the words even had a chance to leave my mouth I heard a door open and close shortly after, then was greeted with the sight of a livid Edward and an anxious looking Tiernan. Edward stepped forward first, although he did not talk. He placed a single kiss atop my head and pushed a note into my hand then proceeded to make his way out the front door, Tiernan hot on his heels.
I hastily unfolded the piece of paper in my hand and scowled at the only two words I'd grown used to seeing in his neat scrawl.
Be Safe
I heard the sound of car doors slamming then what I'd imagined to be Edward's silver Volvo zooming off down the dirt road. I turned to Rosalie and we both had equally surprised looks on our faces.
"Any clue as to where they might be going?" I asked.
"Tiernan just said to stay inside and they'd be back by morning."
I could tell by the confused look on her face that she was just as clueless as I was. Before I could stop myself my bottom lip turned to a pout and I gave a little 'hmph' as my arms crossed. Rosalie slightly resembled me as she had her arms crossed but a deathly scowl pasted across her face.
"They better come back!" she exclaimed after a few minutes of out sulking.
"I have no clue, but they both have some explaining to do when they get back."
As Rosalie continued to let out heated statements I got to thinking about earlier and how Edward and I had found her and Tiernan. I knew she was upset about whatever happened but that thought didn't ease my curiosity. I still sat with my arms crossed and as Rosalie came to a stop for a breath of air, I took my chance to get in a quick question.
"DoyouhavefeelingsforTiernan?" It came out a little quicker then I'd hoped.
Rosalie stopped abruptly and stayed silent for several minutes. When I was about to ask her if she heard me correctly she heaved a deep sigh and I knew that question was unnecessary. When she brought her eyes to meet mine I spotted the look of utter confusion.
"Would you believe me if I said I didn't know?"
I knew that if tears could fall from her eyes that they would be doing so right now. I didn't think the simple question would upset her so much, but now I realized it was wrong to ask.
I nodded my head reverently, "I'm sorry, it's none of my business."
She shook her head and I felt the couch shake in her sobs. I reached around her and squeezed her shoulders tightly. I never thought I'd see the day when Rosalie was being comforted by me.
"I don't know what to do Bella," she began, "I mean, I love Emmett but ever since I saw Tiernan I can't get him off my mind!"
Her sobs were muffled into my shoulder and her words were barely audible. I tried to think of something comforting to say but my mind drew a black, so I went with the usual.
"Don't worry, it will all turn out."
After several minutes of soothing 'shh' sounds and humming. Rosalie's body stopped shaking against me but she didn't pull away. I sat against her on the verge of sleep, waiting for her to move. When my breathing was deep and I was in the first stage of sleep, Rosalie shifted her body and moved slowly, placing me in a laying position. There I drifted off into sleep, aware of Rosalie's interest eyes intently on me.
I awoke the next morning to the scent of burning toast. I quickly shot out of my spot on the couch and ran to the kitchen after realizing where I was. I had to laugh as I spotted Rosalie with an apron on flipping a piece of bread in a frying pan. She turned around when she heard my laughter and smiled.
"I made you breakfast!"
And indeed she had. A small bowl of cereal sat on the counter next to a plate full of crisp bacon and funnily cut fruit. I noticed a bunch of brown goo sitting in the garbage can and wasn't even the slightest bit curious as to what it was.
I laughed again as she took the toast out of the frying pan, which surprisingly looked good.
"Thanks Rosalie."
She smiled again as she placed everything on one plate and walked toward me with it.
"Come on, sit down."
She led me to a spot at the table in the dining room and placed the plate down in front of me, sitting down at the seat next to it. I sat in front of the food and began eating the surprisingly tasty bacon. When I was eventually halfway through a piece of toast the front door burst open and a worried looking Edward ran in along with Tiernan right behind him.
"Wheres the fire!" he shouted.
I sat at the table scowling at him as he finally noticed Rosalie and I. He looked back and forth between us then down at the plate of food in front of me.
"Oh." I could tell he was embarrassed as he looked down at his feet.
I continued scowling at him, daring him to look at me again. Every sat (or stood) in an awkward silence, waiting for someone else to talk. I was the first one to crack. I pushed out of my chair at the table and walked toward the door before anyone could stop me. I pushed my feet into my shoes and walked out the already open door, being sure to slam it on my way out.
I was now at the edge of the forest and leaned helplessly against a tree. I slid down the length of it and fell into a heap on the ground. So many things were running through my head that I couldn't stop to reflect on just one. I pulled my head forward, ready to smack it back into the tree truck but I felt two hands on either side of my head, stopping me. I snapped my eyes open.
"Bella!"
Edward's low voice filled my ears and I looked up into his glassy, topaz eyes. His thumbs began caressing my cheeks and he looked into my eyes with a hard look.
"I'm so sorry Bella," he sounded meaningful, "I never meant to get you so upset."
I nodded and swallowed hard, taking in shallow breaths to keep me from crying. He leaned down toward me and placed a gently kiss on my forehead. He removed his hands from my face then took my hand in his, pulling me up next to him. We walked slowly toward the house in silence until a familiar piano tune dilled my ears. I stopped in my tracks, as did Edward, although he was less startled then me.
"It's just my cellphone."
He pulled the silver device from his coat pocket and quickly flipped it open, beginning to walk again.
"Hello Emmett." I froze at the name, "Yes we found Bella, she's safe."
We were now entering the door leading to the dining room from outside and I stepped in, noting the awkward silence between Tiernan and Rosalie.
"Rosalie? Yes, she's here."
Rosalie and I both shared look as Edward held the silver phone out to his sister.
"It's Emmett, Rosy."
She took the phone and glided out of the room before talking into it. I sat again at my previous spot and picked away at my remaining foot as Edward and Tiernan stared at me. I noticed Edward clutching the table, head position to the direction of Rosalie, his eyes flashing. I only assumed he was listening to her thoughts.
I slipped a piece of melon between my lips and watched Edward's face as he visibly relaxed. Rosalie re-entered the room seconds later.
She walked over to Edward and slipped him back his phone before sliding into the seat next to me.
"They're coming as soon as Alice is finished getting ready."
I pushed my plate of food away and lazily leaned against the table, fingering the necklace around my neck.
"We're leaving?" I looked to Edward for my answer.
"Do you want to stay?" He raised one eyebrow and gave me a funny look.
I looked to Tiernan to be sure he wasn't looking at me before I shook my head quickly. Edward gave me a small smile then turned to Tiernan.
"I know a great coven in Alaska you could join, it'd be great!"
Tiernan's head shot up as he realized Edward was talking to him, "The Denali's?"
Edward nodded his head then Tiernan followed suit, "I'll think about it."
At the mention of the Denali coven a thought came into my mind and I smirked at Edward. "I'm sure you'd like that," he looked at me confused, "Especially getting to live with Irina."
He paled (if that was even possible) at my words and I laughed out loud as did Rosalie. I continued laughing as I watched Edward struggle for words.
"It's okay Edward, I was only joking."
He visibly relaxed and the expression on his face softened. A glint of humor shone in his eyes and I leaned against the table once again. I looked back up to Edward.
"Where are we going after here?"
I'd been wondering about this for quite some time. I couldn't keep Charlie in the dark thinking I was on some trip with Rosalie. I had to get back home. I noticed Rosalie's look to Edward, as if wanted an answer as well.
"Back to Forks for the time being," Edward said as he gave a sigh and rubbed his eyes.
I smiled and looked to Rosalie. She had a slightly confused look on her face as if trying to figure something out. I knew what Edward said troubled her in some way, but I didn't catch on.
We all sat at the table in silence, waiting for something to happen. I only moved once when a fly flew onto my hand and tickled it, causing me to jump. It seemed that it have been several hours before we heard the car in the driveway, but in reality it was barely twenty minuets. I kept my head resting against my arm with my eyes shut as I felt a breeze of air sweep past me. It wasn't until the foot burst open and I was pulled into a bone-crushing hug did I look up.
"I am so sorry Bella! You have no idea how horrible I feel. I should have never let you out of my sight!"
"Alice," I choked out, "Can't―breathe."
She gave a small laugh then pulled away from me. Standing beside us was Jasper, Edward, Carlisle and Esme just looking at us with small smiles on their faces. I immediately walked toward the group, giving them all a hug in turn, minus Jasper. It took me several minutes of reassuring my safety to the Cullen's (especially Alice) before I realized who was missing from the welcoming scene.
I'd been standing next to Edward when I heard it. A horrible sound of ripping flooded my ears, causing me to jump back in fright. A long scream filled my ears followed by a crashing sound and loud sobs. Every Cullen in the room stiffened.
Carlisle was the first to shoot past the family and out the door. Edward turned to me with intent eyes.
"Stay with Alice."
He ran out after Carlisle, out of view. The last of the Cullen's, save Alice, ran out next making me feel like a child left with a babysitter.
"What's going on?" I asked Alice as she stood at the window, looking outside with wild eyes.
She ignored my question and continued looking outside of the window at whatever seemed to be happening. Without even hesitating I took my chance and ran for the open door to check for myself what all the commotion was about. I ignored Alice's yells for me to stop and sprinted outside to the edge of the forest, where all the noise seemed to be coming from. Without even catching a glimpse at what was happening my foot met something slippery and sent me crashing into the ground.
When I sat and lifted my shaking hands in front of me to get up I shrieked in fright and repeatedly tried to lift myself out of the blood that now covered my body.
I noticed Alice standing beside me, not breathing but also trying to reach me without stepping into the blood. Tears of fright and frustration spilled down my face as I tried to think of what had happened. And I thought the worst.
When Edward found me I was kneeling in the puddle of blood, cursing under my breath as I pressed my blood-filled palms into my eyes as to make the disgusting images in my mind disappear. I only moved when his strong arms lifted me up to my feet and pulled my against him despite all the blood on me. My mind chose to ignore his words of comfort and I continued sobbing into his shoulder at the stench of the blood and gross images in my mind. As my throat parched, I began to slow down the crying and screaming as to settle my throat if I ever wanted to talk again.
My shaking arms were tightly grasped around my lovers neck but the feeling of sorrow and fright never left my body once. A sob that wasn't my own then filled my ears and for the first time I looked up and my eyes fell upon the most heartbreaking scene I've ever had to see.
A breath caught in my throat at the amounts of blood spilled across the beautiful greenery and fresh flowers. Rosalie's thin body was clutching to an unrecognizable coat, disgustingly attached to amounts of flesh and what looked like crumbled stone. Her deep sobs filled my ears and my heart churned as I watched Carlisle try to pry Rosalie's hands from the body and Esme trying to ease Rosalie to her arms. Jasper was standing a considerable distance from the blood although most likely trying to calm Rosalie down. Tiernan and Emmett were nowhere to be found.
I pulled myself away from Edward and focused on him with tear-filled eyes.
"Emmett?"
My voice was shaky and I hoped beyond hope that he wouldn't confirm my questioning voice with what I was dreading. He pulled my face toward his and began whispering to me, leaving the question un-answered.
"Where's Emmett!" I shouted hoping to at least catch the attention of one of the other family members as Edward, clearly, wasn't answering me.
My heart stopped as his head fell and his voice came out as a mere whisper, "We don't know."
I twisted my face in confusion and focused hard on taking in deep breaths. My brain chose now to actually register the fact that I was covered from head to toe in a fair amount of blood that wasn't even mine. I stumbled over my own feet as they both moved frantically trying to catch my slowly falling body. With one last intake of salty breath, my mind fell blank into a deep abyss of blackness.
Tap, tap, tap
What in the hell was that damn noise? You'd think that in a house full of good-hearing vampires, one of them would have the decency to turn off a leaking tap.
Splat, splat, splat
Now what was happening? If someone doesn't turn off that tap all the way soon I'm gonna―.
BOOM
I shot upright in the bed as the clash of thunder echoed off of the bedroom walls. My eyes were filled with complete darkness and I frantically searched beside me for one thing; Edward. When I failed to touch his cold skin I was suddenly aware of the unbearably painful pinpricks stabbing into the back of my neck. I lifted my hand to massage―what I thought was a kink―out of it but winced in pain as I touched tender flesh.
I removed my hand from my neck and pushed myself off of the silk sheets, feet touching the stone cold floor. I felt ridiculous with my arms held out in front of me searching for the door, but not a single speck of light shone through the room so I had no other choice. My hand eventually noisily came into contact with the loose doorknob and I tugged at it, only it didn't open.
I became panicked as I struggled with the door only to find that it still wouldn't budge.
As if on cue, a clap of thunder filled my ears causing me to jump back as it startled me. A small shriek leaving my lips. The rattling at the door settled me and I immediately fell calm. I was grateful when the door opened, spilling light into the room and revealing a distressed Jasper standing in the doorway. I walked toward him with the intentions of thanking him then going to find Edward, but Jasper thought otherwise. My voice caught in my throat when I tried to speak and Jasper stood looking at me, inhumanly still.
"Edward wants to talk to you first Bella."
I could feel the warmth in my body as he sent me waves of calmness. I nodded in understanding and sat on the bed, wondering what he wanted to talk about. I knew that if he sent Jasper is mustn't be very good news. Jasper glided slowly to me and sat next to me on the bed, fidgeting nervously.
"He'll be here in a minute," he said.
Jasper and I were rarely ever alone together and I could see reason for his nervousness. Whenever we'd found ourselves singled out or alone we always had trouble finding what to say. Subconsciously my mind knew that he was the newest one to the 'vegetarian' way of living and always made mental notes to be careful when with him.
Before I could nod my head to show him I understood, Edward's shadow filled the room, blocking the little bit of light that had been shining through. Like Jasper, Edward looked tired and stressed. I wanted to jump from the bed and hug him but something held me back. I waited for him to walk into the room and seat himself next to me before I threw my arms around his neck in a tight hug.
"What happened Edward?" I asked as I dug my face into his shoulder and he dug his into my messy bunch of hair.
He squeezed me tightly once more before he pulled back and looked me over with topaz eyes.
"Tiernan's dead," he said it quite seriously although I wished not to believe him. What was up with people and dieing?
A string of remorse shot through me for a slip second before I felt a knowing warmth spread through my fingertips down my whole body. So that's why Jasper was here.
"But...how?" I found myself muttering, watching Edward's half lit face.
"Emmett."
My mind began piecing together the things that had happened. Seeing Rosalie crying over the body―Tiernan's―in my mind again caused me to shudder and Edward pulled me toward him, attempting to spread warmth throughout my body. I realized that Emmett must have killed Tiernan, being in such a state of rage about him and Rosalie. I didn't know what to think about the news and just sat staring into Edward's eyes for quite a few minutes before I came to a conclusion; I must forgive Emmett and everyone needs to move on.
The vampire that had caused so much trouble in the past few weeks was finally dead, and no body seemed too happy about it. I couldn't say that it had shocked me that he was dead, but it had taken a lot to accept it. After spending that day with Tiernan on my own, I realized he wasn't too bad after all. And after having Rosalie admit that she might have had feelings for him his death seemed a bit sudden. Although, technically, he was already dead. But now he was gone.
I sighed deeply and shifted my gaze from Edward to Jasper, then out the door straight ahead of us.
"So how's Rosalie doing then?"
Edward and Jasper shared a look that answered the question for me. It was a stupid question, really. Obviously she was doing badly. Despite the obviousness, Edward gave me an answer.
"She's doing poorly. She won't hunt or anything," I was suddenly aware of how she was a vampire and how vicious she had been in Alaska, "She also broke things off with Emmett."
My eyes widened in shock at the last statement and I turned to Jasper for confirmation. When I noticed he had his head down I shot up and walked for the bedroom door with intentions of my own.
"Bella! Where are you going?"
"To knock some sense into Rosalie, that's where!"
I continued out the door but nearly fell over when I felt a strong arm around my middle, pulling me back into the room. I stomped my foot in frustration at how easy it was for Edward to stop me from doing things. I sat on the edge of the bed giving up to Edward's demanding actions.
"You have to stay away from her, she hasn't fed in nearly three days."
I sighed and nodded, realizing that it was just my safety he was worried about. I still sat stubbornly on the bed waiting for someone to say something, but we sat in silence for a few minutes before I couldn't take it anymore. I jumped up nervously and looked at the both of them, impatient.
"Someone say something!" I jerked my head back violently. It was the first time I noticed the pain in my neck since Edward had came into the room.
"Ouch!" I said as I brought a hand to my neck with a mind to rub it but once again pulled away when it hit the tenderly bruised flesh.
I was getting angry at everything and let out noises of frustration and sat back down on the bed, "What the hell happened to my neck!"
Edward placed a hand on my shoulder and I immediately felt at ease. I wasn't sure if it was Jasper or Edward sending the calming feeling through me, but I was grateful nonetheless. My breathing came out jagged as Edward pulled my hair away from my neck and looked at it closely. I felt his cool breath against the hot flesh and I was thankful that he knew exactly what to do. I heard him say something in a hum to Jasper, and Jasper got up and left the room.
"It's worse then I thought," Edward said when Jasper was gone, his voice sounding a little hurt.
I looked at him confusedly, "What even happened?"
"When you fainted yesterday," his eyes looked pained with his answer, "I gripped you a little too hard when you fell."
The look in his eyes told me that he felt bad that it had happened, but I thought nothing of it. I looked at it as his trying to make sure I was safe. I knew he'd never mean to hurt me and I over looked his mistake. I smiled at him and saw his eyes brighten as I did.
"It's okay Edward, it doesn't even hurt much."
He tried to give me a smile but I knew he was still unconvinced. He really did worry about me too much.
"I should have been more careful. You would have probably been safer if I let you fall rather then grab you."
His eyebrows were twisted in a frown but I could still see a small smile playing at his lips, probably not wanting to upset me.
"Really Edward, it's fine."
I leaned against his arm momentarily and he rested his hand on my leg until Jasper entered the room again with Alice by his side. I looked up and smiled at Alice as she came at me and pulled me into a hug like she had the day previous.
"I was so worried about you! You just fainted and Carlisle couldn't even wake you up!"
She was now sitting next to me on the bed with Jasper at her side, looking at me with wide eyes as she told me of how scared she'd been when she thought I died of fright. After her non-stop talking for nearly ten minutes she pulled me into a tight but gentle sideways hug and looked to Edward.
"You guys better hurry up, we're leaving in an hour."
I raised my eyebrows and looked to Edward, "We're leaving?"
"We're going back to the hotel to grab the rest of our stuff, then yes, we're leaving."
I didn't know whether to feel happy or sad. I'd been having fun (for the most part) on this 'trip' and I didn't really want it to stop. But then again I needed to get back to Charlie as he was probably worried about me. I also had to get back to school, I already missed too much. I nodded at Edward and smiled at Alice and Jasper as they left the room, keeping the door open for light.
"Ready for a shower?" Edward asked me.
I nodded my head and stood up from the bed ready to go walk down the hall toward the bathroom but Edward pulled me back. He crushed his body close to mine against the door frame and placed a gentle but bruising kiss on my lips. He kissed down my jaw and below my ear he stopped.
"I missed you," he whispered.
"I saw you just yesterday!" I giggled. (Yes, Bella giggled.)
He smiled, "I still missed you."
I pulled his head down to mine and smiled against his lips as he kissed me softly. He held me up slightly as my knees became weak like they usually did, still kissing me. We were lost in our own little world of sweet kisses until we heard someone beside us.
"Ahem."
We both looked up and smiled guiltily at Esme. I could tell by her face that she was trying hard not to smile.
"Get along you two, we're leaving soon."
Edward took my hand and I gave Esme one last apologetic smile before being led into the small bathroom at the end of the hallway. I noticed that my bag I had left at the hotel was here along with all of my other things that I had forgotten about. Edward pulled two towels out of the hall closet for me and was about to turn to leave before he remembered something.
"Bella, before I forget," he walked toward me with an outstretched hand.
I held my hand out to take whatever he was giving me. When he pressed the sun-shaped necklace into my hand I smiled at him.
"Thanks," I stepped on my tiptoes and kissed him before shooing him nicely out the door.
After a quick shower with my strawberry shampoo and melon soap, I stood in front of the steamy mirror with a towel wrapped around me. I wrung the excess water out of my hair and began brushing it. When my hair was totally knot-free I ran my fingers through it easing it into a low pony-tail, not taking the time to dry it. I dropped my towel and ran through my bag to find appropriate clothes to wear in the Atlanta heat. I pulled on my underwear and bra then slipped into a pair of light jeans and a basic red tank top.
I put everything back into my suitcase and opened the bathroom door and found Edward outside waiting for me, smiling. I smiled up at him as he placed a chaste kiss on my lips.
"We're leaving now."
I took in a deep breath and let it out, looking around Tiernan's house taking in everything. I never wanted to forget any of this. Edward went into the bathroom and picked up my bags and walked out, leading me outside toward the two cars that sat in the driveway. One being Edward's silver Volvo and the other being Rosalie's shining red 'ostentatious' car. Edward threw my bags into the truck of the car and shut it rather forcefully. He walked to the passenger side and held open the door for me and I stepped in, sitting in my spot that I hadn't filled in a long time.
The bright sun shone down on us as we drove along the highway making our way to the Four Seasons. Edward had to keep the tinted windows up and leave his shirt sleeves down as to not shine and to give drivers by a fright. It was quite hard for Edward to jump out of the car and run into the building once we got to our destination. I tried my hardest to distract the bellhops and valets from staring at the Cullen's, but of course they would look at them because of their beauty.
The Cullen's and I were in a single elevator (save Rosalie and Emmett) going up to the fifteenth floor to our old rooms. Nobody spoke the whole time. We got to our floor and walked the ways to our rooms in silence. All of us turned our respective ways and walked into the rooms to quickly pick up the rest of our stuff that we had left behind. Edward and I quickly scrambled through the room picking up thrown around shirts and articles of clothing and I took my green bathing suit from the bathroom. When we were pretty satisfied we made our way back downstairs to wait for the rest of the family.
The plane ride home was quite uneventful. Edward and I got stuck neck to an old English couple who'd decided that young people couldn't fall in love. The whole time they were criticizing our relationship and telling us that there was no possible way that we could know what love was. We gave them a little public display (along with the help of Jasper and Alice) and they finally decided to leave us alone. During the last half hour of the flight I drifted into an uneasy sleep and was awoken by the planes jerks when we came to a stop.
"Are we here already?" I asked Edward as I rubbed my eyes.
"Take a look outside."
I looked out of the window beside Edward and gave a big smile as my eyes met the damp and gloomy sky. We were definitely back home. Edward took my hand and let me off of the plane and took my to wait for our baggage. When it came around on the conveyor belt he pulled it off easily and we made our way to the doors. When we were about halfway toward the parking lot I stopped.
"What?" Edward asked.
"What about the rest of the family?" I thought it was weird that we were leaving without them.
"They told us to go ahead."
"Oh," I said with a simple nod and continued walking in step with Edward.
We walked toward his silver Volvo in the parking lot and he dumped our stuff into the back. He once again opened my door for me and I sat comfortably in the seat, joined by Edward seconds later.
"How exactly did your car get here?" I asked Edward curiously.
He gave me a smirk and raised one eyebrow, "We have our ways."
I smiled and rolled my eyes at him and contentedly took his hand in mine. I was happy to be finally going home. To be able to continue school and my normal life with Edward constantly down my back because of Alice's visions. Not worried about Emmett drinking the life from someone and having to pack up and leave...
I looked up to Edward and just watched him as he drove at his tremendous speeds down the road. I knew that the usually hour and a half drive would probably only end up being only forty-five minutes. Edward turned to me and smiled briefly and squeezed my hand, being sure to look at the road again before I scolded him for not keeping his eye. The happy silence that we'd grown so accustomed to filled the car and we both sat quite content. Every so often Edward would turn up the radio and we would both hum or lightly sing our favorite songs, enjoying each other's presence. I was starting to hope beyond hope that Edward didn't mean what he'd said at Tiernan's about them leaving...
Exactly forty three minutes later I found Edward pulling his sleek car into my drive-way. Charlie's cruiser sat on the side of the road along with my red unused truck. Edward helped me pull my stuff out of the trunk then placed it next to me on the door step, kissing me briefly.
"I'll see you in a few minutes," he whispered into my ear and I smiled and nodded before opening the front door.
The knowing smell of bacon and eggs filled my nose and I smiled as I lugged my stuff through the door.
"Bella? Is that you?"
"Yeah dad, it's me."
Charlie walked out of the kitchen and smiled as he saw me struggling with all my bags.
"It's good to see you honey," he walked over and gave me a hug. "I really missed you."
I smiled as Charlie showed his affection and hugged him back, "I missed you too."
He offered me help with my bags and I accepted it gratefully. He took the heaviest one and placed it in the doorway of my room.
"Did you have fun?"
"Yeah, it was great." I didn't know what to tell him as the whole trip had been a lie, but I improvised.
"That's good honey, hungry?"
I crinkled my nose at the bacon and eggs and shook my head politely, "I have a lot of unpacking to do, I should probably get to that first."
He smiled and gave me another quick hug with a kiss on the forehead. "Get a good rest and we'll have breakfast together tomorrow."
I smiled and said good night before walking into my bedroom to see Edward laying on my bet with his head propped up, smiling at me.
"He missed you a lot you know."
I smiled and plopped down on the bed next to him. "Of course he did, I'm his daughter."
Edward laughed and rolled his eyes at me and I playfully stuck my tongue out at him. He pulled me close to him and slipped us both underneath the covers on my bed. They were just how I left them. I lay contentedly in his arms and smiled against his chest, breathing him in. My heart melted when he swept his cool lips down to my ear and whispered my name.
"Bella," Edward whispered flawlessly into her ear, causing the girl to shiver. (A/N: If you didn't notice this is a change in POV. It's not anyone's it's just, um, third person?)
He had whispered her name so full of love and compassion that it had caused her to feel a new feeling toward the man holding her so close. Her heart skipped a beat as he pulled her close to him, trying to forge their bodies together to one. He held her close to his chest, never wanting to let go of the girl...but he was well aware that sooner or later he had to.
The sky was just beginning to darken and the sun was barely visible above the horizon. The pale skinned boy whispered to the girl again.
"It's twilight."
And indeed it was. No sooner then the girl had looked out of the window to see the truth of his words then she was leaning against his chest, breathing softly as she had fallen asleep in his arms. He watched her as she slept away, until the darkest hours of the night. The darkness left Edward unfazed as he watched his sleeping beauty with compassion and longing. He thought of how different this girl was, and how wonderfully she had brightened up his life. He thought of how the simplest things like her rhythmic breathing and beating of her heart could make him feel things that he'd never once experienced before.
It was because of this young man's love for her, the reason he had to leave.
He couldn't let the inevitable happen to her. He needed her to live and bring out the best in everyone around her. He needed her to grow up and have children and be happy with what the earth had given her. He needed her to be human. She couldn't do any of those things if she was dead.
As carefully as he could, Edward slipped his arms from around the girl and slid from under her blankets. His wistful glide helped him to leave unnoticed to the girl. He watched her as her breathing never once changed. He listened carefully to the sounds of her beating heart, never once skipping the beat as it so often did so in his presence. The steady thumping sound of the blood pulsing through her veins would forever be in his mind. Never leaving.
Edward stood facing Bella, watching her sleeping face as the moonlight spilled over it. Her eyebrows scrunched up and he couldn't help but smile at her sleeping figure. The perfectness of her face was shown in the peaceful moonlight of the night and he regretted to never being able to see it again. He couldn't let anything happen to her, and he needed to get away.
His head bent down and his cool lips met Bella's soft, warm ones. She shuddered in her sleep against the coldness, but still, never waking. Edward could feel his stone-cold heard breaking as he looked at her. This would be the last time in his non-lifetime that he would be able to look upon such a beauty and see the tranquility about it. He ran his fingers through her hair one more time before leaning into her ear and whispering to her one last time.
"I love you..."
And his words were lost forever as he glided out her bedroom window one last time.
A/N:
Passage from Twilight, not sure which page and such but I'm sure you all know how Edward says it on many occasions and should therefore not think that I think that the italics up there are my own )
Okay guys, so that's it. My amazing ending. Ha-ha I bet half of you really hated that ending and are gonna leave me nasty reviews saying that it sucked and ruined the story, but that's okay. I think it was a perfect ending for this fic and it leaves a lot to the imagination for you to wonder what happens and such. I hope you also didn't mind the
POV change at the end either. I'm not sure if I'm going to post an epilogue to this or not, I'll have to think about it. I want many reviews on my last chapter! They make me very happy!
Special thanks to all of those who reviewed my story in the past and have kept up with it thus far. Special thanks to Luna for being awesome and taking all of my stupid questions and trying to answer them so I could finish this. Also, thanks to Kait (PeteStump) for looking after this chapter and being such a great help ) I really appreciate it you two (throws hearts and flowers at Luna and Kait)! I'd also like to thank all of you who actually like this story and put it on you're favorites list and such, which is only 25 of you but I love you all very muchly.
I can't believe I actually finished this story and I have all of you to thank! If you guys have any questions or anything just leave it in a review and I will be sure to get back to you! Once again thanks for everything and be on the look out for a maybe epilogue!
Okay I just decided! Actually I decided about 6 hours ago in the shower (and came back to write this), that I'm making an epilogue to this story but posting it as something different. It's something more like an alternate ending rather then the actual epilogue for this story. The one that's posted after this chapter is the actual one but the other one I'm going to be posting will be what would have happened if my mind wasn't too in love with this story to end it here...that should give you some hints. Yeah that was really confusing but I hope you at least half get it. If you don't you'll find out soon enough.
Oh yeah, and when exactly does New Moon come out?
Please review! It is, after all my last chapter. And I hope it was long enough, 10,000 words!
Krystal- xosweetseduction