31 Days of Halloween- Day 25

Title: Saving Bella by Lost Twi Sisters.
Rated M
Pairing Bella /Edward
Word count 5517
Picture prompt # October 25
Summary Sixteen year old Bella, chained to the wall and left for dead. There's no hope of someone finding her, until a certain bronze haired guy comes to the rescue. But how did he find her? And why was she chained and left to die? Discover this and much more.
Disclaimer Stephenie Meyer owns all characters.
My name was Isabella Swan, but that was then; now I have no identity anymore. I'm locked away in this obscured place. My mother and her husband left me here.
I don't know why they left me here.
I only know that they haven't been back in a while.
I wish to die, but death doesn't come.
When I sleep the nightmares come, and I always wake up screaming for someone to help me.
But alas, no one comes.
I am nothing. No one hears, no one comes to my rescue.
I pull at the chains that bind me until they make my wrists bleed.
Perhaps death would be better.
I'm cold, hungry and most of all thirsty.
My clothes are soiled. I'm dirty, my hair is matted to my head, and I'm so tired.
There are creepy crawlies down here. I never see them but I can hear them.
Hours turn into days, weeks even. I wonder long I have been down here.
My own mother left me here…
I can hardly keep my eyes open.
I remember the sun and how it felt on my body.
It's so dark here, even in the daytime.
I am alone.
My father, Charlie, was always there to protect me from her.
Now he's gone.
I see him down here sometimes and he looks so sad.
I believe that I must be dying... I see dead people and they talk to me.
I see my Grandma Swan. She tells me to hold on and that help is coming soon.
I laugh... who's going to help me?
No one knows I'm down how could anyone find me?
Grandma Swan is sitting next to me now. I can feel her patting my head as I lean onto my knees.
It's so cold. I want to feel warmth again.
My thoughts drift toward food. I'm so hungry. I'd love to have some soup. Even water with bread would be welcomed.
I heard the sound of metal being torn apart and I bolt upright. It's a horrible sound…
Who or what could pull apart metal bars?
I can't bring myself to care anymore.
I don't care.
At least I'd be free from this pain, this unforgiving cold, this excruciating hunger.
I close my eyes and wait for something, anything. I wait for anyone to end this existence I have.
But I feel nothing except cold hands on my wrists.
I look up to see a man. I can't tell what he looks like, but he easily breaks the chains and pulls them from my wrists.
He lifts me up and carries me.
I really didn't care where I was being taken. I didn't even utter a word. I just didn't have the strength to say anything.
The man whispers, "I've got you now. You'll be safe."
I nod as sleep over took me.
Sometime later I awaken in a bed somewhere.
Where am I? Am I dead?
I look up and there are four pairs of eyes looking down at me.
They are odd colored eyes, gold actually. Who has gold eyes?
I must me dead.
"No you're not dead," a tiny pixie girl said moving to my side. "I'm Alice, we are going to be great friends."
I just stared up at them.
I wasn't sure what to say and I don't think they did either.
I had a million questions running through my head.
Where was I? Who are these people? Why am I here? And most importantly, what are they going to do to me?
"I know that you have a lot of questions you want to ask but I'm going to try and answer them before you ask them," another man said.
I look over in the direction of the voice and see the most gorgeous guy that I have ever seen.
He was at least 6'2" with bronze sex hair and the most perfectly sculpted body that I have ever laid eyes on.
The only thing that got to me was their gold eyes. I have never seen anything like that before.
Before I could say a word I hear another man's voice.
"I'm Carlisle Cullen and this here is my family. My son Edward found you and brought you here for me to look you over. I'm a doctor. Other than you being hungry and dehydrated you are fine. Can you tell us your name?"
I just look around the room. I'm still not 100% sure that I could trust them.
"You can trust us," the pixie girl, Alice, promised. "We won't hurt you."
I just look at her with wide eyes. How in the hell did she know what I was thinking?
"My name is Isabella Swan but everybody calls me Bella."
"Okay, Bella dear I'm Esme. I fixed you some food and you need to eat. We are going to let you get some rest but if you need anything please just yell."
"Thank you," I said looking at her.
They all started to leave the room, the last one being Edward. I didn't want to be alone; I hated it
"Please stay," I whisper.
He turns and looks at me, then walks back to the chair by the bed.
He sits down and watches me as I eat.
"How old are you?" I asked him.
He looks at me for a moment. I could tell that he was thinking about something.
"I'm seventeen."
"Bella how old are you?"
"I'm sixteen."
Once I answered how old I was that was the end of the conversation. He just sat there while I finished eating.
There are all kinds of questions that I wanted to ask but I was not sure how to ask them.
I felt my eyes getting heavy and knew before long I would be sleeping but I had to ask this one question.
"Edward how does your family know what I'm thinking before I even ask?"
He looks at me, and before he could answered I drifted off to sleep.
I wake up the next morning to voices inside the room, so I laid there pretending to be asleep.
"Alice, I don't think that is a good idea," Edward whispered.
"I've seen it in my vision. It will happen, trust me. When it does, don't run from it. She already feels something for you, it's just a matter of time."
"I think you're wrong, but it doesn't matter I will … never mind.. I think she's waking up."
I stretch and yawn. "Morning," I mumble looking over at them, taking in their perfect appearance. Not a single hair out of place, with a slightly darker shade of golden eyes today.
"Morning Bella," Alice says as she sits on the edge of the bed. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, you?"
"Wonderful," she smirked at me.
I think I am missing some part of a joke. I got out of the bed and went toward the bathroom.
As the days went by, I got stronger. My health improved and I'd always go out for walks with either Edward or Alice by my side.
It was like they thought I'd run away. But I liked being there with them. I felt safe and if I admitted the truth, I was falling for Edward. Even though I'm sure he didn't look at me that way, I did see him looking me over a few times. I wish I could read his mind.
Sometimes I did get to be alone in the back yard, but I could feel their eyes watching me.
I knew that they were different; I was trying to put the pieces together.
They never ate, and they always seemed to know what I was thinking. Their hands were ice-cold, and each of them had the same eye color, which sometimes darken to nearly black.
Maybe I should ask them. The least they could do is lie to me. I get this feeling that they would tell me the truth if I asked.
I was sitting in the hammock when Edward walked outside towards me. He stood right next to me and looked like he wanted to say something but remained quiet.
I guess now would be a good time to ask the question.
"Um Edward can I ask you something?"
He just nodded his head yes.
"I know that your family is different. I mean your eyes are golden, your body temperature is cold and I feel like you can read my mind. Like you all can answer my questions before I ask?"
"May I sit by you Bella?"
I nodded my head and watch as he sits by me.
EPOV
I sat beside her and I knew that I needed to answer her questions but I was not sure how to approach the situation. I mean, I knew that she did in fact know that my family is different but she could be put in danger if I told her the truth.
I felt the hammock move. I looked up and Bella stood before me and then turned to walk away. She was thinking that since I would not answer her question tshe would go to one of my family members for the answers.
I grabbed her hand before she could even get a foot away.
"Bella I wish I could tell you but I can't. If you knew it could put you in danger. I care about you too much to let that happen. Yes, my family and I are different. I can't chance your life to tell you. Please understand?"
She just looked at me.
"Edward, you don't think I could handle the truth or is this your way of saying that you all don't want anything to do with me now that I'm better. If that's the case I will find somewhere else to go."
"No Bella! We want you here. Didn't you just hear me say that I care about you? I just don't want to put you in danger. My family loves having you here. I can tell that you did not have a good last few months and I care about what happens to you. I have never felt like this before."
"Really? Because I was always told that if you cared for someone that you are honest to that person. If you care that much you would answer by damn questions. To be honest with you Edward, I feel safe here with your family but I feel the most safe when I'm with you. I just want to know the truth."
As I listened to her tell me that she felt the safest with me it made me feel even shittier. How in the hell was I supposed to keep her safe and care about her at the same time?
In that moment Alice's vision played in my head.
I was telling Bella about us. The vision showed that Bella was very happy. In the next vision Alice shared with me I was holding Bella in my arms and she was going through the change. I smiled at that. Maybe I could tell Bella the truth and still protect her by changing her.
"Bella come with me. Let's go inside so we can talk with the whole family."
I reached out for her hand and she all but took it. It felt so right to be holding her hand. As we walked up to the house, she snuggled into my side.
I could feel her pulse beating rapidly, and it reminded me of a hummingbird's fluttering wings. I leaned down close to her ear, and whispered to her, "Bella, no one is going to hurt you. You're safe."
She just nods at me as I reach for the doorknob.
I knew that the rest of the family would be waiting in the living room. We walk over to the couch and I sit down and pull Bella next to me.
I watch as Carlisle walks over and sits down in front of Bella.
"Bella honey I know that you have questions and I'm going to answer them but please let me finish talking before you say anything."
"I will let you talk Carlisle."
I watch as Carlisle tells Bella what we are and she never once looked scared. She actually had a smile on her face!
When Carlisle stops speaking Bella turns to me.
"Carlisle said that some of you have special talents. Do you have one Edward?"
"Yes, I can read peoples' minds, Alice can see the future and Jasper can influence peoples' moods. Like if you are nervous he can send you a wave of calm."
"So not all of you have something special?"
This time Esme spoke.
"Sweet girl not all of us have special abilities but we all have brought something from our human life with us. I have the motherly love, Carlisle has compassion for helping people, Emmett has the muscular appearance but at heart he is a big kid and Rosalie has her beauty in addition to her sense of style".
I watched as Bella took all this in but not once did she come off like she was going to run screaming.
Bella looked as if she wanted to say something, but she just dropped her gaze to her hands that were folded in her lap.
"Bella, what were you wanting to say?" I ask as I take one of her hands in mine.
I could tell how my touch affected her by the increase in her heart rate.
"I was just going to tell you about my story, but I don't think you want to hear it," she said as she looked down.
"We would," I said as I slipped my finger under her chin and lifted her head up so I could see her eyes.
"Why?"
"Because I care Bella, we all do. We want to know why you were chained up in that basement and by who," I said. I could feel the anger rising up in me, and then I felt a wave of calmness rush over me. I knew Jasper was using his power to calm me down.
Bella cleared her throat and looked over at Alice, who appeared to be having a silent conversation with her. Alice nodded and Bella began her story.
"My story actually begins when I was little. I could see things that weren't there. I would have conversations with people who passed on, people I didn't know. I would tell my mom that I could see people who died and she'd tell me I was making stuff up. But as I got older and the visions got even stronger, I could actually tell her things that would happen before they actually did."
She paused, and then continued.
"One night, when I was fifteen, I told her that my father was dead. I told her that he was on a routine traffic stop in Forks, and that the man he pulled over shot him for no reason. My mother turned to me, and slapped me across the face. I told her that I wished it were she that was gone and not my daddy. I told her that I would leave and never come back. Phil, my mom's husband, came home and my mom told him what I said and he told her that I needed to be committed. I was a danger to myself. But later that evening the police came to our door and wanted to speak to my mom and I. I refused to come down, since I already knew what happened. My mother flipped out on them, telling the police that I knew all about it and that I must have sent them to tell them that. She thought I was pulling a prank on her".
Bella stopped and looked at each one of us. I knew she knew we had questions.
"You can ask me anything you want," she said.
"You can see things?" I asked.
"Yes, mostly things that would happen, and I can hear things also. Like before with Alice, I was conversing with her. I can also block people from hearing my thoughts or knowing about my gifts as I have done with you. I didn't want any of you to know until I knew I could trust you."
"How did Alice know then?" I asked a little bit angry.
"I didn't tell her, Edward. When I went for a walk in the woods, I let my guard down and didn't keep my shield up and Alice saw everything. When I walked back up to the house she was waiting and asked me about my ability. I told her and I swore her to secrecy until the time was right."
"Oh, go on. How did you end up in that basement?" I really wanted to know who would put her down there to die and for what reason.
"Ok, I just turned sixteen and I told my mom that she and Phil shouldn't go out of town, that they should just stay home with me. I told her that if she left, that she would never come home. She didn't believe me, and she laughed at me. Phil said that I was stupid and that I couldn't know anything, even though I was right about my father. They said that I must have heard it on the police radio and that's how I knew about my dad. So they decided that the only way to prevent me from making something happen to them was to chain me up in the basement."
She looked around at each of us before continuing.
"I struggled with them as the dragged me downstairs. I kicked, screamed and pleaded for them not to leave me there. Phil was so mean, he pushed me and I knocked my head on the wall while my mom just laughed. How can a mother be that way towards their own child?" Her tears start to fall then and Esme moves next to her and wraps her arms around Bella.
Bella cried as she went on.
"My mom said that since all I ever talked about was ghosts and seeing things that weren't there, that I wouldn't care if I was locked in the darkness. They chained me to the wall on the day after my sixteenth birthday. I was there for a long time and I just wanted to die. I prayed for it even. I talked to my dad, and my grandma, she's the one who told me to hang on and that help was coming. I didn't believe her. I laughed at her, but then you came Edward. And that's it."
"Wait, what happened to your mother and Phil?" Emmett asked.
"They are both dead, just as I said would happen. Do you remember that big accident on highway 101 about a month ago?"
"Yeah, Carlisle was there that night to try to help the victims," Emmett replied.
"They were in the fifth car of that pile up. My mother was thrown from the car and Phil was decapitated on impact with the semi-truck. I tried to warn them but they thought I was crazy. They never believed in the ability I had. So that's it, my whole story."
I just looked at her in amazement, thinking that she can't possibly hear my thoughts.
"Yes, Edward I can hear your thoughts."
Damn, that is so not good, I thought as she smirked at me.
"I knew that Bella couldn't get out of there without my help, I picked up on her visions and sent you to her house. I knew she didn't have much time left. I didn't know that she could see things until a few weeks ago like she said. I didn't want to tell you until she wanted you to know," Alice said.
"Carlisle, if Eddie here made her into one of us, what would her abilities be?" Emmett asked.
"Well, since her powers are already strong, they would be triple what they are now," he said as Emmett slumped back in his chair.
We all chuckled at his reaction.
Wait, me change her? I don't think I'd have the strength to do it.
"Why do you feel like you don't have the strength Edward?"
"You see your blood calls to me and I'm scared that if I change you that I won't be able to stop once I start. You are my singer."
"What do you mean I'm your singer?"
"Each one of us has a particular type and that one person is someone that is hard for us to resist. Kinda like an alcoholic, they try to resist a drink, but then fall off the wagon and have one drink, but then one turns into two, then three... and so on. It's the same with the singer, their blood calls to the one and it's hard for them to stop," Carlisle spoke up.
After everything was out in the open I could tell that Bella was exhausted.
"Love I think it's time to get you to bed. You are so exhausted."
"Okay," her voice came out in a whisper.
I picked her up bridal style and carried her to her room. I laid her down and went to walk out.
"Edward would you please stay with me tonight?"
How in the hell could I say no to that?
I sat down next to her and in that moment I was filled with her thoughts.
She was thinking anything from the way she cared for our family, to being scared of getting hurt by me or even the family and she was thinking about how nobody actually cared about her before I found her in the basement. She let me know that she was falling in love with me and that she wanted to become like us.
I just sat there and thought about everything she let me in on. She wanted to be one of us and she was starting to fall in love with me. I was truly blessed that she felt the same way about me as I felt about her. She wanted to become one of us and the only thing left was to find out when she wanted to be changed.
The next few months went by and all the details were figured out concerning how Bella was going to be changed.
The day had come and she was nervous that once I changed her that I would not want her anymore for the fact that she would not have blood running through her veins.
"Bella please stop thinking that I could not want you after this. You may not have blood anymore but you will always be my Bella, just more durable."
Over the past few months we have gotten closer, we shared many kisses and touching each other but we have not made love. That would happen soon enough.
Bella had decided that she wanted to be changed as we are making love for the first time. She feels that if she is enjoying us making love that she will not feel the venom as much going through her body. I hope that she was right because I have been through it and it hurts like hell.
In just a few hours it would be happening. Everybody but Carlisle was leaving the house to hunt. He thought that it would be best to be there in case something went wrong.
Bella agreed but was also somewhat embarrassed about it at the same time. She didn't want him to hear us making love.
"Edward are you sure that Carlisle is not going to say anything or be upset about the way I would like to be changed?"
"No sweetheart he will not. He knows that this is how you have chosen to be changed and he respects that. Trust me when I say this, I have had to listen to my whole family for decades as they made love. I think he can handle it for awhile."
She just nods her head.
We had about an hour before things too place. I was a little nervous myself due to the fact that I would have to make sure that I stopped. I was scared that I would not be able to.
I watched as Bella paced back and forth as our family left. She was not really thinking much of anything. I'm pretty sure that she had me blocked. I think she didn't want me to worry about anything.
I just kept telling myself that I loved her and that I would do anything to have forever with her.
Finally it was time. Bella had asked me to give her a few minutes, as she wanted to change. That was fine by me because it would give me time to get striped down to my boxer briefs. I wanted this to go as smoothly as possible for the both of us.
"Edward I will be downstairs in my office if you need me."
"Thank you Carlisle. I will let you know once it's done."
With that said Bella opened the bathroom door and walked into the bedroom. OMG did she look like heaven!
She had on dark blue baby doll lingerie with g-string panties on. The lingerie did not leave much to imagine. I could see her nipples harden and her body was to die for.
I felt myself grow even harder than I already was.
"Eddie do you see something that you like?"
I was in front of her in no time.
"As a matter of fact I do. You look exquisite in that Bella. You have a body that is to die for."
"So do you Mr. Cullen."
She opened her mind to me. She wanted this as much as I did. She showed me how she wanted me to make love to her. With this being our first time I knew that I was going to hurt her. I would go slow and make sure that I would not hurt her too bad.
I pull her to me. I needed my lips on her. I could not take it any longer.
I crush my lips to hers and pull her as close as possible to me. I knew that she could feel my cock but at this point I did not care.
She pulled my hair and moaned into the kiss.
"Please Edward."
I pick her up and let her wrap her legs around my waist. She starts to grind into me and it was my turn to moan.
I walk us to the bed never breaking our kiss. I could smell her juices pouring out of her. I had to taste her.
I placed her on the bed, and she laid down asI pulled her to the edge of the bed. I slowly pulled her panties down her body. I kissed down her body as I freed her of her panties. She would let a moan out every time I kissed a different place on her body.
Once I had them off I kiss my way back up her body and stop right at her center.
I look up at her from between her legs at the same time I took my tongue and licked up her folds. She moaned and pushed herself into my mouth.
She tasted sweeter than honey and I could feast on her all day. I've never tasted anything like her.
I pushed one finger into her and I bit down on her nub. I felt her walls tighten. I knew that she was getting close. I inserted another finger and hit her g-spot and she shook with her orgasm.
"Oh god Edwarddd don't stop. Feels go...oodd."
I licked everything she gave me.
Once her breathing came back to normal I crawled back up her body. I looked into her eyes.
"Bella, I love you."
"Love you too Edward."
She used her feet to pull my boxer briefs down until she could not reach any furtther.
"Edward please make love to me. I want you so badly."
With that I took her hand in mine and placed them on both sides of her head.
"Bella I know this is going to hurt so please squeeze my hands as much as you want to and remember that I love you."
With that being said I pushed into her slowly. I watched her face as I did so.
Her mind went blank. She was blocking me from reading her mind. She did not want me to know what the pain was like.
She had a smile on her face. I knew that she was doing this for my sake.
I reached her barrier and push through it as a small scream escaped her lips. She tried to keep me from hearing but I did. I stayed still, letting her adjust to my size. After a few minutes she moved against me letting me know that is was okay to move.
It felt like heaven being inside her. She was so tight and even though I couldn't feel the heat of her I could feel the wetness of her on my cock. She felt so good.
She wrapped her legs around me and pulled me down to her.
"I love you Edward."
I picked up my speed and she moaned as I did that. I would get faster and a little bit harder but still gentle enough to be making love to her.
She would rub her hands down my chest and place her hands where we are connected.
She opened her index and middle finger to a "V" and wrapped them around my cock.
My god did that feel gooooood! Once she did that I knew that I would not last much longer.
I felt her walls start to tighten and I knew that it was time.
It was time for me to change her. This is what she wanted.
I picked up my pace.
"Love, just remember that I love you."
She looked into my eyes, "I love you too Edward."
With that I placed my lips against her neck and gently sucked there.
I knew it would cause her pain, and I prayed that the pleasure that she was feeling would be enough to mask the pain.
She pulled my face up to hers.
"This is what I want, Edward. I want forever with you."
I nodded and moved back to her neck.
I kissed around her neck until I reached her sweet spot. I kissed it and then slowly I bit down savoring the taste of her blood. It was like nothing I've ever tasted. I lapped it up and I had to stop myself. I knew that I had to release my venom into her body. Once I was done I licked over the bite, sealing it so that the venom could do its work of changing my Bella.
I stayed inside her moving in and out of her hoping that it would take her mind off the hurting.
I felt her body start to move around and I knew that the change was starting.
I also knew that there was nothing that would help with the pain.
I slowly pulled out of her and pulled us up on the bed and just held her.
Once I covered us I said, "Carlisle it's done."
Reading his thoughts he said, "Edward I knew that you could do it son. I'm so proud of you."
As the days went on each of the family members came and checked on us. I held her in my arms, trying to read her mind as to why she was not screaming through the pain. But the only thing in her mind was her thoughts of us making love. It was as if she had it on replay, over and over again I watched us making love. Maybe that is how she kept the pain out.
I knew that I needed to go hunt but I was waiting on Bella to wake up. I wanted to hunt with her.
Finally on day three Alice came into the room and said that she would be waking up at any minute now.
The rest of the family piled into my room. We all just wanted Bella to wake up.
A moment later Bella started to stir in my arms. I pulled her closer to me.
"Edward," I heard my angel say.
"Yes love?"
"I love you."
I could not believe that she was not jumping up with her throat burning, instead of confessing her love to me!
I look into her eyes and say, "I love you to Bella." I crush my lips to hers. I knew now that I did not have to worry about hurting her. She was just as strong as me.
My family was just as happy as I was that she was fine and that she would be with us for the rest of eternity.

31 Days of Halloween- Day 21

31 Days of Halloween 
Title: Three Unruly Pumpkins
Author: KylaMichelleHugsalot
Word count: 2018
Picture prompt # 21
Disclaimer: Twilight is the sole property of S. Meyer.
A/N: Hi all! I volunteered to do this to stretch myself but found it a hard task as I am not a lover of Halloween or scary things that go bump in the night. SO, I chose to do a simpler Halloween tale based loosely off the children's Halloween cartoon, Monsters vs. Aliens: Attack of the Mutant Pumpkins. But my version is Cullen-fied.
Enjoy!
"Melanie Katherine Cullen, you better get this table cleared off if you want to carve the pumpkins when your dad gets home." I yelled at my boisterous seven year old daughter for the third time in an hour.
"I'm coming mom, just let me finish this game." She yelled back from the computer desk around the corner from the kitchen.
I shook my head, and cursed Edward in my head for showing her that Halloween game on the computer. Between her inheriting my love of books and Edward's love for all things electronic the girl was doomed to be a nerd.
But, I loved her regardless and couldn't be more proud of her heritage.
I heard Edward's car pull up into the driveway and started to dry my hands. "Melanie, your dad is home and if this table isn't cleaned off in the next five minutes, there will be absolutely no pumpkins carved in this house."
I heard her huff, pause the computer and stomp into the dining room where her homework and art supplies were scattered all over the table top.
Edward walked through the garage door just as she finished packing everything back into her backpack.
"How are my beautiful girls today?" He said as I sighed and greeted him with a kiss.
"Hmmm, missed me did you?" He grinned as we broke apart to the whine of 'ewwws' coming from our darling daughter.
"Remind me again why we chose to have a child?" I asked, teasingly to my husband.
"Because she is the spitting image of you and the world couldn't stand not to have two versions of the most beautiful girls on the planet." He said as he picked Melanie up for a kiss.
I quirked an eyebrow at his attempt to woo me with his words. He laughed at me and winked.
"How was your day, pumpkin?" His voice was soft and calm when he spoke to our child. She was able to reduce the hard-working surgeon into putty with a single look.
"It was great, we told to ghost stories in class today." Her eyes lit up as she told him the story and I started to cook our dinner, having already heard this story twice already. They walked through the kitchen to the living room, part of their nightly routine.
"So, aren't we supposed to work on some pumpkins tonight?" He asked as he walked back into the kitchen, freshly showered with Melanie at his heel.
"Yes, we are." She declared matter of fact. "But, dad, can you tell me a scary story while we do it?" She asked as she plucked a few grapes from the bowl on the counter.
"I'm sure I could manage a story or two. But, have you decided which design you want on the pumpkins?" Edward asked as he started to set everything up.
"Yep, I want the three scary jack-o-lanterns that we saw on that website." She announced and ran to grab the picture that they had printed off the night before.
Edward went out to the garage to retrieve the pumpkins we had so painstakingly picked from the pumpkin patch the weekend before.
I stood at the bar and chopped some veggies for the stir-fry and listened with rapt attention to the tall-tale he was about to embark on in order to amuse our inquisitive child.
"Well, Melanie, did you ever hear about the Mutant Pumpkin invasion?" He asked as she shook her head while she hung on every word he said.
"There was a UFO sighting near Farmer Jed's pumpkin patch a few days before Halloween the year that Uncle Jasper and I were twelve and Uncle Emmett was thirteen. Apparently, it had been spotted by numerous people around town. An investigation was done the next morning but nothing was ever proved. But, it didn't stop people from talking about it or coming up with ridiculous stories about what had actually happened." He paused and guided Melanie's hand as they started to cut open the tops and remove the gunk inside.
"Did you know about it, Daddy? Did the Aliens leave one behind?" I chuckled silently, knowing that Melanie was referring to ET from when we watched it a few nights ago for family movie night.
Edward laughed. "No baby, there were no aliens left behind but the spaceship had sprayed something on the pumpkin patch that no one had known about. But we'll get to that part."
He cleaned off his hands and came to get a plastic bag out of the cabinet but stopped to kiss me on the side of the neck in the process. I shooed him away so he could resume his 'scary story'.
"Daddy, what did the aliens spray on the pumpkins?" Melanie asked curiously.
"Hold on, pumpkin, we aren't to that part of the story yet." Edward chuckled and resumed his work on cutting open the next pumpkin as Melanie scooped out the guts with a small cup.
"So, people started to show up at Farmer Jed's to pick out pumpkins but no one could find him. They assumed it was okay to just take the pumpkins and word quickly spread that there were free pumpkins to be had. But no one inquired as to where Farmer Jed had gone. Jasper, Emmett and I knew that something had to have happened to him because he was meticulous about those darn things." He stopped talking as Melanie threw her hand up.
"What's that word you just used?" She and Edward played this game where he would introduce her to a new word every couple of days. I guess todays word would be meticulous. He spelled it for her as she wrote it down to look it up in the dictionary later, and then resumed her gut removal on the second pumpkin.
"So what did you do, Daddy?" Her eyes and ears were trained to his every breath.
"Well, we dressed all in black and snuck out of the house one night to go do our own investigation. We hiked the half mile out to the farm but couldn't find anything in the dark. Emmett volunteered to stay the night and stake out the place, saying he would walk back home at first daylight. So, Jasper and I grabbed a few pumpkins and walked back home." Edward paused and grabbed the markers to draw the outline on the pumpkins face.
"Daddy, you and Uncle Jasper walked in the dark? Weren't you scared?" Melanie asked in awe of her dad.
Edward chuckled and tapped his finger on her nose. "Yes, a little but I couldn't let my twin or my big brother know that. I'd have never lived that down, besides, I think they were scared too."
She giggled and shook her head at him.
"So, the next morning Uncle Emmett comes home and tells us that he kept hearing noises but never actually saw anything. We chalked it up to nighttime noises on a farm and dropped it. But, then the night of Halloween we decided to dress up as Pumpkin heads and scare the trick or treaters. We hid in the bushes outside Grammy and Grampa's house. As the little kids started to approach we'd jump out and they'd scream. Grammy finally had enough of our shenaigans and told us to scram or she'd put us to work handing out candy. We started to walk around the neighborhood as it was growing dark and we wanted to go to the haunted house a few blocks over."
As he told the story, I watched Melanie, her eyes never left her dad's face. She was completely enraptured with him to the point that she wasn't even helping with the pumpkin carving.
"Melanie, are you going to help your dad or not?" I teased her and she shook her head like she was coming out of a daze.
"What? Oh yeah, sorry Dad." She said as she continued scooping the guts out of the third pumpkin.
"Well, we started to notice that all the kids were running and screaming down the street dropping candy along the way. So we turned around to go back in the direction that they were all running from. Then, we saw them...three giant pumpkins, with scary faces, similar to what we're carving here, scooting down the street making mysterious noises." He paused and took in Melanie's awed expression before he quickly glanced at me and winked.
"The pumpkins were glowing green on the inside and kept coming towards us. Needless to say me, Jasper and Emmett were actually scared so we started picking up the candy to throw at them. But, they ate the candy that we threw at them, which only made them grow larger. We took off running back towards our house to get some weapons. Emmett had the bright idea to get sling shots and air guns to shoot at them. We started to fill our pockets with candy, as much as we could get our hands on." Edward was getting animated and his excitement in telling the story was seeping through to the rapt attention Melanie had as she was actually half sitting and half standing up in her chair.
"Well, soon all the kids saw what we were doing and joined in our fight to destroy the three unruly pumpkins. We pelted them over and over and they grew larger and larger, still glowing green. Someone must have called the police or the army because suddenly there were helicopters and choppers in the sky and they started to dump sugar on the enormous pumpkins. The sugar caused them to all form into one single shape and they blew up, spewing slimy green goo all over everything and everyone." He paused and took a sip of water.
"The goo started to make all the plants and trees in the neighborhood grow so the army went up and down the streets spraying everything with sugar. But, they missed our backyard. So that night when we were all in bed, we were all glowing green, kind of like the incredible hulk. Well, your Uncle Emmett started to scream so Jasper and I took off running to his room where we found our pumpkin heads from our costumes attacking him."
Melanie gasped.
"Me and Jazz picked up the baseball bat and hockey stick and started to beat them off him. Em was screaming like a little girl, 'get them off'...and we tried to but all of the sudden your grampy came running into the room screaming 'get out of the way boys' and stabbed them with a special knife that he also kept hidden from us."
Melanie was completely standing now and Edward was acting out the motions of stabbing the pumpkins.
"He finally killed them all and Emmett was saved. We found out later that some chemicals were retrieved from the destroyed pumpkins and it was full of all these weird things that the army couldn't identify."
"What happened to Uncle Emmett?" Melanie asked.
"Oh, there are times when he gets mad or upset, he actually turns green and glows. But, don't ever ask him to eat pumpkin pie, 'cause he hates pumpkins now." Edward said as he had finished the last carving.
"Oh, so that's why Jack and Lilly wanted to come help us. Uncle Emmett wouldn't let them buy pumpkins because he was scared of them." Our child was extremely bright and I definitely could not wait to see the expression Emmett had when she saw him next.
He was going to kill Edward for telling her that story.
"Dinner's ready." I announced as they both washed their hands and came to sit at the bar where I had everything laid out.
"Dad, do you still glow green?" Melanie asked.
I laughed out loud, because when it comes to me and his daughter, he is full of green where other men in our lives are concerned.
"Sometimes, but it's nothing like Uncle Emmett." He teased her.
And I knew, I just knew that she'd be sleeping in our bed tonight.

31 Days of Halloween- Day 20

31 Days of Halloween
Title: Don't Forget Me by butterflybetty
Rated: MA/NC-17
Pairing: Bella
Word count: 1549
Picture prompt # 20
Summary: One moment was all it took to tear them apart. Now, in a single heartbeat, they'll find their way back together one last time.
Disclaimer: Twilight is the sole property of S. Meyer.
Moving through the piercing darkness, I looked back to make sure I hadn't been followed. I wasn't allowed to be here, not anymore, but I couldn't stay away. I needed to see you, make sure you were okay, even if that meant facing the harsh consequences later. You were worth everything.
Hitting the edge of the trees, I closed my eyes and listened to the night. The only sounds were too soft for most to pick up. A quarter mile up the trail, a small brook trickled over the pebbled rocks. A handful of deer ran through it, disrupting the smooth flow. A wolf howled, before heading north, his pack following him in search of their prey. All seemed perfectly normal, yet extraordinary, too.
With a shake of my head, I tightened my dark overcoat around my body and sprinted off to the small, rock cottage. Our home. Well, I suppose it's your home now. Letting myself in, I stopped in the living room and looked around. Bringing my hand to my chest, I struggled to contain the cry vibrating inside my chest. Everything looked the same. Yet, I knew everything had changed.
Clutching the panels of my coat together, I padded quietly into the bedroom, pushing the door behind me. Releasing the breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding, I turned to find you lying in bed. The cranberry sheet we'd bought so months ago barely covered your lower body. Crossing the room, I knelt down next to the solid oak sleigh bed. My hand twitched at my side, begging for me to reach out and take yours into mine. I didn't. I was already too close.
"Bella," you murmured, rolling from your back and onto your side. Reaching up, you pulled a pillow against your chest, burying your face in it. "Miss…you."
Closing my eyes, I wept silently. I missed you, too. I'd never expected for my life to end like this, with me crouching at your bedside, stealing what few moments I could from you. We'd made plans. Our nights were supposed to be spent clinging onto each other, our days filled with laughter and joy. We were going to travel across Europe, being the ultimate tourist. But instead, you grieved into your pillow, while I sat helplessly at your side. One moment had been all it took for everything to end. One terrible, painful moment.
I didn't remember much; a pair of bright lights, loud crunching of metal around me, cold rain dripping through my hair. People screamed and sirens blared around me, but I couldn't see them. Just as quickly as it started, it stopped. The lights faded, the noise went away, the rain stopped. In less than a heartbeat, I was dragged away from my life, my soul, my everything. I was pulled away from you.
With a shudder, I reached out, stroking your cheek. Your skin tingled beneath my fingers. You shivered, but leaned further into my hand. Before I could stop myself, I shrugged off the dark overcoat I wore and climbed in the bed next to you, tossing the pillow away.
"Oh, Bella," you cried, pressing your body against mine. "Come back to me!"
"I'm here," I whispered, stroking your cheek. If I tried hard enough, I could remember how your skin felt against mine, your warm breath ghosting across my sensitive flesh. I remembered the first time you touched me, how tender you were with me.
"Too far away," you mumbled each word thick with sleep.
Rolling with me in your arms, my body covered yours like a blanket, my legs automatically finding their way to the sides of yours. The soft, ivory dress I wore slid up my thighs, bunching at my waist. Your eyes fluttered open, a breathtaking smile spreading. God, how I've missed your smile.
"You're here," you murmured, moving your hands up my legs. "You've been gone too long."
"I know, baby," I cooed, trying to sooth you. You'd forget this moment in the morning. The powers that be would make sure of it. It wouldn't matter how much I wanted you to know that I'm always here with you, they wouldn't allow it.
"Where have you been?" Closing my eyes, I struggled not to blurt out the truth. Just one more secret I'd been forced to keep from him. He couldn't know about the afterlife, not yet anyway.
"Here," I lied. "Always here."
"No, if you were here, it wouldn't hurt so much," you argued, sitting up. Sliding your arms around my body, you nestled yourself against me. Exhaling, I felt your heartbeat racing against your chest.
"I'm sorry," I whispered, threading my fingers through your hair. I wanted to tell you everything, but I couldn't. You'd never understand why I had to leave. I didn't understand it, either.
Your hand drifted lower, slipping under my dress. Closing my eyes, I gave myself over to you, letting you remove my dress. I shook my head, allowing my dark, mahogany hair to fall around my shoulders. Moving your eyes over my naked form, you sighed. "You're so beautiful," you moaned, lips pressing against my collarbone.
Remembering the first time you told me you thought I was beautiful, I smiled. Felt like a lifetime ago that we found ourselves staring at each other across a crowded room. Even in that short, meaningless moment, our fate had been set. Ghosting my thumb over your cheek, I fought the tears burning the corners of my eyes.
"You're shaking," you whispered, kissing the corner of my mouth.
"I need you," I breathed, knowing I was selfish for needing you.
Without a word, you flipped us over, wedging yourself between my legs. Capturing my lips, you slipped your hand down my side, grazing the curves of my breasts. Shivering from your touch, I tightened my grip on your hair, begging you with my body to hold me tighter.
Tearing your mouth from mine, your lips traveled down my neck, finding purchase on every inch of skin you could find. Slowly making your way down my chest, you found my nipple. Crying out, I arched into your touch, needing more. Always needing more of you.
Your manhood pressed against me through the thin layer of cotton that separated us. Releasing your hair, I slide my hand down your ample chest, finding my way inside your grey boxer briefs. Wrapping my fingers around you, you moaned, letting go of my nipple.
"Oh, baby," you groaned, pressing your face into the side of my neck.
"Take me," I urged, sliding your boxers down over your hips. "Show me I'm yours again. Make me yours forever!"
Leaning back just far enough to look me in the eyes, you smiled. "You are mine," you insisted. "Even if only in my dreams, baby, you're mine. You always have been, always will be."
A strangled sob slipped out of my mouth, only to be turned into a throaty moan when you filled me with one quick thrust. Slipping your arm under my back and lifting my hips off the bed, you set a steady pace. The sound of our heavy breathing and bodies moving together filled the room, reverberating through the night air.
Leaning back on your heels, you lifted me up, sliding deeper into me. Wrapping my arms and legs around you, I held to you, desperate to stay with you. Trailing your fingers up my spine, you gripped my shoulder with one hand, while the other drifted down to my ass. Digging your nails into my flesh, you increased your pace. I wanted to beg you to slow down, to make sweet love to me. But at the same time, I wanted you to move frantically, to take me hard and fast.
Removing your hand from my bottom, you grabbed onto the headboard, shuddering as your release overcame you. "Oh, baby," you grunted, stilling your hips against mine. "Fuck!"
Unable to hold on any longer, I fell over the edge with you. Clinging onto you, I cried, "Don't forget me. Please, don't forget me!"
"Never," you promise, pulling me to lay in the bed with you. Curling your body around mine, you drifted back to sleep. When morning came, our night together would be a clouded memory for you, laying somewhere between the realm of possibility and reality.
Sliding to the side of the bed, I pulled my dress back on and grabbed my coat. Turning to face you, I leaned down and kissed your soft lips. "I love you, Edward," I whispered. "I'll always love you."
Leaving you laying with the sheet slung across your hips, I slipped out of our cottage, hurrying into the woods. Discarding the overcoat, I took one last look at the home we'd once shared. This would be the last time I'd be able to come back to see you. Tears seared my eyes, but I'd made my choices, and now, I'd have to live with them
Feeling my heart break, I turned my eyes toward the sky, a loud swoosh echoing through the trees. Fluttering behind me, my white wings lifted me off the ground, taking me into the heavens where I'd spend my days watching over my husband, and my nights searching for those who were lost.

31 Days of Halloween

31 Days of Halloween
Title: Beauty and the Beast
Rated: M
Pairing: Edward and Bella
Word count: 1855
Picture prompt #18
Summary: Can a Halloween Ball change everything? Can beauty find true love with an evil beast in one glance? Edward and Bella will find out.
Disclaimer: Please . . . like I have a chance at owning Twilight! Seriously, do my initials say S.M.? Nope, Nada, no way, no how.
Edward's POV
I've travelled the spans of the world and years of time. I knew, the moment I'd seen her in Alice's vision, I had to have her. Ditching my family years ago, I searched her out. We barely exchanged calls anymore. They didn't approve of my stalking Isabella. In my mind, I was simply protecting what would one day be mine.
She never saw me watching her over the years. The trees had become my home away from home. I'd bought a rundown estate not far from her father's house when she moved to Forks. It was rarely used, though, only to shower and entertain myself when she was unwatchable.
The woods separating our homes were the only barriers between us, not that they could stop me. Creeping through the gloaming shadows, I traversed the distance every night to watch her sleep. The sight of her, scantily dressed, tossing amongst her sheets, her scent penetrating every fiber of my being, kept me coming back every night.
She had turned eighteen a month ago. The time to act had arrived. A Halloween dance at her school gave me the perfect enchanted evening to charm her and lure her away. I wouldn't be denied this time.
Arriving at the school, I parked my bike and slipped on the mask I'd bought to ensure my appearance of Erik "the Phantom" from the Phantom of the Opera. Halloween offered me one night each year when no one would think twice about my gleaming red irises. Mingling, unobserved, with the students entering the school, I drifted around in search of her. While I appeared no older than they were, they'd always be children to me. After a century of being a vampire I'd seen and experienced more than they could ever imagine. While my physical body appeared only seventeen, I'd lived an eternity already.
With the lights dimmed and sheer black swag draped around the walls, the gym glowed with eerie holiday festivity. There she stood, my single obsession: Isabella Swan. The antique, 1908, black lace overdress gown and red velvet underdress I'd secretly sent her hugged her form perfectly. The red colored velvet hat from the same era perched precariously on her hair; a feathered, full-bodied blackbird perched on its crown completed the look perfectly. With her ethereal beauty, she looked as if she'd just stepped onto the decks of the Titanic.
Charlie had accepted the package from the delivery boy thinking Bella had bought it. She, in turn, had no idea who'd sent it, assuming Charlie had been the one to make the fanciful purchase. No on all accounts. First of all: her "costume" would cost a year's salary. Second, it had belonged to my mother, before she became ill and passed from this earthly coil, leaving me the very night I was turned into a blood-lusting creature of the night.
I murdered more than my share of humans, seeking the precious serum pumping through their veins. I'd tried to stay with the vegetarian diet of my adopted family, only to slip time and time again. Nowadays, the societal vermin in Port Angels or Seattle cured my need for the thick, crimson ambrosia.
Just being surrounded by the delectable banquet on display in the shrouded room had my mouth watering. Any one of them would sate my craving, squelch the searing burn in my throat, but it wouldn't win me my prize: the gorgeous creature shying away from the unworthy masses by hiding in the darkest recesses of the gym.
Slinking through the crowd of undulating teens between us, I approached her, my eyes drifting along the delicate lines of her lace-covered back. "Good evening, Isabella." She shivered at my tone, tensing, but not turning to see who had joined her. I drew in a breath, the air heavy with her scent. She smelled good enough to eat, in more ways than one. Reaching around, I handed her a long stemmed, blood-red rose. "Dance with me." With a firm grasp, I took her arm, allowing her no opportunity to decline my demand.
"I'm not the dancing type. You may regret the offer." I led her to the dance floor anyway.
"Very doubtful," I purred, pulling her into my arms.
Another disadvantage to being a vampire, we dazzled our prey into submission. Her eyes glazed over while her body molded to mine. A sigh slipped from my lips when her supernova, frail arms draped around my frigid neck. When she stumbled over her own feet, I lifted her by her hips, settling her tiny feet atop my own.
"Doesn't that hurt? My boots I mean?" she gasped.
I couldn't help but chuckle, "Not one bit. I've waited too long for this moment."
"Really? Who are you? What classes do we share?" she quizzed, nibbling on her lower lip.
"I don't go to school here, Isabella. The only reason I am here is for you." My voice took on a new tenor, one of lust and desire.
Whirling her around, I savored her scent on me. "Should I be afraid?" she whispered, leaning her cheek to my chest.
I cooed, giving her a heavier dosing, "Yes, you should be."
She quivered against me. "So why am I not afraid of you?" she nuzzled her heated cheek against my chest.
Could I be honest with her? "You know that answer. I've been watching you," I hinted.
"You're the one I felt in my room. I thought I imagined it. My guardian angel, always there to protect me," she hummed.
"No, you didn't," I sighed. "And, I'm no angel." My brow furrowed, guilt washed over me. "I came to take you away, but now, I can't. You're too innocent for me to destroy." Releasing my grip, I pulled away.
"Wait, don't go!" she called when I weaved away from her.
Pulling my mask from my face, I paused and looked back. She gasped at the sight of my grotesque face. I'd finally scared her. Since when did I develop a conscience? I would do anything for her, for my love of her. I'd endure the rest of eternity alone, visiting her in the darkness, remain her guardian angel, as she phrased it.
For someone who didn't have a heart, it ached anyway. Once outside, I kick-started my Harley, before regretfully pulling away from the school.
~8~
Walking through the rundown heap I called home, I made my way to the second floor. The stairs I'd never fixed creaked under my feet. Debris and broken glass littered the hallways. Raking my hands through my hair, I growled out, dropping to my knees. Every ounce of pain I felt vibrated off the windows, shaking them.
She'd called last week and warned me, but, as usual, I didn't listen to her. I hung up when she put Carlisle on the phone. I'd heard it all before.
There was nothing left to do except sit there and let the pain have me. Time would no longer matter to me. Without her, there was nothing left inside me. I'd planned everything so perfectly, but seeing the gentleness in her eyes, the hope in her voice, and the innocence of the simple gesture of biting her lip had rendered me helpless.
Sniffing the air, I picked up her scent. She was in my home? And she wasn't alone. Alice and Carlisle. Why had they brought her? Were they trying to torture me more?
'Edward, you need to hear her out,' Carlisle thought.
'We know you can't hear her in your mind,' Alice mentally giggled, pleased no doubt.
"Why are you doing this to me?" I hissed not bothering to whisper.
"Because I need you," she whimpered.
Jumping to my feet, I spun, seeing her standing in the doorway. Clenching my hands into tight fists, I fought the urge to go to her, to touch her. "You shouldn't be here. Go, now, before it's too late," I snarled, hoping to scare her.
"No. I know what you are. They explained everything to me. I feel safe around you even though I shouldn't." She shook her head. "You came tonight to take me? Make me your mate? Why did you change your mind? Was I a disappointment to you?"
"Never, you're perfect. I'm the hideous beast." I turned away to hide my face.
"You're not hideous. You're beautiful to me. Is it that you don't want me forever?" Dropping my head, I cinched my eyes shut.
"I've always wanted you," I sighed when she crept closer.
"The scars . . . Alice said you were protecting me when you got them?" Gently, she stroked the groves running from my temple to my chin.
Something in her eyes twinkled, or maybe I imagined it. "The wolves were at your door. You needed me to keep you safe." I huffed, turning away.
Slipping her arms around me, she cuddled between my shoulders. "She said you'll love me, care for me forever. At night, when I dreamed, I dreamt of a shadow. It was you, you were that shadow. Don't leave me." The aroma of salt tickled my nostrils.
"I will always love you, and never leave you. You need to go and live. Love awaits you elsewhere." I removed her hands forcibly.
"Then you leave me no choice."
A human wouldn't hear it, but a vampire could hear the tearing of her skin. The sweet aroma of her blood filled the room. My head snapped back in time to see her smiling before crumbling to the floor, the glass shard she'd used still in her hand. I hissed at the movement at the door.
"Save her, Edward. She had no life ahead of her. Charlie decided to clean his guns tomorrow. It's going to misfire and kill her." Alice grinned.
"I won't be able to stop!" I gurgled, my mouth filling with venom.
"I'm here to help you stop. It's what family does." Carlisle nodded.
Looking down, her eyes pleaded to me, to my heart. How could I say no? If she was destined to die anyway, why not one day early and be with me for an eternity?
Pulling her lithe, blood soaked arm to my mouth, I saw nothing but acceptance in her eyes. She wanted the monster I was. I latched onto the tender flesh and gave as I took. If she was set to be my mate, I'd give her anything. For once in my existence there was no problem letting my bloodlust go. Licking it gently, I caressed the wound shut. Her fate was sealed.

31 Days of Halloween

Title : Face in the Window
Author : onesweetbell
Picture Prompt : 16
Rated : M
Word Count :
Summary: Will Bella be able to handle the strange goings on at the Masen house when she takes a job as at The Cullen Institute of the Paranormal.
Disclaimer: Stephanie owns all. Too bad. Because if we did own it, we all would be seeing some major thrusting in Breaking Dawn.
A/N: Thanks to my wonderful beta, ManiacMotherland. She always makes me look good.
The Face in the Window
I ripped the tab of paper off the bulletin board that was on campus. I had seen the ad posted for about a month and finally decided to just go for it. What's the worst that can happen?
I have always considered myself to be open-minded about things, but paranormal activity? That I wasn't so sure about. I had never encountered a ghost or what-not. I mean, when things die, they are supposed to stay dead. Right?
As I held the number, I felt a cold chill run up my spine. I almost, almost tossed the little piece of paper, but looking back at the flyer, the amount of pay was too good to pass up.
Not that I needed the money, not really. I had been saving for college since I was in middle school, plus I had gotten a full-ride scholarship. But I would it would be nice to buy those boots I had been wanting without putting them on a credit card.
So, before I chickened out, I pulled out my phone and dialed the number.
A very comforting sounding woman answered the phone.
"Hello. You have reached the Cullen Institute. How may I direct your call?"
"Ummm, yeah, hi," I stuttered. "I was calling about the job offer."
#######
About a month later, I was called out to help with an in-house visitor. I had spent the last month learning about paranormal activates and was trained on various electronic devices. And, yeah, I probably watched Ghostbusters and Poltergeist one too many times, as well. Just for shits and giggles, you know?
I mean, I knew all that Hollywood crapola was fake, but still. Not much to go on when you sign up for a bona fide, actual ghost hunt.
I was a little nervous but also anxious to see if what was on the silver screen actually happened in real life. Yeah, I watched tapes and stuff at the institute that claimed it did, but if I got to see if firsthand. Now, that's the shit!
Professor Carlisle Cullen, the head of the institute, and his wife, Esme, climbed into the big van along with myself and two other techs, Tyler and Eric. Then we made our way to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Masen.
As we drove, Carlisle—he asked us to call him by his first name—went over again the specs of our jobs and what was happening at the Masen house.
It seemed their only child had passed away about six months ago at the age of 19. About two months ago, the sighting and disturbances started.
Mrs. Masen was on the verge of a nervous breakdown, so Mr. Masen decided to call the Cullen Institute to see what could be done.
I must have drifted off at some point during the drive, because the next thing I knew, we had pulled up to this quaint two story house.
Upon entering the house, a chill came over me. This had been happening to me a lot lately so I had started caring a sweater around with me all the time. I pulled it out of my bag and put it on.
That's better. I sighed to myself. No need for alarm. Big houses like this are always drafty and cold. Just a bit of breeze. No big whoop.
#######
It took a better part of two hours to get all the equipment set up. Carlisle had decided to use the living room as center command. It was so spacious that it could easily hold all the monitors, video cameras and such. He also wanted Eric and I to set up a camera in the son's bedroom, so we headed up the stairs to do so.
Mrs. Masen was hesitant to let us in the room at first, seeing that this was where her son had died. She explained to us that the room would be a mess. It seemed that no matter how many timed she cleaned it, within an hour, it would be a wreck again. So, after about two weeks, she had stopped cleaning it.
However, when we entered the bedroom, I gasped. I turned back to Mr. Masen, who also had a surprised look on his face.
"Are you sure Mrs. Masen didn't clean the room recently?"
He just shrugged.
"Maybe his son knew he would be having a hot chick in his room and so he cleaned it himself," Eric joked as he wiggled his eyebrows at me.
Just then I saw his head jerk forward.
"Damn, Bella! What the fuck? It was a joke. You didn't have to hit me."
"Ummmmm, Eric I didn't hit you." I whispered. "I'm standing right here."
I don't know why I started to get scared. Maybe because I could feel someone else was in the room with us. But that was stupid. It was just me and Mr. Masen who was still by the door. Then it dawned on me that Eric was playing around.
Fucker. So immature.
"That's not funny Eric. You almost had me believing you." I rolled my eyes.
"I'm not kidding, Bella," he pled. "Something hit me!"
"Yeah, whatever. Let's get this set up before you get hit again. For real this time."
Twenty minutes later, I stood back watching Eric converse with Tyler on the headset, making sure the feed was working right.
All of a sudden I felt cold surrounding me again, but this time it felt like fingers running up and down my arm. I looked to my left, thinking someone was there.
Just as I turned my heard, it stopped.
Huh, that was weird.
"All set," Eric said. "Let's get out of here. This room is giving me the willies."
I had to laugh at that. If I was being honest, it was giving me the willies too.
As we walked out the door I could hear the faint sound of my name being called.
I turned, thinking it was Eric who was behind me.
"What?" I asked.
"I didn't say anything," he said.
Okay, either I was hearing things now, or Eric was playing with me. I suspected the latter, but decided to let it go for now. I would have to talk with Tyler, maybe get him to help me get Eric back.
#######
The next few days went by with no occurrences. Well, not any that would have been recorded anyway. We all felt the cold breezes at different times. Eric even got hit on the back of the head a few more time. Maybe this sprite was looking out for me, because it always seemed to happen when Eric was either too close or would make a sexist remark towards me.
The second night is when things started to change. At least for me.
For the last month, I been having these dreams where I was with a man I had never seen before. Since being in this house, however, they have become more and more graphic in nature.
The man in my dreams was tall, but then, most people were taller than me. He also had this gorgeous dark red hair that I would run my fingers through. Not to mention his face. Statuesque. Exquisite. He reminded me of that statue of David.
The dreams were so captivating that I found myself thinking about this dream man during my waking hours as well. I was intrigued, nearly obsessed. I decided that once I was back on campus, I would have to look for him because I was pretty certain that I had seen him before, hence the reason he was occupying my dreams.
I would be standing with this man and he would be telling things like how beautiful I was, and about how he had been waiting for me. Whispering sweet nothings into my ear as his fingers trailed up and down my arms. I never wanted the dream to end.
I remember thinking how he had felt a little cold. Then, just before we got very physical, I would always wake up. I would wake up with a shiver, even with a warm blanket wrapped around me.
On the third day, I had the day shift. Tyler was still sleeping on the long couch in the living room when I walked in, while Eric was crashed out on the floor. Both of them had the night shift since most of all occurrences would happen at night.
During the evenings, I usually curled up on one of the oversized puffy chairs. Mrs. Masen had mentioned to me the night before when I was sitting on it that this was her son's favorite chairs. She couldn't part with it. I had agreed with her on this point; it was very comfortable.
Days were pretty routine. Carlisle had to go back to the office during the afternoons, but would be back in the early evenings to check on everything. Esme was usually talking and comforting Mrs. Masen.
I was able to take a few weeks off from attending my classes, but still had to do the work to stay current. That afternoon, while I was doing my English lit homework, I felt cold fingers on my arm.
I looked down but saw nothing there. I could still feel it but no one was around.
Then I heard my name again.
"Bella." Like a whisper. Like an echo.
I could feel the panic starting to rise in my body, but suddenly, I felt a sense of calm. The voice spoke my name again, this time closer to my ear. It was a male's voice but it was so soothing.
"Bella."
I had remembered in my lessons at the institute. If you asked the sprite what they wanted, sometimes they would tell you. So, this time, I answered in a whispered voice.
"Yes. I am Bella. What do you want?"
"You," was all the voice said.
I heard Esme and Mrs. Masen make their way from the kitchen to the living room.
Then, just like, that the coldness and voice were gone.
I guess that whoever this sprite was didn't not want anyone to know he was there. I frowned, feeling a bit sad. He had made me feel… I'm not sure how I felt right then. But I knew I wanted more.
That night, I tried to wheel myself to sleep as fast as I could. I wanted to dream about my mystery man.
As soon as I found him, he grabbed a hold of me and told me to wake up. I didn't want to; I tried to force myself to not wake up.
It seemed to work, because he said, "Okay, have it your way."
The next thing I knew, I was sitting there curled up in the big chair, not sure if I was awake. It was like the feeling you get when you're asleep but you think you're wide awake.
I suddenly felt those cool fingers trailing up my leg. It felt nice, it felt real, even though I knew I was still dreaming.
The coolness continued to travel up my leg, closer and closer to the hem of my sleep shorts. When it tried to get under them, I quickly slammed my hand down.
"No!" I shouted out.
Two things happened next. I heard the voice saying "Meet me in the kitchen" and Tyler asking me what was wrong.
I shook my head to try to clear the sleepiness. I knew I was awake now, or at least I thought I was. Dreams are so tricky.
Then I heard the voice again.
"Lie to him."
And I did. Although I don't know what possessed me to do so.
"Oh nothing! Just a bad dream, I guess."
Huh? Where the fuck did that come from.
Tyler shook his head and turned back toward the monitors.
"Meet me in the kitchen," the voice said again.
I felt myself being pulled up and out of my seat without my knowledge. I briefly thought I was still asleep and dreaming, because I don't remember walking and yet, there I was, I'm standing in the kitchen right in front of the sink.
I looked up and caught my sight in the window that was above the sink. I remembered that I had put my hair up into ponytails before I went to sleep.
Can I actually see myself if I am dreaming? Isn't that against the rules?
My question was answered with a resounding "Yes" as I also took in the sight that was next to me in the window.
There was my stranger. I knew that I was dreaming now.
I turned around to face him, hoping that he would still be there. And, when he was, I was actually happy.
"What's your name?" I wanted to know. Even thought it was a dream, I still needed a name. Any name would be better than "Howdy stranger, wanna fuck?"
"My name is Edward," he said with a crooked smile. "And you don't know how long I have waited for you."
"Well… being that it is my dream, I would have to say I do," I joked back.
He got a strange sad look on his face.
"So. You think you're dreaming?"
Ummmmm, hello. Gorgeous guys don't just show up out of the blue. Of course I'm dreaming.
"Well, yeah," I stated as if it wasn't obvious.
"You're not dreaming, Bella. You're here with me."
"Edward, I think I know when I'm dreaming," I laughed.
"Well if that's what you think, then you should have no objections to me doing this," he said as he walked closer to me.
"What are you doing?" I whispered as he got closer.
"I just want to try one thing," he told me as he slowly lifted his hand up and placed in on my face.
I didn't have time to savor the feeling because he pressed his lips to mine.
Can I just say wow?
The feel of his cool lips on my heated ones felt great. No, it felt more than that, but my brain was shutting down and all I could feel was him kissing me. Soft and cool, placing soft kisses upon mine.
I heard him moan which made me do the same. Suddenly, his grip was on the back of my neck holding me closer before he decided to deepen our kiss.
I felt his tongue on my lips; it was also cool. I wanted to feel him in my mouth, wanted to taste him.
It seemed a little strange, all the physicality of it. Could you taste in your dreams?
He had a minty taste and something else there that I couldn't place.
Oh well, it didn't matter. It was my dream and he could taste however I wanted.
So I sucked on the tongue which he had slipped into my mouth. Tasting and swirling it around my own. I couldn't help myself. Just his kiss was making me hot and I could feel myself moisten under his touch.
Now I have had the female version of wet dreams and this was definitely going to play out as such. I moved my hands to grip the nape of his neck and started running my fingers through his hair. It felt just as soft as I had imagined it would feel. I tugged it a little bit and he groaned in response.
His other arm was brought up gripped me around the waist, pulling my body flush with his, as the hand that was on my neck reached up and gripped my hair. Not too hard. Damn, it felt good.
Our kiss was so hot and passionate, wet, hard and soft all at the same time. But I felt the need to breath. I guessed that even in my dreams I needed to breath.
I pulled back from our kiss, struggling to get some air into my lungs, but he just kept kissing me. Only this time, trailing down my neck slowly over to my ear. I could hear him panting as hard as I was.
And again, I guessed that I was trying to make my dreams as realistic as possible.
I felt Edward's grasp on my waist tighten as he pulled me closer. I could also feel what I think was his erection pressing into my lower stomach. And boy was it big.
He started grounding himself on me, and I knew that, at that point, I was going to end up waking up. This would always happen in my dreams. As soon as it started getting hot and heavy, just before penetration, I would always wake up.
"I want you, Bella," he whispered into my ear. "Please tell me that I can have you. You have to tell me otherwise I can't have you."
This was my dream, and since I knew I was about to wake up, I figured, what the hell. Why not?
"Yes, Edward. Yes, you can have me," I moaned.
"Thank you," was all he said before he quickly moved his hand away from my waist and pulled down my shorts and panties.
Whoa, that was quick.
"Turn around and hold on to the counter," he ordered.
Of course, I complied. It was a little hard with my shorts around my ankles but I managed. Just as quick, his hands were on my hips pulling back against him. His body felt hard against mine, almost lifelike. I didn't have too much time to ponder on that part of my dream as one of his hands made its way towards my every dampening sex.
As he made contact, a shudder rocked my body.
"Do you like that, Bella? Do you like how I touch you?" he breathed heavily into my ear.
"Yes," I moaned. Boy, did it feel good.
His fingers passed through my wet folds until he found my throbbing nub. As he rubbed my clit his other fingers found my entrance.
Wow, I wonder if his finger would be this ambidextrous in person.
He slid his finger inside of me and I let out another moan. I knew I was so wet.
For some reason, I hoped that I wasn't touching myself in my sleep. That would be an awkward conversation to have with Tyler. He would have had quite a show.
"How the holy hell could you be thinking of someone else, Bella, when I have my hand on your pussy?"
Oops, I might have just said that bit about Tyler out loud.
"Yes, you did," he whispered in my ear. "Now. Are you still so sure you're dreaming, baby?"
"Yes, I know I'm dreaming."
"Why?" he asked as he began to pick up the speed around my clit. I was almost over the edge.
"Because...real life… never…felt…so…good," I tried to say as an orgasm ripped through my body.
Holy shit! That was amazing. I don't think I had ever come so hard in my life. Too bad it was a dream.
"You ain't felt nothing yet, my sweet girl," Edward declared.
And again, my inner monologue not quite working correctly in my dreams. Odd.
"Hold on tight. You're in for quite a ride, baby."
I grabbed a hold of the counter with both hands as I felt Edward pushing my back down a bit and then pull up on my hips. I looked up and could see my reflection in the window again and noticed a reddish glow in my eyes. That was weird.
I was about to say something but was distracted by the feeling of something hard against my pussy. It was cool as well, and I had a feeling I knew what it was.
It was his cock. As he rubbing along my folds, I could hear loud moans coming from him.
"Oh baby, you feel so good. I can't wait to be inside of you."
And neither could I. I didn't have long to wait. He thrust into me in one swoop.
"Oh fuck!" I cried out.
"Yeah, that's it, baby," he hissed out as he began a course of hard thrust. "Damn, you pussy is so tight. You feel so good wrapped around my cock."
All I could do was moan. He was fucking me so hard. I was glad I had a good grip on the edge of the counter, because I'm sure he would have shoved me right through it.
He felt so good, his big hard cock slamming into my wet as hell pussy. Sometimes dreams were so good, but this was this first time that it actually felt real.
"Oh, this is real, baby," Edward panted into my ear. "I'm so glad you let me have you. I can stay with you now. Would you like that, Bella?"
He slowed down a little, but each time, he moved himself back into me he pushed himself deeper, deeper than anything ever before.
"Oh god, Edward!" I cried out. "Yes, yes."
Hey, it was my dream and if he would come visit me every night and have amazing sex, and then he could stay.
I heard a chuckle from behind me. Perhaps I had said that out loud as well.
He started picking up speed again and I knew I wasn't going to last too much longer. I could feel myself start to grip his cock tighter. He must have felt it too.
"Oh yeah, cum for me. Cum on my cock," he groaned into me ear. "I can't hold out much longer."
I could felt his cool breath on my cheek and with his words I was sent over the edge again. However, I was brought out of my blissful state when I felt a sharp pain on my face. I quickly jerked my head up and looking to the window again. I knew I would be able to see my reflection and when I saw it I started screaming.
What I saw staring back at me was my face with a big chunk tore out of my cheek. Oh my god did it hurt. I started screaming louder as I also took in the sight of Edward laughing as he stood behind me, with blood running down his lip.
The fucker bit me. What the fuck was going on?
"What the fuck are you laughing for?"
He didn't answer me just kept on laughing. I knew I needed to wake up. This dream had just taken a turn for the worst and I wanted it over.
Just then, he grabbed hold of the sides of my face and it looked as if he was about to clap his mouth on to my other cheek.
Oh hell no!
I started screaming again, as loud as I could, hoping that it would wake me up.
All of a sudden, the kitchen was bathed in light and I could hear Tyler calling out to me.
"Bella, Bella! What's wrong?"
I couldn't stop screaming as I took in his words. I was still holding onto the sink as well as looking into the window. But as soon as the light hit it, the reflections were gone.
I felt hands on my arms and filched, thinking that it was Edward again and I was still dreaming.
"Bella, what's wrong? Please you need to stop screaming," I heard Tyler's voice again.
I was being turned around but was still afraid I would face Edward again. I was happy to see it wasn't.
"Tyler?" I wasn't sure. Maybe I was only thinking or dreaming he was there.
"Yes, Bella. It's me, its Tyler."
The room was full of people at this point, but I could only focus on Tyler.
"Am I still dreaming?" I asked hoping that I had woken up and would be lying on the couch in the living room again.
"No Bella, you awake," he said. "But why would you be asking me that when you're standing here in the kitchen?"
I quickly took in my surroundings and realized that I was standing in the kitchen.
Oh my god! I quickly looked down, hoping that my shorts and panties where not around my ankles. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw I was properly dressed.
Then I had a brief thought of how Edward could have gotten into the house with all the security. But that is all I could manage before the questions started.
"Bella, dear. What's going on? Are you okay?" I heard Esme ask.
"Um, yeah, I think so," not really sure if that was the right answer.
As I looked at the people who now occupied the kitchen, I saw Carlisle and Eric as well. I wondered why they were here so late. Also both Mr. and Mrs. Masen where there too.
What happen to Edward? I thought. He must have snuck out before they arrived in the kitchen.
"What was that? Who did you ask for?" This time it was Mrs. Masen asking.
Seems I was still having issues with my inner monologue even though I was awake.
"Ummmm, Edward," I told her.
"Edward? Why would you be asking for him?" she asked with a puzzled look.
"Ummm… well, he was… ummmmm…. here."
"What? No, no, that's not possible!" Mrs. Masen exclaimed as she grabbed onto her husband. Esme turned to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"What is it Elizabeth?" Esme asked.
Mrs. Masen didn't answer her; she just continued to cry. Mr. Masen eventually answered the question.
"Edward, he was our son. We thought maybe he was the one haunting us but we wanted to be wrong."
My eyes popped open with what I heard. Edward was her dead son.
Holy shit! my brain cried out. I have just fucked a poltergeist.
That shit was real. I wasn't dreaming.
I ran to the bath room as soon as I felt the bile rise up in my throat. After puking, I washed my mouth out and my hands.
When I looked into the mirror, I saw that my face was back to normal. But the next reflection saw scared the crap out of me.
Edward.
"You're mine now, Bella," he growled.
"Oh hell no!" I screamed out.
Running back out, I made my way to the living to and grabbed my stuff. Slipping my shoes on just Carlisle made his way towards me.
"Bella, what's wrong?"
"What's wrong? What's wrong? You don't even wanna know what's wrong!" I screamed. "Fuck this place and fuck this job. I'm out of here!"
I flung open the door and was struck by the light of day. It was morning already. The grass was all dewy, and the birds were all chirping. This was fine with me.
After that fuckery back in the kitchen, I sure as hell didn't want to walk home in the middle on the night.
After all, things go bump in the night. If I didn't know it before, I sure as fuck did know it now. The face in the window taught me that, if nothing else: too good to be true often turns out to be worse than your darkest nightmare. Thank heavens I figured this out, before it was too late.

31 Days of Halloween- Day 15

31 Days of Halloween
Title: Forever Manor
Author: onesweetbell
Rated: M
Pairing Bella and Edward
Word count: 9316
Picture prompt #15
Summary: After a tragic accident, will Edward be able to heal Bella's heartache before it's too late?
A/N: Thank you to my twifey and beta, ManiacMotherland. Without her guidance, I would be lost.
Orgionaly this started out one way but as it progressed I found myself in another direction. As they say, follow the inspiration where it takes you. So this is where it took me. Hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: I claim no ownership to all things Twilight. Just a need to twist a few characters to fit into my love of Halloween.
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Forever Manor
I have watched and waited for years.
Tonight was the night.
Tonight, I would finally make her mine forever.
"Come on, Bella, hurry up," Jessica screeched as we made our way through the makeshift parking lot.
"I'm coming," I mumbled angrily, trying to not stumble on the gravel that was crunching below my feet, which was a little hard to do considering it was dark outside.
"What's wrong, baby girl?" My friend Tyler asked as if he didn't know.
They all knew but somehow pretended that the last year had not happened. Hence, the reason for the outing tonight. I had not wanted to come, but when your so-called friends ganged up on you, sometimes it was hard to say no.
I looked up at him, the full moon reflecting in his dark eyes.
"I'm fine, Ty," I lied.
He threw his arm around my shoulder as we made our way to join the rest of our friends.
"It will get better," he told me. "How about for just one night, try to forget and have a good time. Do you think you could do that? Just for a little while?"
"Sure," I nodded. "I'll try."
That was a lie, of course. They just didn't understand how it felt to lose everyone and everything that mattered to you in this world in an instant, leaving you all alone. How could they? They still had their families. But I would put on a happy face for them and pretend I was enjoying myself, even though I would rather have been at home, curled up in my bed wishing the last year had never happened.
"Wow!" Exclaimed Angela. "After all these years, it's still just as spooky"
"It's still the same old shit," Mike groaned. "I don't know why you guys insist on coming here every year. I still think we should have gone to Marcus' party. This joint blows."
"Oh shut it, Mike," Jessica scolded him.
"I'm thinking he still scared after all these years," Tyler smirked.
"Shut the fuck up. I am not. I was eight years only, man. That would have scared the shit out of anyone, dickhead. Besides, you're the one that pissed your pants."
"I did not! It was my drink that pissed my pants!" Tyler protested. "And you hitting me with your elbow!"
"Knocked it off, you two!" Angela shouted. "This is tradition, so suck it up, 'cause we're not leaving."
"Oh my God!" Jessica screeched again and stopped walking. "Do you see that? It looks like they put in a real moat this year."
We all stopped and looked to see what she was talking about. There seemed to be a pool of water surrounding the front of the old manor. I wondered how Alice had pulled that one off.
Memories of old times flashed through my mind as I stood there looking up at the old three-story house.
Through the years, we had all heard stories of the Old Cullen Manor. The family had owned this parcel of land for well over a century. Each generation building on or rebuilding the old castle-looking home. About 60 or so years ago, there was another house built on the other side of the land with all the most modern amenities, which is where the new generation of Cullens still live.
My father had told me that, when he was little, the old manor had been fixed up and every year since, the Cullen's would hold a haunted house there for the Halloween season.
The first time I was allowed to go, I was in the 6th grade. It scared the crap out of me. First, it was a scary-looking old house, then when you got inside, all the creepy and horrific things surrounding Halloween were there. They would even get some of the high school kids to dress up and frighten the piss out of anyone else who dared to enter the house.
As I got older and meet Alice Cullen, we would be first in line to dress up and become monsters or what-not, so we could have our turn at scaring the kids. It was fun then.
Over the years, the Cullens would move away, but then years later, a new generation would show up. When my father was just a little boy, he told me that when they were gone, Old Man Cullen had left instructions to have the town open up the manor once a year, for Halloween.
No one saw them again until I was in ninth grade and the new generation of Cullens moved back. It had been close to forty years that the place had been vacant, aside from the cleaning crew which would show up every few months, and for the few weeks in October every year.
For all the mystery surrounding them, the Cullens were really great people. I'll never forget the first time I met Alice Cullen. Sweet, bubbly, and very determined to do things her way. Needless to say, we have been friends ever since.
Alice, my friend, Alice. The last time I saw her was at the funeral. I shook that thought away, remembering what I promised Ty, just in time to her Jessica screech again.
"Oh shit! Isn't that Edward?"
"Where?" Angela asked turning her heard back and forth trying to find him.
I turned to see her pointing to a gondola-type boat that seemed to be floating across the water. I could see a figure standing up, but I couldn't see his face, until a cloud moved from over the moon and there he was. Even though he had on a dark-hooded cloak, I knew that beautiful face. I could feel my breathing pick up as I took in his perfect appearance.
I had a crush on Edward Cullen ever since high school. If I was ever honest with myself, I had been in love with him, but I never told him. He was a few years older than Alice and I, so we only had a year together before he went off to college but I would see him whenever he would come home to visit. The last time I saw him was about two years ago, the summer before my second year of college. We actually became friend, and over the years, we would write or email.
The last time I had heard from him was before my parents….
Okay, time to stop Bella. Stop. Don't go there. Pull back. Pull back to a safe distance.
Blocking my wayward and morose thoughts, I kept my eyes on Edward, watching as he used a long stick to push the little boat closer toward us.
When he was a few yard away, he looked up and made eye contact with me. It was like he sensed I was there and only had eyes for me. As soon as he pulled up to the little dock to stop the boat, I finally heard his voice. It was still just as magical as ever.
"Hello, Bella."
"Hi, Edward," I said bashfully.
What? Oh lordy, he still makes me nervous.
"I was hoping you were going to show up tonight."
"Yeah?" That piqued my interest.
"Yeah. I mean… after all, this is the last night," he said with a little smirk. "I know you guys have a tradition up hold."
"Oh, that's right."
Stupid girl. He just wanted to make sure you saw the manor before it closed for the season.
Of course he would know about our tradition. However, what he didn't know was that this would be the last time I would be around to see the place.
"Hi, Edward," Angela chimed in. "It's nice to see you."
"You too, Angela. Hey there, Jess. Guys," he said with a head nod. You know that bobbling thing guys do when they're trying to be cool.
"How about I take the girls over first?" Edward queried as he reached his hand out to Angela to help her into the little boat. Then he turned to do the same with Jessica.
When I stuck my hand out towards him for help, he surprised me by grabbing around my waist. As he lifted me up, he pulled me closer to his body.
I could feel the coolness of his body even through the thick cloak he was wearing. That was something that I would always remember about Edward, and his family for that matter. No matter how hot it got, they always seemed to stay cold to the touch.
As I slid down his body when he released me, I swore I heard a moan pass through his lips, which in turn made me gasp in surprise. I quickly looked up at his face. With a smile and a wink, he turned me around and told me to sit.
I must have had quite the look on my face, because Angela mouthed "what". I couldn't answer so I shrugged my shoulders.
What was that about? What was he playing at?
I guess I would just have to wait and see. I tried to calm myself because I didn't want to get my hope up. It wouldn't matter, anyways. This could all just be a friendly gesture. But that moan sure wasn't. I wonder if anyone else heard it.
As Edward pushed up across the moat, he began to talk to me more in depth.
"So, Bella, how are you?"
So this was how it was going to go. I had to brace myself for I knew what was to come.
"Okay."
"Sorry I didn't make it back for…."
I cut him off. I didn't want to talk about my parents' funeral.
"Hey, no worries. Your mom said you where traipsing around unknown parts and were out of contact."
"Something like that," he muttered.
Hmmmm? Perhaps he has a secret or two, I mused.
After reaching the other side, he helped us out.
"Bella, would you mind waiting? I would really like to show you around, and maybe perhaps, we can get caught up at the same time?"
"Uhhhh," I wasn't sure how to take that. I looked over at Ang and Jess to see both of their heads nodding yes, so I agreed. "Ummmm, yeah… sure."
"Great! I'll be right back." Then he took off to get Mike and Tyler.
"What was that all about, Bella?" Jessica started in.
"Oh, he probably just wants to talk. We haven't seen each other in a few years. It's no big deal," I lied.
I lied because it was a big deal, but I didn't want to give it away that I was actually a nervous wreck in side. Edward and I hadn't seen each other in a few year, but we had emailed up until last year. Wonder what he had to say to me?
"Well, it sure looks like a very big deal to me," Jessica continued. "If Edward Cullen wanted me to wait for him, I would be a panting mess right about now."
"Cool it, Jess," Angela told her. "Remember, they have been friends for years. That's all."
I could always count on Angela to have a level head about things.
"However, Bella, the way he was checking you out, oh my. Looks like you're in for some fun times tonight," she gushed as she waved her hand in front of her face like a fan.
"What the hell are you talking about, Ang? He doesn't see me as anything more than his little sister's friend."
I really had no idea what she was talking about. I don't recall him checking me out. I think I would have notice that. Right?
"Well, from the look of things, he seems to think little sister's friend is all grown up," Jessica chuckled.
"Oh, knock it off you two." I was getting embarrassed.
Yes, I had a thing for Edward, but surely he would not have the same feeling towards me. I didn't want those girls putting things that were not real into my head.
I mean, look at him. All tall and sexy and built. All the girls and even a few guys threw themselves at Edward ever time he turned around. I thought back to high school and realized he never had a girlfriend even though there were plenty who wanted him. Sometimes he stood off by himself or with Alice and me. I wondered what happened when he went off to college.
When he came home to visit, he never mentioned anyone.
I tried to clear my head to these thoughts before he came back with the guys.
"Have fun tonight, Bella," Angela spoke. "This is why we brought you out with us tonight. You have been spending too much time alone. Please just live a little. Life is too short."
"You don't need to tell me that, Ang," I hissed through my teeth. "I know perfectly well how short life is. Bury your family and you learn this real quick."
I was getting mad. Why did she have to go and bring it up again? I knew all too well how short life was, and would be more familiar with fragility of life and death soon enough.
"Bella, please. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that," she pled. "Please don't be angry with me."
I knew she meant well, but still it hurt. I nodded my head to let her know she was forgiven, but I just couldn't look her in the eye. I felt the tears just wanting to break through, but I wouldn't let them. I didn't have much time to dwell on it, because Edward showed back up with the guys.
"Hey, Seth!" Edward called out to a boy who looked to be around 15 that had been standing by the front door. "Would you mind covering for me? I think that might be the last, but the people still in the house need to be taken back across."
"Sure thing, man," the kid answered back while taking the cloak from Edward.
"Shall we head on in?" Edward asked.
As we all head into the house, I took a good look at Edward. He had on a black Tshirt that was tight around his toned, muscled arms and black jeans that seemed to fit him just right.
"See something you like, Bella?" he said with a smirk.
Damn, I just got caught checking him out.
I quickly turned my head so he wouldn't see me blushing.
We all made our way into the house. Edward stood to the side of me with his hand on my lower back as we took to the stairs that led up to the front door. I figured he was just trying to be a gentleman and help guide me.
As we passed the foyer toward the living room, I could hear organ music.
Organ music. Hmmmm, that's new.
The living room was covered in spider webs and candles causeing little shadows throughout the open area. There seemed to be a fog machine in the far corner, making the room feel like you were outside by the lake in the back late at night. The effect was absolutely creepy.
I also notice that on the other side of the room there was an old organ set up and sitting on the bench in front of it was a figure in a dark jacket with a top hat on. This person seemed to be the one playing. Or maybe it was just another prop.
We had been standing there for a few more minutes listening, when Angela said they wanted to check out the rest of the house.
"My parents are in the kitchen, and I'm sure they would like to see you," Edward told me.
"Yeah, okay," I said to him.
I really did want to see his parents. It had a while and I missed them.
"We'll catch up with you all later," he explained to my friends.
As he led the way to the kitchen, Edward reached back and grabbed my hand, intertwining our fingers. It felt nice, but I had to control myself so I wouldn't get overly excited. I knew it was just a friendly gesture.
Standing in the middle of the open kitchen was Edwards's father, dressed in a corduroy blazer and dress pants. I wondered who he was supposed to be. I took in the rest of his appearance and it looked like he was wearing a brown, short-haired wig. It covered his beautiful blonde hair. Nope, still have no idea.
"Bella!" Carlisle called out to me. "It's so wonderful to see you.
He walked over to me and pulled me into a big hug. I relished in it. It had been so long since I felt the arms of my second father, my second family.
Yes, that exactly how I felt about Carlisle and his wife, Esme. Like family.
"My darling, Bella!" I could hear the sweet sound of Esme and suddenly needed to be in her arms as well. "Such a pleasant surprise that you are here!"
I tried to hold back the tears as I felt her arms wrap around my body as she pulled my in to her. Hard but soft, and so familiar.
"Oh, Emse," I tried to say more but the tears were had weld up and spilt over.
I had not seen them in over six months. Not that I didn't talk to Esme every few weeks, because she would call just to check up on me. But seeing them in the flesh, knowing that they knew everything and had been there to hold me when I had no one else. Well, I can't explain it.
No, that's not right. I knew why I was feeling so emotional. I had made a decision, one that I would enact in just a few short weeks. This was goodbye. That's why it hurt so bad right then.
After a few minutes of her telling me that it was okay, and that everything would be fine, I knew I needed to get myself together. One last time I would put on a show. The show must go on, as they say, just for a little bit longer. Before the big day when I finally offed myself for good.
"Bella, are you okay?" Esme asked as I finally released her.
"Yeah, I fine," I nodded my head as I wiped the tears off my face. "Sorry. I'm just so happy to see you is all."
"Well, that's alright dear. We have missed you too."
I stood back and was able to get a good look at her. Every year, she and Carlisle would dress up for the holiday as well, in complementing outfits.
I hadn't notice that she had also been wearing a wig; this one was very curly blonde that was a little long in the back. But what she had on for clothes threw me.
"Esme, why are you only wearing a man's dress shirt?" I briefly hoped that we hadn't caught them in a compromising position, but then I remembered that Carlisle had been fully dressed.
"Don't you recognize me? I was a big hit in the '80s," she beamed.
"No, sorry. I'm a '90s child, remember?" I laughed.
It felt good to laugh; I hadn't laughed in such a long time.
"Mom, what is that god-awful smell?" Edward then asked, crinkling his nose up in disgust.
"Oh, just a little something I have been boiling," she chuckled. "Bella, how about you come and help me."
"Sure." I followed her back over to the stove to see what she was cooking.
I had to agree with Edward, whatever it was stunk to high heaven.
As I looked over at the pot on the stove, I could see something hanging out under the lid.
On closer inspection, it looked like a furry foot.
"Esme, what the hell do you have in there?"
She was standing off to the side with a big wooden spoon in her hand.
"Oh, that's my rabbit stew. Would you like to try some?"
Rabbit stew? You mean like "I will not be ignored" psycho-bitch rabbit stew?
"Ummmm, Esme, not to knock you cooking but how come the leg is still furry? Aren't you supposed to, uhhh…. strip the fur…first ?"
Holy shit it just hit me. Her costume.
"Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction!" I cried out. I remembered that movie. Alice and I had watched years ago when it was on TV.
"Yes, I am," she laughed. "I always wanted to make rabbit stew."
And I laughed with her. Afterwards, we stood there talking a bit about school and stuff, when we heard Carlisle's voice grow loud.
"You need to tell her, Edward. Alice has seen it," he said to Edward.
"Carlisle, enough," Esme scolded.
Wonder what that was all about.
"I will," I heard Edward say, not really sure if I was meant to hear it or not.
"Hey, Bella. Let's go take a walk," Edward said in a tone that seemed like it I didn't have a choice in the matter.
"Ummmm, okay."
As we made our way toward the back door, Esme called out.
"Bella, please just listen to what he has to say. Please, dear. We love you."
Okay, so this night is getting weirder.
We stood outside in the backyard in silence for a while. I thought he wanted to go for a walk, so I was surprised when he pulled me to sit down with him on the edge of the patio.
I was starting to get a little cold because it was a cool October night. I was wondering how long we would just sit here when he finally spoke.
"Bella, I have something to tell you, but I'm not sure how to start."
"Just say whatever it is you have to say, because I'm getting cold sitting out here," I blurted out.
I might have sounded a bit pissy, but I was cold and wanted to get back into the house.
"I... um... shit… Bella, I love you," he finally spit out.
Say what?
"What?" I was not sure if I actually heard him correctly or not. "Come again? What?"
"I do, Bella. I love you. I have always loved you."
No, this can't be happening. Not now. No no no. I made my choice. I am here to say goodbye.
"Why are you telling me this?" I hissed out.
He had really pissed me off with this revelation. Why now? Why not before. He was messing with my plans.
"Because I had to. It was time."
"What do you mean it was time? Why couldn't you tell me before?"
"You weren't ready."
"Ready? What the fuck is that suppose to mean? I wasn't ready when my heart was broken and scarred? Don't you think I could have used that information especially when my parents died? I was so frightened and alone. Why now?" I cried out. "Just leave me alone!"
How could he do this to me? He left and when I need him the most he wasn't there.
"Bella, please," he begged.
"No, Edward. You don't get to say I love you to me. You left me to suffer. It's too late."
"Baby, no… it's not… it's not… Please, I have more I need to tell you. I know you will understand after I tell you. Just, please, hear me out."
Baby? What the fuck? Why did I like the sound of that?
"What? What-the-fucking-what? What more could you possible say, Edward, that would make me understand all of this? Understand how you could just leave even though you say you loved me?"
He was silent for a few minutes, like he was trying to find the right words, but I was done listening. I just wanted to leave. I had made my decision. and he was only making it that much harder. If he had told me he loved me long ago, I never would have thought of doing what I was planning. As it was, hearing it now was making this harder.
I was about ready to stand up when I felt his hand on my arm. I looked down at it and then back up to him to tell him to release me, but the look on his face was telling me he wasn't about to let me go, not yet anyways.
"My family's different, Bella. We're not like others. I know you have noticed it too."
"What are you talking about, Edward?"
"You must have wondered way we always look the same, never seem to be ageing. Carlisle is supposed to be in his fifties but he doesn't look a day over thirty. And my mom, well that's not plastic surgery holding the wrinkles at bay. Or even Botox."
I looked away from him; I couldn't think when his gaze was set firmly to mine.
I would have to say that I always wondered about that. I just figured that, since Carlisle was a doctor, he was privy to some special techniques that help stave off the aging processes.
But now that I think about it, there were other things that seemed off as well. The fact that they were always cold and hard to the touch. I never asked, because I felt that was rude. Then, over the years, I just got used to it.
"Bella, what are you thinking?"
I turned back and looked at his face. His perfect face that never seemed to change. When I looked into his eyes, I wanted to know where he got his eye color from. I had never seen such a color before with the exception of his family.
"Edward, why are you eyes a golden caramel color? I have never seen this color on anyone else but your family. Why is that?"
Would he actually tell me the truth? In the pit of my stomach, I wondered if I wanted to know all his secrets.
"And I don't think you would. The reason we have this color is because of our diet."
Hmmmm, what they ate made their eyes that color? Was it some special kind of food? No, I recall sitting down for plenty of meals with his family.
"Edward, how can food change your eye color? What's going on here?"
"Bella, my family and I are vampires."
"What? You are… what?"
It all went blank. I don't want to say that I fainted, because I don't think I did, but the world got kind of fuzzy there for a bit.
#######
After Edward made his big reveal, and after I had pulled it back together, he continued to tell me about his family. I wasn't sure how long we were outside when he finally took me back into the house. Angela saw us and a look of concern flashed on her face.
I wondered briefly what she saw in my face. Confusion, fear, betrayal? I had no idea what I was feeling at that moment.
"Hey, Bella," she said. "Ummmm, the guys want to take off, so I told them I would find you. Where were you? I couldn't find you. You've been gone for over an hour."
Edward spoke before I had a chance.
"Oh, I'm sorry. We just got caught up talking. I will take care of Bella. You guys go on and enjoy the rest of your evening."
When she looked back at me I just nodded to let her know it was okay. Then Edward led me upstairs to one of the rooms that seemed to have not been decorated for Halloween.
As I stood there looking out the window, down at my leaving friends. I knew I wouldn't be seeing them again.
Angela looked up at the old manor and saw me. After a brief wave, she wiggled her fingers in the phone sign and mouthed call me. I nodded my head but knew I wouldn't be calling her.
The things that Edward had said to me had really thrown me for a loop. I had always known something was different with the Cullen family. I just never expected what it was.
Vampires. Wow. Talk about things that go bump in the night.
I suppose, in a weird way, it made sense. None of them seemed to age in the six years that I have known them. Well, except Alice maybe. Now that I thought about it, she did seem to be pretty crafty with a makeup brush. That would make sense if what Edward told me was true-that she was over 80 years old.
Her boyfriend as I knew him to be turned out to be her husband, Jasper. Twice her age. Edward explained how he had been a major in the Civil War, on the Confederate side.
I couldn't believe Carlisle was nearly 400. Talk about aging gracefully. Well, actually, no. That award would have to go to Emse. Mom extraordinaire. Eighty-eighty years. No wonder she was the perfect mom. Lots and lots and lots of practice.
And Emmett. Turns out he is the baby of the bunch. Even though he looks a lot older then Edward, he's only, oh crap what did Edward say? I can't remember. Something about the '20s or the '30s. I liked Emmett even though he wasn't around a lot. He and Rose, his wife, traveled frequently. She and Emmett have been together for as long as I can remember.
I'll have to ask her one day how she and Emmett met, I decided.
Well, that is if I make it out of here alive tonight. Would they kill me to protect their secret?
Even if they didn't, it still would matter. My life was already over; a few more weeks wouldn't matter.
And my dear sweet Edward, with his messy bronze hair and smoldering caramel eyes. He said the eye color was because they only ate the blood of animals. He's one hundred and six years old. And damn if he still doesn't look fine.
No, no, no! What the hell am I thinking? What is wrong with me? Why am I calling him my sweet? I should be scared. Vampires killed people. Right?
But he said his family did not. I should be terrified. But, for some reason, I wasn't.
Edward told me that we where meant to be together. Said Alice has these visions and saw us together as a family many years ago. They waited until I was older to come back so that their family could stay here longer. The Cullens have always considered me a part of their family, but that was just because Alice and I were friends. Or, at least, I thought.
"What about Alice?" I asked Edward who was sitting on the bed.
"What about her?"
"Was this part of the plan? For her to befriend me so that you could get your hooks into me? Was she ever truly my friend?" I could feel the tears start to well up in my eyes. I did not want it to be true. I loved Alice like a sister, and for her to use me… well, that was just unthinkable.
"Bella, whatever you're thinking, stop. Alice loves you. She feels as though you are her sister. Her best friend. This was never just about you and me. Alice saw you as one of us. She would be hurt to think that you felt otherwise."
"Well? What am I supposed to think? You spring this shit on me and expect me not to question the last six years of my life? Huh? And why is it that you thought it was a good idea to tell me now? Not years before? Jesus, Edward, how do you expect me to feel? Everyone I have ever loved and trusted is gone. I'm all alone again. Why, why, why? Why did you have to tell me?"
That was it. The tears pour out like a faucet.
"Bella, remember what I said about Alice having visions?"
"Yes. So what?" I cried out before I could stop myself.
"She saw you dead. Lying on a slab in the morgue. Suicide they were saying. I knew I had to stop you. I couldn't lose you. Not when we were so close to having everything."
She saw me? Oh, I get it now. She saw me killing myself that's why he's telling me all this now. He doesn't love me. He just feels pity and guilt, not love.
"Well, Edward," I sighed. " You could have said yourself all this trouble. You didn't have to lie about loving me. It won't change a thing, so don't worry. I won't tell anyone about your family's secrets. In a few weeks. it will be like I never even existed. Because, frankly, I won't exist. I won't be alive to tell anyone about your history."
"No, no…no!" Edward growled. "Why are you being so stubborn about this? I do love you, Bella. I have for a very long time. Do you actually think that I would say I love you just so you wouldn't kill yourself? Lie about my feelings for you to save you?"
"Why? Why now, Edward? Not even year ago, when I needed you? No, you were too busy with your own life to care about what I was going through. So I'm sorry if I don't believe you now. This is my life, and I choose to end it on my terms."
"Because you were not ready, is why I waited, love," he said softly. "Like I said before."
Damn, he was confusing to me. Damn, damn, damn, damn. Why didn't he just leave me alone?
"I wasn't ready for what, Edward?"
"To know. To know our secrets, to be a part of this."
"Oh, I get it. Because I won't be around long enough, you thought it would be okay to give me one last parting gift, one last stab to my heart, knowing that everything I have ever thought about your family… the love, the hope, the kindness… all of that was a big fat fucking lie? Well, fuck you very much!" I screamed out.
I turned to walked towards the door; I had had enough of this bullshit and wanted out. Fuck him and his whole family. I felt like such a big joke.
But I was stopped dead in my tracks when Edward jumped up from the bed and wrapped arms around me. I tried to break free, but he was so strong. I could feel his cold chest pressing against my back.
Part of me was so mad I couldn't see straight, but another part-and I wasn't sure how strong that part was-that wanted to just melt into his arms and simply believe everything he had said to me that night.
"No, Bella. No lies, it was all true. My family loves you. Carlisle and Esme, well you're like a daughter to them. Hearing you say these things would tear them apart. And Alice, please tell me you don't think she would ever lie to you?"
I didn't say anything. I did not want to listen to anything else he had to say but I couldn't help it. He was holding me so tightly almost like I was ready to vanish.
"Yes, I could have told you I loved you from the moment we meet, because I did. I knew you were meant for me even if Alice's visions had not already proved it. I was planning on telling you soon, after the first anniversary. I wanted to tell you sooner, but Alice kept telling us it wasn't time yet. You needed to sort through your life, get over losing your parents, before you could make this kind of commitment. That's what she kept telling me."
As soon as he brought up my parents, I had a question I need to ask.
"So, tell me this, Edward. If Alice is all seeing with these visions and shit, why couldn't she have stopped the accident? Why didn't she save my parents?" And this is what was hurting me the most now. Knowing that she could have seen what had happened and did nothing to stop it.
"Oh, baby, she did. She did! Alice told me what she saw years ago, even before we met you. She tried every way possible to not let it happen. That was the first and last time that she has ever played with fate. She did for you, Bella, because she loves you that much. But no matter what or how she tried to change the future, the outcome was still the same."
I had my answer, not that I like it but I knew Alice. I hate to admit it but I did. What he told me was the truth. She would have done anything to save my parents because she loved them too.
I cried out again as he held me. Whispering in my ear that he loved me and would make everything better for me.
"But how? How are you going to make everything better, Edward? It hurts so badly. I miss them so much," I sobbed.
"I know you do. But it's my time to take care of you now. When Alice told me you had made the choice a few weeks ago to end your life on the anniversary of your parent's death, we knew it was time. That's why I came back. Well, actually, I never left."
Huh? Never left. Brown-eyed orphan girl looks confused and says "huh?"
"What do you mean you never left?"
"Bella, my love. I have been with you the entire time. You couldn't see me. I guess you could say you've had a personal stalker for the last few years. I just couldn't leave you," he told me.
I thought back to the feelings I had over the last few years and how I always felt like someone was watching me, but I wasn't an oh-my-god-someone's-watching-me kind of feeling. It was like I felt protected.
"That was you?" I asked him, needing more.
"Yes, Bella. I was always there to look after you. I couldn't bear the thought of not being around you."
"No… wait. What about when you went off to college?"
"I never went off to college," he chuckled in my ear.
"What? Where did you go then?"
"I was here the whole time, Bella," this time he whispered. "I could never be without you."
"Oh. Here? As in, your house, here?"
"Yes, Bella," he murmured. "Couldn't you feel it? Every time you came over? Didn't you just get that feeling? That you weren't alone anymore? That I was there for you?"
I remember having a strange sense of comfort whenever I had gone to their house when I had thought Edward wasn't there. Thinking back, it felt as if he was there.
How am I just realizing this now? Could it be true? Could everything that had been saying true? Did I want it to be?
I felt his grip on me loosen but he still did not let go of me altogether. Instead, he held onto me in what would be construed as a loving embrace. It felt nice. A part of me wanted to melt into him.
But now what? I wasn't sure. All I knew in that moment that I liked being in his arms and wanted to believe what he said to me.
Unfortunately, the other part wouldn't let me forget what I had been through and how alone I had felt. It wouldn't let me forget my plan. I needed to know what else there was before it was too late.
"Yes, Edward. I felt something," I said. "But know what happens? How does this change anything?"
"Oh Bella, it changes everything. We can be together now. You can't tell me that you never thought of me like that? I could sense your want for me every time I was around you."
"Yes, I did want you. Can't lie about that. But what does that have anything to do with now? After what you have told me, how could it? You're a vampire and I'm just, well… just me. I'm still going to die, Edward. Sooner or later, it will happen."
"It doesn't have to be that way. You could stay with me forever if you wanted to."
Huh? What the hell is he talking about?
"I don't understand. How? Why?" I asked. I wanted to know but would it change my mind?
"Bella, I love you. I don't ever want to be away from you," he said. After a brief pause, he continued. "If you wanted, you could be like me. I mean, I could change you, then we could be together forever. But only if you wanted to join us, in eternity."
"What do you mean 'change me'? I'm not sure how that would work, but wouldn't I still be dead? So what's the difference between being dead completely and being a part of the undead forced to live in this world full of pain? At least, being completely dead, I wouldn't feel anything ever again."
"There is difference. Yes, technically, we don't breathe and our hearts don't beat, but we still feel. We can still love. And I love you, Bella. We could be so good together. Will you let me show you before you make your final decision? Please."
"How, Edward? Show me what?" I begged.
Why was I begging him to show me how we could be? My mind was made up. Wasn't it? Maybe I wasn't so sure. Or maybe I just wanted to feel us together one time.
"Just feel, Bella. Feel what I can do, feel what we can do together. How great we can be together," he whispered into my ear.
I sent shivers down my spine. This time, it wasn't because I was scared or mad. This was a new kind of shiver, one that went straight to my toes.
"Yes, Edward," I moaned, not knowing where it had come from. "Show me, please."
"As you wish, my love. I will show you another way. I want you to choose me, to stay with me forever."
I could feel his lips on the outer edge of my ear. His breath was cool but not cold anymore. I knew now that he did not need to breath, but I could feel his chest expanding rapidly, like he was excited about something. My own breathing had picked up in anticipation of what he was about to show me.
As soon as he moved his lip down the side of my neck, leaving soft kisses, I had a feeling what he was going to show me. Well, at least I hoped, because that would have been the most wonderful thing ever, to be with Edward like that. At least I would be leaving this world knowing I had him this once.
One of his arms was still wrapped around my stomach, and I could feel him tighten it up again, but then quickly loosened up, like he knew it was too tight. His left hand and left my body but only briefly to move up to back of my head. He tugged at my ponytail, and then my hair fell free down my back.
"I always wanted to run my finger through your hair. I looked so soft, now I know it is," he whispers while caressing my hair.
His fingers trailed over to my face, gently caressing my cheek down my jaw. I felt pressure like he was trying to turn my face towards his, so I complied.
I looked up to see his eyes looking back at me. I took in a quick breath, he was so close. I had always wondered what kissing him would be like. His lips always looked so plump and juicy.
He eyes trailed my face from my eyes down to my lips as I did the same. I could see his tongue poke out and lick his lips in what seemed to be anticipation. I unconsciously did the same.
As he lowered his head to mine, he spoke in a hushed town.
"You don't know how long I have wanted to kiss you, Bella."
I closed my eyes, parted my lips just a bit and waited. Soon I would know what his lips would feel like upon mine.
I could feel him closing in on me and then the feel of his cool lips lay upon mine. Hard at first, but then my lips seemed to meld around his. A gentle pull on my bottom lip then a pucker. We continued this way back and forth for a moment. When I felt his tongue sweep across my lip, I opened my mouth to him.
He teased my tongue with his, tasting each other for first time. Slow and smooth, cool but somehow also warming. I felt a moan pass though my throat. This was everything and nothing like I expected my first kiss with Edward to be.
I had to breathe but I didn't want to stop kissing him. Unfortunately, for me I needed to, or else I would have passed out-both from the feelings he was invoking in me and my need for air.
As I pulled back to take in a breath of air, Edward dragged his lips down across my jaw towards the base of my throat leaving a trail of kisses. I tried to catch my breath but I just couldn't get enough air in my lungs as my breathing picked up. I was both excited and nervous as to what he was going to do.
I felt a little nibble under my ear and thought he was going to bite me then, to change me. Yes, at this point I understood how he would change me if I let him. But the question was, did I want him to?
"Edward," I whispered.
"Don't worry my love, not until you tell me," he whispered back. "I would never take you without your permission."
I think I just fell in love with him a little bit more when he said that.
Oh hell, he had just kissed me for the first time, and already I was beyond confused. What do I do? All I knew in that moment was that I wanted more of Edward. I wanted him to show me more, to make me feel things I knew he could only do.
"Please, Edward," I said breathlessly. "Show me."
His hands released their hold on me as he slowly ran them down my arms.
I could feel the coolness of his fingertips as they reach under the hem of my shirt touching my warmed skin. Goosebumps broke out across my stomach and my muscle clenched as he started to pull up my shirt and his hands dragged across my body until I had to raise my arm so he could pull it off of me.
"So beautiful," I heard him say behind me.
My hair was being pulled to the side and over one across towards my right shoulder. His lips where pressing against my left one, as his hands made their way back across my stomach. As his fingers caressed my abdomen, he began to use his tongue, tasting my skin as he kissed his way up my neck.
"You taste so good, Bella. Better than I have ever imagined. And I have very frequently imagined it, tasting you."
His hands gripped my hips and pulled me back tight against his body. I could feel how hard he was pressed against me. Every part of him was hard. I also had wondered from time to time if Edward was well endowed. From the feeling poking my lower back, I would venture to say that answer to that was yes.
Suddenly, I started to panic. I had never been with another man before. In fact, I never even had a second date before. I knew I had to tell Edward. But what if he wouldn't continue? I had to stop this before it went any further.
"I… ummmm… wait… I've... never…" I tried to get out but Edward cut me off.
"I know," he whispered softly into my ear. "If you want me to stop, I will. I want you so bad, but if you're not sure, tell me and I'll stop."
My body was a traitorous thing; I knew my arousal was telling from my hardened nipples to the moisture building in my lower regions. The feelings that he was bringing forth from me I had never felt before. Well, actually some I have. I mean, I am a woman and have pleasured myself before. But the other things, the touches, the soft caresses, I had never had the happiness of knowing and it sure as hell did not want to him to stop.
"No!" I exclaimed, maybe just a little too loudly. "Sorry. I mean… sorry… I just don't want you to stop touching me like this."
"I can feel what my touch is doing to you, Bella. How your body is respond to me, like it knows we are meant to be together," he said in a low husky voice as his hands continued to roam across my body, touching parts of me that no man had ever touched.
He moved one hand up until it was between my breasts resting across my heart.
"I can feel and hear you heart beating, picking up every time I touch you," he said then he gently swiped his thumb across my right nipple, sending a shudder through my body. "Just a little bit faster now. You like how this feels. Don't you, baby?"
"Yes," I moaned out while throwing my head back against his shoulder.
He continued softly caressed my bra covered breast for a moment before I felt his finger dip under the fabric to touch my bare skin. He pulled the cup down and exposed my breast.
I had a fleeting thought, "Thank goodness we were turned away from the window." Didn't need anyone else seeing my naked body. I had always been somewhat ashamed by it.
I moaned again when Edward's fingers found my harden nipple and ever so lightly pinched it. He still had his mouth attached to the side of my neck, kissing and licking up and down across my neck and shoulder.
My body was heating up rather quickly with each new touch, each new sensation that he was bringing out in me. He had told me to just feel and that is what I was doing. Just feeling trying to keep any other thoughts out of my head.
I could feel his left hand moving down off my hip toward my leg, gentle caresses up and down, slowly moving forward to the top of my thigh, not stopping until his hand was right next to my center, which at this point was throbbing, wanting to be touch.
At some point, Edward had managed to remove my bra completely and was taking turns touching and caressing both my breast. I couldn't wait to feel his mouth on them.
"Baby, I can't wait to have you in my mouth. You have such amazing breasts," he said, just as his other hand made contact with my throbbing mound.
A lustful moan escaped my lips at that the contact.
"Oh, Edward," I cried out. He touch was almost too much for me to handle, but I knew I needed more. No, I wanted more.
"Yes, baby," he moaned into my neck. "I can feel what I do to you. Can you feel what you do to me?"
He pressed his hardened member further into my back.
"Yes, I can feel you too. Please, Edward. I need more," I cried out to him.
I knew I was going to change my mind; he was making me want to. I tried to hold it off, but my strength was slowly waning.
Quicker than humanly possible, I was laying on the bed with Edward hovering over me. At some point, he had removed his shirt so that I had a stunning view of his naked chest and broad shoulders.
"You want more, Bella? Tell me what you want," he said as he lowered his face, leaning his forehead across mine.
I could hardly breathe at this point but I knew I had to tell him. He wouldn't move without my say, this much I knew.
"You, Edward. I want you, all of you," I demanded. "Don't stop touching me, please."
He placed his lips across mine, kissing me gently for a moment before trying to deepen it. I took quick gulp of air before his tongue made its way into my mouth.
As he kissed me, I could feel one of his hands making is way down my body. Gently moving across my shoulder and arm, back up gain only run down my collar bone to the middle of my chest where he stroked my nipples.
I arched my back, forcing my breast further into his hand while I pulled in a much needed breath. His lips trailed the same path as his hand did. When I felt his mouth envelop my hard nipple, it shocked me a bit because of the coldness but I felt good none the less. He tongue flicked across it a few times before he switched to the other one, giving it the same attention while his hand cupped and caressed.
I was a panting mess by this point, not sure how much more I could take before I would be seeing the bright stars behind my eyes. The tightening in my stomach and tingling sensation that was taking place in the confines of my underwear was telling it would be happening soon. I had heard of others being able to orgasm with just stimulation to their breast, but never had the pleasure until now.
"Oh god, Edward," I moaned loud.
"Do you like this, Bella? I know I love having your breast in my mouth."
Edward was still hovering above my body, holding himself up off of me with one hand and his knees, but I wanted to feel him on top of me. I lifted my legs and attempted to wrap them around his ass to bring him closer to me. He must have felt what I was trying to do, because he lowered himself gently to lie on top of me.
As soon as I felt him press again my still clothed center, my hips buck up on their own accord.
"Oh my god," I cried out as he ground his hardness against my heated core, sending me over the edge.
"That's it, Bella. I can feel you coming undone. See what I can do to you."
It took a few moments for me to come down from the intense high.
"Yes," I said breathlessly, my eyes still closed just enjoying the feeling that had come over me so suddenly. I wondered what it would be like when he would be touching other parts of my body.
I didn't want him to stop. I hoped I didn't have to wait long to find out.
But I soon felt him lift off of me and quickly opened my eyes to see what was going on.
"Edward?"
I could see him standing at the foot of the bed, his chest heaving as if he was breathing heavily. He eyes were closed and he seemed to have a pained expression on his face. His hands were balled up into fists at the side of his legs. For the first time ever, I was little scared and starting to think that this was all a bad idea.
"Edward?" I said again while lifting up to rest on my elbows. "What's wrong?"
What he said next half excited me but also frightened me.
"I can smell you and its driving me crazy. I don't know how much longer I can hold back, Bella."
"Then don't," I whispered, not sure if I wanted him to hear me or not.
He was holding himself back and I couldn't fathom why. Here I was lead by him to feel him, to learn what he thought we could be together. And my goodness was it great. I wanted more.
But did he? Why would he not touch me where I so wanted him to, wanted him to be the only man to ever touch me there, to touch me like he had, forever…
What? Wait, did I just think that? No, wait, have I changed my mind? Yes, yes I did. I wanted Edward. I wanted him, to be with him always. Forever.
"Edward, I want you. I need you. Please," I begged again.
Please let him know how much I wanted him. These feelings he had invoked in me; I wanted to feel them always.
"I want you too, Bella," he confessed finally looking at me. "But I can't. Not until you tell me. I can't give myself to you, to feel that kind of love if you're just going to leave me. I won't be able to bear it. Please tell me."
"Yes, Edward," I said. "I want you, always."
"Forever?" He asked with a raised brow like he was daring me, almost like he didn't believe me. "Say it, Bella. But only if you mean it."
I stared at him for a few moments, taking in this man, this vampire. And, in that moment, I knew without a doubt that he would heal me. He would make everything better. For me, for us. I would love Edward forever.
"Forever, Edward. Forever."