100 Ani Fara Dragoste

8/3/2019 100 Ani Fara Dragoste

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100 de ani fr dragoste

by ~bellacullen124

Capitolul1

Doar stand pe stradn Volterra m fcea s m simt ca i cum a fi plns dac a fi putut. Dartreaba este c nu am mai plns de peste 100 de ani. Vampirii nu pot plnge. Acesta este unul din

lucrurile peste care am trecut cnd am devenit vampir. ntotdeauna am crezut c plngeam prea

mult, dar acummi lipsea faptul c nu mai eram capabil s o fac. Cteodat ai nevoie s plngi.

Stteam lng turnul cu ceas. mi aminteam cnd fugeam prin fntna din faa mea, tipnd ct

mineau plmnii. mi aminteam c l-am vzut pe Edward pentru prima datn ase luni i m-

am aruncat spre el.

Uimitor, Carlisle a avut dreptate, spusese el, respirndu-mi parfumul.

Amintirile erau att de viinct mi fcur umerii s tremure de suspine tcute. Uram c trebuia

s mntorcn Volterra, sau oriunde mi-ar fi amintit de Culleni. Era greu. Nu mai revenisemn

Forks de aproape 60 de ani de lanmormntarea tatlui meu i nu mai fusesemn poiana noastr

de cnd fusesem ultima oar cu Edward.

Meninndu-m la umbr, am plutit prin mulime, pelerina mea lungi neagr fluturndn

urma mea. Brbaii se oprir s se holbeze i femeile se ntoarse palide de invidie. tiam c

aveam acest efect asupra oamenilor. Frumuseea mea rivaliza pni cu a lui Rosalie. Nu mai

semnam deloc cu ceea ce fusesem cnd fusesem om. Acum aveam prul blond aproape alb

care fusese tiat scurtn uvie rebele. Buzele mele erau pline i roii ca sngele. Nasul meu era

mic i de o form perfecti ochii mari. De cnd m preschimbasem ochii mei erau violei

indiferent dac dieta mea era vegetarian sau nu. Silueta mea era perfecti plin de curbe.

Aro fusese insistent aa c m alturam lorn fiecare an de ziua Sfntului. Acest lucru fcea

pentru mine s fie i mai greu s m aflu n ora. Nu numai cn acelai loc dup attea luni de

desprire l-am gsit pe Edward, dar era de asemenea aceeai zi. Treaba trist era c eram

singuran pelerin.

n sfrit am reuit prin labirintul de alei pn cnd am gsit intrarean conacul Volturilor

mansion. Am cobort prin gaurn vastul labirint de catacombe din subteran. Un potop de

amintiri rele mi s-au revrsat n faa ochilor. Trecuse doar un an decnd am fost ultima dat aici

jos mai mult ca o zi cnd eti vampir dar mi-a fost groaz de asta tot anul. M-au trecut fiori

reci i nu fusesem mai fierbinte ca acum nicicnd.


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Am sosit la lift unde Jane m-antmpinet. Fusese schimbatn vampir cnd avea cincisprezece

ani i arta revolttor de copilroas cu ochii ei de cprioari prul ei castaniu. Nu era chiar o

frumusee ca mine dar tot drgu.

Bun, Bella, mntmpin. Cum a fost anul pentru tine?

Plictisitor, am spus nonalant. Tu ce ai mai fcut?

Asta i aia, spuse Jane, i un zmbet rutcios i-a curbat buzele. Curioas la ce se gndea, am

intratn gndurile ei. Un slideshow cu oameni torturai sub privirea fix a lui Jane mi-a aprut n

faa ochilor. Cum putea s fie cineva aa de ru i crud?

Cnd slideshow-ul s-a oprit, am continuat s-i ascult gndurile. "Doamne, o ursx. Mi-a dori s

o pot face s se tvleasc pe jos de durere. De ce persoana pe care o ursc cel mai mult din

toat lumea este imun la talentul meu? Nu tiu cum s o rnescr, gndi." Am ieit din gndurile

ei.

Deci, nu te-ai dus dup Edward nc?ntreb Jane cu voce tare.

M-am strmbat la menionarea numelui lui i am mrit, Nu , nu am fcut-o i nu o voi face..

De ce nu? spuse Jane sarcastic. Este evident cncl iubeti.

Nu am rspuns. Nu tiam rspunsul exact. Vroiam s cred c este din cauz c sunt altruist. Nuvroiam s m aruncnapoin viaa lui cnd eran sfrit fericit fr mine. De altfel, el credea c

am murit la vreo cinci zile dup ce noi...ne-am despri. M jucam cu brara de la mn. N-o

mai scosesem de cnd Jacob mi-o druise.

Liftul se ori cu un zgomot i eu am cobort. Jane fugi s-lmbrieze pe Demitri who was care

sttea n camera din faa noastr. I waved lightly at the smiling human sitting at the desk. They

had gotten a new one since the last time I had been here. I felt a pang for the old human that had

worked for them, probably long since drained of all her blood.

Look who we have here? I heard a voice say. If it isnt Bella?

Aro! I said, running forward to hug the old vampire. He had become a bit like a father to me

when I had been with them. He was the only part of the Volturi that I had a problem leaving.

I thought you wouldnt make it, he said with a laugh.


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Of course I would come, I told him. I come every year.

I shouldnt have doubt that, Aro said. Now-

Lets wait a couple hours before you start begging me to join you again, I said.

How do you know thats what I was going to say? Aro asked. I simply tapped my temple.

Bella, Marcus and Caius said simultaneously from behind me.

Marcus. Caius, I said in return as they led me into the cathedral-like room.

We spent the next few hours reminiscing on the past year. They asked me everything Id been up

to and relayed everything. They were still like my family even though I was no longer a part ofthem.

Heidis almost here, Demitri said, talking for the first time all night.

I gotta go, then, I said, standing up and sweeping the hood of the cloak over my blond hair.

Of course, Aro said. But before you do, please let me at least try and convince you to join us

again.

I already know exactly what youre going to say, I told him. And you already know what myanswer is going to be. I cant go against who I am.

Okay, Aro said. But I do expect you back here next year.

As always, I smiled and headed out the door. I passed Heidi on the way and the group of

humans following her. I wrinkled my nose in distaste for the diet of the Volturi, but I felt a bit

hypocritical. Hadnt I followed the exact same diet for five years?

The party was still raging on the streets above us. How ironical? I thought. There celebrating the

fact that Saint Marcus got rid of all the vampires in Volterra when we are still walking among

them.

Several men wearing fake fangs whistled at me as I walked by. I rolled my eyes. Not at the

whistles, but at the fangs. Vampires dont have fangs. I should know.


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Chapter 2

By the time the plane landed in New York, I had made up my mind. I was going back to Forks in

the fall. I wouldnt let myself admit why, though. I knew it was because I hoped Edward would

be there even though I knew he wouldnt. I settled on telling myself I had to go back to the town

where this had all started.

I quickly got myself enrolled into the eleventh grade for the fall semester of 2110. I got a fake

birth certificate saying I was seventeen and filled out all the application forms, saying my mom

and I were moving to Forks to escape the noise of cities and so that she could write a few novels

in peace and quiet.

I quit my job as a reporter in the New York and headed out to Forks in August to start renovating

my fathers house which hadnt been lived in since he had died. I had bought it shortly after his

funeral but had never been able to bring myself to move in. The first night I was there, I couldnt

go up to my room. I spent the night on the couch in Edwards head.

Thats the second part of my power. Not only can I read minds its a bit like Edwards power

except for the fact that its more like a radio; I can turn it off or tune into only one persons

thoughts but I can also step into peoples minds no matter how far away they are as long as I

have had physical contact with them at one point in time. Its a bit like being that person I can

hear there thoughts, feel whatever they feel, and see through their eyes but I cant control them.

Edward was thinking about me all night. He was laying on the floor of the roof of some house in

Mexico. He kept thinking about how much he missed me, how guilty he felt for my death, how

much he missed the feel of my lips on his. I was shaking again, but this time my sobs were loud.I felt like running to him, letting him know I was alive and holding him in my arms. But I

couldnt.

I was done fixing the house in a week, a feat that wouldve taken twenty humans two months.

The house had been in pretty bad shape. The paint had been totally peeled off. There were huge,

gaping holes in the ceiling and the carpet had to all be replaced. Once I was done, it looked better

than it had when I had last lived here.

I had stopped by the Cullen place once and that was enough. It smelt like no one had lived there

for years. I left and didnt go back.

The first day of school came. I knew everything they were going to be teaching so I didnt need

to pay attention, but it was always nice to go through high school again. There was no pressure

on you and it reminded me of my human days.


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The school looked exactly the same as the last time I had been here when I had graduated as a

human. I parked my corvette yes, I had finally given in and gotten a nice car and went to the

administrators office. They handed me my schedule and I walked out into the cold air.

Thats when I saw him. He was standing across the parking lot from me where I probably

shouldnt have been able to see him if it werent for my superhuman eyesight. It couldnt be. He

should be dead by now unless he was a hundred and twenty, but he looked exactly like he had at

my wedding.

I walked towards him at human speed. It had to be his great-great grandson or something. He

was just as tall about six-eight and had the same russet colored skin. His black hair was

shoulder length and pulled back at the nape of his neck. When I got close enough, I tuned into

his thoughts.

Wow, that girl is pretty. Shes walking over here. Oh, god, wait. She smells likelikeavampire. She is a vampire! No, there hasnt been a vampire here since the Cullens.

It was him. Who else would know about the Cullens? But how?

Hi, I said, walking up in front of him. His nostrils flared and he seemed to hold his breath.

Honestly, I was doing the same. I knew instantly that he was a werewolf.

Hi, he said.

Im Issy, I said, telling him the name I had gone by for the last ten years. The Volturi were theonly people I knew who still called me Bella.

Jacob, he said softly.

Oh my god! It was him.

I know, I told him. I threw my arms around his waist and hugged him tightly.

He pushed me away and started to shake. Get away from me, you vampire!

Jake, calm down, I told him. Its me, Bella.

B-Bella? he said, staring down at my face. I listened to her thoughts again.

It couldnt be, but I guess it could. She looks a bit like Bells, with different hair. He did turn her


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into a vampire. Her death must have just been an act.

Yeah, its me, I said.

Jake finally believed me. He wrapped me in his arms again, lifting me off the ground. When he

put me down, he patted my head.

I cant believe this, he said. I missed you so much. I thought you were dead.

Yeah, I said. But how, Jake? How are you still alive?

Dont you remember the stories? he asked.

I racked my brain for a minute and remember how werewolves didnt age as long as they kept

turning into a werewolf. If they stopped, they eventually aged and died.

Why? I asked.

I was waiting for someone, he told me. Anyone. I never imprinted and I guess I was waiting

for you, hoping that somehow you were still alive. So is Edward around here?

My face fell. I bit my lip and shook my head.

Oh, Bells, he said. Im so sorry. What happened? Or, if you dont want to tell me, thats fine.

No, its okay, I lied. I havent seen him in a hundred years. We justgrew apart.

So, youre a vampire? Jacob said.

Yep, I said.

Does that mean you dont want to hang out with me after school? Jacob asked.

I laughed. Of course I want to hang out with you. As long as you can get over the smell.

Now, I knew why I had come to Forks. It wasnt to see the Cullens again. It was to see Jacob.

Chapter 3

It was the night of our wedding. Edward had finally given me what I wanted before becoming a

vampire. I finally spoke at around one that morning. We were laying in his bed with my head on


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his cold, hard chest and his arms wrapped tightly around me.

Edward? I whispered.

Yes, love? he said.

Will you promise me something?

What is it?

I need you to promise.

Bella, Im not promising anything until I know what it is.

Okay, well, Edward, I just have this really bad feeling that something is going to happen-

Why would you think that? I wont let anything happen to you.

I know, its just a feeling. I just need you to promise that whatever happens to us, to me you

wont go and try to do off with yourself again.

Bella, Edward sighed.

I just need you to promise, I told him. I know you can survive without me. And, while I know

nothing will happen, I just need to be sure that you wont try to kill yourself again. No matterwhat happens to me, I need to be positive that you are still alivethat youre still okay.

Youre being ridiculous, Bella.

I dont think so. All you need to do is promise.

Fine, I promise.

It didnt sound like you meant it. I need you to swear your lifeno, my life my soul on it.

Come on.

Edward.

Okay, okay. Bella, I swear, I wont. Ill keep living, for you.


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Thats all I needed to know.

I reached up and kissed his lips. He started to hum my lullaby and slowly drifted off to sleep.

***

The bell rang, bringing me back from the past. I slowly picked my books off the table and left

the classroom to find Jacob. He was waving frantically at me outside. Even though we hadnt

seen each other for years and we were now basically mortal enemies, we were best friends again

like the last time we had seen each other was yesterday. I had fallen out of love with him over

the years, but I still loved him as a brother. The only problem was the smell.

So, Issy, how was your first day? Jacob asked.

Fun, I told him, rolling my purple eyes. I loved the fact that my eyes were now purple. It had

been my favorite color until Edward had told me he liked the color blue because it went with myskin. As a kid, I had always wanted purple eyes. Kind of funny how your wishes come true, isnt

it?

I have a surprise for you, Jacob said as he walked me to my car. Meet me at my house in La

Push.

K, I told him, opening the door of my yellow Corvette and turning the keys in the ignition.

See you there.

He waved and galloped off to the forest. He was running home. I rolled my eyes again. He wasthe last werewolf left. He had told me that Sam had only just died about five years ago. That was

the reason Jacob was back here. He had felt compelled to stay after Sams funeral.

I arrived at La Push, in front of the same house Jake had lived in a hundred years ago. The first

time I had come here, I had pulled up in front of the house with two motorcycles hidden in the

back of my trunk. I wanted Jacob to help me fix them so that I could break the promise I had

made to Edward. I had used Jacob at first but had found that I really liked him. He became like

my sun.

Jacob ran up beside my car, half naked. He opened the door for me and I walked with him up to

the house.

I cant believe you still live here, I said with a laugh.

Where are you living? he asked.


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I laughed harder. Touch. My old house.

Jacob opened the door and ushered me into the small house. Everything was the same. Things

just never seemed to change in Forks.

Daddy! Daddy! a little boy called from the other room. I looked at Jacob with wide eyes as a

boy, about five years old, ran into his arms.

I thought you said you never imprinted, I said accursedly.

I never imprinted, but that doesnt mean I didnt fall in love, he informed me. At Sams

wedding. Jacksons mother died in childbirth.

Hi, miss, Jackson said, standing in front of me. He looked like a mini Jacob with the samecolored skin and long hair. Youre really pretty.

I laughed and patted his head.

Who is she, daddy? he asked Jacob.

Remember the stories I told you about the vampires and Bella? Jacob asked.

Yup, Jackson said.

This is Bella, he said.

You said she was dead, Jackson said.

Yeah, well, I didnt know until today she was a vampire, too.

Really? She smells funny, Jackson said.

My jaw dropped open.

Go watch TV with Aunty, Jacob told Jackson. The little boy ran off.

My, that was one surprise, I said.

That wasnt it, Jacob told me.


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It wasnt?

Nope, he said, grabbing my hand. Come on.

It was taking all my will power not to tune into his thoughts as he led me out to the garage.

Chapter 4

Jacob led me out to the garage behind his house. We had spent so many hours together in there

fixing our bikes.

Hand over your eyes, he ordered before throwing the door open dramatically. I covered my

eyes and allowed him to lead me into the small, dark gage. Okay, now.

I took my hand off my eyes as he threw on the light. I gasped with surprise when I saw the twobikes standing in front of me. They looked perfect; like Jacob hadnt used them in a hundred

years but had made sure that they kept working. I threw my stone arms around Jacobs neck and

he didnt even cringe from the way I probably smell to him.

Im glad you like them, he said. Want to take them out.

I nodded vigorously and Jacob threw me a helmet.

I dont think thats going to help at all if I fall off, I told him. Im kind of indestructible.

Fine, its your head, he said, pulling on his own helmet. Im going to take safety seriously.

I laughed and shook my head. I grabbed the handle bars of my bike and rolled it out of the

garage, Jacob two steps behind me. I straddled the motorcycle and started it.

Race you down to First Beach, I yelled as I took off. I remember being really wobbly, so out of

control, on my motorcycle as a human. Now, I was in perfect control. The wind flew threw my

short hair.

I made it to First Beach just five seconds before Jake even though I had had a thirty second

start. Jacob drove his bike in front of me, throwing sand in my face as he came to a sudden stop.

God, Jacob, youre so annoying, I squealed, shaking the sand out of my hair.

Not much changes, obviously, he said, with a laugh.


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Ha, ha, I said sarcastically.

We parked our bikes in the sand and walked down to the bleached piece of driftwood that was

still here after a hundred years. I couldnt believe. Nothing and I do mean nothing in Forks

ever seemed to change. Jacob and I had been sitting here when he had told me about the

existence of vampires back before he became a werewolf so, of course, he didnt believe in

them. It had been here that I had told him I knew he was a werewolf and it had been here where I

had decided to go cliff diving by myself, changing the course of my life yet again.

We sat down and I leaned against his superheated body.

It doesnt bug you, does it? I asked. Being this close to me?

I thought that you being a vampire would be like you being dead, Jacob told me. But this isnothing like that. I know what it felt like to think you were dead. I like this way better. I know

youre alive and I can feel you next me. I never want you to leave.

Jake...are you stillYknow, in love with me? I said, wording it carefully.

Jacob started to laugh uproariously. Not in Im-making-fun-of-what-you-just-said way, but more

of an I-wasnt-expecting-you-to-ask-that-making-it-hilariously-funny way, if that makes any

sense.

Will it hurt youre feelings if I say no? he asked after he was done laughing.

No, I told him honestly.

Then, no, he said. Dont get me wrong, Ive always loved you like a sister, just now, its

nothing more.

I feel the exact same way, I said.

Good, Jacob said. Im sorry, but I could never be in love with a vampire.

Of course not, I laughed.

So he said slowly. And dont answer if you dont want to. Does Edward know youre

stillalive?


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No, I said sadly.

Oh.

Dont feel bad.

Do you still love him?

Yes, I said candidly, searching frantically for a change of subject. SoIs Jackson a

werewolf?

I dont know, Jake told me. He could be. He has the gene and now that youre back if you

stay till hes a teenager, that is he might turn. I dont know if I want him to. I mean, it gets

pretty lonely being the only werewolf left but I dont particularly want him to have that life.

It gets lonely being the only vampire, too, I told him softly.

Its when Im a wolf, and there arent ten other voices in my head, that I feel the pang of

emptiness, he said. You probably dont understand that.

No, no, I do, I said, chuckling. I guess I havent told you yet but I can read minds, like Ed-Ed-

Edward.

What?! Jacob yelled. Well, that must have ruined my surprise.

No, I didnt hear you thinking about that, I said. Im more like a radio I can tune people out

than a person standing on a street with everyone talking to him. Thats how Edward was. But it

gets lonely when the only people I have to listen to are ignorant humans who know nothing

about us.

Well, youre not alone anymore, he told me.

Promise?

I promise.

Chapter 5

As the weeks passed, Jacob and I were inseparable again. It was like we had just picked up

right were we had left off. No, no, where we had left off hadnt been that good. I had hurt him


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really bad and then went off and married Edward. It was more like we had picked up where we

had left off the night before we found out he was a werewolf. We were closer than brother and

sister.

Jackson soon started to call me Aunty Issy. I liked the ring to it. His actual Aunty, though the

one that stayed with him while Jacob was at school was Emily and Sams great-great

granddaughter.

It was late one evening and I was coming home after eating well, not really, but you know

what I mean dinner with Jacob and Jackson. I parked in my driveway of my house and was a

startled by a strange smell that was blown into my nose the second I stepped out of the car.

Vampire!

I tensed, moving forward slowly, following my nose. There was another vampire in my houseand I had no idea who it was. I opened the door slowly and moved into the house stealthily, quiet

even for a vampire. Who was in my house? Why? The scent was familiar even though I knew I

had never smelt this particular vampire before.

I decided now would be the perfect time to my power. I tuned into the closest thoughts.

Yes, shes back! Now I can give her a piece of my mind for moving into Bellas house. God, I

miss her. No, pay attention, Alice. Focus. Dont kill her till you figure out who she is.

Alice! Was it really Alice? It had to be! I ran into the family room to find a tiny, black hairedvampire sitting on my couch. She growled at me but I held up a hand to keep her from attacking.

Alice? Alice Cullen? I asked timidly, already knowing the answer.

Howd you know my name, you- she snarled.

Alice, I whispered. Dont you recognize me? I know I look different, but not that different.

No, Ive never seen you before, she growled. Though you do smell familiar.

All I wanted to do was give her hug. She had obviously kept true to her promise and hadnt

looked for my future once. She thought I was dead.

Its me, Bella, I told her. Well, Izzy, now, but its still me. Im a vampire.


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It cant be her. Bella was never turned into a vampire, and if she was she wouldve come to find

us. And, besides, I watched them lower her casket into the ground. I had my arm around Edward

all day as he cried silently. If she was alive she wouldnt have let him go through that. Those

were her thoughts. What she said out loud was the complete opposite.

Do you think Im an idiot? she yelled.

No, I said as convincingly as I could. Ask me anything. I can tell you almost everything about

your family.

Fine, Alice grumbled. If you insist. You if you are in fact Bella were in the hospital in

Phoenix after being attacked by another vampire. What-

James, I answered immediately.

That wasnt my question, she said. My question was what the argument you and Edward had

while there was about?

I opened my, closed it, and opened it again. That memory stung, eating away at the raw edges of

the hole in my chest. It was an argument we had had many times. I finally answered. Edward

and I were arguing about me becoming a vampire. He didnt want to change me. He didnt even

want me to know how someone was changed into a vampire. But you told me how it worked

while we were hiding in the hotel in Phoenix.

Oh my god! Alice cried. It is you!

She flung her arms around my neck in a choking hug. It was a good thing I no longer needed to

breathe. I hugged her back. I hadnt seen her since the day I stormed out on Edw-

I stopped myself there before I thought of exactly what had happened between me and my

Edward. It was too hard to think about. I would be reduced to a sobbing ball on the ground if I

pursued the memory any further.

What are you doing here, Alice? I asked when she had finally released her choking grip on me.

What am I doing here? What are you doing here? she asked. And how are you here? We all

thought you were dead!

Yeah, long story, I said. You tell me why youre here and Ill tell you my story.


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Fine, Esme was missing Forks, and honestly Rosalie and I were, too, Alice told, sitting down

on the couch again. I sat down next to her. Jasper and Emmett and Carlisle didnt really care. I

noticed she hadnt said Edward. Carlisle is fine with wherever we go as long as he can help

humans and Jasper and Emmettwell, theyre just guys and could live in Antarctica as long as

Rose and I were there with them. Esme finally convinced us to move back out here.

So, youre all back? I asked her.

Yep, she said. I have to take you over to our house immediately. Esme and Carlisle will love

to see you.

What about I trailed off.

Edward wasnt living with us when he made the decision, she told me. But he did agree to

join us after Christmas.

Oh, I said, both happy and disappointed. I didnt exactly want to force myself back into

Edwards life but I would have traded my soul to be with him again.

Come on, Alice said. Lets go see the others.

She pulled me off the couch, musing about how different I looked. Whats up with the blond

hair? And the purple eyes? Are you a vegetarian? Rosalie is going to be green with envy when

she sees you. Have you found anything out about the werewolves? Are they still around.

She said this all so quickly, barely giving me time to answer. She kept on chattering as we drove

to the Cullen house. I realized how much I had really missed her. She had always been more than

a best friend to me. She had been my sister. And I couldnt believe I was finally going to see my

family again.

Chapter 6

Okay, were going to have to decide how were going to tell them so that we know how theyre

going to react, Alice said. I dont know if theyll be mad or overjoyed until we decide though.

UmI guess we just tell them immediately, I said. Alice nodded and leaned back, closing her

eyes. A thin smile stretched across her lips.

Thatll work, Alice said. Just expect one huge hug from Emmett. Oh, but Rosalie wont be

very happy.

She never liked me much, I said.


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Youd be surprised how much she really loved you, Alice said. You were like that little,

annoying sister to her.

That makes me feel better, I scoffed.

Alice stopped in front of the big white house. It was so discreetly hidden in the woods that I had

had constant trouble finding the turn-off as a human. Even when I lived in there. I got out of the

car slowly, a little nervous. I was pretty sure a vampire couldnt get sick, but I was feeling pretty

nauseous.

Dont worry, Alice said, squeezing my hand quickly. They still love you.

Okay, come on, I said.

Alice and I walked through the door, Alice calling out immediately even though they had

probably all heard us pull up. Esme, Carlisle, Jasper, Emmett, and Rosalie all came down the

stairs. I couldnt believe it was them. I felt a funny itching in the back of my nose, the way I

would feel before crying as a human.

Whod you find now? Jasper asked as he wrapped his arms around Alices tiny waist.

I was at Bellas house and I smelt a vampire, Alice told them. So I hung out there for a few

hours till none other than Bella came home.

It took a moment for that to settle into everyones minds. I tuned them all out completely because

they were all thinking about a million different things, giving me a bit of a headache. After it had

sunk, everyones jaws dropped simultaneously. I wouldve laughed if I hadnt been so nervous.

Butbut Bella died a hundred years ago, was Rosalies brilliant response.

No, I didnt, I said, speaking up for the first time. I was turned into a vampire and decided it

was best to fake my death.

Everyone seemed to believe me after that. Or at least I assumed so because I was attacked by a

giant group hug. Esme reached me first, wrapping me in a motherly hug. Next was Emmett. He

lifted me off the ground in one of his killer, bear hugs. I hugged him back with equal force and

he set me back on the ground chuckling.

Someones gotten strong, he laughed.


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Carlisle and Jasper both hugged me after that, but Rosalie stayed on the other side of the room,

scowling with me. I tuned into her thoughts simply because I wascurious.

God, the nerve of her. After breaking Edwards heartIm surprised shed show her face

around here. She shouldve told us she was alive. Edward still isnt the same, he never will be. I

wished shed burn in Hell for an eternity. Thats the only way she could repay Edward for all the

pain shes caused him.

I understand why youre mad at me, Rosalie, but you really have no reason to hate me, or want

me to burn in Hell, I said out loud. She looked a bit shockedOkay, really shocked. Her scowl

turned into the face of a little kid getting caught stealing cookies from a cookie jar. I honestly

thought I was doing what was best for both Edward and me by not letting him know I was alive.

Staying away from him for this long has been so much harder than anything Ive ever had to do.

You should be sorry, she snarled, turning and storming back up the stairs. Emmett marched

after her, looking back at me apologetically. I nodded, grim-faced.

Bella, dear, Esme cooed. We have so much we have to catch up on. We all have missed you

so much. Of course, you will be moving back in with us as soon as possible and Ill call Edward

so that he comes out here sooner.

Oh, Alice cut in excitedly, we should throw this really big party and not tell him why we need

him. So when he shows up we can surprise him. She paused for a moment. Yes, that will work.

Hes going to be so happy!

Wait, I said. I dont want him to feelobligated to come out earlier. I need to get settled back

into life at Forks before

I trailed off and Esme and Alice both ushered me into the living room, sitting me down on the

couch. Carlisle and Jasper stood across the room, watching us, amused looks on their faces. I

could tell they were trying really hard not to laugh.

So, tell me everything, Esme said. You look so different. The hair and the eyes! Are they

always purple?

Always, I said.

How were you changed? she asked.


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I bit my lip, searching for what I could tell them. After I leftthe Volturi caught me. They gave

me a choicedie or be changed. I choose the latter since Edward woul- I paused for a moment.

By the time I had escaped from the Volturi Edward had already gotten over me to the point

where he was living a lot better than I had when he left. I decided not to throw myself back into

his life. With my luck, it would happen again and I wasnt quite sure if he could heal again. Hes

strong, but sometimes things just get to be too much.

I finished with a sigh. Most of that had been the truth. I had changed it a little. But telling them

that made me feel like crying again. Alice and Esme both noticed that and quickly wrapped me

in their arms.

We spent all night talking about everything that had happened in the last hundred years. I

carefully avoided any subjects having to do with Edward, listening to their thoughts very

meticulously to see if either of them were about to bring it up. Jasper and Carlisle joined on the

couch after a while and Emmett came back down. Obviously Rosalie had barricaded herself intheir room and wouldnt let anyone in. If she wasnt going to be mature about this that was her

problem.

When the sun started to rise though you couldnt tell through the clouds I went back to

Charlies to get all my stuff. I was moving back into Edwards and my room. I didnt particularly

know if I wanted to, but I knew I would get used to. As long as I was part of the family I really

belonged to again.

Chapter 7

The pain seared through my veins. I screamed out.

Edward, I want you to change me today.

Why today, love? Why not wait?

My throat was hoarse from screaming and I grasped the hand in mine harder.

I wantto be able tokissyouwithout the boundaries, you know?

No, lovenot today.

The pain came in waves, going from bad to worse to horrific. I didnt know how much longer I

could stand this.

Why not? How is today different from four days from now?


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Exactly.

I wanted to die. I wished someone would just kill me, just so that I wouldnt have to deal with

the pain anymore.

Come on, Edward. Please. Youve already promised to change me.

Well, Bella, Ive been thinking andIm not going to change you.

I kept on having to remind myself that I had asked for this; this was what I wanted.

What?! You promised!

Well, time changes the mind.

My mom used to tell me that I had made my bed and now I had to sleep in it. That was what this

seemed like. I had asked to become a vampire and was going to have to deal with the pain.

That was three months ago.

Listen, BellaIve realized Id rather see you dead thandamned to this life.

I was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to sleep. But I couldnt. The pain wouldnt let

me. I hadnt slept in three days

Fine! Ill get Carlisle to do it!

Dont bother trying. Ive already got him to promise not to.

I noticed that the pain was getting lighter. I wasnt screaming as much.

Get away from me youyouyou monster!

The pain had stopped. It had been abrupt. One second I was in the middle of screaming and the

next I felt perfect, better than I had ever felt before. I opened my eyes and noticed that my vision

was sharper than it had ever been as a human and I could hear everything within a mile.

I swung my feet off the bed I had been laying on. I felt weightless, like instead of my feet being

on the ground I was floating about an inch above the ground. I moved forward a few steps and

didnt even come close to falling. I looked down at my now pale white fingers and moved


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towards the full length mirror staring at me from across the room. I gasped when I saw my

reflection.

Edward, I called out, wondering where he was.

Yes, Bella, a velvety voice said from behind me, but it was the voice of my Edward. Someone

appeared in the mirror me. It was a vampire, familiar, but still not Edward. His pale skin was

transparent, almost like onion skins. His white hair hung limply from his head.

Aro, I whispered.

***

Were you sleeping? someone asked. I sat up to find a pixie sitting on the end of my bed. Well,

not a pixie, but a vampire who looked a bit pixie-ish.

No, Alice, I said. Just thinking.

About what? Alice asked. You were screaming.

Just a memory, I said softly. A very vivid memory.

Oh, Alice said, and then a smile stretched across her lips. Guess whos coming today!

The Cullens had been back for two weeks. When I had told Jacob, he had immediately started

packing. He told me he was taking Jackson and they were moving somewhere south.

Immediately.

Its not because of you, Bella, he told me. Its because of them. With even more vampires

around it will be more likely that Jackson will change into a werewolf. And I dont want to risk

that. Im sorry, Bella.

He had leaned down to kiss the top of my cold head before leaving with Jackson. I doubted I

would ever see either of them again. I wasnt mad, though, or sad that I had become close with

him again just to have him leave a few weeks later. I was just happy to know he was still alive

and well.

Who? I grumbled, rubbing my temples. Remembering my transformation so vividly had really

made my head hurt. But rubbing my temples hurt even worse because it shot another memory in

front of my eyes. I remembered how Edward would always pinch the bridge of his nose when he

was frustrated.


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Guess! she said. And no peeking.

Of course I didnt listen to her. I quickly tuned into her thoughts. She, of course, had known that

I wouldnt listen, but she wasnt trying to hide her thoughts by translating the Dead Sea scrolls or

something. Instead she was screaming on word at me over and over again.

EDWARD!!!

Chapter 8

I almost screamed. How could she do this to me? I wasnt ready to see Edward again. He was

never going to change me into a vampire. What if he didnt like me now that I was one?

Alice, how could you do this? I wailed.

Dont you want to see him? Alice asked, looking hurt as though I had ruined her present. I

mean, technically you two are still married and he still loves you. You have to let him know thatyoure alive eventually! You have to tell him sooner or later and I thought sooner would be

better.

I flew out of my bed and over to my closet, pulling out different shirts and throwing them on the

floor. Styles hadnt really changed that much. Jeans and t-shirts were still what was in. But,

even though Edward still had all my clothes from when I was human and the clothes that I

currently owned, I felt I had nothing to wear.

Alice! I whined.

Now, this just proves that youre excited to see him, Alice said triumphantly.

When does he get here? I asked not even waiting for her to answer out loud before continuing.

Two hours! Hes not even going to recognize me. Maybe I can slip out before he gets here.

You will not! Alice shouted.

Fine, I said. But I dont want to tell him its me. Not at first. I just wantI dont know what I

want, but I dont want him to know right away.

Okay, Alice said. She thought for a minute and then smiled. Here, well intercept him before

he gets to the house. I tell him the reason I wanted him to come home early was to set him up on

a blind date with you, Izzy. And then you tell him sometime on your date.

I grimaced but nodded. That had to be a little less painful than telling him right off the bat. I just


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had to make sure he liked me as a vampire first. That was why I had left.

No, dont think of that, I ordered myself. Not now. Concentrate on getting ready.

Alice was basically bouncing off the walls as I finally found something to suitable to wear. I kept

on telling myself I shouldnt be so nervous. He was my husband then again, he was my

husband who I hadnt seen for a hundred years and who thought I was dead! Yeah, this was

going to be an interesting reunion.

Alice told me we were going to have to run if we were going to beat Edward. I ran along side her

as she basically galloped but in the most graceful way possible. I was going to see Edward

again. I was going to see Edward! Oh my god, I was going to see Edward!!!

I smelt him before I saw him, and oh my, did he smell amazing. Almost like he had when I was

human, but more potent. I wondered quickly what I would smell like to him. He was still acouple miles away too far to hear Alices thoughts and the wind was blowing towards us so

our smell was being pushed away from him.

I had a random thought all of the sudden. Would he be able to hear my thoughts? Sure, he hadnt

been able to read my mind when I was a human, but I wasnt human anymore. Would that

change anything? Alice was already reciting Romeo and Juliet in her head. In a very complicated

dead language I had never heard of. I knew that would keep he thoughts away from me. But it

would ruin everything if he could read my thoughts.

All my worries disappeared when I saw him. He looked exactly the same as he had the last timea saw him duh, vampires never change but different in a way. Better. Seeing him was like

getting an electric shock, in a good way. I couldnt believe I had gone a hundred years without

seeing his face.

No, thats a lie. Technically though I dont know who wants to get technical it had only been

ninety. Wow, big difference. But I hadnt talked to him. He had been in Volterra to meet with

Aro who was trying to get him to join the Volturi again. He had refused and I had seen him

leaving from a distance. He had barely glanced at me and I hadnt run after him, no matter how

much I had wanted to.

Alice sped up the last few feet to her brother and grabbed him a sisterly hug. I wanted nothing

more than to do the same only in less sister/brother way and in I-love-you-and-never-want-to-

let-go kind of way but instead I forced my self to come to a stop about five feet away from

him, breathing in his wonderful scent.


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Hows my little sister? he asked Alice playfully, giving her a noogie. Oh my god, his voice. It

was a thousand times better than I remembered. A million times smoother and billion times as

velvety.

I was listening into his thoughts while Alice said hello to. Of course I human Bella me not

vampire Bella me was on his mind. See, the thing about us vampires is that we can think a lot

of different things at the same time and still be able to really concentrate on each one. So he

mourning human me and wondering who the heck vampire me was at the same time as well as

what Alice was hiding and why he couldnt read my mind.

Yes! He couldnt read my mind!

So, whos your friend? he asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

Alice skipped towards me, grabbed my hand, and pulled me in front of Edward so that we werestanding just a foot apart. His liquid topaz eyes gazed curiously into my purple ones.

Wow, I havent seen anyone as pretty as he since my Bella, he thought, almost making me

burst out laughing.

This is Izzy, Alice said. Izzy, this is Edward. Of course, you already know that. But, anyways,

Edward, you were probably wondering why I asked you to move out here a few months earlier-

Yeah, I was a bit puzzled, Edward chortled and Alice snarled playfully at him.

Dont interrupt me! she yelled. Didnt anyone ever tell you thats rude? Anyways, I was

saying that I asked you to move early because I really wanted you to meet Izzy and maybe, even,

kind of set you upwithher.

A thousands emotions played across Edwards face. I wasnt sure which one was his real

feelings.

Chapter 9

Alice, Edward whispered after what seemed like an eternity of silence, shaking his head.

Icant.

Listen, Edward, we all know youre not over Bella yet and you probably never will be, Alice

said. But Izzy lost someone, too, about a hundred years ago and while youll both never stop

loving them, Im pretty sure you guys are almost perfect for each other.

Wow, Alice was doing good. She could act. And all the while she was still reciting Romeo and


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Juliet only now she had switched to German to keep her from thinking my true identity.

Did Alice put you up to this or do you want to get to know me? he asked, talking to me for the

first time in a hundred years. I almost melted where I stood.

Alice mentioned it but Idecided it was time tomove on, I said, wording it carefully.

Please, Edward, Alice begged, pouting and looking at him with big pleading eyes.

How can I say no to that face? Edward laughed. Okay, what do you want to do? he asked

me.

I mulled that over for a second and Alice piped up.

Why dont you two just hang out, she said cheerfully. Ill just be going.

And she turned into a blur and darted away from us before I could say anything. We were both

silent for a few minutes, both staring at each other. The suspense was killing me. I tuned into his

thoughts.

She looks so familiar, yet like no one Ive ever seen before. She kind of reminds me of Bella.

God, I miss Bella. No, Edward, dont go thinking about her right now. Izzy kind of smells like

freesiaslike Bella. No, it couldnt be.

So, I said before both of us were reduced to crying blobs on the ground. Alice was telling meso much about you. Is it true that this girl you were in love with was a humanyou tua

cantante?

Yeah, Edward said, a far away look crossing his face momentarily. How much did Alice tell

you?

Well, not much, but I know a lot. Im kind of a bad girl, I said.

How so? Edward asked, now looking interested. I leaned against his trucka shiny, stupid

Volvo still.

Well and dont tell Alice cause shell hate me I sort of read her mind a lot more than I

shouldve, I told him like someone who wasnt the least bit sorry but a bit proud.

You read mind?! he practically yelled, leaning against the car next to me. I do-


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Too, I finished for him. I know, I said, tapping my temple the ultimate sign for reading

minds.

So, who was this guy Alice was talking about? Edward asked. I peeked into his thoughts and

he already liked me. As more than just a friend. Maybe it was time to tell him. I was going to

ease into it though.

The most amazing guy ever, I told him.

Was he a vampire? Edward asked.

Yeah.

What happened?

I left, I said softly. I listened to his thoughts again and he was struck by how similar that

sounded to what Bella did.

Why?

Because he wouldnt turn me into a vampire, I stated simply.

Whoa, he said. You were human? Then, he thought, Her story is creepily like Bellas and

mine.

Yep, I said. But he thought it would risk my soul to change me so he told me he wouldnt.

Wow, you sound exactly like Bella, Edward said. She wanted nothing more than to be a

vampire. She was the most stubborn thing alive. She told me she didnt care about my soul as

long as she could be with me forever. It killed me when she died. I remember her so well though.

Those big, brown eyes, the way her hair hung in waves around her face, how she would blush

whenever I touched her

You really miss her, I said. I wasnt asking.

More than anything, he said. I feel like its my fault she died, like it was because of me that

she will never have a chance to blush again.

What if I told you it is your fault she will never blush again, but that its not because shes


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dead? I asked.

I would give my soul if someone could tell me that and that it was true, he said.

I can, I said.

What? What are you talking about? he asked.

Look into my eyes, I said, putting my hands on his shoulders and turning his face towards

mine. I brushed a strand of his bronze hair out of his eyes. What do you?

I see a really pretty vampire who obviously knows something I dont, Edward said with a little

laugh, scrutinizing every detail of my face.

Edward, its me, I said. Its me, Bella.

Chapter10

by ~bellacullen124

Edward tensed, not moving for what seemed like years. Eventually, his face twisted in this

unexplainable way, but I could tell he was mad. Really mad.

Is this some kind of sick joke you and Alice set up? he snarled, and continued without letting

me say anything. God, I wouldnt think Alice could get that low. And this is cruel, even for you.

I may not know you, but I thought you were nice. Someone that I could maybe even trust

eventually, but now I see youre just like every other vampire in this world. Selfish. Evil.

That hurt. I may be selfish at times but not evil. Never evil. Not even when I wasnt a vegetarian.

Even then I didnt think I was evil. I reached for him instinctively, feeling his pain. It coursed

through the arm around us like a thousand knives. I wanted to hold him. I never want to let him

go.

He hissed when my hand touched his arm lightly. I didnt move my hand. Instead, I said,

Edward, please believe me. This isnt a joke. I am Bella. Or, at least I was. Im Izzy now, but

Bella was my past. You were my past. I still love you Edward.

I still love Bella, but you arent her, Izzy, Edward said. Youre some sick vampire who wants

to mooch off my pain. That or youre seriously disturbed. Either way, youre not my Bella.

I couldnt believe this. He didnt believe me. It felt like someone had stabbed me a thousand


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times, over and over. I wanted to cry if I could, that is. I had no way to prove it to him,

especially now that I had told him I could read his mind.

He was turning to leave. I had to stop him. I had to make him believe me. I grabbed his wrist and

swung him back around to face me. I remembered a time when I wouldnt have been strong

enough to even stop him but now I was just as strong as him, maybe even stronger.

Please, just let me go, Izzy, he said. Lets just both forget about this.

Bella! I yelled. Im Bella! You have to believe me. Shes not dead because shes standing

right in front of you! I love you and I still do. More than anything. If you walk away, Ill never

be able to live with myself again.

I was sobbing tearlessly. I couldnt make him believe me. I had expected him to take this news

hard but not for him not believe me eventually. And I had no way to prove it to him. If he wereto never believe me I might as well go back to the Volturi and beg for death. Now that I had

seen, had touched him, had looking into his topaz eyes again I knew there was no way Id be

able to live without him for even a minute more.

Listen, I think you might have a serious mental disorder, Edward said, comfortingly as if

hed rather believe I was some kind of lunatic than that this was sick joke or eventrue. I have

never heard of a schizophrenic vampire or anything, but Im sure Carlisle could help you. Now,

Ill take you back to my house and we can

He tried to push me into his Volvo but I wouldnt budge. Instead, searching his brain foranything that might give this away, I tried my last desperate measure. He wasnt thinking about

this particular thing at the moment so maybe it would

Bella. Whenever you would kiss Bella, she would go overboard, I said quickly, barely even

thinking. She wouldnt want to let you go. And you were too concerned for her safety to risk

doing anything, even kissing her a lot. But she didnt want just little pecks, she wanted a bit

more. And when you proposed to her that one night in your room before the fight with Victoria

you let all your guards down and Bella could never understand why.

I knew I was babbling a littleokay, I was babbling a lot. But this was my last resort. I had to

say everything I possibly could.

How would you know that? Edward yelled. Are you some kind of spy? Why do you want to

cause me pain like this?!


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He lifted his hand as though he was going to strike me but lowered it, looking exasperated. But

not before I saw the glistening ring on his pinkie finger. It was my wedding ring! He had kept it

all these years! Well, more technically, it was his mothers his real mothers ring, but he had

given it to me. And seeing it reminded me of the bracelet around my wrist. If nothing else would

convince him that would.

I quickly pulled the chain out of my pocket and laid it in my hands. The little, wooden wolf hung

off the side of my hand while the diamond heart sparkled in my palm.

If Im not Bella, explain how Ive had this for the last hundred years, I asked.

His mouth dropped open. I seriously thought it wouldve hit the ground if it had dropped an inch

farther. His eyes bulged out a little and I thought he was going into shock for a second.

Oh. my. god, he whispered, staring down at me. Bella?

I nodded. Yes. He finally believed me! I could hear his thoughts bouncing off the inside of his

skull. Surprised, happy, ecstatic thoughts.

And then, all of the sudden, I was in his arms. He had me lifted off the ground by the waist and

was twirling me around. Just like how reunions always go in the movies. I was giggling and

wrapped my arms around his neck. When he set me down, our lips found each other, as though

they were connected by a magnetic force. He kissed me with such passion. Such love. There

were no boundaries because we didnt need them anymore. His tongue explored the inside of my

mouth and I drew myself closer to him so that there was no air in between us.

Bella, he whispered when he pulled away, smothering his face in my cropped, blond hair. Oh,

Bella, I never thought this day would come.

Me neither, I said, finding his lips again. We had a hundred years worth of kisses to make up

for.

Chapter11

So, Ill take it you believe me now, I saidwith a little laughwhenwe broke away again.

Yes, I dont knowhow I could everdoubt you, he said, his lips brushing my ear lightly.I do

have to apologize for my behavior earlier, though, love. Will you forgive me?

I dont know, I said playfully.It mighttake a little while.


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Will thishelp? he asked, kissing me forcefully onthe lips again.

Maybe, I said ashe pulled away.

I co

uldnt believe this. Iw

as finally in Edw

ards arms again. After a hundred yearso

f imaginingit, I was living my dream well notdream, literally, since we vampires cantdream, but you get

what I mean. He feltwarm, not at all as cold andhard ashe had feltto my soft body when I had

beenhuman. I feltthe love for me thathadnot changedone ounce overthe pasthundred

years coursing outofhis every pore. I was pretty sure my love forhim wasdoing the same.

Why didnt youtell me youwere alive? he askedwistfully.

I wasscared, I said, positive I would be blushing if I could.

Why? Edwardsaid.You know youneverhave to be afraidof me, right?

Yes, but I was afraid youwouldnt love me anymore, I said.Since I was a vampire.

Nowwhatwould give you a crazy thought like that, he asked, shaking hishead.

I canthink ofsomething, I thought, but I held my tongue. There wasnoreasontoruinour

Kodak-worthy momentreunion. If Alice had any sense, she would be hiding inthe treeswith a

camera.Nowthat I thoughtof it, I listened for any thoughts aroundusotherthan Edwards and

sure enoughthere was Alice, standing upwind from us. I smiled.

Aw, so you justrealized Alice washere filming ourreunion? Edward chuckled.

Yes, I said, wanting nothing more thanto blush again.

As Im sure I have told you before, Bella, you are exceptionally unobservant, he laughed, the

joy dancing inhistopaz eyes.

Ha ha, I saidsarcastically.I wastoo busy thinking about you, I toldhim sweetly.

Ohreally? Edwardsaid, leaning down and finding my lips again. I dont knowhow long we

stayedthere, kissing, butwe were standing there for a couple hours. Wherever a carwould

drive by, itwouldslow andthe driverwouldstare atus like we were complete idiots. They were

probably thinking no, I knowthey were thinking Whatswiththose two morons making out


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onthe side ofthe road?

Alice eventually broke usup, laughing hysterically.She ranoutofthe trees andwavedher

camera inthe air.I got all fourhoursofthatontape! she squealed.Thatwashilarious.

Edward and I both laughed, his arm wrapped around my waist lovingly. I leaned my head

againsthisneck.

Come on, Edwardsaid.Alice istelling us itstime to gohome.

I laughed.Home? Thatsoundsnice, doesnt it?

Yes, itdoes, he said.

Alice ranwhile Edward and I drove inthe Volvo. I caughtsightofthe license plate before I got

in. ItsaidBellsman. I was beaming when as I openedthe doortothe car.

We saidnothing aswe drove. Edward kepthis arm around my shoulder andwe stared into each

others eyes. I dontthink Edward looked atthe roadonce the whole drive andwe were going

about a hundred miles anhour. Thiswouldve freaked me out as a human. I usedtoscream at

him all the time because he usually averaged a hundred miles anhour.

Now, dontsitthere looking atthis page with an appalled look like we should be fined for

recklessdriving.Noone was andanger because A) noone else wasonthe road except forus

and B) were vampires. We coulddrive withourhandstied behindour backswithon footofthe

steering wheel andone onthe pedals andthe safesthumandriver inthe worldwould be more

likely to get in a car crash.

Once we gottothe Cullenshouse, Edwardtook the keysoutofthe ignition and justsatthere,

staring at me still.

I feel like this is a dream, he said.I feel like Im going towake up at any minute and figure

outthiswas a dream. That maybe this all was a dream. Im going towake up inthathorrible

hospital in 1918 and learnthatnothing inthe lasttwohundred yearshappened. Is itso

unreasonable to be scaredofthat?

No, I whispered, touching his cheek lightly with my fingers.I feel the same way. I cant

believe your actually here. Where I cansee you. Where I cantouch you. Im scared Im going to


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wake up in Phoenix, in2005, not in 1918, though.

Edward laughed. Itsounded like music.

I lo

ve yo

uso

much, he said.

I love you, too, I toldhim.

He kissed me hardonthe lips andwhenhe pulled away I asked, Ready to gosee your family?

Sure, he said.Emmett might break me inhalf ifhe triestohug me.

I rolled my eyes and laughed.Ill protect you. I wont let anything hurt you.

Youre taking my lines, Edwardsaid. He gotoutofthe Volvo as I did andhis arm was around

my waist before I hadtaken a step.

We walkedup tothe doorofthe big, white house and assoon aswe openedthe doorwe heard

cheering andwhooping.

Capitolul 12

by ~bellacullen124

We were attackedwithhugs from every direction.Congratulationswere being screamed in my

ear. Emmett even lifted bothofusoffthe floor inone ofhis big bearhugs atthe same time. I

was very thankful that I didntneedto breathe.

This ishow a family should be, I thought as I watched everyone ask Edwardwhathe had been

up to forthe pastthree years. They had accepted me even back when I was a human and loved

me like theirown family member just because Edwardwas in love with me. And after I had left

them I had come to admitthat I hadnt just left Edward, but my whole family they had

welc

omed me back in

with

open arms after a hundred years. Except f

orRo

salie, butshewaswell, Rosalie.Yes, thiswas exactly how every family should be.

I was aroused from my thought by Edwardssweet lips being pressed against mine.We still

have so muchtotalk about, he reminded me, whispering softly inhis ear.

He twirled a piece of my hair aroundhis finger. It barely fit aroundhis pinkie. I laughed and


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32

buried my head inhis chest. He smeltso good. I felt like slapping myself fornot coming back to

him sooner. I hadwasted a hundredstinkin years.

Edwardwalked me up the stairs. He wouldnt let goof me for even a minute, which I wasokay

with. I

wo

uldve ratherdied atthat mo

mentthanto

have beeno

uto

fhis arms fo

rseco

nd. I stillcouldnt believe howwarm howsoft he felt.

I see youhave already moved in, he chuckled ashe openedthe doorofhisroom andwalked

ontothe plush, golden carpet.

Your family insisted, I said.They wouldnttake no for an answer. I can move if youwant me

to.

No! Edward almostshouted and I rolled my eyes.

I was joking, I laughed, giving him a little peck. He wrappedhis arms around me tighter,

pressing his lips forcefully against mine. I turnedhim around, pushing him ontothe bed and

lying downontop ofhim, kissing him back, neverwanting to move.

Dontthink youre going to getoutoftelling me whathappened, he laughed, pushing me

away from him lightly butnot letting goof my waist.Why exactly did younottell me youwere

alive?

I was angry, I toldhim.I wasreally mad at you forthe firstten years after I was changed. I

still loved you all thattime, but I alsohated you.Once I had finally givenup on my grudge, I

didntthink youwouldwant me anymore. I didntthink youwould like me anymore. I thought

that youhad already gottenover me.

Never, Edwardsaid.Ive told you before: You are my life. I wouldnever getover you and I

wouldnevernot like you.

So, the Volturi didthis? he asked.

Yeah, I said, deciding to lie forthe time being.They caught me and gave me a choice. I

choose the one that allowed me to live, in a sense.

Youwerent always a vegetarian, he said. He wasnt asking, andhe wasnt accusing, yet I was

still a bitdefensive.


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33

Neitherwere you! I saiddefensively.

Hey, theresnothing wrong withthat, Edwardsaid.I wasnt planning on condemning youor

anything.

Fine, I said.

I dohave anotherquestion, though, he said.

Shoot, I toldhim.

Whatswiththe eyes? he asked.Notthat I dont like them. Theyre the prettiest eyes Ive

everseen. But Ive neverseen another vampire with eyesotherred, topaz, and black.

I havent always been a vegetarian, I saidthoughtfully, but Ive neverhad a blood lust.

Human bloodtaste horrible to me, like dirt. I canstill eathuman food and ittasteswell, not

great butnothorrible. I think that andthis is just a guess if a vampire neverthirst forhuman

blood, theirs eyes arepurple. Eitherthat, or Im just a freak.

Well,weve always known youwere a freak, he said.Anunlucky, unaffected-by-vampire-

powers freak.

I punchedhim lightly onthe arm. He grimaced asthough I had actually hurthim.Maybe I had.

Back when I was a human I wouldve broken my handdoing that. Heck, I broke my hand

punching a werewolfonce. I wouldve broken my whole arm if I had punchedhim like that back

then.

I laughedout loud at my ownthoughts. He looked at me like I wasnt just a freak, but like I was

insane, too. Thenhe frowned.

It makes it evenworse that I cantread your mindwhen you canread mine, he told me.

What are youthinking about?

The time I punched Jacob, I said, but afterseeing the look onhis face I quickly added, You

know, I still havent foundthat bat.

Edwards grimace changedto a laugh. Thenhis eyes gotreally sympathetic.


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34

Hes probably passed away by now, he said.Looks like youre a bittoo late.

Actuallyhes kindofstill alive, I said.

What?! Edward practically shouted.Hedhave to be over a hundred andten by now.

So? I asked.Youre more thantwohundred.

Touch, Edwardsaid.So Jacobsstill alive? Huh, didntsee thatone coming.

No, neitherdid I when I movedhere, I toldhim.

We laidthere all night, holding eachother andtalking, catching up on a hundred years apart.

He didnt ask me why I had leftsosuddenly and I made sure notto bring itup. I knewwe

couldnt avoidthe subject forever but I would as long as I could.

Eventually the sun came up overthe horizon and Edward lookedup. I hatedsunny days.Sun

always limitedthe amountofthingswe coulddothatday. I had found a lotofwaysto goout

onsunny days inthe lasthundred years, but mostofthem made me look quite ridiculous.

Whatdo youwanttodotoday? Edward asked me.

Im sortofthirsty, I said.Itwould be funto gohunting.

Hunting it is!

Chapter 13

I leptnimbly from rock torock. Edwardraced around me in circles. I wasrunning slowly for me.

If I had been going full speed I wouldve been fasterthanhim justslightly, butstill faster. I was

letting him run circles in frontof me.

I jumpedontothe ground in frontofhim, taking off at full speedtowardsthe deerhe was after.

I jumpedon itswiftly andtook itout, trying to cause it as little pain as possible. Edwardranup

beside, laughing.

Hey, thatwas mine, he shouted.


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35

Yousnooze, you lose, I sang, digging my razorsharp teeth intothe poor animalsneck. I felt

bad forthe creature, I really did, butthiswasso much betterthantaking the life of a human. Its

hot blood feltso good coursing down my dry throat.

Edw

ardrano

ff andw

as back half a minute later, loo

king full andreplenished.

You catchsomething finally? I teased.

Of course, Edwardsaid, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind me.You full?

Stuffed, I laughed.Race youtothe car! Then, I screamed as I unwrapped myself from his

arms, Loserhasto give winner a kiss!

I giggled andracedtowardsthe car. I think vampireshave some kindofnatural compass

installed intotheir brains because I knew I was going north. I also believe thatwe have a

speedometer. I knew exactly how fast I was going and knewwhen I hadrun four miles. I came

to an abruptstop. I skidded againstthe gravel and came to a complete stop an inch away from

the car.

Dontscratchthe paint job, Edwardscolded, coming outofthe trees justseconds after me.

Youowe me, I tauntedhim jokingly.

Oh, what a horror. He cringed coming towards me andwrapping his arms around me, kissing

me hard. I felthistongue licking the access bloodoff my lips and I didthe same tohis.

Whatever caughthadtasted a lot betterthan my deer.

You knowwhat I wanttodonow? I asked.

Bella, love, I might be able toread minds but yours is like a blank page to me, Edwardsaid.I

donotthink Ill ever be able to guess.

I lookeddown and pouted, making sure he knew ithurt my feelingswhenhe called me a blank

page. Thatwasnt exactly up there on my listof compliments.Calling someone a blank page

could meanthey were stupid. I knewthatwasntso inthis case, but I wastrying to make him

feel bad.

Oh, Bella, I didnt mean it, Edwardsaid, putting a handunder my chin and lifting my face up


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36

sothat I wasstaring intohistopaz eyes.I simply meant you are so amazing that I cansimply

not beginto fathom being able toread your mind. It istoo amazing a thought.Now, come on,

tell me where youwantto go.

That makes me feel better but Im n

o

ttelling yo

unow

, I said, co

ntinuing to

po

ut.

Come on, I really wantto know, Edward begged.

No, itsruined, I fake-sobbed.

Tell me, Bella, Edwardsaid, starting tosound annoyed.

Fine, I grumbled.I wantto gotoour meadow.

Thats perfect! Edward exclaimed, opening the passengerdoorofhis Volvo. I got in and

adjustedthe rearview mirrorslightly sothat I could look into it. I checked my lips for any blood

that Edwardhadnot gotten.Of course, there wasnone, but itwouldve beenhardtotell if

there had been because my lipswere theirusual bright, bloodred color.

Youwantto knowsomething? Edward asked ashe got intothe driversseat.When youwere

human, I thought itwas impossible forthere to be anyone more beautiful than you. I was

wrong. Vampire you isso much prettier.

I thought youdidnt like blonds, I teased.

Thatwasuntil I saw a blond Bella, he said.

We drove insilence, butwe were boththinking of eachother. Trust me. I knowthose kindsof

things. I still wasntquite sosure thatthiswasreal, but if itwas a dream, I neverwantedto

wake up.

The road ended andwe gotoutofthe car. I washaving flashbackstothe firsttime we were

here. We hikedtoour beautiful meadow. Ithadtakenushours because I wassuch a klutz as

human. Edward always actedstartledthat I had livedto be ten, let alone seventeen.

Letshike, I said.Humanspeed.

Okay, he agreed, grabbing my hand eagerly andwe walked intothe trees.


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37

After about five minutesof lightly scrambling overrocks, Edwardspoke up.I misshaving to

help you. I keep onwanting toreachoutto make sure youwonttrip but youre fine.

Itsunusual.

Asthough being a vampire isusual, I said.

Good point, Edwardsaid.I kindof miss my clumsy human.

Ill trip once sothat you cansave me, I saidto cheerhim up.

Okay, he said.

I laughed. Taking a step onward, I made myselftrip over my own feet. Eventhough I wastotally

in control, I allowed myselfto fall forwardstowardsthe ground.My face was an inch from the

groundwhen gentle hands grabbed my waist and pulled me back up. Edwardwas laughing

hysterically.

Thatsnot funny, I said, smacking Edwards arm.

I thought itwas pretty hilarious, he laughed, pretending to clutchhissides from his laughing.

Yeah, ha ha, so funny, I griped.

I didntthink youd actually gothroughwith it, he said, still laughing.

Yeah, and I was pretty sure youwere going to catch me before I landedon my head and ended

up with a big bruise.

Vampiresdont bruise, love, he chuckled.

Says you, I said, wrinkling my petite noise.

Thissenthim intohysterias again.

Chapter 14

I hadthoughtthat if I everwent back to Edward I wouldhave neededtorebuildour

relationship a little bit. I mean, I hadwalkedoutonhim. I had just leftwhile he washunting,


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38

leaving my ring onhis pillow. I hadnt expectedthat itwould be just like whathadhappened

with Jacob: I had come back andwe had become best friends again just like that.

But itwas, and even better. There wasnothing we neededtorebuild, just aspectsto

strengthen. I hado

verreactedw

hen I had left.M

y human emo

tio

nsw

ere too

much fo

r me to

handle, butnowthatwe were both vampires and I wasnt controlled by stupid, human

emotions ourrelationship was literally perfect.

We didnttalk aboutwhy I left andwhathappened. I knew Edwarddidntquite believe my little

story aboutwhathappened but as long ashe didnt bring itup I wasnt going to. Thatdidnt

meanthat I thoughtwe were going to avoid it forever. I knewsooneror laterwe were going to

have todiscusswhathadreally happened, but I wasshooting for later.

We spent all day inour meadow, justthe twoofus lying together andshining inthe sun. Then,

because of local law, we were forcedto gotowhat is basically consideredhell by most

teenagers in America: school.Of course, hell isntso bad if youhave an angel nextto you all day

so itwasntthe worstday of my life, not by far.

We sat at lunch, Edwardtrying to figure out a way he could play with my shorthair and I talking

to Alice,when Emmett andRosalie satdown across from me.

I dont believe you can eathuman food, he told me tauntingly, like the older brother I never

had.

Shutup, Emmett, Rosalie said.

No, its fine, I said, smiling.If youwant me to prove it, I can.

Okay, Emmett leaned back inhis chair andsmiled.Prove it.

All the Cullenswere watching me as I pickedup a piece of pizza I know, the irony andslowly

brought itup to my mouth, adding suspense. I bitdown and chewed leisurely, not even feeling

the impulse to gag or grimace. When I hadswallowed and putthe piece of pizza back ontothe

plate, I smiled.

Wow, that must be one nifty talent, Jasperwhistled.

Yeah, it comes inhandy when big, macho vampiresdare youto eathuman food, I laughed.


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39

Edwardwassitting nextto me laughing silently atthe look on Emmetts face. Especially after

Jaspersaid, Youowe me five hundred bucks.

Then I go

t it. Thisw

as a bet. I didnt know

w

hat itw

asw

iththeC

ullen guys and betting, butsince their family was filthy richthe amountswere neverunder a hundreddollars. It became

especially funny when Alice joined in and I dont knowwho intheirright mindswould be

against Alice. I mean, she cansee the future for crying out loud!

The restofthe day passedslowly. Whenwe got inthe Volvo afterthe bell hadrung, I brought

up what I had beenthinking ofsince lunch.

I think Im going to growout my hair, I said.

Really?! Edward looked ecstatic.WaitI didntthink vampireshair could grow.

Most cant, butstrangely mine can, I said.I just keep itshort for convenience.

Good, cause I always loved it long, Edwardsaid. Thenhis face fell. He looked absolutely

depressed by whateverthoughthad come tohis mind.Itwont growout brown, will it?

I laughed.Are youreally worried aboutthat? No, its permanently blond.

Edwardsmiled.I like the blond.

I laughed again and leaned across my seatto give him a kiss. I had been listening into all the

boys thoughts atschool thatday andthey were all outrageously jealous. They hated Edward,

just because I washisnew chick.Yes, those were theirwords forwhat I was. Edwards chick.

Of course, I resentedthat a little bit, but as long as I was Edwards, I guess itwas fine. Butthey

all wantedtosteal me and lynch Edward.

A couple weeks passed intotal happiness. Everyone atschool was a bit curious aboutthe whole

lastname situation. Eventhe teacherswere gossiping like teenage girls.Since I had come tothe

school withthe lastname Cullen before the actual Cullens arrived, they all thought Edwardwas

my relative orsomething.Of course, we didnt care aboutthe gossip itwas actually quite

hilarious we immediately clearedup the air by saying I had been adopted, whichwas actually

whatCarlisle was planning ondoing, by the Cullens andhad come to check outthe town a

couple weeks before them.


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Edwardhad been back in my life for all ofthree weekswhen everything changed. Wewere

sitting onthe couch inthe family room, the TV blaring inthe background. We werent listening.

We were having too much funstaring into eachothers eyes. Then, Edwardunwrappedhis arm

fro

m aro

und my sho

ulders andstoo

dup.

Where are you going? I whined.

Just give me a minute, Edwardsaid, sliding my wedding ring offhis finger.My heartwouldve

startedto beat faster if I had a heartbeat at all.

Edward gotdownonthe floor in frontof me, kneeling onone knee. I smiled, feeling my nose

tickle withwhatwouldve beentearsofhappiness if I couldve cried.

Bella, love, the lastthree weekshave beenthe bestweeksof my life, Edwardsaid.I never

want itto end because ifoverthe lasthundred years anything hashappenedto my love for you

ithas just become greater. I wanttospend every minute of foreverwith you. I knowwere still

married inreality, but I wantto get married again. Isabella SwanCullen, will you marry?

I had already made a vownotto be inside Edwardsheadsoof course, I didntsee this coming. I

was at a loss forwords, whichdidnthappenoften. Unable tosay anything, I justnodded and

Edward pickedup my lefthand, sliding the ring onto my fourth finger, where itwouldstay for

eternity. I know I hadsaidthis before, butthistime I really meant it. I was going to make sure

that itdid.

Edwardstoodup, pulling me to my feetwithhim, kissing me hard and long onthe lips. We both

pulled away, gasping forthe airwe didntneed.

There isone condition, though, Edwardsaid.Youhave totell me whatreally happened after

you left.

What? I said.

Yeah, youhave totell me why, when I came home from my hunting trip with Alice, youwere

gone, Edwardsaid.

Well- I started, butsomething abouthiswordsstruck me asodd.Wait, yousaidwere

hunting with Alice when I left?


41/41

Yeah, we wentwhile youwere sleeping, Edwardsaid.I left a note on your pillow. Whenwe

came back twodays later, youwere gone.

Butth

ats

imposs

ible, Isaid.

It

can

t

be.

Alicew

ash

erewh

en

Istor

med

out.

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100 Ani Fara Dragoste