964-PROLOGUE-
"We can live for a long time Bella, but don't ever mistake it for immortality. You've seen too many vampires killed to know that 'forever' does not exist."
Jasper had told me that a thousand years ago. Back when we were all together and going by the name 'Cullen'. Back when we were still using 'last names'. It is one of the few memories I was able to retain of him from my human life. The words had stayed with me even after my violent change. But I am wiser and know now that they weren't entirely accurate. Because now, it seem his words would hold true to all... except for myself, and those made of my kind.
We… would endure.
But as it stands now, my first full millennium of life would be celebrated later today. Edward had busied himself for the entirety of a year trying to surprise me. But I'm in his mind and soul as much as he is in mine. So the effort was hardly worth it. But I would suffer his attempts at secrecy, and play ignorant, if only to keep him happy. I would suffer all, to do that.
I myself created a spectacle for him a century ago, and since we were so well thought of, I was able to easily invite and convince over five thousand guest to attend; who were each significant to us in their own way. So it's only fair that I let him try to top that.
Still, a thousand years… It should feel momentous, but it feels no different than any other day. It was just time. Time given name; …thousand… and without out that distinction, it held no significance, in mind or spirit. Something else I learned and was grateful for. I knew now that I could literally endure every day of forever, and it will always feel like my first, with the only exception being the memories I carry.
They remind me that so much had taken place. That much had been gained, and so much more… lost.
We made a lot of friends in a millennium. But weren't fooling ourselves any longer. So now with every new entry in our lives, we began prepare ourselves for their potential 'departure'.
And there it was, the 'tax'. The price we had to pay to live this life, was to accept that we were always going to be the ones left behind.
Edward had told me a story of a Japanese monk who was said to have described loss almost perfectly. He had embedded the description of the feeling into head board of his monastery, only to then scratch it out in its entirety. When I asked why he did it, Edward said that the monk simply stated, that 'true' loss can never be described, only felt.
Something I thought of with every loved one we buried, or was forced to scatter into the wind.
…Forever does exist. Just not for all. The first war between us more than proved that theory all too clearly. And the lives lost that day were….irreplaceable.
'They don't have to be stronger than you to beat you.'
Had I known that doing that one seemingly insignificant thing would've set off such a chain reaction, I would've let the bastard go with a warning.
Had I known that my decisions in my first ten years into this life were going to be so significant, I would've changed more than a few things. Two chiefly among them.
First, I would've never let any of them out of my sight.
And second, I would've never gone back to Forks a third time.
-HORIZON-
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters or the original story. But this is ALL MINE!
Horizon
CHAPTER 1: Two Weeks
Bella
"Stop Edward!…stop…stop it…*laughing* that's how….*laughing*… it happened in…*laughing*… the first place" I protested weakly, squealing and rolling back and forth under Edwards playful hands as they found ribs and underarm and every other ticklish areas that I didn't know I had.
"Haha..haa..aha…Its…*laugh*…Going to…*laugh*….happen…*laugh*… again."
Being human was not without its pitfalls, and doing what I just did in a house full of vampires couldn't have been more mortifying.
I could hear Emmett still roaring with laughter.
"Sorry love, but I'm afraid I must." He said smiling brightly, feeling joyful and full of mischief.
I squealed some more under his fingers.
'no, no, no, no once was enough'
"Edward, if you make *laugh* me do *laugh* that again, I will…I will….*laugh*…walk down that Isle and tell everyone…*laugh*…I decided to remain…..*laugh* your permanent girlfriend."
Edward quickly paused giving me a reprieve, tapping his finger on his chin, pretendeed to think about it, then resumed.
"You…would…do….no…such thing." He said between my squeals. "You love me too much. Just the thought alone is abhorrent to you, I feel it."
And of course he was right, but that didn't solve my current problem. I was on the verge of 'release' once more.
"No, no, no." I weakly protested.
But with one mighty push of my right hand, Edward flew back against the wall, knock over our album and cd collection.
Taking this as my moment, I quickly got up at human speed keeping the king size bed between us, as I marveled at my handy work.
My control with my gift was getting better, more natural. I no longer needed anger or blood-lust as a trigger, any form of 'heightened' emotion was enough for a controlled burst. I could use as much as I needed and turn it off at will now. Meaning I could catch myself before I went too far and used up too much diluted venom; and do so before I put myself endanger of passing out.
Through further testing with Jasper and Carlisle that night and early morning I had sent Emmett flying, it was discovered that my ability to turn my shield on and off at will was true for all emotions except one, rage.
Rage was the only emotion that didn't come with an off switch. I had to ride those feelings out till my body had burnt up all its donated venom and left me unconscious and vulnerable.
Even when the emotion itself did die, I did nothing to turn off my shield. That was the first discovery we made that night.
The second was that my mind adapted to speed and sound much more quickly during my enraged states, than in other. But Jasper deduced that reason for me easily. He stated that it was due to my 'focus'.
He said that in heightened states of rage, my single minded intent block out all, and concentrates the mind on a single task. Giving over the full power of a mind to one thing, and in doing so, things that would've have normally appeared fast, even to vampires, slows dramatically.
I had to agree, because to me, it was like momentarily stepping out of sync with time, and finding yourself outside watching a much slower world.
I smirk proudly from the other side of the bed as Edward dusted himself off standing himself up in nothing but his boxer briefs. I was feeling victorious and smirked mockingly at him. But that only increased his mirth and mischievous side.
"Carlisle Now!"
"Wha…"
In flash Carlisle was thru our door, stabbing me in the arm with a needle drawing blood; all before I even had a chance to cover up my pink cotton polka dot boy shorts and bra.
I screamed in surprise and quickly turned my head away as to not look at the needle buried in my arm.
"Sorry my dear, I needed Edwards help getting you into a genuine state of embarrassment."
I knew what he meant, but still would've argued the means of which he achieved his goal.
He's been testing my blood at different emotional states as soon as I showed I was able to use my talent beyond anger. But still…
"What the hell is that smell? Did we let a wolf in here?!" Emmett roared from somewhere in the house, causing a raucous of laughter from Rosalie, Alice and Jasper, and me to flush with embarrassment, turning sharply to Edward, remembering why he was in that corner dusting sawdust from his hair.
'Flatulence'
Thanks to Edwards prodding, I had a 'human moment', a very loud human moment. It was mortifying, but not as mortifying as knowing everyone in here heard it and worst was now getting a full whiff of it.
"Ugh…It smells…green. Real 'ripe' that one." Emmett sneer out in faux disgust. The roars of laughter around the house continued some more.
"Oh my god, will you shut the hell up!" I roared back. Causing even more laughter. But now Edward and Carlisle were both laughing as well.
"I better not hear a sound from either of you. This is not funny." I warned
"There…*chuckle* -ehem- all done" Carlisle said trying to hide his mirth at the embarrassment I was suffering all in the name his mad science.
But Edward didn't bother to hide his glee one bit. He broke and joined in with everyone else.
"Is this funny to you?" I asked staring thru slits.
"It's for the experiment dear, you understand right?" Carlisle tried to mollify.
"Yeah love…*laugh* for the sake of 'human advancement' *laugh* and all that." Edward said barely containing himself.
I almost forgot everything and threw myself on him to pepper him with kisses. I loved that he was so happy and carefree, but he was still gonna pay.
"Human advancement huh? Sounds like you guys were trying to give new meaning to 'noise pollution', or were you studying the 'green house' effect." Emmett yelled from somewhere in the house, creating a new round of laughter.
"Jesus Christ Emmett! Will you can it!" I shouted back feeling a new wave of mortification take over.
"You first!"
That did it. They were all laughing now, and I almost couldn't help myself and follow them it was so contagious, but I did, and now Edward and Carlisle were going to pay.
Edward's laughing has stop abruptly looked at me with shock. Alice must've give my plans away
"No Bella don't, we're sorry -"
Too late.
I snatched up Carlisle's by his bicep and quickly pulled him along as I made my way over to Edward and grabbed him up by the scuff of his neck, ignoring both their futile protest and belated apologizes.
"You wanna laugh, then have a good one at this!" I dashed to the window, and threw them both like a fastball through the glass, straight across into the oversize evergreen.
"Whoa!" I heard Emmett and Jasper bellowed out below, before they all broke into another chorus of laughs.
"Camera, camera, camera!" Alice squealed
Looking for myself, I saw they were both haven't fallen to the grown as of yet, but not by choice. They were held in place.
Carlisle's sweater was caught by the neck, and forced his arms to hang awkwardly over head as he held on to his 'precious' sample for dear life. I guess he didn't want to chance letting it drop and attempt to slide out of his sweater.
Good, he had better hold on to it. Cuz I'll be damned if the thinks he was getting another one.
Still I found myself breaking down and chuckled at the sight of him hanging there arms up like that. It was quite unbecoming of the father figure and leader of our family.
But I lost it completely at the sight of Edward. that sent me crashing to my knees and palms, howling in laughter.
He too was also being 'held' up. But in his case, it was by the front of his elastic waist band of his boxer briefs. He too was holding or should I say 'covering' something 'precious' that he didn't want to let go of that kept him in the tree. And he most definitely needed two hands to do it.
I was in tears!
I joined the family in laughing at them mercilessly. Because now, they both looked as undignified as they made me feel.
"Hey! The next time you feel like conducting embarrassing experiments at my expense, be prepared for that same embarrassment to befall you as well dad. And as for you Edward, remember who you're marrying. The last time I checked, she was a 'she' and her hair color was closer to mahogany, not blonde, traitor." I yelled over their ongoing apologies.
The rest were outside now, laughing and collapsing over themselves.
Emmett was snapping away the best he could trying to hold his enough composure to ensure that the task was done properly, and Jasper was on his back laughing so hard he didn't have breathe left in him to make a sound. Rosalie was leaning up against the house holding her sides, trying not to follow Jasper to the ground as she laughed breathlessly as well looking at the hanging pair.
"The hedges need trimming buddy!" Emmett taunted, causing all of our raucous to take up another level.
"Move to the left, Em needs the money shot" Alice egged on. Edward returning growl, caused us to laugh even more.
Esme easily leaped in to the 'open' window and I quickly found myself in Esme arms, trying to stay up as we laughed at our men.
"Serves them right. I told them both to choose another way" Esme said grinning widely before placing kisses on my forehead.
'Oh yeah, this…*laugh*… this is going in the hall of fame." Emmett bragged looking at digital proof in the camera.
"This is the best send off ever." I heard Rose say between spurts of laughter.
And I for one was glad.
Emmett, Rose, and Jasper were leaving later this morning to head up to Alaska to get things ready for our arrival. They were going to meet up with the Denali's, and with 'specific' instructions from Esme, bring the house 'current'.
It wouldn't take long; it was after all the last house they lived in before moving to Forks almost three years ago, so not much needed changing. Once that was done, they were scheduled to return for the wedding, and then help pack up this house while Edward and I were away on our honeymoon.
And as much as I didn't want them to leave today, I knew they had to. To everyone else, they were in college on the other side of the country, and with the Seattle investigators arriving in a few days, it would do us no good to have the three of them here. From Jasper's standpoint, we already have too much to account for anyway.
But none of that mattered right now. Now we were together as a family; and besides the two twisting in the wind, we were all happy.
~~~HRZ~~~
Our hike was going on its fourth hour now.
When I called and asked Charlie what he wanted to do today, he said 'show me around town'. I was thrilled to see that he didn't mean it quite so literally. The town wasn't so large that I felt that needed a tour or else risk being lost. So I was relieved when I saw he meant the forest around us.
I needed this. I needed to just get out for a while and clear my head of all my doubts. Tomorrow the unsuspecting town of Forks will be practically invaded by government agents. And no matter how confidence I have in Alice, I can't help but worry.
She may see the wedding happening and us smiling, but she can't see all the details in between to get us to that point.
I mean, look at me, I'm no detective, but I somehow manage to piece together one of the world biggest secrets; and I did it all with a few webpages, one book, a cold touch, and an old rumor. So I can't but help imagine how quickly they could put together.
And no matter what Edward may think, I'm not blind. I see the stares the Cullen's get when I'm out and about with Esme, Alice or himself. No matter how ordinary they try to be dressed in cotton tee's, flannel shirts and jeans, their natural 'supermodel' beauty tends to stand out among the day to day housewives, teen princesses and the wannabe heartthrobs that Forks had to offer. And that was the problem right there. They are too infamous. There was no such thing as 'blending in' with a town like Forks. If there is one thing of interest to talk about in this town, it would be them. So no matter how much Edward tries to make himself and me believe that everything was going to go off without a hitch, I couldn't whole-heartedly agree. Not when common sense was screaming otherwise.
But what worries me most was what Jasper had said about their documentation. It wasn't meant to be under that kind of in-depth scrutiny. And once people start talking about the 'seven supernaturally beautiful and perfect Cullens' or 'the insanely generous Carlisle, who donates more to the hospital of Forks than he gets paid,' or 'the insanely permissive parents who allows their children to date one another'- these new comers aren't going to look the other way. Our only hope at this point would be that they would already be sufficiently distracted with their current investigation that they would have no choice but to concentrate on their task at hand.
I sighed looking back at my father as he cursed under his breath as he recovered from almost slipping on a loose rock; and remembered that I came out here to forget my problems.
We couldn't have chosen a better day. Due to the 'football' that went through Charlie's window, I took the opportunity to have a 'few' renovations done to the house after seeing how much it upset him to find his kitchen in shambles when he returned from seeing Billy. After my experimenting with my gift that night and early morning and a power nap. I returned to Charlie's that next afternoon to so that Edward could face the music. Still no one expected Charlie to be so upset about the damage. But after he calmed down and apologized, Sue explained the situation and Edward later told me the rest.
He explained that when Charlie had gone to see Billy after finding out that Jacob had 'runaway', he was practically kicked out when he pushed Billy to do more to look for his son. Billy tried to reassure him that Jacob would return, but Charlie thought that was blind optimism given what took place in Seattle, and threatened him with arrest and parental negligence since Jacob was only sixteen. Things came to a head quickly then. Billy got irate and spouted jurisdiction limits, and hospitality limits, then quickly showed Charlie the door.
Coming back home, Charlie had flipped out when he came back and saw the damage to the kitchen. Called me more than a few times, which was all ignored since my phone was on silent and was also away from it, experimenting with Jasper and Carlisle. Went to bed angry, woke up the same way, just to call Edward to have him explain himself.
And when I woke up, Edward and I both went over there and got the third degree about being careless and irresponsible, before shut himself away till he cooled off enough approach us and apologize.
As we discuss repairs to the kitchen and cost of the cabinets, counters, and sink that needed replacing due to Seth's and Edward's supposed impromptu round of 'indoor football'; I had taken the time to give the kitchen a harder look over.
It still had the yellow paint from god knows when and grease from all the frying caked all over the cabinets above the stove. Then I found myself in the living room, looking at the dated wallpaper, then bedrooms and bathrooms, having mental complaints about the same things. I couldn't believe I never really took notice before. But I suppose it was my normal till I moved in with Edward. Now in comparison, everything at Charlie's looked rather run down.
I thought hard, but my choice was made. As soon as I got the chance, I got Esme and we discuss a full renovation of Charlie's house.
Charlie's permission was easy to get, given that we didn't ask for it. When the trucks and twenty man construction crew pulled up behind Sue's brand new SUV we got the day before, he reluctantly got on board when he discovered that they came to fix more than the cabinets and window.
So now our activities' served a dual purposes. Charlie didn't allow us to move him to a hotel or the Cullen's while the repairs were underway, so he stayed home. But during the day, he needed to be out the house and needed to spend time with his daughter. And now he is doing both.
It rained two days ago, and the forest was well fed. Every color seemed slightly more vibrant, and all the forest seemed more alive. The canopy above was thick and sang with the wind the warm summer breeze pass thru them.
The sound of water flowing over rock bed in the nearby creek increased as we neared, urging us forward to see its serene majesty.
In our first hour, Charlie had led the way. We hiked in comfortable silence taking it all in piece by tranquil piece.
As the hours went on, I had been by his side keeping pace. He did his due diligence as a father and woodsmen and pointing out berries and bushes that I shouldn't go near. And told me that if I ever found myself in an emergency situation, to find water and stay near water. Use it as a guide and follow it downstream, it will lead me to the ocean or civilization. Then he added a warning stating, all the animals in the forest make their way to water eventually, and that includes the predators as well.
'If he only knew the half of it,' I thought humorously.
I thanked my dad for the information. But I was already thinking how I was going to put what he thought me to full use.
In a month or so I would be checking up on his theory. Planning to somehow remind myself to find water and feed on what comes to drink.
Why chase what comes willingly? I jokingly surmised.
As time went on to the third hour, I began out pace my father much to his surprise. And even to his bigger surprise, I was steady on my feet, even on uneven ground. I was navigating the forest with ease, and even a sense of fearlessness. I knew there were cats and bears out here, but thanks to my mixed scent, I knew they would scatter as soon as they got a whiff at what I was putting out. But that wasn't the sole reason for my fearlessness.
The other reason was approximately two and a half miles away, hidden out of sight and most likely watching my every step through my father's eyes.
So feeling mischievous, I picked up my pace and give him a view of me in my black and blue flannel shirt. I tied it in a knot just above my belly button, showcasing my shorts that came up only a few inches below my bottom.
I laughed mentally then because it worked. I could feel his lust through our connection. And I knew he was going to make me pay for his 'suffering' dearly later tonight.
'Yeah me' I thought proudly now feeling my own need increase.
Now in the fourth hour, I saw that Charlie was lagging behind. Far behind. I slowed and allowed him to catch up. I was feeling the burn in my legs as we climbed up the steep incline, but after months of wearing weighted clothes and sweats, it didn't bother me as much as it did my father. In either case, walking up an incline for ten minutes straight was taxing on the body. So I slowed and waited for my father to catch up and then catch his breath.
"Phew," Charlie said, then sat, practically slamming himself down. "You've gotten stronger kiddo, I'm proud of ya." He huffed out. "This incline doesn't seem to bother you at all. Once upon a time…"
"I would've tripped, fell, and rolled down this hill, I know." I joked.
"Hehe, exactly. But now… you're different than before. You're better. Like all the way around better?" Charlie said looping his finger at me as he pointed.
"Ya dad, I'm great now. I'm in a really good place."
"No doubt about that. I've never seen you happier Bells. But not just happy, confident too. You're more… 'Follow me I'm taking charge now'"
'Was I?' "Heh, you think so?"
"Yea kiddo, I do."
"I guess - getting married to the person you love the most would do that to you" I reasoned, sending him a wave of my love along with that message. which he kindly replied creating a feeling of euphoria for both of us. Leaving me looking deeply reminiscent.
"Yeah well, just remember he's not the only one that loves you, kiddo?" Charlie lightheartedly grumbled out, trying to hide his deep sentiment behind his grumbled out words.
I smirked and bobbed my head. "No sweat dad. I won't forget that."
"Good, I'll be fine with second place. The broncos are, so it can't be all that bad." He said chuckling at his own joke as I rolled my eyes grinning at his quip.
He sighed deeply, smirked at me then laid down. He took in even deeper breaths then, and occasionally drinks from his water bottle.
We stayed silent like that for another twenty minutes, permitting to summer sun to do its worse to our pale skins as we took in the scenery of the deep green woods.
But while he looked to the skies, I strained trying to look through the trees. I was practicing with my new built in radar system. Edward was closing in, I knew that because the 'cord', pull or stretch, wasn't as tight as it was before. It was getting looser, meaning Edward was nearing us, closing the distance from two miles to one.
But the canopy below was still too thick for my eyes to penetrate. But that was my problem, because I felt the moment he saw me. I felt his instant burst of relief and relaxations when he found what he was looking for. Me sitting safe and sound next to my cloud watching father.
Turning to my dad, cause him to break his reflective gaze with the heavens, and with nothing but a soft smile and a nod, we rose up from our seats, and continued on.
We finished our climb to the top of the upper sol duc valley and looked behind us to take in the view of our little accomplishment. After a moment of two of exploring the scenery, we turned and continued on.
We pressed on for another thirty minutes in silence, but then I started to feel unnerved, uncomfortable, and slightly bitter. But it wasn't my feelings, it was Edwards, and all I could send in return was confusion.
My first thought was something must have been going on behind me, and that Edward was all alone to face it. I wanted to break into a run, but Charlie quickly spoke up.
"Hey Bells, can I ask you something?" Charlie asked timidly. I was impatient thinking about excuse to run back to Edward, so I just nodded and began to take steps toward Edwards's direction without looking at Charlie.
"Bells what do you think about Billy coming to your wedding?" Charlie asked reticently.
I stopped and did a double take of Charlie. I felt Edward disdain, as well as my own.
I no longer felt the need to run to my mate now that I had found the reason for his initial discomfort. He must have been picking up on this while Charlie was contemplating how to ask me.
Our Wedding? Billy? Our vampire filled WEDDING? Billy? Our day of happiness shared with an openly prejudiced bigot that would rather see my family and mate dead, if it didn't cost him anything, Billy Black?
NO! Not gonna happen!
That was the first response that came into my head.
Why would I want him at our wedding? We barely came to a truce, and it was a temporary one at that. I didn't trust him or his son at all to come to something so sacred to us and to leave without incident.
And truthfully, I no longer held any respect for the bigot who I once saw as my affable uncle.
Things could have been different if he had just taken the time to see and separate legend from reality, and make up his own opinion.
If he had done that and came to the same conclusion; on his own, I probably would've respected his position more.
But just by looking at the way they all spoke to the Cullen's, as if they were liable to turnaround and drain the town at a moment's notice, was a clear indication that they had their opinions set in stone that all vampires were made equal.
He blindly accept his misguided rhetoric of what his ancestors thought vampires are all about and made all his decisions accordingly.
And after everything he put Edward and I through to get to this point, I would be crazy to invite him to our wedding and risk him doing or 'saying' anything to ruin what so many people have worked so hard to put together.
'No absolutely not gonna happen.' But I couldn't say that, not outright, not with Charlie being the one making the request.
I turned back to my original direction and began walking onward, thinking carefully on my words.
"Dad, are you sure you want that?" I asked hopping stone to stone, crossing over a small stream.
"Why wouldn't I? He's been my friend for close to twenty five years Bella, of course I want him at my daughter's wedding?"
'He's been your anchor you mean. The thing that has been keeping you content and complacent. The thing that has been keeping you here in forks and away from the world' I mentally scoffed.
"How about the fact that he resents me for not choosing to be with Jacob?" I asked him as if he should've figured that part out for himself. "Or how about the fact that the man you will be handing your daughter's hand to is a Cullen and not one 'us' as he puts it? Or do you think he's gotten over his prejudiced of them yet? And If not that, how about the fact that he still holding a grudge against you for not minding your own business when his sixteen year old son ran away? I mean come'on Charlie. With so many reasons laid out, can you really expect me to leap for joy at your request? I'll be nervous enough as it is with everyone sitting there second guessing the truth of why I'm marrying Edward as such a 'young' age," I quickly scoffed "I really don't need to have Billy be the first person I see at the back of the room, leering at me with judgment in his eyes."
At least he did me the courtesy of 'pretending' to think on my points.
"I understand that Bella, believe me. But I will talk about that, and he will be made to understand."
"Oh yeah? When was the last time you 'talked' to him?" I sarcastically prodded, knowing full well that they haven't spoken since Billy told him to mind his own business days ago.
"That's not the point Bella. I'm not trying to drudge up old quarrels with him, I'm trying to extend an olive branch in hopes that he and I move on." He said ducking under a low branch.
"By doing what exactly? Inviting him to the very cause of your feud and give him a back row seat to bear witness as his drunken dream sobers up right before his eyes? Dad that's just cruel?" I said trying to hide my incredulity and hint at the absurdity of this request.
"No, Bella, It's called burying the hatchet, and letting bygones be bygones. But more than that, I want him there Bella. Because he watched you grow up almost much as I did. You may not consider him family, but to me he is like a brother, and this is a family event, and he needs to be there."
'He watched me grow as much as my own father did?' I had to fight the urge not look at my father with a warped expression of contempt; because he said that like it's a good thing. That an almost stranger, knew me just as well as he did.
But that is beside the obvious point my too-clever-for-his-own-good father is missing.
"Have you even considered, oh i-don't-know the possibility that Billy may not want to be there?" I asked sarcastically "Have you considered what would happen if he turned down your olive branch, and what the ramifications of what that would mean to your friendship?" I asked poignantly, causing Charlie to grind his jaw as he considered my questions. But it got me thinking as well.
I was going about this the wrong way. I didn't have to deny Charlie anything Billy was going to do that all by himself.
"Dad, if you want to invite him, I'm not going to say no."
Edward's shock and disbelief at my words momentarily stunned me still.
"But I suggest you talk to him about keeping decorum while he is there. I don't want him using this as an opportunity to mouth his views on my choice of family."
"Okay, I could do that." Charlie nodded, and Edward let me feel his reluctant bitter acceptance of my words, and let him feel mine.
It was a gamble, and if I lost neither of us were going to be happy.
"But seriously dad, before you ask, think about it before you do. Given history and his…bias and open bigotry of all things Cullen; do you really think he would make the effort? Even for you? I mean, just look at his track record. The fact that he is still struggling in a wheel chair and not struggling on crouches right now should be proof of his hatred for my choice and family. He would rather remain disabled than seek the aid of one of the most amazing surgeons in the world, who just so happens to be practicing only a few miles from his front door. So I ask you, when he says no, what are you going to do then?"
Charlie took some real time to think about that question. We hiked almost a hundred yards or so into to woods in silence as I awaited a response.
"Bella, first off, Carlisle good, but I doubt he could make the man walk again."
Okay fair point, I may have gone overboard there.
"And secondly, He didn't stay away just because of the Carlisle. Hospitals stays and medicine isn't cheap. Something like that would've left him destitute and he wouldn't do that to Jake."
Wow, unbelievable. Wasn't expecting that. It took everything I had not level Charlie with an eye roll, to end all eye rolls.
That was one of the biggest 'excuses' I've ever heard Charlie make. The last time I heard something like that was in the defense of another 'Black', when he was telling me that bringing home my motorcycle was somehow for my benefit, and not an attempt to manipulate both himself and me into a situation that benefited him.
All that aside, Charlie knows full well of Carlisle 'generous' nature. The whole hospital whispers of it every time a new piece of state of the art equipment 'finds its way' into a hospital that had no budget for it prior.
Five new ambulances, portable sonograms, to highly expensive cat scan machines. And thanks to Pacific Northwest Trust, a two hundred and fifty million dollar grant, that Carlisle 'applied' for and 'somehow' got. And with it, Forks hospital has been able to increase the wages of its staff to meet the rest of the countries criteria. And that increase combined with the low cost of living here, made for a very happy workplace. And that money was now swimming around in our little community.
Carlisle has put more money into forks than he's ever got back, and done pro-Bono work for every case he felt would leave a family bankrupt. Everyone whispers of Carlisle generosity, and I know that has hit Charlie's ears. So I know, he knows, that money was never an option. Yet he went ahead and said that crap anyway.
It seems the Black's ability to deny reality is beginning to act like a contagion.
"…But that is beside the point," He said after witnessing my eyes roll to the heavens that I thought I was going to hold back on. "All I'm going to do is ask, what he does is his own prerogative. I won't hold it against him if he's a no show?"
'Then why bother asking at all if he not being there changes nothing?' I thought bitterly
"Don't you think you should?" I ask letting my incredulity seep into every word. "Don't you think it's time to hold his behavior up to a microscope and make him explain himself?"
I quickly felt a hint of shock, panic and caution from Edward.
Shit…
"I have Bells, and every time I bring it up, he brings up…nonsense. I told him I knew the truth about the gold, and the tribes' history with the Cullen's, and he looks at me like I was out of my mind. He even asked me where I heard that bullshit from, and only calmed down when I told him Sue told me." Charlie said staring at me penetratingly watching me nervously bite my bottom, with anxiety written all over my features.
Shit…
"Bells…I…I don't want to doubt Edward and I especially don't want to think that Sue is lying to me, but…Billy seemed to hold pretty firm when he said that, that story was just that, a story. He said I was fed bullshit; and now I just don't know what or who to believe."
I realized my misstep and was now in a mad mental rush to back away from this minefield of potential supernatural conversational topics.
"…When I asked him for the real story, all he would say is he told me already, and it was up to me whether or not I believed it. But what the hell am I supposed to say to that hocus pocus snake oil nonsense he's was talking about?"
I just shook my head blankly and shrugged non-committedley.
"I mean, he and old man Quill were drunk as skunks and practically slurred the whole sorted tale like a well-rehearsed alibi. I mean help me out here Bella, what would you say if your best friend sat you down and told you story of blood drinking murders, who sounds like they could've been vampires, and people who transformed into spirit leaves, twig and berries, animals or some crap like that? And what would you think if he told you that it was all true, and that his people are the descendants of those other spirit fairy people, and the Cullen's, and your fiancé are the same as those monsters they fought against?"
My eyes were wide and my mouth hung open but nothing was coming out.
I remained like that longer than I wanted to; much too long. Charlie's eyes were slowly moving away from confusion and arriving on suspicion, and I knew it wouldn't be too long that my gawking silence was used as confirmation.
Panic overtook me then. I wanted to act, I wanted to lie, I wanted to run out of my skin and let someone else deal with it, but my mind was frozen. Because I was dead to rights the worse liar in history, and to say anything now will be all the confirmation Charlie would need, and to say nothing seem to yield the same result.
The irony of this situation hit me hard. My frozen guilt ridden mind and supernatural bad luck was going to cause me to break the one golden rule about 'keeping the secret' by actually keeping it.
It was unbelievable that my luck was that bad. And that realization did something else.
I broke free of my mental prison and caused me to burst into nervous psychotic laughter.
"Bella?"
I was now shaking with nervous laughter and pained tears.
"Bella?" he called again
But I just kept on laughing like a maniac as he stared at me with renewed confusion.
After a full minute of this he just rolled his eyes
"Okay, I get it, I get it. My friend's screws are finally coming lose, pipe down before we attract a mountain lion or something."
That sobered me right up.
"…What?"
"I said calm down, before your turn us into lunch. I never did catch those giant wolves you went on about remember?"
'Wolves? Oh right'
"Yeah… sorry." I said feeling relieved enough for two.
"So you see my point I take it? What is anyone supposed to do after hearing crap like that? The problem is he believes it. As drunk as he was, I knew he believed it."
"Dad…it seems to me that you and Billy have a lot to work out. And I really don't think an invite to our wedding is going to solve it or should be the place where you try to fix it."
"Yeah alright kiddo. I won't do that to you. You got enough problems on your big day I won't add to it."
"Thank you dad." I said feeling truly relieved.
His decision solved my issue, but I see it didn't solve his problem. Stepping over a fallen log, I considered my options, and then decided to extend my own olive branch.
"Dad, how about I make some arrangements for you, Billy and maybe Carlisle, to spend some time together and get to know one another better? You know some real male bonding?"
"Hey now, that may not be such a bad idea kiddo." Perking right up. "I can't really picture all of us on a boat together, be we can do something right?"
"Sure can." I said happily. "When I get back, I'll have a talk with Carlisle and see what he wants to do. I think it would be a good bonding experience all around."
"Yeah sounds good. Should be interesting that's for damn sure. I'll look forward to it." He nodded proudly to me.
It was the thought that counted. Personally I knew it was never really going to happen now. Charlie didn't know it yet, but once the investigators got here, all of this would be forgotten and he would have all the distractions he could handle and then some.
We trekked on for another mile or so, and I kept our topics deliberately 'light'. So for him the topic was Sue, and for me Edward. We talked about how we saw each other before they came along, and how we are today what we are today because of them. The miles were flying by.
By the time we decided to turn and head back, we found that the topic had somehow landed on wardrobe; tuxedos, bow ties, and gowns. Charlie grimaced at the idea of having to be so fancy for a wedding taking place in the Cullen backyard; and wisely said his piece quickly, and let it go at that.
After we came back to where we started, I hugged my father and said my goodbyes for the day. I let Charlie drive off first, slowly driving behind him till he was well ahead, then stopped for Edward, when he took the bend and went out of sight.
My lips instantly found his, and immediately recoiled causing him to chuckle at my surprise.
"You're hot."
"So it just my looks your after then?" He playfully joked, causing me to smack his chest just as playfully.
"Well it sure isn't your brains, jerk." Causing both of us to chuckle
"Why are you so warm?"
"Bella, we are cold blooded creatures. Our body temperature rises and falls with our surroundings, and if you haven't noticed, it's a really hot day today."
Oh wow…"Really?" I said in pleased awe.
"Honestly I thought you would've figured that part out by now. We've made love so many times under your electric blanket…"
"And when exactly would I have had time to feel the change in your temperature, hmm?" I said leaning in closer and closer, then reaching behind him, pulling him closer. "We don't exactly give it enough time to work do we? And once you start on me, my mind is usually elsewhere."
"So you've never noticed the difference?" he whispered, breathing his delicious breath onto me.
I shook my head, then licked my lips suggestively, till the corner of his eye began to grey.
"Then…I take it this is a first for you then?"
I nodded, biting my bottom lip suggestively, causing the corners of his eyes to darken some more and kept going till the darkness almost reached the irises.
"And… What do you suggest we do about that?" He probed in his own suggestive voice.
"How about…me?" I smirked, then quickly turned from him and sped off.
"Bella?"
"There is only things that comes to my mind, so now all we need is a place where no one can hear my—screams."
His eyes blackened all the way then, and his lust for me crashed into my own for him, increasing our anticipation exponentially.
We found our turn off into a secluded area easily enough. Our lust was maddening. I barely put our car in park before Edward had pulled me out the driver side door and practically threw us against a tree.
Still disoriented from the sudden burst of speed and wind, I found Edwards lips pressing fiercely on my own, further increasing my disorientation.
Before I knew it, I was my back on the forest floor, and after some quick ripping, was made bare. Edward was now above me licking and kissing behind me ear, as I spread myself open under him.
I wasted no time getting wet for him and he wasted no time and buried himself inside of me quickly.
I thanked god for his urgency. But instantly I felt the difference in temperature, but only for the briefest of moments before my mind was lost in a delirium of pleasure brought on by both of our explosive releases.
Then I found everything about him was warmer. Both my mind and my core was swimming because of him; and I loved it.
After a few breaths, his mouth was on mine and he was grinding into once more. I placed my hands on his bottom forcing him into depths that I didn't even have, just to increase to pressure on the roof my core. And when that wasn't enough, I soon began to match him thrust for thrust from below, causing him to hit it harder and harder; all the while using my lips like a vice, keeping his own firmly pressed to mind, as the sound of stone slapping skin in rapid succession threw us over the edge again.
We allowed no spacing between us was we enjoyed our second powerful release. I had pushed my hips upward with aid his hands gripping my bottom, as he pressed his hips downwards with the aid of my hands pulling him into my deepest depths for his release. My mind bubbled in ecstasy as I felt the sensation of him bathing my insides with his warmth once more.
Finally releasing his lips and purring mouth, our eyes shot open and met; and even with panting breath, I knew we were far from done.
[END CHAPTER]
AUTHOR:
Thank you all for coming together once again. As always your reviews and comments are appreciated.
I'll be trying to keep to a schedule as much as possible, but I do see that life will be playing a role in my ability to edit and publish chapters.
Any hoo, hoped you like the prologue and chapter one. There will be quite a few more lemons this time around, but it will be kept to a minimum as much as possible since I don't particularly like writing lemons. But since the two protag's are 'fully bonded' I don't really have a choice.
I feel like Im gonna have to be Dtrouno w/ her angel series… lemon part anyway.
Don't get me wrong I loved the 'majority' of the story with only two exceptions. Which was the forgiveness of JB and his continued involvement in Bella's life afterward. Other than that, Dtrouno wrote an exceptional series. One of the best.
Any hoo again; feel free to freely comment on anything that stood out to you this chapter. And remember, be critical and creative with your thinking and replies!