me was overwhelming. They honestly believed in me, trusted that I wouldn't hurt her. Maybe Judas did have the corner on the betrayal market.
As I saw the conviction in their faces, something deep inside of me settled. I stood up, surveyed their loving faces and the inner workings of my brain and my non-beating heart finally accepted her fate. Option three.
She will live, I'll look after her and she will live, I determined. As long as I was around, no one would ever harm her because I would break them limb from limb if they even attempted, or even if they possibly thought it. Her vampire protector. Forever.
"It seems I can't stay away from her." I grimaced, but deep inside I was glowing.
I don't want him to stay away from her; he's been a different person since she came into his life,Esme thought cheerfully.
Carlisle grinned, his thoughts in sync with Esme.
I sighed, but the sound wasn't as pained as before. It was almost...joyous.
Striding swiftly from the room I realized it was no longer silent in the house. I could hear faint mutterings from Rosalie. Instantly I shoved her constant jeering from my mind.
Deep down, Rosalie's problem with Bella really was pure jealousy. She hated that Bella was human because she wanted to be human. But I thought her warm, trusting humanness was Bella's best quality.
Edward!Alice bellowed from her head while skipping up the stairs towards me.
The cloudy, blurry vision from earlier today was instantly clear. No longer did she see Bella's lifeless form lying in the bracken of the forest floor. My eyes no longer glowed that ominous red.
When she reached me at the top of the stairs she grinned widely while practically jumping on me to wrap her tiny arms around my neck.
"Thank you, Edward!" Alice was jubilant.
I nodded and returned her hug, releasing her quickly because I was on a mission.
Have fun at Bella's. I suppose you won't tell her hi for me, will you?
For the first time since I entered the house this afternoon, my lips twitched up into a smile, completely opposite from my previous grimace. My stomach was doing back flips at the thought of being with her again.
I couldn't stand being away from her any longer.
I dashed through the forest towards her house as if someone was lighting a fire beneath my feet. As I took off I heard faded thoughts from Alice.
I wonder what happened to change the vision? I hope Edward starts letting me hang out with her. Just two more days...She was counting down. Then I saw images of her dressing a blushing Bella up and playing with her hair like she was a doll.
I rolled my eyes, but instantly craved for this to come true.
I was sitting in the rocking chair in Bella's room. Her warm delicious scent was swirling around me and I was sucking it slowly into my lungs with each breath. I was willing myself to stay away from her. A feat much harder than one would realize.
Tonight, she was not sleeping soundly. I watched as she tangled herself into the blankets early on in the evening.
I stood. Realizing I was unable to help her, I sat. The chair was my prison, holding me in my seat. She was the dessert across the table from a kid who had to eat broccoli. The temptation would never go away, yet each second I grew stronger against my will to rush over and hold her. I couldn't allow myself to do something so foolish. It was about her now. What she wants, what she needs. I had to toss my selfishness away as best I could, even though my presence was selfish enough.
She tossed again. I got up once more, my hands reaching out like I could help. My touch was too cold...wrong. I seated myself back into my prison.
I sighed. With the quick intake of air the burning persisted in my dry throat. Each breath brought me pleasure and torture. Mainly torture, though her scent reminded me of how alive she is.
"Edward..." she mumbled in her sleep.
This was not the first time this evening that she murmured my name in her sweet magical voice. Each sound or movement was watched by me as she continued to tangle herself in the sheets.
I couldn't help but worry that she wasn't having a good dream. I was a monster after all.
She woke a few times in the night, startled from her dream - or nightmare - but I was stealthy enough