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Prelude	By : belladonnacullen Category: Twilight Series > Het > Bella/Edward Views: 5838 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or make any money from this story.

Chapter List
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I found Carlisle and Esme looking out the window toward the forest, holding hands. They turned as I walked into the room. Esme was at my side. "Son, you've made me so happy."
In her mind, Esme replayed my recent entrance through the front door with Bella. I watched myself through her eyes somewhat incredulously. I was taken aback by the difference in my eyes, my actions, and especially my reaction to Bella's blushing cheeks. I had leaned in toward Bella and smiled, drawn to her embarrassment and her human warmth. But it wasn't the vampiric reaction that the rest of my family, or the rest of my species, would have automatically shown. It was a much more human gesture.
I couldn't keep the smile from my lips as I ran through the scene twice more in my brain. Esme placed her hands on my shoulders and hugged me. "To see you and Bella together like this, to see what it's done for you, it warms my heart. I knew it would work out."
Carlisle was grinning openly. "If I didn't know better, I'd think..." I stopped him, somewhat embarrassed in front of Esme.
"Carlisle, you know I would never..." But he cut me off as well.
"Edward, in my eyes Bella is already yours and has been for some time. I respect your stance, but know that it is your choice. I'm fine with whatever you and Bella decide. I don't suppose I have to remind you to be safe?"
I'd heard this caution several times in the minds of other parents, but it always revolved around contraception. Surely Carlisle was the only parent reminding his son not to accidentally break his fiance. A stray thought found its way into my head and tugged at my boyant mood. If only I had to worry about birth control. I suddenly wished for a child to complete the human picture that ran through Esme's mind. I was surprised by this new emotion and tucked it carefully away for later evaluation.
"Edward?" Carlisle was grinning at me, with pride perhaps.
Esme made herself busy in the kitchen, with what I couldn't fathom. She could certainly hear us from the next room, but I appreciated the gesture.
"No, you don't have to remind me. If I didn't love Bella as much as I do, if she weren't worth more to me than my own life, I would never have the willpower to restrain myself with every second we were together. If she didn't love me back, I wouldn't have the nerve to try."
"Then perhaps this will work for the two of you." Carlisle tactfully gazed out into the darkening forest.
"Perhaps." I breathed coolly, matching his gaze.
"Edward, Alice says you two only have one more night together before the wedding. You should stay here with Bella tonight. How often do you get the chance to be alone with one another?"
"If I understand you correctly, you're leaving your son and his fiance home alone together for the evening?"
"I think the last time you ended up engaged. See how well that turned out?"
"Hmm."
"Edward, if you're going to spend weeks alone together, one night seems like a good place to start."
Alice ran down the stairs and paused by the front door. "Ready?"
Esme was at my side again. "Good night, son." She kissed my cheek.
With a nod from Carlisle they were out the door. The house was completely quiet, except for the sound of water on tiles, Bella's heartbeat, and her voice. I smiled broadly. Bella was tunelessly humming her lullaby to herself in the shower.
I swiftly made my way to the shower on the second floor and washed the dirt and twigs off of me as well. I chose comfortable drawstring linen pants and a white T-shirt to wear. Then I was downstairs in the kitchen. Luckily, Alice went shopping for human food today. Unfortunately, vampires can't make water boil or meat defrost any quicker than a human. I settled on preparing Bella a dinner of soup and sandwiches.
To distract myself from the revolting foodstuff in front of me I listened to Bella's heart beat in the shower. It's steady rhythm would have to be enough for the two of us. It would have to anchor us both to this earth, for I was so happy I thought I might float. Thump thump, thump thump. I was about to marry the woman I loved most in this world. Thump thump, thump thump. I was about to make both of our dreams come true. Thump thump, thump thump. I thought about how far Bella and I had come in such a short amount of time.
And then the water was off. I heard the click of the glass shower door and the padding of Bella's wet feet as she left the stall. Then her heart began to accelerate and I wondered what was upsetting her. I stopped myself from dashing to the bathroom door, knowing full well that I wouldn't keep it closed.
Of course! Bella would be looking at the garments Alice brought for her. I purchased the midnight blue silk and lace chemise for Bella to wear on our honeymoon. I'd like to say that I didn't know how I let Alice talk me into giving it to Bella this evening, but it would be a lie. I wanted so badly to see the soft blue silk draped on Bella's body. I wanted to compare the texture of silk to the texture of her skin and I wanted to feel the friction of silk on skin as I moved my body against it.
This excitement was dangerous. I had to stay focused and remain in control. But my mind took me back to this afternoon in the meadow, Bella's skin flushed pink and moist with rainwater, lying on her back. Her hair was wet and wild, tangled around her head and flecked with leaves and blades of grass. Her big brown eyes were partially hidden by eyelids that were heavy with the desire that she felt for me.
She told me I was beautiful. My cold white skin and strange eyes were beautiful to her. I was nothing compared to her vibrant living body; her face, her warm moist skin, the rise of her small breasts, the curve of her hips, her long legs that always seemed to wrap themselves around my waist.
"Not compared to you."
I was overwhelmed. This woman was going to make my dream come true. This exquisite creature would be my wife in just three short days. And I was going to make her wish come true too. I felt I could do this. I could give her the one thing she wanted besides a life of damned immortality. I felt strong, powerful, and joyous.
"You know I love you?" The sentiment paled in comparison to the emotions that were surging through my body.
"Of course." She said it without hesitation. She knew how I felt. Even though she couldn't hear my mind, even though I held back from her, forced her into compromises. She knew I loved her. Her trust was infinite.
"And you know I love you?" Her question almost made my resolve melt right there. I had struggled with that question for so long. How many times I wished I could hear her thoughts so that I might know. It took me so long to accept the idea that I was lovable in the same way. It was a leap of faith that I had been too frightened and too full of self- loathing to make. But now I knew it, Bella loved me. And that also made me feel powerful and strong. I thought all of this as I gazed into her eyes. Her heartbeat quickened as she watched me. I saw the rise and fall of her pulse as blood surged through her neck. I traced a path with my eyes to its source, her heart.
"I do," I answered.
I needed to touch her, to feel her warmth on my skin. My resolve was gone. "Bella, do you know how long I've wanted this?" I wondered if she knew what I meant. I wanted to share myself with her. I wanted to trust myself the way that she trusted herself in my arms. I wanted to show her what she could do to me.
Carefully, I lowered my body to hers and gently pressed my erection into her hip.
"No."
Her answer cut like a knife. She didn't know.
"I only hoped."
Why would she know? I denied her at every turn and had given little indication that I cared for this intimacy at all. How could she be certain of another creature's desires? She knew her own. I kept mine masked. I needed to show her.
I began rubbing myself against her body, softly, carefully. Kissing her. Her eyes flew open, with shock, burning with awareness and with something else that it took me a moment to identify. Triumph. My mouth was on hers.
"I couldn't let you know. I couldn't trust myself."
She asked something. What was it? The hunger I felt was becoming intense. I was moving towards something, my body was moving forward and my mind was two steps behind. I was trying to answer Bella while her scent was singing a siren song, pulling me toward disaster.
"Bella," I fought to calm myself, "I still have to be careful." I said it for her as well as myself.
"Let me show you how careful you have to be." I was falling again, falling into her. Bella's words were another chip at my resolve. Yes, I should have her show me. I let her guide my body and I ached with desire. I let her position my erection between her legs and I shuddered, my groin ached, and I rested, letting her guide me. It was perfect.
The bathroom door clicked open, and I heard Bella's footsteps on the third floor landing. My mind snapped back to the present. I scattered candles around the dining room and quickly lit them. If this was our last night together before we were man and wife I would make it special. I'd find a way to keep both promises I had made in haste. I'd make Bella's voice sing out for me tonight. But I'd make sure to hold myself back for just one more night.
I cold smell her before she came into my line of vision. The warm water of the shower turned her scent into a heady perfume that hung in the air around her like a cloud. I closed my eyes to better appreciate her aroma, and Bella padded hesitantly into the dining room. I opened my eyes and it took every shred of my restraint to hold myself to the bargain I had just made. The sight of Bella, wrapped in my bathrobe, her long hair streaming down her back and around her face set my heart on fire. I was all too aware that this vision was about to be mine for the rest of my life, and my breath came faster and as I marveled at this realization.
"Oh Edward, this is so pretty," Bella murmured casting a glance over the candlelit dining room and the table settings I had arranged.
"But before I could reply, her cell phone rang. It was Charlie's ring tone. I silently cursed myself for purchasing it in the first place, but handed it to her anyway.
Bella sighed, blew me a kiss, and turned to talk to her father. I tried to look pre-occupied.
"Hey dad."
"I just wanted to call to say to have fun tonight."
"What?" Bella's heart skipped a beat or two. I couldn't imagine where Charlie was going with this.
"Alice was just here. She told me about the surprise bachelorette party. To be honest Bells, I would have put an end to it if it weren't for Carlisle and Esme. But they told me it was just going to be a couple of you at their house."
"Right."
"Hey, I can hear it in your voice. I know you don't like these things, but have fun kiddo. You only do this once. No drinking, you hear me?"
"Sure dad."
"I'll see you back here for the fitting tomorrow, right?"
"Mm hmm. Right."
"Then we'll go get Renee and Phil together."
"I think mom would really appreciate that."
"Night Bells, I'll see you in the morning."
"Good night, dad."
Bella clicked the phone shut and turned to look at me. "Did you..."
"No, it was Alice, and Carlisle, and maybe Esme too."
"Oh." She looked slightly disappointed.
"Do you mind spending the night with me?" Suddenly I realized that she might feel forced into this.
"I thought since you didn't plan this, maybe you didn't want to spend the night with me."
I was across the room and she was in my arms. I ran my hands through her wet fragrant hair, and pressed her body to mine. "Do you really think that?" I pressed my lips against hers. "How could you imagine that I didn't want this? This is why I want to marry you. So that it will be just you and I forever. So that every night can be like this."
- 19
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Prelude