BPOV
The next couple of days passed by quickly- the six of us playing 20 questions at lunch time to get to know each other better. Thankfully the questions were easy; usually favourite colours, movies, books, etc. They were all reluctant to talk about their pasts, so they didn't ask about mine. I found that I had many of the same tastes as them- having been subjected to a variety of things over the years by my Volterra vampires.
I had the distinct impression from Edward's questions that he was trying to find out what I would like so that he could give me gifts. In return, I paid close attention to his answers, so that if he did get me gifts, I could at least get him a present as well.
When he asked my favourite flower, I fingered my cuff, "Freesias," I answered.
Edward stopped and took a deep breath of my hair. "That's very fitting," he observed, "Your scent smells just like them."
I smiled a little at that, I've been told that before, I thought to myself.
Finally Saturday arrived, and I awoke early and lay comfortably in Edward's arms as I listened to Charlie potter around the house for a bit before he finally left, heading to La Push to visit Billy. I got up once he was gone, eager to see Edward's special place. He had refused to give me any hints about it, and I was now burning with curiosity.
I got ready while Edward left to get his car. I rushed around, getting dressed, throwing down breakfast, and packing myself some energy bars for the day- I was well aware of how forgetful vampires could be when it came to regular meal times.
By the time Edward arrived back I was already waiting impatiently on the porch. He grinned at me, "Excited are we?"
"Yes," I exclaimed, getting into the car. He chuckled softly before putting the car in drive and pulling out. We drove until we hit the end of a dirt road, and I looked forward to see a trail. "Are we hiking?" I asked suspiciously.
"Yes," he admitted, "It's about five miles," he said apologetically.
"Well at least there's a trail," I muttered.
"Actually Bella, we're not taking the trail." He said sheepishly.
I looked at him incredulously, there was no way I was going to be able to go five miles through the forest without a trail and not manage to trip every few steps due to my clumsiness. While I wouldn't be hurt, it was incredibly annoying and slow. "Please tell me I'm not going to be walking." I begged, "Can't you carry me? You're really strong and fast after all." I hadn't felt the rush of a vampire piggyback ride in almost a year.
He looked thoughtful for a second before it turned to excitement, "Of course Bella, I just didn't want to scare you with my speed- I was going to offer on the way back," he admitted as we got out of the car. The sun had started shining; breaking through the clouds, and it was getting warmer. I shrugged out of my jacket, tying it around my waist before turning to Edward. He turned his back to me and crouched down slightly. "Climb on," He sounded incredibly excited.
I jumped up on his back, wrapping my arms and legs tightly around him. It felt comfortable and familiar to me. I sighed happily and rested my chin on Edward's shoulder, "Let's go then," I urged.
Not needing to be told twice, Edward took off like a bullet. He was by far the fastest vampire I had ever met, and the speed was thrilling. In a matter of minutes we had stopped again, and I figured we must be fairly close to wherever Edward was taking me.
He let me down, turning to gauge my reaction. Seeing my bright eyes and excited expression he grinned, "It's exhilarating isn't it?"
"Absolutely," I agreed.
"You didn't even get motion sickness."
I shook my head, "I love speed Edward."
He grinned at me, "We're almost there," he said, "It's just a little further." Taking my hand he led me through the trees. I followed eagerly until the trees stopped. I found myself looking out into a beautiful meadow, adorned with wild flowers and framed by tall trees.
"It's beautiful," I breathed. Turning, I saw Edward, sparkling in the sunlight, his eyes warily watching for my reaction. Suddenly the splendour of the meadow paled beside him. He was gorgeous. I reached up hesitantly to this god-like creature, placing my hand on his sparkling cheek. "Amazing," I murmured, letting my eyes travel over his body. He had unbuttoned his shirt, and I hungrily took in his sparkling form. "You're beautiful." I informed him, looking deep into his honey eyes.
He looked shocked, then angry. He ripped his face away from my hand. "Beautiful?" he asked in disgust, "This is the skin of a killer Bella." His face turned hard. "I'm the world's most dangerous predator." He turned, and sped across the meadow, seeming surprised when my eyes followed the movement. "You can't outrun me," he yelled, seeming furious that I was still standing calmly there. He picked up a tree out of the ground and threw it across the meadow, letting it crash into another tree. "I'm a thousand times stronger than you. I could crush you with one finger Bella." He ran back to my side, his eyes fierce. "I'm dangerous Bella, you shouldn't be near me. Please grasp that." He said it with such conviction that I was suddenly afraid he would leave me.
I snapped that. I threw a shield at him, pushing him flat on his back. Wrapping myself in my own shield I levitated myself up a few feet in the air. I stared down at him furiously, keeping him frozen in place on the ground. He stared back up at me, his butterscotch eyes wide with amazement. "Let me make one thing very clear Edward," I growled at him, sending him my best glare. He winced a little, "You are not dangerous for me." I yelled, venting my anger by picking him up and throwing him through a tree. He crashed through and I picked him up again, rewrapping him in a shield. He fought slightly in surprise as I levitated him towards me until he was hovering just a few feet from me. His eyes actually had some fear in them now as he looked at me in shock. I knew I had to make my point stick. I brought the tree Edward had thrown towards us, until the entire thing was hanging in the air beside us, just inside the tree line. Flexing my shield; I crumbled the tree into sawdust, watching as Edward's eyes open even wider. "I can make you crumble just like that tree Edward." I said ferociously. "If anyone should be afraid, it's you."
I watched as recognition dawned in his eyes and he suddenly realised that I was not fragile. I sighed, feeling my anger dissolve away. I lowered us softly to the ground and took away my shields. I sat down, pulling him down with me, and took his hand. "This wasn't how I was planning on telling you," I explained regretfully. He looked at me, waiting for me to continue. "I have a gift too Edward," I started. "You can't see it, but I can shield myself physically, and others as well." I admitted, staring deeply into his eyes and praying that he wouldn't be scared of me. I watched in relief as the fear in his eyes disappeared and was replaced with relief, and happiness?
"Oh Bella," he breathed, "You have no idea how happy it makes me that you can protect yourself."
I smiled at him, "The only way you could possible hurt me would be to leave Edward." I said seriously.
He smiled sadly at me, but quickly changed the topic to a brighter one. "So this is how you managed to take down four men without a scratch," he mused, "I've been wondering about that."
I chuckled and nodded, "It's also another reason why the vampires I met when I was four decided against killing me," I confessed, "They couldn't."
"I'm glad," he muttered.
"I needed you to know the truth about me Edward, and I intend on telling the rest of your family too. I want them to feel that they don't have to worry about me telling anyone. I figure that if I tell them my secret and trust them not to tell anyone, then they'll trust me too." I explained, "Call it insurance."
He frowned, "Bella, we already trust you; we know you'd never tell anyone what we are." He said seriously.
I sighed in relief. "Well I'm glad it's out now, although you have to promise me that you won't say anything to them tonight- I want to tell them myself."
He nodded in agreement, "Alice will probably already know," he warned.
"I know," I agreed, "But I don't think she'll tell anyone."
Edward was intrigued with my shield and wanted to know all about it. I told him my limitations, and what I could do with it, explaining all that I could. I left out my mental shield though, knowing that there was no way of telling him how I knew about it without revealing the Volturi.
Finally, after a few hours, we dropped the subject and just lay together comfortably in the meadow, enjoying the sunshine and each other's company.
All too soon though, the sky darkened and I heaved a reluctant sigh, "We have to go back." I muttered.
"I know," Edward agreed unhappily. We stood up, and I shook my legs a little, getting the blood circulation after lying still for so long. I turned to face him. "Thank you for showing me this place Edward," I said softly, reaching up to place a soft kiss on his lips.
He smiled against my lips, "Your welcome Bella. Thank you for telling me about your gift." He whispered, lifting me up slightly and deepening our kiss. I remained wary of his teeth, fully aware of how sharp and deadly they were, as I allowed his tongue to explore my mouth, revelling in the feelings that being with Edward evoked in me.
Eventually he pulled back, "You are my life now," he whispered, looking deep into my eyes. My heart stuttered slightly. Then he slung me on his back and took off for the car.
As we ran I wished the car was further away so that I could stay on his back, enjoying the feeling of his body pressed up against mine while the wind rushed past us.
Unfortunately, my ride was soon over, and I placed a soft kiss on his neck as I slid off. He opened the passenger door for me, and we were soon heading home. As we travelled home, I remembered something I wanted to confirm. "So how old are you really Edward?" I asked.
He looked over at me warily, "I wonder if it will bother you," he observed.
I raised my eyebrows, "Try me," I challenged.
"I was born in 1901," he admitted, "I'm over 100 years old Bella." He watched my face as it split into a big grin. I was right! "I should have known by now that noting phases you," he said dryly.
I laughed, "What about the others?"
"Carlisle is over 350, Japer is around 150, Esme is in her 90's, Rosalie and Emmett in her 80's, and Alice is around 60." He admitted. I nodded in understanding, filing it carefully away for future reference.
For the rest of the drive I had him tell me about how he acquired his family members. He explained that Carlisle had originally changed him when he was dying of the Spanish Flu, and he had been the first of Carlisle's family. Esme came next; she had been found at the base of a cliff, barely alive, and Carlisle had fallen in love on sight.
I winced when I heard that Rosalie had been raped and beaten before being left for dead. No wonder she was so protective of her family.
Emmett's story was almost amusing. He had been mauled badly by a bear- which ironically was now his favourite food. Rose had found him and carried him back to Carlisle.
Alice and Jasper had found them later; Alice's visions leading her to them. "She freaked out Esme and Rosalie when she arrived knowing them both by name; Carlisle, Emmett and I had gone on a hunting trip." He chuckled, "When Alice eventually explained herself and reassured them that she was going to be part of the family, they calmed down and were pretty happy with their new family members. I came home to find her moved into my room, and all my stuff in the garage." He grumbled.
I laughed, "That sounds like something Alice would do." I agreed, snickering. "Why did she pick your room?"
"It had the biggest closet." He grinned.
"Of course," I agreed.
We soon arrived home, and I invited Edward in while I started dinner. He watched quietly as I moved around the kitchen, making a lasagne. "So what's your favourite food?" I asked. "You already mentioned that grizzly bear is Emmett's favourite."
He frowned at my question, "Mountain lion," he admitted.
"Cool," I said, mentally thinking back to my memories of Felix and Demetri hunting, and replacing them with Edward. "Will I ever get to see you hunt?" I asked.
"No," he looked scared at the thought. "It would be far too dangerous for you- I won't risk it, even with your shielding ability." I narrowed my eyes at him, annoyed that he was still hung up over my safety, but I decided to let it go for now.
Edward had to leave soon after because Charlie would be home soon, and I wanted to spend some time with him. I kissed him goodbye, making him promise to come back tonight, and he left.
Not long after, Charlie arrived home, bringing Billy and Jacob with him. I smiled at them "Hi Billy, Jake, how have you been?"
Jake smiled at me, "We've been great Bella," he answered, wheeling Billy's wheelchair into the lounge while Charlie turned on the TV.
Billy didn't look happy though, "Your father tells me you've been hanging around with the Cullens Bella," He stated, his eyes worried.
I froze, I knew he knew about the Cullens; he had a treaty with them after all. "Yes," I replied carefully, hoping he wasn't planning on telling Charlie. I risked a quick glance, to see Charlie obliviously flicking the channels.
Billy's eyes travelled in the same direction. He sighed, "Well be careful Bella," he said, the warning in his voice clear. I nodded, and left them watching the TV.
I headed to the kitchen and Jake followed me, looking curiously between his father and I. Jake helped me finish with dinner and I called them all into the kitchen to eat.
We ate in silence, the three males in front of me wolfing down my lasagne. It me happy to know they enjoyed it so much. Jake helped me with the dishes afterwards, and they prepared to leave.
Billy was left with me for a few moments alone as Jake went to start up their car, and Charlie went to get a fishing lure that Billy wanted to borrow. He turned to me. "Bella, are you aware of the Quileute legends about the 'Cold ones,'" he asked.
I stood my ground, "Yes Billy, I am fully aware of all your legends," I said, a warning in my tone, "Even the one relating specifically to the treaty with the Cullens."
His eyes widened at my admission. "Then you should know that they are dangerous Bella. Stay away from them." He ordered.
My eyes flashed. "No Billy, I know that they are safe- just as your ancestors did when they made the treaty." I said angrily. "It was your grandfather who made it Billy, do you think he would have done that if he felt that the Cullen's were dangerous?" I demanded. My eyes dared him to challenge me.
Before he could answer though, Charlie came back with the lure, and we were forced to act as though we'd been having a friendly conversation about the weather. They left after that, and I quickly said goodnight to Charlie and got ready for bed.
Edward arrived not long after I'd gotten settled under the covers, and he curled up around me as I drifted off to sleep, dreaming of Edward and the meadow.