Text Size Large SizeMedium SizeSmall Size    Color Scheme Black SchemeWhite SchemeGrey SchemePaper Scheme        

Dream's Shadow

Summary:
This is my take on the over- and usually poorly- done plot. Edward leaves Bella again. She is changed and they meet again in the future. There will be a big twist! Requested by Iris. Banner by Iris!

Notes:
Try it! I know stories like this usually stink, but I thought I'd give it a try. I own nothing. Stephenie Meyer owns all.

26. Chapter 26

Rating 5/5   Word Count 541   Review this Chapter

He turns to me, his eyes wide. “Oh, Bella… love, did you believe me? Did you ever believe I didn’t? Bella, I love you. I always have, and I always will, and I hope you can still love me… but I don’t expect it. I can’t ask such an impossibility, after everything I’ve done to you.”

My heart is beating again. No matter that it has stopped, this organ is no longer useless. Instead, it is alive, and vital. It is his.

I won’t go so far as to say I believe him. More relief than belief. My hope is not shot down.

It is allowed to build, instead.

“Edward. Edward. Please, don’t be lying.”

His face is agonized. “Can you believe that of me? I suppose you have every right to, after all this. Love, I swear never to leave your side again…”

“Don’t! Don’t you dare make me a promise you’ll only break.”

He winces. “I guess I deserve that. But I swear to you, I am not lying.”

“I didn’t say you were lying. I just… I can’t accept a promise.” I have difficulty putting into words something I scarcely can understand in my own thoughts. “The reason… I suppose… I still don’t trust myself. If I have your promise… you’ll be stuck. If you don’t want me, and you’re trapped. I can’t stand that. It’s worse than anything. I can’t stand to see you hurt.”

Again, he turns away, from me to his thoughts. His mutterings are clearly decipherable to my vampire’s ears. “You… you monster. You will never earn her love back. You monster.”

I speak deliberately and slowly, as much to convince myself as him. “Edward, listen to me. You do not earn love. It is given to you. You can try to deserve it, but people love you in spite of what you do, not because of it.”

“You love me?”

I roll my eyes. This is surprising, the recovery of my ability to make sarcastic motions, as I have been previously unable to do anything resembling levity. “I dressed up as a boy and followed you across a continent and a half. I should think I have some actual motivation for doing this. It seems an unlikely whim, to me. I mean, I’ve been wrong before…”

He laughs. I realize it is the first laugh of his I’ve heard since I came here. Perhaps my soul is not the only one drained by our parting.

“Oh, love. I have missed you.”

I hear my heart leap at the words. “And I you.”

“Bella, I know these are just words. I know they don’t mean anything. But I love you more than anything else in the world.”

“You’re wrong. They mean the most.” Now a hero is he, who only tells a lie, and swears by it…

No. I cannot believe it is a lie. Maybe hope will destroy me, but despair will also do the trick.

“Edward, I know I shouldn’t ask you this. I know it’ll hurt you. But I have to know… why did you leave me?”