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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.

61. Chapter 61

Rating 5/5   Word Count 522   Review this Chapter

Gianna opens it, beaming. I recognize her only barely- my human memories, though not the important ones, have indeed begun to fade. She is unimportant, merely a poetic device to throw the monstrous alternative to my family into sharper life. Gianna is, if you would, my evil twin. She wants to be a vampire… but not the kind one should ever want to be.

“Hello, Gianna,” I say. She doesn’t seem happy to see me- after all, I have our heart’s desire, while she’s still waiting.

“Hello, Mister Cullen, Mister Hale.” I am obviously and intentionally slighted, but I don’t care.

Edward snarls, but I soothe him with a pat on the arm. Attacking secretaries is not a good way to begin hostage negotiations.

“We need to speak to Aro,” he insists. I am probably the most capable of having this conversation, but Gianna doesn’t want to talk to me. Edward’s too abrupt, and Jasper isn’t talking to anyone at the moment. He’s in a deep consuming grief.

“But of course.” Gianna bustles off, smiling as she does so.

We stand in awkward silence. Edward grasps my hand, twirling the ring on my finger. This makes me smile, as terrible as circumstances currently are, to think he still loves me, that he wants me by his side forever. I am forever his… so long as he wants me.

There is an ominous sound. The back door creaks open, Gianna holding it wide.

A black-robed figure enters. He mutters to himself as he throws back the hood obscuring strange features. He is not like others, obviously. Not like me or a human… and yet familiar.

Aro, skin pale and horrible, grins at us. “Hello, all. Bella, you look pleased. I’m so glad to see things have worked out for you.”

“I am indebted to you, Aro.”

“Nonsense, nonsense. It’s wonderful to see a happy ending!”

I wouldn’t call it that, not yet. Not until we have my sister back. Yet, I suppose I wasn’t lying. I do owe Aro. He gave me yet another chance, another change, to earn the love I’ve never deserved, never been vain and bold enough to ask for.

“Aro…” Jasper begins. I continue for him.

“On the subject of happy endings, I was chasing my fool of a fiancée, when I lost… Alice. Do you know where she is?”

Aro sighs. “Ah. Yes. I thought you might mention that.”

“Where is she?” Jasper demands. “Tell me! Tell me! If you’ve hurt her…”

Edward places a hand on his back, the intent either to soothe or restrain. I can’t be certain. Both are apparently necessary, from the combination of hostility and misery I feel pouring into the room.

“She’s unharmed. But…” Aro weighs a decision. “Well… I suppose we need to come to an arrangement.”

“Whatever can you mean?”

The question hangs in the air. Friendly, open Aro appears to be fencing with the words, swishing around the point, trying desperately to avoid saying what must be said.

“Well…”