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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.

63. Chapter 63

Rating 0/5   Word Count 601   Review this Chapter

Jasper says instantly, “Of course. I’m here.”

“Not me?” is Edward’s response. Vain much? Really.

“Well,” Aro begins, “I’m afraid we don’t need you. Bella has your ability. And she can project thoughts as well… she’s simply more powerful.”

I like that idea. I’ve never been more than Edward in any subject. Really, it’s a marvel to think of it that I’ve exceeded him in any way.

“Will you stay?” Edward asks.

“Of course,” Jasper reiterates. “I’d stay fifty thousand years if that’s what it took.”

Aro laughs. “Perhaps I should set the bar higher! But, Jasper, I’m afraid only one of you won’t do. It’s all or nothing.”

I look away, look down, look anywhere but at the four burning topaz eyes. “Will Edward be able to stay?” I ask.

“No. Well, I suppose I can’t prevent him from staying near the city, but since he won’t be accepted in the guard, he’d have to stay outside our walls- only Volturi live in Volterra.”

“I would have to go fifty years without him?” I ask. My heart sinks. It is an impossible thing to ask. Far, far too long- it would kill me. I can’t wait that time. It is agony even to consider. I won’t make it.

“Yes. That’s the deal. You live without him, or you never see your sister again.”

She isn’t really my sister, I want to protest. A minute ago I had considered our tie dearer than any in birth and blood- but for Edward, it was nothing. I couldn’t be without him. I couldn’t.

Jasper turns to me, sensing the conflict and regret I felt. “Bella, I can’t… Please.”

“What?” I say, though I know it already. I just don’t want to hear it, want to forestall the entreaty I know is coming because I don’t want to face what absolutely has to happen.

“Bella, don’t do this to me. Fifty years, it seems a long time, but you have all eternity. Please, please, please don’t do this. If I can’t get these fifty tiny years from you I have to spend forever without her and I won’t survive it. She’s your friend, Bella. Please.”

“All right,” I begin, because I know it’s right even if I don’t like it. I suppose I simply have to do what I have to do, whether or not it’s what I want. I have to. It would be the height of cruelty to abandon Alice for Edward, when she will die and the only penalty I would suffer is my heart turning to lead and splintering into agonizing pieces… and lingering there as I wondered hopelessly whether or not I had somehow managed to retain his love.

Edward turns to me. “Bella, please don’t. Don’t do this to me! I can’t live without you. I know I left you… but don’t leave me. I need you, love. I need you. I can’t… Bella, don’t do this to me. Stay with me. Don’t you love me?”

More than everything else in the world.

But Jasper leans in closer. “Don’t. Don’t. Do you forget how Alice has always been there for you? Would you let your own sister… and your brother… die, so you could be with him? Are you that selfish? I never would have thought it of you.”

I see the manipulation in the statement. Nonetheless, it’s true, it’s deserved. I have a hideous decision to make.

Aro laughs again. “Fascinating! So, Bella, what will you choose?”