The Beginning of Forever - A Twilight Fan Fiction

Chapter Eight

I'm about three miles away when I stop. I'm surrounded by trees, and the Cullens' scents are very strong here.

I look down at myself. I'm covered in muck and it seems my clothes are not as durable as I am - there are tears and rips in my t-shirt, unprotected by my leather jacket, which is back at the Cullen's.

Pausing, I realise the impact of Alice's words.

'...A wife... To Edward.'

Without thinking, I scream.

It vibrates the trees, and several birds flutter from their nesting points.

Looking at the tree they flew from, I think.

A wife?

Ever since that attack all those years ago I've never thought about having any company at all, let alone marrying someone. Is marriage even the same to vampires?

Not that Edward isn't marriage material. But I'm not! What I even bring into this marriage? A silent mind and an appetite for slaughter?

And I'd only just met him! Wasn't I supposed to fall in love with him? Could I even fall in love? And how could I make him love me? Was there anything about me that was even desirable in a spouse?

I growl in frustration, and for good measure, I kick the tree. As predicted, the wood splits almost at the center, and gives a great groan as it shudders from the impact of my violence.

Why is my future suddenly being decided for me? I don't know whether I can stick this whole animal blood thing. I doubt it. After eighty years.. I should think I'm set in my ways.

I turn to stare at the views and scream again.

Even in my human life, I never wanted to get married. After seeing the devastation it caused Charlie when my mom left with me, I never ever wanted to feel that. In fact, I'd always shut myself away from boys - they'd only ever been my friends.

But now, now this whole future, with Edward? How could I be okay with everything being decided for me? The whole element of freedom was gone, especially now that I had the dang Volturi hanging over my head.

Would staying with the Cullens cause to Volturi to notice me? They'd already told me that their coven was already abnormally large for the vampire kind. Would adding another member attract the attention of the Volturi?

So not only was I being pushed into what I could only call an arranged marriage, I could kill off my potential family.

None of this was any good. I couldn't just stand here, overlooking the mountains, and mope about it. I had to go and talk to Edward.

I could hear someone running. Perhaps Edward was coming to me.

'Bella.'

I turn around slowly and face him. Dang, he's hot. He's looking at me strangely - is that hurt on his face?

'Bella, I know this is quite shocking to hear.'

'Quite? Edward, I'm having my entire future planned out for me. It's not shocking. It just makes me feel... trapped.'

'Trapped?' Edward looks at me quizzically. 'I told you in the cemetery - Alice's visions are subjective. When you decided to come to Forks again, it seemed the path you'd chosen was to end up meeting me and-'

'Marrying you, I know.'

Edward smiles. 'It seems more likely, at this moment, that'll you dislike our vegetarian lifestyle and continue your life as nomad.'