Bellezza Swan | A Carlisle Cullen Love Story

Chapter Sixteen: Truth

          I woke up and rolled over to see Carlisle sitting on the edge of my bed. He was already dressed and his back was to me. Was he going to leave? I sat up to grab my clothes and he looked over his shoulder.

          "Carlisle?" I asked and began to put on my underwear.

          He turned and kissed me when I was closer to him, "Hey, kitten. I wasn't going to leave. Please don't worry."

          I relaxed and wrapped my arms over his shoulders from behind, "Is something bothering you, um, love?"

          He held my hands and chuckled, "Calling me love? I like it. How did you know something was bothering me, kitten?"

          "Your shoulders slump forward, love," I said while blushing.

          He looked at me and he kissed my cheek, "Kitten, I need to talk to you."

          "Is everything ok?" I asked softly.

          I sat next to him and he held my hand, "Do you remember when I asked you if you would still love me if I wasn't who you thought I was?"

          I nodded and squeezed his hand, "I remember."

          He took a deep breath and looked me in the eye, "I'm a vampire, Belle."

          I stared blankly at him, "Huh?"

          He cupped my face with his cold hands, "Belle, I'm a vampire. Surely you noticed that I don't eat or drink. I also don't need to sleep. That's why I can work as often as I do."

          I held his hands against my face, "I did notice. You're also cold."

          A small smile grew on his face, "I've stopped aging. I've been twenty-three for over 300 years. I'm always cold. I'm not exactly alive."

          I removed one hand to place on his chest, "I didn't feel a heartbeat earlier, when we were, um, well.."

          He chuckled and kissed my cheek, "You're observant."

          I blushed but I slid my hand from his chest to his neck, "Carlisle, were you going to bite me?"

          His face turned serious and he dropped his head to my shoulder, "Forgive me, Belle. I was tempted to. In the heat of the moment, I almost lost control of myself. But.."

          I held his head and ran my fingers through his hair, "But?"

          "I-I couldn't," he said softly, "I-I love you. I couldn't do anything to hurt you. I would never forgive myself."

           I kissed his forehead, "Never must be such a long time for you. I love you too, Carlisle."

          He looked up, surprised, "What? You still love me, kitten?"

          I blushed and kissed him, "Is that so surprising?"

          He began to laugh, "Y-You're in love with a vampire! Of course it's surprising, darling! How can you be so.. Accepting? You're so calm. Most people would be terrified."

          I started to laugh for the first time in a while, "You're the one in love with a human! I'm mostly just confused. I have a lot of questions."

          He pulled me into a hug, "I've missed the sound of your laughter, Bellezza. I promise I'll be by your side. I'll do my best to answer what I can."

          I hugged him tightly, "Thank you, Carlisle."

          He kissed me all over my face, "But first, please don't be upset with me, darling."

          I pulled away and eyed him cautiously, "Why would I be upset, love?"

          He picked me up bridal style, much to my embarrassment, and carried me to the living room. I gasped seeing it clean and decorated with rose petals and candles. More than that, he cleaned up my apartment. There was even a fresh fruit bowl on the counter. How long was I asleep?

          My hand went to my mouth when I gasped, "C-Carlisle, what is this?"

          He sat me down on the couch and gave me a single rose, "Consider it an apology. I.. read your letter. My darling, your words meant everything to me. I love you so much. Most of all, I forgive you."

          I took the rose and blinked back tears, "I'm really sorry, Carlisle. I love you, too. I shouldn't have yelled at you."

          He kissed my tears and brushed my hair behind my ears, "Sweetheart, it's okay."

          I threw my arms over his shoulders and accidentally knocked him down. He held my waist and we both started to laugh. I kissed him and he took care of me again. He answered all my questions, too. I was given another IV bag and this time, he left when he was done around lunch.