(2) Wild Horses (E. Cullen)

Prologue

Bambi wakes in her bed, and by her bed, she means her and Edward's bed. They're living together. Have been for about a month now. It's a nice little apartment they have. Cute and sort of modern. She just wasn't ready to move in with the pack, not after the year she's had, and she didn't want to be too far away from Charlie. Fork's town is actually not included in the treaty, it is neutral ground, so that was the best place for her to be. Neither on the vampire side nor the wolf side. Just on her side. Doing something for herself. She is not doing something because it makes Bella happy. Or Charlie. Or Sam. Living with Edward, is for her, well...them but that includes her, so technically still her. Edward is her imprint, there is no way she was going to leave him. She was always going to choose to be where he is. She sighs and rolls over, seeking out Edward on the other side but her bed is void of her imprint, though he often goes to spend time with his family whilst she sleeps so she is not worried. She sits up and picks up a poetry book from where it is wedged down the side of the bed. She flips it open and starts to read, catching up on what she might have missed from school. The front door opens and closes followed by soft footsteps. Bambi doesn't need to look to know instantly who it is. Edward.

"I woke up and you were gone" Bambi points out, her eyes on her book. Edward shrugs a little and sets a paper shopping bag on the kitchen counter. He begins to unpack it, setting cereal boxes and yoghurt pots on the counter.

"We had no food in" He offers as she stretches out in their bed, setting her book down on the blankets beside her.

"You don't eat" She reminds him.

"But you do" He counters as he sets the now empty paper bag into the trash. "And a lot..."

"Hey," She scolds him with a smirk. He smirks back at her and then moves to join her as she sits up. "I don't eat that much" He gives her a look and then nods. "Hey!" She gives him a look back, he chuckles and sits on the bed next to her. He picks up her book and turns it over to look at the cover.

"Robert Frost" He reads the cover, and she takes it from him.

"Look...Figured if I am going back to school I should get a head start on stuff..." She waves the book slightly and shrugs. "Kind of missed a lot"

"You still have your early admission to Royal College" he reminds her, she sighs and shakes her head.

"I can't go to London, Edward" She argues. "I probably won't even pass my exams this year....and I haven't picked up my violin in months.....I just don't think that's for me now" He brushes her hair over her shoulder.

"Bambi" He whispers softly. "You are incredible and strong and independent, if you want to go to the Royal College then there is nothing stopping you. I know you are worried about everything" She nods, because she is. She knows what she is now, she knows how dangerous she could potentially be. She has vampire genetics in her. And fairy whatever the hell that means. She is only just starting to learn about what she can do. She can't inflict the unknown on innocents. Not until she knows she can be safe around others. "But I am right here, I am always going to be right here, I've got your back" She smiles softly at him. "Whatever happens, whatever is to come..."

"I know" She assures him. "I just don't think I'm ready for London...and that might change, but right now...I can't go" He nods and wraps an arm around her to pull her closer.

"If that's how you feel" he whispers softly. "Whatever you need" he kisses her head, she hums and leans into him. She does feel better knowing that he is going to support her and stick with her. She needs him as much as he needs her. Her eyes find Alistair's letter pinned to a notice board over their bed, filled with photos, notes, dried flowers, basically their entire relationship. She still hasn't opened it. Still can't bring herself to read what Alistair has to say. She knows she should, and she will, eventually, just she's not ready. "How about I make you some pancakes before school?"

"That sounds nice" She answers moving her eyes from the letter to him. "I'll take a shower whilst you do that" She teases and kisses him before she stands from the bed. Edward watches her softly as she moves around their apartment. This is all he wants. Them together.