The Unclear Future

Chapter 1: Memories

Today is August 13th, 2026 and a very important day in many ways. Edward knows why I am concerned as I have finally mastered my shield so even with the biggest distraction (like his kissing me) I can keep it down. Knowing that today is Edward and I’s twentieth wedding anniversary, Alice is likely planning a surprise party for us. Either Edward can’t tell or he won’t tell me but I have a feeling because Alice is in her glory and as happy as a clam. I think we should only count quarter centuries. In Alice’s mind, we should probably celebrate 20 years of happiness, of peace, of me being a vampire … especially since my first year as a Cullen was as terrible as it could be without anyone dying, and yet someone did die. I keep telling her that we don’t need to celebrate, as Edward and I do plenty of celebrating alone  I remember a thought I had on my very first and last night of forever when I asked Edward how long this intense craving would last. He had told me that it was different with every couple, and though it never truly lets up, after a couple years it subsides where the couple can be normal. I still laugh at that memory. 

 “Edward, do you remember our first night?” 

“Bella, my love, I remember every moment since your first day at Forks High School, so yes, I do” he said as he laughed, and just like that first night the motion of his laugh did interesting things to the way our bodies were connected. 

 “Edward, you know what I’m talking about, but if you insist on making me remind you, how about three little words: Our Second Honeymoon” I said, with a little adult edge to my voice, thus ending our conversation temporarily. 

A Couple hours later, Edward turned his head and placed his elbow into his pillow so he was facing me. “Oh you mean, when Alice gave you your nineteenth birthday present?” 

“Eighteenth year two present! Or a Wedding Present. Or a Congrats on the new Baby present. Or yippee you’re finally a vampire present. I don’t care but it’s NOT a nineteenth birthday present because I’m not nineteen years old.” 

 “Yes, Love you know I was just teasing you. You finally are immortal and no longer aging and yet age still bothers you” he smiled at me and I swear my stone cold still heart started racing again. 

“That night was amazing Edward, the best of my existence thus far” 

 “Really? Why so?” he gave me a puzzling look 

“I proved you right,” I laughed as I continued “You know what they say, women are always right so you should listen to them especially if they are your wife”

Then I dropped my shield and started with the memories so we could share them. 

Edward carrying me over the threshold, and not putting me down, but insisting on showing me the entire tiny cottage, which had never seemed bigger than it did in that moment in my impatience. Then finally the tour ended in our own little piece of Esme’s Isle, our bedroom, the room we were currently occupying during this trip down memory lane. Though in my memories that I was sharing we never made it to our lovely bed, but the floor was the most amazing thing to this impatient newborn because it was closest to the door. Edward pulling his fingers through my hair, tracing my jaw, and then moving down my waist, as I tore his shirt in my impatience. It was such a grand thing to discover that as a vampire, we never needed to sleep, breathe, or anything so we could continue for all eternity.   Then through my memories, we finally got to the conversation that proved my point so I smiled.

“Do you miss it” I asked him  “miss what” he murmured against my chest  “All of it – the warmth, the soft skin, the tasty smell …. I’m not losing anything at all, and I just wondered if it was a little bit sad for you that you were.”