Eternity Is Mine

Chapter Twelve (Part One)

Edward's POV

   It had been six months since Jacqueline had torn Bella's arm and leg off. Our relationship was way more complex than I'd thought. Carlisle said we were mates, and I knew he was right.

   "Edward!" Bella called from downstairs. "Are you coming to school today?"

   ""Course I am. Now shush and let me get down there without you carrying me!" Honestly, I wasn't too happy that Bella was super strong because it meant that I, the boy in this relationship, was weaker. Bella reassured me I was as strong as a human could be.

   I made my way down the stairs and slung my arm arund Bella's shoulders. I would never get over her beauty. Her flawless skin, the way her nose was angled perfectly, how her lips were nice and full, the way her eyes glimmered with joy at the sight of me. I would never take her for granted.

   I remembered the day when we came back to school as a couple. Taylor had almost died, and Bella's admirers had had heart attacks. Jacqueline had aplogized for hurting her. Bella had stiffly forgiven her. Why couldn't they just get along? What was so wrong with being friends?

   I slid into the driver's seat of Bella's Volvo. Bella had unwillingly let me drive her to school every day, but she said, "I love you, Edward, but I hate that you want to do things for me when you don't have to."

   "Rose says she can fix your truck today after school. If you want." Bella knew how Rosalie made me feel. Rose was sweet, but she made me nervous, like she might bite my head off at any second. The car was at a crawl, much to Bella's disappointment. Vampires liked fast. I preferred to not cut it too close to death. Besides, if we crashed, Bella could probably walk away, unharmed, but I, however could not. But Bella would never walk away. She'd most likely throw herself between me and whatever I was about to crash into. I'd have to think of a way to push her back if that happened.

   As I drove, Bella smirked and pulled herself onto my lap. "Not a chance, Edward. You know I'd die for you no matter what."

  "I thought you couldn't read my mind!" I said, glancing down at her before turning my eyes back to the road. "I can't, but I can read your expression," she answered, sliding back to her seat so I wouldn't faint. Her presence intoxicated me. I did the same to her, but she wasn't "as frail and easily distracted" as she'd put it when I'd asked.

   We pulled in at the school. I opened Bella's door and we held hands as we strode over to the Cullens. "Hey Eddie, what's up man?" Emmett said, bumping my fist. Jazz waved, his eyes on Alice. Rose and Alice enveloped their sister in a long-time-no-see embrace. Bella had been hunting for the past five days, as she wanted to spend all of next week, which was winter break, with me in one of the Cullen residences in Maine. Charlie had no problem with it, because he adored Bella. He did tell me though, to be careful. I caught his meaning, and said I would, even though Bella said she was definitely in control.

   We all walked into school together, all grouped as pairs. Then we split up for classes. Luckily, Bella and I had all our classes together, thanks to her 'dazzlement' as I called it. She could fluster any boy to do what she asked, including me, though she would never manipulate me. Gosh, I loved her.

   'Classes flew by and it was soon lunchtime. "Did you study?" Bella wondered as we walked to the cafeteria, hand in hand. She was referring to the exams that were coming up in two weeks. I shook my head.

   "I spend all my time with you, I have no other time for anything else." It was true. My entire life was now spent with the Cullen family. But I didn't care. I was actually happy it ended up like this. Bella looked down.

   "I'm sorry, Edward. We don't have to go to Maine next week. Here, I'll ask if Alice and Rose want to come. You can study," Bella said glumly, her bubbliness floating away. I was horrified by the thought that she thought it was her fault.