The Tale of the Brokenhearted

Chapter 28: Until the End of Time

Edward's POV

Night fell and I watched Bella from the corner of the tent. She had her eyes clamped shut as she tried to sleep. I didn't see how that would be possible with the chattering of her teeth. I couldn't help but feel guilty. It was my fault that she was out here freezing. It was my fault that, after all this was over, she'll feel her life was in danger for nothing. "I wish there was something I could do, Bella. I'm sorry you're so cold," I offered for not knowing what else to say.

"I'm fine, Edward. I'll be fine." She shivered as she spoke. I knew she was lying to make me feel better. She looked positively ill. I tried to focus on her, but my mind kept traveling to what was happening outside the tent. Leah and Jacob were talking. She had decided to change back into her human form when he met her outside. She was comforting him and it worried me. I kept seeing Alice's vision; she saw him on top of my Leah. I closed my eyes and tried to clear my thoughts. This is not what I needed to be focused on going into tomorrow.

"I can't wait until tomorrow's over," I whispered to myself. Then I would be free of all these lies and secrets.

"Me too, then all the danger will be over and I will know you are safe." Bella said with her eyes still closed. She was shaking all over; at this rate, in this weather, she wouldn't make it through the night. My body temperature was probably making it worse.

"One moment," I crawled to the entrance, raised the zipper, and slipped out of the tent. Once I was out, I turned and saw Leah with her head resting on Jacob's shoulder. I could faintly make out what she was saying to him. She was saying something along the lines as that he would heal with time. He had the nerve to rub her back. I clinched my fist and cleared my throat. I tried to look composed and indifferent but something told me that I had failed.

"Jacob, it makes more you sense for you to be in there. Bella won't make it through the night in this weather without a heat source." Jacob nodded and stood up.

"Great, now I'm a living, breathing furnace," Jacob said dryly as he passed me and went in to check on Bella. He was heartbroken but he still loved her. They could still have a chance, especially after tomorrow when I finally would have the chance to tell Bella and everyone that I've made my choice. Leah turned away from and looked over the terrain. Leah took a deep breath and drew her knees to her chest as I sat down beside her. I reached out and wrapped my arm around her and she jerked away from me.

"Don't." One word made my cold heart plummet in my stomach.

"You rather Jacob's touch than mine?" I snapped in hushed tones.

"What are you talking about Edward? I don't want Jacob! I don't want anybody at the moment. I just want… not to hurt. I don't want to talk about this." She started to cry again. "Please understand."

"I'm trying to Leah, but I can't make sense of your mood and how you're feeling!" I huffed out my exasperation and grasped for a new approach to make Leah see reason. "Let me tell you how I feel right now. I am scared about tomorrow. Alice has seen some things that have me scared shitless about tomorrow. Everything, EVERYTHING in my being wants you to stay away from this fight, yet here you are. You are the most precious thing in my life and if you don't make it out of this I might as well just die beside you, Leah. I know you're jealous over Bella hugging me, but I don't understand why. I'm not in love with her. I'm in love with you. I feel guilty that she's in this situation that's all. I thought we'd agreed to tell her after all the danger had passed; one crisis at a time. But when I look at you so hurt and sad - I will walk in that tent right now and tell her everything if will make you stop crying." I took a deep breath. "All I want is for you to be happy and safe. I need that, Leah." I hesitantly reached my hand out and cradled her cheek. I was relieved that she hadn't pulled away from me again.

"You're right, we had agreed. I'm just so on edge, Edward, about everything. I know I shouldn't be focused on it either. I need to focus on keeping the people that I care about safe." She finally looked me in the eyes; her watery gorgeous eyes glistened under the full moon. "I love you so much, Edward, and I know she does too… you're love for her is what made you so depressed that you had to follow a pathetic soul like me. I just thought that, since it seems like you could have what you wanted in the first place, you wouldn't want me."

"I want you more than ever." I now cradled her face with both of my hand and drew her lips to mine. Our kiss became intense as they always seemed to do. Her fingers twisted in my hair and I was pulling at what little clothes she had on.

"Edward," she panted in my ear.

"I know, Leah. I feel the same way." I stood up and lifted her into my arms and searched for a more secluded place. It seemed wrong to make love in the snow, but for as cold as it seemed to be outside neither Leah or I could feel it. I made sure we were far enough away from the camp site so that Leah's love sounds wouldn't cause alarm for Jake or Bella. I knew it was selfish but I needed to be one with her one more time before tomorrow. I would have wanted to make love to her slowly, but her movements were quick and needy. She needed confirmation that my love was real, that I still loved her even though Bella chose me; with each kiss and each stroke of her skin I told her yes. Our kisses seemed never-ending. As we made love, I lay in the snow with Leah on top of me and she rode me.

"Slowly," I barely managed to whisper as I caressed her breasts.

"Tell me again, Edward," she moaned softly as she neared her climax. "Tell me."

"I love you Leah, only you," I growled as I thrust into her and she whimpered. I felt as her nails attempted to dig into my skin.

"Yes, that's it," she gasped. "Oh right there, yes Edward." I engaged her in another kiss which she quickly broke once she found her release. I quickly followed after her and she collapsed against my chest. We both lay in the snow, sated; Leah was breathless and panted heavily as she tried to collect herself. I loved when we were like this after passion, still connected and in awe of each other. We were one and she was mine.

"Never doubt that I choose you, Leah. Always know that I love you and I will love you as long as I walk this Earth. I swear to the heavens I will." She looked up at me with clear solemn eyes.

"Edward, I will love you even after my heart stops beating and I stare down at you from heaven." She intertwined our fingers. "Until the end of time, that's my vow to you."