Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of Stephanie Meyer. The original plot is the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Thank you to LeeorV (aka hubby, he's totally awesome for reading everything I write) for his help in editing this story.

Original Publish Date: 2020-05-01

Chapter Four – Forever

Bella

What did I want?

I asked myself that question over and over as I looked into Edward's fierce eyes above me. I was finally able to tell their color—a beautiful golden hue that shined in the dim light of the dying fire.

I wrapped my arms around his strong body and leaned into his hand that was touching my cheek.

What do I want?

Looking deep inside me, the answer was clear and simple. Edward.

There was no family left for me, and any close friends I might have had before my parents died, they'd grown distant after the accident. What would I really be leaving behind me if I chose to join Edward, an empty house that held too many memories?

I looked into Edward's golden eyes and saw so much emotion in them. There was also pain written in his features, and I found my heart clenching inside me as I recognized it and understood that I was the cause of his suffering.

"Nothing," I whispered as I pressed myself up against him, wrapping my legs around him as well. My body knew, even before my mind had comprehended, what my heart was whispering to me since the moment I had laid eyes on this man. My life was tied to his, irrevocably. I had feared I would be powerless against him as he explained what he was, but I came to realize that I was the one holding the power over him. My happiness was truly of the utmost importance to him. "All I want, all I need…is you."

And it was the absolute truth. I might not know where my future was headed, but I had no doubt that it would be with this man, this vampire, by my side.

With a beautiful smile on his face, he leaned down to meet my lips.

"I love you, Bella Swan," he whispered before claiming my mouth in a kiss that started a fire inside me. I knew its heat would only be matched by the burn of his venom when he bit me, and I welcomed it as I welcomed Edward into my heart and soul.

o.O.o

Several weeks later…

Waking up as a vampire had been more than just overwhelming. There wasn't a word to describe the bombardment of input I had experienced even before opening my eyes after my transformation. The sounds were so much loader, the smells so much sharper, and when I opened my eyes and saw the world with my new eyes, it was almost painful in its sharpness.

Seeing Edward with vampire eyes was like seeing him anew. His hair, which I thought was reddish-brown in color, actually consisted of millions of different hues—blonds, reds, browns—that were only matched by the kaleidoscope of gold that were his eyes. They mesmerized me upon first glance.

Upon second glance, I pounced on him, and we spent my first few days as a newborn vampire making love and learning everything there was to know about each other's body, and how to bring the other pleasure.

It had surprised Edward, but I had not been overcome with bloodlust and fury soon after awakening. Although it was overwhelming at first, being able to hear the cry of birds from miles away and actually see those birds if I focused enough, I had Edward with me. He was my anchor, my guide, and my sun.

As he had promised, he was mine, and I was his. The connection between us was almost physical in nature. I felt him in my chest, where my heart used to beat, like a ghost of a pulse.

The island was uninhabited, which meant that my first meals as a vampire were some aquatic animals and small forest critters. Suffice it to say, I had not been impressed with their taste. I had worried about it, knowing the stories of what a vampire's diet usually consisted of, but Edward had surprised me once again.

"Synthetic blood?" I repeated his words, slightly shocked.

"Yes." He nodded. "It is much more practical, and, well, civilized." He flashed me a smile as he took me in his arms. We seemed to be unable to stop touching each other for more than a few minutes. Not that I was complaining.

I rolled my eyes at him. Edward was the epitome of practical and civilized to me. Had I not seen him hunt, I would have thought he was incapable of being wild—other than, perhaps, when he was making love to me. The last thought made me feel like blushing but, of course, I was incapable of doing so. Thank God for small favors.

"The Volturi—those are the three brothers and their mates who comprise the governing council for our kind—they have developed it several years ago," Edward explained, completely oblivious to my train of thought.

That was another thing I relished in. After my transformation, even what little he had been able to read from my thoughts was now quiet to him. Apparently, whatever force that had kept him mostly out of my head had grown stronger with the introduction of venom into my system. While that fact frustrated Edward sometimes, he mostly was as grateful for it as I was, saying that it was comforting to be in the company of another without being constantly assaulted with their thoughts on top of his own.

"In the past, we used to bring humans to the castle, but it became somewhat complicated to keep doing so in this modern day and age, where everyone has a digital fingerprint," he said. "And, as you've just noted, the alternative of feeding from animals is less than palatable for almost everyone. Master Carlisle Cullen and his mate are the only vampires I had heard of who were committed to that way of feeding before there was another alternative."

A shudder of disgust ran through me as I recalled the taste of the blood I had just consumed. It reminded me of how I imagined a pile of dirt would taste to a human.

"Yes, not very appealing." Edward smiled, seeing my reaction. "With the synthetic substitute, we can use donated blood that the hospitals cannot use as the base and create enough to feed us without having to deal with the technicalities of disposing of the evidence." He paused and looked down into my eyes. "It also helped those of us who wanted a way to sustain ourselves but not feel like monsters who preyed on others for their own survival."

His words cut me deep as I could see that Edward was one of those who had suffered. I could relate to it. I did not want to become a monster in the literal sense, even though by becoming a vampire, I kind of already was a monster, technically speaking.

"Although, I will admit, there are those who still choose to go the traditional way when feeding," Edward said. "Most of the vampire race has made the transition to synthetic blood. As I said, it is much more practical."

"So, when do I get to taste this magical elixir myself?" I asked, smiling, as I wrapped my arms around his waist and pulled myself close to him. "Because whatever that thing was, I definitely don't feel like feeding from any of its relatives." I made a face.

Edward laughed and placed a small kiss on my nose. "Well, as vampires, we are pretty quick swimmers. I would say about two days, assuming we do not take any detours along the way."

That confused me. "Swimmers?"

Edward nodded in the direction of the ocean. "Italy is about five thousand and three hundred miles in this direction."

My jaw dropped. "You want us to swim five thousand miles?"

"Five thousand and three hundred," he corrected. "Give or take. We would have to approach the shore during the night, so we might have to make a few detours, after all."

My mind was still stuck on the idea of swimming that incredible distance. "We are going to cross the Atlantic Ocean."

"Yes."

I laughed. I couldn't help myself. The idea was simply ridiculous. I laid my head against Edward's chest and continued to giggle for several more minutes before looking back up at him. His smile was as brilliant as the sun shining above us, more brilliant than the reflective quality of our skin under said sun.

"I love you, Edward," I said, lifting my face for a kiss.

He leaned down to meet me halfway. Just before our lips met, he whispered, "I love you, Bella."

It took several more days—which were spent rolling on the sand and taking full advantage of the uninhabited quality of the island—before we turned to begin our swim back to civilization.

As I dove into the clear blue water with Edward holding my hand, I knew that I was yet again embarking on a journey into the unknown, but this time, I would have my mate at my side. Forever.

— Fin —

Hope you've enjoyed this little story. Again, thank you to Alice, the wonderful friend with the countless plot bunnies who gave me the idea of this one!

If you enjoy Twilight fics, you're welcome to head over to my profile to read more completed stories. Also, be on the lookout for a brand new story (already finished! It's undergoing editing right now and will be posted as soon as my wonderful hubby and beta finishes with it), which will be an AU short story called, "Sewing Beauty and Her Knights in Wrinkled T-Shirts"

See you in my other stories,

Alley Cat.