Chapter 11: Dancing in the moonlight

Here's the next chapter, hope you enjoy it!

As usual, I do not own Twilight.

I felt the car purr beneath me as we sped silently down the deserted roads of Forks. I slowly opened the window allowing the breeze to swirl my hair in every direction. Alice would have killed me if she knew I was potentially ruining my hair. I closed my eyes as I tilted my head back, allowing it to rest on the seat.

"I missed this." I whispered, my voice cutting through the silence.

"Missed what?" Edward asked.

"Everything. The forest, the family," I paused. "You."

I felt Edward's hand come to rest atop mine as he intertwined our fingers.

"You have no idea how much I missed you," he answered as I felt the car come to a stop.

I opened my eyes and looked around, trying to decipher where exactly we were. My eyes were met with the immense forest spread all around us, a familiar trail off in the distance.

"You brought me to the meadow?" I asked as the memories came flooding back, both good and bad.

"I thought you would enjoy it. Plus, I haven't been here in well over 40 years, I missed it." He took a hold of my hand as we swiftly ran through the trees towards our destination. As we ran, I thought of what his reaction would be once I told him what had once happened here. I was almost positive it would not be a good one. Within seconds we were standing at the edge of the meadow.

"Wow, it looks almost exactly the same." Edward's voice was filled with both excitement and wonder.

"Great." I muttered, my tone ice cold. Edward turned back and began walking over to me.

"Bella, you okay?" He asked as he took my hands in his.

"Edward," I sighed as I cast my eyes downward.

"Bella, what is it." He placed one finger underneath my chin, slowly tilting my head so that our eyes met.

"This is where it happened." I whispered.

His mouth snapped closed as recognition flashed through his eyes. "I'm so sorry, I should have remembered. I hope you don't mind me asking but why exactly were you here?"

"I missed you and your family so much, so I decided to come back here. I asked Jacob if he could help me locate the meadow since I had no idea where exactly it was. Seeing how much pain I was in, he agreed. We searched for days through the forest but never found it. One day I decided to search by myself, at the time it didn't really sound like a bad idea. Surprisingly, I found my way here after a few hours. All I wanted to do was stop by for a few minutes; it was all I had left." Edward wrapped his arms around me as I continued on with my story. "I was just laying there in the grass when I felt someone watching me. How the hell was I supposed to know he would be here?"

"Shh, Bella, it's okay." Edward pulled me close, rubbing soothing circles on my back.

Edward opened his mouth to reply, but I placed a finger over his lips before he could utter a word. "After he bit me something came bounding out of the woods and attacked him. I heard it happen but I only caught a glimpse of the animal as it took off back into the forest. I'm pretty sure it was a wolf though. Years later when I saw Jacob again, he explained to me the truth about what really happened."

"I never told you but a long time ago, years before you were even born, we actually lived here in Forks. The Quileute tribe knew of our presence and requested a meeting with Carlisle. Naturally, I went along and we came to an agreement that we were not to cross onto their land."

"So that's why you couldn't come when I invited you to the beach?" I asked.

"Exactly. We also learned that because of our close proximity it had caused a change in some of the men of the tribe. It had actually caused them to change form and become what are known as werewolves." He paused as he placed one strand of my hair back behind my ear.

"I guess I should have been somewhat surprised but in all honesty I wasn't. I mean, before my change I never would have guessed that werewolves existed but I'm a vampire now. I guess the fact that there are other mythical creatures out there doesn't really shock me because I am one myself. If we had stayed friends though, we sure would have been a one hell of team: the vampire and the werewolf." I laughed as I laid my head on Edward's chest.

"Come on," Edward grabbed my hand and began pulling me towards the centre of the meadow. "Let's sit."

Edward sat down, pulling me down with him. I placed myself in between his legs, allowing my head to rest on his shoulder. We were silent for a few minutes, gazing up at the stars and listening to the life around us.

"So, where have you been for the past sixty some years?" Edward turned his head as he asked the question, his breath sweeping across my face.

"The first few years were interesting to say the least. When I awoke after the transformation, I expected the thirst to be so strong but in all honesty I hardly had a problem with it. I mean, I could feel the itch in the back of my throat but I wasn't in any hurry to drink." I took the moment to look at Edward's reaction to my confession.

"It didn't bother you?" He wore a confused expression.

"Not necessarily, but I could handle it which was great. I knew I couldn't return to Forks, so I headed off to Seattle. I found someone there that helped me with forging a birth certificate, seeing as I couldn't really go by Isabella Swan anymore."

"What did you change your name to?" Edward asked.

"Well after a while I changed it back to Swan, but seeing as I was returning to Forks I didn't think that keeping it that way was the brightest idea. In the beginning though I mostly went by, um, God this is embarrassing." I turned my eyes up to the sky, making sure to avoid making eye contact with Edward. "I actually went by Isabella Masen."

Everything went silent, save for a few crickets singing off in the distance. After what felt like an eternity Edward finally broke the silence.

"Bella, look at me." He whispered as I turned my head, taking in a deep breath as I faced him. "I'm flattered that you chose my name and the only thing I regret is that it isn't legal."

I sighed in contentment as he sweetly brushed his lips against mine, all the love he had for me shining in his eyes.

"So, why don't you finish telling me your story?"

"Um, okay." I shook my head a little in order to get rid of the somewhat dazed state I was in. "Well, once I had the birth certificate I was basically set. I applied for a Social Security Number, got my driver's license and also found a much needed job. There was no way that I could have survived for long on the amount of money I had saved up from working at Newton's. Anyways, I went back to high school and graduated with hopes of one day going to university. It took a little bit longer than expected, but eventually I did. After a few years, I had saved up enough money and applied to NYU for English and American Literature and was accepted. I moved to New York, and I absolutely fell in love with the city which is why I decided to stay a few more years after I had graduated. I traveled around as well, but I always wanted to return to Forks. After that my life is basically just high school over, and over again."

"Congratulations," Edward said as he kissed my cheek.

"For what?"

"For graduating both high school and university, for going out there and living the life you wanted."

"And that's all I get? A peck on the cheek?" I feigned shock as he laughed. "And you said I was a horrible actress."

"I stand by that statement." he inched closer, our faces barely a centimetre apart.

"Oh, really?" I asked, our lips brushing together as I spoke.

Edward answered by pressing his lips against mine in a slow, sweet kiss. As the kiss progressed, I moved from my sitting position so that I was straddling his legs. My hands moved of their own accord, winding their way into his soft bronze locks at the base of his neck. My body reacted to his touch instantly, erupting in flames as his hands slid down my torso. I moaned softly as I felt his tongue graze my lower lip, than bite down softly. I opened my mouth to protest as Edward broke the kiss, but instantly threw back my head as I felt him trail butterfly kisses down my neck.

"Mhmm, have I ever told you how beautiful you are?" Edwards said, cool breath swept over my body.

"You used to tell me everyday," I smiled sadly as I rested my forehead against his. "Can I ask you something?"

"Anything," he answered as I moved so that I was now lying beside him.

"Why did you leave?" I kept my eyes locked on the twinkling stars ahead as heard Edward's sharp intake of breath.

"I thought it was for the best." He answered, his voice full of sadness. "I realize now that it was the worst decision I could have ever made."

I turned my head, watching as Edward struggled to find the right words for his story.

"After your birthday, I realized that as long as we were in your life it would never be normal. No matter how hard I tried to protect you, danger always seemed to be find us. I thought that by leaving, you could go and live the life you were meant to live. The thought that Victoria, or even Laurent would return never even crossed my mind."

"At least something good came out of it," I said, cupped his cheek with my hand, a small smile tugging at the corners of my mouth.

"What good could have possibly come from my mistake?" His face showing his obvious surprise by my words, I'm sure I would have reacted exactly the same.

"We found each other again." I smiled as his face showed understanding.

"Now that," he inched forward, a smile tugging at his lips. "You are definitely right about."

"Wait one second," I smiled mischievously, pushing against his chest lightly. "I still have a few more questions."

"Alright," he sighed in frustration, raking his fingers through his hair.

"When did you meet her?" I asked, knowing full well that he understood exactly who I was speaking about.

"We met Janice about 30 years after we left Forks." He leaned back on to the hard ground, staring up at the starry sky just as I had been a few minutes ago, our roles now reversed. "We had been staying up in Alaska with Tanya and her family and I hadn't really been the most pleasant of people. I was still upset about my decision to leave you, although if you asked my family I'm sure they would say that upset is an understatement.

"I tended to stay in the house, not venturing out into the world unless it was for hunting. One day though I was forced by Alice to go out with them to a local bar. I was just sitting at our table alone, seeing as the other four had gone onto the dance floor, when Janice walked up. She introduced herself and we started talking. Eventually, we started dating and although some of it I'm sure had to do with her powers of persuasion, I enjoyed being in her company. "

"That's kind of hard to believe after seeing the way she acts around here." I said.

"Yeah, well she acted differently back then if you can believe it. After awhile though, she started showing her true colours which didn't sit very well with me or my family." Edward turned his head so he was looking at me.

"So why didn't you just break up with her? I mean you said it yourself, you haven't really liked her for awhile now, so what's holding you back?" I asked.

"I guess I just didn't want to be alone anymore." He smiled sadly, taking my hand in his. "I was sure I had lost you forever, and though I knew that I would never truly be happy with Janice, she in a way helped me cope with the pain of losing you. I was telling the truth when I told you that I've been planning on leaving Janice for awhile now but I never really did anything about it. Now that you're back in my life, it changes everything and I'm sure that she knows the inevitable is coming."

"I guess I understand, but there's just one more thing." I bit my lip, turning as I sat up so that I was looking away. Having to ask him was already going to be hard enough, seeing his reaction would only make it worse. "Did you ever, um, you know... sleep with her?"

"Uh, well," Edward coughed before continuing on with his answer. "Yes."

"That's not really a surprise, I kind of figured you did." I shrugged my shoulders, rolling a piece of grass in between my fingers.

"But," Edward said, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close. "I wish I never had."

"Why?" I asked, my shock clearly evident in my voice.

"Because if I had waited than I could have shared that with you." He said, placing a kiss on my forehead.

"Alright, I'm done talking about Janice." I stood, offering my hand to him. "Let's dance."

"Dance?" Edward laughed. "We have no music, unless you want to make your own."

"I was thinking more along the lines of you picking the music. I have a hard enough time concentrating on not stepping on your feet." I raised my arms, placing my hands behind his head. Edward followed my lead, placing his hands on my waist and pulling me into his embrace. Our bodies moulded together, fitting together as if we were meant for one another.

Then again, we were.

"Ready?" Edward asked.

"Ready as I'll ever be." I smiled as he leaned forward, brushing his lips against my own. We began swaying from side to side as Edward hummed an all too familiar tune. I allowed my eyes to drift closed, the sound of my lullaby filling the air around me. I relaxed into his embrace, allowing my mind to drift back to memories from years before. We stayed like that for some time until Edward stopped humming and lightly tipped my head up.

"Bella," he said softly.

"Hmm," I opened my eyes, only to be met by his loving gaze.

"I love you." he said, rubbing his thumb over the apple of my cheek. I smiled as I realized exactly what he was saying.

"I love you too." I answered. His soft lips met mine once more, and in that instance everything in my life no longer mattered.

Edward was here, he was mine, and there was nothing in the world that could take him away from me again.

It's sad to say but this story is coming to an end. There's probably only about two chapters left so watch out for those. This whole chapter was basically just so Bella and Edward could get everything out in the open and move on, so I hope it answered some questions. I was planning on including the little italian restaurant from the first book but decided against that and in the end just stuck with the meadow. Anyways, don't forget to review!

-Dumblydor.

P.S. Anyone seen the new Harry Potter movie? It was pretty damn good if I do say so myself.