Terms & Conditions

“Come sit with me Edward” Bella said beckoning me.

I stood there for a moment, and then slowly took the chair next to her.

“I’m sorry that I kept you in the dark, that I never answered you when you asked me” she said and sighed.

“Look Bella, you frustrate me sometimes, but I really do love you” I said so softly that I didn’t think she heard me.

“Edward I know you love me, it’s not you.  I just needed some time to think” she said as she raised my chin to make me look at her.

“There’s just so much going on right now, but I have thought about it since you left”

“Bella you don’t know how much that broke my heart.  I know I don’t have a heart, but it hurt like hell when you just stood there and didn’t say a word”

“I have come to a decision Edward.  Would like to hear it?” she asked me.

“Not if it’s going to hurt Bella, I don’t think I could handle it” I sighed.

“I will marry you on one condition, there is something I want you to do for me” she said softly.

“Anything” I said quickly.  “I’d do anything for you, and you know that”

“We’ll see” she said deviously.

“So what’s this condition?”

“YOU have to change me” she said quickly, to quick that I almost didn’t hear her.

What she was asking me to do sunk in “No Bella I will not take your soul, you know how I feel about that”

“I thought you said you’d do anything for me?” she spat.

“Bella what you are asking me to do, is everything I’m against.  You want me to make you into a soulless monster!” I screamed.

“You may have no soul Edward, but you are far from a monster.  That's my condition take it or leave it" she said dryly.

With that I stormed out of the room.  I couldn’t believe what she was asking of me, that she would even put me in this situation.  I left the cottage furious, god help anyone who crossed my path at this very moment.  I ripped my way through the forest and back to the main house, I slammed the door so hard it flew off its hinges.

“Whoa” Emmett said backing away from me.

“Get the hell outta my way Emmett” I said as I pushed passed him and went up to my room slamming the door behind me.  I heard a knock at my bedroom door.

“What!” I spat. 

The door opened slowly and Carlisle walked into the room.

“Edward, what’s the matter?” he asked.

“Bella said she’d marry me”

“Well congratulations son” he said with a smile.

“If I change her”

“Oh I see.  Have you tried to compromise with her?”

“Compromise!” “What she’s asking me to do goes against what I believe”

“Edward you’ve chosen not to live without her.  Do you even comprehend that no matter what you do, she is going to die?” he said.

“But that’s how it’s supposed to be, that’s the order of things”

“So you’re going to watch the mother of your child grow old, while you stay seventeen for all eternity?”

I was silent, didn’t say a word, but he continued.  “Edward she might not make it through the birth, we both know that.  Why not just agree to turn her after the wedding and the baby’s birth?”

“I don’t know Carlisle; I have to think this through.  Thank you for understanding and the advice”

“Not a problem Edward, you know I’m here if you need me” he said putting a hand on my shoulder then heading for the door.

I sat in my room pondering everything that Carlisle had said.  Bella was sure to fight me on it, but I would try.  I listened to some soft music to settle myself down and then returned to the cottage.  I found Bella sitting in the living room watching television with Jacob and Liz.

“Bella I don’t like this” Jacob retorted.

“Well Jacob it’s my decision and if you don’t like it you know where the door is” Bella hissed.

I stood there in silence listening to what was going on.

“Bella he wants to marry you, isn’t that enough?” Liz replied.

“I don’t want him to see me wither up and die; I know it would hurt him.  If I were like him, we could be together indefinitely”

I cleared my throat “Well…”

“Edward! You’re back” Bella said racing to my arms.  I hugged her gently to me.

“Could you two leave us alone, Bella and I have some things to discuss” I said turning to Liz and Jacob.

“Sure thing Edward” Liz said grabbing Jacob and pulling him out the door.

“Now let’s sit down and talk” I said guiding her to the sofa.

“I’m willing to meet your request, but I have a few conditions of my own”

“UGHHH!!!” she groaned.  “I knew that you would find some way to get out of it”

“Come on Bella, do you want to hear the compromise or not?” I chuckled.

“Fine” she said crossing her arms across her chest.

“Ok like I said I’ll meet your request, but not until after the wedding and the birth of our child”

“What! Are you serious?  How do I know you won’t renege after you get what you want?”

“Bella love, I want to get married before the baby is born, but we can’t do that if you’re turned.  Remember you’ll be a newborn vamp, and you’ll have a lust for blood.  How do you expect to get married without killing some of our guests?”

She sat there pondering my question for awhile, finally she broke the silence.  “Alright I see your point, but if you don’t turn me after the baby is born I’ll just get Alice too, I can always depend on Alice, and if she has to do it, there will be hell to pay for you”

I went into the kitchen and retrieved the ring and a rose, I returned to Bella’s side. 

“Edward please not again” she whispered.

“I’m doing this the right way Bella” I said as I got down on one knee.

I handed her the white rose “Bella I love you more than words can explain, and I would be honored to have you as my wife, Will you marry me”

Her face was totally red, and she looked away from me.  “Bella please look at me”

She turned back to me with a soft smile on her face “Yes Edward, I would marry you a hundred times if that is what would make you happy”

I slipped the ring on her finger and softly kissed her wet lips.  “I love you” I said softly in her ear.

“Congratulations” I heard in unison.

I turned to see the whole family standing just outside the living room; Liz and Jacob were with them.  Everyone ran forward to give us hugs and congratulations, but Jacob just turned and walked out the door slamming it behind him.

“I should go talk to him” Bella said getting up.

“No Bella, you sit and rest” Liz said following Jacob out the door.