Sacrificial Lamb Chapter 7
EPOV
Bella was talking but I didn’t hear a word she said. All my focus was on those purple marks around her wrists. He had damaged her. I warned him the last time, when he brought her home with a broken knuckle. It didn’t matter that she’d injured herself by hitting him; he’d kissed her against her will. But this time he’d put his hands on her. A rage unlike any I had ever known coursed through me. This time I would kill Jacob Black.
My mind catalogued all the possible ways to destroy him. I would not be merciful and snap his neck; that was too quick. I’d pound him into the ground, breaking every bone in his body. I’d rip off every limb, starting with fingers and toes before I worked my way up to bigger bones. Jacob Black would know pain.
I was dimly aware of Bella pulling on my hand as I started to walk toward the boundary line that kept the peace between our families. Treaties meant nothing now. All that mattered in the world was that he had marred my Bella’s lovely skin. She was so fragile, so breakable. That he could cause her any physical pain infuriated me.
Bella’s tugs on my hand started to get more insistent. She was what was important here. I had to get out of my head for a minute and make sure she stayed. I couldn’t let her see what I would do to her former friend. I stopped and looked into her face. Her eyes were bright with panic and tears were falling down her cheeks again. She knew, then. She knew what I was about to do.
“Bella, love, I know you’re frightened but everything will be alright. I just have to drive the point home to Jacob that he’s never to touch you again.” There, that didn’t sound too threatening, right? I couldn’t stop the tightness in my voice but maybe she didn’t hear that.
“Edward, Jacob didn’t hurt me.”
“Maybe it didn’t hurt; Bella, but he still put marks on you. I cannot let that go unpunished, not again.” Didn’t she see? He’d caused her pain and he had to pay. I’d warned him.
“No, Edward, you don’t understand.” Her face was tight and she looked loathe to speak whatever words she had planned. “Jacob didn’t put these bruises on my wrists.”
“What? Who did then?” Who’d had their hands on her? We’d been together up until she crossed the border line.
Her voice lowered to a whisper. “You did.”
I did? When had I hurt her? How could I? I would never. It wasn’t possible. My mind flew through our every interaction. I hadn’t grasped her wrists when I pulled her onto my back to run, had I? No, I lifted her by the waist. I’d carried her out of the tent. The tent. Oh my God. I’d grabbed her wrists in the tent when she was telling me about kissing Jacob. I injured her. Me. I had lost control of myself. I broke my most important promise to her. I’d wounded her with my strength.
“Edward, I’m fine. It didn’t even hurt.” Of course she would say that; Bella always put others before herself. All my rage at Jacob drained. I wish I could use my plans for him on myself but it wasn’t physically possible. Perhaps I could just step over the line and let the wolves at me? No, that would injure Bella too. I was a champion at hurting Bella at this point.
I couldn’t look at her, so I stared at the dusty earth. “I think you should go back to Jacob and tell him you’ve changed your mind. I’m sure he’d be more than willing to have you, even after today.”
“Edward that is the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever said to me. I am not going to Jacob and I’m not going to let you ruin us because you left a couple of marks on my skin. I AM FINE!”
“Fine? It’s not fine for me to harm you. It’s all I ever do.” It was true too, I either got her attacked by hungry vampires or I left her heartbroken. Why in the world does she even want me?
She grabbed my face and forced me to look back at her again. I don’t know how she can even stand to look at me after what I did. “Edward Cullen. You listen to me and you listen good. All they are is a few bruises. I bruise myself almost daily, you know that. This is nothing.” No, Bella, wounding you is a lot more than nothing. It’s the worst thing I could do. “I’ve been hurt way more than this before.”
“Yes, and that was because of me as well. Can’t you see what a monster I am? I’m not good enough for you.” It slipped out before I could stop myself.
“MONSTER?” Yep, she was in a full on rage now. I don’t know what perverse part of me was able to find that amusing despite all the anger I felt at myself in that moment, but there really was nothing more beautiful and fascinating than Bella when she was angry. She took heaving breaths trying to calm down enough to speak. Her face was bright red, not the cute blush she constantly wore but a crimson mask of rage. “My father gave me a bruise last week when he was brushing by me in the kitchen and I got knocked into the counter. Is he a monster?”
“No, of course not. That’s not remotely the same thing. I put my hands on you and I caused you pain.”
“You did not cause me pain. I would have told you if you caused me pain. I would have winced or cried out if it had hurt. Stop making this bigger than it has to be, Edward. It was an accident.”
Didn’t she get it? Didn’t she what I could do to her without even realizing it? “Bella, if I did this to you once, I could do it again…”
She wasn’t having it. “You were upset. A human male could have bruised me just as easily at that time. You, in typical fashion, are overreacting. I’m not listening to it anymore. We have to go and tell my dad we’re getting married. Are you coming?”
“You still want to get married?” I could not believe she was still wanted to marry me after everything I’d done to her.
“Are we going to have this conversation again? I said yes, I meant yes, get in the car.” She was so cute, ordering me around. I had to laugh.
“You’re so stubborn.”
“Lucky for you I am.” Yes, I am the luckiest being on earth. I don’t doubt that for a second.
“Alright, I’m coming, but this conversation is not over and I’m driving.” Bella heaved a sigh but hopped in the passenger side. It wasn’t over either. We had to have a talk about this condition she forced me to agree to in order to get her to marry me. No way could I attempt to make love to her now, I’d kill her for sure.
The ride to Bella’s house was fairly quiet as Bella stared out the window and I lost myself in my thoughts. Imagining making love to her filled me with the usual desire and terror that it always did. I wanted it more than I could say but I didn’t think I would be able to control myself; not with her so beautiful and soft beneath me. My body began responding to that image a little too prominently for my liking seeing as we were about to go face her father; a man who owned several weapons. Not that those could hurt me but it was still pretty daunting. Being nervous was not something I usually felt but as usual, Bella brought out the humanity in me more than anyone ever had.
Despite the truck’s inability to go about 55 miles per hour, we were at her house in no time. Charlie’s cruiser was in the drive so there was no delaying the inevitable. I glanced over at Bella and she didn’t look any more anxious than I did to go in. “For all your talk earlier, you don’t seem quite ready to go tell Charlie you’re going to be a blushing bride.”
She scowled at me. “I’m ready; you’re the one who doesn’t seem ready.” She squared her shoulders and got out of the truck before I could go around and get the door for her. I laced my fingers through hers and took a deep breath. I really do feel like a 17 year old human right now. It’s highly disconcerting. Bella shifted from foot to foot next to me but didn’t move forward at all. Clearly I had to take that first step.
“Bella, I love you. Let’s go.” Her eyes brightened at my words. I lifted her hand and kissed her wrist. “I am sorry you know.”
“I know. No more, it’s over.” She tugged our hands down and led the way to her house. We walked in the entrance and Bella called, “Dad?”
“In here, Bells.” Charlie was in the living room watching SportsCenter. I couldn’t read him as clearly as I could most humans; it was from him that Bella got her silent mind apparently, but I could get a read on his moods and he seemed content. That is until he saw me walk into the room holding his daughters hand. I was used to it though; he hadn’t forgiven me for leaving her last fall. That’s alright, I hadn’t forgiven me either. “Hello, Edward.” Well at least he said hello to me, that was more than I usually got.
“Hi, Charlie.” Bella kept shifting from foot to foot, if she wasn’t careful she was going to trip. I pulled her towards the couch, it’d probably be better if we were all sitting for this conversation. Although standing had its benefits, it would take me half a second less to run if need be. God, I was being so melodramatic, it’s not like he could actually physically hurt me. Charlie’s mental tone went from grudging acceptance of my presence to suspicion due to Bella’s obvious nervousness.
“What’s going on, Bells?” He straightened up in his chair almost imperceptibly.
“Uhh, nothing Dad. We just had something we wanted to talk to you about.” The suspicion was no longer just in his mind, it was written all over his face. I got a pretty clear look at his thoughts for once and I nearly laughed when I saw that Bella was right. Charlie thought we were there to tell him she was pregnant and we were getting married. Well, he was half right. I bit back a grin, she’d be so angry if he asked her if she was in trouble. I would have enjoyed it but for the fact that she might back out because her fears were coming to fruition.
“I’m waiting.” Yes, he was waiting and he was contemplating which weapon would be preferable for shooting the kid who’d defiled his daughter. For the first time in my life I was glad to be a vampire, I’d have died of fright if I were a human.
“Well, Dad, you know that Edward and I are going to Dartmouth together in a couple months…” Charlie relaxed a little, figuring that she wouldn’t go about announcing a pregnancy by chatting about college. He nodded for her to go on. “Well, it’s just, uh, we decided that,” she took a big breath and then she shocked us both by pulling an Alice. “Wedecidedthatwewantedtogetmarriedbeforewegotoschoolsowewon’tbelivinginsin.” The words all ran together. Without my enhanced hearing I never would have known what she said.
“What was that, Bells? I didn’t understand a word of that.”
She looked at me helplessly and I was, as usual, unable to resist giving her what she needed. “Charlie, what Bella was trying to say is that we’ve talked about it and we decided that we wanted to get married before we go to school. We love each other and we want to start our lives together the right way.” There, that wasn’t so bad. He wasn’t thinking about his gun anymore at least. He didn’t appear to be thinking about anything. I think we stunned him.
“Dad?” Bella tried to bring him out of his stupor but he wasn’t moving. Maybe we should have brought Alice over to explain it to him. He adored her; she’d have him thinking it was a good idea the second she told him. “Is he alright?” she hissed at me. I shrugged; I really wasn’t getting anything from him at the moment. He was breathing and that’s as much as I knew.
“Charlie?” Maybe I could jolt him out of it.
Bella got up and waved her hand in front of his face and leaned over to shake him. “Dad, you’re scaring us! Please say something!” That finally snapped him out of it and he sighed.
“Are you sure about this? Do both of you know what a commitment you’re making? You’re only eighteen years old and there’s still so much of life ahead of you.” Human life, if only she would agree to keep hers. He was resigned to it; I could hear it in his voice.
“Yes, Dad, we’re sure. We’ve been talking about it for awhile now and really the only thing that held us back was me being worried about everybody’s reaction. I have always been sure of Edward.” The words were simple but they made me glow inside. Even though I’d given her ever reason under the sun not to be, she was sure of me. I couldn’t stop the smile that crossed my face. Charlie noticed my reaction and watched me for a long moment.
“Well, I won’t lie and say I’m happy about this but I can’t say I’m surprised either. If this is what you want and you’re truly sure, I won’t stand in your way. I can’t deny that the two of you love each other. I’d rather you wait until after college but it’s really your decision. I hope you know what you’re doing though.” It wasn’t exactly a full on blessing but he wasn’t forbidding us at least. That was probably as good as it got.
“Thanks, Dad!” Bella gave him a hug.
“You’ve gone and grown up on me. Just promise you won’t make me a grandpa anytime soon. When you go to college, have fun, will you?” No worries on the grandkid thing, Charlie, that’s just one more thing I’ll be robbing her and you of. Bella would smack me if she heard that thought.
“I promise, Dad, that’s the last thing on our minds.” On your mind, maybe, Bella, it’s constantly on mine.
“So, when exactly are you planning on getting married? It’s only two months until you were due to head out to school.”
“Next month sometime. I don’t know exactly when, I’m sure Alice has it all figured out though, we left her in charge.” That brought Charlie’s first laugh since we’d shared our news.
“Well now that’s something to look forward to, Alice running herd on you for a wedding. I might enjoy parts of this after all, Bells.”
Bella glowered at the thought but then she grinned. “She’ll rope you in as well, Dad. Hope you enjoy tux shopping with her!”
Charlie looked horrified. His face really resembled his daughters when he was worked up about something.
“Bella, maybe we better go call your mother before your father freaks out and takes back his permission. No need to antagonize him,” I pointed out.
Charlie laughed though. Thoughts of Bella telling Renee of her upcoming nuptials drove his Alice the Wedding Nazi fears right out of his head. “Have fun with that one!”
Bella grabbed my hand and dragged me up to her room. “Well that went better than expected, once he started functioning again.” She giggled. “I was afraid he’d had a heart attack although I had faith that you’d inform me if his heart had stopped beating.”
“I would have, love. It was funny, though; he didn’t have any thoughts whatsoever when we told him. He just got completely silent.”
“Weird. Well, one down, one to go.” She heaved a weary sigh as she pushed Renee’s number on the speed dial. I fervently hoped that Renee wouldn’t put up too much of a fuss. She was a wild card though, you really never knew what that woman would say or do. She honestly was not my favorite person in the world, though I’d never tell Bella that. How someone as flighty and selfish as her could have a daughter as grounded and selfless as Bella was beyond me. I had to be thankful for her selfishness because it’s what brought Bella to Forks and to me but I could never really look beyond her choosing her happiness over her daughters. Hopefully she wouldn’t do that now.
I threw myself down on Bella’s bed while she paced back and forth in front of it. “Hi, Mom.”
“Bella! I have the best news. Phil’s doing really well and they might move him up to the big leagues!”
“That’s great, Mom. I have some news too.” I chuckled at the hesitance in Bella’s tone. She was scared senseless.
“Now I know you’re headed to Dartmouth in a couple of months but I really hope that if Phil gets called up to the majors that you’ll come to at least a game or two.” Renee plowed on with her own concerns, typical.
“Yeah, Mom, of course Edward and I would be happy to go to a game.” Ha, trying to sneak my name in there to see if she can bring the conversation around to our news. I had to admire my girl.
“Of course if he does get called up we’ll have to leave Jacksonville. Moving again would be a pain but he’ll be so happy and it’ll be wonderful.”
“Yes, that would be great.”
“So much to do, I’d have to pack and hire a mover and find a new place and a job.”
“Moving to a new place can be quite daunting, I ought to know.” Sarcasm was starting to seep into her tone now, but Renee would probably not notice.
“Well of course you would, honey. And how is life in Forks these days? How’s Edward? Seen Jacob lately?” I tensed, hating that she would ask about Jake in the same breath that she asked about me, but I guess it was understandable. At least she’d focused on her daughter finally.
“Uh, Edward’s great actually. Better than great. He’s actually what I’m calling about.”
“Oh, sex-talk time! Are you finally doing it? Are you being safe?” Dear lord, this entire family is going to kill me.
“No!” Bella shot me a horrified glance and I couldn’t help but laugh. Even though we’d both die of mortification, I think I’d enjoy listening to Bella get a sex talk from her mother. The one she got from Charlie a couple months ago had me laughing for hours. “Mom that is not what I’m calling about.”
“Oh.” Renee sounded disappointed. She really was a fascinating mother. “What’s up then?”
“Well, Edward asked me to marry him and I said yes. We’re getting married in a month.” She actually managed to spit it out without the speed speaking.
“Married? You’re getting married this summer?” She wasn’t shrieking but she sounded like she might any moment now.
“Uh, yes?” Bella’s yes came out sounding like a question; she was so cute. She was blushing now even though her mother couldn’t see her.
“Why?” Here we go again. Bella stared at me hopelessly so I took the phone from her.
“Because we love each other and we’re going to school together and we’ll be living together and we’d both be more comfortable doing that the traditional way.”
“Oh, Edward, why do you two have to be such prudes? Just go and have all the fun you need, with protection of course, without getting tied down. You have plenty of time for that.” She would prefer we live in sin than get married. Strange, strange woman.
“I guess I’m just old fashioned at heart, Renee. I want to do things the right way.”
“Well, you and Bella are sure right for each other, I’ll give you that. You’re both old at heart.”
“So does that mean you’ll come up for the wedding?”
“Well if Phil gets called up the majors there will be a lot to do…” I wasn’t going to listen to that again.
“Renee, your daughter will only be getting married once, I can promise you that. You really need to be here.“ Bella’s jaw dropped open, was she surprised that I was ordering her mom to our wedding or that her mom would consider maybe not coming?
“Of course I’ll be there, Edward, I just might have to juggle some things.”
“I’m glad to hear it, Renee; I’ll give you back to your daughter.” I lay back on the bed and listened to Bella wrap things up.
“I’ll call you with all the details when I have them. Edward’s sister and mother are taking care of the planning so once the dates are all set we’ll let you know. Bye Mom!” She didn’t give her mother an opportunity to start quizzing her again. Good plan.
Bella got on the bed next to me and buried her head in my shoulder. “Thank God that’s done.”
“Yep. Now we only have to endure a month of wedding details.” I couldn’t resist teasing her.
She just shook her head and sighed. “I really must love you.”
“Yeah, you really must.” Why, how could she? That I didn’t know the answer to, but she was my personal miracle and I wasn’t letting her go ever again.
[…] https://nolebucgrl.wordpress.com/fanfiction/sacrificial-lamb-chapter-7/ […]
Ahhh…loved this chapter. It was very sweet…at the end. True to character, we had the self loathing Edward, but I loved how you had Bella dismiss it and not put up with his crap. he he.
“You still want to get married?” I could not believe she was still wanted to marry me after everything I’d done to her. “Are we going to have this conversation again? I said yes, I meant yes, get in the car.” She was so cute, ordering me around. I had to laugh.” Loved this part!
I also liked your take on Renee. She is not a total bitch, but definitely self absorbed. That is always how I saw her as well. I’m looking forward to seeing where you take this story now. I now you aren’t the biggest fan of Breaking Dawn. Are you going to try to stay close to the original story or are you taking it in a whole different direction?
🙂 I’m glad you liked it! The next few chapters are going to be loaded with fun, I promise! I had to step away from the angst for awhile, but we shall return.
As you know, I’m not very fond of Renee and I do find her to be completely self absorbed, to the point where she angers me. I do play with her some and the next chapter I have to write, 11, I’m going to try to tone down my take on her a little. Rameau thought maybe I went to far in chapter 10. hehe I’ll see what you think though!
Breaking Dawn….yes, well you’re going to see a few parallels to come but then I will move away some. I’m going to do a wedding and somewhat of a honeymoon, so that will be similar. After, the Cullen clan will be leaving Forks, because they cannot turn Bella there (not going to have the wolves rescind the terms of the treaty) and no baby! I intend to explore Bella’s power (which will not be what we know it to be in the book) and create some conflict over it. That’s all I’m going to say about that though!
It’s been a while since I read this chapter and (or anything new for this story, Nole, how is the next chapter coming along?) and it was better than I remembered. My initial reaction was just a little averse since I actually liked SM’s version of “telling the parents they are getting married”. I remember enjoying Charlie’s glee on the prospect of Bella having to convince Renee about this idea.
As for going too far with Renee in chapter 10, it’s purely a disagreement of artistic visions. I don’t really like Renee but I don’t hate her either since she has so many qualities my own dear mother has. I could never hate Renee even if she’s a self absorbed bitch at times, because she does love her daughter even if her priorities desperately need re-evaluating. She too is and should be a multi-layered character, just like Jacob. I find myself constantly defending the very characters Nole dislikes and by doing so ‘reining in’ the slight. I just hope I wont end up being overly cautious and diluting all the colours from this picture Nole is creating.
Nole, you are doing such wonderful job with this fic and I wouldn’t want to cheapen your accomplishment by letting you settle on one-sided opinions or cardboard characters, on anything but the very best you can create.
I agree with Rameau about Renee. I too can never truly hate her, although she is nothing like my own mother. But, even though I too find her self absorbed, I always believed that she does love her daughter. She just never became mature enough to act like a parent. Nole, I am really curious to read chapter 10 now and see what you did with her.
So, if you are doing a ‘sort of honeymoon’, I take it you won’t be going the route of “Let your Light Shine”! Can’t wait to see where your story goes after the wedding/honeymoon. And you totally got me curious about her power. What could cause conflict..hmmm. I wont push for spoilers, but you better keep writing 😉
I don’t think I’ve made her not love her daughter, but we’ll see what you think when you get there. I will say that the next chapter after that I will soften things a bit. I think Renee can and would embarrass Bella with some of the things she says, especially in front of people. I’m going to tackle it this weekend so I’ll know soon enough how it turns out!
Yes, I’m not doing an all out honeymoon sexfest. I think I’ll have a hard enough time doing one sex scene, let alone several! I do have a secondary scene in mind already so I’ll see how I do there. But I won’t be writing sex in every chapter, though it will be safe to assume that they’re having it. hehe Maybe I’ll “fade to black” a la Stephenie. You truly need to read the SM & The Renegade Characters fics, Edward’s rage over “fade to black” had me in tears.
Rameau, believe me, that’s what the hardest part about doing the next few chapters is for me. I had no objections with SM’s handling of the parents and wedding, so it’s hard to tinker with it. I could have written for wedding see Breaking Dawn but I figure that’s a cop out, so I’m doing my own take on it but I really don’t have issues with how it was handled. I do have issues with the sex scene which is why rewriting that doesn’t bother me, except in the fact that I’ll be attempting to write a sex scene of course. I should get to that this weekend as well, quite intimidating.
You’ll get the next chapter this weekend, I promise! I am going to work on it this very day, it’s been in my head for awhile so it shouldn’t be too hard to get out.
AGO, I’m glad I have you curious over the power. I’m quite interested to see how that’s going to progress/go myself!
I give you a lot of credit for even attempting a sex scene. I would never have the balls to do that!
I’m one chapter away from it. I have it in my head, but finding the words will be the true challenge.
I just finished chapter 11 and mailed it off to my awesome betas. I think I did well with Renee and softened what I did in chapter 10. I’ll be interested to see what you think when I get that up. (I’m teasing, I know!)
I can very much see the movie version of Renee acting like this. It’s interesting how you sort of simplified Charlie’s reaction, I’m curious how it turns out with them as the wedding gets closer.
I can not be happier to hear you say “no baby”. So no creepy birth scene of even creeper “imprinting”… Thank you.
I didn’t want to harp on Charlie too long, I thought SM’s coverage of him was pretty good. It’s hard rewriting some of the things that happened in BD since I didn’t have an issue with a lot of it. Once we get past wedding/honeymoon stage I intend to make it more my own.
Hee, no creepy birth, no creepy kid, no imprinting, I promise!