Fanfic: Alternate Epilogue to New Moon by Vampire_Love14

Almost everything was back to normal-the good, pre-zombie normal, in less time than I would have believed possible. The hospital welcomed Carlisle back with open arms, not bothering to conceal their delight that Esme found life in L.A little to her liking.

So, like I said, back to normal. But there was one thing I couldn’t get out of my head-Edwards proposal.

It gnawed me to pieces for weeks and days and weeks. I pondered it everywhere, eating, going to the bathroom...Everywhere. I imagine my mood must have shifted dramatically over the weeks, but Edward didn’t remark at all about my sudden sighing, grinning, or blushing a red deeper than the pepperoni on my untouched pizza at lunch for apparently no reason at all.

What had I done? I cried in my head. Here was Edward offering two things I wanted more than anything- Edward being the one to make me immortal, and a lifetime with him! I punched myself in the thigh. What was I thinking?

I pouted in my head for it seemed like years, imagining scenarios where I would confront him, where he would change me. But I made the cowardly lion look like Hercules.

I was brutally agonizing myself over it, hating myself for hating myself, because I couldn’t concentrate on the time I could now spend with him. Edward.

But suddenly, driving me home from school, Edward put his foot down.

“Bella, what is bothering you?” He asked quietly, turning the unbreakable force of his golden eyes on me.

“Nothing”, I protested, looking out the window. “I’m just thinking.” He waited for a beat.

“About...”, He prompted.

It hurt me to do it, but it was the only thing I could say that he wouldn’t question me about.

“Jacob.”, I replied curtly, staring out of the window, trying desperately to hold back the tears that threatened to spill.

Edward looked away for a moment, presumably to hide his clenched jaw. He relaxed and looked at me. “He’ll come around, Bella. He misses you, but he is afraid and far too angry at me to visit.” He paused. “Also, he is as stubborn as you are, and believes that you should come to him.” Edward smiled half-heartedly, but I could see the pain that brewed.

“He should come to ME.” I muttered. Even though it started as a lie, my stubborn truth came boiling out.

Edward chuckled darkly. “He won’t. Mainly because of me.” “But he knows that you’re not... normal.” I protested. He shook his head.

“The enmity is rooted too deeply, Bella.” And then we were silent.

I am the most horrible person in the world, I thought miserably. I was upset about Jacob, but with Edward near me, it was hard to think about unhappy things- even my former best friend, or even the awful way I rejected him when I left, choosing the “bloodsuckers” over my safe harbor, poor, sweet Jacob. And when I did think of Jake, I always felt guilty about not thinking of him more. But I was much more angry at Jake than drowning in sorrow about him, little did Edward know. Jacob had no right to be angry at me this way! He knew I had always loved Edward! Or maybe, he didn’t want to know and accept it. But at least, Edward didn’t suspect I wasn’t telling the truth.

Or so I thought. Edward seemed to sense the raging emotions in my head. He pulled over on the highway.

“Bella, you’re lying to me.” He growled. I didn’t reply, I just stared at my hands in my lap. He snarled. “Isabella Marie Swan, if you don’t answer...” He didn’t finish the threat.

Finally I turned to face him. I stared at him, feeling the force of his eyes on me. I could hear the rain pounding on the roof of his Volvo three times louder, and I felt the adrenaline pumping through my veins. I felt powerful and brave, so I said the first words that came to my head.

“Will you marry me?” I breathed. A look of astonishment crossed his face. I could see whatever he had been expecting, it hadn't been that.

Suddenly, he took my hot face into his cool hands and whispered against my cheek.

“No.” he whispered. I gasped and blushed angrily. Oh god, what was I thinking? Stupid, stupid, stupid! I tried to pull away, but he held me tightly. My lips trembled. How could he say that to me?

I remained silent, anger rushing through my body. He breathed into my face. I choked on the sweet aroma. He was such a cheater.

“No, Bella. Will you marry me? I blushed furiously at my stupidity. Then I kissed him so forcefully that he actually moved a little in surprise.

“Of course.”