And So the Lion fell in Love with the Lamb An Edward Cullen Tale Chapter Sixteen.

Chapter Sixteen: Vacation proposal, and that other proposal.

I awoke sometime, I couldn't quite figure out what time, but the sun was no longer on my face.
It was dark, but it looked incredibly warm out, as the air was still, and there wasn't a single cloud in sight.

The stars were glowing against the indigo colour of the sky, as I lay looking out of the window.
I could hear voices, but they weren't distinct enough for me to decipher who they belonged to.

I felt too tired to move at first, and it was hard to sit up, because of my baby.
But once I was propped up on my elbows, everything was easier.

And that's when I noticed him, standing in the doorway, with a piece of white cloth in his hand.
"Are you feeling well enough to come outside for a breath of fresh air?" He asked me, as I eyed him carefully.

"Yes, that sounds nice." I answered, as he slowly approached me.
Smiling my favourite smile.

Edward.
"I got you this, thought you might like to change out of those clothes." Edward said.

I sniffed my sleeve suspiciously, and frowned.
"I smell okay." I argued, before smiling.

"But I have worn these for a few days now." I bargained, as he grinned.
"I think you'll find it's just like the one out of your dream." He said, in my ear, as he helped me to my feet.

I raised my arms in the air, and he gently tugged my shirt over my swollen belly, and then over my chest, and finally over my head.
He held me to him, covering me, so I didn't feel awkward, and I watched him as he unbuttoned my jeans.

I stepped out of them, just as he tugged the fabric over my head.
"Our favourite dress?" I asked him, as he smiled broadly and nodded.

"Our favourite dress." He repeated, as he let the silky fabric float down freely.
It fit me perfectly, and it was backless.

The same chainmail straps, and the beautifully pressed silk fell down to my feet.
It was a full length dress, and it was a pristine white.

He brushed my hair out of my face, and took my hand in his.
"Everyone is outside." He said, as I nodded.

"Then let's not keep them waiting." I answered, as he started to lead me outside.

"Oh Carlilse, look at Helena!!" I heard Esme say, in what sounded like sheer delight.
I nervously tucked my hair behind my ear, a little shy and too modest.

Edward guided me down the steps, and onto the concrete slabs, where everyone was sitting on white garden chairs, around a matching white table.
He walked me past the chairs, and onto the grass, the cool soft blades of grass under my bare feet.

I closed my eyes, sighing, grateful of the cool grass, the warm still air hugging my skin.
I felt warm, refreshed, free and more alive than I'd ever felt these last few days.

I felt pain free and as light as a feather.
"It's so good and relieving to see you smiling." Edward said to me, as he stood next to me, our hands still laced together.

We were looking ahead, staring out at the sky, as the stars glittered in the dim light of the night.
Edward looked porcelain white, and so beautiful as his amber eyes burned intensely.

He turned his body then, towards me, and those eyes were boring into mine.
"It's a relief too really that you're not too keen on surprises." He mused, as I frowned.

"I don't think I understand." I said, skeptical.
"I was just wondering Helena, how you would feel, in becoming my wife?" He asked me.

Something told me that this was staged.
The others were too calm for this to have been out of the blue.

They were aware of what he was going to ask me.
"You're asking me to marry you?!" I asked, breathlessly.

"Aaah, so there was still the surprise element, despite you already knowing all there was to know of our future together." Edward said, grinning.
"Answer me you idiot." I said, stunned.

"I believe that was what I asked of you, yes." He answered, chuckling softly.
"What?" I asked, still stunned.

"I do believe that I asked you to become my wife. Helena Grace Rivers...Marry me." Edward said, holding both of my hands.
"Aren't you supposed to get down on one knee?" I asked, dreamily.

"Would it help make up your mind?" He asked, jokily.
"No. I believe you require an answer from me, though?" I inquired, as he nodded.

"I believe that my answer, would be..yes." I said, as he smiled down at me.

He lowered his face until our noses were touching, my eyes closed.

"Congratulations!" Alice cried, before adding
"Even though I already knew, long before you did!"

Trust Alice.

***
We stayed on the grass for most of the evening, simply looking at each other occasionally.
Hand in hand, or Edward holding me.

We were never entirely apart that night.
Well, until I grew incredibly tired, and had to be carried to my bed by the window.

I was fighting sleep though, amazingly, despite my body's severe fatigue.
"You can sleep, angel." Edward whispered to me, as he leaned over me.

All I could see was his beautiful eyes, and his bronze hair.
"I want to see your face, a moment longer." I said, yawning softly.
"I will still be here in the morning." He bargained, as I shook my head.

"It's not the same..." I said, trailing off, my words slurring.
"Come on now, close your eyes and go to sleep." He said, and I heard him chuckle softly.

"I wish to give you something tomorrow." He said to me, as I prised my eyes open once more.
His lips lowered to the base of my throat, and he planted a deep kiss on my skin.

"What?" I asked, my eyes closing again.
I jerked again, and my eyes opened once more, just in time to hear him say:

"A gift." He answered, and it was then that sleep finally stole me away.

A gift.

***

"Wake up angel."

I heard such a luscious sound in my ear, as the sun streamed through the window, caressing my face.
I stirred, taking a rather deep breath through my nose, before straining my face closer to the window, craving the sunlight.

"Come on love, wake up."

My eyes opened then, and he was there, leaning over me, his skin sparkling slightly from the light coming in through the window.
"What's the occasion?" I asked him, groggily.

"You look a little pale this morning. Your face is a little sallow, Carlilse wants to see what he can do." Edward said.
"How's the baby?"I asked, as he helped me to sit up.

"Remarkable, but that's the problem, honey." Edward said.
"Why is it a problem?" I asked, frowning.

"Please don't be like that, you don't understand what I'm saying." Edward said, his brow furrowed with slight sadness.
"Why is it a problem?" I repeated, as his face fell.

"Because our daughter is slowly starting to kill you, Helena. You're drained." Edward said.
"We can't give up on her, Edward." I whispered, the tears falling freely down my face.

Edward held me to him, and he opened his mouth to speak, just as we heard a deafening crack.
Followed by a high pitched shriek of pain.

It took me a moment to determine the source of the noises, until my body flung itself backwards, and my jaw clamped together.
I breathed deeply through my nose, grunting and groaning with pain, as Edward shouted helplessly for Carlilse.

"I heard it from the kitchen." Carlilse noted, before looking down at me.
"What's broken Helena? You must tell me." Carlilse said, as I started to shake violently.

Edward flung himself forward and held me down to the bed, as I grunted again, snarling loudly.
"P-P-Pelvi-is-s-s." I said, stuttering.

"Where is your baby, Helena?" Carlilse asked me.
"She's moved." I answered, just as his fingers pressed down on my abdomen.

Another scream emitted from my throat then, and Carlilse gave me a worried look.
"I will heal your broken pelvis. But this is the last time. The next time, your baby will have to be removed by Caesarean." He said, with severe warning.

There was that familiar pain in the top of my hand, and I remember again, nothing but black.

****
When I came to, after Carlilse had once again sedated me, I noticed two unfamiliar faces in the room, staring at me awkwardly.
I knew I must have looked awful, Bella's saddened and dread filled face said it all.

There was a man standing next to Bella, his face was olive skinned and flawless.
He was muscly, and sturdy looking. He looked the size of a young bear, from where I was lying.

His teeth were porcelain white, and his hair was long and black. He had a tousled biker look to him, his clothes were merely a pair of black jeans.
His torso was bare and the same olive colour.
His eyes were dark, like Bella's, but not as burnt crimson.

I knew he wasn't a vampire...but he was certainly something else I knew I'd only find in a horror movie.
Or perhaps, in a mythical legend.

"You're a Quilette, aren't you?" I asked him, as he looked at me in surprise.
Bella looked from me, to the young man, as he nodded, his eyes widened with alarm.

"Yes, how do you know?" He inquired, narrowing his eyes.
"Google." I answered, as I heard Edward chuckle softly.

"Hey, she googled me too." Edward said, in amusement.
"You know of our tribe?" He asked me, the alarmingly large man standing by Bella.

"Yes." I answered.
"So you know what I am?" He asked me.
"Yes." I answered.

"What am I?" He questioned, as I stared at him, perhaps a little too rudely.
"Shapeshifter." I answered.

"She even used the correct term." He said, sounding impressed, as my eyes slowly wandered back to the window.
I was back on the heart monitor, and there was a drip in my arm.

"Would you prefer, werewolf?" I inquired, as he shook his head.
"Helena." Edward warned me, as my eyes averted to the window once more.

"Helena, this is Jacob."
Bella was suddenly by my bed, peering over at me.

I turned my head and acknowledged Jacob, who's eyes were on my swollen stomach.
"Are you in much pain, Helena?" He asked me.

"Yes." I answered.
Jacob was at the foot of my bed then, as his eyes inspected my face.
"You're dying." He said, simply, as I nodded.

My eyes flickered to Edward then, who's head slumped in his pale bony hands.
I so very much wanted to hold him then, but I was confined to the heart monitor and the drip in my arm.

I felt constricted and imprisoned at that moment.

I felt trapped and ashamed.
"I maybe dying, but I'm not dead yet." I said, as Jacob smiled weakly.
"You're very wise and brave, Helena." Jacob said.

"So everyone must stop looking at me with sad faces, and I don't want to hear any awkward silences. I'm not going to die." I said.

"I was afraid you were going to say it like that." Jacob said.
"Like what?" I inquired, as Jacob glowered at Edward.

"You've agreed to turn her haven't you?" Jacob asked, as I reached for his arm.
My fingers curled around his wrist eagerly, and I squoze it tightly.

"You won't hurt me." He said, emotionlessly.
"It was to get your attention." I retorted.

"What?!" Jacob asked, rudely.
"It was my descision alone." I answered.

"You're crazy. You're as crazy as..." Jacob snapped, before trailing off.

"As crazy as me?" Bella asked him, her crimson eyes staring at him expectantly.
"Yes." Jacob answered, lowering his gaze from her face.

"Maybe Helena is as crazy as me...but that's something that only myself and Helena truly understand." Bella said, before looking at me again.

And then Edward looked at me, his eyes burning with curiosity.
His hand balled into a fist by his mouth.

He still looked slightly angry, and I knew he wasn't far from losing control, but his curious amber eyes were still on me.
As mine were on him.

***
"Where has everyone gone?" I asked, after an afternoon nap.
I felt so useless, as I seemed to be sleeping alot.

"Bella and Jacob are conversing with the pack back up on La Push. They're devising a defense when we're in Italy." Edward said, standing in the window.
I had politely requested to sit in the armchair after waking up, and Edward had gently settled me down in the chair nearest the window.

"Edward, come here." I ordered, softly.
He glanced at me, his arms folded across his chest, before turning around and walking over to where I sat.

He knelt down at my feet, his hands on my knee's, as he looked up at me expectantly.
"I just wished to spend some time alone with you. After all, I wished to know just why you and Bella are so crazy as to want to be with me for an eternity." Edward said, as I slowly and carefully leaned forward.

"It's simple. I'm crazy about you. So crazy that I doubt there is anything I wouldn't do, for you." I said.
"Don't talk like that, I know what you're about to say." Edward said, hurriedly, his face tinged with dread.

"You mean, die for you?" I inquired.
"I don't want to hear you say that. I would never forgive myself if you put yourself in the line of death before me, in order to save me." Edward said.
"Because it's noble? Because it's something you know I'd do? Because I scare you, by just how deeply in love with you, I've fallen?" I asked.

"Because you're so courageous. Courageous, honourable and so admirable. You're selfless, Helena." Edward said, as I pulled him closer to me.
"Since I met you, I've no longer felt numb." I answered.

"I remember you, when I first smelt you. You smelt so beautiful, but I could smell your severe sorrow." Edward said.
"I was screwed up when I first came to Forks." I said, as he chuckled softly.

"I haven't exactly helped, have I?" He asked, as I took his hand.
"You've helped me more than you know." I answered, just as my eyes narrowed.

"Now tell me honey, what you have in your backpocket." I said, just as he cleared his throat nervously.

He withdrew a small box from his backpocket, and settled it in the palm of my hand.
"It's my gift." He said.

I slowly opened the box, and glanced at Edward, who's eyes were on the box.
He was waiting patiently for me to open it.

There, settled in a little cream coloured cushion, was a beautiful gold band, with a ruby nestled in the middle of an oval of white diamonds.

"Oh my...Oh lord..Edward, it's beautiful." I said, breathless.
"It was my mother's. Not a day goes by when I don't think about her." He said, more to himself than me.

"She'd have been proud of you." I said.
"She knows that I'm still alive. She knew I would be, the moment she asked Carlilse to save me in the only way he knew how." Edward said.

"And I'm proud to wear it." I answered, as he looked up at me.

I gently removed the ring from the box, and passed it to him, outstretching my left hand.
"Just as I am proud to let you do me the honours, of making our engagement official." I said, as he grinned broadly.

"Here it goes, the future Mrs Cullen." Edward said, before settling the ring neatly on my finger.

It fit perfectly.
The only problem now, was explaining all of this to my mother.

***
"Oh my little baby, how are you?"

It was so relieving to hear my mother's voice, even if it was on the end of a phone.
Edward had gently curled me up in his lap, and his arms were wrapped around me, his face pressed in my hair, as I spoke to my mother on the phone.

"I feel better, a lot better." I said, as she sighed deeply.
"That's so good to hear, when can I come see you?" She asked me, as my breath caught in my chest.

"Carlilse isn't sure just what has made me sick. He has said that it's best for everyone to wait until I'm in the all clear." I said, as Edward's lips kissed my earlobe.
"And just when will that be, darling?" She asked, sounding saddened.

"Soon ma, I promise." I answered, as she sighed again.
"Well, I've not been without company. I had dinner at Charlie's again the other night." She said.
"Did you have fun?" I asked, as she giggled childishly.

"Yes, he's a lovely man." She answered, as I laughed to myself.
"I gotta go, ma, I'll talk to you soon." I said,

"Alright then sweetheart I love youuuuu, bye." And she hung up.

I looked at Edward, and his face tilted to look at me, and he nodded sympathetically.
"I know you don't wish to lie, but the less she know's the better." He said, as I nodded.

"I don't wish for the Volturi to harm my parents." I answered.
"None of us wish that." Edward replied, as I nodded slowly.

"I know that, and the sooner all of this is over, the better." I said, as he held me tighter.
"You'll be able to see your mother sometime soon. Remember what Carlilse said." Edward replied, as I shuddered slightly.

"Yes, I remember." I answered, as Edward kissed my head.
"I promise you that nothing will happen to either of you." He said.

"Edward, I trust you." I answered, as he smiled weakly.
"You trust me too much." He said.

"I'd rather overtrust you, than not at all." I said, airily, as he chuckled softly.
"Helena...I would like to tell you something." Edward said, suddenly as I carefully turned in his lap to look at him.

His face was placid, and he looked quite content, even if his eyes were serious and wary.
"Go on." I implored, encouraging him to continue.

"I'm very much looking forward to our future together." He answered, as I smiled slightly, a little surprised.

"I feel blessed to have you. I feel like you have indeed restored both my soul and my faith in God." He said.
"I told you, that he is still with you." I answered.

"Helena, you complete me." He said, breathlessly.

I moved even closer to him, our noses touching, and his lips brushed mine ever so faintly, and I sighed with contentment.
My eyes moist with tears of surprise and amazement. I was ultimately blown away by him.

I was so touched by his honesty.
"You must understand, that you will be in a lot of pain, during the transformation." He said to me, his voice soft and personal.
"I understand." I answered.

"It's blinding. If it is still what you want, however, I shall not discourage you any further." He said.
"It's what I want." I answered.

"Is moving to Alaska, still what you want?" He asked.
"If it means gaining all control of myself, then yes." I said.

"After all, it was part of our compromise." I added.
"I do not care about our compromise anymore, Helena. I just wish to make you happy." He said.

"You do make me happy." I said, my hand weaving into his hair.

His hand ran over my stomach, and I felt her move. Following his hand.
"She know's it's you." I said, just as Edward nodded.

"She's already deep in conversation with me. She adores you, Helena." He said to me, kissing my head.
"What else is she telling you?" I asked him, as a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"She cannot wait to meet you." He said.
"And that she wishes for a name." He added, as I looked at him in surprise.

"Edward, you choose." I said as his eyes flickered to mine.

It was his turn to look surprised.
"I would like to call her, Elizabeth Grace Cullen." He said, as I smiled broadly, unable to contain my happiness.

"Then that is her name." I answered, my throat tight, as my eyes once again grew moist with happy tears.
"She's very happy with that name." He said, laughing slightly.

"I'm very happy with that name." I answered, as he nuzzled his nose against mine.
"Little Elizabeth Cullen." He whispered, almost as if he couldn't quite believe it.

"She just called me father." He said, in surprise, as he reached for my hand, and placed it on my own stomach.
"Listen deeply Helena. Listen to nothing but Elizabeth." He said, almost estatic and frantic for me to hear.

And as clear as a bell I heard two words echo from deep inside of me.

"Hello mother."

***
Later on that evening we had alerted Carlilse of Elizabeth's sudden speech and her progressive activity, and Carlisle was both anxious and impressed.
"Her growth is astounding." He had said, after myself and Edward had explained our little discovery.

Myself and Edward could hear her quite clearly, and could also hold short conversations with her.
She was capable of understanding and replying.

It was frightening, yet it only surprised me.
I wasn't really that affected. Yet, I knew what was to come, and that scared me more than anything.

I was a stranger to childbirth, as well as to the transformation that I would undergo.
I would endure these two challenges alone.

Edward would only have the capability of being by my side when it happened.
He too, was almost a stranger to this as well.

"How are you feeling internally?" Carlilse asked me, as I ran my hand over my stomach.
"Elizabeth's grown, and it's slightly uncomfortable. She's only moving around every so often. I doubt there's much room left in there for her." I said.

"Then it may only be a matter of days before you will have to give birth to Elizabeth." Carlilse said.

Bella glanced at me worriedly, and smiled feebly.
"We can only imagine how scared you must feel." She said.

"Some things are here to test you." I answered, as she nodded.
"You sound like Edward." She replied, before looking out of the window.

I went to answer her, just as my cellphone rang loudly on the sidetable where I'd left it after previously calling my mother.
"It's my father." I said, numbly.

"Then you must answer it, even though we know what he's about to ask you." Alice said, sincerely.
"Hello dad." I answered, perhaps a little too numbly.

"Your mother told me you'd sound like that." He said.
"I'm sorry, I've not been well." I answered.

"Of course I know you have darling. But you won't have to worry about that, in around three weeks from now." He said.

"Why?" I asked, attempting to sound unaware. A soft chuckle from Edward told me it wasn't working.

"Because I have booked us a week in Rome." He said, sounding estatic.
"Really?" I asked him, the enthusiasm, just not working.

"Yes, would you like to come?" He asked.
"Yes, I would...very much like to come." I said, starting to shake.

Edward crossed the room and walked towards me, concern evident on his face.
He knelt down infront of me, his eyes watching my face, as I clasped a hand over my mouth.

If anything my attempt would at least delay my tears, if not prevent them.
"That's great. You'll feel more excited when you're better, honest." My father said.

"I know dad." I said, my voice muffled.
"You sound tired, shall I let you go, so you can rest?" He offered.
"That would be great, thanks dad." I said.

"No worries honey, I'll see you when you're better, okay?" He asked.
"Yeah of course." I answered.

"I love you honey, take care." He said.
"Love you dad, bye." And I had to hang up then.

"Please lower your hand." Edward urged softly, as I shook my head.
"No, it's stopping my tears." I said, through my hand.

"Please love, lower your hand." He pleaded, as I looked at him curiously.

I lowered my hand from my mouth, and the moment his face fell, the tears instantly began to fall down my face.
"I cannot bear it if something happens to my father." I said, shaking my head.

"Why do you feel so guilty?" Bella asked.
"Because I'm not agreeing to go, to spend quality time with him...I'm going to Italy for one reason alone, and that is to keep my life, and keep my fathers, mothers and everyone's life in this room." I said.
"Why are you wanting to save us all, Helena?" Edward asked.

"Because you're all my family. And you, you are both the love of my life, and the father of my child." I said.

Edward looked at me then, and it seemed that it was his turn to be blown away.

***