Crime and Punishment ((Jane, Aro, & Brooke))

[edwardcullen]

((Takes place first in Italy at Edward and Brooke's apartment^^))


A loud bang on the front door of the apartment home in Italy was banged on at 3 am in the morning...Edward was laying on top of his wife at the moment and making love to her.....He groans slightly...As he gets up and pulls on boxers..."Don't go away darling..." Edward smiled sweetly at her....And rushed into the front foyer and pulled on a jacket to cover half himself up as he opened the door...."Yes...?" But there was no one there....Edward looked down and saw an envelope....With the Volturi seal on the back of it. He picked it up off the stew as he let a breath escape his lips as it was cold out tonight...And he shut the door after that.....And opened the letter...He was all quiet when he read the message. Brooke would wonder where he was right now and why he had not come back to the bed room. But he did go back to the bed room and sat on his side of the bed. With his eyes glued to the letter....

Edward gave a hard swallow in his throat...He was being summoned and it would be the day after tomorrow? The mention of what he was being summoned for was not mentioned. But Edward knew what it was for....It was obviously for that little visit he had with Bella in the meadow that night. And all hell happened...When the Volturi showed up...Edward never told his wife about the point to where Edward was considering turning Bella...Because she was on the point to dieing. And Edward was just doing what he could only do while he was alone. And there was no one on his side to help....Turn Bella...But he didn't...And now things were worse all because Edward didn't get that chance when Jacob stepped in....That mutt always seemed to ruin everything! But, Edward couldn't worry about Jacob right now. He was being summoned for this particular 'crime' Edward had done against the Volturi....Edward becoming more distant from his wife next to him as all he could do was stare at that summon paper...

[BROOKE KNIGHT]

Brooke let out a groan as Edward pulled away from her, "Right on cue as always..." She muttered as he put on his boxer, "Where else would I go?" She added when he told her not to go away. So, while Edward went to the door Brooke pulled the covers around her and stared at the ceiling with a small frown on her face.

Because she hadn't seen his face when he walked in the door, Brooke went back into her love mode. She sat up and kissed his neck lightly. She saw the paper in his hand and her eyes flickered up and she looked up at him worriedly, "What is that?" she asked him, the Volturi seal made it evident but she still asked, as if hoping that she was wrong about what it was.

[edwardcullen]

Edward sat on his side of the bed. As his thoughts were mainly on the paper he was looking at. He was knocked out of his little trance when his wife kissed his neck. "What is that?" "I'm being summoned for a crime..." He flat out said. Well, at least he did not lie to her. He could've told her it was nothing. But he loved his wife so much he could not lie to her. He knew now that she was really going to get worried. Edward knew what his crime was and it was stupid really....But it was a crime for Aro...."For seeing Bella...For breaking the deal..." To think yesterday he was all fired up about being a Daddy....And now this. Would he ever just be free of drama and live the life he wanted? The answer to that would be no....

At that moment he looked over at his wife as he leaned his body half way towards her and placed a kiss on her lips...."Do you really have any idea how important you are to me? Any concept at all of how much I love you?" At this point he wanted to change the subject. But he knew she knew what he was pulling the moment he kissed her. Bella was not like this at all...He could do any thing and she would have to ask him what he was doing...Brooke wasn't that 'normal..' She was just like him...He was having a hard time with keeping up with her...But he tried. She would see in his eyes there was some thing wrong before he even said it...He said too much already. And he was just fooling himself not her. To think that he could even accomplish that was just wishful thinking....

[BROOKE KNIGHT]

Brooke nodded simply as he explained the point of the letter to her, she knew the reason. She was worried for her husband now. Worried that something bad was going to happen. Worried she might never see him again. Worried that this punishment might change him from the man she had fallen in love with to someone that almost rivaled the type of man that had changed her. All these worries made her frown widely as she sat on the bed. Just when things started to get good for them things went terribly bad, she should have known this would happen the second she cancelled her line launch a few days prior. Things were always too good to be true when they got organized only to be shattered soon after. She always considered just forgetting hoping things would go nice but the hope is what kept her going. She could only imagine what the beginning of this downward spiral meant, maybe Liv wouldn’t find a child after all, it would certainly fit into the current theme of their lives for another let down to happen

She was more than surprised when he kissed her and pulled her out of her stupor. It only took a few seconds o figure out what he was doing and she almost let it happen as she kissed him back. Why would it matter, they never grew tired and they were both in bed as it was, they could always discuss it later, right? Wrong! Brooke’s mind snapped back into its normal state and she immediately pulled away from her husband, though her body still remained close to his. “We need to discuss this…” she muttered to him. “How long will you be gone for? Should I tell Liv to wait on finding a child? What does this mean for us?” she asked a series of questions that came to mind, there were more but she had stopped there.

((I know we have discussed that before but it is best to include it in a thread...))

[edwardcullen]

((Yes we need to have it in here now that I know what you mean XD))



“We need to discuss this…” Before he knew it he was pulled out the kiss. As looked into her lovely but now worried eyes...“How long will you be gone for? Should I tell Liv to wait on finding a child? What does this mean for us?”Those questions he was not ready for. Not right now. But she was so determined in finding the answers. He could tell when she wanted to discuss some thing. So he stopped kissing her all together as he pulled back and looked into her eyes..."I don't know how long it will be. No, do not stop letting Liv look for our child....What it means for us...? I will simply be gone for a while and I shall return. Nothing more...Nothing less....I have to pay for my crimes. Even when its not considered a crime in the first place...But my love for you will remain..." He grabbed her hand in his and intertwined his fingers in with his....He knew she wanted to stretch this conversation to more than it needed to be, he would not pull away from it either. He wanted to talk to her about this now...

He seemed to sound so confident as he told her that. But deep down he was not like that. He was worried about what was going to happen, how long he was going to be gone and if Liv should actually continue looking...Yes, she should continue looking. Why shouldn't she? They wanted to start a family for so long. Why should this stop them? "Please...Don't hate me for my actions..." Yes, he was now showing what he was really feeling. He was scared of what was going to happen. He knew how the Volturi were....And it felt uneasy to him...

[BROOKE KNIGHT]

Brooke nodded simply, he answered her questions and although her brain was wracked with more she didn’t ask them. She couldn’t bring herself to even utter them out loud so she remained silent for a moment.” Edward… What you didn’t do to Bella was proof of your love for her… I don’t hold that against you just like you don’t hold me vixenesque habits of the past or my very brief marriage to Luther sixty-four years ago against me.” Not that either of those things should be considered a threat to him, Luther was dead as was her love for him since the second she said I do. And she had no plans on leaving him for anyone else due to her undying love for him. His love for Bella, however, was very much real. He was risking his life, and their family just to protect a human girl.

It hurt Brooke to know he would always love another, quite a mood destroyer actually if you thought about it. Being married to a vampire for the rest of eternity, it seemed too good to be true, it seemed perfect, unless the man you loved would always love another, even after Bella’s life would end Edward would still long for her, would want her touch, mourn over his loss. It was vicious cycle the French vampire had put herself into, an inability to love without him while he wanted another. It was times like this Brooke cursed vampire emotions, both for her sake and his. If he didn’t have emotions like that Bella wouldn’t have such a hold on Edward, though if Brooke didn’t have those emotions her husband wouldn’t have that same hold on her. Such a lose/lose situation the brunette had put herself into. Though usually she didn’t mind it right now the thought of losing her husband to the Volturi because he loved a human was too much.

Without a word to her husband Brooke got up off the bed and picked up her underwear and bra, she quickly slipped the two on before walking out of the bedroom and heading towards the kitchen. She felt a flood of emotions starting to come and when that happened she got hungry so before it happened she pulled a bottle of blood from the fridge and poured some into a wine glass before putting the bottle away again. She jumped up onto the counter and sat down quietly as she took a sip from the glass in her hand.

[edwardcullen]

”Edward… What you didn’t do to Bella was proof of your love for her… I don’t hold that against you just like you don’t hold me vixenesque habits of the past or my very brief marriage to Luther sixty-four years ago against me.”

Edward saw the way she reacted. He couldn't hep but know she had more questions. But if she didn't ask them, then he would not answer them for her. That's what he gets for being a mind reader. He had to respect the others privacy some times. And he was not about force those questions out of her either. Edward grabbed his white collar shirt and sipped it on as he buttoned a few buttons on it and placed on some jogging pants. As he walked out of the bed room and straight into the kitchen where his wife was...

He saw her tensed body. What could he do? What could he do to make her feel better? He didn't know how much this was hurting her. But he was in pain just as much as she was. He just didn't know how much it hurt her. He walked over and bent down in front of her....And placed his hand on her knees...As he laid his head there on her lap....He knew he had problems. She knew he was still in love with some one else...Even though Isabella did not love him back. Nothing would ever change the love that Edward has for Bella. He thought for sure his wife would have left him by now.

Edward was not the same with out his wife. He needed her love. He really needed her love. Did she know that? It didn't matter how much he was always reminded of Isabella...Edward would always love his wife more than any thing. Because she was the one that he was meant to be with. He hated himself right now for making Brooke see his love for another surface. He was terrified she would leave him. What could he do to prove his love for Brooke? Forget about Bella for a start....But that would never happen...Unless there was some thing that happened to the girl...Then again he would mourn over her death forever....

He never left his head from her lap as he hugged her where he was crouched at. He knew she would under stand if he had not said a word for a minute or two...his mind was going in circles. The thought of what could take place entered his mind. He was terrified. He hated that he had to slip like he had. And to only have it blow up in his face. He looked up at his wife then with the saddest eyes and expression he could muster up..."I love you...." He said strong and firm not leaving his gaze from her eyes....

[BROOKE KNIGHT]

Brooke's eyes flickered to Edward when he walked into  kitchen. Her gaze soon returned to the glass in her hand as she swirled the glass around slightly before taking another sip. Edward couldn't have known the amount of stress that he put her under, the amount of worry he caused her to have. It was a monumental thing for her to have stayed with one man for more than a few nights much less marry and stay committed to one for a few months. Edward always asked a lot from his wife. She wasn't sure if he knew it or not. They were two newly weds and they already had a myriad of problems that most couples didn't face. 

As he set his head onto her lap she softened and became less tense, his touch did wonders for her during times of stress, she doubted he knew that either. Her fingers brushed through his hair gently, motion that often calmed her when the two were together, probably something else he didn't know.  He looked up into her eyes and told her that he loved her, that was never something she doubted from him, she new he loved her.

He should know that her love for him would never fade. He was the one for her, end of story. There would never be another that could take her love for Edward. Nothing that would make her leave him, except unless he left her, then she wouldn't be caught sticking around pathetically as he moved on with his life and got back together with Bella. But nonetheless she wasn't going anywhere as long as he wanted her. "I love you, I always will... You're stuck with me, Edward... You better just get used to it." she told him, her voice was soft as she looked into his eyes.

[edwardcullen]

"I love you, I always will... You're stuck with me, Edward... You better just get used to it."

He took the wine glass full of blood and drank some of it as well. As he let the glass back on the counter top. He leaned upwards to where his lips met hers...He let a small smile escape his lips then. As he looked into her eyes for a long time. "I'm not alone when you are holding me. I'm complete when you kiss me. You better start getting used to being called Mrs. Cullen...Because I'm going to say it all the time to you..." He knew she was edgy about that name. But he was going to make her get used to her married name one way or another. She was a Cullen rather she liked the name attached to hers or not.

"So how are you feeling tonight Mrs. Cullen?" He asked her sweetly. He knew how she was feeling why had he asked that? Well, maybe because he was leaving her tomorrow...He had to tell her that he was leaving tomorrow...."Hold that thought." He rushed back to the bed room and grabbed the paper he just received and placed it in her hand..."This should be read by your eyes as well..." He placed a gentle kiss on her neck from behind her as he grabbed the wine glass half way full of animal blood now. She had to know every thing. She was his wife. And Aro made it clear to him that his wife was not the one in danger.

He leaned on the counter top...As he waited for her to read it all. It was basically a summon to pay for his crimes...Not saying where or how long he would be gone. But this would make her more worried since there was not a piece of information on it for her to find out. Aro was very secretive. But Edward knew what was going to happen. Pain...Beyond pain...He couldn't tell his wife that. He knew she probably had a sharp eye on what was going to happen and she would most likely ask to accompany him...But that was another thing his letter said...That he was to arrive on his own...

[BROOKE KNIGHT]

Brooke kissed him back gently and looked into his eyes as he spoke to her. He used that name again, Mrs. Cullen. He knew how she felt about it, that is why she used it. Granted she had legally changed her name to include Cullen but it still unnerved her. "You know... I didn't change my name when I married Luther... Though it was frowned upon if you didn't... It never seemed right to change my name for any man..." She started slowly, "But it doesn't seem right not changing my name to carry Cullen... I only keep my maiden name as well because I can't let the memory of my father die... I just want to make sure you know that..." She had to know he knew it, "I love carrying your name... I am just so used to being Ms. Knight that when I am addressed as Mrs. Cullen it is a weird..."

It was after that he left the room telling her to hold that thought. While she waited she drank more from the glass and set it down just in time to take the letter into her hand. She read it slowly, nothing she didn't already know. What she wanted to know was where is he was going, she knew she wasn't going to be allowed to follow but it would put her mind at rest if she at least knew where he would be. She jumped off the counter, muttering a small curse when she was back to her standard height, ten inches shorter than Edward. She stood in front of him  and set s hand on his cheek, "Where are you going? I promise I won't follow you I will just feel better if I know where you are..." she told him.

[edwardcullen]

"You know... I didn't change my name when I married Luther... Though it was frowned upon if you didn't... It never seemed right to change my name for any man..." "But it doesn't seem right not changing my name to carry Cullen... I only keep my maiden name as well because I can't let the memory of my father die... I just want to make sure you know that..." "I love carrying your name... I am just so used to being Ms. Knight that when I am addressed as Mrs. Cullen it is a weird..." "Where are you going? I promise I won't follow you I will just feel better if I know where you are..."

Edward looked down when she asked where he was going. He couldn't tell her that. He did know though. He hated this. But it was Volturi rules. That this place was being summoned to not be announced to just anyone. Even if they were indeed a vampire. Edward hated keeping this a secret. He wanted to tell her so badly. But he knew he couldn't risk her life for this. She was better off not knowing any way. Not even the soft touch of her hand upon his cheek could make him tell her. He said nothing actually for a moment. He knew this was a rule. He could understand it. Brooke would be put to death as well if she knew where he was going. This was the killing him.

He wanted to tell her so badly. "If I told you, you would be on the same list as me. No one but Volturi members are allowed to know. But if it will rest your head of worry, I will tell you its in Alaska..." He said that low in her ear as though there were other people here listening in...He couldn't keep that from his wife. He loved her way too much. She already knew about Bella...He just couldn't stretch the line any more with her....He knew she was hurting even as he stood there in front of her. "I trust you enough to not follow me...Because they will know if you do....I'll be back this time....I'm not leaving you for good you are my wife...And since I'm leaving tomorrow, I need to say Mrs. Cullen to you as long as I can before I can no longer call out your name..." His lips were so close to her cheek as he said all that as he wrapped his arms around her...And pulled her close t him. He then laid his head on her shoulder and hugged her quietly. As though he was savoring in her scent. He didn't want to forget how she felt in his arms...

[BROOKE KNIGHT]

Brooke nodded simply. Alaska. The place she her husband would be. The place she couldn’t follow him even if she wanted to. “I promise I won’t follow you… But I also won’t be staying here… Being in Italy without you just seems wrong…” she told him softly and she removed her hand from cheek as he pulled her close. “Then say my name as often as you like… But you’ll be able to say it again soon… I am forever yours.” She muttered into his ear. This separation from him would kill her, her emotions were already frequently on a roller coaster as it was she could only imagine how it would be once her left this time.

She wrapped her arms around his back and rubbed them across his back slowly, “This isn’t the, right? Our twisted fairy tale doesn’t stop here, right?” Yes, there life had become a twisted version of a fairy tale, finding true love but them being vampires it became a twisted one, him being a Volturi only twisted it more. She didn’t mind it, she never did. She was happy to have found her one love, the only one she would ever need to love. “Because I don’t want this to be over… I am not sure what I would do if it was over…” she muttered.

[edwardcullen]

“I promise I won’t follow you… But I also won’t be staying here… Being in Italy without you just seems wrong…” He nodded at that. And he understood. The only reason they were really here was because of him. To get him away from Forks...“Then say my name as often as you like… But you’ll be able to say it again soon… I am forever yours.” That he smiled to himself to. As she said that so sweetly to him. While never let her go from his arms.

He felt her arms find his back as she rubbed him gently there he heard her say this...“This isn’t the, right? Our twisted fairy tale doesn’t stop here, right?” He pulled away from her then and looked her in her eyes. As he saw they were a resting golden brown. He brushed his fingers up to her cheek and wiped them slowly there....“Because I don’t want this to be over… I am not sure what I would do if it was over…”

"It's not going to end baby if that is what you are worried about. Despite everyone telling me you were a mistake....I see you different then any one else...You saved my life....They don't know what you do to me. I love you Brooke. And if my mom were here she would approve of you I have to believe she would. This is not over...This is far from over. I'll come back I promise okay..." Still he has no idea what will happen. Was he breaking yet another promise and not realizing it? He was hurting her the moment he told her I Do....But he was in love with her. She was the one thing keeping himself sane. And from doing some thing he would really regret. Like killing Jacob Black for instance....She's stopped him once from doing that. He loved her. And that was all he needed was her to love him back.

[BROOKE KNIGHT]

Brooke frowned a little when he mentioned her escalating disapproval ratings in the Cullen home. But didn't let it phase her much, she had his love and shouldn't be caring about what his family thought of her. "Good... Because I don't want us to be over..." she told him. She rested her head on his chest, and let out a small sigh. "Why can't we just be a normal couple? I mean I am not asking for us to be like a typical human couple... But... Maybe being like a typical vampire couple for once might be nice..." but she said no more on the subject, hoping he would drop it there too.

"I could try harder to get your family to like me... Maybe if I spend time with them and they get to know me they will warm up to me a little." she muttered, " I will probably go visit Liv a bit during this time... I'll spend a few days your family... It could only help, right?" she asked him as she pulled her head away from her chest to look up at him. 

[edwardcullen]

"Good... Because I don't want us to be over..." "Why can't we just be a normal couple? I mean I am not asking for us to be like a typical human couple... But... Maybe being like a typical vampire couple for once might be nice..." He knew what she meant when she said that after she placed her head on his chest. He placed his chin on top of her head and sighed heavily as he held her tight. "I could try harder to get your family to like me... Maybe if I spend time with them and they get to know me they will warm up to me a little."

He gave a little nod at what she said. He was just trying his hardest to not let his emotions get the better of him. He would be ecstatic if she did get them to like her more. But he even now had his doubts. But he was not about to tell her that. He needed her to go to Forks. To tell them what was happening any way. "I need you to tell them any way..." He said softly. " I will probably go visit Liv a bit during this time... I'll spend a few days with your family... It could only help, right?" Another nod. He then lifted her head off his chest so she could look him in the eyes. There was really nothing else to be said. All he wanted was to kiss her deeply kiss her. And that's just what he did. As he never let his fingers leave her chin when he leaned down and kissed her passionately....There was nothing else really to say....He wanted to hold her tight til he no longer could....

~~The Next Day....~~

Wearing^^

Edward pulled on his jacket. As he was getting ready to leave. The letter was precise...A Volturi member would meet him a block away from here and from there they will travel to Alaska. If he wanted to cry he would. But he knew that was not possible. He looked at the time on his watch. As he sat at his piano stool. With his eyes fixed on the time. He had to be at his first destination with in half an hour. He knew how Brooke was feeling about this....He was going to leave her none the less...He promised her once he would never do this...But he couldn't help but think he was breaking that promise....