Author's Note: I have read many cliché car accident stories on this site, and I decided to have a go at my own version. All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer
"Oh, Alice!" I gasped, unzipping the protective cover to the dress she had bought for me. My hand automatically went for the tag to see how much she had spent, fearing the worst. I frowned, noticing that she had cut off the price. Nothing got past her.
My eyes drifted again over the lovely light blue dress, a thick white sash tied around the middle. It had exceeded my expectations; I had asked Alice earlier in the week to choose a simple yet formal dress for me, begging her not to make it too extravagant. Tonight I was taking Edward out for his birthday.
Alice had sworn not to think about it to keep the surprise, although I hadn't filled her in on much. We were only going to Port Angeles for dinner, but I still wanted him to be caught off guard. It was a perfect, warm, rain-free day- absolutely ideal for our reservations aboard The Victoria, a small luxury ship that served a rather expensive dinner as it cruised around the harbor. Each ticket had cost me $120, about a month's paycheck for working at the Newton's store. I was praying Edward enjoyed himself tonight.
Glancing at the clock, a knot formed in my stomach when I saw that I had only a few minutes to get ready before I had to be at the Cullen's house to pick Edward up. I ran around the house as I got ready, phone glued to my ear as I left Charlie a detailed voicemail about the meatloaf in the fridge and the plans for tonight. After ten minutes I was rumbling down the road towards the Cullen's dense driveway. The dinner-cruise tickets were safely in my bag.
Alice met me as I pulled up to the house, an unreadable look on her face.
"Bella…don't hate me. I couldn't help it! It's only so difficult to come up with different things to think about when he cheats so much!" She wailed, pulling me into a hug.
"Alice, it's fine. Seriously. I'm just ready to get there," I said, patting her back. Behind her I saw the door opened and my heart fluttered. Alice giggled to herself as she flounced back into the house, lightly pushing Edward as she passed him. He completely knocked the wind out of me.
Because it was such a lovely day, the sun caught his hair brilliantly, bringing out the auburn tint. He had a smile playing on the corner of his lips, captivating much of my attention. So much, in fact, that I barely noticed how dazzling he looked in his pale blue button-down and khaki trousers. So, Alice must have color-coordinated us.
"Hey," was all I managed to squeak out, taking his hand.
"You look stunning. I don't need any more presents," he grinned, fingertips lightly running along the white sash I had haphazardly tied in my haste before I left. I felt his arms wrap around me, pulling me more snugly against his chest as his cool arms retied the bow on my back.
"Thanks," I breathed, kissing his jaw as I tried to pull us toward my truck. He snickered and opened my door, his hand bracing me as I tried to be slightly more lady-like in my dress as I hiked up into the drivers seat.
"Okay, you know that I know that you know," I began, reaching into my purse for the tickets, "and I don't care. Today is your birthday and I wanted to do something special."
His brow creased as he read the tickets, then his blazing eyes met mine. He looked unhappy. My heart suddenly dropped into my stomach. Was he not into this? I thought for sure he would have enjoyed himself.
"Bella…you spent too much." Oh. Was that it? I instantly felt better.
"Edward, I love you. You always do too much for me; I thought that this would be something I could at least do for you." My truck groaned as I accelerated a bit faster as we entered the highway towards Port Angeles.
"It's a marvelous idea. I just wish you had let me pay," his hand reached out and stroked mine, his thumb slowly rubbing circles.
"Nonsense," I smiled. We rode the rest of the way in a comfortable silence. Not once did he complain about my truck's pace as the cars zoomed around us. Every now and then he'd change the radio station or kiss my hand.
Once we pulled up to the ship, I couldn't help but let out a surprised gasp. The sleek little ship was pulled right up to a dock. Hundreds of twinkling lights glimmered from the top deck, and the windows shone with a delicate golden glow. We were escorted onto the boat and to a private table in the back of the stunning dining room. I gulped as we passed a jazz band playing in front of a wooden dance floor, and crystal chandeliers hung gracefully above the room. Our table faced a vast stretch of windows that reflected the lights from the ship in the glassy black water.
After I finished eating, Edward asked me if I wanted to dance. If it wasn't his birthday I would have outwardly refused, but tonight I decided to have a good attitude. Taking a shaky breath, we joined several other couples slow dancing to the soft jazz music. Resting my head on his shoulder I allowed him to lead; he spun us ever so slowly I nearly forgot we were dancing. The song ended and the other couples clapped enthusiastically. I smiled and looked up at Edward. He was positively beaming.
The next song played was L-O-V-E by Nat King Cole, which caused me to laugh out loud. Edward shot me a perplexed look, taking me again into his arms.
"This song was in the beginning of that movie The Parent Trap. When the parents were on the cruise ship!" I laughed, slightly embarrassed that I had even noticed the irony.
"How terribly cliché," Edward laughed, kissing me lightly. We kept dancing, and every time "V is very very, extraordinary…E is even more than anyone that you adore," came up, he would sing it softly in my ear. The song ended to scattered applause as Edward took my hand and led us to the top deck.
After talking for a while in the warm summer breeze on the deck then returning to our table for dessert, the ship had made its return voyage back and it was time for us to leave. I stifled a yawn as we walked down the landing towards the truck. Edward had his hand wrapped tightly around mine, his eyes meeting mine as he shot me a dazzling smile.
"This has been quite possibly my favorite birthday. And I have many to choose from," he chuckled, opening my door for me, "are you sure you wouldn't rather have me drive?"
"Nah, it should only take us an hour and a half with it being so late." As we got on the stretch of highway headed back to Forks, rain began to patter into the roof of the truck. With my windshield wipers swishing back and forth as fast as they could, it was still slightly more difficult to navigate.
"Bella, are you sure you don't want me to drive?" Edward asked anxiously, his cell phone suddenly vibrating. It was in his coat pocket, which I was wearing.
"Hang on, I'll get it. Hold the steering wheel for me," The stupid phone was deep in his pocket, and as soon as I managed to pull it out we were suddenly swerving across the dark and slippery highway.
In less than a second, a car from the next lane over had drifted over. Edward had yanked the steering wheel to the far left, causing us to collide with another truck traveling adjacent to us. The world suddenly disappeared and everything became very, very black.
SPOILER
No, Bella did not die. I'd appreciate a review…wait for the next chapter, it should be up later tonight or early tomorrow morning.