Disclaimer: I do not own anything to do with Twilight, though in my mind and dreams on regular nights I own Edward
BPOV
Uh-five, six, uh-five six seven eight…
I really hated Alice. I had never felt this much malice for the vampire the size of a pixie, but now I could only think of the ways I could murder her.
Crime of passion my ass. More like crime of spite.
EPOV
"I've got some errands to run, I'll call you in two hours…"
Bella's words rang in my head. Five minutes ago the silver phone clenched in my hand was supposed to send vibrations up through the tips of my fingers. Five minutes ago I was supposed to hear the only voice in the world I wanted to hear. Five minutes ago…
"Relax Edward. It's only five minutes later than she promised." Alice leaned back against the couch, the corners of her mouth pulled into a smile.
"Alice, tell me where she is!" I couldn't help but snarl at my favorite sister. She took pleasure in layering her thoughts, trying to hide exactly what she knew I wanted to see.
"Errands I would guess, why? Did she tell you something different?"
"Alice!" She giggled at me, like the tinkle of breaking glass, each shard shattering my sanity.
"Oh Edward. You're so overbearingly protective. You can leave her alone for two hours and ten minutes," I grinded my teeth; the passing time had not escaped my attention, "and except her to come home in one piece."
"Do you and I know the same Bella?" I threw up my hands, exasperated. "This is the girl who found a coven of vampires, a pack of werewolves, and a horde or hormone-crazed teenage boys!"
"I don't think she found the last one Edward."
"Does it matter?" I growled. As much as I loved Alice she could really set me on edge.
"Do you have plans today? Anything specific planned that I should know about?"
"No..I just want to know where she is!" I snarled, hoping to inspire some fear into my physic sister.
"Didn't you say it was none of my business, the other night?"
"That was when you were looking into…" I paused. Even with my favorite I couldn't admit what Bella and I had planned for after our wedding.
Sensing my discomfort, Alice laughed, knowing she had won. There was no way to turn the conversation in my favor. She would only use my love against me.
"Oh!" Alice's face went blank, her eyes staring unseeing into the ether.
"What? What is it? Is Bella hurt? Is everything okay?" I gripped her shoulders, prepared for the worst.
In a moment that seemed like an eternity, Alice's eyes refocused back on mine. With one look at my face she started to snicker.
"Don't worry. Bella will just have a few more bruises then normal."
BPOV
"Where are you? Come home."
Charlie's voicemail played through my mind, the tone of his voice causing me anxiety. I could tell that he was trying to hold onto himself, but panic blurred the edges. My pessimistic mind could only come up with scenarios where I would find Jake, Renee´, Charlie or any of the Cullens, laying the ground with blood pooling at their feet. I could feel these images pressing brain, creating a black hole. What would be left for me when I reached home?
With a screech and a groan my truck pulled into the driveway of Charlie's house. A long lean shadow was cast against the porch, one my favorite scenes. I always wished I had a camera to capture Edward's perfection.
"Is everything okay?" I ran out of the truck, tripping over the runner.
"I should be asking you the same question." His brows were furrowed over his sparkling topaz eyes.
"What? What do you mean?" He wrapped his arms around my waist and pressed his lips to my forehead.
"You were supposed to call Bella. About…" He looked down at his watch, which pressed him closer to me. "Thirty minutes ago."
I could hear the anxiety in his voice, but I couldn't think with him so close to me. "Edward?"
"Mm?"
"Do you want me to pay attention to anything that you're saying?" He pulled back puzzled. "I mean to say; I can't talk or think when you're touching me." He leaned back in, a crooked grin spread across his face.
"And you say that I'm good at distractions."
"What are you talking about Edward?" Touching his lips to my ear, he whispered quietly, "You're dazzling me."
I had a sharp in take of breathe at his words, and at the sudden loss of contact. He moved back to peer down at me from the doorframe.
"So where were you today? I got so worried that I made Charlie call you. I thought Alice gave you the responsibility lecture."
"You!" I jabbed my index finger into his granite chest. Fat a lot of good that did, he grabbed the jammed index and brought it to his lips, eyebrows raised to challenge any other angry out bursts.
"Edward, you don't know what I was thinking! I was so afraid that I would come to a funeral. Yours or otherwise!" He glowered down at me.
"Of course I don't know what you're thinking! If I did, we wouldn't have to play these childish games. Where were you?" The last words were barked sharply, and made me cringe. As if apologizing, he pulled me closer to him, though still waiting for my answer.
I stalled for time. If there was anything I could avoid, it would be telling him where I was this afternoon.
"Edward, I…"
"You know you can tell me anything, love." I sighed and placed a hand against his check. Slowly, he nuzzled the hand that caressed him, making my heart jumpstart.
"Please?" Edward looked down at me through his lashes, a trick I could not resist.
"No fair! That's how I get you to give in!" He chuckled, like a piano struck at the perfect fifth.
"I'm embarrassed. Besides, you'll laugh." I couldn't help but look down. His eyes were a hypnotist's dream, and could make me spill the darkest of secrets.
He bent his knees until he was level with me, then tilted my chin so I was looking straight at him.
"Bella?"
Maybe it was those eyes. Or the way he uttered my name, like a dehydrated man lead to water. It could quite possibly be the love that radiated from him, or…
"Bella!"
"Oh." For such a selfless vampire, he sure was impatient.
"What?" A sigh escaped his lips, and he started to play with the hair at the nape of my neck.
"Oh." This was not a sound of sudden awareness, but more of a purr. Edward was like a drug, and slowly but surely, he was pulling me under.
"You know, I was just thinking how perfect you are, and you had to go and ruin it with all your concern for my well-being."
"Please?" I sighed, I couldn't resist his pleading. Any other boy would have sounded whiney and insecure, but Edward's velvet voice only contained distress. He was plainly curious to where I had been. He only wanted to keep me safe.
"Promise not to laugh?" A solemn nod accompanied the tightening of his arms around my waist. "Alright. Well. I was at a…dance class." I ducked against his chest so I wouldn't be forced to look into his jewel-toned eyes. But I could feel it bouncing against my forehead, soft laughter shaking his marble stomach.
"Oh my Bella!" Edward brought his lips to my hair again, trying to quiet his joviality. "What kind of class was it love?"
"Uh-oh, no way. You asked where I was and I told you. That's that."
"No secrets, Bella." He brought his hands to rest on my hips. "What kind of dance class?"
"Let me just say that this was Rosalie's idea, and Alice made me do it!" Defensively I raised my hands, protecting myself from Edward's gaze. "It was a belly dancing class."
At that Edward started to shake. The laughter erupting from him created more sound than a bolt of thunder, and scared me twice as much.
"And then…" I forced to look at him now. If one class gave him this much amusement then I was sorry to see what his next reaction would be. Though at the same time, I was getting pleasure from this embarrassment. I hadn't seen Edward this happy since I agreed to marry him. His mood grew darker as he watched Alice invite more and more of the town of Forks. I think he was afraid that I would take one look at the filled pews and run screaming from the chapel.
"There's more?" His eyebrows lifted, his guffawing pausing for a moment so I could continue my story.
"Well, yes. I actually," I gulped. This was hard to admit even to myself, let alone Edward, "I enjoyed, so I went to another one. That's why I called late."
"And what is this other class?"
"Pole dancing." His eyebrows shot up, and he picked me up in shock.
"What?!" I tried to regain my balance, but ended up hitting my elbow against the porch railing.
"Damn! Bella, are you alright?" He gripped my elbow and inspected it, only to find a large bruise forming. As well as bruises all the way up my arm and calloused hands. "What's all this?"
I rushed to explain before he could overreact. "It's a lot harder than most people think. And I think I came late in the class because there were all this complicated moves, and I had to climb the pole, and I felt like I was in gym class so I kept falling. And as you know, my luck never seems to hold out, so I always fell on my back and-"
Edward cut me off with a light kiss on my lips, the corner of his mouth turned up into my favorite crooked smile. Suddenly, the kiss took an aggressive turn. Pulling me closer to him, I was pushed against every part of his stone body. My hands twisted up into his hair, gripping him, trying to keep him from getting away.
With a gulp of air, he ripped his mouth away from mine,
"My crazy, adventurous Bella." He whispered to me hoarsely. If this was how he acted every time I was running late, maybe I would have to frighten him more often.
As if reading my mind he looked down at me sharply. "You are never allowed to scare me like that again."
"Yes, Dad."
"God forbid." He pulled me down again, sucking me into the wonderful abyss that was Edward. My thoughts and body revolved around him. There was nothing in the world I would rather do than stay in his arms forever.
"What did you learn today in class Bella?" I was snuggled close to Edward, smelling his sweet scent. We had snuck up to my room and my bed, seemingly without Charlie's notice. The Mariners came was turned to high, and his gaze had barely left the television when we entered the house. For a man who could sound so anxious over the phone, he didn't seem to worry now.
Edward's nimble fingers climbed up my thighs, causing me to overheat. He had us between the sheets; he was worried that the close proximity would cause me to catch a chill. I had scoffed at him, anytime I was close to him my blood pressure spiked and my body temperature raised to the hundreds. At least, that was how it felt.
His hands stilled as the creaky step let out its groan of protest. It only let out that kind of scream when Charlie climbed the stairs.
"What are you going to do?" I tuned to stare at Edward with wide eyes. Unconcerned, he smirked back at me.
"Do you mind hiding me? I would prefer to have all my limbs intact for the wedding." I looked around, the contents of my closet were spilled out onto the floor, making it impossible for Edward to retreat to his favorite hiding spot. My bed was too low to the ground and the rocking chair didn't leave anything to the imagination. The only item with any us was the cover that currently covered us.
Edward chuckled as he saw the recognition spark in my eyes. I glared at him as I shoved his head on under the blanket. Raising my knees, I created a tent that would hide his shape only from Charlie's unassuming eyes.
"Edward?"
"Yes?" His icy breathe sent shivers down my spine.
"Are your cold?" His voice was muffled, but I could always detect the anxiety. I rolled my eyes, even though he could see me. To get my point across I gave him a little shove with my foot.
"And you're the smart vampire?" I expected to hear Edward's laughter, but caught instead the sound of the doorknob turning. Charlie had arrived.
"Bella?" His tentative voice sombered me. My father shouldn't be worried if I was in my room. Then again, most of the people my age had already packed up their things to move out. I was the only one keeping the pretense of staying.
"Where's Edward?" He asked as he took a seat in the rocker. Charlie's question caught me off guard. He had seen Edward come in, and now Edward was apparently gone.
"Oh…He just went to the bathroom…" I looked out the window, trying not catch Charlie's eye. My guilt was written all over my face, not only for lying about Edward, but the lies that were to come.
I jumped. Edward had started to trace a swirling pattern on my calf with his thumb.
"Is everything okay?" I sucked in a breathe before answering. Now he was kissing my leg, from the smallest toe to the inner part of my knee. "Yes, yes. Everything's-" Chills were sent down my spine again. Stupid, stupid vampire.
Charlie looked at me quizzically. I decided to bring the conversation back to him, there was no way I would be able to continue talking if Edward didn't stop.
"What's going on Dad?"
"Well Bella. I came to talk to you about your wedding." Edward's hands stilled. I think my jaw dropped to the floor. Charlie was never very talkative and this was his and my least favorite topic.
My wedding. At only a month away, the time slipped by like sand through my fingers. Each day Alice would add a new name to the guest list, a new flower to the bouquet, and a new pearl to my dress. I was slowly drowning under everything white and the rumors and doubts that swirled around my head. I was too young. Jacob was still out there, running from me and my upcoming nuptials. How could I get married? I couldn't stand in front of an Edward, a plastic grin plastered on my face and pledge my life to him, when soon it wouldn't truly be a life.
I felt my hands gripped into a cold, tight, reassuring clasp. I wanted to look at Edward, to face this new revelation with him. If Charlie had decided not to come to the wedding, I wouldn't know what to do. I knew he hadn't been happy about the upcoming nuptials, but I had always expected him to come.
"I know that I've never…been much of a talker and I know you think that I'm angry with you, but Bella, I love you, and if he makes you happy, then I'm happy. I guess what I'm trying to say is that…I want you and Edward to have my blessing."
I felt the world turn upside down, for Edward had started to rub my thigh now, excitement of Charlie's words. Though I have to say, I was a bit putout. He knew what Charlie was thinking, he could have saved me from all this anticipation.
"Wow, Dad. That's really great. Thank you so much!" The last words were a squeak, as a pair of hands had started to shape their intoxicating patterns quite high on my thigh.
Clearly uncomfortable with all the emotions swirling in the room, Charlie stood up, brushing his palms on his uniform.
"Well, then. That was good. Tell Edward for me." He and I nodded once at the same time. It was the only ability I could function as Edward started to kiss down my leg.
Quickly Charlie left the room, almost racing down the stairs, the step's scream lasting only a moment.
The minute I felt safe I wrapped my fingers into Edward's hair, pulling him up to my eye level.
"What did you think you were doing?" He slowly pried my fingers from the silk on the top of his head, and placed them behind his neck.
"Why? Did you not like it?" Leaning closer, the full power of his eyes was undeniable and I was mesmerized. Noticing my silence, a smirk came to his lips. He leaned in farther, placing his lips on mine chastely. I responded immediately, straining to be closer to him. With a flash of diamond pale skin, Edward rolled over, placing me on top of him.
"Edward." Barely a sigh, his name slipped out my lips without a conscious thought. It sent him into a fervor. We rolled over again, this time falling onto the floor with a loud 'thud'.
We landed in a pool of light which was reflected by Edward's crystal skin. I was blinded by an angel. His eyes glowed and glistened like his epidermis, causing my breath to catch in my throat. The orbs were onyx with lust instead of thirst, and I was dumbfounded.
Again he reacted to my stillness by placing a hand at my cheek, and easing onto his forearms. Looking into each other's eyes, we started to laugh, the sound bouncing off the ceiling.
"Alright. I better go." Edward leaned back farther, his eyes never leaving mine.
"Oh." I turned towards the carpet, letting my hair fall over my face. I was safe behind my curtain, and so was Edward. He wouldn't have to be hurt by my silly reaction.
"My Bell." He mumbled quietly in my ear, kissing down my jaw and down my neck. Before I could get lost in his embrace, I pushed him off. His eyebrows collided together, creating a deep wrinkle in his statue of a face.
"You're right. You better go. I know you're only thinking of Charlie. Besides, I need you pick up some things for me."
"What? Now that we're getting married I'm your personal servant?" I laughed and gave him a little push.
"You like saying that don't you." It wasn't a question.
"Being your slave? Of course. I'm yours, now and forever."
"No no." My heart skipped a beat. "Married, I mean." He paused in his consensual assault, resting his head against my pounding heart.
"Yes. I love it." Without planning, I melted in his arms. He had stopped my heart.
"Oh just go." The concerned look on his face evaporated at my irritated tone. My crooked smile touched his face, and he stared down at me from the window before I realized he had left my in my bed.
"Ciao Bella."