Note: Very much still in progress, nowhere near finished, but the title of the chapter might give you a hint at what's to come!
"You didn't… make this… did you." It wasn't a question. Edward's voice was choked, but he tried to hide it, taking deep steadying breaths.
"Nope. But I wish we had! Imagine how hilarious this would have been to make!" Emmett clearly hadn't noticed the change of atmosphere in the room.
"Emmett. Be quiet." I warned.
He shot a questioning look at me, so I glared pointedly in Edward's direction, then back to him. He followed my gaze, the confusion on his face slowly melting into an even more puzzled understanding.
I found the remote, and paused the DVD. I turned back to Edward.
"No, we didn't."
Edward nodded his head sharply once. His eyes were glazed, staring at nothing in particular.
"Alright. Please continue." he said stiffly. He gestured with his hand toward the television.
I cast a bucketful of comfort out into the room, before resuming the movie.
'Bella' pushes open the door to what can only be the reception area of the school. 'Edward Cullen' is there, leaning over the desk, talking in a hushed voice to an elderly woman receptionist.
"...Physics, bio-chem, there must be something open."
"I'm sorry dear, you'll just have to stay in Biology."
'Edward' stiffens, and glances over his shoulder, spotting 'Bella' hovering in the doorway. He glowers at her for a moment, before turning back to the lady behind the desk.
"I guess I'll just have to endure it."
He marches from the room.
I watched Edward from the corner of my eye. He seemed fine. The calm had taken effect, and he was sat quite comfortably watching the movie.
The next scene took me by surprise. It was a shot of the outside of a restaurant, or some kind of diner, with a log cabin feel about it.
The camera took us inside the building to where Bella and her father were sitting at a small table tucked into a corner of the room. The waitress served them their food: Bella had a garden burger.
I cocked an eyebrow at Edward, who was feeling equally confused.
"This is new." he said.
"Yeah, since when has Bella been vegetarian?" Emmett joked.
"I don't know about you, but I think there are a few things that she has been keeping from us..." I muttered, regarding the screen shrewdly.
"Are you saying that you think Bella had something to do with the production of this movie?" Edward asked disbelievingly.
I shrugged. "Who else would know so much about the details of your relationship?" Edward stared at me, his mouth slightly open, trying to decide whether I was serious. "If that is the case,-" I turned around to wink at Emmett. "-then I am very anxious to see the rest!" I rubbed my hands together eagerly, earning a dark glare from Edward.
"Who directed this, anyway?" he queried, eyeing the case laying on the floor beside me.
"A woman," I flipped it over to scan the back for a name. "Catherine Hardwick. Is she American?"
"I've never heard of her." he said with a frown. I could guess what he was thinking, Did Bella know of her?
"Me, neither."
"Can you two just shut up?!" Emmett snapped impatiently, squinting at the screen in exasperation.
"I can't believe how grown up you are - and so gorgeous." says the kindly waitress, smiling fondly at 'Bella'.
An older man joins the waitress to stand at the table. "Hey Bella, do you remember me? I played Santa... one year."
'Bella' looks to her father with a doubtful expression.
'Charlie steps in. "Whalen, she hasn't had a Christams here since she was four."
"But I bet I made an impression, though, didn't I?" he presses.
"You always do." Charlie assures him expressionlessly.
"Kids love those little bottles, though!"
The waitress lays her hands on his chest and rolls her eyes at 'Bella' and her father. "Whalen, let the girl eat her garden burger." She smiles and looks back down at 'Bella'. "And when you're done, I'll bring you your favourite - Berry Cobbler - remember? Your Dad still has it." She casts a disparaging look at 'Charlie'. "Every Thursday."
"Great, thank you." 'Bella' nods; the waitress smiles and leaves them alone to their meal.
Emmett exhaled sharply. "When are we finally going to get to the good bit? Jasper, just fast forward it."
"No!" Edward barked before I could answer. He looked down, embarrassed by our shocked eyes on him. "I mean, we can't do that. If we do, then we won't understand the story, will we?"
Emmett snorted, "What do you need to understand about the story? It's about you!"
"But the story is clearly different, you can see that already. I'd just like to see how it turns out. It's caught my interest."
I snickered, and his eyes flashed to my face then back to stare beseechingly at Emmett.
"Right, whatever." Emmett said around a smile.
Edward was really enjoying this. His amusement wasn't something I'd expected, only the anger and the outrage I'd anticipated. I didn't bother to check my thoughts as I took in his apt expression and the vital concentration emanating from him as he watched the screen with the eyes of a hawk.
