AN: So this chapter is a little longer, and hopefully the chapters will continue to be a little longer as I get more into my story. I'm trying to make this different from other stories like I said, so if the characters are a little out of character, I'm sorry. I'm just really tired of Bella whining about parties and shopping and such. So I'm gonna see if I can make her happy. Anyways, enjoy :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, I'm just playing with it for a bit.
Ch. 2 Thoughts
When I woke up, the sun was shining. I could tell from the way the sun filtered through the clouds that we were in for a dry day. I hoped that the limited cloud coverage would not impede on Alice's party plans, but was thrilled at the temporary change in weather. I sat up groggily and looked around my room for a sign of my prince. There was a note folded on my nightstand;
Bella, I had some errands to run to prepare for tonight, and I needed to pick up some things for next weekend. I hated to wake you, you were sleeping so soundly. Alice will be by to get you around 3. She's cleared it with Charlie for you to sleepover with her and Rosalie, and has already packed a bag. Just bring yourself. I'll see you at the house, my angel, and in just 6 days you will be mine forever. I love you. Edward
I scowled slightly, I hated it when he didn't wake me before leaving, but it seemed silly to be upset when we had forever ahead of us. I got to my feet and went downstairs to eat some breakfast, Charlie was at the kitchen table reading the paper. He looked up and smiled whenever I came in the room.
"Hi Dad. Not fishing today?" I asked him.
"Not today Bells. Alice asked me to come by and help set up later. Carlisle's got to work, and she said the boys needed more hands." I smiled, there was no reason Emmett, Jasper, and Edward (or even Rosalie, Alice, or Esme for that matter) for them to need help. But I knew Alice was trying to give Charlie as much time with me and my future family as possible before we left. I would have to remember to thank her later, she was making this whole transition much easier on me, and that meant a lot.
"Oh, ok. Well, have you eaten breakfast yet. I could make us some pancakes?"
"Sure," he said, "Pancakes would be great. I'll sure miss you taking care of me you know, I'm not gonna know what to do with myself when you're gone. Guess I'll need to find myself a lady" he chuckled.
My throat tightened. I knew he was teasing, but I felt so guilty about leaving him. I'd have to make sure the freezer was stocked, and leave instructions on how to reheat stuff. I knew Charlie was not much use in a kitchen. Charlie noticed my reaction. "Aww Bella, I'm just teasing, I lived on my own for 17 years before you came and I did just fine. Leaving is a part of life, I want you to go see the world. Don't worry about me. I can fend for myself just fine." I shrugged, and moved to the pantry for the pancake mix. I set my mind on coast and focused on getting breakfast done, when I sat down at the table, with a plate for Charlie and myself I finally said. "Dad, I want you to know how much I appreciate you. Thanks for letting me come, and for everything you've done for me. I know I've put you through a lot, you know –when Edward, well, you know what I mean. I know it was hard for you to see me like that. But thanks for not sending me away. I want you to know that wherever I am, for the rest of my life, I'll be happy. Edward makes me happy, and thanks for understanding that. I love you." I managed to get all of that out before taking a bite. Charlie looked up from his food, and nodded. Neither of us were big on emotions, and I'm sure my declaration had overwhelmed his emotional threshold. I knew he understood though, so I changed the subject.
"So, Jake's got a new girl. Did you hear?" I asked him. "Yeah, that's what Billy said. I met her at the house a few nights ago. She seems real sweet, they seem pretty serious for only a few months. I just want Jake to be happy, you know he's been though a lot.." He let his sentence trail off. I knew exactly what he was referring to.
Jacob Black, my werewolf best friend, hed been through more than Charlie realized. After I had agreed to marry Edward, he had taken off. I knew I had broken his heart, but I had hoped and prayed that he would someday imprint on a girl. I knew if he could find "the one" we could go back to being just Bella and Jake again. Not vampires and werewolves, just best friends. While Jake was away, his running had taken him to Vancouver, where he had met Morgan. Morgan was everything that I wanted for him. She was a tiny little thing (almost smaller than Alice), with full dark hair that fell in tight curls down her back. She had deep blue eyes, and a big personality. She was just as sarcastic as Jake, which was one of the things I loved about her. She could take everything that he and his buddies dished out. But aside from her size, Morgan was strong. She had already learned the truth about the Quileutes and my family (well, almost) the Cullens, and had handled the news with surprising finesse. Her only reaction was to ruffle Jacob's shaggy fur, and tell him that she would be getting a dog whistle for whenever she needed him. I knew that he would be just fine with Morgan in his life. I was genuinely happy for him.
I noticed that I had been lost in thought, and Charlie had gone back to his paper, so I cleared the table, patted his shoulder, and headed upstairs to get ready.
"I'll see you at the house Bells, I'm gonna head over there pretty soon." Charlie called while I was walking upstairs.
"Ok, Dad. See ya."I replied.
I spent a long time in the shower, enjoying the steam and the warm water, and thinking about all the ways my life had changed since I came to Forks. Though I had exiled myself here, it seemed to have been the smartest choice I'd ever made. I couldn't imagine my life without Edward and Alice. Or Emmett, the big bear of a brother I'd be inheriting, I hoped he knew what he was in for as soon as I was immortal. I planned on spending eternity ribbing him the way he'd done me all these years. I chuckled at the thought. I turned off the water, stepped out and grabbed my towel. I was still thinking of the Cullen's as I dried, dressed, and returned to my room. How Esme already treated me like a daughter, I couldn't wait to make it official. And Carlisle, he'd taken care of me now on more than one occasion, when my clumsiness had gotten me hurt, I thought of him as a father already, and I knew he cared for me like a daughter as well. Then there was Rosalie, Emmett's gorgeous wife. I knew she'd been against my presence in the beginning, but lately I had sensed a change in her attitude towards me. I hoped that things would continue to improve in that relationship. Finally Jasper. Jasper, Alice's husband, was the brother I was most curious about. He had the special ability to control emotions. That gift had come in handy a few times at least. But he had the hardest time abstaining from human blood. I knew every moment around me was torture for him. He had attacked me once, and though I had completely forgiven the incident, I knew he still felt guilty. I looked forward to the day that we could be near each other, without the scent of my blood between us. I had a feeling we would be very close.
I finished drying my hair and decided to straighten it with the fancy (and surely very expensive) straigtener the Cullen's had bought me. I plugged it in and turned it on, and went to find something to wear. I settled on some jeans that I knew Alice would approve of, and a nicer top. I was learning a little more about "style" under Alice and Rosalie's careful instruction, and I was hoping I would pass inspection when Alice came to get me. I did my hair, and put on some make-up, (something I had also learned from the Cullens), and looked at the time. I had about a half hour, so I decided to work on my wedding present to Edward.
I went downstairs, and dug to the bottom of the coat closet for the big box I had hidden there. I knew the hiding spot was weak, considering Edward's mind reading, and Alice's visions, but I felt better knowing I had tried to hide it. I took the box up to my room and carefully laid everything out on the bed. I was making a sort of scrapbook of my time with Edward. I didn't have many pictures, but I did tend to hoard ticket stubs, hospital bracelets (of which I had a few..), and other random items that reminded me of him. I took out the special paper and glues and tried different arrangements on the page. When I finally settled on one I glued it all down, and sat down at my desk to write.
It had taken me some thought to decide what to get Edward for our wedding. What do you get someone who has all that money can buy, and even what it can't? I had thought of music books, electronics, clothes..but none of it seemed to fit. Finally the idea struck me, what Edward wants most is to be able to hear my thoughts. So I would give them to him. I was making the scrap book with the physical evidence of our time together, but beyond that, I was writing my thoughts for him. I tried to keep them "unedited" and as honest as possible, even when I knew he wouldn't like what I was thinking. I wrote what I thought when I saw him at lunch that first day, then in biology when I thought he hated me. I had even kept our "Golden Onion" that we won for identifying cells in class. Though I couldn't always remember my exact thoughts, I knew that Edward would appreciate the gesture. I was just now getting to when I had agreed to marry him over the summer. It had been hard writing about the time when he left me, and our trip to Italy, but I wanted him to have it all.
I was startled by a knock at the door, and then Alice was there in my room with me. I started, and then hurried to cover everything before she saw. I didn't want her betraying my surprise to Edward through her thoughts. She's probably seen it already anyways, but like I said, I felt better for the effort.
"Oh, Bella! He's going to love it so much. You're giving him the one thing he wants. What a great idea," Alice gushed, I could tell she was impressed I had come up with this all on my own.
"You'd better keep this information to yourself Alice! I don't want to ruin it! I'm working hard to make it special." I warned. I danced over to give my best friend a hug.
"Don't worry Bella, I can keep him out. Now, are you ready for tonight? I'm proud of your outfit, looks like you've been paying attention. But we'll have to find you some different shoes. You can't where flip flops all the time." She mock lectured me. But I could tell she was proud of my effort to impress her. She pulled me down the stairs and out the door, and we got into her canary yellow Porsche.
"Buckle Up! Edward is at the house, and I know you don't want to keep him waiting," she smiled at me and slammed on the gas. I was no longer phased by the speed the Cullen's used when driving, it was startling, but I trusted them to keep me safe.
I was looking forward to tonight, even though it was a party. I was excited to see friends and remember my time here, and I knew Alice knew how to throw a party, so I was sure it would be fun. I briefly realized how out of character it was for me to be enjoying myself while being driven at the speed of sound, and actually looking forward to party. Hmm. Maybe the Cullen's were rubbing off on me.
So, I hope you like chapter 2. Review and let me know what you think please! Also thanks to bmthespian for adding me to your favorites. I hope I can deliver! Happy Tuesday! -- Haley
