Chapter 2 - Making Her Decision

I woke later the next morning, feeling the pillow next to me and realized Edward wasn't next to me. I threw on my robe and wandered down the stairs to the kitchen. I adored the Cullens' kitchen. There was an island in the center with a rack hanging above it with many different cast iron pans. The counters were made of marble (ironic, I thought, laughing to myself) and the appliances were stainless steel. Kind of all fit in with them. I vaguely wondered where everyone was and I began poking through the cabinets looking for pancake mix and chocolate chips. As I was mixing batter, Emmett and Esme came down the stairs.

"I should have known you'd be down here trying to burn down our house," Emmett said, coming behind me and ruffling my hair.

"Emmett, let the poor child cook in peace. I'm sure Bella doesn't want to deal with your ribbing all the time anyway," Esme said quietly in a motherly fashion. I threw her a grateful look and flipped my pancakes out onto a plate. As I turned around, Edward came into the kitchen. He leaned across the island and brushed my hair out of my eyes.

"There you are, love," he murmured as he kissed my nose. His sweet breath overwhelmed me and mine hitched in my throat. He chuckled as I steadied myself. I lowered onto a stool and looked down, feeling my face heat up.

Emmett broke out in a laugh. "Some things will never change, will they? Well, only if he changes you. But the more I think about it, the more of your human moments I'm going to miss on that fateful day. For example, the blush. God, how adorable is that? And your clumsiness? Man, I..." he trailed off as Edward growled menacingly.

"Boys, enough," Esme chided. Edward and Emmett looked down shamefully and replied, "Sorry, Mom."

"Well, I've got to find Rose, " Emmett said, ruffling my hair on his way out of the kitchen. "Yes, and Carlisle wants to go to Los Angeles today," Esme said, hugging Edward and I on her way out of the kitchen. "We're going to an antique show out there. We'll be home later. Behave."

Edward sat next to me and rubbed my leg. "Did you make your decision yet, love? Remember, I trust you with all my being. If you do want to move forward with this escapade, I won't mind."

My mind once again wandered to an image of Alice nestled between my thighs, my hands tangled in her hair as Jasper pounded into her from behind, his lips on mine. I shook the thought out of my head before my emotions could give me away and took a bite of my pancakes. The warmth was comforting and gave me the courage to speak. "I have, actually, and I think I've made my decision."

Edward raised his eyebrows. "Oh?" he questioned.

"As long as there is no danger, which coming from your family, I don't foresee any problems. If you trust me, then I trust myself, and Alice and Jasper. You'll be close if I feel uncomfortable?" I asked quietly.

"Of course, my Bella. I would never do anything ever again that would put you in danger. Should you need me, I'll be but a phone call away. Are you sure you want to go through with this?" Edward asked.

"If you think I'll be all right and if you're okay with it, then I guess I can appease poor Alice. Really, you should have seen her last night. She couldn't hardly get the words out, she was so nervous. I should have known by that that something was up," I replied, smiling to myself.

Edward wrapped me into his arms and kissed the top of my head. I found his back pockets and hooked my hands into them. The silence between us was comfortable and warm. I didn't want to break it, but I pulled away slowly. "Where will you be when all this is taking place?" I didn't want Edward to be too far away, but I also didn't want him so close that he could read everyone's thoughts.

"I was thinking of heading to the woods by Mt. Rainier. I'd be far enough away that I wouldn't be able to hear your thoughts, but not so far away that I couldn't get here quickly if the need arose," Edward whispered in my ear, pulling me close again. His cool breath tickled my earlobe and I shivered in delight. "Are you sure that I don't need to be worried about you?"

I looked into his eyes and I smiled. "If you say that there's no danger to me then I trust you. I honestly don't think Alice will let anything happen to me." My voice trailed off as Edward placed his hand under my chin and brought my lips up to meet his. My hands wound themselves around his neck and he buried his hands in my hair.

"Just remember, you are my Bella and nothing will ever change that," Edward whispered. "Now go enjoy your day before tonight gets here."