a/n Here's the next chapter! Enjoy! The story's going to move fast, because I have a lot to cover. I'm already thinking about the sequel! So enjoy! The next few chapters will be all fluff, and some romance!
Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, or any of the characters, I just own this wonderful plot, and Annabelle, of course.
Carlisle and I walked down the stairs all smiles. He went to talk to Bella and I went to sit with Nessie. "So, how tall are you?" I laughed, "Five feet, five inches." "You're getting tall, so how's Carlisle?" she asked winking. "Shut up." I said as I grabbed chips out of a bowl that sat in the center of the table. "No, seriously. When he found out you were coming, he was like totally happier than usual." "Really?" I asked. "Yup. And since you're living here, it'll give you guys a chance to reconnect." I looked at her, hopefully. "You really think that he—" "Of course I do." She said, cutting me off.
"Cake time!" Rose called out. "Pictures, first Rose." Alice said. "Fine, everyone gather around." The wolves stood in the back, while Emmett and Bella bickered over who got to stand next to me. "I think," Renesmee said, smiling, "that since she's the newest one, she should pick." "Why can't you both stand on either side?" I asked. "Because, we don't like sharing." Emmett said matter-of-factly. "Why don't we make it fair, and just take two pictures?" Emmett's face lit up. "Why didn't I think of that?" "Maybe because you're slow?" Alice suggested. "Who'll take the first picture with you?" Edward asked. "Me!" Bella said. "Fine." Emmett grumbled. Through it all Carlisle and I kept catching each other staring until the other looked away. One time, he grinned sheepishly at me, and I blushed. It was like high school, where the boy and girl stare at each other from across the room, wondering if one likes the other. In my case it was high school. And Carlisle was not that old, either.
After pictures and cake, the party calmed down. "Now we can show you your room, Belle, come on." Alice said, bouncing excitedly. "Okay." I got up and followed her up the stairs. The room was right next to Carlisle's study. "Ready? Open it!" Bella said. I turned the knob, and pushed the door, and I gasped. The room was all done in purple and white. The walls were painted light purple, trimmed with white. The lace curtains were purple. The dressers were glossy white. The bed was done in purple. Even the headboard was a pretty metallic purple. "So?" Bella asked. "I love it!" I said, hugging her. "Hello, did you not notice the two doors in here? Open them!" Alice commanded. I walked over to the door to my left and pulled it open.
It was a very spacious bathroom. It was all done in purple and white marble. "Oh my gosh!" I said, my voice echoing. "I love it!" "We had to ask Carlisle to knock out a wall. He was reluctant at first." Bella said, "But as soon as we mentioned that it was for you, he agreed right away." Alice said with a smirk. I blushed scarlet. "Aw, look at that!" Rose said, grinning. "Open the other door." I walked over to the second door. I pulled it open, and gasped, again. "Whoah! That can't all be for me!" I said, looking at all the clothes, and shoes. "Duh, it's all for you! And don't say we didn't have to get you anything. This isn't as huge as what Edward, your Dad and Carlisle got you!" Rose said. "Guys really, I don't need—" "Yes you do, munchkin, come and see what we got you." Emmett boomed from the doorway. "Excuse me, I do believe it was Carlisle, Charlie and I who purchased this gift, not you." "Hey, I looked it up for you." Emmett whined. "Oh, shut up. Come on, Annabelle." I closed the door to the closet and followed them out of my room.
"You'll love it, I swear!" Edward said with a crooked grin. I hoped I would. Carlisle waited at the bottom of the staircase for us. His hand was outstretched for me. I took it and felt a shock of electricity shoot up my arm. I felt my heart speed up and pound against my ribs. I looked at him to see if he'd felt it too. He smiled at me, his golden eyes smoldering. My breath caught, and I blushed.
"Hello, you two? The gift you got for her is still waiting to be seen!" Emmett said waving his hand in the air. Carlisle tugged on my hand, and I followed him. I wondered if anyone else had noticed our little exchange. Edward smirked. Okay, he did. We walked out to the front of the house, where the wolves stood around something. I couldn't see anything because they were so tall. "Ready?" Carlisle asked. "Yep." They all stepped away revealing a shiny blue Mercedes. "No way! That's not for me, is it?" "It is." Carlisle said with a smile. I turned and hugged Edward, Dad, and then Carlisle, who chuckled, and held me close. We pulled apart, and Bella smiled, "Well, take it for a spin!"
"Maybe later." I said. "I'm a little tired." I said. "Ah, but Belle!" Bella whined. "Let her rest, she has school tomorrow." Carlisle defended me. "But Carlisle, please?" Emmett asked. "No." "Thank you." I said, relieved. "Fine then." Bella said pouting. "Be that way." "Love you too." I said over my shoulder. Nessie and Carlisle followed me back up the stairs. Carlisle kept looking at me, then looking away. "Just get it over with." Renesmee said under her breath. "What?" I asked. "Oh, nothing." she said, glaring at Carlisle, who shook his head and walked into his study. I opened my bedroom door and looked over at Nessie. "Can I come in?" she asked. "Sure." I stepped aside and let her in. I closed the door and went to sit on the foot of the bed. "What's up?"
She was looking at her fingernails when she said, "He likes you, you know." I felt my eyes widen. "Who does?" She sat next to me and glared toward the door, "I know you've been out there this whole time, just come in already." She said. The door opened and Bella, Alice and Rosalie came in. Alice closed and locked the door. "You mean you still don't know?" "Know what?" I asked, confused. "I swear! They've got to stop! I mean, God! If they don't figure this out, I'll die!" Alice said, throwing herself on the floor.
"Still very confused." I said. "That's it. I'm getting him in here." Bella said walking over to the door. "Who? What's going on? Someone please explain, now!" I said, irritated. Noone was listening to me. "I'll help you drag him in here if I have to." Rose said. "You two are so blind! How can you not know?" "I know right? I mean it only took Bella and Edward a day, right? For you two it's taken years to even—" "Stop! What the hell are you girls talking about? I need answers, now!" I said, my anger finally reaching it's boiling point. They all looked at me, surprised. "Definitely a sign." Bella said, before walking out of the room with Rose on her heels. I got up and stood in the doorway, watching them. "Carlisle, it's that time. I suggest you have the talk, it's been dragged out long enough." "What talk?" I demanded. "Just wait, Ms. Impatient." Bella said. Carlisle walked out of his study a few seconds later. His face was unreadable as he stood there waiting for Bella or Rosalie to say something else.
"Well?" Alice demanded. "Well, what?" Carlisle said. "When are you two finally going to come clean? I swear, you two are as blind as bats when it comes to your feelings for each other." "Mary Alice Cullen!" I hissed. She looked at me with an angelic smile on her face. "Yes, Annabelle?" "I'm confused, where the hell are my answers?" She turned and looked at Carlisle intently. "I honestly think that we should lay off of them." Renesmee said. Alice turned to her, her hands on her hips. "I know when it's going to happen, Nessie. It's going to happen today."
Bella squealed. "Today? Really? Seriously? Oh my gosh!" "What's going to happen today?" I asked, growing more impatient by the second. "You'll see." Bella said. "Fine." I said, stomping back to my room.
I shut the door and walked into my new bathroom. It was only seven. Dad wasn't leaving till nine. I still couldn't believe I was staying here. I looked at the fluffy white towels that were stacked neatly on the counter. I guess it was time to finally use my new shower. I quickly undressed as the water warmed up. One thing I hated was jumping into the cold shower. I stepped under the spray of the shower and let my muscles loosen up. I'd had a long day. I really wasn't a morning person. Mom had to literally pour water on me just to get me out of bed at six in the morning. I'd miss Mom a lot, but she's got Phil, and their baby, when it arrives. I took a long time in the shower, inhaling the wonderful scent of the strawberry shampoo, that I'd used practically my whole life.
I stepped out of the shower, regretfully, half an hour later. I wrapped a big white towel around me, and walked out into my room. I opened one of the dresser drawers and shut it again. Alice was so going to get it. I, like Bella hated lacy things. And she didn't put just any lacy things in that drawer, she put barely-visible lacy things. What in the world did she think I needed those for? I searched through the other drawers until, at last, I found normal undergarments. I'd definitely have to thank Bella for that later. I put on the new pajamas Mom had gotten me. They weren't too showy, or lacy. Just a blue and white striped cotton shirt with matching cotton pants. As I combed my hair, I heard Bella and Alice talking outside my door.
"He only has nine days, Bella. Nine days before it's activated!" "I understand that, Alice but—" "But nothing. We have to make this work, or we'll have a bitch for a—" "Alice, language!" Bella warned. "Sorry, but you know I'm right! If he doesn't tell her before the twelfth, we're screwed! I don't want to plan their wedding." "I know. But if he doesn't want to talk to her today, he doesn't have to."
Silence.
I still didn't understand what they were talking about. It was as though Bella and the rest of the family were keeping a secret from me. "Bella, you know as well as I do how much of a bitch Tanya is. I mean, Edward almost had to marry Irina. You came just in time. Now, if Carlisle doesn't get it together, we'll be receiving a call from her at exactly midnight on February twelfth." "Why on her birthday? Alice, now she'll feel as though she—" "This deal was made way before she was born! It has nothing to do with her. Aro decided the date and everything."
I put down my brush, and walked across the room and opened the door. They looked up, looking like a deer caught in headlights. "Annabelle!" Bella said looking surprised, "You didn't hear any of that, did you?" I nodded. I felt my face heating up, "Sorry." I mumbled. "It's okay." Alice said, reassuringly. "Why didn't you guys tell me anything?" I asked. "Sweetheart, we didn't want you to feel he was with you just so he could get out of the arranged marriage. He hates her guts too, believe it or not." Alice explained. "Where is he?" "The hospital, Jessica Stanley landed herself in the ER, he's her doctor, for now. But that's beside the point. You may not believe us, but ever since he met you at my wedding, he's felt something for you." Bella said.
"Really?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Carlisle felt something for me? I must be dreaming. I have to be dreaming! "Yes, really. That's why I'm so impatient for you two to talk things out. You must talk before midnight of your eighteenth birthday. If you don't call the Volturi before then, the marriage will be activated. And we'll be forced to attend-whether we like it or not, Tanya and Carlisle's wedding." I felt dizzy. This was all so overwhelming. Who was Tanya Denali, anyway?
I voiced this question allowed, "Who's Tanya Denali?" I asked, sounding a little bitter. Rosalie made a face as she joined us. "Tanya Denali is the most sluttish person you'll ever meet. Do you remember the strawberry blond that tried to get Carlisle's attention at the wedding?" I frowned, then realization dawned on me, and I glared at the floor. "Her? That's Tanya?" "Yes." Bella said. "You have to tell us Annabelle. Be honest. What do you feel for him?" Rose asked, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. I looked at her, vaguely aware that Emmett, Jasper, Edward and Renesmee were behind her. I couldn't beat around the bush anymore. It was easier to just say it instead of mincing words with them. Edward nodded.
"I love him." I said in a small voice. Noone said a word. They just nodded, because they already knew. They'd just wanted me to say it, to confirm their suspicions. "Now, you have to tell him that." Rose said. "Do you want to meet him at the hospital?" I thought about it for a minute. "Can we wait till he comes home?" "Of course you can." Bella said. "He'll be home in twenty minutes. Would you like some alone time?" Alice asked. "No, I'll be fine." "Okay. Come say bye to Dad. He's leaving."
I followed them to the living room, where Seth and Leah were standing by the door, ready to leave. "Well, kid. I'm glad you're home. Don't forget to visit once a week." Dad said with a grin. "Will do, Dad." They left a few minutes later, with their arms full with leftovers. "Alright, kid. It's time for you to learn to play Guitar Hero." Emmett said from the couch. "Do I really have to?" I asked. "Yeah, unless you're a chicken and-" "Okay. I'll play." I said. I never could play this game, but it was surprising to know that I beat Emmett.
"Cheater!" he announced at the end of the game. "You, Annabelle Swan are a cheater!" "I wouldn't call it cheating." Alice said. "Bella, guess what?" "What?" She asked turning to look at me. "Mom's having a baby." Her eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open. She didn't say anything for a few seconds. "Holy crapamole!" I jumped. "A baby? Mom, as in Renee, is having a baby?" I laughed at the expression on her face. "Yes. She is. I thought she would've told you by now."
"When's it due?" She asked, a smile slowly starting to form on her lips. "September third." Bella smiled, and took her phone out of her sweater pocket. "I'll call her." She said. Alice looked at the garage door. "He's back." I smiled nervously at her. I'd promised I'd tell him. And if he didn't feel the same way, which I doubted he didn't, I'd be okay with it. He walked in a minute later, looking slightly annoyed. He had his phone in his hand.
"Let me guess." Rose said, frowning, "A call to remind you about how much time you have left. Am I right?" He nodded. "I swear, that strawberry blond gets on my nerves!" Bella said, glaring at her phone. "I think we all do." Edward said. Carlisle looked over at me, "Can I talk to you for a second?" I stood up from the couch, and followed him up the stairs and in to his study. I sat across from him in one of the plush chairs. None of us said nothing for a minute. I decided that I'd start first.
We both opened our mouths to speak, then stopped when we saw that the other wanted to speak. "Annabelle, I need to tell you something I've been keeping away from you for a while." I rested my chin in my hands, "Is it about your arranged marriage?" I asked, feeling like my heart was going to break. I didn't want it to be. I didn't want him to tell me he wanted to marry Tanya. "Not really. Can you hear me out, please?" I nodded, "I'm listening." He rested his chin in his hands, and looked me in the face. I couldn't bring myself to turn away from him. Instead, I looked him in the eyes as he talked.
"I've been thinking about how I'm going to tell you this. Everytime I run through it in my head, I think it sounds wrong. Edward knows, he's heard them all. I do believe he gets annoyed. I've come to the conclusion that no matter how I say it, it'll still mean either nothing or everything to you." My eyes never left his face. "Is it bad?" I asked. "Not at all." He said with a smile. "Then, what is it?"
"Before I go any further, I want you to know that I'm not telling you any of this, because it's near the deadline. I'm telling you this, because this is how I feel." I nodded and waited for him to continue. "Annabelle, I've been wanting to tell you this for seven years, now. And up until now, I haven't had the courage to tell you this, personally, or over the phone..." He trailed off.
"The suspense is killing me, Carlisle." I said with a smile. "What is it? Do you secretly have a thing for Nurse Jackie?" I asked, referring to the show with the same name. He chuckled, "Oh, you caught me. Yeah, I do. How did you know?" "I didn't, I guessed. How could you do this to me?" I asked, feigning sadness, and hurt. "Why must the good ones always be taken?" I said, laughing. He laughed along with me. "Okay, what was it that you had to tell me." I said, serious again.
He leaned forward so that he was only a few inches away from my face. I smiled, and waited for him to continue. The next few words out of his mouth were the words I'd always been dreaming to hear. All the dreams I'd had about him telling me finally came true, in the next second.
"I love you."
It was quiet after that. Or, at least to me it was. I didn't know what to say. He loved me! Carlisle Cullen Loved Me! Me, Annabelle Rose Swan! He. Loved. Me! I smiled, my head spinning. "Y-you do?" I stammered. "Yes." He said, taking my hand in his. " I can't imagine being witout you anymore." He whispered. I sighed.
"I love you too." I said. He didn't say anything after that. We just looked at each other, for a long time. We didn't need to say anything. There was nothing left to say. In my mind, everything was finally perfect. I broke the silence when I asked, "So... does this make us, like a couple now?" I asked, blushing. He laughed, and touched my cheek softly. "If you want it to be that way." He said. "Only if you want it to be that way." I said. "Then yes, I guess it does." He said, smiling.
"Well, we don't have to worry about telling everyone else, they probably already heard the—" I didn't get to finish my sentence, because the door flew open, and the whole family, wolves and all, came bursting in. "Mommy!" Emmett yelled as he grabbed me from the chair and hugged me tight. "Emmett, be careful." Carlisle warned."Oh, c'mon! You can fix her upif I break her." Emmett said with a goofy grin on his face. "I'm glad you guys finally talked." Alice said with a smile as she hugged me. "Well, guess what? It's time to design a Cullen Crest for you to wear, sweetie." Rose said, looking like she was going to cry.
"Rose, why are you crying?" "You two are finally together, that's why." Bella said. We stood together, with our significant others. I was finally with the man I'd loved for seven years. I felt lighter, like I was walking on clouds. "Shall we take a family picture?" Jacob asked, pulling out a camera. "Okay, everyone gather around." Rose said. "We're already gathered, Rose." Emmett mumbled. "One more remark like that, and you won't get Happy Time for a century." Rose warned. "No! Sorry, Rose." Emmett apologized.
After yet another picture, I said my good nights, and went to my room. I wished I could call Mom and tell her, but she was already sleeping, and I didn't want to wake her. I would call her tomorrow. Carlisle and I would call the Volturi tomorrow after I came home from school. Then, the Denalis. The last one, I was dreading the most. Bella assured me that they'd be happy for Carlisle. "Not Tanya." I said, with a frown.
"Who cares what Tanya thinks, Bellerina! You got us!" Emett reminded me. I had smiled and nodded. Because he was right. I was just overreacting. Carlisle and I had decided that we would take our relationship slow. Which was perfectly fine with me. I wanted to get to know him, just as much as he wanted to get to know me. I had a long time, forever, actually, to be with him.
A/N Soo? What did you think? Let me know in some reviews, please, plese, please? That would make me verrrrrrrrry happy! Until next week!
-RoseNEmmettForever