CHAPTER 2
EPOV
Bella had been torturing me when she was human, and she was able to do it now, without using her unusual powers. Her kisses made me want to do things a person my age would have done a hundred or so years ago.
We could now do these things without me fearing I would lose my control, and without her worrying about pushing me over the boundaries I had built. She was so easy to read! It was amusing and frustrating at the same moment. When she was human, I would content myself by trying to decipher what she was thinking, and now that she was a vampire, she had to train to keep her thoughts under control.
Thank heaven I was the only one in the family that could read minds, whilst some of her thoughts were amusing, others were quite . . . tempting I believe is the word to describe her jumbled thoughts. Bella was still trying to understand the process of when she should feed. I never wanted her to see me hunting, but now Carlisle had put me in charge of helping her. She never knew what to do and how to do and no matter how many times I told her that it came out naturally, she always seemed on the verge of tears.
Except we don't cry.
After a thousand kisses and an hour later, while I was brushing the hair out of Bella seemed to be lost in though.
"What are you thinking of?" I asked. Right now, her thoughts were all over the place and I couldn't understand what had mad her so quiet. Usually after we mad love she would fall asleep or go for a shower, but when she came out or awoke, she was always happy and bubbly with laughter and things to tell.
"Stuff. Right and wrong, actually." this surprised me.
"What do you mean, right or wrong?" I enquired, my fingers moving automatically to trace the outline of her lips.
Sighing, she flipped over so she was supported by her elbow, one hand on the side of her face while the other traced the words 'I love you' on my chest.
"What I mean is I'm scared. I know Charlie won't be happy abut us, and I know he'll notice the change in me. I'm scared that something might go wrong and you'll . . . leave." She whispered the last word, and if she were human, she would've blushed the colour rising to her cheeks.
"Why would you think that?" I was seriously concerned for such a thing had never occurred to me.
"I still don't understand why someone like you would go fro someone like me and not run after someone like Christine." I sucked in my breath sharply at the name. The name of the girl who had pushed me to do the only thing I never wanted to do to my angel. Change her into something she was not.
Christine had tried in many ways for Bella to leave me. She kissed me while Bella was there, she taunted me with thoughts I'd rather forget and as a last resort, she took Bella secluded part of the forest that enclosed her house, and left her there. I felt the rage bubble up inside me and I tried to control myself. Nevertheless, was such a thing possible?
"Bella, I would never – I repeat never – abandon you! For whatever childish reason, you will not be getting rid of me so easily!" I gasped, my hand moving to cup her face.
"Edward calm down! You KNOW what will happen, please! It was just a thought! A stupid thought I uttered, OK? Forget it! Can you blame me? I have the sexiest, sweetest, nicest guy as my fiancé and lots of girls are after him. Excuse me for worrying!" she had tried to make a joke out of it but I could see clearly the worry and fear in her eyes. I never wanted to change in her presence and I had never done so. Being a werewolf/vampire was something no one had ever heard of, and I had just discovered recently what happened to me every time that black fog seemed to engulf me and take me under . . .
I bent my head so I could kiss the outline of her lips and I immediately felt her melt. She shaped her mouth round mine and wrapped her arms around my neck.
She was my angel, my darling angel and I was going to make sure I never hurt her.
Never.
Or so I thought.
With the wedding only weeks away, Bella was starting to panic as I packed our stuff for a week in Seattle where we were going to 'announce' our engagement to Charlie. Wasn't I supposed to be the one panicking? Charlie hated me by sight and just the thought of us getting married might cause something not so wanted . . .
Alice kissed me once on the cheek. Her thoughts clearly told me everything is fine. No bad weather and a pretty good journey. I couldn't see what happens when you get to Seattle and see Charlie but I think things should go pretty smoothly . . .
I grimaced at the word 'smoothly'. I knew there would be a little trouble with Charlie, but he had to know one way or another, and face to face was the best. I don't believe in a phone call or an e-mail when you announce an engagement and nor does Bella, so we were on the same level there . . .
I opened the passenger's door of Volvo open so Bella could get inside and she huffed at me,
"What's wrong with my truck?"
"Not fast enough." I grinned, getting into the driver's side. Bella instantly leant forward and kissed me on the lips.
"Are you sure you want to do this? I have a feeling Charlie won't like it and the last thing I want is you two to fight." I grinned at her and brushed the hair off her face; I was sure, and I wanted this so much for us I'd go into any risk to achieve it.
"I'm sure, Bella. Now stop worrying and relax, OK? We have a long drive,"
"Not if you drive!" she interrupted me.
"We have a long drive and I don't want you to be hyperventilating by the time we pull in front of his house. So, relax and enjoy the drive." I put the car in gear and slowly – for me anyway – I backed out of the driving way. Rain was pelting down as it was a common thing down here in Forks and Bella grimaced at me. So much for good weather as Alice had promised!
"Huh, how can I relax when I know you two will be at each other's throats as soon as we get in there?" As soon as she realised about the remark on throats, she looked guiltily down. I wanted to reassure her somehow, but I knew if I said something, I would probably make it worse. So I settled for squeezing her arm gently and turning my eyes back to the road. The rain slashed hard across the windscreen and more than once Bella told me to pull over so we could wait for the worst to past but I told her again and again not to worry. The rain quickly turned into a storm and by the time we got to Seattle, it was so dark that it seemed nighttime instead of late afternoon.
I parked the car in front of the house and got out. Charlie must've got off with quite a rich girl to own a house like this. It had a large front garden and a terrace where a couple of sun lounges were situated under a big umbrella. In this storm, the umbrella whipped form one side to the other and the windows whistled. Bella got out after me and quickly gripped my hand tight in hers.
"I can't to this, love." She whispered. I leant down and kissed her once on the lips before tugging on her hand.
"It'll be OK, I promise. We'll go in, give him the news and if things start to go for a bad turn, I'll take you straight to our hotel. I don't want a fight and I don't want you to be in the middle of this."
Bella sighed and rapped three times on the door. We stood out there for a good three minutes before someone opened the door. In the short time we waited, I deciphered everything Bella was thinking: what if Dad notices my eyes colour change? Or that I look paler – if that were possible – than the last time he saw me? I squeezed her hand and just then, the door opened and Charlie welcomed us with a big grin.
Or if he notices that, I'm death cold and rock hard? Bella's thoughts went on.
"Edward, Bella! Come in!" he ushered us in and we stepped into the hallway. Pegs lined one side of the wall where numerous jackets and coats were hanging from, and on the other were pictures and pictures of a pretty girl with red hair and blue eyes. Bella looked away from the pictures and fixed her eyes on the floor as we walked into the living room, following Charlie.
One sofa and two armchairs were set as a semicircle around a small fireplace, the sill dotted with small statues and golden ornaments.
"Sit down, make yourself at home." Bella glanced at me and her thoughts screamed, get me out of here! I don't want to meet his mad woman of his and I don't want to tell him! As I opened my mouth to say seething – reassuring, I hope – footsteps came down the equally wooden stares and a lady walked in, trying to pin her ponytail up with a couple of pins. Charlie enveloped her in a hug and she laughed.
Then it was our turn.
"Bella this is my girlfriend Lola and Lola this is my daughter Isabella." Charlie introduced us in turn. When it came to me, his thoughts more or less clearly growled what is he still hanging around for? I thought I had told him to stay away form my daughter!
Edward? Can we go now and tell him some other time? Bella pleaded.
No Bella. We can do this, OK? Wait for a few minutes and we'll tell him. Relax a little; you're going to reduce my hand to dust. Bella's grip on my hand instantly relaxed and she flashed me a nervous smile. Charlie disappeared through a glass door and came back, four glasses in one hand and a bottle of red wine in the other. The red wine reminded me of blood, also of the fact that Bella hadn't been overly thirsty like all the New Born's are. Actually, she seemed almost human apart from the fact that she didn't eat nor drink. We accepted the glasses of wine and Bella took a small sip to show that she was thirsty. I, instead, placed my glass on the coffee table.
The woman, Lola, sat on the armchair nearest to me and leant across to Bella. Her scent pulled to me but I didn't feel the burning of my throat when I never satiated my thirst.
"It is so lovely to meet you, Bella! Your father hasn't stopped chit chattering about you. Especially how you cook." Bella looked embarrassed and stared into her glass of wine. She's coming on to you! Bella taunted me with her thoughts and I involuntary scowled.
"Everything alright, Edward?" Sascha asked. I merely glanced at her before issuing a swift reply.
"Yes thank you. Just a little tired from all the driving." Charlie was talking quietly to Bella about his work as Chief down here in the big city, so Sascha could be Miss. Nice Girl with me and not get told off for it.
"So, how long have you and Bella been together?" Mmm, tasty sweetheart this boy is. Wonder if he'll give me a pass? How sick can you get?
"Oh, it's about . . . a year and a half?" I asked, turning to Bella for support. She smiled at me and nodded, tightening her grip on my hand, before pinching the back of it.
I am NOT deaf, Edward Mason Cullen. Her thoughts inappropriately hissed.
Didn't think you were, honey. I'll make this up to you, I swear! I gasped.
"Oh, that's quite a long time, isn't it?" I nodded and inched away from her a little. We should tell them NOW so this woman can get her hands off me. Sascha was patting my leg in approval – for us or my body? – And it lingered there longer than necessary. Bella bit her lip and I wrapped an arm round her waist.
"Dad? I – we need to tell you something." Bella announced quietly – if such a thing were possible.
"Of course, what is it?" Charlie leant forward so he could place his empty glass of wine on the coffee table near my full glass. Bella took a deep breath and I whispered, "I'll tell them." She nodded and I suddenly felt that pang of panic come from me and not form the angel beside me – no, I was not referring to Sascha.
"Charlie, I have asked Bella's hand in marriage and she has said yes." I said, my words rushing together during the end. Charlie was silent for a minute before his face turned white with rage. Bella looked upset for her father to act so aggrieved at the situation on hand.
"Dad, I'm really happy about this. For once in my life something is going my way, can't you be happy too?" she whispered. I knew that if she were capable she would've been crying by now.
As I saw a death match brewing, I pulled Bella to her feet and towed her out.
A/N: sorry, I know it's long but I didn't have the heart to stop! I had so much to write about there journey to Seattle and Charlie's shocked silence, I had no idea where to stop and start a new paragraph! ) don't fprget to leave lots and lots of reviews!!