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Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters, unfortunately. They are owned by Stephenie Meyer.
Chapter 2 – Secrets
BPOV:
Unfortunately, Edward had to go hunting today. He knew how much I hated when he left me, and assured me numerous times he felt the same way, but that didn't do much to lessen it for me. I just needed him near me.
It had been awhile since he last hunted, and we both knew it was completely necessary for us to stay close to each other. We planned to spend some quality time together before graduation on Sunday, and his control could only be tested so far. Edward said he wasn't going far, and would be back by the time I went to bed.
As a result, I had to kill a few hours until Edward came back for the night, so I started to prowl around in the kitchen trying to figure out what to make for dinner. After making a decision, I pulled out all the ingredients and began marinating the fish.
As I was finishing, I realized that I needed to do laundry or I wouldn't have anything to wear this weekend. As I went upstairs to collect all my dirty clothes, I still couldn't wrap my head around the fact that I was graduating in two days.
It dawned on me just then that I had nothing to wear to graduation or to the graduation party that Alice was hosting for Edward and us, though I knew it was mostly for me. I wasn't too thrilled when she told me about it, and apparently, everyone in Forks was invited.
I guess I would just have to find something to wear from my closet. I was disappointed that Alice or Rosalie hadn't suggested we go shopping for something to wear, and we couldn't go tomorrow since we already had plans.
Some of the Cullen's friends, who were also "vegetarians", from Denali were coming to town this weekend on their way to their summer home in northern California, so we were going to spend the day with them. I was hesitant at first. I had never really met other "good" vampires, but Edward informed me I had nothing to worry about. He said they were like family and wouldn't do anything to harm me.
As I was throwing my laundry into the washing machine, I heard the front door open and close. I thought it was Charlie, but when I walked into the living room, I saw Alice standing there with a couple of shopping bags in each hand.
"Alice, what is all that?" I said as I pointed to the bags wearily.
"I know how much you hate shopping, so I decided to do it for you. I knew you were going to freak out when you realized you had nothing to wear on Sunday. Let's go try these things on. I just know you are going to love everything!"
I managed to rush up the stairs after Alice without tripping; today was turning out to be a good day after all. Alice had already strewn several outfits over my bed by the time I walked in, and I was shocked by the amount of clothing she was going to have me try on.
She already knew everything would fit and that I would love it all, so I didn't understand why she couldn't just show me and then put it in my closet. She knew I would eventually wear everything.
"Alice, does Edward know you are here and making me do this?"
"No, and he doesn't need to know either. It is a surprise for him as well. I picked up a few things for our vacation, but I saved most of the shopping for us to do next week. Here, try this on first."
"So are you going to tell me where we are going yet?" I asked as I grabbed the outfit and started to change.
I had gotten over my fear of Alice seeing me a long time ago. There was no way around it, and she assured me I had nothing to worry about because, after all, we were both girls. It was true except for the fact that she is ten times prettier than I will ever be.
"Nice try Bella, but no. You are being impatient. Did you know that? You will find out soon enough," she responded in that pixie way of hers that made it impossible for you to argue or be mad at her.
I surrendered and tried on the first outfit. It was a simple jean skirt that came to just above the knee paired with a cerulean blue patterned spaghetti-strap tank top that pinched in under the bust and floated away gently. I loved it and knew Edward would too- he loved that shade of blue on me.
"This is it Alice. I don't need to try on anything else. I want to wear this to the party."
"That's just too bad Bella. You need to try on everything before you make your final judgment. Try this."
I slipped out of the skirt and top. Alice handed me a light pink, slightly tiered, soft jersey dress that tied into bows as shoulder straps. Again, it fit me perfectly. I was amazed each and every time I tried something on. I could never find something this perfect when I was shopping for myself. I didn't know how Alice did it, but it was probably due to the amount of money she spent on clothes even though I really didn't want to know the actual amount.
"Beautiful."
I tried on the rest of the clothes, and an hour later decided on a v-neck, blue floral pattern, cap-sleeve dress that came to the knee. Alice paired it with some sandals that had just a little heel, so hopefully, I wouldn't fall on my face as I was accepting my diploma.
Everything about it was perfect. It was just dressy enough without being overly done. I was really excited about showing Edward, but Alice made me promise not to say anything to him so it was a surprise for Sunday.
"Thank you for everything, Alice. I really need to get working on dinner before Charlie gets home. I will see you tomorrow. Tell everyone I said hello."
Alice gave me a hug, said "Goodbye," and headed out the door and was out of the house before I even finished taking the dress off. She had left a box on my bed; I hadn't noticed that before.
There was a note on the box that read, "Sorry I couldn't help myself. Don't open it just yet, but put it in your closet for safekeeping. You will need it eventually. Trust me. See you tomorrow."
I knew if I opened it Alice would know, so I decided to do exactly as she told me. I put the box gently on the top shelf out of eyesight knowing that if I continued to look at it, I would have to open it.
I finished changing my clothes, and ran downstairs to fix dinner. As I got to the kitchen, Charlie came through the door.
"Bella, you home?" he bellowed.
"I'm in the kitchen, Dad."
Charlie walked into the kitchen. "Hey Bells. How was your last day of high school? Are you ready to graduate?"
"Yes, very ready," I laughingly said. I set our dinner down on the table and started eating.
I knew he wasn't too excited with the idea of me going away to college with Edward, but he wanted to make me happy so that meant he wasn't going to say anything.
Edward and I had decided to go to Evergreen State College in Olympia. I still wasn't keen on going to college. I just wanted Edward to change me so I could be with him forever, but he was insistent that I needed to experience college as a human.
For now, we are going to ESC. It was just far enough away from here so that I could still come home and visit my family, but it was also mostly cloudy throughout the year and had plentiful wildlife nearby. Those qualifications were Edward's. He knew how much I would miss Charlie and his parents. I just wanted to be with him, and I didn't care where that was.
Once dinner was finished and the dishes were done, I sat with my dad, briefly watching a baseball game before deciding to go to bed. I told him, "Goodnight," and headed upstairs to take a shower before Edward showed up.
I jumped out of the shower, quickly threw on my Victoria Secret pajamas that I had picked up from my house in Phoenix when I was last down there, brushed my teeth and hair, and went into my room smiling, knowing that he would be waiting for me.
He was lying on my bed and smiling his crooked smile. I jumped onto the bed and cuddled up next to him. His cool skin felt nice compared to the heat in my room from the high humidity. We stayed like this for a long time until he broke the silence.
"How was your afternoon?"
"Too long without you, but I am glad you got hunting out of the way. I don't want any distractions this weekend." I didn't want to let on about Alice. I was sure she was trying her hardest to keep our little meeting this afternoon out of her thoughts too, so Edward wouldn't find out. "I am really glad your back."
I leaned up and kissed him. I don't think he had a clue as to how much he dazzled me, and he kissed me back passionately. I ran my fingers through his gorgeous copper hair, and he did the same to my wet hair.
I knew we were getting close to the comfort zone line, but I didn't want this to end. I moved closer and kissed him with more passion to, hopefully, keep him from stopping.
He broke our embrace long enough to say, "Bella, you are really pushing my limits."
"I know, and I don't care," I laughed and continued to kiss him.
Edward rolled me over so he was straddling me. He stopped abruptly but didn't push me off him. "Bella, really, can't you behave?" he asked jokingly.
"No, and don't pretend you aren't enjoying it just as much as I am." I tried to continue to kiss him, but he jumped off me and was glaring out the window in a second.
"I am sorry. I should know better by now, but you are so intoxicating."
"It's okay Bella, it is not all your fault. I should have better self-control too. Just give me a moment to calm down, and then I should be fine." He was breathing deeply with his arms folded across his chest.
I went over to my computer and turned it on. While I was waiting for my email to come up, I walked over to the window, put my arms around Edward's waist, and leaned my head against his shoulder.
"Are you better now?" I asked calmly.
"Yes, but lets not push it right now. Maybe later though," he said with a wink.
I headed back to the computer, checking my email. I had received one from my mom asking how my last day of school was going. She apologized again for not being able to come to my graduation.
Renee was currently eight months pregnant and unable to make the trip from Jacksonville. I was shocked when I found out at Christmas that I was going to have a little brother or sister. I didn't expect her to have another baby, but Phil, her husband of nearly two years, really wanted one.
I quickly typed my response about my day and told her not to worry about graduation. I was sure there were going to be lots of pictures to show her later.
I shut off my computer, and once again, Edward was on my bed. I glanced over at him, and he motioned for me to join him. He was definitely getting quicker with relaxing after the boundaries were breeched. I was glad.
I sauntered over to him as sexily as I could, climbed into bed next to him, and started a full-on make out session. Well, as far as Edward would let himself go.
This one went on for a few minutes, but I stopped to ask, "So, is now a good time to tell me where you are taking me this summer?"
He looked up at me bright-eyed and smiled. "No, not yet. Sorry."
I started to pout, but he leaned back in to kiss me again. I really enjoyed kissing him, but I wanted to know where we were going even more.
I broke the kiss after another minute or two and asked, "Pretty please won't you tell me?" I batted my eyes and looked up at him through my eyelashes.
"You are being impatient Ms. Swan. You will find out in due time." He gave me his crooked little smile and leaned in again to continue our kiss, but I rolled over before his lips met mine.
I knew if I let him kiss me again, I would never be able to stop long enough to ask him again.
"Well, if you won't tell me, then I guess its time for me to go to bed. We have a busy day tomorrow, and I need to rest up," I said hoping he would get the point that if he wanted more of my "talents", he would have to tell me.
He looked at me with his topaz eyes trying to figure out if I was serious. He finally gave up and said, "Okay, fine, you were going to find out tomorrow anyway. Next weekend we are going to a private lake front cabin in the Rocky mountains for a few weeks."
I just stared at him. This wasn't exactly what I was hoping for, but at least I was getting to spend some time with him without my dad around.
"That sounds great, but you aren't going to be able to enjoy the lake with me during the day, are you? Also just how big is this cabin? I mean there are going to be eight people there."
Edward looked at me with love in his eyes, smiled, and said, "What I meant when I said 'private lake front cabin' was that we," he motioned between the two of us, "have our own cabin, as do Alice and Jasper, Rosalie and Emmett, and Carlisle and Esme. Also we own the entire lake and the area five miles all around it, so yes, we all can join you during the day with no worries." He leaned over and kissed me.
"Edward that's wonderful. I am so excited. Has Carlisle asked Charlie yet? Because if he hasn't, I am going to go ask him right now. This is even better than I thought. I told you I was going to use my 'talents' to get this secret out of you." I got up to go ask Charlie about it, but Edward grabbed my waist and pulled me back down.
"You're right. You did use your 'talents' on me, but just wait a few minutes. I would like to enjoy some more of them," he said with a smile on his face.
Sure enough, a minute later the phone rang. "Told you so," Edward snickered. "Charlie is going to be coming up here in a minute to talk to you about it so I am going to step out for a moment. I will be right back. I promise."
He gave me a quick kiss and was out the window in a flash just as I heard Charlie coming up the stairs. He knocked on my door. "Bells, are you still awake?"
"Come on in Dad," I said as I picked up my copy of Wuthering Heights and pretended to be reading it as he came through my door.
"That was Carlisle on the phone. He wanted to ask me for my permission to let you go with them to their cabin in the Rockies for a few weeks. I am guessing Edward already told you about it. Do you want to go?"
"Yes, Dad, I really want to go. I need to have some bonding time with Alice since I won't get to see her as much once college starts up in the fall, and I am really going to miss her. Please, please, please let me go," I said as I got down on my knees to continue to beg.
"I was going to say yes without all the begging," he laughed. "Okay that's all I needed to know. I am heading to bed. Goodnight. Oh, before I forget, I am going fishing tomorrow and then over to Billy Black's to watch the game, so don't worry about me for dinner. Have fun tomorrow with Alice."
Charlie closed the door behind him. Instantaneously, Edward was back in bed next to me. "I told you not worry. I could tell he was going to say yes. It's time for you to get some sleep. I will see you in the morning my love." He kissed me on the forehead and began to sing my lullaby. I started to protest, but I knew I wasn't going to win. I shut my eyes, snuggled closer to him, and drifted to sleep.
When I woke up the next morning, Edward was sitting on the rocking chair. He walked over to me and gave me a kiss. "Good morning sweet heart. I will let you get ready, and I will be back in half and hour to pick you up. Charlie is already gone. I love you. See you soon."
He didn't give me a chance to respond before he gracefully went to the window, turned around, smiled at me, and then left. I quickly jumped out of bed and made my way to the bathroom to clean up. I was thinking about what to wear today to meet Edward's friends, when it occurred to me that I have a bunch of new clothes in my closet to wear.
I wonder if I should ask Alice if I can wear them or if I have to save them for our trip. I went back into my room, and grabbed the phone to call Alice. The phone rang just as I got to it.
"Hello?" I said even though I was sure it was Alice.
"Hi, Bella," Alice said with enthusiasm. "Yes, you can wear your new clothes today. I suggest the cerulean blue top and your new skirt. Edward will love it."
"Speaking of Edward, where is he?"
"He had an errand to run, but don't worry. He will be there shortly to pick you up. I will see you soon. Bye."
I wondered what errand he had to run as I hung up the phone and went over to my closet to put on the outfit that Alice had suggested. I ran downstairs to eat a bowl of cereal before Edward showed up, but he was already in the kitchen with a bowl of cereal in hand.
His face had a little bit of shock on it. I was glad, since I was going for shock-and-awe this morning.
"Here you go," he said as his voice trembled a little, but he still smiled.
He handed the bowl to me and gave a kiss. "Where did you get that shirt? You look absolutely gorgeous, but you could wear a potato sack and I would still think you were the most beautiful thing in the world."
"Thanks, I will keep that in mind for the next time I go shopping," I laughed. "I am glad you like it." I did a little twirl for him.
I sat down at the table, and Edward sat across from me. "You are back early. Did you get everything done that you needed to?" I asked with a smile on my face. He thought I thought he just went home to change. He had no idea I had talked to Alice and she had told me that he wasn't home the entire time.
"Yes I did. It didn't take as long as I thought it would. I expected that Emmett would have been waiting for me to get home to play a prank on me to get me back, so I went in cautiously. He wasn't there and neither was Jasper or Rosalie. They had gone hunting last night in preparation for tomorrow and hadn't gotten back yet. Plus, I really missed you."
I looked at him with a confused look on my face. "I didn't know you played a prank on Emmett. What did you do?"
"Actually it was on everyone. I took his Jeep and hid it along with Rosalie's BMW, Alice's credit cards, and Jaspers favorite books. I did it to get back at them for listening in on our conversation yesterday."
"Oh, well thank you for teaching them a lesson. Did they find them yet?"
"Alice knew where they were, so she got them and Jasper's books. She left Rosalie and Emmett's cars where I put them," he laughed. "I am sure when they get back and realize they are missing, and they are going to be furious with us. I will let them know that you had nothing to do with it so they don't try to play a prank on you too."
I laughed, "Thanks." I cleared my dishes. "Are you ready to go?"
"Ready when you are." He smiled and led me to the car.
"Alice is sure everything is going to be okay today?" I asked as he got in and started speeding towards his house.
"Yes. She has been keeping an eye on the situation. Nothing is going to happen." He looked at me with those gorgeous topaz eyes, and I started to melt in my seat.
"Please keep your eyes on the road. I don't want to get into an accident before I graduate. I want the greatest possibility that I will make it across the stage without falling, and I won't be able to do that with any broken bones," I said teasingly. He smirked at me, but turned his head back towards the road.
As we pulled up to his house, I noticed there was a strange object on the roof of the garage. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was Edward's piano. I also saw that Rosalie and Emmett's cars were safely back in the garage.
"Edward, I am sorry. I shouldn't have said anything to them yesterday. Is the piano going to be okay?"
"This is not your fault Bella. The piano will be fine, so please don't worry about it. I will have Jasper help me get it down later." He seemed calm, but I was still a little worried.
Edward leaned down, smiling, and gave me soft kiss as he led me into the house.
Thank you again to my wonderful beta Flamingo1325.
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