Ascension
Chapter 2 - Gifts
BPOV
It was almost dark when we arrived back at the Cullen house. I awoke as we turned into the driveway. Alice stopped the car and looked back at me. Rosalie then turned and looked at me as well. I didn't know for sure what was going on. Then, Alice said, "Bella, you are going to exchange gifts with Edward tonight, right?"
"Yes, of course," I answered. "I don't want you two to have to keep him out of your head forever."
They both laughed and thanked me. Alice continued up the driveway and pulled into the garage. Rosalie and Alice gathered up all the purchases of the day while I took the gifts. Alice whispered, "Let us go first." She looked over at Rosalie and both of them took a deep breath.
I waited in the garage until Alice returned and told me the coast was clear. We made our way up to Edward's bedroom where I laid the portrait on his bed. I kept the jewelry box in my hand. Alice grinned and hugged me and went to get Edward. I knew she and Rosalie were having a hard time keeping him out of their heads because Alice didn't say much and looked like she was concentrating very hard.
Even though I knew he was coming, my breath hitched and my heart rate went up exponentially when Edward entered the room. He strode across the room and grabbed me hugging me tightly, almost too tight. He leaned down, kissed me.
"Did you have a good day, Bella?"
I smiled up at him wrapping my one empty hand up in his hair like I always did and told him, "I had a wonderful day, despite the shopping."
"I'm glad to hear that, love."
"May I go ahead and give you my wedding gift now, Edward? I don't want Alice and Rose to have to hide them from you for very long. You are a bit difficult for them to hide things from," I said and grinned.
"Of course, love. Wait here a moment."
Edward charged out of the room. What on earth could he be doing? I stood motionless awaiting his return, which was about 2 seconds later.
When Edward returned he was holding something behind his back. "Who is going first, love?"
Alice and Rosalie appeared in the doorway and I winked at them and said, "I am."
Edward glanced at Alice and Rose, but said nothing and returned his gaze to me. I walked to the bed and picked up the wrapped portrait. He eyed me as he took it and turned it over gingerly in his strong hands.
"It's from all three of us, Edward. That's why they are here." I pointed at Alice and Rose.
He smiled widely as he tore the paper off and turned it around. He stopped breathing and his eyes glazed over. He gently put his hand on the portrait of my face and then pulled it away. He looked from one of us to the other and said, "This is wonderful. I love it. Thank you. Thank you all." He went to Alice and Rose and hugged them. They hugged him back and then they both skipped out of the room.
Edward sat down on the edge of the bed next to me looking lovingly at the portrait. He turned to me and said, "Bella, this is just so…perfect." I smiled and he kissed me. He looked at it again and smiled.
He put the portrait down, went to his dresser, and removed a small box that I had not noticed there. He came back to sit next to me and started to hand it to me and I said, "Wait, Edward. I'm not done."
"What? There can't be anything else. The portrait is perfect Bella!" He looked from me to the portrait and back again.
I smiled at him and thanked him for the sentiment but said, "There is only one more thing Edward. It is really the most important because it is only from me." He looked at me curiously.
I handed him the small box and he smiled at me with that crooked smile before he untied the ribbon and opened the box. He looked down at the contents for a moment, and looked back at me again.
"Well, take it out and look at it Edward."
He took the watch out of the box but didn't give it much of a glance. He immediately went to the locket and opened it. His eyes twinkled in the light as he looked at the pictures there. He looked at me with a knowing smile and handed me the small box he had. I took it out of his hand and said, "Keep looking Edward, it's engraved."
He turned the watch over and read the inscription on the watch aloud. "Inside the locket are pieces of your soul. Guard them well. Love you forever, Bella."
Edward's hands were actually shaking as he looked up at me. "Open your box," he whispered.
I looked at him, searching for something, and said, "You don't like it?"
"I love it Bella. Open your box, please?"
I looked down at the box in my hands and noticed it was the same kind of box with the same ribbon on it. I glanced up at him as I untied the ribbon. He was smiling at me.
I pulled the top off the box, and lying inside was a gorgeous silver heart-shaped locket. My hands started shaking as I picked it up. I looked at Edward and he was still smiling. I opened the locket and inside were two pictures. One was of Renee and Charlie. It was one of the pictures from when I was young and they were still together. The other picture was of Edward. As I closed locket and turned it over, I grinned foolishly.
I gasped as I read the words that were inscribed on the back in Edward's perfect handwriting.
"Inside the locket are pieces of your soul. Guard them well. Love you forever, Edward."
Tears were already streaming down my face when I looked back up at Edward. "How?" was all I could choke out.
"I don't know Bella. Maybe you are right and our souls are intertwined in destiny."
He reached for me and gathered me into his arms. I buried my face in his chest and let the silent tears of happiness roll down my face, staining his shirt.
Edward sat back and took my face in his hands. He gazed into my eyes with his beautiful eyes. I felt a familiar weakness wash over me. Edward was dazzling me again. I felt his cool breath on my face and then he said, "Bella, I have never received two more thoughtful gifts in my life, other than the gift of you. I love them. Thank you." He pulled me close again and buried his face in my hair. He was shaking as though crying.
I started crying anew and choked out, "I'm so happy that you like them. Thank you so much for the locket. I am just overcome that we both did the same thing."
Finally, Edward sat back and grinned. His eyes were sparkling and I was dazzled once again. I felt my body weaken and my mind became fuzzy. My head was swirling and I almost fell backwards, but Edward caught me, laughing. "What's wrong Bella?" he teased.
"You're doing it again."
"Doing what?" he said innocently.
"You're dazzling me again."
Edward laughed and took my locket from me, placing the chain around my neck. He dropped it down the front of my blouse. Then, he stood up and picked me up. He kissed me on the nose, and laid me down on the bed. He crawled up beside me and placed small kisses all over my face and neck. I blushed when he kissed the hollow of my throat and then trailed kisses down my chest to the top button of my blouse. Instinct took hold and I wrapped my fingers up in his hair.
"Better now?" he said.
"No."
"Do you need further resuscitation?"
"Yes."
At this, Edward swooped in and met my lips with a fervent kiss, stronger than I had ever felt from him. I thought I was not going to be able to breathe but just as panic entered the corner of my mind, he stopped.
"I'm sorry Bella. I just want you so much."
I was panting.
"I want you too Edward." I smiled up at him coyly. "It's only a couple of days…" and drew my fingers down the front of his shirt to his waistband.
Edward suddenly sat up and said, "No Bella. I'm not giving in. We are both stronger than that. This is the way that I want it and it is the way that it will be." Then his eyes softened and he placed a chaste kiss on my lips and said, "But it doesn't have to be easy," and he smiled.
I smiled back at him and said, "You know what? I think we are definitely destined to be together Edward. I think that Carlisle was driven to save you so that you would be here waiting for me."
Edward looked down at me smiling and gently shook his head. "Maybe you are right. I have to hope that you are anyway."
He laid his head against my chest and I wrapped my arms around him, entwining my fingers in his hair as I did so.
"I still don't think I deserve you, Bella. I don't feel worthy of the love you have for me."
"You are more than worthy, Edward."
We laid there for a long time. I could feel my heart beating against his face. His breathing was slow and quiet. There were no other sounds in the house and I soon drifted off to sleep.
That night I dreamt of flowers, ribbons, and rows of twinkling lights.
