The amazing EdwardsFirstKiss has been kind enough to wave her red pen over this. Cilie gives me all the encouragement. Thank you ladies.
All mistakes are mine.
DISCLAIMER: Twilight and its inclusive material is copyright to Stephenie Meyer. Original creation, including but not limited to plot and characters, is copyright to the respective authors of each story. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 2
2000
Alice POV
We arrive at the cottage first. Jasper has always been a stickler for being punctual, even on our wedding day he was at the church well in advance of the ceremony. He was in morning dress and a top hat looking devilish with his striking baby blue eyes. It's hard to believe so much has happened in a year. With University over, and heading into the real world, becoming Mrs. Jasper Hale and getting a position at the local primary to complete my newly qualified teaching year, it has been quite the year. With my first two terms behind me and all of my marking complete I can't wait to spend some time here. This place is magical and holds some of my most favourite memories. When Jasper asked me to marry him, it was beautiful. I know it didn't go as planned but he promised to start this year by being the best fiancé he could and now he's my husband. I'm such a lucky girl.
We unpack and start setting up for the others' arrival. It's been a hectic week trying to fit in the family for Christmas but I'm so glad we all decided to come back here for another year and honor the pact we made. New Year's in a club isn't my idea of fun, nor Bella's. Far too noisy and crowded with inflated door and drink prices, it's not like you can hold a conversation. With so much change this year I really want to hear what everyone has been doing now. With no school bonding us we have to make an effort now. Rosalie is still studying hard and Emmett stayed in Bristol getting a job in a local solicitor's office. It's a junior position but he has potential for advancement; he may goof around but that boy can knock you flying when you cross him.
Bella lives down the road from us now in Redland. I was surprised when she stayed in Bristol, especially with her dad in Somerset and Edward in Reading. It didn't seem logical for her to hang around. I know she was looking forward to spending Christmas with her dad Charlie. He cooks the biggest turkey and loves to watch the Queen's speech. Bella says he always raises a glass to 'old Liz' at three o'clock. Then she gets to watch what she wants; mainly because the football fixtures don't start until Boxing Day. This year she was hoping to hit the sales, it's not like her to shop - I know, I have tried many times. There must have been something she had her eye on before Christmas to voluntarily head out into the madness.
Then there's Edward, quietly working away at an engineering firm. He seems happy enough, a little lonely maybe, but seems to be enjoying being out in the big bad world. It feels weird with him being so far out of the loop, we have rarely seen him since he moved in June. It's surprising how much I miss him; I can only imagine what it is like for Bella. Not that she ever says anything, she's always kept it to herself how she feels about him. Sometimes you can see in her eyes, especially if she is with Jasper and me that there is something missing in her life. I try not to rub my happiness in but as newlyweds it's difficult not to show our affection for each other. I am the luckiest girl in the world. Jasper is the sweetest and most loving husband. Husband, I love saying that word. We were married in August, with all our friends and family around us in the town I grew up in, Cirencester, Gloucestershire. We were incredibly fortunate with the weather. Jasper looked to die for in his morning suit. I had great fun taking it off. I left the top hat on for fun.
I hear music booming before I hear the engine of Emmett's car. He has always made a grand entrance. It has been quiet and serene up until now.
"Oh my God, Emmett! You drive like a fucking maniac. The faster the music the faster you drive. Bloody idiot!" Rose gets out of the car and straightens herself up.
"Ah babe, don't be like that." Emmett tries to soothe.
"Don't you babe me!" Rose opens the boot and pulls out her suitcase. Slamming it shut for good measure.
Who needs a firework display when you have these two around?
"You might want to keep it down." A voice sounds from the edge of the cottage.
Seconds later Jake appears in a wetsuit with a surfboard under his arm.
"Jake!" I exclaim, surprised to see him. "It's good to see you."
"You too." He looks around. "Only the four of you this year?" He enquires.
"Edward and Bella are still en route. What have you been up to?" Jasper questions.
"This and that mostly; I finished my apprenticeship and work at the local garage now. It's easier than working at the surf shop. I don't have to be polite to people when it's my shift and the surf is up." He has such an easy going nature I can't imagine him being rude to anyone.
"So what about you guys? Decided to make this an annual event I see."
"We had such a great time last year we wanted to repeat it."
"It had been an awesome night. We're having a bonfire on the beach again this year. Be forewarned that Sam has bought fireworks again and he says they are the loudest ever."
"We're looking forward to it." Emmett adds. "What's the surf like out there? Never had a chance to fit everything in last year."
"Its cold enough to freeze your bollocks off but with the right wind you can catch a decent wave. But it's best when there aren't any tourists out there." Jacob must realise what he said and amends quickly, "No offense."
"No blood, no foul." Emmett replies.
I have no idea what they are talking about. I've tried in the past but as far as I get is that you paddle out and then bob back in.
"Give us a shout in the morning if you head out. Edward will be up for it too."
"Sure, sure. A few of my mates are heading out too." With that he strides down the beach as if he can't get there fast enough.
Rose and Emmett bring all of their things into the cottage. Rose looks like she has packed for a month, and not just the couple of days we are here. Emmett and Jasper get to work in the kitchen while we catch up.
It's a little after five when we hear a car pull up round the back. Its already pitch black outside. That is part of the beauty of this place, street lights are few and far between. Edward comes in looking frozen to the core.
"Bloody car heater; stupid thing picked the coldest day of the year to break."
"Fire's on mate." Emmett hollers through.
I make him a coffee as he sorts himself out.
"Where's Bella? I thought you would have met up and come together?" I ask. It seems odd that Edward headed here without her.
"She's heading down a bit later. She wanted to stop by her Grandma's before she left." He replies.
Realising things may not be as they seem. "I'll save some dinner for her, she's bound to be starving."
"Thanks for looking out for her, Alice."
It's not long before the boys are all sat in front of the fire, football on, shouting at the ref.
Dinner feels odd with the five of us sat round the table. The empty chair stares at us like the proverbial elephant. Conversation flows but Edward's eyes flick toward the chair on more than one occasion.
We are all settled in the living room when we hear the car. I swear I have never seen Edward move so fast. He is up off the sofa and out the door before we hear the engine cut off. So like the good friends we are we gather round the window trying to sneak a peek. Obviously it's not just me who's noticed the weirdness.
Edward is pulling Bella out of the car and wrapping his arms around her like she is a life raft. It almost feels too intimate to intrude on but I can't help myself and neither can the others.
Moments pass before they separate and he heads to the boot to collect her stuff. We all quickly get back to our places and try to fake a conversation. I'm pretty sure we are busted though.
"Hey, everyone." Bella smiles brightly as she enters.
I rush over to hug her. I mean I now it's only been a week but I sense she needs it.
Edward heads off with her bags as she settles in the living room with us.
"You'll never guess who we bumped into when we got here." I say.
"If I'll never guess, why don't you tell me?" Bella sassily responds.
"Jacob."
"Oh cool. Did he remember us from last year?" She asks.
Edward joins her on the sofa, lifting her up and popping her back down on his lap.
"Yeah." Emmett states clearly excited at the prospect of surfing. "He said we can join him in the morning Ed."
"I was kind of hoping to have a nice long lie in tomorrow." Edwards says, rubbing circles on Bella's back.
"Come on mate. We haven't seen you in ages. You are too far away these days." Emmett has now taken to whining.
Edward looks to Bella as if she has the answers.
"It's okay if you want to." She whispers. "I'll be here when you get back."
"We won't be out too long. We have wood to chop for the bonfire tomorrow night." Jasper steps in.
"Alright, I'm in." Edward says still watching Bella closely.
Bella says she brought some scrumpy cider back from her dad's. The boys are out to the car in a flash. Rocket fuel aspires to be as potent as that stuff. I don't know how they can drink it. It still has lumps of apple in it and smells like its ninety percent alcohol.
The night flows on as we all catch up and lounge around. It's great coming back here. It's been such a busy year, I really don't feel like we've had chance to stop and take it all in. Curled into Jasper I am content listening to everyone fills in the blanks we've missed. I'm so happy that everyone could get the time off to do this again.
I know it's getting late when Emmett is discussing the finer points of Kylie's arse in gold hot pants.
"I'll spin you around if you're not careful." Rose is pulling him up and maneuvering him towards the bedroom. "She would eat you alive."
"But what a way to go babe."
Lying in bed, sleep doesn't come.
"What's keeping you awake?" Jasper asks.
"Edward and Bella. I'm worried that something is wrong. He is so far away and she is so quiet. I just want everyone to be as happy as we are." I explain.
"We are pretty happy." he kisses my temple. "Edward is trying to get the future he planned. It's not really his fault that he had to move to get started. It's just going to take work on both their parts. Besides they have time together over New Year's."
"Well not if you boys drag him surfing at every opportunity." I pout.
"Angel, you know it's not every opportunity, it's one morning. Besides we will be back before you know it." His hands start roaming my body.
"Are you trying to butter me up?"
"I don't know. Is it working?" He asks leaving kisses on my neck.
Jasper is the best distraction from my worries, as he rolls me over and kisses my cares away.
I awake to the smell of bacon and the sound of Destiny's Child's, Independent woman playing loudly through the cottage. I can clearly hear Emmett singing along to it, badly and out of tune. Turning I find the other side of the bed cold. Shuffling down to the kitchen I can hear Edward and Jasper sniggering at Emmett's impromptu performance.
"Morning darling" Jasper wraps me in his arms kissing me soundly. I love when he is this free and excited.
"You all heading out soon then?"
"Yeah, Jacob knocked on the door about half an hour ago. We're meeting him down at the beach." Emmett is ramming the last of his sandwich into his mouth.
"Don't you have to wait between eating and swimming?"
"Well yeah, but I figure between here and the waterline is long enough."
I look at Edward "You might want to call the lifeboat station in advance."
"O' Ye of little faith. We are going out to catch gnarly waves." Emmett laughs.
Edward looks at Emmett and joins in the laughing.
"Emmett, do you even know what gnarly means?" Jasper asks.
"Dude, I don't need to know what it means as long as I use it in context."
It's my turn to laugh now. You can't be round these boys and not laugh at their antics. Before I can drink my tea, they are out the door.
I clean up the mess and make breakfast for their return. I usually leave this to Bella, mostly because I know how to work the microwave and kettle, and the rest is uncharted ground.
It's not long before Rose joins me and Bella follows soon after. I really want to find out what is going on between her and Edward but I don't want to be the one to bring it up. Luckily for me Rose isn't as tactful.
"So trouble in paradise?" She is so blunt at times.
With that Bella bursts into tears. I can't get to her fast enough. We end up sat on the floor with a group hug going on. We have never been overly emotional girls so this is quite a shock.
Once we have all collected ourselves, we gather in the living room, mugs of tea in hand.
"Thanks, I think I needed to get that out." Bella dabs her eyes and blows her nose.
"Hey, what's going on?" I push.
"It's nothing really, mostly me but I've been feeling lonely lately. I love my little flat, and really enjoy my job but I don't like living alone."
"Oh honey, we miss you too." Rose hugs her quickly.
"I miss Edward so much when he is at work. Some nights I fall asleep listening to him tell me about his day. I wake up and see that he's not there hurts all over again."
She sounds so broken.
"What about moving in with Edward?" Rose asks
"When he first asked we weren't at that place and he wasn't sure if the job would turn out to be permanent. Then, I got my job and we settled into the way we are currently. Now I don't know how to bring it up. I mean what if he doesn't want me cramping his style over there?"
"Oh honey, you know that isn't true. Edward would walk on hot coals for you."
"Thanks for listening to me moaning and groaning. It's the last day of 2000 and I'm starting it in tears, not off to the best start." Bella sniggers.
"What are friends for? Besides we love you too."
We all get cleaned up and finish breakfast before the boys come back from surfing. Bella seems much brighter when Edward walks through the door. Windswept and damp from surfing they all pile back into the cottage, bringing half the beach with them.
Edward takes one look at Bella, moving straight towards her, sweeping her hair off her face as he looks at her.
"Bella?"
She is holding him so tightly. It feels intrusive to watch.
"I'm okay. I just don't like waking up without you." There she said it. Hopefully this is the start they needed.
"Ali, we brought extras back with us. Is there enough to go around?"
Bella laughs, "We made enough to feed Emmett, or a small army, it's hard to tell with the amount of food he puts away."
"Hey, I'm offended by that." Emmett pouts.
Before we know it, Jake, Seth and Sam have joined us for breakfast. The boys discuss the waves they caught and we girls head off to get ready for the day, jeans and hoodies mostly. It's not like we are going to be anywhere needing any smarter clothes. Besides later we will all smell like a bonfire anyway.
I packed extra blankets this year in preparation. As beautiful as it was last year, it was bitingly cold. I don't fancy being blue and shivering all night.
The roundup of the year's news is playing in the background with the biggest songs of 2000 played in between. Who on earth bought Baha Men's, 'Who let the dogs out'?
Emmett's voice booms through the room "Get back fluffy, back scruffy. Get back you flea infested mongrel."
Ladies and gentlemen we have a winner.
"Song of the year I tell you. Everyone knows the words."
"Just because they know the words doesn't make it a good song." Jasper is more of a mellow tune fan than overplayed pop.
"It's so much better than Craig David singing his name in 'Bo Selecta'!" Emmett seems keen to argue the point. "It's not as emo as 'All Saints, Pure Shores'."
"Stick it where the 'sun don't shine'." Jasper defends.
"Ooh stick you, your mama too, and your daddy." Emmett sings songs dancing round.
It's hard not to laugh at their antics especially with a six foot five man dancing round the living room, singing Daphne and Celeste at the top of his lungs. Jasper is throwing sofa cushions his way. I hope someone remembered to bring a camera to capture all of this. We will look back in years to come and remember the fun we had. Bella and Rose are working away in the kitchen. We had the forethought this year to buy snack foods and quick cook meals. I know Bella especially, doesn't mind working in the kitchen but it would be nice if none of us had to spend our whole time in it.
"I'm not sure I could live in space for six months. I love fresh air too much." Bella is saying to Rose, ignoring what is happening in the living room.
"I could." Rose states. "It would be an interesting experiment. We could learn so much about pressure and bone density."
"Rose you are the most beautiful nerd, ever." I hug her as I try and sneak into the snacks.
"Hands off Brandon. I know your plan and it won't work. Those are for later." Bella never misses a trick.
"Brandon? Brandon? I'm most definitely a Hale these days." For full dramatics I fan my face, "It can't have been the wedding of the year if my own chief bridesmaid has forgotten the event."
The girls giggle, "I'm sorry." Bella hugs me, "It was a beautiful service and a spectacular wedding, but I'm forever going to remember you as Alice Brandon, the sprite that made sure the whole dorm knew her name the first week of Uni."
A crash from the living room startles us. "My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, Commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true Emperor Marcus Aurelius, father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife – and I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next." Emmett is now quoting Gladiator, as if he is Maximus Meridius.
"Hey Gladiator." Rose calls through, "You can clean that mess up before you head to the Colosseum."
"Promise to call me that in bed later and I will do anything you wish, my lady." Rose rolls her eyes and wanders back to the kitchen.
I turn to find Bella sitting on the counter with her legs wrapped suggestively wrapped around Edward's waist, oblivious to Rose and me being in the same room. I cough to get their attention but neither seems concerned. "Maybe we should leave them to it." I suggest.
"Wipe down the worktops when you're finished." Rose hollers as we exit. We both descend into giggles as we leave.
I link arms with Rose and we head into the living room, turning the TV on loud as we go. No one needs to hear a live action version of porn before noon. Jasper joins me on the sofa a little while later. We watch TV with my head in his lap, as Australia is the first to set off fireworks. Time zones are confusing at the best of times but New Year's brings out my lack of geographical knowledge. "Jasper?"
"Um, Hum."
"How many hours ahead of us are they in Australia?"
"That depends on where you are, Australia has five zones if I remember correctly."
"Five in one country? How does anyone know what time it is?" How can you watch TV at the same time if you are operating on different time zones?
"Sydney is plus ten hours from us, and I think Perth is plus eight. The rest are somewhere in between." He rattles off facts like we should all know that kind of thing. "To be honest I don't know how it really works but I imagine for national programmes they don't name things like we do here. So no 'News at Ten', and such."
Jasper is an attractive man but when he is laid out chatting about the unimportant facts of life, it reminds me why I want to spend the rest of my life loving this man. I reach up and pull him down until his lips reach mine. "Love you." I say between gentle brushes of lips against each other. Before long we have shifted to Jasper being on top of me as our kisses become more heated. His hands reach under the back of my t-shirt with the heat for his palms searing my skin.
"It must be the sea breeze round here; people humping on every surface. Rose, where are you? I'm feeling left out." Emmett's comments leave me embarrassed and giggling. It's so easy to get carried away when his lips meet mine.
Jasper straightens himself up, re-adjusting his jeans in a not to discreet manner. "Darling, if we continue this out here; we will never live it down." Taking my hand he leads us towards our bedroom. It all feels very magical until we hear moaning coming through the walls. Suddenly I'm no longer in the mood.
"Maybe I should start splitting logs to get ready for tonight. You know burn off some steam." He winks.
"I think I will join you." I reply. Not wanting to be let alone with two horny couples going at it.
Jasper helps me get into the rhythm of splitting logs. I've split five to his twenty but its fun working together. We bundle them up and start putting the blankets and beer together for the bonfire.
Bella and Edward have managed to tear away from each other long enough to prepare dinner for us all. I don't think they would have gone as far as going at it on the worktop but I can't help but look and wonder if they did.
"Alice, for the love of God; stop looking at the worktop, we did not have sex there." Bella looks slightly embarrassed.
"No, they were doing it against the pantry door when I walked in." Emmett clearly wanting everyone to know what he witnessed.
"Emmett!" Edward clearly wanting the conversation to stop.
"Okay, okay. It's not like you locked the door and I was spying. I just came down for a drink."
"Everyone got everything that we need for later?" Rose asks. Changing the subject and clearing the dishes.
"Blankets are outside along with the logs and beer. Cider is in the fridge, marshmallows and crisps are in the cupboard." I can't think we will need that much.
"Dinner is ready." Bella calls.
It smells amazing. "What are we having?"
"Beef and ale stew with leek pudding." Bella says, "I can't wait for everyone to try it. It's one of my Grandma's recipes. She gave a stack of them to me yesterday; something about keeping the tradition in the family."
"Let's face it I can't see Charlie trying to cook any time soon." Edward laughs. It is true the thought of Charlie trying to attempting something other than warming up food up makes you think of calling the fire brigade in advance.
"Leek pudding? As in pudding and custard?" Emmett looks confused; I don't want to admit that I don't have a clue either.
"It's like a dumpling but with leeks in it. When cooked in the oven it turns out like savoury scones." Bella explains.
"Cool. I will need stodge to soak up all of the cider later. I'm proper West Country these days." Emmett lays the accent on thick.
We settle down to eat a little later, and the silence around the table it's testament to how good a cook Bella is. I have never had the natural talent and by the look on Jasper's face it is something he truly enjoys.
"Bella, this is amazing. You should give me lessons sometime. I would love to be able to cook like this."
We get cleaned up and start getting ready for the evening.
Wrapping his arms around me from behind, Jasper hugs me close. "I love you and your unpredictable cooking." His scruff is tickling the sensitive spot on my neck, "I especially love how you want to make food that makes me happy. You don't need to; I will happily spend the rest of my life without ever eating another beef stew."
This man turns me to mush, turning to kiss him with as much force as I can muster. He is beyond sweet.
We're all bundled up for the evening; it's overcast tonight with a strong wind blustering up the shore. It's going to be a chilly night.
On the beach we soon find Jake and Sam, piling pallets onto the biggest bonfire I have ever seen. "Hey, you all made it down. We weren't sure with the weather if you would come down." Jake is still only dressed in t-shirt and jeans. How does he not get cold?
"We have extra blankets and logs, hoping to last the New Year's out." Emmett is keen to get the party started.
"Cool, we have set up a shelter in the dune. Go dump your stuff near ours, we could use a hand getting this built, if you don't mind."
"Sure, you boy's stay and we'll take the rest over." I'm eager to get out of the open, the wind blows right through you.
They have a great set up, with windbreaks to the side and a small fire in the middle with driftwood dragged into a semi-circle round the fire.
A woman with look dark hair approaches, her arms filled with beer. "Hi, I'm Emily, Sam's girlfriend. I understand he took you up on your breakfast offer this morning. I hope he left some for others." She giggled.
"We were prepared to feed Emmett for the weekend so there was plenty to go around. I'm Rose by the way. This is Bella and Alice." Rose fills in the details.
"We are so pleased you came back this year. We weren't sure how many tourists we would get with it not being as big of a celebration as last year."
"We love the cottage; it holds special memories from last year." I add.
"Do you need us to help with anything?" Bella asks.
"No, I think the boys have it covered. Every year they try to build a bigger bonfire than the year before."
"Emmett is having a great time, ever the big kid." Rose is laughing at his antics.
Edward's looking at the structure and Emmett's trying to make it taller, Jasper and Seth are stood next to it with arms folded, while Jake and Sam are passing pallets to Emmett. It is a huge bonfire. I just hope that it doesn't come crashing down under the weight.
Twilight quickly turns to night as we sit round a smaller fire we made chatting with new friends and catching up with old ones. I have missed everyone being that we left Uni this past year. While the changes were planned for all of us I can't help feeling that we won't have this kind of relationship in the future. We are all truly lucky that we managed to stay in touch once our daily interactions were gone. Admittedly that has been much easier with my Nokia 3310 and text messages. The hours I put into playing 'snake' make up for the times they are not around.
Emmett has eaten most of the bag of marshmallows; most of them are dribbled down his chin. I'm sure Rose will lick them off before long. They are really made for each other. With Midnight approaching we all head over to the big bonfire. Sam has gone off toward the rocks where he has the fireworks set up.
"I'm so pleased I asked you to marry me. You have made me the happiest man in the world. Happy New Year, My love," Jasper's words bring a tear to my eye.
Looking up into his beautiful eyes, I can see the love radiating from them. "I love you so much."
With arms linked around the fire, the countdown begins. "Ten...nine...eight..seven…six...five...four...three...two...one! Happy New Year!"
I kiss my husband as the fireworks provide the background entertainment.
When all of the singing and celebrating dies down we head over to our little spot. "I hate to admit I'm getting older but I really can't pull an all-nighter on the beach tonight. It's far too cold." Rose shivers.
"Me either, let's finish the night off back at the cottage." Bella suggests.
It barely takes any time to pack up on the way back, mostly because all the snacks have been eaten and the cider has been drunk. We bid goodbye to those still left on the beach.
Back in the cottage we pack everything away and grab the champagne out of the fridge. We're pleased that we left both it and the glasses here. Its too much hassle trying to get everything down to the beach.
"Happy New Year everyone." Edward raises his glass. We all chorus in return.
"2001 is going to be incredibly special for Bella and me as we have decided to move in together."
"Aww that's amazing, so when are you moving back to Bristol?" Emmett asks.
"Well," Bella starts, "I'm going to move to Reading to be with Edward. It makes sense since he has a permanent position there."
"Wow. I mean I knew it was coming, but we are all going to miss you both terribly." I can feel the tears forming again.
Rose grabs hold of Bella and hugs the life out of her. "Good for you sweetie. We love you and will come visit whenever we can." We all know with Rose's shift schedule our time together is hard enough in the same city, it's going to be difficult to arrange getting us all together when we are spread across the country.
We all pass on our congratulations and raise our glasses once again, "To a new era."
Glossary
Chief Bridesmaid - UK term for Maid of Honor.
Permanent position - a job for which you have a contract with an employer with no termination date.
Scrumpy cider - hard cider made from unselected apples non-carbonated made using traditional methods.
Stodge - food that is heavy, filling, and high in carbohydrates.
2000 Memories
Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton married.
Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston married in July.
Madonna and Guy Richie married.
Y2K came to very little unless you were in the IT industry.
Venus Williams first black woman to win Wimbledon.
Sydney Olympics.
First astronauts began living on international space station.
Bush, Gore and hanging chad.
BaHa men - who let the dogs out
Artful Dodger Craid David - rewind bo selecta
Daphne and Celeste - Ooh stick you!
