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Disclaimer: All characters are the property of Stephenie Meyer unless otherwise stated.
Chapter 3
I awoke to bright light coming through my window. Edward was not lying next to me. I rolled over searching my room, he was no where to be found. Panic struck my heart. I was about to jump out of the bed when my bedroom door opened. Edward came in carrying a try of food. "Breakfast for the human," he said as he stood beside the bed.
I pulled my pillow up behind me and sat back as he sat the tray across my lap.
The tray contained my favorites. Ham and egg frittata, fresh fruit salad, toast with cherry preserves and honey butter, orange juice and a vase with cheery wild flowers from our meadow. "What is all this for?" I asked, smiling at the fact that he remembered all my favorite breakfast foods. "I didn't think you knew how to cook."
Edward smiled down at me sweetly "I want you to have all your favorites. Everything you may miss after the change. I don't want you to have missed out on anything. So I read cookbooks so I could make everything perfectly for you."
"But how? When?"
"Bella, I don't sleep, remember? I have hours to fill when you aren't talking in your sleep. You really do need a faster computer," he added offhandedly.
"You think I need a faster everything, except life that is." All of a sudden I had a thought. "CHARLIE!?"
"I went out this morning and brought it all over before Charlie left. I asked his permission."
"And what was his reaction to this?" I asked taking a bite of frittata. It was delicious.
"He got to taste everything as I was cooking. He ate his breakfast then left to go fishing," he said slyly.
"And?" I asked suspiciously, as I spread butter and preserves on my toast.
He smiled saying, "He used the time to talk with me about the responsibilities of marriage. He wanted to be sure that I was going to take good care of you, and provide for you."
"And what did you tell him?" I asked taking a sip of juice. It was fresh squeezed, I could tell. Was there nothing he couldn't do perfectly?
"I told him that my parents had left me their estate. Carlisle and Esme had made arrangements that I would receive it after my graduation from High school. That we would be able to begin our life together comfortable while we focused on our educations and future," he said. "Oh, and he thinks we should wait until after finishing school to start a family," he added with a chuckle.
"Oh no, he didn't! How embarrassing!" I groaned.
"He was just trying to be a responsible parent, Bella. He only wants what is best for you. For us," he smiled. "Enough worrying. How is your breakfast?"
"It's wonderful. I thought I had one thing I could do better than you. I give up. You are just perfect at everything!" I whined.
"Well, if it's any consolation, you do. It's not as easy as it looks. I was glad to have Charlie there to adjust the seasoning or it would have been horrible!" He laughed. "Will you miss it; cooking I mean?"
I hadn't thought about it, not really any way. It was small compared to everything else: Charlie, Renee and Phil, my friends here in Forks, Jacob, Billy, Emily and the pack. "I do love to cook. I guess I will in a way. Maybe after I get better control I can still cook and donate it to shelters and those in need. I don't really have to stop just because I don't eat it, do I?"
"You'll still be Bella, just sturdier, less breakable," he said. "What other human things will you miss?
"I haven't really thought that much about it. I guess I've thought more about the things I wouldn't miss. Those are simple: sleep, and human moments. They keep me from spending time with you. Um, Edward?"
"Yes?"
"Never mind, it's silly."
"Bella, you know if you don't ask me, I will start to think its worse than it probably is. I thought we were past this. Please, I want you to be able to ask or tell me everything, anything," he pleaded.
" Well I wanted to know about some of my human moments will they… what I mean is… do you... will I still have to go to the bathroom to, you know relieve myself?" I asked as the blush crept up my cheeks.
"There is nothing to be embarrassed about; you need to be well informed. No, you will no longer need to have those human moments. Our bodies store and use all of our food. We waste nothing," he said like he had already thought I may ask.
"Actually most of your human moments will cease. Of course we do continue typical hygiene such as bathing and shampooing our hair. We do get muddy and dirty from time to time," he chuckled. "Is there anything else you want to know?"
"When you have to eat, to blend in, what happens to the food?"
"We just spit it out later. It's not like vomiting or anything like that" he added noting the look on my face. "We have to be careful, but we can, as you know, move so quickly that when others are not paying attention we simply spit it out into a napkin and discreetly dispose of it when no one is watching. "
"Oh," was all I could think of as a reply. There were so any other things I would have to learn besides control. It would probably surprise me just how many things there really would be.
"So what would you like to do today?" Edward asked, bringing me back to the present.
"I have to call Renee. If I don't do it soon, Charlie may slip and tell her. She would never forgive me if that happened." I still had no idea how I would tell my mother. I knew she would not approve. I wasn't at all sure how I would react to her disbelief and then anger. After all, I am an adult now, can make my own decisions, and I should be able to do whatever makes me happy. I hoped I would be able to control my emotions and not hurt her feelings if she took it badly.
"Would you like for me to tell her?" he asked.
"Oh, that would go over great! 'Hi Renee its Edward. I just called to tell you that I have proposed to Bella and she has accepted.' I'll bet we could hear her screams all the way from Florida." I laughed.
"A little faith please, Bella. I have more tact than that," he said acting like I had hurt his feelings.
"Oh. Edward, I know that, but if she is going to be upset when Charlie or I tell her, can you imagine her reaction to you?" I shook as a picture of my sweet hare-brained mother having a stroke flashed in my mind. "You haven't forgotten how well that went over with Charlie have you?"
"Well, you need to figure out what you are going to do. I'm sure Alice will want to include Renee in some of the things the Mother-of-the-bride is supposed to have or do." He smiled knowing the mention of Alice and wedding planning would bring a heart felt groan from me.
"OK, ok. All right, already. I guess there's no time like the present is there? But at least let me get dressed and brush my teeth before I put my head on the chopping block," I chided.
"Too bad Jasper's power doesn't work long distance, or over phone lines. His 'gift' would help greatly with this," I said mostly to myself.
"That's not a bad idea," Edward replied.
"Oh no, we are not flying with Jasper to Florida to tell her in person! Do you want to get me killed?" My cheeks flushed from the imaginary stress.
"No. But I was thinking if you made the call from my house, Jasper could help you and your reaction to anything Renee says," Edward soothed, wrapping me in his marble embrace.
"That might not be a bad idea. Let me get ready."
After getting ready I went down stairs to find Edward. I was almost to the bottom when my left foot caught on my right and I began to fall. Edward caught me before I hit the ground. Laughing he said, I'm going to miss being your knight in shining armor. What ever will we do when you no longer need me to save you?"
"Oh I'm sure we could find something to do," I said trying to sound sultry and failing miserably. He laughed, placing a line of kisses down my neck and jaw, setting me down with my feet firmly on the floor.
Not only had Edward cooked but he had cleaned up and done all the dishes. He was definitely better at this than me, or at least faster.
We took Edwards car home. Once we arrived, we found Jasper to ask his help with telling Renee.
When Edward, Jasper and I were comfortable in Edward's room, he handed me the phone. I took a deep breath and dialed the number, secretly hoping I would get the machine when a wave of calm and confidence washed over me. Yes, having Jasper here was going to help greatly.
On the fourth ring my mother picked up the phone. "Hello?" she said curiously, not recognizing the number.
"Hi Mom," I said trying to sound upbeat and normal.
"Bella? Where are you?" she asked her voice a little panicked. I hadn't realized she might think something was wrong when I didn't call from home.
"I'm at Edward's."
"Oh," her tone changed to suspicion from concern. She was not going to make this easy. I never called her from anywhere but home.
"How's Phil? Is he able to move around yet?" I asked hoping she would be able to focus on the typical conversations we have.
"He's fine. He's not in much pain now. He can move around on his own with the crutches now. He gets his cast off in two weeks, and then we start physical therapy." She started rambling off. I felt a little guilty but I knew I had to do this now that she was normal.
"Mom, I have something I need to talk to you about."
"Do you need help with school? Because Phil and I have some money stuck back to help you."
"No mom, you don't need to use your savings for school. I've already applied for grants and assistance," I lied. I was starting to panic. I don't think I can do this. I looked up at Edward; he smiled and squeezed my hand that he had been holding since I started the call. He looked at Jasper and another wave of courage washed over me.
"But you could use some of it…" I faltered, Edward gave my hand another squeeze. "I would like you to come out here next month."
"To help you get settled in school," she said more than asked.
"No, for my wedding. Edward and I are getting married." There that wasn't so hard.
There was no response on the other end. As the seconds ticked by I started to get concerned. "Mom?" I asked. "Are you still there?"
"I knew that boy was going to convince you to do something like this," she yelled "They're all the same. They convince you to give up your dreams with all their small town ways. They convince you it's true love, to get married right out of high school and get you pregnant so you don't have a chance to change your mind!" She rambled. I had heard this particular speech more than once, but never toward me. "You are not getting married, Bella! You don't want to end up trapped in Forks forever!"
With the anger I was feeling changing to calm it was easier to explain. "Mom, this is what I want. Edward and I are going to get married. We are going to school. We won't even discuss starting a family until after we have finished." No need to tell her it would never be an option.
"Bella you don't know what you are doing. You've never even dated anyone else! You don't know what's going to happen. I do. I've been there. You plan with the best of intentions, and then all of a sudden the unforeseen happens . . ." she was crying. I heard Phil in the background asking what was going on.
"Mom calm down. I'm not you. Edward is who I want to spend the rest of my life with. You have always done just what you want to do. How can you expect anything other than the same from me? Don't you want me to be happy?" The tears were threatening to slip over my lid when the next wave of calm relaxed me.
"That's not fair, Bella. You know I do. But you don't know what will make you happy later on. What if?"
I cut her off, not wanting to argue, "Mom, I am happy with Edward. The time I wasn't with him, I was miserable; you know that. Edward and I are getting married, Mom. It's not open for discussion. I would like for you and Phil to come and be here for the wedding. That would mean everything in the world to me. Will you? Will you come and celebrate with us?" I asked waiting hopefully.
"I'm sorry, Bella. I just can't do that" She said tearfully, and then the line went dead.
I don't know how long I sat with the phone to my ear. Eventually Edward took it from my hand, saw the line was dead and placed it on the arm of the couch. "Bella, what did she say?"
"She's not coming," I managed as the shock began to subside.
"It's ok. Give her some time to think about it. She will come around," Edward said confidently.
That's it! I could not take any more! First and evil vampire tries to kill me. The love of my life leaves me, and the closest thing to vampire royalty wants me dead, one way or another. Then the mate of the first vampire wants to kill me to avenge the death of her mate, and I put all my friends and loved ones in danger because of it. I choose to become a vampire, losing my best friend whom I am in love with. And now my mother will not come to my wedding! I just can't take any more!
Edward's arms were around me making small circles on my back, trying to calm me. Jasper had done all he could in an attempt to cam my upset. "It will be okay Bella, you'll see." he said as he patted my leg and got up to leave.
At that moment Edward's phone ran. "Hello? This is Edward. Yes Bella is here with me." He said in reply to the conversation on the other end. I had entirely too much on my mind to concentrate on the conversation.
"Well Phil, Bella and I are getting married, we called to tell Renee' and to invite you both. Apparently Renee' did not take the news well . . ."
Phil? That had my attention. What was wrong? Why would Phil be calling Edward?
"I see. Well we would appreciate that Phil. Please let us know. And thank you." Edward said then folded the phone closed and looked down at me.
"What was wrong? Why was Phil Calling you? Is mom ok?" I fired off questions faster than he could answer them.
"Bella, calm down; after Renee' hung up she left the house without telling Phil what was going on. He saw the last number that called and decided to call and see what was going on. He believes she just went to walk on the beach to think things through and when she gets home he will call and let us know. He also said congratulations and that he will talk to her and see if he can get her to change her mind. So stop worrying, we told you everything will be okay."
"But you don't understand! She said she wasn't going to come and I just know she won't!" I cried. Why did I always have to cry when i was frustrated? It just wasn't fair!"
"Bella don't you think that if Renee' actually wasn't going to show up Alice would have seen it and would have been up wanting to know what was going on already?"
"I . . . I guess you're right." I mumbled. I just couldn't shake the feeling that I wouldn't have the opportunity to see my mother one last time. I wasn't sure that I could go through with this if I didn't get to say "proper" good-byes to my family.
"I think I should go talk to Alice. I need to get some things from her to take home. Charlie will wonder what's going on if I don't have something around for planning."
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