4. Edward Cullen: Advise from Dad
We walked hand in hand through the wood towards my old house. Although we walked at a casual pace side by side, there was an apprehensive edge to Bella' s step. I knew the source of her stress. For it was also on my mind, but I didn't bring it up. I couldn't bear to cause my love further anxiety. So I simply pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head.
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As we neared the house that was now empty except for my parents, I felt Bella's muscles tighten against my side, and finally broke the dominant silence that had existed since we left our cottage.
"Bella, please. It pains me to see this is hurting you so. We should talk." I concluded as we reached the front door.
"What's there to talk about?" Bella snapped. I couldn't recall the last time Bella spoke to me in such a way. And that's saying a lot.
In that moment, I looked longingly into her dark eye, searching for the truth in her last remark. But there was none to be found. So I pressed for more. I also noted: Bella's jet black eyes. They worried me. In making all the preparations for Nessie's birthday, we hadn't hunted in over a week and Bella had never gone this long without a meal before. We would have to hunt before the day was through.
"I know you're worried about Renesmee, I am too. But after tomorrow, we are still going to be a family. The only difference is we won't have to continually worry about when her next growth spurt will be. And she won't be outgrowing he clothes every month. Actually, I'm pretty sure Alice had a good cry over that." I added the last bit and flashed Bella's favorite smile hoping to lighten the mood.
It worked. Bella smiled for the first time in weeks. "How is it you still manage to do that?"
I decided to play dumb though we'd had this dialogue before. "Do what?"
"Dazzle me."
And with that I pulled her to me and kissed her fiercely. I hadn't had the need to restrain myself for almost seven years now. But somehow this kiss was different. Indescribable. Also short. After no more than ten seconds, the door to the old mansion opened and Carlisle stood in the doorway; an apologetic expression upon his face.
"Sorry," my father started, "but I heard it begin to rain and I thought you two would like to come inside."
How strange. It had started to rain. Hard and steady. Yet I remained oblivious. I must be off my game.
"Don't worry, Carlisle," Bella interjected, "Besides, we have a party to prepare for!"
She was acting. The was no way anyone even Bella could go from being so down to happy, bordering on chipper, in the few moments we spent on the porch.
As we entered my old home, I noticed that Esme had already done a great deal of decorating. Streamers lined the hallway and coiled the banisters and I had to duck to avoid bumping into several helium balloon the had floated toward the ceiling. Each balloon I noticed had a unique picture of our daughter on it. Some were from her younger years, but there were others I knew were taken in the last few weeks.
My piano had been reeled into the dining hall and upon it stood the most beautiful and still unfamiliar portrait of my Renesmee. I smelled the paint, not yet dry against the canvas and I understood. My mother had discovered another of her innumerable talents.
"It's exquisite, Esme. Thank you. Nessie will love it." I complimented as my mother for all intensive purposes descended the stairs to greet us.
"Wow. This is great. So lifelike. I didn't know you painted, Esme," Bella chimed, outlining Renesmee's features with her fingers.
If Esme had been human, her face would have flushed scarlet. "Oh. I'm glad you like it. It's just something I thought I try last night." Carlisle moved to her side and wrapped his arm around her. "I do hope it does Nessie justice"
"It's wonderful, dear." Carlisle kissed his wife on the cheek.
"Right, well, I'd better go check on the cake. Bella, sweetheart, do you mind giving me a hand?"
"No problem." Bella turned to me and kissed me briskly on the lips. "See ya later, then."
"Okay" was the only response I could form.
Carlisle came to my rescue, "Son, don't we have a birthday present to attend through?" And with that Carlisle and I were out the door to the garage.
