A/N: I just want to say that I'm sorry for not updating in a while, and that my last chapter was too, too short. I apologize again.
Hope you enjoy….
Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns the rights to the books "Twilight" and "New Moon". I don't own anything except this story plot and the character of Ellie.
"The Life and Times of 'Perfection'"
By: lookinthestars
Chapter Four: "Beautiful"
I was happily drifting in my unconscious state, flying through the dark, bouncing over what seemed to be problems. Nothing could wake me. I was lost in a free whirl of colors, lights, and dreams. But something tugged at the edge of my mind, jerking my body.
I slammed against the something smooth and hard as rock. Edward?
"Edward?" His name came out like a moan. Something cold pushed me back against a leather surface. The scent filled my nose as a breathed deeply, trying to uncover my senses from my delusional state of mind.
"Almost there," A deep, luscious voice mumbled. I turned my head to the left slightly, where the sound came from.
"Where?" I twisted around, in my leather seat, trying to make sense of the situation. "Where are we?"
I almost resolved to slapping myself awake.
"Florida!" A childish voice sang into my ear. I swatted the air, and then forced myself awake.
I focused in on the scene in front of me. To state the obvious, we were on an airplane, flying over who knows where. Ellie was sitting in the seat by the window, and Edward was on the other side of me, his body tense and rigid, as if he was waiting for a bombing.
It was night, and the atmosphere was silent and peaceful. I took a deep breath, now fully awake, and turned toward Edward.
"When…." I started. I felt the confusion that I had generously expressed on my face. Edward motioned to his ear.
What was he saying?
"What…"
Edward urgently started to flail his arms around his head. I shook my head furiously.
"What the hell -" I was being treated like an imbecile.
"Listen!" He urged. He gestured to his head one final time.
Oh. Right. I listened in to Edward's mind, feeling like an idiot. I gave him a small smile, and he grinned back at me. I caught my breath. He was even more stunning than usual.
"'Kay. Sorry." I whispered to him under my breath.
It's alright.
I nodded erratically. He looked into my eyes.
It looks like you have some questions?
"Yeah," I murmured quickly while nodding. "When did we…."
Get on the plane?
I nodded again, this time slowly.
About 6 hours ago. The plane should be landing soon.
"How did you get me-"
On the plane? I carried you.
A deep crimson filled my face as I imagined the scene that must have caused. I could see Edward carrying me in his arms and it must have caused a bigger stir that we were two inhumanely beautiful people. Ellie also must have been trailing behind, singing in her high, lovely soprano voice, as that was the one thing that seemed to hold her interest now – I could here her lightly humming the lullaby as I thought.
You know, I just realized we could talk aloud if you wished. If we talk fast enough, humans can't here us at all.
"Okay." I said cautiously, testing my new found skill. The speed of my voice made me a little uncomfortable, but no one around me stirred in the slightest, so I'm guessing we were okay to talk.
"So…" Edward trailed off, smirking.
"Why didn't you wake me up?" I was almost angry with him, but I had no chance of winning a fight against Edward if he looked like…that.
"You looked so content. I didn't want to wake you. Besides, I love the way you look when you sleep." He grinned.
"Thanks," My voice was close to a growl.
"Anytime."
I rolled my eyes. "Don't we have other things to talk about other than you taking over this relationship?"
He laughed smoothly. "I won't even bother to defend that."
I ignored him sourly. "Where are we going?"
"Urmm…Florida," He looked a little unsure of himself.
I snorted, annoyed. "Good choice. Why are we going to a state where the sun shines all day? Are body diamonds the new fashion must-have?"
"Well," His smiled tightened into a thin, perfect line, and his eyes narrowed, showing deep anger. "Since Victoria," He snarled at the name. "Wants to-" He glanced franticly at Ellie, then back at me. He couldn't finish his sentence.
I gripped his hand tightly in mine, and he leaned back and closed his eyes. He sighed. "We're going where Victoria would never expect us to go."
"That didn't necessarily work the last time we tried to run from a vampire." I added warily, thinking back to the time James had chased me down in Phoenix, the place we thought he would assume would be the last place we would go.
"I know," his voice was tormented. "But if all else fails, the sun will hide us. And prevent Victoria from getting too close…" The grip on my hand tightened.
"Don't worry," I breathed. "You're doing a great job."
He opened his eyes, and looked at me curiously. "A great job at what?"
"Being a father." I answered simply while smiling. He smiled his crooked smile back at me, and then crushed me against his chest.
"I love you." He whispered into my ear. He rocked us back and forth, and closed his eyes.
"I love you too." I gave him a tiny kiss on his lips, then turned to Ellie. "Come here," I motioned for her to sit on my lap. She obeyed, and closed her eyes while lying in my arms.
I looked up to Edward, and bit my lips to keep from grinning. He chuckled, but looked at us with more love than I'd ever seen in his glorious eyes.
"Are you thirsty?" I asked, concerned. He just shushed me, and I fell back into a cloud of happiness in his arms.
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"Bella," Edward nudged me awake. I could tell the plane had landed as people were getting up out of the recliners and stretching their limbs.
"I'm up." As much as I would have liked to stay in his arms, I forced myself awake.
"Ellie," Edward cooed, slowly picking up Ellie's relaxed body. He laid her head against his shoulder and reached out his other hand to help me stand.
I gladly accepted it, then jumped to my feet, not letting go of Edward. "Very human," I complimented, though it was a low whisper the others on the plane wouldn't hear.
"Thank you," He tried to hold back his laughter with no success.
People stared at us as they walked by us, exiting the plane. I tried to pull out the bags we had stuffed under the seats, struggling with Ellie's. Edward's white arm reached next to mine and pulled out the bag with ease. He threw it over his left shoulder.
"You look so good next to yellow flowers," I teased after looking over Ellie's bag. Edward rolled his eyes, but his lips twitched. Ellie looked at her father, then giggled. The plane filled with her music, more appealing then any other instrument I'd ever heard, well, besides Edward of course.
A motherly looking older woman in the long line of passengers waiting to leave the plane, stopped when she reached our row, allowing us to exit.
"Is she yours?" The women asked, staring after Ellie as Edward walked smoothly down the aisle. I slung the other bag onto my shoulder.
"Yes," I murmured. The women looked captivated.
"She's beautiful." The women told me, looking into my eyes. "But after seeing you two, what do you expect?" She smiled kindly at me.
"Oh." I wasn't expecting that from her. "Why, thank you."
The women nodded, and I walked past the rows of seats, my face was certainly not hiding my shock well. Edward was waiting for me, his face was beaming.
"I heard." His voice was proud. I smiled up at him.
"You look like one happy camper," My voice was light and teasing.
"I feel like one happy camper."
"We're going camping?" Ellie yawned. I burst out laughing, and Edward wasn't far behind.
"Not exactly…" I explained. "We're in Florida."
"Like….Disney, Florida?" She opened her green eyes wide, as if she was praying.
"The same." Edward mumbled. I looked at him curiously, and his thoughts seemed to be elsewhere.
"Okay…." I announced, trying to lighten Edward's mood. "We are heading to….Wait, where are we? I don't even know what airport we landed in."
Edward smiled, but it looked fake and superficial. "We're on the east coast of Florida. In the middle of nowhere, I guess you could say. Our family owns a beach house near here."
I gasped. "Another beach? How many do you have?" I remembered the time Edward had surprised me on the beach the day he had changed me.
Edward looked like he was calculating. "Seven Hundred, sixty-eight beaches, not including timeshares."
"Ha, ha. Very funny." I paused. "You were kidding, right?"
Edward mussed my hair, and I scowled at him. "Only three, Bella. We own another on Cape Cod."
"Okay. Let's head off to Daddy's super humongous and over extravagant castle on the beach. Alright everybody?" I got a giggle out of Ellie, who was still clutching onto Edward's shirt.
Edward beamed even more at the word 'Daddy'. He looked like he was insane…or passing gas. I snorted, and Ellie turned around to face me in Edward's arms.
"Well, let's get a move on, people." She complained. "Onward and upward!" She's been spending way too much time with Emmett.
"Does she seem….older to you?" Edward questioned. I looked at Ellie closely, and he was right. Ellie looked seven or eight now, but she was talking and thinking like an eleven year old.
"Yeah." I agreed.
And Edward dragged me with him and Ellie to the waiting rental car. Another BMW. Those Cullens….And then I realized with a burst of joy that I was a Cullen as well.
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We had been driving in the black car for a little over a half an hour. I had opened the window to let the salty sea air fill my nose as the wind whipped through the car. I held Edward's hand with my left hand, but stuck my other out the window slightly, just to see it sparkle.
The car had been ready for us in the garage, which was good because the sun shone brightly in the clear blue sky, threatening us. The windows of the car were tinted, as per Edward's request.
"Does Ellie sparkle?" I thought out loud. Edward and I both turned to our daughter.
"Ellie, stick your arm out the window quickly please." Edward told her in a sweet voice. She thrust her hand out the open window, and squealed in delight when she saw the sun dancing off her skin.
"Good." I murmured to myself. Edward chuckled.
We drove a little farther, till we came across a dirt road and a sign that read 'No Trespassing'. Edward turned onto the road.
"All violators will be bitten and condemned to three days of fiery hell, then sent off to Alice to be made into a Barbie princess." I added to the sign. Ellie screeched in humor and Edward's deep bellow filled the car.
"We're here," Edward announced. I looked out the window, and gasped when I saw the ocean, crashing against a white sandy beach.
The blue waves sparkled in the sun, and beat down calmly onto the perfect shore. The ocean seemed to go on for an eternity, as well as the beach. The little groups of tropical-like flowers and trees were just enough for my liking, and provided enough comfortable shade.
The house was huge, with a glass window that covered the side of the house that faced the ocean. It was painted a pretty light, light blue that matched the foliage and water perfectly. I deck the size of Charlie's house was jutting out of the ocean-facing side of the beach house, which added to the dream-like effect.
"Oh, Edward!" I wailed as I jumped out of the car. He was suddenly at my side, and pulled me into an embrace. "This is so perfect."
Okay, kind of a crummy place to end, but I have an excellent idea for the next chapter, so I had to end it. Review and I'll post the fifth chapter up faster; Reviews give me inspiration.
