I would just like apologize for the cliffhangers. It's hard to resist.
Disclaimer: Nothing is mine. Thanks.
I looked around the living room- utterly confused. To my surprise, Rosalie was the first to speak.
"Edward, do you know what today is?" She stared me down. I had no clue. "June 20," she answered her own question.
It seemed hardly possible, but it was. I hadn't had a birthday thrown for me since I was human. And that was because I didn't see the point in it, when I already had everything I ever wanted or needed. We had an unlimited source of money, and I had the girl of my dreams. To celebrate my birthday seemed utterly useless.
"Well, come on down. Let's open some of your presents. Everyone got you just one," Esme cooed. She guided everyone to the room. I was the last to leave the room.
"Come on, it can't be that bad," Bella said, trying to comfort me. I knew, that in some way she wanted me to know how it was for her on her birthday- before the accident. I put my hand on the small of her back, and sat down on a love seat with her and a pile of presents.
"Open Carlisle's first," Alice said. She pushed his gift forward. I unwrapped the large square clothes box. There seemed to be an endless supply of tissue paper, but packed neatly under it all was a picture frame. I turned it right side up and couldn't help but smile. It was a picture taken in the 60's, the seven of us standing outside our then house. Nothing had changed since then, not like it could, except the clothes.
"Thank you, Carlisle," I said. He gave me a nod in response.
Esme walked forward. "Here," she said, taking what appeared to be her gift, and handed it to me. It was in a bow similar to Carlisle's. Inside was a group of DVDs. "It is hard to shop for you," Esme shrugged.
"They are still good," I said with confidence. "Thank you."
"Go on, Emmett," Rosalie said. She gave us both a smile. Emmett stood up and walked over to us.
"It may not be much, but I hope you like it," he said. He gave us a outrageously large box that looked big enough to fit a refrigerator in. When I opened it, it nearly exploded with Styrofoam peanuts. I dug out handfuls of them, until a reached a long envelope. Inside, were two envelopes to London.
"Thank you," I said, "But why London?"
"Simple, it is rainy and depressing," Rosalie said with a laugh. In as far as I remember, it was the first time she ever laughed in front of Bella. I felt her stiffen at my side. "No offense."
"Well, thanks again."
Alice came forward, and handed the most reasonably sized box. "To a great brother, from a loving sister and brother." I smiled my gratitude. I opened the box, wasting no time, and inside was a DVD.
"It is a collage of snap shots throughout the years," Jasper said. It was one of the most unique gifts ever given. It was wonderful.
"Thank you." I looked at the last gift from the pile.
Bella leaned forward, took the gift, and handed it to me. "Happy birthday, Edward." I opened up, to see a CD case with, presumably, a CD inside. It was titled 'Mix', and had a picture of us taken last summer. On the back were a list of some of my and hers favorite songs.
I leaned over and gave her a hug. "Thank you, dear." I gave her a kiss on the head. I set the CD down on where the pile was, and leaned back.
"Again, thank you guys," I said. "Should we watch the slide show?"
Alice came up to me. "Yes, and I will put it in. Bella's CD is the music that goes along with it." She smiled and said, "Let's all go to the movie room." She took my DVD and Bella's CD, and we all followed her to the room on the second story.
Bella wasn't familiar with the room, just because typically we were in my room. It was very similar though. It had 2 rows of 4 theater seats, with a projector behind them. The seats faced a large white screen. To both the left and right, there was row upon row of movies. I had organized them the same way as in my room.
As everyone took their seats, I guided Bella to the one that was empty for so long next to mine. Alice had already set up the music and movie, so we all just sat back and watched. It was in chronological order, starting in the 1930's. It was amazing to watch, just how it appeared everything around us kept changing, but we never did. I mean, I know it did- I have always known. I am so glad Edward has started to look especially happier, was what Esme was thinking. And, I could see it. I leaned over and put my arm around Bella.
"Thank you so much, from everyone." I think she knew what she did to me, but never actually saw what I was like before her. It was because ever since the moment I laid eyes on her, I knew she was different.
I knew she was the one for me.