Chapter Four-Baking and Rings
Edward's P.O.V.
I was woken up at ten o'clock by the blaring of 'Barbie Girl' through my IPod dock but couldn't figure out why since I was pretty sure it wasn't on my IPod I turned to change it and instead of my silver IPod I saw Alice's black one. Seconds later as if to confirm the fact that she was in my room the pixie leaped onto my bed and started jumping while pummeling me with pillows.
"Edward, get up right now. We have to get ready for today before everyone gets here." She yelled still jumping on my bed in her P.J.s.
"Alice, get off my bed this instant," I said but before she had time to I tackled her onto the bedspread and started tickling her and beating her with my pillow playfully.
"Kids, what is going on?" I asked Mom walking into the room to see me on top of Alice tickling her to death.
"Nothing Mom, just Alice being Alice!" I said before falling back onto the bed and leaving Alice free to get off.
Mom just walked out of the room shaking her head and after we heard walk down the stairs he both burst out laughing. Alice got up to leave but not before I could ask her something.
"Alice if you are in such a hurry to get things done why are you still in P.J.s?" I asked while getting up and slipping a black wife-beater over my head.
"Oh, we aren't going anywhere we are just getting stuff together around the house, besides everyone is getting picked up in their P.J.s anyways." She said before walking out the door.
Of course why didn't I think of her doing that? She wanted everyone comfortable and the only people who knew why were Mom and Alice herself. I went down stairs to see three places set with glasses of orange juice and on the plates were eggs, sausage, bacon, and toast for each of us. Mom came out of the pantry with strawberry jam and Alice came in out of the living room to eat. We all sat and dug in, when we were done Alice got into her red Nissan Z Roadster to go pick up Rosalie and Jasper while I got into, wait where was my Volvo! I can't believe it Alice traded in my Volvo for a silver 2008 Volvo C70 Convertible T5 with the top down and the keys in the ignition. I called Alice while getting into the car since I knew I probably wouldn't get my way even if I called her.
"Alice" I whined, "Why did you have to trade my car in for this convertible I mean I like it but it's not my Volvo." I complained and I knew she was just smiling away in her car.
"Edward, you're car was old so I got you a new one besides Bella helped me pick it out and Rosalie tricked out the engine to go really fast like you like it. We've been working on it for months and figured now would be the best time to give it to you since your birthday is while we are in Texas." She said and she knew by saying that everyone had helped with it and it was for my birthday that I would cave, and I did.
"OK Alice just next time please don't mess with my car. I'm kind of glad you did this time I really like this car and it means a lot to me that you got everyone to help even though I know you, Mom, and Dad paid for it." I said already backing out of the garage and was surprised to find that the car was so small I could easily flip around and not have to back all the way out of our long narrow driveway.
"Alright Edward, hey I'm at Rose and Jazz's house so I go to help load there stuff alright. Bye," she said and then hung up.
I was already on the Swan's street so I was glad she was the first to hang up otherwise she would be saying goodbye for forever. I honked the horn and then got out of the car to open the trunk for Emmett's luggage since Bella's was in Alice's closet. They came out each towing a giant black suitcase and Emmett was also holding the small bag like mine. I helped them maneuver everything into the trunk and then opened the passenger side door and folded the seat down but Emmett was to fast and had already jumped over the back and into his seat so I fixed the front seat and helped Bella in closing her door behind her. I got in and pealed off towards the highway and we were home right after Alice and everyone else who had swung into the driveway seconds before me.
They all got out of the car but Jasper was the first to comment," Nice Car, Edward, I'm guessing you didn't exactly know about it though." He said unloading his and Rosalie's bags from the trunk with me while Emmett unloaded his bags from my trunk since the girls had gone inside to find Mom and ask her something pertaining to the day's activities.
"No, I didn't know about it but apparently all the girls were in on it and tricked it out in their own little ways." I said after putting the last of Rosalie's bags on the garage floor.
The girls finally came back out to the garage with Mom in tow and everyone grabbed a bag and headed inside. Inevitably though Bella was in front of me yet behind Alice and tripped on the step up into the house causing both Alice and I to drop our bags and race to catch her. We both reached her at the same time while the others watched in shock Alice and I each grabbed a hand of the blushing Bella then Alice let go while I hugged her to my chest trying to contain my laughter like
everyone else. Alice righted the three suitcases that had been sent flying and after righting Bella we continued into the house. Little did Bella know she would be go shopping today sometimes with Alice or Rosalie but always with Mom and either Jasper or Emmett, while I would be with Dad and which ever guy and girl was not with Bella through on part of the shopping then with her and Esme and whoever else for the rest of it.
We walked in to the living room and grouped all the luggage together so Alice could take one of Rosalie's suitcases while Bella and Rosalie each grabbed a remaining one and I grabbed one of Jasper's while he grabbed his other and Dad grabbed one of Emmett's bags while Emmett grabbed the other then Mom grabbed all three 'make-up' bags and we proceeded upstairs where everyone dropped their bags in either Alice's room or continued up the next staircase to drop their bags off in my closet before going downstairs and lounging on the three couches and loveseat. The guys were down first so we each claimed a couch leaving the loveseat for Mom and Dad. I sprawled out along the length of the couch I was on and since the staircase was behind me I didn't see Bella until she was in front of me giving me a look of confusion because I wasn't moving Alice of course was stretched out along Jasper as was Rosalie I on the other hand put Bella's back against the back of the couch and faced her so she was between me and the couch with my arms encircling her waist and her hands on my chest. Mom and Dad came down stairs and sat next to each other on the loveseat across the room from my couch. Alice then sat up on Jasper's chest and announced that everyone was to head to the kitchen where we would start the day's activities. So we all got up in our matching P.J.s, Alice had chosen Plaid pants for the guys mine were dark green, Jasper's were red, Emmett's were light blue, and Dad's were black, for the girls Alice had chosen yoga pants in different colors with a top in the same color that had a design in the girl's other favorite color, Alice's pants were black
and had the same designs in a mini size scattered around them and her black top had a red broken heart with cross bones underneath it, Rosalie's pant's were pink and the top had a light blue cloud with a silver moon and a couple of silver stars scattered on it the pants also had silver stars and moons all over them, Mom's pants were brown and had green leafs on them while the shirt had a blown up leaf on it, Bella's pants were purple and had black bats all over them the shirt had a giant black bat on it that had silver eyes. She had also gotten the guys all black plaid pants and black wife-beaters but Dad insisted on two pairs of black plaid pants for him while the girl had the same pajamas but in the color of the design with the same designs but in the main color of the ones they were wearing now.
We all walked into the kitchen and everyone's jaws dropped besides Alice and Mom's of course. All over the counters were ingredients for brownies and chocolate covered strawberries. Bella, Alice, and Mom were in their comfort zone were as the rest of us were scared out of our minds with thoughts of the task ahead. Bella walked up to the counter and got out eggs and milk and put them in a bowl and started mixing Alice was soon right beside her handing things as she asked for them while Mom started helping Rosalie attempt to make milk and white chocolate covered strawberries. Jasper and I went over to Bella and Alice and got out pans and stuff before I took over Alice's spot giving Bella things and Jasper did the same so Alice could also start a batch Dad and Emmett on the other hand were helping Rose and Mom dip the strawberries in the chocolate while Mom and Rose expertly dipped them in both kinds making a half and half of sorts.
Once everything was done we put the brownies in the oven and the strawberries in the fridge then Alice told everyone to go upstairs guys to my room girls to her room so we could get ready for the shopping we would be doing. Alice followed the guys and I up to my room though and without hesitation started
getting out fits like the ones we wore to the club but instead of dress pants and shoes she chose sneakers and loose fitting light wash or dark wash jeans. She handed Jazz and I the light washed jeans and left the dark wash for Emmett and Dad to pull off with the same tops as from the club. Alice then left the room so we could change and probably so she could begin to 'torture' the girls by doing hair, make-up, and picking out their outfits.
Alice's P.O.V.
I finished picking out the guys outfits and headed downstairs to my second-story bedroom to pick out the outfits for the girls and me. I was planning on putting us all in black pleated mini-skirts with different colored tops with black vests over them and then big beaded necklaces and fishnet sleeves in the color of our tops with black flip-flops. I entered my room and decided it was perfect so I walked straight to my closet and pulled out the outfits while I thought about what to do with everyone's hair. I came out with the clothes and handed each of the girls their outfits Rosalie had gotten a hot pink top, necklace, and sleeves, Mom had gotten electric blue, Bella had gotten purple, and I had gotten red, of course. We started changing and by the time we were done I knew what to do with everyone's hair, I would straighten all their hair and since they all had swooped bangs leave the bangs hanging in their eyes and put silk black wrap headbands in their hair while I would spike my hair and put in the headband as well.
We were finally ready and headed down the hall towards the stairs but to our surprise the guys were only just coming down the stairs from Edward's room so we decided to wait for our men. The guys came and as one let out low whistles before heading towards their girl, but since we had our backs to the stairs that led to the first floor and the guys were coming down the stairs at the end of the hallway I counted to three and all four of us tore off down the stairs followed closely by the
guys. I grabbed Bella's elbow to help her keep her balance and sure enough we made it all the way to the garage and into my car without her tripping once, in flip-flops of all shoes, we'll have to try this in heels sometime. The guys hit the garage seconds after we had closed the doors and I had started the engine leaving all four guys to go in Edward's Volvo to Port Angelas. When we pulled out of the driveway Bella hooked her IPod up to the adapter since she was riding shotgun and put our theme song on it was 'I Kissed a Girl' by Katy Perry that was then followed by Buckcherry's 'Crazy' then the guys theme song Justin Timberlake's 'Sexy Back'. Before we knew it the guys were helping us out of the car and we were walking into the mall.
Edward had decided to go first so after a bye to Bella Rose and I pulled Him and Dad along while Mom and Bella stayed with Emmett and Jasper who knew what we were doing. When we picked out the perfect ring we would be meeting back up with everyone then Emmett was taking Bella, Carlisle, and I to go look for Rose a ring.
Emmett's P.O.V.
After Edward and everyone else left we sat on a bench trying to decide what to do with the hour Alice said it would take for Edward to find an engagement ring. We finally decide to run into some music stores and of course Hot Topic for Bella and Jasper. We walked in and I instantly liked the store, I had never gone in it because Rosalie didn't like it so we would always go somewhere else. Jasper and I took off for the guy's side while Esme and Bells went to their side to look around. We finally all picked out what we wanted and met at the cashier's counter to pay. Bella and Esme had gotten outfits that looked matching and after calling Alice for sizes had apparently picked out another two matching ones for Rose and Alice. Jasper was getting a Panic at the Disco shirt and CD and I
was getting a jacket with the symbol for the 'Dark Knight' on it. We paid then left and headed for the food court where we could see the others waiting in line for pizza. We went to join them and after getting our food stretched out at a table and showed everyone our finds. Esme had paid for CDs for us since in FYE we had each found a CD Bella's was Hawk Nelson, Esme's was My Chemical Romance, Jasper's was Disciple, and mine was the soundtrack from 'XXX'. Bells and Esme then showed the girls the outfits they had found before Jasper swept Rosalie, Esme and Carlisle away to pick out Alice's ring.
Edward's P.O.V.
After Jasper had swept everyone he needed off Alice decided to drag us all down stairs and through all her and Bella's favorite stores which consisted of; Charollette Russe, Wet Seal, Clair's, Hot Topic again, and Victoria's Secrets much to Bella's horror and for this store Alice made Emmett and I wait outside. While they were inside the store Emmett decided to give me the big brother speech about me asking Bella to marry me, it went like this:
"So Edward you're planning on marrying my little sister. Mighty brave of you since you know you have both Charlie and I to answer to if you ever hurt her." Emmett started while settling on a bench to wait.
I sat down next to him before replying, "Yes I do intend on making Bella my bride and yes I know I will have you to answer to if I hurt her though I have no idea why I would hurt her."
To this Emmett made no reply but shot out a question, "Why didn't you tell her before Edward, why wait until we started high school when everyone knew you guys liked each other before asking her out?"
"Apparently it wasn't clear enough for me to see that she liked me Emmett like you knew with Rosalie. If I had known before we would have been going out a lot sooner but I didn't even though Alice kept insisting she liked me I was always skeptical as to why a girl like her could like me. Yes I know we have known each other for years and I have always painfully watched her go through a relationship with someone else while I dated like I didn't care even tough it hurt me deep. Yes I was always there to comfort her after a good relationship ended badly or she had gotten herself into a situation she was uncomfortable with, but I never realized why she came to me I thought it was because we were so close not because she felt safe when I was near." I said making Emmett speechless for a moment before he replied.
"Edward how did you not know that because you were dating she felt she didn't have a chance so she dated to try and forget about her feelings for you and to show that she didn't care when on the inside she really did. She didn't come to you just because she felt safe with you, she came to you because you were the only person that could understand her, and even Alice and I were lost when it came to that one relationship with Matt we didn't even know what he was doing to her. You were the only one she trusted enough to tell the only one she knew wouldn't overreact as much as the rest of us because you knew that by overreacting it would scare her and next time she might not tell anyone." Emmett said after collecting his thoughts but added, "Edward you don't know what she went through seeing you with other girls that she thought were prettier or more popular because she thought she wasn't good enough but now look at you guys, you're about to propose and you guys are what they talk about in movies when they say true love, soul mates, and things like that you complete each other like Rose completes me and Alice completes Jasper. You were meant for each other." Emmett said just in time for Alice and Bella to walk out carrying four bags each.
"So did you guys have fun while waiting for us?" Alice ventured while helping Bella shift her bags around so she could place them on the bench next to the one Emmett and I had been sitting on.
"Loads of fun Ali," I said knowing she hated it when I used that nickname and sure enough she stuck out her tongue at me and I gave my best wounded look to which she just rolled her eyes.
"Yea we did, how about you guys?" Emmett said scooting over so Alice could sit on the bench while I pulled Bella into my lap.
"Oh we just picked out a few things for us and the other girls for the trip, I didn't know Bella had such a sense of style until I gave her free rein of her outfit, I guess I've just rubbed off on her." Alice said gratefully taking a seat on the bench.
Bella settled into my lap and put her head on my shoulder while letting out a sigh of contentment. We sat on the bench for about 15 minutes before Alice got out her phone to check the time and realized we had about three minutes to get to the Baskin Robbins on the other side of the mall to meet the others and get some ice cream. We shot up and grabbed most of the bags but left the Victoria's Secret bags for the girls to carry. We practically ran to the other side of the mall and made it right as Jasper was about to call to see where we were. Everyone then got in line for ice cream and after we got it all we sat down and ate talking amongst ourselves but when Rosalie asked what the girls had found everyone's ears perked up just to hear Alice say something about it being a surprise which caused all the guys to sigh in exasperation. About ten minutes later Emmett got up and took Alice, Mom, and Dad with him to find his ring leaving Bella, Rosalie, Jasper and I. We talked for a while before deciding to call the others and ask if we could meet them at Dave & Busters for dinner while we went into a few department stores
and the always dreaded Hollister, American Eagle, and Ambercrombie and Fitch for Rosalie. The hour was almost up so we took the last ten minutes to walk slowly over to Dave and Busters to meet the others. Everyone was finally together and we went inside and sat down to order before taking off and playing a bunch of games. We met at the table 30 minutes later to get a drink when our food arrived so after tucking into that we played a few more games then headed out to the cars with all our bags.
Bella, Mom, and Dad all climbed into my car and after much insisting from Mom and Bella we had the top down and were flying down the highway towards home. When we arrived the girls took all their bags upstairs and then came back down in their swimsuits after Alice told us to get ours on as well we ran upstairs to change and in a few minutes were heading outside with towels towards the huge pool in our backyard. Rose insisted on not getting wet so she went to sit out on one of the layout chairs on the patio. Emmett followed begging her to come get in the water but she refused so he left her alone. Bella and I piled our towels at the foot of one layout chair but she had to sit down for a second to take her hair down from the bun she had put it in in the car. She shook her hair out then stood giving me a smile before slipping off the board shorts Alice had bought her as a sort of cover up. After she took them off she gave me a mischievous smile then took off for the diving board on the other side of the pool she was on the diving board and about to jump and I was still in the same spot but when she ran down the length of the diving board I ran and jumped off the side of the pool so we landed in the pool at the same time. There was a huge splash because Rosalie got wet. Alice met Bella and I when we came up and splashed us before diving under and swimming away with Bella and I close on her heels.
We finally caught her by the steps where Jasper was sitting talking to Emmett and Rosalie who Em had thrown into the pool with help from Jasper.
Alice immediately climbed behind a very surprised Jasper to use him as a human shield. That didn't stop Bella though she crept around her brother and to the back of Jasper to pick Alice up from behind and brought her around to me. I took her to the deep end where I threw her in. Alice came up spluttering and swam towards me yelling about why I had to do that to her, both Bella and I were sitting on the side of the pool leaning against each other because we were laughing so hard. Everyone was wondering what she had done to deserve getting thrown into the pool so when Bella and I caught our breath we explained and by the time we were done we had everyone laughing but Alice who was sitting in Jasper lap pouting.
The night went on like this just playful banter between family and friends. Mom and Dad got into the pool after getting sodas and chips and salsa out and after Mom had turned on the pool lights. We swam for about an hour before Mom got out and went into the pool shed and brought out a container consisting of…
Hey guys I know MAJOR cliffie but you'll get over it because you love me and I'll update in the next two - four days. Please review and state opinions about engagment rings for the girls and what the outfits should look like because I haven't exactely thought that far.