All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
The characters and events in this story are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author. No part of this fiction may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the author's prior approval.
PSA:
I've had several reviews in the last chapter that have brought this to my attention: this website is called Fanfiction. I'll say that again…Fanfiction. Fan, as in fandoms, and fiction, as in unreal. Teachers and students don't fall in love like this – maybe once every twenty years. And people don't get into dramatic accidents every two weeks. Both of those factors are what makes this FICTIONAL. Therefore, if you don't like how unrealistic it is, you can go a) read the actual Twilight Saga because you don't like anything that gets away from that plot. Or, b) you can find fan-non-fiction, because I'm sure it exists and I'm sure it'll fit what you're looking for. End of rant.
That is all. Please, read on.
Chapter 7
Famous Last Words.
"You look like you got hit by a bus." Renee chuckled as I dragged my exhausted body into the kitchen the next morning. She was seated at the island, the one that I hid behind a few nights before, and was picking away at a fruit salad.
"I'm sure I do." I muttered, walking to the fridge and yanking it open. The cool air hit me like a ton of bricks, making my eyes burn, but I continued to take my time finding a yogurt and juice anyway.
"You don't have to be grouchy." She muttered, nibbling on a piece of banana. I narrowed my eyes at her but chose not to comment back. I wasn't sure I could handle it or control my words. I knew that it wouldn't take much more than a nudge from her for me to attack, full-force.
"Good morning, Isabella." Phil walked in, already dressed for the day, in a t-shirt and dark-wash jeans. He was going to leave for work. "You should probably try to keep it down at night. You may not worry about those bags under your eyes, but Renee and I care about ours."
"I was having a nightmare…" I scoffed at him. I couldn't believe how ignorant he was.
"Well, if you want us home on Thanksgiving then you need to let us get our sleep. How else am I supposed to keep up with work?" He asked me, being completely serious. His eyes didn't once leave mine, making me want to bruise one of them. It wasn't as though I wanted them there for Thanksgiving anyway. I wanted to go to Charlie's. He interrupted my thoughts, speaking to me as if my silence meant agreement. "I'm glad you understand."
"I don't really." I narrowed my eyes again but he ignored me and took my juice.
"You shouldn't be rude like that." My mother scolded me as I scooped my yogurt into a bowl. I didn't acknowledge her. I didn't feel like sitting through another one-sided argument. She, unsurprisingly, didn't notice my ignorance. "Phil and I are being very kind letting you live here and paying for your education…you should treat us like it."
"Letting me live with you?" I laughed, my voice shooting up an octave. She just stared blankly at me, my words not registering with her shallow brain. "You're forcing me to live here, so that you guys can keep one of your fancy titles! I would love to live with Charlie and go to Forks! I hate it here!"
"You're being overdramatic. Go get dressed. You can't sit around dressed like that all day." She waived her hand as if to shoo me away.
I left, wondering if she truly saw me as nothing more than a little pet of hers. I was fairly certain that, if she had one, the pet would get treated better. My mind was racing as I stormed out, my face burning with anger. Even when I told her what I thought, she wasn't actually listening enough to argue properly. It was utterly pointless. I made sure to slam my door a bit when I went into my room to hide out for the day.
I ended up spending the entire day in my room. I talked on the phone for a while, once with Edward and once with my father, and watched several movies. After sitting through each Harry Potter movie, I realized just how horribly unproductive I was being. I didn't want to prove to my mother that she could overpower me by ignoring me…I wanted to fight back and I wanted to show her up. I slid out of my bed, where I had sunken so far into the mattress that I feared I was going to turn into it, and quickly changed into a fresh set of pajamas.
I wasn't surprised when I walked into the living room and found Phil and Renee with a bottle of Vodka on the table. Neither of them were really drunk, but they were definitely tipsy. I walked in and stood where I was blocking the TV, an idea in mind. I knew exactly what I needed to do to prove my independence. Their dilated eyes fixated on me, both of them barely even seeing me. It was the perfect opportunity for me.
"You're in the way." Renee stated and I raised my eyebrows.
"I'm going to make Thanksgiving dinner this year." I announced and her brow came together, her eyes rolling around lazily before landing on me again.
"If you think so…" She slurred and I rolled my eyes at her.
"I'm serious. I'm making dinner this year…for the three of us."
"Whatever. Just get the hell out of the way." Phil hissed and I sighed, walking out.
The next day, I didn't stop to bid them good morning as I got ready to go shopping. I was going to go buy all of the foods that I would need to make dinner on Thanksgiving, which was the next day. I cancelled with the usual woman that Renee had cook, on my own, and began making a shopping list the night before. I was going to go all out and make it the best dinner they'd ever eaten. Then they would know just what they were doing wrong. They would understand why I wanted to be a chef and why it made me so happy.
My plan was fool-proof.
I went and got in the car and drove to the nearest Target. I would have gone to Walmart, but not as many people went shopping at Target. It was easier to get around and get things done without the crowd. I was almost looking forward to the time alone and out of my creepy house. I was relieved when I walked into the cool store and was surrounded by open air and aisles.
The first thing I did was grabbed a cart. The store was empty enough that I could take my time and find one that wasn't squeaky or heavy. I set my purse in the top thing and slowly made my way to the first aisle – the wheat aisle. I stopped and grabbed what I needed. I was going to make stuffing and rolls for sure. I needed flour and some other things for the deserts I planned on baking. I smiled as I pushed the basket towards the canned foods.
As I turned the corner, the wheel on my kart caught on the floor and I suddenly turned towards the shelf. I knocked several cans off and onto the floor, where they rolled away.
"Seriously?" I hissed, backing up and allowing more to hit the floor with a loud clatter.
"It's just not your weekend, huh?" A familiar voice asked. I turned around and was surprised to find Esme Cullen standing behind me. She was dressed in a green, knee-length dress and matching heels. Her hair was pulled back into a soft half-ponytail, her red-brown curls cascading around her heart-shaped face, framing it nicely. I smiled awkwardly, feeling out of place in my jeans and blue v-neck, long-sleeved t-shirt.
"Not really…" I frowned. "I'm happy to cook for Renee and Phil…but you know…I'd rather be at Dad's or something."
"You're cooking the meal? Renee isn't even helping?" She looked shocked. I wasn't the least bit shocked. I was actually just shocked that she was allowing me to cook and not just ordering take-out. That was her usual tradition.
"No. We usually don't even cook anything, but rather Renee orders from her favorite restaurant…which is usually Thai food." I cringed at the thought. I wasn't a huge fan of the food. It was a bit too spicy for me. Especially on Thanksgiving.
"That's…just…" She shook her head, seemingly unable to find the words. She didn't have to speak for me to understand.
"Don't worry about it. She's letting me cook this year, which is progress." I explained my reasoning.
"You're such a good girl." She patted my cheek appraisingly, her eyes showing a certain amount of impatience. I picked up two of the cans that I had knocked off.
"You're really the only person who thinks so." I retorted, continuing to pick up my mess. Esme followed my lead, gently returning the canned goods to their place on the shelves.
"I wish I could invite you to my house for the holiday." She sighed softly, watching as I put one of the last cans into my own cart. "You should be treated to the greatest feast, not forced to cook for your ungrateful parents."
"You are too kind. It's the thought that counts." I reminded her and she smiled, holding her arms open. I hugged her and then leaned back against my cart, wanting nothing more than to spend Thanksgiving with my second family, the Cullens.
"I need to get going." She frowned at her watch, seeming genuinely upset to leave. Her green eyes lifted and focused on me, a certain sadness hiding behind them. I forced a smile, hoping to ease her worries and let her go. "Promise you'll call if you need any help or anything at all, really."
"Absolutely." I held my arms open and she smiled softly, walking over and hugging me.
"Text my son, please. He was pacing around the house looking for something to do when I left." She laughed and I couldn't help but laugh too. Edward was as lonely as I was. That shouldn't have made me as happy as it did. "I think he stayed up all night too…his eyes looked sleepy."
"I'll tell him to take a nap." I told her, hiding the fact that I was the one who kept him up. I felt a little bit bad for that part, but I had felt much worse when I first awoke from my nightmare. "If he doesn't listen, please bother him about it. He's too stubborn sometimes."
"Absolutely." She repeated my words from earlier and I laughed. After an awkward beat of silence, she turned to walk away, leaving me alone in the canned-goods aisle.
When my shopping trip was finished, the cart was filled to the brim with food. It took a good hour checking out and paying for all four-hundred dollars' worth of it. The lady at the register gave me funny looks the entire time I passed through, her eyes extremely wary of the teenager with a scarred forehead and bruised knuckles. I ignored how pitiful I probably appeared and got out of there as quickly as I could.
When I got home, I put everything away on my own. Renee and Phil's car wasn't in the garage, indicating that they had left. As I crossed things off of my shopping list, seated at the island in the kitchen, my phone lit up and Edward's name flashed across the screen. Famous Last Words by My Chemical Romance blared through the room before I picked it up, answering curiously.
"Hey baby, Mom just got back and said she saw you at the store!" Edward told me and I smiled. He called me baby.
"Yeah, we talked for a few minutes. I guess we were both doing some last minute shopping for the holiday." I told him and he chuckled. "I needed so much stuff. It took me an hour to put it all up."
"You carried the groceries in on your own?" He asked, sounding shocked.
"Well, it's not like the maid's going to do it." I spoke sarcastically. He knew that I didn't have a maid. "And they fired Quil."
"Damn right they did. Dumbass nearly let you drown and caught your apartment on fire." He hissed and I smiled. He was so over-protective. He couldn't help himself. He then continued. "What I meant, anyway, was that my mom had this deal where if Dad and I carried the bags in, she would put them away and cook the meals."
"Oh, well…Renee and Phil aren't home and they've never believed in that. I don't think my mom has lifted a grocery sack in her life."
"Oy." Edward spoke and I agreed.
"Oy indeed." I had everything crossed off of the list and tossed it into the trash. "Now I get to begin prepping for the feast tomorrow. Renee and Phil are eating here."
"Oh?"
"They've never eaten my food." I explained and he gasped. I laughed at him. "I know…I'll make sure to save the leftovers for you. I'm sure there'll be plenty. Wouldn't want to interfere with my mother's girlish figure. And Phil's for that matter."
"Your family is ridiculous. Come live with me." Edward kidded and I smiled. I truly wished I could.
"You wish, lover boy." I told him, walking back to my bedroom. When I walked in, I remembered Esme saying that Edward had been exhausted and anxious earlier in the day. I plopped down on my bed then. "Edward, are you tired?"
"Kind of. I bet you are, after the nightmares you had."
"Your mom said you were exhausted earlier. That you needed a nap. Did you take one?"
"I don't need one. I'll sleep later." He retorted instantly and I narrowed my eyes.
"Edward, if you're tired then you need to rest. Don't be silly."
"Are you going to take a nap?" He asked me, making me roll my eyes.
"I don't think I could fall asleep in this house alone." I whispered, looking out the window. Charlie had already fixed the lock on my door, apparently while I was at the store. I had just missed him. I still didn't feel comfortable in there.
"You're afraid?" He asked and I didn't answer. He made it sounds stupid. I listened as he let out a soft sigh at the other end of the line. "You know, if you're just not ready to sleep alone…you could come over. I mean, it would be rude of me to just leave you on your own…exhausted."
"Edward, that would be so obvious."
"Not really. Esme told me you looked outright exhausted when she ran into you. She said you were dead on your feet. Come over. Carlisle is working extra, he won't be here to badger you, and Esme loves it when you're around." He convinced me, his soothing voice convincing me without the words. I missed being with him. I missed him.
"Okay…I'll be over then." I stood and grabbed my purse. I was still in my sweats and a t-shirt. Not that I cared – I was going over to take a nap.
"Good. Don't talk on the phone and drive. I'll see you soon."
"See you then." I told him and the line went dead. I sighed to myself. "I love you."
I drove rather quickly, going more than ten miles above the speed limit, all the way to Forks. I avoided Main Street, where Charlie lived, and drove straight to the Cullen's home. When I got there, Edward was waiting at the door, like a child waiting for their parents at the end of the day, and raced out to meet me when I got to the steps of their porch. I giggled softly when he lifted me up and twirled me around, wrapping his arms tightly around me. I held him close, savoring in the moment.
"I'm so happy to see you." He breathed into my neck and I nodded, unable to speak.
He set me down but kept me held up against him. I listened as he explained that Esme was up in her office and that she couldn't see us. With a grin. I leaned up onto my toes and kissed him warmly. I had missed his touch and his kisses. He responded just as eagerly, but I could feel the exhaustion behind his lips. He was being extra slow and seemed to sway on his feet.
"Let's go lay down." I breathed and he nodded, winking at me before separating and leading me into his house.
"Mom, Bella's here." Edward announced and Esme appeared at the top of the stairs a few moments later, her eyes worried.
"Is everything okay?"
"I'm letting her take a nap. She's still nervous about sleeping at her house alone. Renee and Phil will be gone until late."
"Of course. Stay as long as you need, dear." Esme smiled, making me feel completely welcome. I thanked her, following her son to the living room.
"I figured we'd put on a movie and lay in here. My room at this house doesn't have a TV – they moved it to the guest room." He explained, flipping the TV to The Little Mermaid. I quirked my eyebrow at him and he shrugged at me, plopping onto the couch and scooting so that there was room for me. "I figured it's quiet and relaxing. I know you like this movie anyway."
"That doesn't mean that you have to watch it." I sighed as I lay down next to him and pulled the blanket over us. The couch was actually fairly large, and we could have separated a few inches, but we scooted as close as possible anyway. It was almost awkward, the way that we were wrapped around each other. I was too sleepy to really care.
"I want to…actually…I want to watch you." He tapped his finger on my nose, his green eyes smoldering. I smiled and ducked my head so that my face pressed into his chest.
"You do that. I'm going to sleep." I muttered and he laughed, resting his chin on the top of my head.
"Goodnight baby." He whispered, making me feel even better. I reached out and began softly rubbing his back, hoping to get him to relax a bit. He was completely tense and wide awake. He was never going to get to sleep if he stayed so riled up. He seemed to meld into my arms then, his tense body slowly relaxing and calming down. I was happy to make him feel better. He hummed. "Thank you."
"Shh. Just go to sleep." I shushed him and he laughed a bit, but did as I said and let his eyes flutter closed.
When I opened my eyes, it was dark in the living room, all of the lamps and the flat screen were shut off. Edward was still snoring softly in my arms, his face completely serene in the light of the moon. I ran my palm over his face, letting my thumb brush along his lower eyelid. I sighed happily and scooted up so that I could press my lips to his forehead. His eyes peeled open then and looked around in a daze before focusing in on me, in the darkness.
"Hey." He grinned goofily and I ran my fingers through his hair.
"We slept all evening." I stated the obvious.
"I know." He whispered, letting out a soft sigh. "Do you need to go home?"
"Not really. I should…but it's late. I think. What time is it?"
Edward pushed me a bit so that I was lying flat on my back. He then proceeded to lean over me, his warm body pressing comfortably against every inch of mine as he lifted his phone from the coffee table. I waited patiently as he fiddled with it, probably checking his messages and stuff too, before pulling back so that he was leaning over me. I smiled up at him, waiting on an answer as he got himself situated. He was making himself comfortable…on top of me.
"It's after three." He told me and I nodded.
"I'm not going home then." I told him and he nodded knowingly. Suddenly, before I could ask what he was doing, Edward grabbed me and rolled us over so that I was laying on top of him. He grinned cheekily as I situated myself on top of him. "Someone is awful touchy tonight."
"Nah, I just like being close to you." He wrapped his arms even tighter around me and placed light kisses along my collarbone and neck.
"I like being close to you as well." I murmured, grabbing at and tugging lightly on his hair.
Edward kissed my collar one, up my shoulder and neck, along my jaw and towards my lips. He made the circuit three times before actually touching my lips. I kissed him back then, letting my senses fill with Edward. He spread my lips with his and his soft tongue slowly trace my lips. I pulled his bottom lip and sucked on it lightly before letting my own tongue slip into his mouth. He moaned very quietly, so quietly that I almost did hear him, but I did feel him.
I also felt his hands slide up my sides, his fingers grazing along the skin that was exposed between my pants and my shorts. I squeezed his hips, making him laugh a bit. I pinched a bit higher up then, on his sides, and he let out a real laugh. A giggle erupted from me at the knowledge that I had found his ticklish spot. He grabbed my wrists and pulled them up so that they rested against my chest, preventing me from tickling him any more than I already had.
I leaned in and kissed him on the nose, making him grin back at me.
"We should get back to sleep." He whispered lightly and I narrowed my eyes at him.
"I don't want to sleep now!"
"But you have to make dinner in the morning." He laughed at how silly his own words were. He was right though. I was going to have to sneak back into my house and get everything ready to cook later. I frowned and leaned in to kiss him one more time.
"Fine. We can continue this later." I grumbled and let my head drop so that it rested against his chest.
"Just sleep, beautiful girl. We'll have all the time in the world in a few months." He rubbed my back softly and I quickly succumbed to the sleepiness that I didn't know existed.
When I woke up again, it was bright in the room. The sunlight was shining in and reflecting brightly off of all of their white furniture and walls. I blinked a few times, attempting to wake myself up a bit more before attempting to sit up. It was only an attempt due to the fact that Edward was sound asleep beneath me and his arms were locked around me, holding me in place.
"Good morning, Bella." Esme spoke, making me jump. I looked up to find her doing laundry in the chair across from us.
"G-good morning." I felt my face grow hot as I realized how compromising our position was.
"How was your sleep?" She asked me and I sighed. There was no point in avoiding the obvious. Esme wasn't stupid and she had probably been sitting there a while.
"Um…nice." I murmured, trying not to let how awkward I felt show.
"You seemed rather comfortable."
"Edward…helps me feel comfortable." I spoke slowly, telling her the truth. "Ever since the other night…sleeping alone has been tough."
"Oh, trust me, I know." Esme nodded, her eyes widening. "I wasn't reprimanding you. I literally just thought you looked rather comfortable. That's why I didn't wake you up earlier."
"Oh!" I gasped, reaching over to grab Edward's phone. I unlocked it and looked at the time, swearing under my breath when I realized that it was after eight in the morning. I wasn't going to have time to begin cooking if I stayed there much longer. "I need to go!"
"Are you sure?"
"If I want to eat Thanksgiving food on Thanksgiving then yes." I grabbed Edward's arms and pulled on them, trying to loosen his grip on me. He didn't budge, causing me to let out an annoyed huff. I loved being in his arms but I needed to get on with my day.
"Bella…if I ask you a question…will you be honest with me?" Esme asked me and I frowned.
"I don't see why not." I shrugged, letting go of Edward for a moment.
"Are you and Edward in a relationship?" She asked, setting the laundry she was folding to the side. Her green eyes were soft but curious and I couldn't lie to her. It wasn't possible.
"Esme…" I sighed, letting my eyes close. "You can't tell anyone. We haven't even gone on a real date. If things got out but didn't work out…"
"I'm sure they'll work out just fine…and I simply needed to know. Carlisle may or may not have gotten home early this morning and walked in on a make out session…"
"Crap, I'm so sorry!" I apologized, feeling utterly embarrassed. "I had no idea."
"It's fine. He chose not to interrupt…he said that you guys were laughing but kissing…probably sounds a bit creepy coming from me, eh?" She laughed and I only blushed even more furiously. "Don't worry…we won't tell anyone. I'm just happy to see the two of you happy."
"Okay…" I felt relief flood through my body. "You know…it's kind of a relief to have you know." I informed Esme and she cocked her head to the side. "I mean, it's not such a balled up secret anymore. It's also relieving to know that you support us. Not everyone is going to be thrilled if this ever gets out."
"The town can hang for all I care." She whispered, anger flaring up in her green eyes. "What's important here is the two of you. There's only four years between you – I'd hardly consider that a crime."
"Thank you." I nodded once. Edward shifted under me then. His long arms let go of me and reached up above his head. He let out a squeak as he stretched all of his muscles, making me giggle a bit. The sound of my laugh made him open his eyes. They were wide as they looked around and zeroed in on me. I probably looked like a mess with my bedhead and smudged makeup. The smile that slowly spread across his lips prevented me from caring.
"Good morning, sunshine." I greeted him and he laughed softly.
"This is nice." He stated and I brushed my fingers along his jawline.
"It is."
"You look oddly beautiful in the morning…I can't wait to be able to wake up next to you every morning." He spoke so softly that I almost couldn't make out his words. We both heard Esme gasp beside us, only this shocked Edward so much that he bounced up, leaning on his elbows and forcing me to sit up in his lap. Esme just stared at us, her eyes wide with happiness. "Shit! Mom!"
"Shh, calm down. Carlisle and I know."
"You do?" His eyes narrowed. He was completely skeptical of her.
"Carlisle got home around three, Edward." I explained knowing that he'd know what I was telling him. "He saw everything and now your mom knows too. They're okay with it though."
"Oh." His eyes were far off, flitting around as though he were doing a hard math equation in his head. I let the thought process before smiling when his crooked grin reappeared. "Well, that's good I guess."
"It is." I repeated myself and he nodded then.
"Of course it's good. We can now be ourselves around my mom and dad."
"Exactly." I tapped his nose with my index finger before rising to my feet. "I wish I could hang out here all day, but I promised to make dinner for Renee and Phil. I need to get on top of that."
"If your car wasn't here already, I'd offer to drive you home." He took my hand and squeezed it. I nodded knowingly. It was the thought that counted, in the end.
"Thank you guys for letting me sleep over. I feel much more refreshed than I have in a while." I brushed my fingers through my hair before pulling it into a messy ponytail. I picked my keys and phone up from the coffee table and walked over to slip my shoes on. "I'll call you later, Edward, after dinner. I want to know how your evening will be."
"Of course." He stood and walked over to me. I blushed when he pressed his lips to my forehead. The new amount of PDA in front of his parents was going to take some getting used to. Especially with somebody as verbose as Esme. She wasn't afraid to hide her reaction to any situations or moments. It was endearing while at the same time a bit embarrassing. I loved that about her.
"Don't I get a hug?" Esme pouted jokingly and I laughed, walked over, and hugged her gently. She pressed her lips to my temple in a motherly way, making me smile. "Have a good Thanksgiving, dear. Enjoy your food."
"I'll try. Thank you." I walked to the door with her son. "Happy Thanksgiving guys."
When I got home, Renee and Phil's cars were in but they were upstairs and still in bed. I rushed to my room to get dressed and showered. When I came out, I went to the kitchen, plugged my phone in, and began preparing all of the food. I had a lot to do in order for the meal to be complete perfection. I was aiming high for my first feast, but I knew that I had time to do it right.
About fifteen minutes into cutting up stale bread for the stuffing, I glanced at the clock over the oven. It was after eleven and the sound of Renee and Phil walking around upstairs was becoming consistent. I heard them practically stomping down the stairs and through the living room before I saw them. Renee was laughing loudly at something that Phil had said to her while they were still upstairs. I didn't want to know what their deal was.
"What are you doing?" Renee asked, eyeing the bowl of crushed bread.
"I'm getting ready for dinner. Remember? I'm cooking tonight."
"Right…Phil and I won't be home until six, so you should try and finish around then." She answered calmly, surprising me. It wasn't normal for her to just go along with something I said. I had expected her to argue or give me a hard time about wanting to be a chef. She didn't say another word as she walked out and went to grab her shoes and coat. They were both already dressed up and ready to go out. I shook my head but continued cooking.
"Bye guys." I called as the door slammed shut. They were ridiculous.
I was stuffing the turkey when I heard someone knocking on the door. My entire body stiffened and I quickly removed the stuffing-covered gloves that I had been wearing and stuffed my phone into my pocket. I lifted the knife that I had been using to cut things and quietly walked towards the door. I didn't know who was there, nor was I expecting somebody, and I wasn't really taking any chances.
I glanced out but couldn't see past weird, stained-glass window. Instead of going around and looking, I unlocked it and yanked the door open with my knife in a defensive position. I let out a scream when I found myself standing directly across from Edward. He shouted and jumped back, holding his hands up defensively. I let out an awkward, high-pitched laugh of relief when my mind made the connection that it was only him and that I was safe.
"Bella…sweetheart…put the knife down." Edward spoke calmly and I felt my eyes widen.
"Sorry!" I gasped, pulling the knife towards myself and keeping it in a safe position. "I couldn't see out the window and I didn't really want to risk…"
"No need to explain yourself." He laughed, stepping in beside me and closing the door. "You just scared me, is all. People don't often answer the door holding a knife to me that often."
"It was my only weapon." I blushed and walked back to the kitchen, letting Edward follow.
"My mom got sick of me following her around the kitchen. She sent me here to help you out."
"Don't you want to watch football or something?" I asked, thinking of Charlie and Seth's usual Thanksgiving pass-time.
"Not really." He shrugged taking the knife from me and placing it on the marble countertop. "I don't mind watching it sometimes, like the Super Bowl or other big events, but I get bored with it after a while. I'll probably watch some after I eat."
"I've never really understood people's fascination with the sport…it's a bunch of big guys tossing a funny-shaped ball around a big square of grass." I scrunched up my face, exaggerating my confusion, and Edward let out a laugh.
"You've got me there." He walked to the sink and began washing his hands in it, scrubbing thoroughly up and down his forearms. When he finished, I handed him a dish towel and watched patiently as he dried himself off. "What can I help you with?"
"You can…" I looked around and frowned. "You can begin making the sweet potatoes. I need you to peel and smash these yams." I pointed to a mesh sack full of the red vegetable. Edward saluted me, gave me an, 'ay-ay, Captain' before carrying them to the sink and washing them off. "I like to put them in a pan and cover them with slightly burnt marshmallows."
"My mom makes those!" Edward exclaimed gleefully and I smiled at him, watching as he began peeling them like an expert. Esme had trained him to help out well.
"They're really good." I reasoned and slipped my gloves back on before continuing to stuff the turkey in front of me. "You know, you're lucky Renee and Phil went out. It would have been awkward had you shown up and they were still here."
"I waited down the street. When I saw them driving away, I quickly got here and parked a few spaces down. If they show up, I'll sneak out the back or something." He shrugged nonchalantly. I should have known that he'd have a plan. Edward didn't do things unprepared.
"You've just got it all figured out, don't you?" I teased and he simply winked at me.
It was nice cooking with Edward. I had to explain the purpose of boiling the yams before mashing them, and I also had to teach him to clean up after himself when he moved around, among many other small lessons, but it was fun. Edward learned quickly and seemed comfortable helping me out. Cooking with him felt so natural and so right. It was as though we cooked dinner together every night as we danced around each other, getting things done quickly.
When the turkey was in the oven, and everything else that could be cooked was cooking, I washed my hands and hopped up onto the counter across from the one that Edward was sitting on. I leaned on the heel of my hands and leaned back a bit, grinning as Edward told me a story about how one year he caught the turkey on fire and how they had to order one for the first time ever. His family seemed to have the cutest stories.
"Thanksgiving is always the best. So much family time in one day." He sighed and I nodded. I didn't really know what he meant, as I hadn't ever truly experienced the holiday, but his stories were so vivid that I could pretend that I had.
"I wish I had family stories to tell." I pouted. "This is the first Thanksgiving that I've spent in the company of someone else. This is the first Thanksgiving that I'll be eating a homemade meal."
"Jeez. That's stupid, Bells." He shook his head. "Next year you're just going to spend the weekend with me, at my parents. You and Mom can spend the day cooking, Dad and I'll watch our manly football, and then we'll have a real family dinner. You can even invite your family if you want."
"That would be amazing." I murmured, picturing it all in my head. My eyes fluttered closed and I tried to imagine Edward and me in a year. I definitely pictured myself with him, but it was hard to picture what we'd look like and what we'd be doing. Would Edward be going back to medical school? Would I be working in a restaurant? There was no way to tell. I didn't notice when Edward hopped off of his perch and walked over to me.
While my eyes were closed, Edward pulled me to the very edge of the counter. I opened my eyes when our bodies lined up and my torso was pressed flush up against his. He reached behind me and ran his fingers along my lower back, underneath my shirt. A shiver ran down my spine, and it had nothing to do with the sudden cool draft against my skin. I found Edward's emerald orbs with my own brown ones and searched them. He looked so relaxed and happy, and loving. He made me feel important when he looked at me that way. It was as if I were the only girl in the world.
"Hopefully, by then, you'll be wearing a ring on your finger. As if you explain further, his hand slid off of my back, across my arm, and down to where he intertwined it with my left fingers. "I'll have returned to school and I'll be learning how to be a doctor. You'll be almost finished with your first year of Culinary School, leaving you with one more to go, and you'll be working part-time in a restaurant on the strip.
"We'll be happy and we won't have to hide anything. You won't have to put up with your bat-shit mother or those little bitches that you go to school with. You and Mom will spend time together and you'll form that mother-daughter relationship that the two of you have always wanted. Carlisle will be completely over all of his issues, just like the school year, and he'll welcome you warmly into the family. The two of you will get along well, thanks to your compassion and your brains. That's what I see in a year." He didn't once look away from my eyes, which were welling up quickly with tears. The traitor tears spilled over my cheeks, and onto my smiling lips.
"That's all I could ask for and more." I breathed shakily and he leaned in to press his forehead to my own.
"We want the same things. And if there's a will, there's a way, Bella." He pressed his lips lightly to mine then before pulling back an inch. "We can get through these next few months, without a doubt."
"Thank you, Edward." I wrapped my arms around his neck then and pulled his mouth to mine. I then wrapped my legs securely around his waist and kissed him until my lungs were heaving for air. We broke apart, panting, and he continued to kiss all around my face. I could feel his eyelashes brushing across my skin and I let out a giggle at the light tickle it left lightly on my skin.
"Are you laughing at me?" He laughed jokingly and squeezed the skin just above my knees, making me laugh harder. I shook my head and quickly wrapped my arms around his neck, this time only pulling him into a very tight hug and holding him there while we laughed it off. He dragged his fingernails lightly up and down my back, leaving me sighting in his arms.
"It's getting late." I spoke into his neck, letting my lips brush lightly against his skin as I spoke. He turned his head, exposing more skin, and I placed a kiss there. It was after five and I knew that Renee was going to return home soon. "Renee will be home any time."
"I know." He backed up an inch and looked at me sadly. "I just want to take you home."
"Go home to your mom and dad. Enjoy dinner and don't worry about me." I instructed, unwrapping my legs and letting him back up a bit.
"It'll be boring without you." He pouted, jutting his bottom lip out dramatically, but I pushed him anyway.
"You'll still have fun. And you're going to call me before bed." I reminded him and he nodded, walking over to put the shoes that he had taken off back on. I watched pathetically from the counter and only hopped down when he was making his way towards the door. Right before he slipped out, I reached up and planted a final kiss on his lips. "Drive safely. Wear your seatbelt."
"Always." He nodded. "Goodnight, Bella."
"Goodnight." I waived, watching as he made his way out to the Volvo parked on the curb next door. I already missed him and I could still see him.
Once he was one, I shut and locked the door. The timer on the oven went off and I quicklyl removed the turkey and casseroles. Everything was ready within thirty minutes, even the salad, and I carried it all to the dining room table by myself. I was so giddy to eat with Renee and Phil that I didn't notice when six o'clock came and went without a sign of them. It was around six-fifty when I noticed that they weren't even home and that I had been sitting there for thirty minutes waiting on them.
I frowned but figured that they were just a little late ad I ran to look out one of the windows. I didn't see anyone out there. I wasn't really surprised that they were late – Renee wasn't exactly known for her punctuality. Instead of dwelling on it, I walked back over to the table and took a seat, where I spent another hour and a half without them.
"I can't believe her." I muttered, pulling my phone out and dialing my mother's cell number. I didn't call her on the number often. Only during emergencies. Which was why I was so shocked when she answered.
"Hello?" Her voice was deep and it almost sounded like she was slurring a bit. I frowned.
"Mom, it's me." I told her, glancing at my watch. "It's after eight-thirty and you're not here. Where are you?"
"I told you…I am out."
"You told me that you'd be back at six. It's Thanksgiving. I cooked dinner." A dinner that had cooled off and was probably not worth eating at that point.
"I musta' forgotted to call you…" Her words drifted around lazily, only fueling my anger. "We won't be home tonight. Went out with some friends…they're very nice people, you know? A lot more fun than you anyway. Just go to bed. We'll be home for a little while in the morning and then we're off to Cleveland!" She cheered and many other voices did in the background. I heard glasses clanking and people whistling. My face and neck heated up, my anger getting the best of me. "Well, I should go. I'm having fun and you're not helping me! Go bother somebody else now!"
"Fuck you." I hissed, surprising myself as I slammed my phone down on the table.
I didn't give it a second thought as I stormed to my room and began packing a bag. I couldn't believe that Renee couldn't even come home for an hour to eat with me on Thanksgiving. She would rather spend time with her usual crowd – a crowd of psychotic, alcoholic, strangers. Hot tears were streaking my face as I stuffed a bag with anything I would need and when I stormed back to grab my phone and purse.
I shot a text to my dad, telling him that I was on my way over, but not telling him why as I got into my car and sped off. It didn't take me very long to arrive recklessly in Forks. I was driving plenty above the speed limit and I could barely see through my blurred vision. I pulled into my dad's driveway, hopped out of the car, and ran up to his door, where he met me with open arms.
"Hey, hey…shh." He gasped when I wrapped my arms tightly around him, dropping everything that I had been holding in them. "Shh…don't cry."
"I'm s-sorry." I sobbed roughly into his shoulder and he shook his head, reaching past me to push the door closed behind me. Once he did, he simply wrapped the same arm back around me and let me cry.
"I don't think you have anything to apologize for, Kid."
"I tried so hard." I sobbed and he just shook his head, running his fingers through my tangled hair.
"What are you talking about? What's going on?" He asked, sounding shocked. "Where's Renee and Phil?"
"Who the hell knows?" I sputtered, sniffling harshly as I pulled back. "I cooked dinner this year and they said they'd be home at six. I just…I was hoping that maybe Mom would see how good I am at cooking and that she'd at least understand, if not support, me a little more. But she couldn't even show up for Thanksgiving dinner!"
"Oh, Bella." He sighed. "I'm sorry, baby."
"It's not your fault that she doesn't like me." I cried and he shook his head roughly.
"Your mother is an idiot, Isabella!" He exclaimed, pulling back but keeping his hands firmly on my forearms. "I did everything I could to hang onto her while we were married and I only ended up with my heart broken…I'll be damned if I watch her walk all over our daughter like she did me. You need to let go of her. You need to worry about yourself and what you want – not her. She'll never slow down and she'll definitely never stop."
"But I'm her daughter. Why can't she just be nice to me? Why does she have to hate me?"
"Anybody with a valuable opinion loves you, Bella. She doesn't hate you – she's just an alcoholic who can't get her shit together."
"But the kids at school hate me too. All of them."
"The Cullens don't hate you. Nobody in this house hates you." He told me. "That's actually the opposite. We all love you."
"I know you do, Dad. I'm sorry. I'm just being an emotional wreck." I sniffled and straightened up. "I'm sorry. Shit. I'm ruining your Thanksgiving. Don't you have a game to watch?"
"Oh, hush. Have you eaten?" He led me to the kitchen, surprising me with his hospitality. I shook my head.
"I ate an apple around eleven and spent the rest of the day w- cooking. I cooked an entire meal for them and they couldn't even bring themselves home for an hour to eat it. She wasn't even going to call me!" I slammed my fist onto the table, making my dad cringe.
"I'm sorry." He began pulling food back out of its packaging, where they had put the leftovers up, and making me a plate. "That's what I mean about letting go though. You can't keep waiting on her."
"I know." I looked at my phone, where I had set it on the table. "It's just hard."
"I understand…I was in your seat, literally, sixteen years ago. It's hard to just let her do whatever it is that she does, but you have to. She'll stretch you until you snap, otherwise." He sighed, putting my food in the microwave for a minute and waiting as it finished. When it went off, he lifted the warm food and sat it in front of me. It smelled almost as good as the food that I had made with Edward. "You're staying here tonight, right?"
"Yeah. I'm not going back there…I don't like sleeping alone." I explained and he nodded.
"You look like you slept well last night." He commented and I swallowed thickly, my brain scattering for an excuse.
"Esme let me stay the night with her. Carlisle was working, she heard that I was still scared of sleeping alone, so she invited me over for a girl's night." I didn't mention the fact that I had actually spent the night sleeping on Edward. There were small bits of information that Charlie would have been just fine without.
"That's nice of her." He sighed. "I'm glad you have her. I know you and Sue have tried, that it's just not the bond you need, and I'm happy that you have found someone who's happy to fill that motherly role for you."
"Esme's great," I spoke with a nod. "They're all the nicest people I know."
"I'm glad to hear that." He murmured, watching me inhale the plate of food in front of me. Sue walked in then, her eyes sleepy but her pace showing that she was still up and about. She eyed me curiously and walked in, placing her hands on Charlie's shoulders.
"Bella! I'm so happy to see you here!" She smiled softly but then frowned when she seemed to process the plate of food. "Are you only just now eating?"
"Sorry." I sniffled, swiping at my face and swallowing a small bite of turkey. "I made dinner, but while I was waiting on Renee, it got cold. I didn't want to eat it alone either."
"And you shouldn't have to!" She grumbled. "That woman couldn't even come home and eat a Thanksgiving dinner that her child made her?"
"Guess not." I shrugged, pushing my food around on my plate.
"That's bullshit." She shook her head, going back over to the sink full of dishes. I looked at my dad with wide eyes, he shrugged. Sue didn't often use any swear words at all. She had always been so sweet and so soft-spoken. I liked the more protective side of her.
"It is." I nodded. "But what are you gonna do about it?"
"Beat that woman's ass." She muttered, suddenly scrubbing violently at a plate. I sniggered. That was exactly what my mother needed.
"Thanks Sue." I grinned and she shot a soft smile over her shoulder.
"Any time, honey."
"I'm gonna go back into the living room and finish my game. Feel free to join me when I'm done, ladies." Dad stood, stretched, and then walked back to where he spent most of his time when he wasn't at work. Sue finished the dishes quickly after, planted a kiss on the crown of my head, and then walked out and towards the living room. I watched her and my dad while they talked quietly, not really listening to them, when my phone began playing Edward's ring tone again. I all but jumped out of my seat in attempt to answer it quickly.
"Hello?" He asked and I laughed.
"I'm supposed to say that part."
"Sorry. Let's start over." He chuckled with me. "Beep."
"Hello?" I asked using a dramatic voice, making him laugh again.
"Edward speaking!"
"I have caller I.D, you know." I spoke sarcastically and he laughed with me.
"Somebody is in a good mood."
"I'm at my dad's, actually. That should explain enough to you." I told him and he asked me why I was there. "Well, you left at six, because they were going to arrive soon. I set the table, made plates, and sat at the table until after eight-thirty. I then called my drunk mother and listened while she pretty much laughed in my face about dinner. So, I came here."
"I can't believe her!" He shouted and I shook my head.
"It's fine. Dad and I talked a little and I got to see Sue. They're watching a game in the living room right about now." I glanced back in. Sue was somehow sitting in the recliner with my father, her head resting on his shoulder. I smiled at the sight of them and then looked away. I felt as though I were intruding when I stared at them like that. It was so personal.
"I'm happy to hear that you at least got to see your dad." Edward spoke grimly. He didn't sound all that happy.
"Me too. And now I'm eating some leftovers from their meal." I explained.
"I tried to wait before I called you. Mom let me wash some dishes, clean up the table, and hang out with Dad for a while. I just couldn't wait anymore at this point." He laughed and I shook my head. I was happy that he was having a good time.
"I'm glad to hear that you had a good evening." I yawned and attempted to stop it with my hand. Edward laughed.
"Somebody is sleepy. Maybe you should go to bed now, Bella. You're exhausted." He spoke so softly that his murmuring voice almost put me to sleep on the spot. I pushed my plate away and laid my head down on my arms, keeping my phone between my ear and upper arm as I did so.
"I'm good." I retorted. I was tired, but I didn't want to say goodbye.
"Will you go to sleep if I sing to you?" He asked and I rolled my eyes. I wasn't going to go to sleep at the table, but I liked it when he sang to me.
"What song?"
"Put your lips close to mine, as long as they don't touch. Out of focus, eye to eye, 'til the gravity's too much. And I'll do anything you say, if you say it with your hands. And I'd be smart to walk away, but you're quicksand." He began singing a song that I knew fairly well. It was called Treacherous and it was perfect. "This slope is treacherous. This path is reckless. This slope is treacherous and I, I, I like it."
"You're perfect." I whispered, interrupting him, but not enough to stop him.
"I can't decide if it's a choice, getting swept away. I hear the sound of my own voice asking you to stay. And all we are is skin and bone, trained to get along. Forever going with the flow, but you're friction…" He whispered and I smiled, letting my eyes flutter closed. "This slope is treacherous. This path is reckless. This slope is treacherous and I, I, I like it.
"Two headlights shine through the sleepless night and I will get you, I'll get you alone. Your name has echoed through my mind and I just think you should, think you should know that nothing safe is worth the drive and I will follow you, follow you home...I'll follow you, follow you home...this hope is treacherous. This daydream is dangerous. This hope is treacherous…and I, I, I…I,I,I…"
My mind began to drift as he got to the end of the song. I was wrapped up in the sound of his voice and the love that I felt in that moment. The song couldn't have fit our lives and our relationship any better if we had written it ourselves. I sighed softly, letting myself succumb to sleep then. He was right – I couldn't resist and Edward Cullen lullaby.
"Two headlights shine through the sleepless night and I will get you, get you alone. Your name has echoed through my mind and I just think you should, think you should know that nothing safe is worth the drive and I will follow you, follow you home...I'll follow you, follow you home...I'll follow you, follow you home...I'll follow you, follow you home...this slope is treacherous and I, I, I like it."
"Goodnight, love." He whispered after a short silence. I barely heard it as my subconscious drifted to dreams of Edward.
Author's Note:
I used the My Chemical Romance song as her ringtone as a tribute to them. I did not really see the split coming, although I'm not surprised. I felt like this chapter was really short and almost pointless, but I like it. Spring Break turned out to be much busier than I could have expected and when I finally got home, Thursday, I had to fight through a terrible case of Writer's Block. I'm hoping this chapter was all it took to break through that, because it's so not cool.
Thanks for reading! I know it's been a while and I hope that you guys liked this chapter. Next up should be their first date, and then Christmas. Before I continue, I want to know from the readers, do you want lemon's in this story? Or do you want me to keep it a bit more PG-13? Or even keep it G? It's all up to you guys. Don't expect one for a chapter or two, but you know, we're getting there and I want to know what you guys want.
*Reviews are better than sleepovers with Edward Cullen.