DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything in or associated with Twilight. That all belongs to Stephenie Meyer. I also do not own anything else that I mention that does not belong to me. However, these are some of my original thoughts and I hope that you respect that. Thanks- Laura
Chapter 7- The Present
"Bells?" My head snapped up to meet Charlie's eyes. "You ok? You seem kind of preoccupied."
"Yea dad I'm fine. I'm just hungry." That much was actually true. We had been waiting for our food for almost half an hour. To make matters worse I was extremely anxious to get home. I kept my hands under the table, taking out my frustration on my napkin. After twisting until my fingers were sore I threw my victim mercilessly onto the table.
"What'd it ever do to you?" Charlie eyed the crumpled white mass.
I scoffed. "Nothing."
"Bella are you sure you're all right?"
Before I could answer our server came and gave us our food. Previous conversation was dropped as we ate. My mood began to lift as the dinner came to a close, but the anxiety had not. I was practically attacking my piece of cheesecake when Charlie spoke.
"I'm taking it that your mom's package hasn't got here yet?"
"No."
"She called me today asking me about it." He paused before a look of confusion spread across his face. "I don't think I was supposed to tell you that."
"It's fine dad. It's not like you told me what the package was."
He smiled triumphantly. "You're right. I'm glad I didn't ruin the surprise." Speaking of surprises-" He reached into his suit jacket and pulled out an envelope. This day was turning out to be quite repetitive
I tore open the envelope to find a card. I almost wanted to laugh at the contrast between Charlie and Edward. The two one hundred-dollar bills residing on the inside made me gasp. He noted this and reassured me quickly.
"I put it away a while back. You only turn eighteen once right?"
"Thanks dad."
"You're welcome honey. Spend it on something you really want."
"I will."
He smiled at me as we walked out of the restaurant and towards the car. The drive home was quiet. With both of us being not the most sociable people in the world the silence wasn't the least bit awkward. It was sort of comforting to not have to force conversation. My mind was free to wander on thoughts of Edward and his mysterious present.
My heart leapt into my throat as we pulled into the driveway. I entered the dark house eager to get up the stairs. I already had one hand on the banister when Charlie spoke to me.
"Tired?"
"Yes." I tired to look sleepy, letting my eyelids droop slightly. I knew I probably looked stupid but it seemed to work. Charlie glanced at the clock. A menacing 10:33 stared back.
He yawned. "Yea I think I'll head up to bed too. I want to see if the game's still on first though." He stopped, looking as if he was searching for words. "Bella?"
"Hmm?"
"Happy Birthday sweetheart."
"Thanks dad."
My heart accelerated with each step as I slowly climbed the stairs. All my waiting was going to be over. I found myself at a state of absolute giddiness. I entered my room and whispered Edward's name into the darkness. There was no reply. My hand reached for the light switch but was quickly swatted away. Two small cold hands pressed over my eyes.
"Alice?" I said in bewilderment. Her high pitched laugh reverberated softly around the room. "What-"
"Shhh…Just cooperate with me Bella."
I agreed to this until I saw her opening my window. "Whoa! Wait what about Charlie?"
Alice giggled. "It'll be fine. Trust me I saw it."
I sighed knowing I was completely defeated. "Ok."
I had never run with her before. It was quite odd that something as tiny as Alice could carry something larger without hesitation. She ran slightly slower than Edward did. Her movements were swift and more graceful. I found myself feeling more at ease with her than with Edward.
I still felt a little lightheaded when she set me down in front of their house. We approached the door and Alice turned to me.
"I'm just giving you a heads up Bella. They're going to surprise you when we go inside, and since you hate surprises I thought you might like to know." She smiled before adding, " Oh and I have a present for you but you'll have to come see me later to get it. I don't really want Edward to know." She put a hand lightly to her forehead and I instantly knew what she was going to do. She was planning on telling me what she saw in my future. I squealed with enthusiasm and threw my arms around Alice's petite frame hugging her tightly. She was beginning to feel more like a sister to me every day.
"Thanks Alice."
She smiled widely in return before opening the front door to reveal a dark house. She flicked the light switch on and everyone jumped out with the infamous "Surprise!" Of course me being the astounding actress I am jumped back with a hand on my chest to steady my heart.
"Ha! We really scared you huh?" Emmett gave me a one armed hug and ruffled my hair. "Here." He thrust a box covered in brightly colored wrapping paper into my hands. "It's from the both of us." He pointed his thumb in Rosalie's direction and she nodded in response. My hands fumbled clumsily with the paper to reveal a box that was taped shut. I tugged at the tape for what felt like several minutes until I was supplied with scissors.
"You did a good job at making it Bella proof," Jasper said laughing quietly. At this I heard Rosalie stifle a giggle. Of course she would be the one to wrap my present I thought with resentment. I finally got the box open. Once all the tissue paper was removed I could see clearly what they had gotten me. Clothes. I stared down at the shirt and the pair of jeans that came out of the box. The jeans were faded with tiny rhinestones going down the sides. The shirt was a slate blue with gray design. I found myself completely in love with my new clothes. I thanked them both excitedly.
Jasper approached me next. He gave a small smile followed by a controlled chuckle. "I didn't wrap your present." Everyone else in the room laughed at this as he handed me a CD. I gave a gasp as I realized it was the 10 Years CD that I had been ranting about for weeks.
"Thanks Jasper." I embraced him in a light hug and he stepped back letting Esme hug me tightly.
"Here you are dear. This is from the both of us." Carlisle smiled at me from the other side of the room. I looked at the small card she had handed me. It was a gift card to a store. My eyes bulged at the price they had put on it. "Now don't worry about that Bella." I laughed nervously before fully accepting the gift card. These people were really like my family. And I realized I loved them like family too. But there was something missing. Edward had not yet made an appearance and my curiosity peaked. Sensing my question Alice answered me.
"Edward's upstairs. I'll take you up there." She locked her arm with mine and we proceeded up the stairs. "Come here." She pulled me into her room before locking the door.
"Won't Edward hear?"
"No. He's not even here. He told me to bring you to him. We're just having a little detour first." I watched her concentrate on my face, her eyes narrowing slightly. "That's interesting."
"What?"
"I still see him changing you Bella. He's just so stubborn! I can't tell when he's going to do it though. It's really foggy. It's odd usually things are pretty clear."
"Maybe that's because he's so unsure."
"Maybe. I honestly don't know. Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
"What kind of nightmares have you been having?"
I took a deep breath as I felt the stillness in the air. At the back of my mind I knew that was what she was going to ask me, but I had wished so badly it wasn't. "I've had the same dream three times. It feels more real each time I have it. I'm being suffocated, and when I wake up it's like I still can't breathe. But I haven't had it recently. In fact I haven't been dreaming at all."
"I don't know. I don't see anything about your nightmares."
"Well then that means that they don't mean anything right?"
"No. Bella I wish it did. I'm just not sure. I've never been in this situation before."
"But you're always right. How could you not know?"
"I'm not always right. Sometimes people change their minds. I see the current decision, but I can't do anything if they change their minds. So I might not always be accurate. I'd say you don't' have anything to worry about right now, but I'm just not sure."
I sighed. "That makes me feel better."
"If you keep having these dreams you need to tell someone. Don't think they don't mean anything Bella. They might. I just might not be picking up on it yet."
"Ok. Thanks Alice."
"You're welcome." She hugged me before turning towards her dresser. "I almost forgot your other present." She pulled out what I presumed to be another gift card. This time it was one to the bookstore. "We should go this weekend." She flicked the plastic card.
"Yea that would be great."
She looked at the clock on her table. "I probably need to get you to Edward before he freaks out."
We walked down the driveway when Alice pulled out the keys to Edward's Volvo.
"We're driving? Yay!" I jumped happily into the passenger seat and buckled my seatbelt.
Alice grinned mischievously. "I promised Edward I wouldn't scare you to death with the driving." We pulled out of the driveway and I watched the speedometer climb to 85. "This ok?"
"Yes. Thank you."
Alice snickered. "It feels weird driving this slow. But I don't mind."
Within 5 minutes she was parking the car. "What are we doing?"
"You're getting out. Edward said to follow the signs."
"Signs?" I opened the car door and stepped into the night. I didn't recognize me surroundings. It looked like a part of the woods that I had never ventured into. "Alice are you sure this is safe?" But when I turned around for an answer she was already gone. I hadn't even heard her leave.
An eerie feeling washed over me as I viewed my surroundings. I then noticed something lying on the ground a few feet in front of me at the mouth of the woods. It was a flashlight with a note taped to it. I scanned the words of the note and laughed to myself.
You didn't think I would let you walk around in the dark did you? You would kill yourself for sure! Don't worry about getting lost Bella. I would never let that happen. Just follow the notes and everything will be fine.
I folded it back up to see a black arrow pointing forward. I clicked the flashlight on, feeling more at ease as the beam illuminated 10 feet in front of me. I moved forward, unsure of how long I would have to walk before I found another note. I bet Edward is having fun with this I thought viciously. I continued on for a few minutes, being careful not to trip until I saw to another note. I picked it up, this time looking at the black arrow pointing right first. I pulled it open.
Do you know how much I love you?
That was all it said. I gave a growl of frustration before moving in the new direction. The loud snap that pierced the night caused me to jump. I looked around cautiously before realizing I had stepped on a large twig. I also noticed the note lying next to it with a black arrow pointing forward.
Enough to make you walk through the woods in the dead of night all by yourself. I hope you haven't endangered your life yet. Ha!
I groaned as I trudged through thick weeds, getting my shoelaces entangled. I stopped to see a note laying on top a stump.
I hope you're not getting angry, but I bet you are. You're almost here Bella. Only a few more to go.
Sure if I don't die first, I thought as I followed the black arrow to the left this time. "This really isn't funny Edward." I tripped over a tree root but quickly regained my balance. There was a note sticking to the tree with a black arrow pointing to the right.
I know it's not funny to you Bella. But I love it! Follow the yellow brick road or the white rabbit, whichever you prefer. At any rate keep going because you're almost there.
I laughed this time. I had to admit he was funny. This whole idea was funny. I decided to make the best of it and have a little fun. I came to the next note and read it quickly. I was becoming anxious.
Well I'm glad you've decided to play along. It's much more fun this way isn't it? Only two more notes left!
That was odd. How did he know? Unless he was following me. Of course he was I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner. He was so fast I probably couldn't see him, especially in the dark. I felt a lot better knowing that he was near, even if he was playing mind games with me.
This time I walked for a while. My eyes had started to adjust to the dark and I scanned the ground and nearby trees for any notes, but I could find none. I was beginning to think I had went too far and perhaps I had missed it, but then out of nowhere popped my savior. I fumbled with the paper, which was now pointing me in the forward direction.
See this was fun! Thanks for playing along. I'm actually doing this to keep you busy. Just thought you should know. But now you can finally see your surprise because I'm done stalling. The next note will lead you to me. By the way, do you know how much I love you?
I was still slightly irritated with how cryptic Edward was being. What could he possibly be stalling me for? I walked for a few more minutes before finding the last note. This time however, it was not alone. Attached to it was a single stargazer lily, one of my favorites. I opened the note and stared down at it.
I love you more than anything, and I'll love you for eternity. This is the last note, which means you're here. Happy Birthday.
I love you,
Edward
P.S. Look up.
When I did look up I almost fainted. We were in a clearing. There looked to be millions of stars in the sky. It was breathtaking. I watched them twinkle. This place was not the meadow that Edward had taken me to before. This place was even more beautiful than that. There were tall willow trees everywhere. I began to turn to look at every angle of the sky. It was as if the sky was a vast sea of black that stretched on forever. The stars were even brighter than they had been the night we sat on the roof and watched them.
"I wonder what's beyond the sky."
I turned to see Edward's beautiful face, illuminated by the dazzling stars.
"Everything. Our whole existence is up there."
"Hmm now who's being philosophical?" He leaned in and kissed me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and he picked me up and swung me around.He chuckled softly and brushed his hand across my face.
I could feel heat creeping up the back of my neck and sinking into my cheeks. He threw himself onto the grass. I laid down next to him resting my head on his chest and stared at the stars. We both laid in silence for several minutes. It was the best feeling in the world. To be next to him. Even if it was something simple like staring at the stars. It meant the world to me. He meant the world to me, and being with him then and there felt like pure heaven.
"Edward?"
"What?"
"Why did you have to stall me?"
He laughed. "Oh that. Well Alice had told me that some clouds were going to roll in but she never told me when they were going to clear out. I had to wait for the perfect moment."
"Any moment with you is perfect."
"I can definitely say the same about you." He sat rather quickly and turned towards me. "I have something for you."
I sat up so fast I made myself dizzy.
"Are you that excited?"
"It's been absolute torture not knowing what your surprise was."
"Perhaps I should make you wait longer."
"Edward Cullen if you even think about doing that I will do something terrible to you!"
"Like what?"
"I honestly don't know yet but when I think of something I will let you know."
At this we both laughed. Edward sighed and pulled out a medium sized sleek black box.
"Bella don't even think about protesting this gift. I'm giving it to you because I love you and I want you to have it."
I opened the box and stared down at its contents with wonder. The most beautiful necklace I had ever seen stared back at me. It was a small, silver, teardrop shaped pendant with points at each end of the design. It was hexagonal in shape, the edges more square than round. It was simple, but yet extremely elegant. I noticed at the very center was a tiny sapphire.
"It's a Celtic symbol." He touched the pendant in my hand tracing over it with his fingers. "The five knots in the middle represent eternal life. And it's sort of a protection symbol."
"Will you put it on for me?"
I turned away form him and pulled my hair over my shoulder. The cold silver of the necklace pressed against my skin as he clasped it shut. His fingers lingered on the back of my neck before he tilted his head down and kissed me lightly. I shivered at his touch, his lips tickling my skin. He pulled me into his lap and turned me to face him.
"Absolutely beautiful."
"I know. I never want to take it off."
Suddenly he kissed me gently and whispered quietly in my ear, "I was talking about you."
A/N: Wow this was a long chapter and I'm so incredibly sorry for taking so long to update. It's been kind of stressful with school (I only have 30 days left. Yay!) My school does its stupid state wide testing next week so I hopefully can get some writing done when I have some free time. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! I want to thank everyone who has ever reviewed my story! I love you all! I still can't believe how many reviews I have so thank you so much for that! Hopefully I can get chapter 8 up by the end of this week. I hope everyone had a great Easter.
Looking forward to reading your reviews, (hint hint lol)
Laura
