Chapter 9
Bella's POV
"I really don't like this, Bella," Edward muttered, shaking his head ruefully. I rolled my eyes.
"Wow, what a shock. Edward Cullen isn't happy with not being a hundred percent in control of a situation," I griped.
We were in my bedroom shortly after our little family gathering had wrapped up. I was still annoyed with the way it had all gone down, but I was alright with the outcome. Charlie, on the other hand, was not thrilled with the idea of me moving in with the Cullen's early. He was still stomping around downstairs, slamming cabinets and muttering grumpily to himself. I had tried to lessen the blow by assuring him that I would be here for dinner every night. The only difference he would notice would be that I wasn't sleeping here anymore. I had a feeling that was what bothered him the most, my impending sleeping arrangement. Poor Charlie. At least he would be leaving for work soon. He had the afternoon shift today.
I continued to pack clothes from my dresser, things I knew I would want and need for the next few weeks at least. God only knew what kind of vamp makeover Alice had planned for after my change. I shuddered as the horrific possibilities flashed through my head. While pulling handfuls of lace and silk from my top drawer my fingertips happened across the spine of my romance novel. My new favorite book. I smiled to myself as the last few chapters ran through my mind.
Corrine had gotten more and more insistent, much to Edward's chagrin. I had to give it to her, she was good. Every time he tried to avoid her, she would magically show up where he was. Whenever he got angry or upset with her for her attentions, she was able to divert his feelings to those that were more…uh…loving? Sure, that would make him practically rip her gown off and throw her up against a wall. Swoon!
Edward's discontented sigh tore me from my very pleasant train of thought. I turned around and scowled at him while I surreptitiously wrapped my book in one of my negligees and threw it in my open suitcase. His eyes focused on the oddly shaped nightie that sat atop the rest of my undergarments. I cleared my throat loudly, hoping to sufficiently distract him. He lifted his golden eyes to mine and studied me quizzically.
"What?" I snapped. His eyes shot up in surprise and I saw amusement sparkle in their depths. It only aggravated me more.
"Is something wrong, love?" he asked carefully.
"Besides that you and Alice plotted against me? Or maybe that you lied to me, yet again, when you thought it would 'be in my best interest'? Or it could be that instead of just TALKING to me like a grown up, you decided to once again take it upon yourself to try and figure it out ALONE!" My voice increased in volume with each passing sentence, but I really couldn't bring myself to care.
"What do you think you are going to accomplish by shouting at me?" he asked quietly, his eyes never leaving mine.
"I'm not sure, Edward. We've had these arguments so many times I'm beginning to wonder if vampires really DO have perfect recall! So I figure if repetition isn't making it sink in, maybe volume will!" I shouted, my hands balling into tight fists. And that's when I saw it. The laughter he was trying to so hard to hide. My barely concealed temper took off in full flight.
"Don't you dare laugh at me, Edward Anthony Cullen!" I took one step closer to him and resisted the urge to slap him across the face when I saw him press his lips together in an effort not to smile. He must have guessed at the violent thought that passed through my mind.
"You may want to calm down, Bella. Remember what happened last time you lashed out at a supernatural creature."
He was teasing me. I was furious and he was teasing me. I glared openly at him.
"I just might risk the broken hand if you don't knock it off! I'm sure Alice saw it coming and has already figured out how to accessorize my cast with the rest of my wedding ensemble." I crossed my arms over my heaving chest and continued to glower at him.
That was it. He cracked. I could tell he had really tried hard not to laugh, but something about what I'd said he found hilarious. His body shook with silent laughter and when a chuckle slipped from between his lips his eyes went wide and his hand flew to cover his mouth. I wanted to scream. I wanted to stay angry. I wanted to pummel him with my little fists until he was a pile of dust. Anything but succumb to the laughter that I could feel welling up inside of me. I pursed my lips and looked away from him, trying to hold onto my anger. It was fading fast and almost completely disappeared when I felt his marble chest press up against my back and his strong arms encircle my waist. He rested his chin on my shoulder and I felt his cold, sweet breath wash over my neck, leaving a trail of goose bumps. I tried to suppress my smile and elbowed him in the ribs, bruising myself in the process.
"Stop laughing at me," I grumbled. He wasn't fooled. He could see the smile on my face and knew he had won. Again. I sighed. Why did I even bother trying anymore?
"I'm really trying here, Bella, but you are making it extremely difficult. Why don't you tell me why you are so upset? You know, like a grown up?" I could hear the mockery in his voice but when I spun around to give him what for I saw the genuine curiosity and concern burning in his eyes. It disarmed me a little.
"Just what I said. I don't like the way you and Alice went about things. You had no right to call a family meeting behind my back and try to sort this out without consulting me. You can't keep doing that, Edward. I need to be kept involved. It's my life you were discussing, you know." I stepped back so I could look him in the eye without my sight going blurry. He grimaced and nodded somberly.
"I knew you wouldn't like that. But honestly, Bella, you had already told Alice that you wouldn't stay away from the reservation even though you knew what the outcome was. I just wanted to make sure the decision was impartially made," he reasoned, rubbing his hands up and down my arms.
"Impartially? Really, Edward?" I scoffed. I knew damn well he wouldn't be impartial at all. In fact, he was the polar opposite of where I was on anything werewolf.
He grimaced and avoided my eyes. I sighed and pulled out of his grasp. I didn't want to spend the next few hours talking in circles, and I really didn't want to fight with him anymore. But I also knew that I couldn't spend all eternity with him trying to make decisions for me. I didn't know how I could make him see that while I knew deep down his heart was in the right place, the way he went about it was all wrong. To him, the bottom line was always my safety. My happiness and every other emotion took a backseat to that. I took a deep breath and considered my words very carefully before I started speaking. Before I opened my mouth an epiphany hit me like a Mack truck with its brake lines disabled, rolling downhill. I tried to stifle the wicked grin that wanted to stretch across my face. I put one hand up on Edwards' chest and pushed gently, locking my eyes with his. Confusion swam in their golden hues while he backed slowly towards my little bed. When his legs hit the side of the mattress he sat down. I didn't tear my eyes away from his as I slowly climbed into his lap. This was a little – well, actually a lot – more forward than I had ever been, but I was trying to channel Corrine for the next few minutes. I sucked in a deep breath and looked up at Edward from beneath my lashes.
"Edward, do you really think I would have just waited for my doom to arrive and not talked to you about what Alice had seen? Do you have that little faith in me?" I asked softly, stroking his face. He stared silently at me for a moment, probably trying to guess what answer to give me. I knew it wasn't fair to toy with him like this, but I was just trying to even out the playing field a little. He was always so wit scrambling beautiful, I just wanted to try and scramble his wits for once. I seemed to be working slightly.
"I wasn't sure. You are so stubborn about making your own decisions, especially where Jacob is concerned. I was afraid you wouldn't want to involve me." He lowered his eyes from mine.
"Why do you think I wouldn't want to involve you?" I hedged carefully, running my fingers through his hair. I heard a low growl rumble deep in his chest and restrained another smile.
"Well…probably because…I don't tend to…er…have the best reactions where the wolves are concerned," he mumbled. He stared down at my hand between his while he traced my fingers. I could tell he was struggling to be honest not only with me, but with himself. I nudged him just a little further.
"I know that you tend to overreact when my safety is a concern," I cooed, bringing my face closer to his. I had to stifle a giggle. This seemed so way over the top. While I meant everything I was saying (and doing) I was certain he would see right through my lame attempts at being sultry and seductive and just start scolding me like a naughty child. Maybe if you saw me as a naughty woman…
"But please believe me, Edward. I was going to tell you as soon as I figured things out. You do trust me, don't you?" I asked softly and brushed my lips against his jaw.
"Yes." His voice came out a little rough.
He turned towards me a little and finally lifted his eyes to mine. A thrill tingled down my spine and set up camp in my lower belly when I saw how dark they were. I felt my heartbeat pick up speed and willed my body's response to calm down a bit so I could maintain the upper hand in this situation. It was new for me. I was so used to this being the other way around. He always had me practically panting and begging for more, even when he was the one who had screwed up and needed to apologize. I finally had seen the light when I read how Corrine made her Edward see the error of his ways, not by fighting with him, but by gently guiding him down the right path. Usually while teasing him within an inch of his sanity. I never thought it would work with MY Edward, but low and behold, we were talking. And he seemed to be the one melting in MY hands this time. Who'd of thunk?
"I really don't want to fight anymore, Edward. Can we please agree to come to each other from now on, you know, before involving everyone else?" I said between soft kisses along his cheek and jaw. I stopped at the corner of his mouth and leaned back to look in his eyes. They were pitch black and I noticed his breathing was heavier than normal. I felt his arms wrap around my waist as he pulled me closer to him. He nodded and I felt his fingers playing with the bottom strands of my hair. It sent shivers all over my body and I tried not to tremble.
"I'm sorry, Bella. I promise to come to you next time as long as you promise me the same." His eyes were dark and serious. I felt his fingers ghosting a trail up my spine. My back arched involuntarily and I fought to keep my eyes from closing. I swallowed and nodded back, biting my lip firmly.
"I promise," I whispered, leaning forward.
"No more fighting." His lips brushed against mine.
"No more fighting," I agreed and then pressed my mouth feverishly to his.
I felt his arm twine tightly around my waist while his other hand grasped the back of my neck firmly. I knotted my fingers in his soft tresses of copper hair and moaned shamelessly when I opened my mouth and met his tongue with mine. His kiss was powerful, deep, and full of the need that I knew we were both feeling at that moment. This was something we both had missed for the last few days. I pulled his tighter against me, practically grinding against his now very obvious arousal. I heard him whimper slightly and I had to contain yet another moan when he kissed me harder in response. I scratched my nails across the back of his neck and felt when the hand that had been on the back of my neck started to make its way down my shoulder and towards my aching breast. I leaned into his palm and gave a little whimper of my own when he squeezed me a little rougher than normal. I nearly cried out against his lips when he rolled my clothed nipple between his thumb and forefinger. I rocked my hips against his and was rewarded with a low growl followed by a loud groan when I did it a few more time in succession. My breaths were coming out shorter and my pulse was way beyond anything that resembled normal. I wanted nothing more than to spend the next few hours – well, centuries actually – just making out with Edward. But I had learned something else from Corrine in her story.
I saw the surprise light Edwards' lust filled face when I pulled away from his lips and climbed off his lap in one swift movement. Thankfully, I was able to pull it off with some grace and finesse. Tripping or toppling to the floor would have ruined the indifferent façade I was very convincingly portraying at the moment. I straightened my top and padded back over to my dresser. I nonchalantly pulled open my second drawer and began rifling through my shirts. I heard Edward suck in an unnecessarily deep breath and had to stifle and giggle. I couldn't completely smother the smile that pulled up one corner of my mouth into a rather proud smirk. I tried to clear my face before I turned to look at him with what I hoped was an innocent and indifferent expression. He stared back, the picture of shock and confusion. I smiled lightly.
"Aren't you going to help me pack?" I asked, arching an eyebrow at him.
He looked incredulous for a moment and then his face dissolved into an amused, albeit defeated smile while he shook his head. He stood up and walked over to where my suitcase lay open on the floor. I silently handed him clothes that he expertly folded and placed inside faster than I could replace them. We kept that up until I had emptied both that and my little closet. I was afraid that I was going to have to sit on the top to make it close, but Edward came to the rescue, shutting it firmly in less than a blink.
I sat on the bed and looked around my rapidly emptying room. Edward kneeled down in front of me and looked heatedly into my eyes. His were still very dark, although not as black as before. I decided that needed to change. I reached out and wrapped my arms securely around the back of his neck and pulled his face to mine. Our lips met firmly and passionately and it wasn't long before my legs were wrapped firmly around his waist and he was practically pulling my shirt off over my head. His cold, nimble fingers teased, tweaked and squeezed inside the soft silk of my bra while my hands traced the patterns his muscles made on his stomach and hips. He had one of those delicious V patterns that dipped below the waist band of his jeans. I wanted nothing more than to run my tongue along the skin there and rip his pants right off. I felt heat flash between my thighs while my mind went to naughtier places while he teased my breasts expertly. I tried to squeeze him closer to me by pulling on him with my thighs, but he wouldn't be budged. I decided it was time to switch gears on him again and change tactics. You know, keep him on his toes.
My hand slowly traced down his chest and stomach, my nails scratching lightly against his marble skin. His tongue delved deeper into my mouth and I heard him moan loudly when I ran one finger along the top of his jeans. He squeezed my breasts firmly and I whimpered, kissing him back with all I had. My other arm snaked up and I tangled my hand in his hair, securing him to me. I arched my back and pushed my chest forward into his hands more while I simultaneously lowered my other hand down the outside of the front of his pants. I felt his full length pressing against my palm and I gripped him tightly through his jeans, causing him to twitch in my grasp. He froze for a second completely and it was like I was attached to an ice sculpture. I stroked my hand up and down his length once and heard him suck in a hard breath. I kissed his immobile lips softly and then took his lower one firmly between my teeth. His eyes flew open and he gasped, but thankfully didn't pull away. In fact, he began kissing me back. When I stroked him a little harder through the rough material of his pants I heard him growl deeply. The sound thrilled me and I felt gooseflesh blanket me from top to toe. One of his hands slid off my breast and around my body, clutching tightly at my back. I tried to contain the whimper that rose in my throat but failed miserably. I continued my ministrations against his firm, twitching member until I heard each moan and growl begin blending into one long, increasingly loud noise. I was pretty sure my panties were thoroughly soaked through by now and I could feel my own sexual frustration make my inner muscles clench with extreme desire. It took everything I had for me to execute my next move.
I unwrapped my legs from around his waist and trailed my hand back up his clothed stomach to his chest before placing both palms on his shoulders. I pushed firmly against them and pulled my head back to break our kiss. I sucked in some much needed oxygen and tried to look as nonchalant as possible when I extricated myself from him. His eyes were liquid onyx and burned with desire while he struggled to regain control on his breathing. I scooted backwards across the bed and pulled my shirt down, all the while maintaining eye contact with him. He leaned forward and placed his hands on the edge of my bed and for a second I was actually convinced he was going to pounce on me and possibly rip my clothes off me. His look made my insides dissolve into a puddle of lust and pool between my thighs.
Holy crap! Ok, just get a hold of yourself Bella. Breathe. You can do this.
I straightened up and swung my legs off the other side of my bed. I waited a second before standing because having my legs shake or buckle would ruin what I was attempting to pull off. I crossed the room and bent down to retrieve my suitcase. Of course, it was way too heavy for me to move. Edward was there and pulling it from my grasp before I could even take a breath. I looked up at him and smiled gratefully, noting that his eyes were still a fiery ebony. I tried not to look smug but I wasn't sure if that was possible.
"We should get going. Alice will be waiting for us and I promised her that I would behave for my fitting this afternoon," I said casually.
"We still have some time you know," Edward whispered. His eyes blazed and his voice was rough, but still velvety. I shivered but smiled and shook my head.
"Alice is insisting I have my fitting before two," I argued light heartedly. I sidled past him and sashayed out the door, looking over my shoulder to see that he was staring after me. He was wide eyed and gaping slightly, but when he noticed me looking his face stretched into my favorite crooked grin.
"Your wish, my command," he said smoothly and followed me down the stairs. When my back was to him I grinned to myself. Corrine really had the right idea. I wondered how long it would take for it to really pay off as her motto flowed through my head.
'Always leave them wanting more. Eventually, they'll come begging for the rest.' I hoped like hell she was right.
Edward's POV
Bella's moods kept shifting the rest of the morning. One minute she was quiet, almost distant in her pensive trances. The next she was all over me, kissing, scratching, moaning, biting…oh, the biting. I did everything I could to keep my reactions quiet but I knew there were at least two instances where I know she heard me growl. It took every ounce of self control I had mastered in the last ninety years to not throw her over my shoulder and run off to our meadow to have my way with her, preferably up against a tree…or in a bed of wild flowers…or –
ARGH! Enough, Edward! If you don't get your raging hormones under control I may be forced to beat you to death with MY hard on!
Jaspers' inner voice shouted in my mind, breaking through my haze of lustful thoughts and snapping me back into the present. Chagrin washed over me when I turned around and locked eyes with my obviously perturbed brother glaring at me from his seat at the chess board. Emmett was still strategizing, trying to figure a way out of the massive hole he had somehow dug himself into, so he was completely oblivious to our silent little exchange. I smile sheepishly and offered a small shrug as my way of an apology. Jasper just rolled his eyes and focused back on the board in front of him. I turned back to my piano and began plucking out some of Esme's song to distract myself from any other lascivious thoughts. I could almost feel Jasper's mockery from where I sat.
The wedding is still over two weeks away, bro. Please, find some way to take the edge off BOTH of you before then or I may have to move out until after you get back from your honeymoon.
I snickered and continued to play softly until I heard Bella curse from Alice's bathroom upstairs. Alice sighed and giggled, then offered to help Bella out of her wedding dress before it could be affected. It instantly piqued my curiosity but I knew that I was forbidden to use my mind reading ability on Alice while she and Bella were doing anything related to that dress under penalty of death. And I had no doubt that Alice would make good on turning me into her personal jigsaw if I even thought about crossing that line. I did what I could to keep my hearing centered downstairs. I was able to concentrate on my piano almost completely until I heard Bella grumbling under her breath and make her way down the stairs. I kept playing but listened more intently to try and decipher any real words in her jumbled ranting. I had to keep a chuckle at bay when I was able to pick out a few.
"…of course…no wonder I've been so… (heavy sigh) …stupid Aunt Flo…grrrr!"
I was momentarily confused. Who was Aunt Flo? Was there a problem with someone that Alice had invited? I quickly did a mental run through of the guest list but was only puzzled more when I realized there was no one on the list that could be referred to as Flo, let alone an Aunt of hers. The only relatives of Bella's were her parents and Phil. I stopped playing and turned to greet her when she stomped into the room. Before I could open my mouth to say anything I saw her stop dead in her tracks and look around slowly before blushing deeply and wrapping her arms around her waist. She bit her lip and ducked her head slightly before backing out of the room again. What on earth…? I was about to get up and go after her when Jasper snickered and shook his head, completely distracted from him chess game for a moment. His voice invaded my mind, amusement coloring his inner tone.
On second thought, looks like you'll have to be taking the edge off alone. I don't think she'll be in any place to be experimenting for the next few days.
He must have felt my confusion because he rolled his eyes and looked meaningfully at me for a moment. I was pretty close to growling at him to explain what he knew when Emmett absentmindedly clued me in to what I had been missing.
"Did Bella cut herself again?" he asked, his nose wrinkling slightly.
I breathed deeply, sampling the air that still hung heavy with her scent and was hit with a particular fragrance that I knew made its appearance once a month. It all clicked into place. I felt somewhat foolish for not having figured it out sooner. In the beginning of our relationship Bella had tried to avoid spending time with me when her monthly cycle came around. I had assured her it wasn't necessary; for some reason that kind of blood didn't appeal to us. I really didn't want to get into the reasons why and thankfully she never asked for an explanation. She still insisted on staying away from the rest of my family until she was well and truly over it though. This time, however, I guessed that wedding planning had taken precedence. Either that or Alice had insisted she come over anyway.
I shoved away from the piano and headed upstairs to find Bella. If she wanted to go home and stay there until this passed I would more than understand. She was going to be moving in here permanently in a matter of days anyway, so I didn't exactly see it as a hardship that we needed to spend more time over at Charlie's house than at my family home. Come Saturday she would be living with me until the end of time. I could afford to exercise some patience. I rounded the corner and made my way into Alice's room. Bella was curled up on Alice's bed, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees. Alice was next to her, gently rubbing small circles on her lower back. I felt my face crease with a worried frown when I saw that Bella's beautiful face was slightly pinched in a painful expression. I was next to her before she could blink but my vampire speed had ceased to startle her some time ago.
"Are you alright, love?" I asked gently. She shrugged slightly and leaned into Alice's side, resting her head on her tiny shoulder.
"Her tummy hurts," Alice stage whispered, placing her hand next to her mouth for dramatic affect. It was unnecessary and quite frankly, I didn't find it very amusing. Apparently, neither did Bella. She sat up and swatted Alice's little shoulder lightly. Alice giggled and wrapped both her tiny arms around Bella, locking her into a tight hug.
"Would you like me to take you home? I know you want to spend time with Charlie," I offered gently.
She nodded but then grimaced. "Ugh, I need to finish packing too."
"I'll pack for you. Just tell me where you want things and what you want packed and I'll have it done before you know it." I smiled when she stuck her tongue out at me.
"I'm not an invalid, Edward. I can pack my own stuff," she grumbled.
I tried to contain the laughter that threatened to escape from me. She was so rarely grumpy with me that I found it utterly amusing and adorable. I knew she wasn't very comfortable right now so I let that dictate my reactions. Somehow I didn't think she would appreciate being laughed at when she was already short tempered. And while I knew I would find her little hissy fit hilarious, I thought better of starting that vicious little cycle.
Very wise of you, Edward. She wouldn't take it too well if you started laughing at her right now. Trust me on that.
I gave Alice an imperceptible little nod of thanks and swept Bella up in my arms before she could protest. I was ready for her to shout or smack at me but was pleasantly surprised when she wrapped her arms around my neck and snuggled into my chest. I heard her give a contented little sigh and felt my own spirits lift and soar when she began running her fingers through my hair. I knew I would have to monitor my responses to her for then next few days. The last thing she was going to feel like doing was…well…me. Or anything having to do with me. I felt my face lift in a wry half smile while I carried Bella down the stairs and out the front door. She gave Emmett and Jasper a little wave before the door could close behind us. I tucked her into my car and drove her home, probably more quickly that she would have liked. I noticed the lack of police cruiser in the driveway and smiled inwardly that Charlie seemed to be working overtime. It wasn't uncommon during the summer months, what with the spike in teenage binge drinking and recreational drug use that seemed to inadvertently coincide with the long summer days in a boring small town. It made for several nasty accidents on the almost contently wet roads that wound around the entire Olympic Peninsula.
I ushered Bella into the living room and saw that she was settled comfortably on the sofa before zipping into the kitchen and putting the kettle on the stove. I had been around her enough to know that she had a hot water bottle for such occasions and that she preferred to be left alone for the most part. While I found her irritability amusing and endearing in a strange sort of way, she almost always felt guilty for her outbursts and mini tantrums and spent the next few days needlessly apologizing. It wasn't something either of us really enjoyed. I decided that while I was fixing up her water bottle I would make her a cup of tea. I knew Alice usually was the one to spend time with Bella while she wasn't feeling her best, but I refused to relinquish my time with her right now, especially in the light of recent developments. I strode back into the living room and saw her semi curled up in the corner of the couch, her arms around her waist again.
"I'm not usually the one who takes care of you, so I don't know how you like your tea." I smiled and help up the box of Twinnings. She shook her head and frowned. Not exactly the reaction I had hoped for, but definitely the one I was expecting. She never liked to feel like she was a burden. I held my hand up to stop her from objecting and possibly grumbling at me.
"Taking care of you is part of the job description, love. In sickness and in health, remember?" I smirked at her scowl. I knew better than to think I had won the battle so easily.
"We aren't married yet, Edward," she griped and folded her arms over her chest.
"I thought since we were already practicing, it wouldn't hurt to try this part out as well. I am nothing if not thorough." When she didn't argue right away I smiled triumphantly. I should have known she was only regrouping.
"It's not necessary. I have been looking after myself for years. I think I can manage," she countered.
"You let Alice comfort you without feeling too conflicted," I pointed out. I knew it was a slightly cheap shot, especially since Alice really didn't give her much choice in the matter. She knew that Charlie wouldn't handle this side of having a daughter very well at all, so forcing him to do so was kind of like teasing a handicapped person for not being able to run. It just shouldn't be done.
"That's different. Alice is a woman too," she shot back, and then grinned.
I knew she was sure she had me, but in this one instance I wouldn't let myself be had. I decided to fight dirty. I walked very slowly over to the sofa and knelt down in front of her, keeping my eyes on the floor the entire time. I knew it wasn't fair and that she often criticized me for 'dazzling' her just to get my way, but sometimes you have to work with what you've got. It was one of Alice's favorite sayings and I wasn't above using it every now and then. I leaned closer to her before lifting my eyes to hers and bore into their chocolate depths.
"Please let me look after you, Bella. I know you are more than capable of taking care of yourself, but I am of the mind that you shouldn't have to. That is what I am here for. I would do anything for you, love." I stared meaningfully at her and watched while her pupils dilated and defences melted away like the last snow of spring in the warming sun. She sucked in a ragged breath and her cheeks pinked up while she closed her eyes and shook her head. A small smile pulled up the corners of her full, soft lips.
"You don't fight fair, Edward Cullen," she nearly whispered before peering up at me from beneath her thick lashes. She took my breath away when she looked at me like that and I knew without a doubt every time that there was nothing I would deny this woman.
"I never claimed to," I teased lightly before gently pressing my lips to hers. I only kept them there for a moment, not wanting to get carried away when I knew she was uncomfortable. When I pulled back I expected her to pout like she always did, but instead she smiled at me and delicately stroked her little fingers down my cheek and jaw. I knew I could spend all of eternity with this woman and still never be able to predict what she was thinking or about to do. Maybe after a few centuries I would have a better idea. I planned on finding that out for myself.
"Now, tea?" I asked. She laughed.
"Milk and one sugar, please," she requested softly.
I went back to the kitchen and had nearly organized everything when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I pulled it out and checked the caller ID and saw that it was only Alice. I hit the button, sending it to voicemail, and then switched it off. I would call her back in a bit. When I was bringing Bella her water bottle and tea I heard her phone chime on the small coffee table. I placed everything down and snatched it up before Bella could lean forward to do so. As I had suspected, it was Alice again. I switched hers off as well. Alice could just damn well wait with whatever ridiculous wedding idea had just popped into her head. Bella needed some peace and quiet right now, not more stress.
"Who was that?" Bella asked while she adjusted the water bottle on her lower abdomen.
"Just Alice. I'll call her in a few minutes." I shrugged. Bella frowned and reached for her tea which I promptly handed to her.
"You should have just let me answer it. It could be something important," she scolded. She blew on her tea a few times before taking a sip.
"If it were really important she wouldn't bother with the phone. She would just show up," I informed her while taking a seat next to her on the sofa.
"True," Bella agreed grimly.
I assumed from the look on her face she was remembering Alice's midnight and 2am visits when she thought there were some wedding details that just couldn't wait until after the sun came up. While I wasn't disturbed by her impromptu visits, Bella did not take well to be woken up at all hours of the night to discuss the various shades of white that table clothes came in.
"How's the tea?" I inquired. Lacking in a human palate I sincerely hoped that I had gotten it right and not added too much of anything or served it to her too hot.
"It's wonderful, thank you." She smiled gratefully at me and I watched as her body began to relax a little. I was glad that she seemed to be feeling somewhat better.
"So, who does this better, me or Alice?" I couldn't resist. My inner competitor was rearing its oversized and ugly head. Bella rolled her eyes.
"It's a tie. You are both equally as good as the other," she answered dryly.
I shook my head. "No way, love. In my world there is no such thing." I knew she was being diplomatic and I was having none of that.
She refused to budge. "Well, you are in my world right now, and in my world there are ties all the time. Get used to it." She stuck her tongue out at me and I laughed at the sheer childishness of our moods. It was certainly a welcome change over the tension of the last few days. I was about to argue with her further when the phone in her kitchen rang.
"For the love of all that is holy, Alice!" I griped and rose off the couch, stalking towards the kitchen. I yanked the phone from its cradle.
"Hello?"
"Um…I'm looking for Bella? Shoot, did I dial the wrong number?"
The voice over the line was very familiar and I smiled. "She's here but she isn't feeling too well, Seth. Is there something I can help you with?"
"Edward, is that you?" he asked. I could almost feel the tension I heard in his voice. I couldn't help but stiffen at it.
"Yes, Seth, it's me. Is something wrong?" I didn't like how he sounded and it instantly made me wary.
"Yeah, man, something is definitely wrong. Sam is meeting with Carlisle right now. I'm surprised no one told you." No sooner were the words out of Seth's mouth than Alice flew through the front door. Her hair was windblown and I could tell that she had run at top speed all the way here. I stared hard at her while she glared and me and pointed at her phone. I would deal with her in a second.
"No, but I have had my phone off. Why don't you fill me in, or is there an edict preventing you from doing so?" I was only half joking, but Seth gave me a laugh anyway.
"It's not good, man, I'm just warning you."
"That's alright, Seth. I'm sure it can't be any worse than what I've seen or heard at some point in time." I was quickly loosing patience but I didn't want to let that become apparent.
I heard him take a deep breath. "There was an attack on the rez. Someone was killed. It was a vampire."
So...who has any guesses? Anyone?
