Author's Note: I know I said I wouldn't update until early Thursday, but I was so excited about the second half of their date, that I couldn't wait. Thursdays are notoriously difficult for me to do anything anyway, as my son has therapy ALL DAY LONG *ZOMG DED* Things are fleshing out a lot nicer as far as later parts of the story. Revamping Breaking Dawn is helping. All I can say is God bless Stephanie Meyer.
I've created a facebook profile for this story. It's filled with visual aids and other fun stuff. Join me by adding "Ayah Papaya" to your friends list.
I'm not Stephanie Meyers, in case you got confused! ;-)
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Alice's POV
From the moment I laid eyes on him, I knew he'd been in New York for much longer than he'd let on. He'd been following her around, no doubt. His eyes were golden again, beautiful, well fed. He looked all together well. I don't know how he managed to stay away from her, but somehow, she was unaware of his presence.
We both followed their daily motions. He mostly followed Robert, so that he could hear his thoughts. It wasn't always easy though. There were nights when he would come home from work with physical love on his mind. Edward had to leave on those nights, and I don't blame him. That man always got what he wanted whether she was okay with it, or not. More than once, I'd seen him be forceful with her. More than once, I was glad Edward had left. More than once, I found myself clinging to the window, ready to kill him myself. The worst night so far was the one with the iron. Edward ended up in the house for that one, but I pulled him out before he was discovered. We had to wait till they were separated. That was when we would do it. His death would be slow and torturous. That was the plan.
Aaron was having a particularly bad day, and his mother was having a rough time keeping up. Bella actually looked like she had a nasty cold that was zapping all her energy and patience. He cried on and off all day long. Not even walks in the carrier were enough to soothe him. By the time Robert came home, she was dead on her feet. She asked him to keep an eye on him so that she could take a hot shower, and thankfully, he obliged.
Robert seemed to be in good spirits today, and was more tolerant than usual, of the ailing Bella, and their crabby son. I asked Edward the reason behind Robert's good mood, but he came up with nothing. New girlfriend, maybe? I hadn't seen a decision that would incite such a positive reaction out of him either. No one could have foreseen this.
Bella had fixed Robert a bowl of cereal, and he sat down on the couch to watch a movie. She went upstairs to put Aaron to bed. As soon as she placed him in his crib, the screaming started. It wasn't his usual complaining; it was outright bellowing. A sheer demand that something was not right. Bella ran downstairs to get a bottle.
"What's his deal tonight, Bella?" Robert didn't look at her as he spoke; he'd chosen to start the film without her.
"I'm not sure. He's overdue for a meltdown; he's been so tolerant for so long. It was bound to happen sooner or later, Bob." I watched her sigh sadly. Sometimes his delicate condition wore her down. This was, most certainly, one of those times. I watched her rock, sing, bounce, sway, but to no avail. Whatever it was that he wanted, he had not gotten it yet. He cried for over an hour. She was in agony, sobbing herself. I was having a tough time keeping Edward in his seat; he was very antsy tonight.
Robert stood, to put his empty bowl in the sink, and he went upstairs. Bella was bouncing him around, walking on the second floor landing. She looked so ill, so tired, so worn down. Robert said quite simply, "Give him to me." I didn't get any advanced warning, other than Bella's wide eyed stare. "Give him to me now, you stupid bitch!" Edward ROARED from the other side of the house, and was launching himself through the office balcony door. As lightning fast as he was, he was too late. I watched Robert throw their child into the crib, and push her down the stairs. This all happened in the same instant. I was dialing 911 as I sat there, in the fire escape.
He was able to get to her before she fell all the way, but she'd still gone three quarters of the way down. While waiting for the cops to show, he incapacitated the husband, and went to the child, still screeching in the bedroom. I made a second phone call, to Charlie, though I didn't let him know who I was. I was in the apartment by now, trying to keep Edward from killing Robert, and from running off with Bella to Carlilse. She was unconscious, but breathing; she would obviously live.
"We have to get out of here now, Edward! We can NOT be involved in this!" I pulled on his arm, but he would not release the child. The child was surprisingly silent, his head resting peacefully on Edward's shoulder. So this was the reason for Aaron's uncharacteristically mild temperament. The reason he was screeching tonight was Edward's absence. His interference had been more than I'd thought possible.
"I will deliver Aaron to a neighbor that Bella trusts. I can not leave him here. I will not leave him alone." He rested his cheek against the child's head, still resting on Edward's shoulder.
"He's not your son, Edward." If I had the capability, I would have cried for my brother, for Bella; for us all, and all that we've lost. All the humanity she'd infused into him, and the one thing he wanted, he still could not have. The sirens were close now; we'd have to leave them both, for now.
As promised, Edward knocked on the door, leaving Aaron on the doorstep preoccupied with a toy. The note on his shirt said, "Please watch me. My mommy has been hurt, and grandpa won't be here till tomorrow."
We stayed in the shadows to watch Robert be escorted in handcuffs, and Bella whisked away to the hospital. The sadness returned to his eyes. I could tell he felt alone again. Bella's life would be changed forever, but at least she was rid of that evil man. He would be in jail for years, with any luck, the rest of his short life. We would make sure that the charges against him were "Attempted Murder", or something of that magnitude. Justice was not blind, certainly, but one thing it was not, was poor. The District Attorney that took on this case would receive a hefty cash reward for our input.
I followed Bella while Edward went to gather cash. He would need to pull together quite a sum to pull off what we needed. I sat with her all night, gave the Doctors whatever information they needed. I told them I was a friend from school. Nobody asked deeply into it, for which I was grateful.
Edward entered the hospital at first light, a huge bouquet of flowers in his hands. They had her sedated; she would be unconscious for several days, until the worst of her injuries had healed. Charlie was on his way; I'd seen him get on the plane that would have him here by tonight. We would have to leave then, leave her with her father and mother, to care for her.
He set down the vase on a small night table near the bed. That burning expression was back, and he looked like he would claw his face off, if only he could. "She'll be better very soon, Edward. When she's back on her feet, you can go to her. The two of you can finally be together."
That strangling, gurgling sound escaped his chest; I knew I would be hard pressed to make him leave her again. His eyes were brooding as he took her hand. He placed it softly to his lips, "I want nothing more than to stay here in this chair, and never leave her sight again." That was exactly the plan, if I saw the future correctly. He made up his mind that he would do exactly that, but I knew, as he did, that that plan would be disastrous.
The hours passed, in the blink of an eye. Edward heard Charlie's mind from the cab below us. "It's time to go, Edward. Please don't make this difficult. You'll be together soon. Edward!" I pleaded, pulling on him with enough force to tear his arm off. "Edward, please!"
He kissed her, on the forehead this time, "I love you, Bella Swan. I'm sorry that I left, more sorry than you'll ever know. I'll come for you when you're better, and I'll watch over your son. I love you.." This time, when I pulled, he released her hand. I pulled again, and his lips left her face. By the third pull, we were out the door with just enough time that Charlie wouldn't see.
Bella's POV
The Magic Kingdom looks very different in the day then it does at night. Looking at Cinderella's castle, all lit up was one of the most amazing things I'd ever witnessed. It quite literally, took my breath away. At nine o'clock, there was a huge fireworks display, and we sat there, on the bridge, just watching. The grandeur, colors, and sheer volume of the fireworks being shot off; it was amazing. Somehow they even managed to make simple shapes of the characters.
At first, he simply wrapped his arm around my waist, and I placed my arm at his shoulders. He pulled me closer, the fireworks were gaining in intensity. It was beautiful. Amazing. Words could not describe what I was seeing; feeling. In one snap decision, I threw caution to the wind—consequences meant nothing to me. I sat myself down, across his lap. His hand never left my waist. I saw the beginnings of confusion flash across his face, but I continued before I could talk myself out of it. I flung myself into his arms, and threw myself into a kiss that said everything I'd never said to him. Everything that I shouldn't be saying to him because I wasn't ready to say it. Everything I was too scared to ever say again.
It was too late. The shock and surprise showed in my Gentle Giant's face, but he did not fight it. My lips moved with his in a way that should be illegal. A moan worked it's way out of him, igniting a passion I've not felt in a very long time. Certainly never with my husband. The fireworks reached their climax, but I wouldn't have noticed. My hair could've caught on fire, and it wouldn't have one iota of difference. As it was, my entire body was on fire, burning for Jacob. One of us finally noticed that the fireworks had stopped, and he pulled back. "We gotta get back, Bella." His voice was thick, whether it was with emotion or desire, I did not know. I wasn't even sure what that whole thing was about; I just did it.
I was able to board the motorcycle by myself this time. We rode back to the Polynesian with exaggerated slowness. The closeness I felt just holding him, on the back of that bike, could prolong itself for as long as possible. The trees flowed past us, the wind blowing over us, the stars twinkling in the sky, it was all palpable. It was as if I could reach out and feel everything; even his hidden love had a soft, warm feel. I'd gone from feeling nothing to feeling everything, all at once, and the result was overwhelming.
He pulled the motorcycle into the horseshoe, and the same kid that handed him the keys earlier, took them from him now. "Thank you." Jacob said to the kid, holding the door open for me. He made no move to be affectionate, and I wondered if he regretted the kiss. I hoped he hadn't.
The breeze blew through the door, swirling my hair, as we moved deeper into the hotel. I thought of Edward the entire elevator ride up to our room. I thought of Edward as he fumbled with the key card. As the door clicked shut behind us, I thought of no one but my child, still sleeping in his crib.
The babysitter was sitting on the edge of the bed, obviously ready to make a quick escape. She explained that he'd slept the entire time, and had been an absolute angel. We thanked her profusely for coming to us on such short notice. I noticed the "we's and us's" that were being used, and that it didn't worry me as much as it probably should.
He leaned against the dresser, staring at me, in that darkened room. Why he was watching me dig for my toiletries' bag, I'll never know, but then I remembered that it was still in the bathroom. I went to brush my teeth, and he followed me in. "I'll meet you on the balcony when you're finished." The message was succinct, to the point. Something big was coming, and I knew it. I wasn't ready for any of this, and yet it headed straight for me like a freight train. I was powerless to stop it.
I may as well change clothes while I'm at it. The PJ's I'd packed were entirely embarrassing; I had not anticipated company, in the evening hours. Who knew pants and a long sleeved shirt could be so detrimental to ones self esteem? They were mismatched flannel, huge, and awful. I settled on a plain white t-shirt instead. At least white matched everything. Only the bottoms were hideous now. On my way out, I grabbed my blue dress again. I was going to throw it back on, and sleep in it, but he called to me. My bare foot stepped out onto the cement balcony first; testing the waters, I suppose. He was sitting in a patio chair by the door, waiting for me.
Something big was definitely coming. He promised to behave on this trip; what could this all be about? I sat down on the little bench facing the outside. The view was lovely, so many lights and trees in the distance. Not as gorgeous as Cinderella's castle had been, but still nice to look at.
He looked calm, relaxed, sitting there in his black t-shirt, and jeans. We just gazed at each other, both retracing the years in our lives since we met. I wonder if he saw things differently than I did; I was so in love with Edward.
He was the one to break the silence; his eyes flashed, his smile grew, imperceptibly, in the darkness. "My only mission on this trip was to pull you out of the depression you were in. I see that, for the time being, I've succeeded."
His smile grew larger, then faded, seriousness replacing it. "Something happened to you tonight. You collapsed in that bathroom, and had one of the worst flashbacks that I'd ever witnessed." I watched him wince, as if he were in pain too, "I don't know what happened to you, Bella." He cupped my face in his hands as he continued, "I don't know what he did to you, but I swear, if you ever want to talk about it—if you need someone to turn to, please let it be me." His eyes burned their sincerity deep enough to reach my soul.
"I want to be the one that you lean on. I want to be the one to make you feel safe. I want to be the one to love you; to be the one to grow old with you. You are, and have always been, the most important person in my existence." He swiftly abandoned his chair, and crouched down, my face still in his strong, capable hands. The love was pouring out of him as he knelt down in front of me. "I know I promised you I'd behave myself, and I have; I haven't made one move without your permission. I know you're wounded; I know you're not ready. You're worth the wait, Bella. I love you, and you're worth it. I'm doing this now so that when you're ready, all you have to do is say the word, and I'll make it happen." His hands slid from my face, and found my hand. My eyes opened up wider than I thought possible, when I figured out what was going on. "I can make all your dreams come true. Bella, I love you, and when you're ready, I want to marry you." He turned my hand palm up, and placed a minuscule box in it. "I'm going to give you this box now, but you don't have to even look at it till you're ready. When, if, you decide that the time is right, you just have to tell me." A tear slid down his face, but I was too stunned to wipe it away.
I somehow found my voice, or at least what was left of it, "It's just so soon Jake. I only just came to Forks a few months ago. My divorce isn't even final." Shame flowed through me as I spoke my next words, "How long have I been back, Jake?"
He was concentrating; his eyes narrowing, "Back in Forks?" Well, what else could I mean?
"Your birthday, and Aaron's too, is coming, Bella. It'll be nine months, next week, that you came back to me."
I drew in a sharp breath, taking in all that he was telling me. My voice could only manage a squeak. "Nine months?" I tried to count back in my head, but I couldn't remember a time before he'd placed those tickets on the table. It was as if my time in Forks had started that day. "It can't be; it isn't. Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday that you were carrying me around because of the crutches. I don't understand." The last part came out more like a whimper, more desperate than I had intended it to.
"You don't remember because you were so" He paused momentarily, to find the right words, "out of sorts. You'd been taking care of your son for so long, you needed someone to take care of you. Charlie did the best he could, but he couldn't handle two patients. You were out of it for months, Bells. Sometimes you just stared, for hours, without moving. If Aaron would cry, you'd go to him, but other than that, you were a statue!" Another tear rolled down his cheek, but I was better prepared this time. Slowly, carefully, I reached up to wipe that single tear. He nuzzled my hand, and the tears flowed freely. Unstoppable. He told me everything. All the weeks he waited for me to speak, but the only time I talked was during a flashback. The way my brown eyes would cloud over, and he would know that one was coming; the dead stare that came after. The flashbacks were their only clues to what war was raging inside my mind. He told me about me calling Edward's name over and over again, Carlilse, and Alice's as well. I had called out to them, begging them to help me, to take me back.
I couldn't listen to it anymore. I didn't care what had happened in the past; I just wanted to move on, into the future. I put my finger on his lips, and he quieted instantly; his lips puckering to give my finger a kiss. I knelt onto the ground next to him, my hands on his cheeks, I slowly closed the distance. My eyes shyly gazing upon his face, as I leaned in to kiss him. Beginning at a slow tempo, our lips met, briefly—sweet. He drew in a slightly hitched breath that ignited that passion in me again, and I nearly bowled him over. He rolled backwards, landing on his back with me on top of him. I could see Jacob struggling to keep control, and he carefully pulled me off of him, dusting off the back of his jeans.
I looked down at the little box beside me, suddenly apprehensive. I was curious because when I'd set it down, something had rattled inside. A ring shouldn't rattle if it's properly inside a ring box. "What's in here?" I asked him, genuine curiosity shining in my face.
"A penny." He smiled; the simplicity of his statement made me smile too.
"Why a penny, Jake?" For my thoughts, perhaps?
"I just figured you'd want to pick out your own diamond, and make your own ring. I couldn't give you an empty box, so you just say the word, and I'll take you anywhere in the world. Anything you want, Bella. Anything." I thought about that for a while; about what I wanted.
More than anything, I wanted to be with Edward. I'm not going to sit here and lie to myself. If Jacob would accept me, even in ruins, knowing I loved another man... Who was I to stand in the way of his happiness. I stared out at the stars, twinkling in the distance. I wish they could spontaneously spell out my answer; tell me what's the right thing to do. Sometimes the right thing to do for yourself, is the wrong one for someone else. It seemed like a lifetime since my father had told me that. Yawning hugely, I rested my head back, against the cool glass.
"Let's go to sleep, Bella. We'll talk tomorrow." He tenderly brushed my hair back from my face, and kissed my cheek. He grasped my hand, and led me back into the hotel room. It was after midnight now; I was exhausted. Jake brushed his teeth, and changed into sweatpants. Seeing his chest bare made me gasp. I went into the bathroom for a final once over, before I turned in for the night. I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.
