Flight of the Phoenix
Chapter Nine – Going Home and First Day
We managed to get on the road to New Hampshire after Jasper had managed to get Bella to fall asleep. I rode in the backseat with her as Esme drove Bella's new car.
I knew she would be upset that I had spent money on her, but I'd had no idea that she would be this upset. The more I analyzed all her previous lapses I was beginning to think that her powers seemed to be tied to her emotions. She was approaching a supernatural level of power and fast. She would get noticed if she didn't learn to control them.
The drive to Dartmouth normally took sixteen hours, but at the speed Esme and Jasper were driving they would get us there before Bella's parents' plane touched the ground, so we had time to kill.
"Bella, we're going to stop to get you something to eat," I whispered in her ear about six hours into our trip. She'd been laying her head on my lap and remained quiet since she'd woken up. She had been refusing to talk to me.
"What would you like to eat?" I asked, playing with a strand of her soft hair.
Bella closed her eyes, and the navigation screen on the dashboard turned on, displaying the directions to a local diner. Esme looked at me through the rearview mirror.
She can manipulate computers now?
I had a feeling that she'd already been able to do this. Carlisle had already thought that she had done something to the computer equipment and the MRI machine… it was logical, in a way. Then, the night I had almost attacked her, she'd caused the power outage. Her increased brain activity would most likely increase her natural abilities and give her new ones.
I can't see what's going to happen anymore. She's blocking me. I heard Alice's thoughts as we pulled into the diner's parking lot several minutes later.
"Bella, stop blocking Alice," I said, pulling her up into a sitting position. "We need to make sure that everything is going to be fine if we go into the diner." Bella nodded and seconds later, Alice opened Bella's door.
"Everything will be fine. Come on, Bella. Let's get you something to eat," Alice chimed, wrapping her arm across Bella's shoulders.
I quickly stepped out of the car and glared at Alice, taking her place and holding Bella. Alice frowned and pouted slightly before sticking out her tiny pink tongue at me.
"Not all of you need to come. Alice, if you go three doors down, you'll find a vintage pair of black pumps in your size…" Bella paused for a moment, her eyes glazed over.
"Esme, one more door down is an antique shop where you'll find an early eighteenth-century table that you'll love for the living room. Jasper, go with Alice and you'll find something there… but Alice won't let you buy it because it clashes with the bedroom wall color," Bella stated, looking at everyone and waiting for them to leave.
Go, I need to speak to Edward… alone, I read from Alice's thoughts as Bella communicated with her silently.
Good luck, man, Jasper thought, taking Alice's hand.
It will be okay, Edward, Alice assured me before allowing Jasper to pull her along.
We'll be back in an hour, Esme thought, touching my shoulder before walking down the street.
"Bella –"
"Don't. I'm hungry. So, first food, and then we'll talk," Bella mumbled, wincing slightly from putting too much weight on her ankle. I helped her into the diner and sat beside her in a red vinyl-covered booth.
A waitress with a short dark hair approached our booth, her eyes widening when she looked at me. I internally cringed, knowing Bella could most likely hear the fantasies she was coming up with. I was used to this, but Bella was not.
"Hello. My name is Vanessa. What can I get you to drink?" Vanessa directed the question to me, ignoring Bella.
I looked at Bell, my previous assumptions proven right – Bella's eyes were narrow and intense. "Bella?" I asked, hoping to calm her down. The waitress looked at Bella with a small frown on her face.
"I'll have a coke with just an order of fries, please." Bella's tone was firm.
"And you?" Vanessa asked me with a smile.
"Just a coke," I answered, not taking my eyes off Bella. She was still glaring daggers towards the waitress.
"Coming right up," she said, but I wasn't really paying attention, as my eyes were still on Bella. I heard the waitress leave, her thoughts dissatisfied. As she walked away, Bella's eyes were still on the waitress who then stumbled. Bella smirked.
"Bella…" I warned her.
"She was being rude," Bella said in a sweet, innocent tone. I cocked an eyebrow, giving her the disapproving look that Esme usually reserved for Emmett.
"Don't look at me that way. I'm sure you don't like what the man with the red baseball cap has been thinking about me since the minute we came in. If you could, you would do the same thing," Bella stated matter-of-factly.
She was right, and I hated to admit it. Since we'd come in, the man had been thinking about Bella's backside. She was wearing a pair of blue yoga pants with a matching hooded jacket that were form-fitting.
"Ugh… is my butt really that round?" Bella whispered so softly that I didn't think she'd intended me to hear it.
I bit back a laugh. I leaned in so that I could whisper in her ear, "Yes." Bella's eyes widened, and she blushed. She shook her head the color in her cheeks becoming brighter.
"I can't believe you'd just said that," she grumbled. "I don't know what's more embarrassing, knowing you looked or your opinion of what you've seen." I chuckled.
"You don't usually wear clothes like this. You have to remember that I've seen you in a pair of loose jeans, a pair of shorts and a hospital gown. That's all."
"Alice has a closet full of clothes like this for me, and now I can read minds." Bella's tone disapproving. "I think I was better off not knowing what the others think."
"You have no idea…" I laughed darkly. "Are you trying to block the others out, or are you having trouble doing it?"
"I can block them out easily enough, now. At least, I've been doing it for the past few minutes. It doesn't take as much energy as it used to."
Just then, the waitress came back with the two cokes and Bella's fries. "Isn't there anything I can get you?" she asked me while my eyes were on Bella.
"No, thank you." I answered quickly as Bella's eyes narrowed again, but then she grabbed the ketchup bottle and started eating her fries. The waitress left the check and walked away without another stumble.
"Mmm… thank you. I needed this," Bella said, licking a fingertip. Bella's face scrunched up slightly in thought. "I'm curious… what do you do if you have to eat in front of someone?"
I rolled my eyes at her. "You're always curious." I grabbed a fry, really not wanting to eat it but to satisfy her curiosity I would. Making sure she was watching, I slowly brought the fry to my mouth, but she suddenly had a smirk on her lips.
I bit down, and the sense of taste I felt then was overwhelming. I could actually taste the saltiness, the crispness of the fry and the texture. It tasted amazing. The shock must've been apparent on my face, because Bella was in a fit of giggles.
"What did you do?" I asked, reaching out for another fry, but Bella stopped me.
"I gave your mind the memory of how it tasted to me, so you could experience it. But if you keep eating them, you'll get sick later. Trust me." Bella smiled at me, proud of herself.
She's right. You'll be sick once we get on the road and ruin Bella's backseat. Alice's thoughts ran across my mind.
Bella kept eating for a few minutes before talking again. "Okay, this conversation is safe here. Under no circumstances are you allowed to buy me any more gifts for the next five years. That thing you bought must have been over forty thousand dollars. If you make that promise, I promise to use it," Bella said,h er chin jutting out, waiting for answer.
I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Doe she really have to be so stubborn?
"But your birthday is coming up," I complained with a mock pout.
"Consider it my birthday gift."
I smiled, thinking I could still get her a Christmas gift. Then she squashed that.
"And a Christmas gift, a Valentine's gift, our anniversary gift and any other holiday you'll find an excuse to lavish me with gifts for." Bella listed each one on her fingers.
"Fine," I grumbled. She had me there. I would have to comply for now, but she had to get used to getting nice things, since Esme and Alice were moving here.
About thirty minutes later, we were back on the road. Bella's head was on my shoulder while we sat in the backseat again.
We pulled up in front of Bella's house a few hours later. Her house was pale brown with dark brown accents. There was a driveway that led to a garage at the back left side of the house. Esme parked the car just in front of the garage door.
Bella's parents had called earlier letting us know they had arrived and would be waiting for us. They were already waiting outside for us when we had pulled up. Before I could get Bella out of the car, her mother was there to greet her with an embrace. "Bella, you must be so tired, let's get you inside."
"Mom, I'm fine, really," Bella mumbled. She really hated it when people fussed over her. Charlie walked over to Bella, giving her an awkward hug, while Renee was still holding her.
"Did you get something to eat on the way here?" Charlie asked, his thoughts on whether we'd taken good care of his little girl.
"Yes, Char… – Dad, it was a long drive," Bella said, wincing, her eyes closing shut from the pain.
"Bella, are you alright?" I asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Yes, I'm fine."
"Liar, you're in pain again," I lightly scolded. "My family and I will go get your prescription while your parents help you settle in."
Bella nodded. "That sounds like a good idea, but can you help me inside first?"
"Of course." I smiled at her before sweeping her up and carrying her inside. Bella rolled her eyes at me before wrapping her arms around my neck.
Renee walked in front of us, opening the front door. Her thoughts were rather colorful after my little display of strength. He makes it look like Bella weighs less than a feather. Bella gasped suddenly, when I walked in the house with her still in my arms and placed her on the sofa.
"Alice," Bella whispered icily.
I chuckled. My sister had decided to completely decorate and fully furnish Bella's new house. Bella's eyes narrowed and glared at me.
"I'll be back with your prescription in an hour. We'll also pick something up for you and your parents for dinner." I smiled, placing a chaste kiss on her cheek, aware that Charlie was watching.
"Fine, let me get you some money, then," Bella said, grabbing her purse.
"No need to, Bella," I said and walked away, fully aware of the death glare she was giving me.
You're doing it again, Bella thought as I reached the front door.
Get used to it, I countered.
Ugh… fine, but I don't like it.
I chuckled as I made my way outside to my family, who was waiting in my car. I know. I love you.
I know.
We returned an hour later and brought them ribs for dinner. My family and I left to give them some privacy. Both of Bella's parents were leaving early in the morning with Esme to the airport. Neither could stay with their work schedules, and Alice reassured them that she was staying to help Bella until she felt better. Bella had told me that she was leaving her bedroom window open so that I could come over later that night.
It had been hours since I'd been with her, and my body was already beginning to ache from the departure. I went to Bella's backyard and heard Charlie's snores coming from one of the guest bedrooms, and Renee was already dreaming. I quickly opened the window and stepped through, and Bella was sitting in bed.
"Hi." She blushed and then looked down. I strode across the room and gave her a tender kiss before sitting in a chair across from her.
Why are you sitting over there? she asked through her thoughts.
Bella, you know why.
I'm not bleeding now. Come lay with me please.
I shook my head. I didn't want to tempt myself again.
Nothing is going to happen. I'm used to you holding my hand when I sleep.
I sighed. So was I.
Fine, but no funny business. I chuckled.
I pulled the covers over her body and lay on top of them, wrapping my arms around her waist.
Much better, she thought with a smile on her face.
I agree, now go to sleep.
I wanted to ask you something.
What… something that we haven't discussed yet? I teased a bit.
No, forget it. I changed my mind. She blushed and averted her eyes.
Bella, you can ask me anything, I thought, squeezing her hip gently.
She didn't say or think anything further, and I groaned. She knew how frustrating it was not to be able to read her thoughts.
Sorry, it's just that your family are …umm… couples. I was wondering if they are like other married couples.
My body stiffened slightly. This was a subject I hoped she'd never ask about, especially since she could read my mind at will. I started going over a Biology101 textbook before she read my thoughts.
Edward?
I sighed in defeat. Yes, I suppose in that way it is. They have the same human desires, hidden just behind the more powerful desires.
Oh.
She didn't say anything further, and now my curiosity was piqued. I wanted to know her experience in this matter.
I'm curious now… have you ever… I trailed off.
Bella flushed and shook her head no. I sighed in relief.
That's nice. We have another thing in common.
Bella smiled at me. I'm curious, do your human instincts, you know, find me desirable? Bella flushed again and closed her eyes.
I laughed silently. I may not be human, Bella, but I am a man. You're too desirable for your own good.'
That's good to know. Since I see you plan to be a gentleman.
What could she have meant by that? She didn't say anything further and closed off her mind. I felt that this conversation was far from over.
Sleep now, Bella. Bella snuggled closer, her head on my chest. I took in the scent of her hair and inhaled deeply before kissing it lightly.
Goodnight, Edward. I love you, she murmured in her thoughts.
I know.
Bella slept soundly for most of the night. But a few hours before dawn, she started mumbling my name. She kept saying "the thing" in disgust. A few times she whispered that she loved me. My heart soared at the thought that she was dreaming of me. But quite suddenly, those whispered thoughts turned to moans. Her body kept squirming and things like "feels so good" and "more" started leaving her lips. It didn't take a genius to know what she was dreaming about. I leapt out of bed, fighting the urge to run my hands and lips all over her body.
I sat in the chair in the corner of her room and watched from afar, fascinated. She moved her body continuously for well over a half an hour before finally settling, the blanket twisted up in her legs. I closed my eyes in relief, running my hands through my hair in frustration. I heard a small thud suddenly. I opened my eyes, and they widened at the sight.
Bella was levitating, her body laying on her ceiling. I slowly made my way to the bed, my eyes still on her. She was still asleep.
I didn't know how to approach this. If I woke her, she could scream, alerting her parents. They would enter the room and see her like this.
"Bella, wake up," I whispered, reaching for her cheek, which was just within reach. She didn't stir.
"Bella, love, you need to wake up." My whisper was just a little louder and firmer. My mind was making sure that Charlie and Renee were still asleep.
Bella's eyes started to flutter open. She blinked a few times, and then her eyes widened in horror. I put my finger to my lips, reminding her to be quiet.
Get me down, she screamed in my head.
I nodded and stood on the soft mattress. I grabbed her hand and pulled her towards me. She came easily enough, but when I let her go for a moment, she went back up. I shook my head and pulled her again, wrapping my arms around her waist. We settled on the bed with her lying on top of me, my arms wrapped around her tightly. I could feel the "pull" that was trying to make her levitate.
Bella's heart was beating quickly, and I felt tears falling from her eyes.
"Please, don't let me go," she whispered.
"Never," I whispered back as the invisible force started to dissipate.
The next morning I managed to leave and come right back through the front door with Esme. Bella said her goodbyes to her parents and promised to call tomorrow with the details of her first day of school, which was the next night.
Jasper and Alice came later that day, and we tested some of Bella's powers. With guidance from Carlisle, we were trying to get her to control them. He recommended that they set up a full lab for Bella when she came to visit in Forks, including an MRI to see if her brain activity was increasing.
I left her to her privacy as Alice helped her take a shower and change her bandages around her abdomen and chest.
We spent the night together again, and the same events repeated themselves. She cried herself to sleep in my arms after I'd gotten her off the ceiling.
Bella woke up the following morning with a perfect, content, happy face on the surface. She refused to talk about what was happening to her.
Today was our first day of classes, which were to start later that evening. We shared our first class together. We went through the day like before, just getting to know each other a little better and testing her powers. Alice came by a couple of hours before class and started to help Bella get ready.
I left to give Bella privacy and to fight the temptation of reading Alice's thoughts while she helped Bella get ready. I didn't need that mental image to break my resolve on keeping the boundaries I was already struggling to keep up.
I arrived twenty minutes before class started to help Bella get to class. She was still unable to drive and refused to let me carry her to the campus, so we took her Audi and parked in the student parking lot. Bella limped beside me, wincing here and there.
"Bella, you're in pain. Let me carry you," I complained.
"No, that will just make people notice me faster," Bella stated, her eyes scanning the campus.
"People are still going to notice you," I said, looking at her cheeks flush. "You look absolutely breathtaking right now, so I'm sure you'll catch plenty of boys' eyes."
"Ugh, don't start that again," Bella complained. I shook my head. She really didn't see herself clearly.
We finally made it to the class, and I had to help Bella down the steps, and I took a seat towards the middle. Bella pulled out her syllabus and her laptop. I rolled my eyes.
"You don't have to take notes… I will remember everything, remember?"
"Yes, I know. But I need to practice for all the classes we don't have together."
"In a week's time, we'll have all our classes together."
"Edward, you don't have to do that. Don't change your major for me."
"Well, I've never gotten a degree in English Literature. So, where's the harm in that?" Bella rolled her eyes as the professor entered the classroom.
Professor Blake introduced himself and went over the syllabus and the book list, when suddenly Bella started typing furiously on her laptop.
I watched as she typed well over one hundred ninety words per minute, her eyes staring ahead, blank and devoid of any emotion.
"Bella…" I whispered in her ear. Bella did not respond. I looked at the screen and noticed that she was writing what seemed like computer code. I noticed some students around me taking notice of Bella's behavior.
I stroked Bella's cheek, hoping to capture her attention. She stopped and she shook her head. She looked over to me and then back to the screen. She pressed a few more keys, and a picture came up. I stared at it. There on the screen was a picture of Bella and me lying on blanket in the middle of tall grass and wildflowers, the sun shining and my skin shimmering, nude.
Bella closed the screen quickly and blushed, ten shades of red coloring her cheeks. She closed her eyes. I didn't even know what to say. The picture was accurate as far as my body was concerned, so I wondered if it was a picture of the future. There was no way I was going to forget that image for as long as I lived.
Several minutes passed, and Bella still refused to look at me, blocking her mind from me. I watched as tears streamed slowly down her cheeks. Then I noticed that she was not the only one. All around us, there were students crying, all of them hit with overwhelming sadness. Most of them thinking of lost loves and lost family members.
Bella's powers were tied to her emotions, and she was causing this.
I leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Bella, please tell me what's wrong."
I'm fine, Edward, Bella thought, letting me read her thoughts again.
I know you're lying. Look around you.
Bella looked around, her eyes widening in confusion and then in comprehension.
I can't seem to control it. Her thoughts were all over the place, visions coming and changing with every passing moment.
We need to leave, I thought. Class is almost over.
AN: Thanks to lisa89 for all your help with this chapter.
