Legal Disclaimer: No money is being made off this fan fic and no copyright infringement is intended. Everything belongs to Stephenie Meyer. I'm just playing in her sandbox.
Chapter 9
Torture
The sound of hammering woke me from my slumber. It sounded like the house was under construction. I was alone; Edward wasn't in his room. I pulled on my jeans and the t-shirt I had worn last night and trundled downstairs in search of the sound. Esme and Edward were on the first floor, wielding hammers.
"I'm sorry if we woke you, sweetheart," Esme apologized.
"It's ok," I responded, still a little groggy. "I was just wondering what was going on."
"We need to remove some of the "special features" we've built into the house," Esme explained, "before we can put it on the market."
A wave of nausea passed through me as the events of last night resurfaced in my mind. The Cullens were being forced to leave for three centuries just because of me. I let myself sink to the floor and put my head between my knees.
Edward was at my side in a heartbeat. "What's wrong." There was nothing but concern in his voice.
I held up a finger to signal that I just needed a minute. The nausea faded and I lifted my head up. "I'm fine now."
"You're green," he responded as he helped me to my feet. He still sounded concerned.
"I'm fine," I repeated. "Just feeling a little guilty."
"Bella..." he growled.
"You can't keep me from feeling guilty," I responded.
"You need anxiety medication, or something. How many times do I have to tell you there's nothing to feel guilty about."
"I don't need pills, Edward. And I think any normal person would be guilty about forcing a family out of their home."
"It was going to happen anyway," said Edward. "You're overreacting."
I just scowled at him. He walked with me into the Cullens' immaculate kitchen; it had been stocked with food just for me. I poured myself a bowl of Cheerios and then cut a banana over top of it before filling the bowl with milk. The pounding in the other room continued while I ate.
After breakfast, Edward drove me to Charlie's so that I could pack up what was left in my room. Charlie was already at work, so I let myself in with the key under the eave. Charlie had dragged my old suitcase out of the attic. It sat, covered in dust, in the middle of my room. Edward was carrying the new suitcase he had bought me to take on the honeymoon.
Edward had that suitcase packed with the contents of my dresser drawers before I had even half my closet packed. After the clothes we moved on to my other belongings: mostly books, pictures in frames, some CD's and DVD's and a few knick knacks. My old CD player was piled on top of the stuffed box that would be given to the Good Will store; Edward had promised to buy me a new player if we couldn't share his. My trusty truck was also being left behind, since Edward and I both agreed that it probably wouldn't survive a cross country drive.
It only took a little over an hour to completely pack up my room, with Edward's help. As Edward carted the suitcases and boxes out to his car, I went to check out the kitchen. I had a feeling that Charlie had been living on take out and frozen dinners since I had left. As expected, the refrigerator was almost empty, save for a couple cans of beer, two sticks of butter, ketchup, mustard, milk, three eggs, and something wrapped in foil that looked suspiciously like pizza.
"How is he ever going to survive without me?" I lamented to the refrigerator
Edward had sneaked in behind me and I jumped as he replied. "He survived for seventeen years before you came to live with him."
"And I've no idea how. I guess I know what I'll be doing for the next two days."
I took the wad of bills out of the food jar and bought Charlie groceries. That night I cooked him dinner; it was probably the first home cooked, not microwaved meal he'd had since before the wedding. I spent the next day cooking, stewing, baking, boiling, chopping, slow cooking, and frying. I packaged everything in plastic containers, labeled them, and stacked them neatly in the freezer. By the time I was done, Charlie had enough to last for at least a month without me.
"Bella, you did too much," he said when he got home that night.
"I want to make sure you're taken care of," I told him.
"I'll be fine, Bella. I want you to concentrate on school; college courses are a lot harder than high school."
"I know, Dad." I was fighting back tears. Edward's family had already left; we were waiting to say goodbye to Charlie before leaving. This was the last time I'd see my father alive.
"Do you have everything you need?" He was playing the concerned parent now.
"Yes, Dad. Probably more than I need."
"Good. Well, take care of yourself, Bella."
"I'll be fine, Dad." I blinked back a few tears. I needed to get this over with so I could escape to the darkness of Edward's car.
We hugged awkwardly. He stood out in the driveway, next to his cruiser and my old truck, and watched us drive away. I stared back long after Forks had disappeared from the rear view mirror, tears running silently down my cheeks. Edward just held my hand and let me cry. It was several embarrassing hours before the tears stopped.
Crying, mixed with the fact that it was almost one o'clock in the morning, meant I was exhausted. I put the seat back as far as it would go and pulled a pillow and blanket out of the back seat to bed down for the night. I tried not to think about what I was rapidly leaving behind me.
The sun had risen high into the sky when I finally woke. I looked out the tinted window and saw a landscape that was very different than the one I'd fallen asleep in. I could see for miles in every direction; but the only thing to see was miles and miles of wheat fields. Every once in a while a farmhouse or hay silo would break up the horizon.
"Where are we?" I asked.
"Nebraska," Edward responded instantly.
I looked at him in shock. "How fast did you drive?!"
Edward grinned. "I made good time. It was the middle of the night, Bella. There wasn't anyone else on the road."
"Except eighteen wheelers," I countered. "Which could turn your car into tin foil."
Edward just chuckled. "Do you need to stop?"
I nodded. I needed several human moments.
We pulled into the first rest area that we encountered. I used the facilities and washed my face in the sink before buying breakfast out of a vending machine. I got back in the car with a can of apple juice and a prepackaged sticky bun.
"Is that all you're eating?" he asked.
"Yes. I'm not very hungry." It was the truth. In fact, I felt a little sick, and it wasn't from the car ride. We were getting to New Hampshire faster than I had anticipated; I had realized that I only had a day or two left to be human. It was making me nervous.
Edward merged back onto the highway and soon states were zipping by like counties. Carlisle called us somewhere in the middle of Ohio to tell us that they had arrived in New Hampshire already.
We were in the Pennsylvania mountains when the sun sank below the horizon. The nausea I had felt during the day was intensifying. I hadn't even eaten dinner, much to Edward's annoyance, but greasy fast food just didn't appeal to my stomach and I was afraid of stopping for an extended period to eat at a real restaurant; what if I chickened out and asked Edward to take me back to Forks?
I didn't feel tired at all as I watched the last rays of sun sink below the horizon. The lack of exercise and the time zone shifts meant that I didn't fall asleep until almost four in the morning; I knew it would be the last time I ever slept.
It was Edward's gentle voice that woke me. The sun was a few degrees above the horizon, but already shining brightly in the blue sky. I knew we must be off the interstate simply because the scenery wasn't zooming by at over 100 miles per hour. There was a small town going past my window.
"We're in Hanover," Edward explained. "I thought you might like to see the town and the college."
Hanover was larger than Forks, and while it still had a small town feel, there were unmistakable signs that it was a college town too. I noticed a lot of coffee houses as we cruised down main street, and green and white banners with the Dartmouth logo hung from the street lights. Edward made a left turn and I saw several large stone buildings ahead.
"That's Dartmouth."
The college looked exactly as I imagined an ivy league school should look; like it had popped out of the nineteenth century. Even the clearly modern buildings had stone facades and architecture that tied the campus together. It looked more foreboding than welcoming, especially since I knew I hadn't earned my admission there. Yet, I couldn't look away. Even after Edward drove past I looked back out the rear window. I wasn't sure when I'd see it again; it might be years.
Edward drove us out of town. We were heading north. I watched the houses become spaced farther and farther apart until the only thing to see was farmland. After twenty minutes, the farmland turned into second growth forest, which thickened as we traveled through it. I could see large mountains far in the distance, which dwarfed the rounded, rolling hills we were currently driving through.
Edward turned left suddenly, into a driveway I could have passed and still never noticed. I supposed it was a requirement for vampires to have a house that was hard to find, to prevent unwanted guests. The driveway was unpaved, but packed tightly with stone so that it wasn't very bumpy. We followed it for almost a mile before it turned sharply to the right and I saw a Victorian mansion rearing out of a clearing. My mouth dropped open in awe.
"Do you like it?"
"I love it," I replied, drinking in our new home. The siding was painted light brown, with a rusty red trim around the eaves, windows, and doors. The roof was shingled light gray. It was at least three stories tall, with a huge wrap around porch on the side facing us and two rounded towers on either side. There were outcroppings with huge bay windows and I could see several small balconies off the second and third floors. I counted at least five chimneys, and there was a massive weather vain on the highest peak.
"Wait until you see the inside," Edward replied.
I looked at him in surprise. "You've been here already?"
"Esme bought it a few years ago. We always knew we'd have to leave Forks eventually, and this seemed like a perfect place. She loves to fix up old houses, so she's been working on it on and off for the last three years."
The rest of the Cullens were waiting for us. With seven helpful vampires the Volvo was unpacked before I'd even entered the house.
Edward was right about seeing the inside of the house; it was more grand than the outside. The first thing I saw was a huge, oak staircase winding its way up to the second floor. It was tempting to call the room I was in a foyer, but it just seemed too large. However, when I saw the size of the room to the right, I knew that this couldn't be anything except an entrance hall. The Cullen's new living room was spacious, to say the least. An enormous, L-shaped sofa had been set up on the beautiful hard wood floor. The biggest television I'd ever seen in my life was set up across from the sofa, complete with an elaborate looking surround sound system. Edward's piano was in the far corner. The room also had a fireplace big enough for me to sit in comfortably, which was framed with stone and had an oak mantle that matched the wood in the staircase.
The rest of the first floor contained a kitchen, which although it had all the appliances someone would expect of a home, was useless for a coven of vampires. It also housed Carlisle's new office, which was almost as large as the living room. It too had a massive fireplace. The walls were already lined with bookcases and his paintings and photographs. His desk from Forks was already in place. Off the back of the house was a sprawling deck that looked over an open lawn.
Edward led me upstairs as he explained that the rest of the house had been turned into mini suites for each set of vampire couples. Esme, Carlisle, Rosalie, and Emmett had their rooms on the second floor, which left Edward, Alice, Jasper, and me to share the third floor. I climbed up the staircase at the end of the second floor corridor, eager to see our rooms. Ours was the last door on the left.
The door opened into a large sitting room with a huge bay window that faced west. It had a cushioned seat built around it. Edward's leather sofa was already there, along with his elaborate stereo and shelves full of CD's. A new, flat screen plasma tv was hanging on the wall. Against the opposite wall were two computer desks. One had a black Mac desktop computer on it. The other held my new laptop and an expensive looking scanner-printer combination. The entire floor was covered by a squashy beige carpet.
"This is amazing," I told Edward as I bounced around the room, examining everything.
"This isn't all," he replied, pushing open a door to our left.
I could see the ridiculously huge bed Edward had bought earlier in the year before I even entered. This was more than just a bedroom, though, it was a private space meant for just us two, and although I knew I'd never sleep again, the bed would still be put to good use. There was a set of French doors to my right, which led out onto one of the small balconies I'd seen from outside. As I walked farther into the room and turned around I noticed the book shelves that lined three of the walls. They were made of dark oak, just like the bed, and reached from floor to ceiling. There was even a sliding ladder to reach the top racks. Most were already full of books.
I moved closer to get a better look at my miniature library. I pulled an old, leather bound book off the shelf in front of me and flipped it open. I almost dropped the book in shock. It was a first edition copy of Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice. I put the book back and pulled out another. Almost every book I picked was a first edition of a classic tale.
"Do you like it?" Edward asked as he came up behind me and slipped his arms around my waist.
"Edward, this is amazing. Where did you get all these?"
He replied with a shrug. "Just some things I've collected over the years."
The final room in the suite was a large bathroom. It was entirely too big for the needs of two vampires who only needed to shower occasionally. I eyed a huge, swimming pool sized jacuzzi tub; it seemed such a waste of money. Then again, I thought with a smile, there wasn't any reason a vampire or two couldn't enjoy a bubble bath now and again.
There was a knock on our door. I heard Edward sigh as he opened it, revealing Alice and Rosalie. His brow furrowed. "Is this really necessary?"
"Of course it is," Rosalie replied. "Bella, could we borrow you for a few minutes please?"
I gave Edward a confused look. He gave me an apologetic smile back before telling me, "it's probably best to let them have their way."
"Have their way with what?" I demanded as Alice grabbed my hand and started towing me out into the hallway. "Edward!"
I wasn't rescued. Alice and Rosalie dragged me back to the second floor and into Rosalie and Emmett's suite. It was very similar to mine and Edward's, except that their bay window faced east. Emmett was sitting on an over sized beige sofa, playing Halo. The game was projected onto a huge retractable screen that practically took up an entire wall.
Emmett gave me one look before turning off the game. "Be brave, Bella," he said with more than a hint of amusement in his voice as he walked out of the suite.
"What the hell is going on?" I demanded loudly.
"Edward is going to bite you tonight," Rosalie replied, making it sound like that explained everything.
"Yes, I know that already," I replied responded dryly. "I meant, why am I here, with you two, now?"
"Bella, have you looked at yourself lately?" Rosalie's voice sounded truly concerned.
I glanced down at my body. My clothes were probably wrinkled from the car ride, and I was sure my hair was a mess. So what?
Rosalie seemed to be getting exasperated with my slowness. "Bella, once Edward bites you, you're never going to age again. That includes everything; your hair will stop growing and your nails will become as hard as diamonds."
"And?"
"And," Rosalie continued, "do you want to spend eternity with hangnails, bad cuticles, and split ends?"
My mouth hung open in shock. I looked at her incredulously; she couldn't be serious. Alice and Rosalie both stared back at me, their arms crossed and faces perfectly grim.
"My god, you are serious."
"Of course we are serious," Rosalie snapped. "You don't realize the opportunity you have, choosing to be bitten. You can choose to be in perfect condition first."
"I don't care if my nails aren't perfect or if I have a few split ends," I argued. "And Edward doesn't either."
"Trust us, you'll thank us in a few decades," replied Alice.
I didn't like the way this conversation was going.
Rosalie sprinted across the room and returned half a second later with a chair. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way, Bella."
I had no chance of escape. It was probably just best to resign myself to my fate; my last few hours as a human would be spent being tortured by spa treatments. With a huff, I sat in Rosalie's chair.
They attacked my hair first, snipping off half an inch of split ends. Next, Alice gave me a pedicure while Rosalie worked on my fingernails, buffing and filing them till they shined. She seemed horrified that I was going to leave them in their current condition for eternity.
"Is this really necessary?" I grumbled.
"Look," said Rosalie, shoving a finger toward my face. I blinked the digit into focus. The tip of Rosalie's right index finger was jagged and chipped.
It was hard not to laugh. Of course Rosalie would view a broken nail as a tragedy.
"I'm sorry," I said instead, trying to sound sincere.
"Maybe I'm shallow for hating it," Rosalie explained as she moved her hand away, "but at least I'll know your nails are perfect."
"Whatever makes you happy," I grumbled.
"You're a good sport, Bella," Alice said happily.
"Try it again in three days and see how much of a sport I am," I growled.
They ignored my threat.
"When was the last time you shaved?" Rosalie asked, trying to pull up my pant leg to see for herself.
"A week ago," I replied, kicking her hand away. I only succeeded in hurting my foot.
She shook her head at me. "Here." She was holding out a razor and a can of shaving gel.
I looked at her like she was crazy. "Are you trying to get me killed? You want to give me a razor in a house full of vampires?"
"Fine, we'll just wax your legs instead."
Well, in that case. "Fine!" I grabbed the razor and cream and marched into the adjoining bathroom, slamming the door shut behind me. I stripped off my clothes and threw them onto the floor before climbing into the jacuzzi tub. I turned on the warm water and splashed it over my legs before lathering up and very, very carefully pulling the razor up my leg. It took me twice as long as normal since I was terrified to accidentally cut myself. For good measure, I also did my bikini line and underarms, so Rosalie and Alice couldn't find some other reason to try and wax me. I dried off and got dressed again.
"Am I done yet?" I asked as I reentered the room.
"Almost," replied Rosalie. She was holding something, but I couldn't quite see what it was. She gestured for me to take my place in the dreaded chair again.
I sat down, wondering what else they could possibly want to do to me. It was only then that I saw the tweezers in Rosalie's hand. I had been around Jessica and Lauren long enough to know that nothing good came from a pair of tweezers.
"Hold still, Bella," Rosalie ordered as I squirmed in the seat.
"Can't we just compromise," I begged. "No split ends and perfect nails in exchange for bushy eyebrows."
Apparently the answer was no. Alice wrapped her stony arms around me from behind, effectively pinning me to the chair. I squished my eyes shut and tried to screw up my face so that Rosalie couldn't get to my eyebrows. She hovered over me anyway.
"There. You're done," she said suddenly.
My eyes snapped open. "Really?" I hadn't felt a thing.
Rosalie nodded and Alice released her grip on me. I launched myself out of the chair and sprinted for the door. I didn't even have to call for Edward; he appeared in the hallway almost immediately.
"You survived, I see." He was teasing me.
"Yes, I did, but in three days it won't be humans you'll need to protect from me."
He gave Alice and Rosalie an appraising look. "I can't say you two don't deserve it."
Alice gave Edward a serious look as he said this and I heard him growl softly in response to whatever she was thinking.
"What was that about?" I asked as we went back to our room.
"Nothing," he replied too quickly.
I raised my newly plucked eyebrows at him.
"Really, it was nothing you need to worry about."
My heart sank. "She saw something, didn't she? Something bad?"
"No," Edward responded in total sincerity. "Nothing like that."
"Well, she was obviously thinking something that displeased you."
"Bella, didn't you promise not to complain for the rest of the summer when we were in Spain?"
'This isn't complaining, it's inquiring."
"And I told you it's nothing."
"Fine," I pouted. It didn't sway him into telling me what had upset him.
A/N: Please review and let me know how you liked this chapter. Remember that I accept unsigned reviews too, so you don't even have to sign in.
