Hello, it's JennsEmeralds. Well, the first step has been taken by Edward. Can I say, finally! I guess Bella just had to provoke him a little. She is beyond fed up with his elusive behavior.
Also, I want to thank everyone for the reviews. And I see some people are adding me to their favorite stories list. Please review. I want to know how you like the story.
Speaking of the story. Let's get to it…..
My lips crushed into his. I couldn't help myself. I was burning up inside, and the fire wasn't going to stop anytime soon. But, of course, Edward stopped. He grabbed my arms and pushed me back away from his face. "What is it now! What is wrong with you, Edward?" I started to yell at him out of frustration. "Bella! I….I wanted to….." He stuttered out. "Say it! Say it out loud, Edward!" I swore I was going to strangle him if he didn't spit it out.
"I am in love with you, Bella! God! I love you!" He yelled back at me.
"Wha…what?" I said in shock. I was thinking he was trying to ask me to the dance. I wasn't expecting those words to come out of his gorgeous mouth. Tears suddenly came falling down my cheeks onto my shirt. "Oh, my God, Bella. I am so sorry. I wouldn't have…I mean if you don't feel that way….are you ok?" Edward pulled me into his chest and rocked me. I pushed back off of him and looked dead straight into his emerald eyes. "No." I said still unable to form many words at once. "No?" He looked down at the seat with such anguish. "No, I mean, stop talking. God, you have me so wound up right now, I can't speak straight. What I am trying to say is that you need to stop saying those things. I am glad you said it because I am so in love with you, too." I was laughing and crying at the same time. "Really?" He asked forming tears of his own. "Really." I confirmed.
He pulled me to him again, and kissed me so softly, with so much love behind it. He placed light kisses down my neck until he nuzzled back into it. "I've been waiting for you…so long." He whispered. Memories of my first dream about him came flooding into my mind. I remember it was very cryptic, and at the time, I didn't know it was him. But, he said those exact words. It was him! It's always been him! I just rested my head on his and closed my eyes again thinking there was no other place I'd rather be right now than here in Edward's arms. I could be anywhere with him and not want to be anywhere else. And we were still in the grocery store parking lot. Oh, yeah, the store.
"Do you still want to go in?" I asked as he started humming a relaxing tune. "Sure. Mom wants us to get stuff for a Bar B Que." He lifted his head, gave me a quick kiss, and opened the car door. I saw him running around to get my door, so I waited. He took me by the hand and pulled me to him. He wrapped his arms around me and hugged me so tight. "I am so happy right now." He spoke into my hair. "Me too, Edward. Me, too." I relished in the moment with my face against his chest. I could hear his heart beating faster. And I could definitely feel mine swelling with joy.
We had so much fun shopping. We took turns pushing the cart while the other rode on the front. We were so carefree, laughing until the tears ran out of our eyes. It was just so easy with Edward, so comfortable. We had completed our list, or so we had thought. "Oh, we forgot the brats and buns. Emmett wanted those." Edward said as he was unloading the groceries at the check out aisle. "I'll get it." I ran while I was still looking at him. As I rounded the corner to the bread aisle, I stumbled back as I hit something, or someone.
"Hey, watch it….oh, hey Bella. I knew you couldn't get enough of me." I had run into James! "You wish. Are you following me or something? What are you, a tracker?" I spat. I tried to ignore him any further, and walk past him. "Something like that." He mused, grabbing my arm. "Not so fast. We never got to finish our time together, since you've been with Cullen non stop." And then he moved his ice cold lips to my ear. "I keep thinking of that tight little body of yours under my t-shirt. You owe me." He whispered as he ran his skinny finger across my cheekbone. It sent frightening chills through my body. "Let go of me." I rumbled as I tried to pull away. He was hurting my arm.
"You heard her, James. What the hell do you think you are doing?" Edward was walking towards us with a murderous look on his face. "Fine, you can have her. I was just playing around anyway." James smiled as he let go of me when I was still pulling away from him. I flew back expecting, like I always did, to crack my head open on the tile floor. But, instead, I hit soft arms. "You ok, love?" Edward asked checking me for bruises. "Yeah, sure." I said as I silently favored my arm.
"Love? Huh. Cullen, you move quickly. That's ok, I've still got Victoria nibbling at my heels. She's a fun girl. You should've taken her for a spin when you had the chance." James was such a disrespectful ass when it came to girls. Edward ignored his attempts to get a rise out of him. "So, you never answered me, James. What the hell are you doing here? This isn't even close to your neck of the woods." Edward sounded suspicious. "Funny you should ask. Your mom invited me to a cook out since she knows my parents are out of town. She said to bring a friend if I wanted. So, since Bella's already your friend, I guess I will bring Victoria. She's always game for a good time." James snickered.
"Lovely." I mumbled. "Whatever, James. But, I swear if you even look Bella's way while you are over, I will beat you down." Edward growled. "Ok, Tiger, see you there." James laughed as he walked away. "God, he is such a freak. Why are you even friends with him? He is so creepy now that I know him." I still had the heebie jeebies. Edward cringed at the word 'freak'. "We have a….history together, Bella. I can't just tell him to get lost. Besides my mom feels like she still needs to take care of him. It would hurt her if I did that." He actually felt sorry for him, I think. "Ok, so I will just learn to deal with James, then. Since you love me, I mean." I kissed him quickly. "Let's get home." He smiled as he hoisted me up on his back again, and took me to the car. Of course, I giggled the whole way.
By the time we got back to the house, Alice had already orchestrated an outside BBQ Pool party for a few close friends, and James and Victoria. I couldn't help but think that. I will try and have nice thoughts….for Edward's sake. I kept repeating to myself. But, I just couldn't get those unsettling thoughts out of my head. Something about the pair of them really freaked me out.
Alice had invited Angela and Ben, and the rest of the Red Hots crew. "Hey, Bella, what's shaken'?" Jessica was sure bubbly. "Hey," I said. As I got closer to her, I could see why she was in such good spirits. I gave her a thumbs up. "I know...right?" She mouthed to me. She was attached to Mike at the hip, and he had his arm wrapped snuggly around her. "Hey, Mike." I said to be polite. "Hey girlfriend." Mike replied. I swear sometimes Mike sounded like he played both ways. Not that there was anything wrong with that. Just sayin'.
Lauren brought her on and off boyfriend, Tyler. She also had him tethered to her side. He had a 'help me' look on his face as she prattled on and on about dancing and shopping. Rose was listening closely to make sure she wasn't again talking about our routine. Speaking of the routine, we had practice at the butt crack of dawn in the morning. Homecoming was coming up faster than I wanted, and we had to be perfect. Or General Rose would tear us a new one. And, hey, not that I am complaining about what Edward confessed to me today, but he never asked me to the dance. My mind was everywhere but where I was when I felt Edward's lips melting into my own. I instinctly snapped out of my daydreaming, and snaked my arms around his neck. I was, however, still completely oblivious of my surroundings and who was watching at that moment. And, I was so not expecting the blatant PDA from Edward. But I liked it, a lot.
He pulled away from me and stared into my eyes. "Where did that come from?" I was still buzzing from his connection. "Well, I was trying to get your attention. You…seemed so distant, and so I decided this would be the best way to snap you out of it. I hope you didn't mind me kissing you in front of everyone." He said with an innocent smile. "N-no…not at all. It was ….nice." I breathed out. Our eyes were still locked together and our faces were slowly gravitating together again. "Don't swallow her whole, man." James laughed and Victoria followed with a snicker. Ugh! Way to ruin the moment. "I think it is great you two are finally together. I say it's about time, Bro." Emmett patted Edward on the back. I looked over at Alice who was beaming at us. "I told you." She sang and danced off.
Emmett and Jasper both decided to grill since they each thought they were the 'King of the Fire'. Emmett did the brats, and Jasper did the burgers. I'd say it was a tie of who did the best. One can't go wrong with blue cheese and bacon burgers and jalapenos and cheese stuffed brats. I ate until I was sure I couldn't move. Edward and I were sitting on a lounge chair. I sat in between his legs with my back leaning on him. He was breathing in my ear giving me the most delicious chills. I was lost in the moment when a shadow was cast over us.
"Can I have my best friend please?" Alice stood in front of us with her hand extended out. "We are going swimming now, and you have to get changed." "Fine." I said as I grabbed her hand as she pulled me up knowing I couldn't win against her. Edward laughed as he said, "I'm right behind you, love." I opted for an emerald two piece suit that looked like a halter top with boy shorts. Alice said we were playing volleyball, and I didn't want anything to pop out when I jumped.
The guys were putting up the volleyball net when we got back out. "Girls versus guys!" Alice yelled. She got cheers from Rose. Rose was very good at the sport. I was decent because we played often to keep in shape, but not as graceful. But, I was sure the water would help me out. Rose served first. She spiked the ball so hard that it splashed like a cannonball onto the other side in front of Mike blinding him with water. "Watch out, man, Rose is deadly with balls." Jasper snickered earning a worried look from Emmett. She served again, but this time Edward bumped it in the air and Emmett slammed it over the net straight in my direction. I was able to set it up for Rose who bumped it to Victoria. I thought she was spiking it over the net, but instead the ball hit me in the head.
"What the…..!" I glared at her. "Oh, sorry." Victoria gave me am innocent look and grinned. I shook it off determined to win the game. Jasper was up to serve. He slapped the ball towards Alice. She set it up for Rose, who aimed it directly in front of Emmett. He dove for it, face planting in the water. He still managed to get it to James. James, of course, spiked the ball directly towards my face. Angela dove in front of me and saved me and the ball. She set it up for Rose again, who spiked it back at James. "Watch who you're aiming at, ass!" Rose spat at James.
We went back and forth, until we were tied at 10 points. It was my serve. I concentrated, focusing on Edward's beautiful face. He was smiling at me and gave me a nod to continue. It felt like slow motion as I threw the ball up to spike it over. I growled as I hit it over, somehow making it more deadly as it hurled towards James. I don't know if I was trying to get back at him for his actions earlier, or trying to get back at Victoria through him, or both. But the anger and determination worked towards my revenge. The ball hit him square in his face. He immediately put his hands over his nose. When he lowered his hands, all I saw was red flowing down over his mouth. "You broke my nose!" He cried. Edward went in physician mode checking to see if James was correct in his assumption. Victoria swam over to sooth James.
"I'll go and get some towels." I said as started to feel guilty for my letting my anger get the best of me. "He deserved it, Bella." Jasper was immediately at my side. "He was mumbling dirty shit about you the whole time he was next to me. Edward didn't hear him because he was staring at you the whole time." He smiled at me. "You guys are really in love aren't you? I mean I don't know him that well, yet, but I didn't peg him for a 'suck on your face in public' kind of guy. But you seem to bring it out in him. And he you." That made me smile back at him.
"Well I am sure you and Alice will get there, too." I gave him a sympathetic look. "You know, she loves you, too. It's just that you didn't fight for her hard enough when that psycho, Maria, sent you that message."
"Is that what she wants? Me to fight…harder? I've been giving it all I've I got, Bella! I love her so much, and she doesn't see it. What else can I do? I haven't even tried to get down her pants because I want to show her I respect her more that anything." He lowered his voice, not wanting anyone to hear his conversation. But it was too late.
"Is that why you have been ignoring my advances?" Alice heard him talking as she came in the house. "Oh, Jazzy, I thought you didn't find me attractive enough. But you love me. You really love me?" She jumped at him almost knocking him down. She had a little body, but it was strong. "Sure do, Darlin'." He drawled. And then he planted a big wet kiss on her eager mouth.
"Um, I'm going out with the towels." I said knowing it was falling on deaf ears by this point. They were devouring each other like hungry vampires. When I got outside, I could see that Edward had James out of the pool. He told James it was just a broken blood vessel, and that holding pressure on it would stop the bleeding. Victoria was on the other side of Edward, no doubt taking advantage of the situation by getting as close to both of them as possible.
But as I got closer, I saw a familiar scene. James and Edward huddled together talking, and Victoria sitting on the other side of Edward. And I could see that both Edward and Victoria had blood on them as well. Wow, de ja vu. I shook off the chill as I thought of my dream.
"You sure aren't as frail as you look, Bella. You've got some punch to that hot little body." Even with James talking through his nose, he still could come up with something degrading to say. But I had promised myself I wasn't going to let him get to me anymore. So I opted for gloating. "Well James, my 'hot little body' won the game by beating your ass down!" I did a little dance move, that Rose gave me a glare for since it was part of our routine, and dove in the pool. I heard Edward chuckle a little as I went under the water. Rose and Emmett joined me for a little while as I swam laps. I loved how the water rolled over me relaxing my muscles, while at the same time toning them as I swam harder. At one point, I saw Emmett give Rose a peck on the lips and cop a feel on her breast. Then she pushed his back against the pool wall and went for a long, searing kiss. "That's my queue to get out of here." I said not really thinking they heard me. They were totally perfect for each other for sure.
I went in the house still expecting it to be filled with people, but instead I only found Edward, Alice and Jasper at the table with Esme and Carlisle. "Come in and sit down, Bella." Carlisle said as Edward pulled a chair out beside him. "Nice to see you again, Carlisle. How was your trip?" I asked. "Great….uh, that's what we were just discussing. And since you and Jasper have an interest in Edward and Alice, I thought you would want…or need to know what happens next." Carlisle explained.
"What do you mean 'what happens next'?" I was very confused by this point. "Edward, you didn't tell her?" Alice asked him. "What, you just barely told Jasper a second ago!" Edward argued. "Ok, Bella, I…..no…..we, Alice and I, well, we….." He stayed silent for a moment and took a deep breath. I those few seconds I had imagined everything from them dying to them having supernatural powers. I was hoping for the second theory. Please be the second option. I prayed in my head.
"Mom…can you, please" Edward had asked Esme to explain. "Ok, dear. Bella, when Carlisle and I were married, we wanted nothing more than to have a house full of children running around. Then after year of marriage, when we still had no babies, we went to the fertility doctor for help. We were told that because of a rare childhood sickness I had, it would be highly unlikely for me to have children. We went forward with the treatments anyway with high hopes and prayers. And then I got pregnant with Emmett. It was a miracle. We felt so blessed to have at least one child that we gave up trying for more." She started to continue.
But Carlisle interrupted. "That was until I got a job offer at the hospital from one of the head doctors in the Genetics department after one of my toughest surgeries. It was, of course, a success, and he thought I would be very useful in Genetic research having researched my family's history. We were testing a new drug that would cure 'sick' genes in the human body. I immediately thought of Esme, and spoke to her about it. We believed that if she took the drug and it cured the damaged genes in her body that the sickness caused, then she would be able to have more children. I administered the drug in low doses at first. When nothing had changed. I increased the dose."
Esme interrupted when I looked at Carlisle horrified. "It's ok, dear. I knew and condoned the dosages. I was again determined to fix me so I could have the family I had always wanted. I believe it was about a month after Carlisle had given the last dose that I started to feel 'different.' Carlisle ran tests to see if I was pregnant, and I was! It didn't feel like the original pregnancy. Everything seemed to come faster. The morning sickness, the dizziness, the mood swings. Every time Carlisle came home, he would duck coming in the door because I was so emotional. When I gave birth to Edward and Alice, the other doctors immediately wanted to run tests on them to test them for the same disease that I had as a child." She sighed. "The gene that had carried the disease showed up. I was mortified."
"And so was I." Carlisle continued. "I was determined to cure them. So I ran more tests, and when I knew it was safe enough, I administered them with the same drug that I did Esme. They were probably a year old when we first noticed the exchange between them. They would be playing together, and Alice would get Edward a toy before he went for it. And then Edward would do the same for Alice if she looked at him. It was like they were communicating on a different level than the rest of us. I knew what was happening, but didn't know why it affected them in that manner, when it didn't to Esme. So, after doing some more research and testing, I found that twins, already having a special bond between them selves in the first place, were bound to have accelerated mental development with the drug. The only problem with that is that they have to continue to have yearly doses to keep those 'mental' genes from deteriorating."
We all were silent for a moment. I was still trying to process what Carlisle and Esme had told me. "So, that's why Alice can 'see' things, and Edward can read her thoughts? Can he read anyone else's?" I heard Edward shift nervously in his chair next to me as I directed my question at Carlisle. "No, not that we have seen yet. It's only a bond between them." Thank God! I thought as Carlisle continued. "My Team wanted to test further…do….experiments on my kids, but Esme and I wouldn't agree to it." Carlisle looked at Esme who was staring at the table. "That would be something for them to decide when they are of age. Which is coming up soon." He smiled at Edward.
"So, that's why you were in here 'discussing' things?" I realized as ice ran through my body. Would Edward agree to this? I can't, no, I won't lose him when I had just found him. I looked over at Alice and Jasper who was wrapping his arms around her giving her a kiss on her spiky hair. "I will stand by you, whatever you decide." Jasper whispered in her hair. Then I looked at Edward, whose eyes looked like they pleading for me to say something to him. "I….don't, I…can't…..lose you, Edward." I started to sob. Traitorous tears started flowing down my face. He quickly embraced me tightly in his arms. "You won't….ever, my Love. You are my life now." He looked at Carlisle who gave him a reassuring nod. Edward looked at Alice who also gave Edward a nod. I knew right then that they were going to go through with this.
"So." Alice spoke aloud. She was smiling so big that her teeth were gleaming under the chandelier. "Any ideas for the big birthday bash?"