Chapter Ten
Looking over my math book, I tried to figure out the complex equations. Dividing algorithms was definitely not my niche in life. Huffing loudly, I closed the book and put my hands on my head, trying to figure out the problems. Why did math have to be so complicated?
"Are you having trouble?" Edward asked as he entered the room.
"Yeah," I groaned, running my fingers through my hair.
"Let me help you," he said as he took a seat next to me. "What page?" he asked, flipping opening the cover of the College Algebra textbook.
"Two thirty one."
"Here, what problems?" he asked as he came to the page.
"One through fifty, evens," I sighed. The professor was smart enough not to give odds, unfortunately. I couldn't go to the back of the book for the answers and I had to actually work it out.
"This isn't too bad. Dividing algorithms is simple once you get the hang of it," he said as he took my notebook and pencil and copied down the first problem.
"That's easy for you to say," I muttered as he finished writing out the numbers.
"Calm down love, it's really not that bad," he laughed.
"Just teach me already," I groaned as I turned to give him my full attention. Just looking at the jumble of numbers and letters confused me.
"Do you remember the rule for exponents?" he asked.
"Yes."
"And if you are dividing exponents you…?" he questioned.
"Subtract."
"Right, the first step of this problem is to dissect it…" he started. My mind instantly started working at warp speed trying to absorb all the knowledge he was providing me with, but failing horribly.
"Now, as you can see it divides out evenly," he finished the problem. I looked down at it in awe and wondered how a problem so difficult to me was a piece of cake for him.
"Edward, I don't speak math," I groaned as I looked down at the paper and attempted to figure out what he had done.
"Just watch," he laughed as he slowly took the problem apart. I concentrated solely on where the numbers were coming from and finally, it clicked. I just needed to see it worked out and I understood.
"Thanks Edward!" I exclaimed as I took the paper from him and started on the next problem.
"Your welcome," he laughed.
"I just needed to see it worked out," I said as I copied down the next problem.
"I knew you could do it, you just need to calm down and process the information," he replied.
"Yeah, I was focusing too much on your words and not on what you were doing," I admitted as I did one of the problems quickly for him to inspect.
"Good job," he smiled as he leaned in and gave me a quick kiss on my forehead.
"Thanks to my wonderful teacher," I sighed as I scribbled down yet another problem.
"It was all you," he replied.
"We could debate about this forever, but I know the truth and I don't have time to argue about it right now, this has to be turned in by six," I stated hurriedly as I noticed the time ticking away on my laptop. It was already four thirty!
"You know I'm right," he chuckled as he stood from the bed.
"Where are you going?" I asked. He normally would stay here while I was doing my math in case I needed some assistance. It wasn't like him to leave.
"Carlisle would like to speak with me for a few minutes."
"Oh, ok," I sighed as I continued my math.
"I'll be back in a few minutes," he said as he left the room. I was in the middle of a problem when I wondered what Carlisle could possibly want to talk to Edward about.
EPOV
Leaving Bella in our bedroom, I walked down the hall to Carlisle's office.
"Come in Edward," Carlisle thought as I approached his door. I opened it and slipped in, closing the door behind me. He was perched behind his desk putting a file away.
"Don't be worried son, I just needed to talk with you a few moments," he thought. I nodded my head and took a seat in front of his large wooden desk.
"What did you want to talk about?" I asked in a low whisper, as to be unheard by the rest of the house. I watched his expression closely, wondering what was possibly on his mind that he had yet to show me.
"I understand that there was an altercation between Irina and Bella, and that Bella let her walk away," Carlisle thought. I acknowledged his words by nodding my head, and waited for him to continue.
"Edward, why didn't she just let Tanya kill Irina?"
"She doesn't see life as a price to pay at any means," I explained. To be honest, it was a bit of a mystery, even to me. I understand that she was forgiving, but really, how much could one person take? If I were in her shoes, I would have ripped Irina apart myself. But, then again, that's what made Bella special. She was always surprising me with her actions, and each time she reminded me of what a truly wonderful person she was. I could be a bit biased, but I'm sure she was some sort of angel, at least mine.
"She really is kindhearted. But Edward, she needs to learn that there may be a time when taking another's life is necessary. Irina is on the loose now to do as she pleases. She could very well come back here to harm or, even worse, to kill Bella."
"Is that what worries you?" I whispered back looking at his troubled expression.
"Yes, Edward. She needs to learn to fight and to take care of herself. If such an occasion should rise where we have to fight, she needs to be ready. She can't hide behind you anymore."
"Carlisle, I'm perfectly able to take care of her," I growled lowly.
"Edward, I'm not insinuating that you can't take care of her. But, honestly, do you not think it wise to teach her how to defend herself when necessary? What if you two should be separated? What would happen then?"
"I understand that. I just don't think she will be up to learning that right now. She is so set on other things," I tried to explain.
"At least talk to her, son. She needs to be trained, and you need to talk to her about how forgiving to be. I just want what's best for the two of you Edward. Take my words in heed."
"I'll talk to her," I sighed as I stood up.
"Good. Oh, before I forget, you have mail,"he thought as he handed me a stack of big orange envelopes.
"Thanks Carlisle," I said as I turned to leave the room, mail in hand. I really wasn't for sure how to address this to Bella. Would she want to learn how to fight? Would she agree that there was a time when she could be too forgiving? I pondered over these thoughts as I walked back to our room, back to my love.
BPOV
I had just finished the last problem when Edward returned. In his hand was a large stack of envelopes. I knew what they were. It was the tickets and information for the get-a-ways that we had planned.
"Are you finished?" Edward asked as he sat the envelopes down on our desk.
"Yep," I smiled in excitement as I handed him my paper to check.
"Good, you didn't miss any," he replied smiling brightly after a few moments of checking over my work.
"What can I say? I had an excellent teacher," I grinned.
"Like I said before love, it was all you," he replied. I rolled my eyes at his expression and I pushed submit on my homework and sent it to my professor.
"Would you like to see what I have?" he asked picking up the largest envelope.
"Of course!" I exclaimed a bit too loudly. He chuckled as he brought over the parcel and handed it to me. I carefully opened it and poured the contents on the bed. Inside were tickets for the tour and various locations around Italy. I smiled when I tried to imagine how excited Alice was at this moment.
"Here is the rest," Edward said, handing me the other bulging envelopes. I carefully opened them all and reviewed the contents. He had taken care of everything: hotels, traveling, tours, everything.
"They are going to love it!" I whispered excitedly as I arranged everything in a pile that was to go to the respected owners.
"I hope so," he smiled.
"When do we give it to them?" I asked, looking up at him.
"Emmett and Rosalie are out hunting right now, but when they get back we can give it to them."
"Alright, I can't wait to see their faces!" I exclaimed still whispering.
"Me either," he admitted as he took a seat next to me.
"Is something wrong?" I asked, noticing a worried expression crossing his face.
"No, not really."
"Edward, what is it?" I asked semi-frantically.
"Calm down love, I just wanted to talk to you about some things."
"Well, I'm listening," I replied a bit impatiently. I was about to bust not knowing what was going on in his mind. Did it have to deal with what he and Carlisle had just discussed, whatever it was?
"Carlisle feels that you should be training," he sighed.
"I am training," I replied, rolling my eyes. For the last couple of months, I went out on almost a daily basis and worked on my tolerance to human blood. What else did he expect?
"Not that type of training. He suggested that you learn how to properly defend yourself in case such a need arises," he sighed. I could tell this took a lot out of him to tell me. But, I really wondered, why? Did he think that I would mind learning how to defend myself? I actually thought it was a fabulous idea. I couldn't expect Edward to always be there to take care of me. I needed to be able to walk on my own two feet, so to speak.
"Well, when do we start?" I giggled as I took in his serious expression.
"Seriously Bella, this doesn't bother you?" he asked, keeping his gaze locked with mine.
"Not at all. I think it's a great idea. I want to be able to take care of myself."
"You know I'll always take care of you."
"I know Edward, but there could be a time when I need to take care of myself, and it's good to know how," I sighed. Silly, overprotective Edward, he would always worry about me.
"Alright, well we can start up in a few weeks when Jasper and Emmett get back," he relented. I did, however, remember that he said he had things to talk about, not just a thing to talk about.
"You said you had things to talk about," I stated, looking at him.
"Yes," he muttered, casting his gaze to the bedspread.
"Come on Edward, please just tell me what it is."
"He thinks you need to know when you are being overly forgiving," he muttered under his breath.
"What? What do you mean?" I asked, confused.
"He thinks it's a bad idea that you let Irina go."
"Edward, seriously, I'm not worried about her. If she comes back she will get what's coming to her."
"But Bella, love, if you had allowed Tanya to do away with her in the first place she wouldn't be a threat now."
"Edward, I don't see her as a threat. I can take care of myself," I laughed at him. His expression, unfortunately, remained the same serious one he sported before.
"Really, there is a time to be forgiving and a time for standing up for yourself," he stated after I had suppressed my giggles.
"I understand that Edward, and I have no intentions of allowing anyone to run over me. But at the same time, I don't believe in taking someone's life because I'm pissed off. I also believe in second chances, but that's it, I don't give third chances."
"Bella, you really amaze me. Only you can be so forgiving," he smiled as he wrapped his arms around me.
"Yeah, yeah," I laughed.
"Emmett! I swear if you so much as touch me right now I will kill your Jeep beyond repair!" Rosalie's voice echoed through the house as we heard them enter.
"Rosie, baby, it was an accident."
"Yeah, right," she growled loudly. I looked at Edward and we immediately began to crack up. Now would definitely be a good time to give them the gifts.
"Let's go downstairs," Edward said as he pulled me up from the bed.
"I hope they like it," I sighed as I picked up the stuff and followed Edward downstairs. It was only a matter of moments before I would find out the truth. I just hoped that what I was about to give them would express how much I truly cared about them. I wanted them to be as happy as they had made me. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, I saw a very disheveled looking Rose and a very regretful looking Emmett. Alice had just tugged Jasper in the room, and was literally beaming. As a consequence of this, Jasper sported a very goofy, but agitated, grin.
"Emmett you big oaf, can't you contain yourself for one minute?" Rosalie growled, pulling sticks from her beautiful blonde hair.
"You were just so irresistible when you were about to spring on that buck," he chuckled. That was definitely the wrong move on his behalf. For all to see, Rosalie smacked him hard across the face and turned to huff out of the room.
"Wait Rose!" Alice called after her.
"Not now Alice!" she growled.
"Really, it's worth the wait!" Alice replied. Edward and I remained rooted to the bottom of the stairs, waiting for events to play themselves out so we could give them our gifts.
"Fine, what do you want?" Rosalie yelled as she turned to face us. Emmett stood stunned in the same place Rosalie had left him, obviously not expecting that reaction.
"Well, actually, Edward and I have something to say," I finally spoke up.
"This better be good," she replied her eyes narrowing.
"Oh, it is!" Alice exclaimed shuffling in her seat. Jasper groaned as he attempted to calm Alice.
"We feel that each of you have helped us out immensely for so long, and we have yet to express how much it truly means to us. Without the help each of you, I really don't know where I would be now. You all have truly added to our happiness, and we would like to give you all a little happiness in return," I spoke, smiling brightly. Alice was now standing and had pulled Jasper up as well. Rosalie had gone from angry beyond reason to total shock. Emmett remained dumbfounded throughout the entire time.
"What is it?" Rosalie asked finally.
"Edward, since you came up with the idea, I think you should tell them," I said, turning to look at him.
"Bella, you know as well as I do that you were the one that came up with the idea to give them something," he replied, eyeing me warily.
"Yes, but you came up with the gift ideas," I phrased carefully. I wanted the oblivious to remain so.
"Fine, well for Jasper and Alice we booked a tour of Italy," he said as I held out the pile of papers for them.
"Thank you so much Bella!" Alice exclaimed, and she took the papers and handed them to Jasper. I thought she was going to turn and walk away but, of course, I was fooled. As soon as Jasper had the papers, she turned and threw her arms around the both us.
"Thank you too Edward."
"You're welcome," Edward laughed.
"You do know what's in Italy, right?" I asked, looking down at the little pixie.
"Milan!" she exclaimed as she started to bounce, Edward and I still locked in her grasp.
"There are lots of historical sights to see as well, Jasper," I added.
"Thank you both," he replied. He was definitely having a hard time controlling himself with Alice's emotional overload.
"Alice, as much as I love this display of sibling love, I want to find out what my gift is," Rosalie said, becoming impatient.
"You're going to absolutely love it Rose!" she giggled as she let go of us, unleashing her giddiness on Jasper.
"Knowing your love of cars, we thought that a trip to New York to this year's international car show would be appreciated, as well as a weeks stay at The Peninsula," Edward said. A big grin crossed both Emmett's and Rosalie's faces at the mention of a trip to New York.
"Are you serious?" Rosalie asked excitedly as she grabbed Emmett's hand and pulled him over to us.
"Yes, we really want you all to have a good time," I replied.
"Bella, Edward, I don't know what to say," Rosalie said as I handed her the stack of tickets, papers, and guides.
"How about thank you?" Emmett laughed.
"Thank you," she said as she stepped forward, and to my surprise, briefly hugged us both. Emmett of course, being his big bear self, pulled us into what should have been a bone-crushing embrace.
"I can't breathe Emmett," I choked out.
"Sorry," he laughed as he put us down.
"Oh, I almost forgot Emmett, we bought you a Guitar Hero controller," I said, only to be pulled into a more forceful hug.
"You're going to crush her Emmett," Edward growled.
"Sorry. Did you hear that Rosie?" Emmett asked as he sat me back down.
"Yes," she sighed.
"I bet it's broken within the first week," Jasper laughed.
"I'll take that bet," Edward chuckled.
"Hey! I learned my lesson," Emmett pouted.
"Sure you have," I laughed, remembering how he had lost his temper and pulverized the last one.
"I bet I don't break it for a month at least!" he said.
"Sure, sure," I giggled.
"Isn't that hotel in the shopping district?" Rosalie interrupted.
"Yes," Edward replied.
"I can't believe you would do all this," she said, looking over the arrangements.
"It's the least we can do," I said as I looked at all their happy faces.
"Bella, you didn't have to repay us," Jasper said as he looked over a tour booklet.
"I wanted to give you all something, each of you have been so good to Edward and I."
"That's what brothers and sisters are for!" Emmett exclaimed.
"Yeah Bella, we don't mind doing things for one another," Alice said, still smiling.
"We know that. But you all have had to sacrifice a lot and we wanted to make you feel as happy as we are," Edward said before I could form words.
"This really means a lot to us," Alice said for Jasper and herself.
"Rosie and I really love it," Emmett added as he pulled Rosalie to his side.
"I'm happy that you all like it," I sighed as I wrapped my arms around Edward's waist and rested my head against his chest.
"Oh, Rose, guess what this means?" Alice asked, a new wave of excitement taking over her body.
"What?" she asked, not as enthused as a very hyper Alice.
"Shopping! We have to get clothes, suit cases, everything!" she exclaimed as grabbed Rosalie and started to spin her around.
"When do you want to go?" she asked slightly more excited than what she was before.
"What are you doing right now?"
"Nothing," she laughed as well as the rest of us. Any occasion to shop for Alice was like Christmas to her, and she got quite enthused when the occasion reared its head.
"Well, what are we waiting on?" Alice giggled.
"If you haven't noticed Alice, I have dirt, sticks, and weeds every where," Rosalie said.
"Go get ready!" Alice laughed.
"Let's go upstairs," Edward whispered in my ear. I nodded my head and we walked upstairs to leave them to their plans. I was extremely happy to find that they had enjoyed our gifts.
(A/N: My nightmarish week of exams is finally over! Ugh, a horrible terrible week, to say the least. But, I did manage to write this and I hope you all enjoy it! SO, what do you think? Will Jasper, Rosalie, Emmett, and Alice all have a good time on their vacation? What's bound to happen? Please review and let me know what you think. Oh, I have a new story posted if your interested, please read and vote on my new poll (it concerns my new story). Thanks to all who have read and reviewed. Also, thanks to my beta xedwardxxloverx!)