Chapter 9: Fast ride to surprise

2nd September 2009

Bella P.O.V.

It took Edward much longer to rest this time. However, when his eyes did flip open, he seemed to be in reasonably high spirits. He was quite happy to spend some time with Esme, giving me time to get changed.

It was quite late in the afternoon, when I descended the stairs. I could hear Edward laughing. The noise filled me with happiness. I found him sat by Esme and her face was lit up in a smile too.

"You sound in a good mood." I said to them both.

"We were just reminiscing over some old memories," Edward replied, his face still filled with a smile.

Alice came bounding into the room with Rosalie, who was dangling some car keys. Both Alice and Rosalie flashed me frustratingly smug grins, before turning their attention back to Edward.

"So I hear you miss driving fast. Well Rosalie here, is going to take you and Bella out for a drive." Alice spoke.

"So, where are we going?" I asked.

Rosalie and Alice shared a conspiratorial look, which I did my best not to respond to.

"Well Rosalie has a few routes in mind but we wouldn't want to bore you with the details. Needless to say that there will be ample opportunity for high speeds and a few good places to stop for any rests should they be needed."

Edward stood up and joined me; eager to enjoy the drive. He didn't appear to have any of the suspicions that I had with my family and I decided not to ruin his experience. We followed Rosalie out to the garage and she let Edward choose which vehicle he'd prefer.

Edward contemplated the decision for what seemed like an eternity. He and Rosalie discussed the pros and cons of each of the vehicles, none of which interested me. Eventually he settled for Rosalie's BMW.

I got into the back seat and insisted Edward sit in the passenger seat to enjoy the full experience and without any further delay we were off.

Rosalie was clearly in her element as we sped along a whole range of roads. I watched as the landscapes blurred on their way past. I paid little attention to where we were going, I just took pleasure in seeing the smile on Edwards face - he was clearly exhilarated by the drive.

After a lengthy drive we stopped off in Olympia. Rosalie refuelled the car and we took a while to sit and watch the world go by. Edward went through one of his tired stages and we laid him out on the back seat to rest for a while.

As Edward rested Rosalie and I sat on the bonnet of her car. We held bottles of water in our hands, to try and blend in with the tourists, but they remained untouched. We sat and watched in relative silence, the hustle and bustle of the town. As the town got quieter I went to check on Edward, he was still so still and I didn't want to disturb him.

"We've got plenty of time yet," Rosalie assured me.

"Time for what?" I asked.

Rosalie looked away from me, suddenly intent on watching a young couple and their children enjoying a walk.

"For getting back to Forks," she responded nonchalantly.

"What's Alice got planned?" I pressed.

Rosalie flashed me a grin and shook her head.

"I have no idea what you mean." She said, but I didn't believe her.

We settled back into an easy silence and continued to watch and wait. Eventually I heard Edward stir.

"Hey!" I called.

"Hey!" he responded meekly.

"Why don't you join Edward on the backseat, Bella?"

Edward seemed to like that idea and I didn't hesitate, I joined him in the backseat and he lay against me as Rosalie exited the town.

As soon as she was out on to the open road she put her foot down and we were at high speed again. Edward sat up to enjoy the experience more and I could sense the pleasure this was giving Edward and that made me happy. In no time at all, we were back in Forks.

Edward was contently looking out the window as Rosalie passed the exit to the house. As she continued to drive through the town and out onto the 110 towards the reservation, I caught Rosalie smirking at me in the rear view mirror.

It didn't take long before Edward started to recognise the road, I felt him tense as we drove closer towards the boundary line. As we got closer I felt the car slow down.

Rosalie took one last look at me in her mirror and drove over the boundary line. The moment she did, I felt Edward getting even more restless beside me.

"Rosalie! What are you doing?" He yelled.

"Fulfilling wishes," she said.

Edward was suddenly looking all around, clearly worried for any signs of trouble, but there were none. We were heading towards First Beach. I was sure of it.

As we got closer I could see bright lights ahead of me. Edward could see something too, but it made him more agitated, I was worried he'd wear himself out.

Turning my body to face him I placed my hands on either side of his face and kept him there till our eyes met.

"Edward, I don't know the details yet but I am sure we're in no danger. I am also pretty sure you're annoying, yet wonderful sisters have had a hand in this... So please, relax!"

Edward fidgeted for a while longer, but soon did as he was told.

Rosalie brought her car to a stop as a set of headlights approached. I strained to see who it was, but soon enough I recognised Jacob's car. As he and Sam got out of the car I almost howled with laughter, much to Edward's confusion.

Alice had clearly gotten to them as they were both in pristine suits. They looked so out of place and uncomfortable in them. As Edward looked over at me he was completely bewildered.

"What on earth is going on?"

" I think one of your … sorry, I mean one of our wishes is about to be fulfilled."

Rosalie rolled down the windows as Jacob and Sam approached. I tried not to laugh as he pulled at the shirt collar, which was snug around his neck.

"Hey Bella! Hey Edward!" he said happily.

"Hey Jacob, you look… great!" I responded with as much enthusiasm as I could muster.

"Don't lie, Bella! I look like a fool but Alice can be pretty persuasive when she wants to be. She even got to Leah!"

"Oh!"

Edward had relaxed a little after our casual exchange and was relaxing in the seat next to me.

"Ok, Edward - Sam and I need to borrow you for a few minutes."

As Jacob spoke I could feel the uncertainty and tension rise in Edward.

"It's okay, you can trust them. Everything will be fine. I promise."

I got out of the car and helped Edward out. As he was led to the other vehicle by Sam I stopped Jacob.

"Jake, please be gentle on him."

Jacob folded his arms across his chest, shook his head slowly and huffed.

"Bella.. I have imagined taking my frustrations out on him countless times after he left you, but I promise you that I won't do anything. It's no fun if the other person can't throw any punches… or take them. Besides, your sister Alice scares me and she has us under strict orders and we've got deadlines to meet."

Suddenly his face erupted in a big smile and he ruffled my hair.

"Hurry along now Bella - You are about to get the Alice treatment too."

"Thanks for the warning Jake and thanks for all of this."

Jacob pulled me in for a big bear hug and then I watched as he ran off to the car. I waved at Edward, who looked completely uncomfortable sandwiched between Jacob and Sam.

'I love you,' I mouthed.

'I love you too,' he mouthed back.

I watch as Jacob and Sam drive away from us then I rejoin Rosalie. She barely waits for me to close the door, before she is speeding towards the beach. The car screeches to a halt and my door is pulled open. Alice is stood with a frightening array of objects in her arms.

As I get out of the car I don't have the time to take in any of the details, because I am whisked away into a nearby tent. Inside the tent I am joined by; Alice, Rosalie and Esme, all ready to work on my hair and make-up - and Leah, Emily and Angela - who are tending to my dress.

Leah and Emily excuse themselves, with excuses of needing to tend to something outside. I barely acknowledge them as they go, as I am too stunned. I suddenly wonder if this blessing would be as straight forward as Alice suggested .

My eyes flash to Alice, who is paying Angela no attention. As I look back at Angela she seems to see my confusion.

"It's okay Bella, I know."

"You know…" I pause and study Angela warily. I wonder just what she means by that.

"Bella... My boyfriend is a Werewolf. I spend a large majority of my time at the reservation with the rest of the Pack and it didn't take long to work out that they weren't the only ones with secrets. Once your mind is open to Werewolves, it's open to anything. I have known for a while. Embry was easy to trick into telling me the truth."

Feeling a little more convinced that she knows I don't know whether to be relieved or annoyed at the fact that she could be in danger, by knowing of our existence.

"Why didn't you tell me before? It's dangerous for you to know!"

"It's okay Bella! No-one outside of the reservation knows that I know. Besides it doesn't change anything; you are still my best friend."

"Thank you Angela. That means a lot but you must never tell anyone about us."

"Of course I wouldn't! I would never do anything to get you all into trouble." She responded, clearly a little offended.

"That's not what I meant. Angela, there are others of our kind that don't like humans…"

Angela's hand flies up into the air and I stop what I was saying.

"Save it Bella, I've already had that talk with Alice. I don't need reminding besides whom outside of the tribe and your family would I ever talk to it about? My dad is a religious man. Can you imagine how he'd react if I claimed to personally know Vampires and Werewolves? I'd be sectioned immediately! I'm not about to go telling anyone. I've kept the secret for 4 months from you, so how hard can it be."

Relieved of her acceptance and reassurance of her ability to keep a secret, we hug and the tension leaves the room. The easy silence is interrupted as Alice claps her hands together and barks orders at everyone.

Within no time at all I am standing in a stunning gown. It's a gown I have never seen before, but it suits Edward's style perfectly. My make-up is subtle and my hair is done beautifully. Delicate curls fall by the side of my face and beautiful flowers adorn my head.

Alice whisks me in front of a mirror so that I can study my reflection . I barely recognise myself. I see the others standing around me and they all look so beautiful.

"Alice, how on earth did you arrange all of this…"

"It's okay my beautifully naïve Bella. I have been planning weddings for all of my family for a long time. I enjoy it... it's what I am good at. Just do me a favour and enjoy it. This is as much for you as it is for Edward."

"Thank you Alice."

"Thank you Everyone"

After hugging them all, I take a deep breath, ready to see my Edward.