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Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Twilight. They are property of Stephenie Meyer. I just like to have a little fun with them.
Chapter 11 – Beach Bunnies
I settled down on my towel next to Alice and Rose, and enjoyed the feeling of the warm sun on my face as I sorted through my bag to retrieve my mp3 player, sunglasses and book. The beach was deserted, and the only noise shattering the peace was that of the boys kicking a football around further down towards the ocean.
"Jas, you dirty player! That was a foul!" Emmett shouted. "Edward you saw that!" he whined, before getting back up and chasing the other two back down the beach. I could see Edward checking me slyly every so often to see if my dress was off and 'his girls' were on display.
"Ah, this is the life," Rose sighed as she lay down.
"Yep, sure is." Alice joined in rubbing sun lotion on before lying on her stomach reading one of the bazillion magazines she had brought with her. How much gossip could one person possibly absorb?
Those were the first three words she'd uttered since earlier in the kitchen, and they weren't even aimed towards me. "If she doesn't get that pole out of her ass I'm going to have a word with her later" I thought to myself as I took my dress off and lay down to read listening to a melodic piano piece Edward had uploaded for me. It was an especially soothing piece of music and great to chill out to. Edward had played it for me several times on his piano and renamed it 'Bella's Lullaby'; as cheesy as it was, it's something I would cherish and take to the grave with me. Another thing 'Mr Perfect' can do flawlessly – play the piano. I tried to tinkle the ivories when I was younger, but my ridiculously small hands wouldn't reach so I gave up.
"Edward!" I heard Emmett and Jasper yelling, breaking through the air of tranquillity that had surrounded me. I lifted my head up to see Edward standing staring at me with his mouth agape, before a well timed kick sent the football hurtling towards the back of his head resulting in him chowing down on a good portion of the beach – face buried in the sand and ass sticking up in the air.
"Dude! What the fuck was that for?" Edward huffed, leaning back on his knees.
"I'd say it was your own fault for ogling me instead of keeping your mind in the game," I singsonged, covering my chest with my hands.
"Well what do you expect. You've got your headlights on full beam and they dazzled me," he laughed sticking his tongue out at me.
"You are blocking my sun Cullen!" Rose scowled, waving her hand around but not looking up. "Go and play your silly games with the other little boys."
Edward simply rolled his eyes before standing up and running back over to where the other two were bent over in a fit of hysterics.
"Which one of you dicks kicked that?" he bellowed as he sprinted over towards them.
"I'm going to get a drink. You want anything?" I asked, standing up and looking down to Rose and Alice. Rose simply waved me away and Alice ignored me. "What is her fucking problem?" I huffed, as I stormed into the house.
As I stood in front of the sink in the cool kitchen trying to calm myself a small cough dragged me from my thoughts.
"What do you want Alice?" I asked flatly.
"To talk?" she replied tentatively, taking a seat at the breakfast bar.
"Oh so now you want to talk?" I retorted, filling my glass with water and taking a long drink to stop me saying something I would most definitely regret later.
"Uh hmm" she mumbled, looking down at the counter avoiding all eye contact with me.
"So," I sighed. "Do you want to tell me why you've been giving me the cold shoulder all morning and making me feel like a fucking leper? Is it because of what happened this morning? What did that dipshit tell you?" I shouted, now losing my temper and slamming my glass down on the counter causing the water to spill everywhere.
"No. I don't know anything about this morning. I...I...I can't tell you," she whispered "And you're the one person I want to tell more than anything." Wiping a tear from her eye, her chin began to quiver and I knew we were mere seconds away from a full blown sob.
As pissed as I was with her I couldn't stand there watching my best friend get upset. I sat down on the stool next to her and wrapped my arm around her shoulder. He whole body was wracked with sobs as she wrapped her arms around me in a tight embrace, resting her head on my chest.
"Alice, you're not... you're not... are you?" I began, stroking her hair, unsure whether I wanted to ask the question, never mind hear the answer.
"Oh hell no!" she exclaimed sitting abruptly "I'm not that stupid! Did you really think I was stupid enough to get knocked up?"
"Well no, not stupid, but I do think you need a tissue," I said, pointing to the snot running from her nose and now collecting on her top lip.
"So what is it?" I asked twisting in the chair to face her full on, handing her a much needed tissue.
"Jas asked me to marry him last night, and I said yes," she smiled pulling a small diamond ring out of her pocket with shaky hands.
"That's amazing!" I shrieked, wrapping my arms around her neck.
"Shush!" she hissed holding her hand over my mouth, which I'm sure had snot on it. Trying not to think of what bodily fluids could be invading my mouth, I simply nodded so she would remove it. "It's a secret. You're the only one here that knows. We were waiting to tell everyone after we'd told the parents."
"Is that why you were so pissy with me? I don't understand," I asked, confused.
"Well I was going to tell you after breakfast, but then all that crap with Emmett happened and Rose told me to mind my own business. I just, I just don't know" she sighed, shrugging her shoulders.
"Alice you stupid little midget," I laughed, handing her another tissue as she stood up and looked in the mirror ensuring her face was mucus free. "All of this shit for nothing."
"So we're cool?" She asked, looking at me in the reflection.
"Of course we are," I giggled standing behind her. "Oh I think you missed a bit" I joked, pointing to her top lip.
"Well there are worse things I could have dripping off my face!" she chuckled whilst winking at me, before skipping off to the other side of the room to splash her face with cold water.
"Wh-w-w-w...you knew all along?" I screamed at her.
"Yup!" she smirked, grabbing a coke before linking arms with me and dragging me back outside.
"So you two have sorted out your little tiff then?" Rose asked, looking up and pulling her sunglasses down her nose so she could eyeball us.
"Yeah, it was something and nothing," Alice shrugged.
"A stupid misunderstanding," I confirmed to stop the game of twenty questions I'm sure Rose would want to play.
"Good you were starting to give a headache," she said flatly before lying back down. Rose was never one to mince her words and silent treatment just riles her even more. If there was ever an issue with her she'd tell you straight away and it would be cleared up there and then.
"Cullen! What have I told about standing in my sun?" she warned, looking up to see the three guys all standing over us.
"What were you gossiping about?" Jasper asked with a grin on his face.
"Oh, we were just discussing which of you is most pigeon chested," Rose said matter of factly.
"And?" the three of them chorused together in response.
Rose sat up straight as if she was picking out a new lipstick, running her finger along the line and stopping at Edward. "Edward," she announced, before lying back down.
Jasper and Emmett snickered nudging each other, causing Edward to frown and suck his stomach in to examine his chest and poke his pecks with his finger.
"You think that too?" he asked feigning hurt and pouting. I simply shrugged giving my best innocent face. "You think that too?" he repeated, leaning down and staring my in the eyes menacingly.
"No," I managed to squeak before being hoisted over his shoulder. "No!" I shrieked as he started running down the beach with me smacking my ass. "Put me down you bastard!" Gripping onto the waistband of his shorts, I could see the ocean under my head. "You wouldn't dare," I warned.
"Oh wouldn't I?" he laughed, bending his knees so my hair got wet.
"I swear to God Cullen! You drop me and this is the closest you're getting to my ass for the foreseeable future!" I gasped, as a wave hit his stomach and splashed into my face.
"Who says it's your ass I'm into? I'm very sorry Bella but that just doesn't float my boat," he joked smacking my rear again. "Now. Apologise."
"Fine, fine! Edward I apologise. You do not have a pigeon chest. You have a very lovely chest!" I shrieked as I felt the distinct sensation of teeth biting my right butt cheek.
"Ok, all is forgiven. Now where's my proper apology?" he smirked, lowering me down and holding me against his chest, not letting my feet touch the floor.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and my lips met his. Swiping my tongue across his lower lip he deepened the kiss. Holding me tighter to his body I felt him harden against my abdomen and ground my hips against it earning guttural groan from him. His hands moved lower to cup my rear and I wrapped my legs around his waist as he sucked and nibbled on my neck. "Ugh Bella" he moaned, as I continued to grind against him, before pushing against his chest and jumping down.
"I'll be up by the house if you need me," I laughed, running out of the ocean and leaving him stranded looking perplexed with a raging boner.
"You cannot be serious Swan! Fucking tease!" he bellowed after me.
"Pay back's a bitch!" I shouted back feeling extremely smug, as I jogged back up to where everyone else was sitting.
"What's wrong with Edward?" Alice asked, as I plonked back down on my towel.
"He just needs a minute to himself, to cool down," I said opening a can of soda and taking a sip.
"Oh you didn't?" Emmett guffawed, looking down at where Edward was standing all alone in the ocean, waist deep.
"Hey Eddie! You ok down there man?" he bellowed down only to be greeted with the finger from a very pissed off Edward. "I can't believe you did that to him Bells! Kudos!" he laughed, giving me a high five.
"Well he messed with the wrong person," I giggled, reaching for my book and music once more, revelling in the control I just experienced over Edward, but dreading what he might do later in revenge.
After what seemed like an eternity, I could feel drops of water on the backs of my legs as Edward flopped down onto the sand beside me pulling my earphones out of my ears.
"Very sneaky Swan," he whispered. "I can't believe you did that to me." He chuckled quietly kissing me on the cheek.
"So you're not too pissed off with me then?" I asked, turning onto my side to face him.
"No, I'm not. I must say I'm quite impressed that you pulled it off actually. Credit where it's due and all that," he laughed, tucking my hair behind me ear whilst reaching for my drink and finishing it off. "Just please don't make a habit of it. You wouldn't believe the things I had to imagine just so I could leave the ocean! I may actually be mentally scarred and I will never be able to look my grandmother in the face again." He visibly shuddered at the thought as he pulled me on top of his body.
"Edward, put her down," Emmett ordered before throwing a ball at him "Who's up for a game of volleyball?"
"Count me out," I replied, imagining the carnage I could cause with the ball.
"Aw come on Bells, if you don't play the teams will be uneven," Emmett pouted, looking around at everyone else standing waiting for me to join them.
"Great, another guilt trip" I huffed, getting to my feet and brushing the sand off my backside and legs.
"Ok, but I'm warning you all now. If anyone gets hurt I am taking absolutely no responsibility for it," I warned pointing my finger at everyone in turn.
"Deal! Now get your ass over here Swan so we can start," Emmett ordered from the opposite side of the net. The teams consisted of Emmett, Edward and I on one team, and Jasper, Alice and Rose on the other. I'm sure Emmett only chose my team to avoid being in the firing line. Usually he would relish being against me and trying to kick my ass.
"Bella! You're supposed to hit the ball back!" Emmett yelled, as I jumped out of the way of the ball, yet again causing the other team to score.
"Another point to us Emmie Bear," Rose taunted across the net.
"Stop yelling at me!" I screamed back at him. "I'm trying my best. I just don't like balls flying at my face!"
"Yeah right Bells," he replied with a smirk before serving once again.
"Just try your best sweetheart," Edward whispered into my ear trying to reassure me as he walked behind me. "Just hit the ball in any direction, don't worry. Get it in the air and Em or I will try to get it over the net."
"Ok," I muttered, wiggling my backside, popping my neck, cracking my knuckles and preparing myself for the next ball to come my way. I was going to show them.
Emmett served and the ball was returned by Rose, rather harder than expected and coming directly towards my face. I instinctively closed my eyes and threw my hands up in defence, hitting it rather impressively fast back across the net, only to hear a sickening thud.
"Oh my fucking God!" I heard Jasper screech. "My fucking nose! It's broken! It's fucking broken!" He was screaming, flapping his hands and hopping from one foot to the other, doing a great interpretation of some bizarre jazz dance.
"I'll grab the ice!" Edward shouted, bolting into the house whilst everyone else surrounded Jasper to inspect the damage.
"Oh my God, Jas I'm so sorry..." I started, looking at the blood pouring from his nose.
"Nah it's not broken. Stop being such a pansy," Emmett said, poking his bulky finger against the bridge of Jasper's already swollen nose.
"Ah what the fuck Em!" he screamed at the touch.
"I've got fucking studio portraits to be done next week with my family," he squealed once again, hopping between feet as Edward placed the ice pack on his face. "I'm going to look like the 'Elephant Man!'"
"I'm sure they could edit the photo's later to remove the bruising," I offered, trying to be helpful but only receiving a glare from Jasper. "I'm really sorry Jas..." I mumbled as Edward wrapped his arms around me, and I hid my crimson face in his chest.
"Come on Jas, we need to get to the hospital," Alice soothed, wrapping her arm around his waist and directing him around the side of the house to the car. "I'm sure it's not broken but an x ray wouldn't hurt," I heard her comfort him as they walked away.
"I can't believe I just did that," I cried, looking up at Edward who planted a gentle kiss on my forehead.
"Don't worry Bella, Jas knows you'd never do anything to hurt him intentionally. It was just an accident," Rose said taking my hand ."Lets get inside to start dinner. I don't know about you but all of that exertion has given me an appetite. God-damn amazing shot though..." she laughed, shaking her head.
I prepared the pasta for dinner in my own little bubble. I couldn't get the sound of the ball hitting Jaspers nose or the sight of the blood out of my mind. What if I had broken it? How could I ever make it up to him? Me and my stupid inability at sport. Hell it's not that I just I'm not good at sport, I'm a lethal weapon.
"Bella, if you cook that pasta any more it will disintegrate," Rose said, walking behind me putting the plates and cutlery on the table.
"Dinners ready," she hollered to the guys sitting outside as I served up.
"Do you really not think I broke his nose?" I asked, taking two plates through to the lounge so we could eat in comfort.
"For the umpteenth time Bella, I doubt it," she replied following behind me. "Now stop worrying and eat something."
We ate in near silence. I could only pick at my food. I really had no appetite thinking about the worst possible scenarios with Jasper. Disfigurement, Alice having a gimpy husband... oh the possibilities were endless.
"Do they even have freak shows any more? Maybe he could go into acting and be cast as the next Bond villain, they're always weird looking."
"I must admit Bells, you make a mean veggie pasta," Emmett sighed, rubbing his stomach after finishing off his second helping.
"What film do you fancy watching?" Edward asked walking over to the shelf containing an impressive collection of DVD's.
"How about 'Dodgeball'?" Emmett chortled before being elbowed in the ribs by Rose.
"What? It's a great film!" he whined.
We eventually settled on watching some eighties comedy, and I settled in Edward's lap my face buried in the crook of his neck. With the lights dimmed it felt as though we were the only people in existence, apart from a loud laugh from Emmett every so often. I closed my eyes, safe and warm in Edwards embrace and felt myself doze, only to be woken by the sound of the door opening and Alice's voice announcing that they were back from the hospital.
Looking up, I could make out Jaspers face but not any detail. "Jas, I'm so sorry," I sighed as I climbed off Edwards lap, and made way over to where he was standing at the doorway.
"Thon't worry Belfs, nothings broken, no harm done," he smiled before wrapping me in a tight hug. "I thidn't mean to overreact. It thust freaked me out" he laughed. "Doc t'aid I'll just have thsome bruising and thwelling but nothing major."
"Oh Thank God!" I exclaimed. "Do you know how worried I've been? I was expecting you to come home with a face plaster or something on!"
"A face plaster?" he asked, raising his eyebrow with difficulty.
"Oh you know what I mean," I laughed smacking him in the shoulder playfully.
"Well now that I know your face is in one piece I'm going to go to bed" I yawned ,stretching my arms above my head and cracking my elbows.
"Yeah, can you not thoo that?" Jasper cringed. "It brings back badth memories!"
"Yeah very funny," I huffed, before padding up the stairs with Edward following behind "Night guys."