I barely got this done in time for today- I hate it when you anticipate an easy week and later realize there's no such thing! Thank you for all of the reviews, and I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Has anyone heard the new Taylor Swift song "Back to December"? Well, I'm going to be tying the idea of that song into the story soon...just a little spoiler!
Have a great rest of the week, and hopefully I'll be updating within the next week or so…I'll be gone over the weekend, but I don't think I have to work on Friday. We'll see, if my boss ever decides to call me back!
I didn't want to ruin the end of this chapter, so I didn't end up posting a teaser on my blog. But most of the time, little teasers are up on my blog before the chapter goes up. So go to 22lovelovelove22 at blogspot dot com and check it out!
I also have a twitter…it's under lovelovelove22. You may follow me, if you wish.
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BPOV- December 22, 2010, Forks Washington:
I woke up in the morning and breathed in the cold, crisp winter air. After lounging around in bed for a few minutes, I rolled out of bed and was immediately assaulted by the freezing cold air. Of course, my dad was too cheap to turn the heat up at night. My teeth chattered as I quickly got dressed, pulling on my skinny jeans, a v-neck purple sweater, and grabbing my hat, coat, scarf, and gloves as well.
Charlie was already sitting at the kitchen table as I walked in, sipping his coffee and diligently reading the local newspaper.
"Hey, dad." I said, draping my outerwear over one of the kitchen chairs and then walking over to the counter to pour myself a cup of coffee.
He glanced up at me, looking surprising. "Morning, Bells. I didn't expect you to be up so early. It is vacation, after all, and it's not even eight o'clock yet."
I shrugged, dumping cream and sugar into my cup of coffee before sitting down at the table from my dad. "It's just kind of my routine." I said with a shrug, taking a big sip of my warm coffee and smiling dreamily as the warmth spread throughout my body. "What time are you going into the station?" I asked, and Charlie glanced up at the clock on the microwave.
"In just a couple of minutes." He sighed, setting the paper down reluctantly. "What's on your agenda for today?"
"Oh, this and that." I said, shrugging again and reaching over to grab the paper. I skimmed over the front page, disinterested. "I was going to go to the bookstore, and I'm guessing you haven't gotten a present for Rosalie and Emmet yet, so I figured I would get that done today, too."
Charlie smiled at me, coming over and kissing the top of my head. "You know me well, kid. Thanks. And have a good day, okay? I should be back for dinner."
"I'll cook." I volunteered quickly. "I haven't cooked a real meal in ages!" I said, and smiled up at Charlie. "Be safe, daddy." I added softly, immediately feeling a little girl again. "I love you." Charlie smiled, looking bittersweet, and kissed the top of my head again before telling me that he loved me too, and to make whatever I felt like for dinner.
He left then, and the house was cold and quiet and felt way too empty. I quickly finished off the rest of my coffee and rinsed my cup out, putting it in the sink before shrugging on my winter coat and knit cap.
After grabbing my shoulder bag, I hurried out of the house, locking the door behind me. I put on my gloves and scarf as I walked down the street towards the center of town, taking in the simple sights that I had missed so much over the past month.
It was definitely cold outside, but I didn't mind it too much. One thing I loved about living in a small town was that everything was so close- even if it was bone chillingly cold, it wasn't that much of a hassle to walk to one of the few stores in town.
In New York, it was a nightmare to walk around when it was cold or raining or snowy. But here, it was actually peaceful.
I stopped by the bookstore first, taking comfort in the familiarity of the shelves and the cozy environment. I said hi to the owner, who had known me since I was a baby, and browsed for a few minutes before making several purchases.
Next I aimlessly browsed around the antique shop next door, having no idea what to buy for Emmet and Rosalie and having no idea where to even start, either. So I walked several more blocks, coming to a stop in front of the small house I knew was Emmet's. I couldn't be sure, but I was guessing that Emmet and Rosalie were living together.
I was right- Rosalie opened the door seconds after I knocked; a gentle smile on her beautiful face. "Bella, hi!" She said cheerfully, ushering me inside away from the biting wind and cold air. "This is a surprise…but it's great to see you." She said, giving me a quick hug.
"I just got back in town last night…and I hear congratulations are in order." I said, and Rosalie grinned, her face lighting up.
"Thank you." She said, and then held out her left hand so that I could see her ring. "It's not big or spectacular or anything…but it's Emmet. And it's perfect."
The ring really was beautiful. It was a thin gold band with a heart shaped diamond in the middle. It may have been simple and nothing spectacular, but it still suited Emmet and Rosalie perfectly.
"It's really beautiful." I assured her, and she smiled even wider. "But…I have an agenda behind coming to see you." I confessed honestly, and Rosalie laughed.
"That's perfectly fine." She said, and I laughed along with her. "What's up?"
"I have no idea what to get you and Emmet for a wedding present." I admitted, shrugging pathetically. "And I'd rather get you something that you actually want than just something that will just take up space…" I gestured around the front room of the house, which was crowded with boxes.
Rosalie blushed slightly, looking around as well, but then her gaze snapped back to me. "Honestly, the best thing you could give us would be cash." She admitted, twisting her engagement ring around on her finger. "We're just getting started out, you know…Emmet doesn't make a lot of money as a firefighter and I'm not making all that much either…so yeah. Money, or even gift cards, would be great. Sorry if that's tacky."
"It's not." I assured her. "I just wanted to be sure to get you something you actually needed. And this way, you'll be sure to be able to get things that you actually want, too. I didn't say anything about needing money for their baby, either, because I didn't want to insult Rosalie and I didn't even know if Emmet was supposed to have told me in the first place. "I'm going to head out again, but congratulations again, Rose." I said. "You and Emmet are great for each other."
"We think so too." Rosalie said happily, and then hugged me again. "Thanks for stopping by, and we'll see you at the wedding." She said, and then paused. "Well, actually, would you be willing to help me celebrate my last night of being single, as well?" She asked, grinning deviously. "My bachelorette party is tonight…it'll be a lot of fun, and you should definitely come."
"Oh, sure." I said easily. "That sounds great…"
Rosalie filled me in on the time of the party, and then we said goodbye again before I walked back out into the cold. Not sure of what else I wanted to do with my day, I headed back into the center of town and into the diner for another cup of coffee.
As I walked up to the counter, I froze, coming face to face with Edward.
Neither of us moved or spoke; we just stared. His green eyes searched my brown ones, full of confusion and pain and anger and emotions that were simply unreadable.
I struggled to find my words, and once I finally did, I realized I had no idea what to say. "Hi." I finally managed, and Edward didn't speak. He just pushed past me and walked out the door, and I remained frozen in place.
…
Ooh. Burn!
So that was their reunion…it was a little harsh, but what did you really expect? There will be a lot more interaction between Edward and Bella in the next chapter, which will also contain Emmet and Rosalie's wedding.
Please review, and let me know if there is anything you'd like to see happen between Edward and Bella…I'm taking suggestions.
Xoxo- Melodyella aka Mellie