11. An unexpected call
"Fine." Emmett muttered, temporarily giving up
"Well we should find Liliana a room to stay in." Esme suggested
"That would be great!" Liliana gushed
"Well, we have three free bedrooms. Come with me and pick one that you like." Carlisle said getting up from his seat
Liliana stood up and Carlisle led her up the steps.
"Now what?" Emmet asked
He clearly needed to be entertained every second of the day.
"Bella. Your phone." Alice said
"Who is it?" I asked
"Renee." She whispered
Sure enough my phone vibrated, sending itself to the edge of the coffee table. I grabbed it and held it to my ear.
"Mom?"
My voice must have sounded like velvet or silk, or like something melting. It must have sounded so wrong to her.
"Bella? Is that really you?"
"Yeah mom. How'd you get this number?"
"You gave it to me at Charlies…"
"Oh."
"Yes."
"So what's up?"
"Just calling to check in on my daughter."
"Everything is great mom."
"Isn't there something you'd like to tell me?"
"Not that I can think of…"
I didn't have any secrets. Did I? Renee had found out about Renesmee at the funeral, and she was actually okay with it. Thrilled, was more like it. Ecstatic even.
"You moved!"
"Oh yeah mom…well…um"
Was she mad? Emmet chuckled, and this time I just tried my best to ignore him.
"Congratulations."
I guess she wasn't. What a relief.
"Thank you."
"Well, where did she move?"
I looked at Edward.
"Say somewhere we'd never be able to go." He whispered
"L.A." I blurted
"Really?" she laughed, "Back to the sun?"
"Yeah. Well, mom, it's been great talking to you, but we've…
"Got to get Nessy to bed?"
"Well,yeah."
"I love you Bella."
"Love you too mom."
"Say hello to Esme for me. Oh, and Edward too of course."
"Sure, sure. Bye."
"Goodbye."
I breathed a deep sigh of relief. Edward ran his fingers through my hair.
"Are you okay?" he asked me
"Yeah." I said, shaking my head, trying to convince myself that I was. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Carlisle and Liliana return to the living room.
"Bella, let's get Renesmee to bed."
I nodded in response, and lifted Renesmee off of the couch, where she lay asleep, her curls in every direction. Edward and I climbed up the steps quickly, and stopped in front of Renesmee's door. Edward turned the handle, and we walked in. I pulled the pink covers back from her pillow and lay her down. I watched as Edward sat on the bed and slipped off her little boots. He fixed the blanket so that it clung to her skin protectively. And then he kissed her forehead gently and smoothed her hair back.
"Goodnight Princess."
He stood up and put his arm around my waist.
"Let's go join the others downstairs."
"There's just one thing I want to do first."
"And what is that?" he asked quietly
I stretched up on my toes and leaned in towards him. I placed my lips on his. I traced the outline of his mouth with my tongue. It was like magic. I pulled away.
"Come on." He whispered with a smile as he took my hand and led me through the door and down the steps. I must have looked frantic because Alice met us at the stairs landing and took my hand.
"She'll be fine."
I knew she meant Renesmee, but I was pretty sure that she was talking about Renee as well.
"Thanks, Alice."
"No problem Bella. That's what sisters are for."
We took our former positions on the couch.
"Well, Alice has seen that the weather will be nice for the next two days. You all have a four day weekend." Esme said
"Sweet." Emmett replied with a grin
Alice's eyes were glowing. She was smiling that smile. The one she smiled while she mentally shopped.
"Oh Alice." I moaned
"Please Bella? The Spring dance is…
"Don't even finish that sentence." I warned
"Easy Alice. We don't know what will trigger her emotions." Jasper warned her gently
"I'm fine." I growled
"Oh come on!" she cried, ignoring her husband's warning, "The dance is on March 21st! March starts on Monday when we get back. We HAVE to go shopping."
"Alice. You're killing me. Dancing? Shopping?"
"Bella, don't you love me at all?"
"Stop doing that to me! I love you Alice. I always will but you can't ask me that just to guilt me into shopping with you!"
"It's working isn't it?"
"For the millionth time Alice, I love you. You're the best sister ever, but I can't go to dance."
"You are rather graceful now." Edward mumbled
"Edward Anthony Masen Cullen, I can not believe you! Wasn't prom enough?"
"Dearest Bella…
"Fine, fine. Don't sweet talk me. I'll go shopping and I'll go to the dance."
"And you'll have fun." Alice prompted me
"and I'll have fun."
"Rosalie? Liliana?" Alice asked
"Why not?" Rosalie asked with a smile
"I'm definetly in!" Liliana spoke excitedly
"Great! So you guys will need to get tuxes A.S.A.P. , but AFTER we get dresses. I mean they'll have to coordinate. It would be a disaster if they didn't! Could you imagine?"
"God forbid." Emmett mumbled
"Oh and Liliana no worries. We'll find a way to get you in."
"Sounds great. Thanks Alice."
"No worries."
And so it was set. Shopping. Yay. Alice droned on and on and on about her plans through the night. I wished that I was able to sleep, but instead I had to settle foe closing my eyes and laying my head on Edward's shoulder.
After what seemed like days, Alice announced that it was time to leave.
"Meet me at my car in half an hour."
I pulled Edward from the couch and attempted to sneak away. I failed. Trying to outsmart Alice was not very bright.
"I'll be in your room in a minute Bella. No t-shirt and jeans."
"Yeah, yeah. Sure, whatever."
"And we have to get a whole wardrobe for Liliana."
"I'm easy. Dress me up." She called
"Finally! Where have you been all my life?" Alice asked, glaring at me