Chapter 11
Bella's POV
"Um, Edward, I really don't think this is necessary."
I was standing at the end of his bed – well, technically I guess it was OUR bed now – watching him clear space in his closet for my clothes. Arms crossed over my chest I sighed for probably the hundredth time. No matter my protestations he still insisted that I make myself at home here, despite the fact that we would be packing up and leaving again in less than a month. I was happy to live out of my suitcases until then, but he wouldn't hear of it. He was whirling around at vampire speed, rearranging his room to accommodate the invasion of my stuff. It was starting to make me dizzy so I stuck my arm out to catch him on his next fly by. It worked. He appeared suddenly in front of my outstretched limb, my favorite crooked smile adorning his beautiful face.
"Bella, I already told you that it's no trouble. I want you to be comfortable here. This is your home now, too." He practically glowed as he said the last part. I couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm. It was beyond adorable if not a tad excessive.
Thankfully, the last few days had passed without event. It was now Sunday, exactly thirteen days before the wedding. As promised per our negotiations, I had moved into the Cullen house yesterday. It was all much easier than I had anticipated. Edward and Alice had moved all my things to Emmett's jeep before I even had a chance to make it down the stairs. Luckily, Charlie had already left for work, so I was still able to put off the heart wrenching goodbye's until I left for our honeymoon. A honeymoon that Edward still kept tightly under wraps. I wasn't even allowed to know what continent we would be on. Alice, on the other hand, knew everything and had done all my shopping and packing for me. So all I had left to do now was help organize the last few details of the wedding.
Also thankfully, Aunt Flo had left me yesterday, so I wasn't worried about the slew of fittings I was scheduled to have for the next week and a half. It also meant that Edward and I could resume practicing, something I was very much looking forward to. I knew it had been less than a week, but I was missing the contact with him terribly. And secretly I was a little afraid that with a halt in our progress I was going to have to start from scratch. Not that we would be doing much today. His entire family was around, and although Edward insisted I would get used to the others supersonic hearing, I knew I wasn't quite there yet. The idea still weirded me out and embarrassed the hell out of me. I hoped they would all go hunting, and soon.
"Edward, seriously, could you stop your whirling dervish impression and sit down? I can unpack my own things," I argued when he began flying around the room again, only this time he has placing MY things in drawers, on hangers, and on top of shelves. I heard his throaty chuckle echo around me while he continued unpacking me at warp speed.
I sighed and perched on the edge of his – our – bed, arms folded over my chest, a grimace set on my face. I wasn't an invalid, I could handle rearranging my own junk. I didn't understand why he wouldn't just let me do it. I was still grumbling to myself when Edward suddenly froze in the middle of the floor. His back was to me as he faced one of the expansive shelves that lined his walls, but I could tell there was something in his hand. Puzzled, I stood up and walked around him to investigate what had given him such dramatic pause. It was then that I did my best Edward impression, standing stock still with wide eyes, when I saw a very familiar tome in his slightly outstretched hand. It was black with a multicolored human zipper on the front. An intense blush swept from the crown of my head down to my navel, blanketing me in heat from the waist up. I couldn't tear my eyes away from Edwards' stone features. To say that he looked shocked would have been the understatement of the millennium. I hadn't realized that I had been holding my breath until I started to feel the room spin around me. I was forced to break the silence first when I sucked in much needed oxygen. Edward's eyes snapped over to my tomato red face. I would have run from the room if I could make my body obey me at all. As it was, I had no control over my limbs; I was completely numb. I didn't even think I could I speak. Luckily, Edward didn't seem to be having the same level of difficulties.
"Bella, where did you get this?"
I gulped loudly and cleared my throat, hoping it would keep my voice from cracking like an embarrassed, prepubescent boy.
"It was a gift from…someone." For some reason I felt the need not to involve Alice in what was sure to be a discussion of epic proportions.
"I see," was his reply. "And have you read it yet?"
Crap. Crap, crap, crap!
"Um, not all of it, but…" I let my answer trail off into a mumble. This was mortifying.
Edward turned the book over in his hands several times, looking down at its glossy cover for what felt like forever. When he finally lifted his dark amber eyes to mine I could see humor lit deep within. His lips were pressed tightly together, like he was trying extremely hard not to laugh. I was instantly confused.
"What's so funny?" I practically snapped before reigning in my attitude. I hated being confused and that often translated into snippishness.
Edward didn't answer me right away. He just placed the book down on the gold comforter and walked over to his bedside table. The drawer slid open soundlessly and closed much the same way and he was at my side again before I could blink. There was a devilish grin plastered across his face and when I looked down at his hands I immediately understood why he was so amused. He was holding another copy of 'The Guide to Getting It On', the very same book that Alice had given me. I felt my eyes bug out of my head and my blush intensify. My eyes shot back to his.
"Where did you…?" I felt a little better, but was still confused.
"It was recommended to me by…someone." His eyes shone brightly and I could hear the teasing tone in his voice.
I finally settled down. I let out a snort of a laugh and shook my head, clearing the last of my irritation from my mind. I walked over and took my copy of the book and placed it in an empty space on his shelf. When I turned back around my blush was almost completely gone. I should have known better than to feel relieved.
"So, did you find any of the chapters to be useful?" Edward was staring intently at me, eyes darkening by the second. I had to fan my face to stop it from catching fire. I could have sworn I heard him chuckle quietly to himself at my reaction. I stopped and glared at him.
Alright, Cullen, you want to play this game?
"Mhmm, quite a few of them actually." I walked coyly (at least I hope it was coy) over to the bed and perched up near the pillows. He had to turn around in order to look at me. I smiled innocently and tried to think of the chapters that would fluster him the most.
"Would you mind telling me which ones? Maybe we can compare notes." His voice was honey smooth, his eyes burning onyx. I swallowed thickly as I felt heat gather in my lower belly.
"Well, I was very interested in chapter 13. I didn't realize there were so many variations." I made a slight gesture – but not a crude one – with my hand when I spoke, just to drive the point home a little. I knew damn well he knew exactly what the chapters were called even without my saying their titles. Besides, this was enough of a challenge without having to say something like 'handjobs' to Edward. Fiancée or not, there were just some things I couldn't say without stuttering like and idiot. I wanted to win this little game, since I almost never won anything. Especially when it came to Edward and anything relating to sex. As it was he controlled his reaction very well. I barely saw his eyes widen. I did, however, see them darken impossibly. It took a lot for me to contain my smirk.
Swan – 1 Cullen – 0
"Is that the furthest that you read? How disappointing. I was rather curious about your views on chapters 28 and 29." He kept his voice even, but even as he spoke I could tell that he thought this was going to fluster me. I knew those chapters inside out and backwards. They were all about having sex for the first time and were quite helpful if you'd ask me. I didn't even flinch.
"I didn't say that I only read up to chapter 13, I just said I found it interesting. And I found those chapters to be quite informative. Lot's of helpful ideas to make it a good experience for both of us." I smiled.
Edwards' eyes narrowed slightly and he inched forward on the bed. My insides trembled and I did my best to steady myself. I was in no way deluded into thinking that just because I won the round the game was over. I made the impulsive decision to try and end it quickly so that I would come out on top. I sucked in a breath and pulled my pony tail over my shoulder. I pretended to be inspecting my hair for split ends.
"So, assuming you've read the entire book," I started to say.
"I have," Edward interrupted with a slight nod and smirk.
"Good. You can tell me something then. What are your thoughts and feelings on popsicles and honey pots?" Even as the words slipped past my lips I could feel my cheeks redden. I had never been so forward. Never discussed anything sexual in any kind of detail. Not THIS much detail anyway. My little conversation with Alice palled in comparison to what I was attempting now. I channelled Corrine and steeled my resolve before peeking up at Edward from beneath my lashes.
The shocked look was back in spades. His eyes were huge and black and his mouth hung open slightly while he gaped at me. I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep the triumphant grin from taking over my face. I started counting in my head. It took nearly two minutes for Edward to pull himself together and neutralize his expression. Even then I could tell that his mind was reeling. I stifled a giggle. His reaction emboldened me.
Swan – 2 Cullen – 0
"Well?" I asked.
He locked eyes with me and was quite a few beats more before speaking in a low, strained voice. "I find the very idea extremely compelling."
I lifted my eyebrows in amusement. "Really? What about it compells you?"
I knew I was playing with fire here, but I really couldn't help myself. Besides, there was no turning back now. And it hadn't escaped my notice that Edward was leaning towards me slightly, his hands now pressed firmly to the mattress. Despite the predatory way he was looking at me, I didn't back away from him. It wasn't scary predatory, it was cause-a-puddle-in-my-panties predatory, and the look was doing exactly that. I was afraid to uncross my legs and make him aware of just how much he and this conversation were affecting me.
"There are many things I plan on trying with you once you are changed and I don't have to worry about losing control. Those are merely on a very, very long list, and are some of the more tame ideas I have." Between his velvety voice and the matching promises in his words and eyes, I whimpered. His lips twitched like he wanted to smile at my reaction.
DAMN IT! Swan – 2 Cullen – 1
I may be melting into a puddle of goo – coming from places I would rather not admit – but my curiosity at his words got the better of me. He had ideas? Ideas that weren't 'tame'? This I had to know. I couldn't wait until I was changed, I would implode!
"You have plans for us? Like…fantasies?" I remembered that chapter, too. It was also one of the ones I had read over and over again.
He moved closer, his eyes so intense I felt I might drown in the obsidian pools of fire. My breath hitched and I felt myself move towards him as if my body had gone on autopilot. When my legs shifted I could feel the dampness between my thighs had seeped through the fabric of my jeans. I saw Edward freeze, his eyes darting down to my lap for a millisecond before locking on mine again. A slow smile spread over his beautiful face.
"I do," he purred. "Would you like to know one of them?"
Is he serious? Um, hell yeah!
"Sure, if you want to tell me," I said as lightly as I could manage. I wasn't sure if my pseudo calm fooled him, but he didn't hesitate in his response. Somewhere in the back of my mind I wondered if he was just trying to beat me at my own game. I decided very quickly that I totally did not care, just as long as he kept playing.
"I don't want to be too graphic, as I don't think that would be appropriate. But I can tell you that it involves us in the meadow on a sunny day." I could see him studying my face to gauge my reaction. I gave him a shy smile, certain that wouldn't discourage him from sharing more with me in the future. The fact that he'd said that much was more than I had ever thought I would hear from him before we were married, if at all. I leaned forward more, placing my weight on my arm.
"That sounds promising," I said breathily. It took every ounce of self control that remained not to slip into a dirty fantasy of his beautiful body, naked and glittering in the sun as we rolled around in the wild flowers. I knew if I didn't strike back with something more scintillating, and most likely scandalous, that he was going to win.
"I was thinking of all the fun we could get up to on your piano." I bit my lip as soon as the words were out.
That was it. That was what finally broke him.
Edward's POV
After all her teasing, all her innuendos about things she had read in that damned book, it was her reference to doing any number of those things on my beloved piano that made me snap. One second she was in front of me, the next I had lunged at her, my lips pressed firmly to hers. I couldn't contain my growl when she enthusiastically wrapped her arms around my neck and her legs around my hips. It was as if my body had taken over my mind and I was no longer in control of my actions, a feeling that both thrilled and terrified me. I couldn't even stop myself from vulgarly pushing up against her damp center, causing us both to moan at the contact. And it took what little restraint my mind was able to command over my nether regions not to thrust roughly against her when she ground her hips against me. Her hands grabbed my hair and I slowly traced my tongue along her lower lip, repressing a shudder when she parted her lips and allowed me to delve into her hot, wet mouth.
Reigning in some modicum of self control, I gently slid my hand from her warm cheek down her neck to trace her collarbone. I knew – in the back of my very broad mind – that Bella's cycle had ended yesterday, but I wasn't sure if she would be comfortable with me just assuming we would pick up where we had left off last week. I didn't want to be the kind of man that pushed her too far, too fast simply to satisfy my own need for her. I knew if I didn't stop myself soon I might not be able to find the strength. Every sigh, every moan, every whimper that slipped past her full, soft lips made my entire body hum like a tuning fork. When I felt her hand slip from my hair down my chest towards my waist I had two very strong reactions fighting for precedence.
Half of me was screaming to make her stop. That I wasn't ready for her to take further her explorations from the last time we were together like this. The other half was screaming for that half to shut the hell up. That was the half that was waiting on the edge of his seat with baited breath, wondering what she would try next. Wondering what she would allow me to try next. She wasn't the only one who had gotten ideas from that ridiculous book. That was also the side that had whole heartedly embraced her idea of practicing and pushing my puritanical boundaries. It had started out as less than a half, more like a twenty-fifth, and had steadily gained more and more ground as the weeks past and our intimacy grew. I would be lucky if there was anything left of my more reasonable and modest side by the time our honeymoon rolled around.
I was torn from the slight distraction of my inner musings when her warm palm slipped under the hem of my shirt and pressed against my lower abdomen. The heat her tiny hand nearly seared me down to the bone. Her fingers traced the top of my jeans, back and forth several times. As if by its own volition, my hand slipped from the collar of her shirt and deftly undid the buttons of her blouse before sliding the fabric to the side and gently cupping her breast. I ran my thumb over her nipple, making it stiffen beneath my icy touch. Bella threw her head back, breaking away from our kiss, and bit her lip firmly. The action did little to muffle the moan that vibrated her throat. I took advantage of her position and began kissing all along her neck from the sweet spot directly behind her ear. I slowly made my way down, pausing to run my tongue along her collarbone.
She sucked in a ragged breath and whimpered loudly. I was almost about to remind her that she should be a little quieter when her fingers slipped beneath the waistband of my pants. The tips of her fingers barely grazed the tip of my extremely aroused member, nearly causing me to jump out of my skin. A half choked growl erupted from my chest and I dropped my head down to rest on her lace covered breast. She had barely touched me, but the sensation had been the most intense pleasure I had ever felt.
You are in so much trouble, Cullen. Make her stop now before you embarrass yourself.
But I couldn't. Despite my upbringing, despite not wanting to push her into anything, despite knowing that I was treading on wafer thin ice with my control, I wanted her to keep going. I wanted more. I needed more. I reached up and pulled the shoulder strap of her bra down and pulled the lace cup away with it, exposing her rose tipped, milky white breast. I simply marvelled at the sight before me for a moment. She was so painfully beautiful, so perfect. I had seen her in various states of undress before, but never unclothed in an area so intimate and private. I leaned down and kissed the top of her soft mound, barely grazing my lips against her silky skin.
"Edward," she half whispered, half moaned.
The sheer desire in her voice and the fresh wave of her arousal swirling around me with the gyrating movement of her hips made me twitch in my pants. Bella must have felt the movement because one hand tightened on my hair while the other slipped further down my pants. I had to freeze all movements completely to avoid shooting through the roof when her hot hand wrapped tightly around me. I hadn't realized my eyes were clenched shut. It was only when I noticed her lack of movement that I opened them again to look at her.
Her chocolate eyes were burning with love and want and need, but were also lit with a soft understanding. She hadn't moved her hand because she was waiting for me to relax. She was waiting for me to be ready. If ever I had doubted how much she truly loved me and how much she respected my need to take things slowly – for her safety as much as my sanity – that feeling was completely obliterated with one look from her. I felt safe in her hands, literally and metaphorically. I offered her a small smile and nodded once to let her know that I was alright, that it was ok for her to continue if she was so inclined. She smiled back and tugged against my hair, pulling me down to her. She lifted her head up off the pillow to meet me halfway in a searing kiss. I wasted no time, deepening the kiss to one of hot, panting breaths and duelling tongues within seconds.
I was almost distracted when her hand began sliding up and down my throbbing shaft at an almost painfully slow pace. I could tell she was gripping me rather tightly with her human strength, but it felt like a feather light touch to my vampire skin. This did nothing to dampen the pleasure it brought me, however. I shuddered and growled as I ravished her lips and teased her breasts while she writhed below me. I shifted forward slightly when she began pumping me faster, sometimes twisting her wrist, sometimes stopping to swipe her thumb across the tip of my swollen glans. She had been reading.
She broke away and gasped in a deep breath, once again tossing her head back and biting her lips. Seeing her like that, cheeks flushed, eyes clenched shut, lower lip slightly puffy and captured between her teeth, hair flowing all around her on the pillows, all while her hand worked me up and down, it was enough to almost make me come undone. But I was determined to not take any pleasure from her without giving her just as much in return.
I kissed down her flushed neck, relishing the way her heated skin tasted on the tip of my tongue when I swiped it across her skin. I stopped between her breasts when I encountered the fabric of her bra. I made a split second decision that the garment was simply in the way, no matter how pretty it was, and it needed to go. I saw that it was one of those that had a clasp in the front, one that I only had to press on lightly to release it. I nuzzled the fabric out of the way with my nose and resumed worshipping her skin with my lips and tongue. Even though I knew it was dangerous and a remarkably bad idea, I couldn't resist laving my tongue over her stiff pink peaks, one after the other. Bella's hand tightened in my hair and she let out a strangled cry. Her other hand tightened around me, pausing briefly before continuing to pump me more furiously than before. I couldn't contain my growl as it rumbled from deep within my chest. I could feel something building within me, and I knew exactly what it was leading to. I simply never had felt it so intensely before.
I trailed my hand down her bare stomach, drawing lazy circles on her soft skin. I felt her quiver beneath my touch as her breath came out in heavy pants. I continued to lick and kiss all over her neck and chest while my hand drifted down to the top of her jeans. Now, I had read almost every book there was on human physiology and anatomy, not to mention a slew of manuals much like the ones Bella and I had, but when it came to actually touching a woman in the most intimate of places the idea terrified me. And it was doubly so with someone as soft and fragile as my Bella. So despite her bravery to touch me so confidently and so freely, I wasn't ready to reciprocate fully. Not just yet.
But I wasn't going to give up altogether. I continued down the front of her pants and cupped her through the thick fabric. I pressed the heel of my hand against where I knew her most sensitive bud sat, my fingertips resting where all her aroused heat and wetness was emanating from. I clenched my hand gently, not wanting to exert too much pressure on somewhere so delicate. Bella's hips bucked wildly in my palm and she bit back a cry much louder than any of its predecessors. I was glad that I couldn't lose my hair, otherwise she may have possibly ripped it from its roots. She continued stroking me harder and faster until she reached a good rhythm. I started slowly, but built up to a similar pace, guided by the way she rocked against my hand. I suckled at her breasts, kissed her neck, her chin, her shoulders, all while she writhed beneath me, moaning my name and panting hot, heavy breaths.
Before I could feel it coming, before I could brace myself, I climaxed in her hand. I fought to clench my teeth and groaned into her neck, my hand continuing its ministrations against her now very wet jeans.
"Bella," I growled when the feeling overtook my senses completely. All I could feel was her. She was all I could smell, taste, hear. I listened to her pounding, frantic heartbeat while she pulled her hand from my pants and gripped the fabric on my hip firmly.
"Edward…don't….just….please…Edward," she cried before her body stiffened beneath mine, her cries becoming loud incoherent gibberish, bordering on screams. I could feel her pulse beneath my hand and rushes of heady fluid saturate her already soaked clothing. She remained tense for a few moments, riding out her orgasm with soft moans and the occasional twitch of her hips before she relaxed completely beneath me.
We were completely silent for a while, but it was a comfortable, contented silence. Bella ran her hands languorously through my hair while I caressed the skin of her stomach. I breathed in the soft floral scent of her, my constant reminder that she was really here with me, laying my bed, safely ensconced in my arms. I could stay like this for all of eternity and it wouldn't be long enough for me. Bella's breathy little giggle brought me out of my somewhat dream-like state. I lifted my head and looked into the deep chocolate depths of her soulful eyes.
"Something funny, love?" I couldn't for the life of me see what she found amusing right now. Still, her laugh was my second favorite sound in the entire universe, next to her heartbeat.
"Not funny, just…interesting." She smiled and blushed, ducking her head slightly and giggling again. She pressed her lips together to stifle her laugh, but I could still see the humor lighting her eyes.
"Are you going to tell me what you find so amusingly interesting?" I knew I was prying, but the way her eyes sparkled and the levity in her voice had wholly captured my attention. When she blushed again I though I would explode from my desire to know what she was thinking.
Am I ever going to get used to the fact that she is this incredible creature whose mind is shut off to me? A beautiful, magical creature I can never predict, who always surprises me and makes me feel more alive now than I have ever felt in the last one hundred years? After all this time, I'm thinking NO, Cullen.
"It's cold," she whispered in shy amazement.
I stared at her, puzzled at her little statement. What on earth was she talking about? Was she talking about me? Was she surprised that all of my body was the same temperature? I thought that she would have known that all my parts (ok, I know it's called a penis, but that sounds so clinical. And I refused to call it a dick or cock in Bella's presence, even in my own mind. It was too vulgar) would have the same icy, smooth texture. I cleared my throat to try and delicately broach the subject when I noticed she was looking down towards my crotch. I smirked, about to tease about her wandering eyes when I followed her gaze and noticed it wasn't me she was looking at. It was her hand. But it wasn't her own appendage that had her focus. It was the milky substance in her palm that she seemed to be studying so intently. It suddenly all clicked into place. I laughed out loud, my whole body shaking as I tried to subdue my reaction. I didn't want to embarrass her. When I looked up at her I saw that she was giggling again, blushing wildly.
"Yes, Bella, my semen is cold. It comes out of my body, which is all roughly the same temperature. Anything else you need explained?" I teased.
She shook her head. "Nope, not unless I want to risk truly humiliating myself. I think some things are better left unexplained."
I grinned at her, about to tease her some more about her intense and never ending curiosity when I heard several loud guffaws and three pairs of hands clapping from downstairs. I was about ten seconds from flying down the stairs and ripping each of them to shreds when Alice's thoughts broke into my mind.
We weren't here for all of it, Edward. I swear that as soon as I saw what you had decided I made the others leave with me. Impromptu hunting trip, just ask Emmett. But when he heard Bella practically screaming he began flying back towards the house. He thought she was in trouble, Edward. Honest. I, of course, knew better so I had to convince the others why we had to go after him and stop him. Sorry, but that only made them want to come back early.
I sighed and shook my head. I could hear Alice growling at the others to keep their mouths shut when Bella came downstairs in a few minutes. She swore she would personally make their lives miserable if they embarrassed her in any way. Jasper was the first to settle down and behave. The last thing he ever wanted to do was upset Alice. And deep down I knew that he would never want to make Bella feel badly either. He really did care for her like a brother. Me on the other hand, he would torment until the end of time. The same went for Emmett. All Alice had to do there was tell him how much Bella would want to avoid all of them if he opened his big mouth in her presence. She did amend her statement to say that he could bring it up after she was changed, but warned him that he may not appreciate the outcome if he decided to do so.
Rose was much harder to convince. It took Alice and Jasper ganging up on her, and Jazz promising to ruin every intimate moment between her and Emmett for an entire decade to make her agree to let it go. She did it grudgingly, weighing up in her mind exactly how much of a disturbance she thought Jazz could cause with how much embarrassment she could cause both me and Bella. In the end, her sex life won, but only just.
I looked back down at Bella, extremely glad that she hadn't heard any of that and simultaneously dreading the day when I wouldn't be able to hide these things from her anymore. She was still smiling softly, her eyes half closed in glorious post orgasm euphoria. She melted my heart and stirred my want for her again. I beat down my desires, knowing the others wouldn't be convinced to leave again so soon. I decided it was time to join the others downstairs. I leaned down and kissed Bella on her forehead tenderly.
"Wait right here," I requested softly before bounding into my bathroom and returning with a warm, wet washcloth. I silently cleaned off her hand before returning to the bathroom and swiftly wiped myself off before tossing the cloth in the hamper. I walked back into the bedroom at human speed which gave Bella enough time to clasp her bra and button up her shirt. She looked down at clothes and then bit her lip, blushing deeply.
"What's wrong, love?" I stepped closer to her, afraid that I may have injured her in some way during our mutual explorations. She must have read the worry on my face because she held a hand up and smiled gently at me.
"Nothings wrong, Edward. I just…need a minute to change, if that's alright."
She cast her eyes down shyly and I immediately knew what had her so flushed. I could still smell her thick, sweet perfume very strongly and knew that it clung to her very wet jeans and panties. I had to stop my thoughts in their tracks before they manifested between her thighs and mine, thus starting this torturous process all over again.
"Of course, love. Just join me downstairs when you are ready. I should tell you, the others have just gotten home, so we won't be alone this evening. Alice is so exiting to have you living here with is she is practically bouncing around the living room." And she was. I could hear her.
"Hey!" Alice called up the stairs, loud enough for Bella's human hearing to pick up.
Bella giggled and nodded, shooing me out of the room with one hand. I closed the door behind me and flew down the steps, bracing myself for the onslaught of dirty, pervy thoughts that were clouding everyone's minds. Emmett's especially. I tried to block them all out, but they were pretty loud and insistent. I grimaced at them and gave them all the finger. That only spurred Emmett on further.
"My boys growin' up!" he boomed, clapping me on the shoulder. I swatted his hand away and growled at him in warning. He only laughed at me and raised his hands in mock surrender, a face look of disgust on his face.
"Eww, Edward, keep you hands to yourself. God knows where they have been recently." He wagged his eyebrows at me suggestively. The others didn't even try to contain their hooting laughter.
The moment of levity was interrupted when my phone vibrated silently in my pants pocket. I looked at the caller ID and saw that it was Carlisle. I decided it would be best to answer it. No sooner had I greeted Carlisle than I saw Alice freeze where she stood, her eyes taking on that glazed far away look she got when she was having a vision. Part of my mind focused on her premonition while another part spoke to Carlisle.
"Hello, Carlisle. What do you need?"
"I just got a phone call from Billy. There was another murder down on the reservation last night. A woman this time. He didn't give me too many details, but it was someone who was once again linked to the pack." His voice was tense and I could tell without having to read his mind that he was worried about what this meant for our family. Suspicion would invariably be cast upon us since we were the only resident coven of vampires in the area. I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose as I saw Alice's vision vividly in my mind.
"And I'll bet that's why Bella is about to get a phone call from Charlie telling her to come with him to Billy's house tomorrow," I practically growled out of frustration.
"I see. You would think with it all happening there he would want Bella to stay as far as humanly possible from where the murders are taking place." His voice was pensive. I knew he was trying to figure out how we should proceed from here.
"If she decides to go there with Charlie would you be able to accompany her? I would go but I know my presence there makes several of them uncomfortable and I don't want to cause trouble when emotions are already running high. The last thing we need is a fight to break out and give them an excuse to attack us." As much as I loathed the idea of sending Bella anywhere near that pack of mutts, good as some of them could be, I trusted my father figure to be as protective of her as I would be. He would keep her safe.
"Of course, Edward. I'll discuss the matter with you more when I get home. I'm picking Esme up now, so I'll fill her in on the way. We'll see you soon." We both disconnected and I groaned as I sunk down into the sofa, covering my face with my hands. I heard Bella's phone ring and waited while she answered it.
"Hello?"
"Bella, it's dad."
"Yeah, I know. What's up?" She sounded slightly breathless. She must have just finished changing.
"I'm afraid I have some bad news. There had been another murder down on the rez." Charlie's voice was tight and scared. It wasn't an emotion I was used to hearing from the Chief. It was unnerving.
"Oh my God! That's awful! Who was it, do you know?" I heard Bella gasp and plop back down onto the bed.
"Yeah, her name was Amelia. Did you know her?"
"No, I don't think so. But there are a lot of people from the reservation I don't know."
"She wasn't from that reservation, she was just visiting her cousin Emily." Charlie informed her sadly.
I heard Bella breathe in sharply. "Did she have a daughter named Claire?" she asked hesitantly.
Charlie paused briefly. "Yeah, she did. How did you know that?"
Bella released a shuddered breath. "I've heard of them, but never met them. Emily talked about them sometimes. So did…"
She didn't continue the thought, but she didn't need to. We all knew who she was referring to. I did everything I could not to think about him and just focus on the conversation at hand.
"Well, the kid was with her, that's how she died. She locked her in the car and turned on the attacker to protect her. Her mother was killed practically right in front of her. Poor thing. It's a good thing those boys came around and found her when they did or who knows what might have happened to her. She's not even three yet and she's already seen more horror than most that have lived to ninety."
"Wait, dad, what boys? Who found her? Did someone see the killer?" Bella was shooting off questions like rapid fire.
"A couple of Jake's friends. Funny names, I can't quite remember them."
Bella swallowed loudly. "Quil and Embry?"
"Yeah, that's them. They happened to be out that way and heard the little girl crying. They were too late to save Amelia, but their approach must have scared off the attacker. All they could tell me was they saw a dark, hooded figure run off into the woods."
"Oh my God," Bella breathed again. I could hear her heart racing from where I sat downstairs. No one around me moved. I knew they were listening as intently as I was.
"I'm going to go visit Billy tomorrow. Emily and Sam will be there along with Sue and her kids. Kind of a wake of sorts. Did you want to come along? I know you said you didn't know her, but you could be there for your friends. I'm sure Jake would appreciate your support right now." Even though he was asking if she wanted to go I could hear the parental authority laced in it. Not to mention the news that the mongrel was back in town. Bella hadn't missed that either.
"Jake is home?" she asked in a half choked whisper.
I grimaced at the surprise and hope in her voice. Did she really think that Jacob wouldn't be summoned back when members of the tribe started being picked off? Especially when they had a link to the pack? Was Jacob really that selfish? I had taken him to be a lot of things, but selfish wasn't one of them. Maybe it was something else. Maybe she thought that he just wanted to avoid her and whole wedding THAT much. I sighed.
"Yeah, he got home a few days ago. Billy said he had finally called to check in and his sister, Rachel – she's visiting from college – told him about the attacks on the rez. He came right back. Must not have been very far after all."
"Uh, yeah, I guess not." I could hear the blatant disbelief in her voice. It almost amused me that she knew better. Almost.
"So, can the Cullen's spare you tomorrow, or do you have lots of wedding planning to do?"
Bella sighed. "No, dad, I'm free. Alice can make due without me. I'll see you there. I need to go now. I'm helping Alice make dinner and I need to get on it."
Alice and Rose laughed at the lie. The images that floated through their minds were admittedly hilarious, but I couldn't bring myself to join them. This whole situation was just so screwed up that I couldn't wrap my head around it. And that was saying something. Every time I focused on something that scared or worried me there was a long list of other problems which caused just as much panic or pain as the one that preceded it. Once again, I found myself soothed by Jasper's influence. I sighed.
Bella said goodbye to her father and slowly made her way downstairs. When she saw all of us scattered around the living room she shot me a slightly withering look.
"I'm guessing you caught all that? Do I need to repeat anything for posterity?"
We all shook our heads, but Alice looked slightly confused. Bella lifter her eyebrows at her, silently imploring her to speak.
"What did that little girl have to do with the pack?" she asked, her mind spinning from the connections she was trying to make. Bella grimaced.
"Um, she's sort of connected to one of the wolves. I'm guessing he showed up to protect her. I wonder what's going to happen to her now." Bella's eyes filled up with tears and her breath hitched. I got up and wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close to me to give her comfort.
"Charlie wants me to go with him to Billy's tomorrow," she mumbled quietly against my chest, sniffling.
I nodded once. "Yes, I heard. Carlisle will go with you. He wants to discuss the recent developments with Sam and Billy…and I am assuming Jacob, now that he is back."
Bella started in my arms, her head snapping up to look me in the eyes. Surprise lit her features, tear streaked cheeks and wet lashes glistening in the background. I smiled reassuringly at her, trying to show her it was alright and that I wasn't angry or upset. That I trusted her to be around him without me and that was ok, too.
"I don't have to go tomorrow, Edward. I can just call and tell Emily how sorry I am," Bella offered. I
I looked down into her sad eyes and knew I couldn't deny her the chance to be around her friends, furry and malodorous as they were. But I was comforted by the knowledge that she was willing to stay away from them to make me feel better. I knew I couldn't let her do that. I didn't want to be the reason she stayed away when her friends needed her, or the reason she regretted being the kind of person who wasn't there for people who had been there for her. Besides, Carlisle would be there to ensure her safety, as would her own father. I knew she wanted to spend as much time with Charlie as she could before the wedding.
"It's fine, Bella, really. Besides, I am assuming there are things you have to say to your wayward friend upon his return. Just let Carlisle know when you are ready to come home." I leaned down and kissed her very softly on the lips, trying to reassure her that I wasn't upset of hurt by her actions.
If I was being completely honest with myself, I knew that this was a long time coming. I knew Jacob wasn't going to extract himself from her life just because she had chosen me. And I needed to trust that she could handle whatever he threw at her from here on in. I did trust her. I knew she would never again guess or wonder who she belonged with. We were getting married. She loved me. She had chosen me. It had taken months, but I was finally starting to come around on the fact that she was really and truly mine. Jacob could sniff around her all he wanted and it wouldn't make a lick of difference.
But as I held her close to me I felt a new fear, reminiscent of the ones I had felt when both James and Victoria had stalked her, and when she stood in front of the Volturi to save my life. While, so far, the wolves had been the intended targets, I had no doubt in my mind that this somehow linked back to Bella. I looked down at her again, clutching my side with all her strength, and stroked her hair. Just like before, I knew I would do anything and everything in my power to protect her. She was my world. She was my life.