Chapter 12: Happy New Year?
BPOV:
I was startled when Jasper suddenly bolted into the kitchen putting our fight to a halt. Yes, Alice and I had been arguing ever since we left the living room. And in fact, it was not as if we had new arguments in our discussion, we kept going over the same things over again and again. Alice accused Edward of being a fraud and I defended him saying he was kind-hearted and had lived through a lot.
"Enough," Jasper yelled forcefully, causing Alice to stop mid-sentence.
I wasn't even listening to her anymore since nothing that she said made sense. I knew she wanted to protect me but I didn't need her protection, and most definitely not from Edward.
"Will you hear yourself already?" he continued, keeping up the same tone, "Two best friends fighting, probably without a good reason." Excuse me, I do have a reason. If I didn't yell at her, Alice would throw Edward out and that was not going to happen under my watch.
"Jas, she's going to get hurt if she keeps going out with him."
"How do you know, Alice, do you know Edward?" Wait, what? Jasper was defending Edward now? Or even more surprising, counteracting Alice? Hell yes!
"Euhm, no, but Jasper, he's homeless, doesn't that say enough?"
"So if I lost everything I had all of the sudden and had to live on the streets, you'd dump my ass?" Oh god, Jasper was definitely on my side.
"No, that's different!" she said, crossing her arms in front of her.
"How is that different, Alice?" I asked agitated. "Because it is!" Great reply, Alice, great reply. I couldn't stop myself from rolling my eyes at her.
"Jas, I'm just trying to protect her!" Alice said again. "Darling, she's not a five year old who needs your protection 24/7. She's old enough to make her own decisions."
"I'm not going to stand there and watch someone hurt her. She's my best friend."
"You seem pretty convinced that he's gonna hurt her."
"You seem pretty convinced of the opposite," she said, eyeing him suspiciously.
Here I was, standing in my kitchen, listening to my best friend and her boyfriend arguing about my life. I didn't even get a chance to interfere.
"Because I've taken the time to talk to him and ask him out about this whole situation." Jasper had spoken to Edward? Oh, that'll explain his support. So if I only could get Alice to listen to him...
"Oh great, he talked you into his brilliant plan as well," she said with a huff.
"God, Alice, can you for a second just think about the fact that he might actually be struggling with this too. He's terrified at the moment, wondering if he should leave because he doesn't want to come between the two of you. He's constantly thinking in terms of 'What is best for Bella?' Isn't that enough to believe him?" I was so close to hugging Jasper for standing up to his girlfriend but all I could hear was the fact that Edward was struggling and thinking about leaving. No way. Without saying anything, I reeled off to the living room, towards Edward, who indeed seemed to be lost in his mind again and that obviously wasn't a good thing right now.
He looked up when I approached and I could see the sadness in his eyes. "I don't want you to fight with her because of me," he silently said, "Maybe I should just leave."
I sat down on his lap and put my hands of both sides of his face. "No one is leaving before this is sorted out, Edward." He managed to give me a little smile and then rested his forehead against mine while wrapping his arms around me.
"What have you told Jasper?" I asked curiously. "Nothing special," he said but I could tell that wasn't the true because he had diverted his eyes.
"I doubt that because Jasper is defending you right now and probably pissing Alice off," I said, amused.
"He is?" Hope filled his eyes. I nodded and couldn't stop smiling. Jasper would probably be able to make Alice more open-minded and right now, that was all I wanted, for Alice to give him a chance.
"I don't want to lose you," he whispered while laying his head on my shoulder. My heart swelled at that statement and I could feel tears forming in my eyes. Could it be that he already felt something for me as well? I was kind of surprised that in a span of one week I had fallen for him because I thought I would take months to really get to know someone and develop something more than just friendship. Guess I had been wrong.
"I don't want to lose you too," I softly replied. I instantly felt his arms tighten around me and a relieved breath escaped his lungs.
After another five minutes, Jasper and Alice entered the living room again and I could tell that Jasper had won the discussion because Alice was having an annoyed look on her face. She didn't like to lose an argument and definitely not from Jasper.
"You get one chance, but the minute you even hurt her just a little bit, I'm going back to my bitch-mode," Alice said to Edward and I could see Jasper winking at me. Everything would be alright.
"I wouldn't want it any other way," Edward stated and smiled grateful at both of them.
I reluctantly got off of his lap because it might be a little inappropriate now that our company had returned but I did stay as close as possible.
"I guess we can throw those mini pizzas away now," I said, suddenly remembering the appetisers I left in the kitchen. They would be cold by now and putting them back in the oven wasn't an option.
"Stupid fight," Jasper mumbled under his breath and I couldn't stop myself from laughing. "Don't worry, Jasper, there's plenty of food left, and you're not allowed to leave before everything is gone."
"Deal," he grinned, "But then I'll have to start eating now or I'll never be able to finish."
"Jasper, don't overdo it, I don't want to spend the first day of 2012 next to my boyfriend who's hugging a toilet," Alice whined, causing everyone else to laugh. How did we manage this? Five minutes ago it looked like the entire evening was ruined and now we were all laughing like it never happened. Not that I was complaining of course.
Checking the clock, I decided it was about time to dig in. As we made our way to the table, Edward brushed past me and softly pressed his lips to my neck. A shiver ran across my spine and I swear I could feel the vibrations in my pinkie toe. All he did was kissing my neck and brushing his hand over the small of my back and I was already combusting. The smug look in his eyes told me he knew exactly what he had done. I narrowed my eyes at him, hoping he'd get the message. He wasn't going to get away with this so easily. Game on, my friend.
Throughout the entire dinner there was some sort of tension going on between Edward and me that had never been around before. Luckily Alice and Jasper never noticed it as we were pretty good at still maintaining a conversation with them as well. I was surprised when Alice directly spoke to Edward and asked him about his New Year's resolutions. For a moment I wondered what Jasper had said to her in order for this change to appear. I knew she would give him a chance, but when Alice gives someone a chance she's not able to show her disapproval at all times. I expected that there would be some glances that make you want to run, hide and never come back added up to the 'I do not speak to you unless it's obligated'. This time she actually seemed to like Edward, or she must have improved her acting skills. I decided to let it go as I didn't matter. Stop the worrying and be happy that she isn't giving him the silent treatment. Maybe Alice had realized that Edward wasn't a bad guy after all. Thank god.
When Edward reached for his glass of wine, I decided it was time to show him that you don't just play with Bella Swan. I slipped my foot out of my blue pump and slowly slid it under his trousers to brush my foot along his shin-bone while shooting him a vicious grin. Totally surprised by my action, he spit out the wine he had just drunk.
Payback is a bitch, my friend. I know, I know, it's a cheap act, but it works every time.
"Everything okay?" Jasper asked, actually concerned because Edward kept coughing.
"Euhm, yeah, I'm fine... Just chocked on the wine," Edward muttered while cleaning up his side of the table with his napkin. I had to bite my tongue to maintain my innocent appearance.
This time it was Edward who was narrowing his eyes at me. Oh, I'm ready for whatever you have in mind.
As the evening went on I found myself constantly checking Edward so I wouldn't be surprised by one of his revenge actions. Every time our eyes met he grinned at me which caused me to almost combust. I didn't know if he was going to try anything as that would mean that I would get back at him again.
"Only ten more minutes," Alice suddenly said, jumping up from her chair, startling everyone else at the table. I shot a quick glance at the clock to check, not that I didn't believe her; I was just surprised that time had gone by so fast. Ever since Jasper had interfered at the fight, the evening had been perfect. With a content look on my face I made my way to the kitchen to get the bottle of Champagne.
I was trying to find a knife to remove the wrap on the bottle when suddenly two arms encircled my waist. "You were trying to kill me back there, weren't you?" Edward whispered with a hint of mock in his voice. His hot breath so close to my ear didn't help to keep up my smug appearance and that was exactly what I needed to win this little competition that was going on between us. Damn him
"Do you have any idea what your little act did to me?" he said, almost growling in my ear. Oh, yes I do, champ, that was exactly the plan and it seemed to have worked out perfectly. Go Bella!
He pressed a soft kiss behind my ear and traced the length of my arm with his index finger, leaving a trail of goose bumps. I whimpered at the reaction my body had to his gentle touch. Oh god, he was trying to get the same response out of me now, and fuck me, because he was succeeding with ease. Thankful that Alice and Jasper were in the other room I pressed my body against his.
I was already completely at his mercy when all he suddenly stepped away from me. Completely stunned I turned around only to find him with the smuggest look of all looks on his face. "Come on, darling, we don't want to miss calling in the New Year, don't we?" he said, his voice sweeter than honey. Dammit, Edward! He was so much better at this game than I expected him to be.
He took the tray of glasses and with a wink he went back to the living room. Yeah, he knew exactly he had succeeded his evil plan. I tried to regain my composure and quickly followed after him.
Alice was already counting down from 120 and everyone had to laugh at the fact that she couldn't count down fast enough without stumbling over her words so she had to skip a few numbers. With an annoyed look she gave up at seventy eight and restarted at twenty together with the rest of us.
Immediately after we had yelled 'Happy New Year', I diverted my attention to Edward, who had already approached me. I quickly threw my arms around his neck and pressed my lips to his, not caring about the other two people in the room. Completely caught up in our little moment Edward lifted me of the ground and I instantly locked my legs around his waist. This year couldn't have started any better.
After two more bottles of Champagne and a few hours, Jasper and Alice got up to leave. It was already past four and everyone was already yawning but reluctant to end this night. We said our goodbyes and exchanged hugs as we let them out. Back inside I couldn't help but groan when I took in the appearance of the kitchen. Seems like I would have to do a lot of cleaning up tomorrow. Happy new year, Bella!
I returned to the living room where Edward had almost passed out on the couch. I took my seat next to him and he quickly his head into my lap.
"Thank you," he mumbled.
"What for?" I asked, confused, as I ran my fingers through his hair.
"Tonight." He looked up at me with the most genuine smile on his face. I returned it and intertwined my fingers with his, feeling completely happy.
"Jasper is really cool," he said.
"I guess you didn't like Alice as much as you liked him, did you?" I couldn't help but grin.
"I thought she would be bitchier after your fight but she was nice as well."
"Yeah, I didn't expect that," I said truthfully.
"Do you think she's holding something back?" I could see a little bit of fear hiding in his eyes when he spoke those words. "I don't know, but that wouldn't be something Alice would do, so I think she really is going to give you a chance."
The smile that followed my response could light up an entire city and it most definitely warmed my heart. I was really happy that he actually cared about what my friends thought about him, because that meant I wasn't just some flirt. Not that his other actions confirmed the opposite but it was nice to see it in every action. Again I found myself wondering what was going on in his mind and how much I meant to him. Deciding that for now it didn't matter and that time would answer all of my questions, I enjoyed our little moment.
"Let's go to sleep," I said, after trying to suppress another yawn. Edward reluctantly removed his head and was already heading towards the cupboard where his pillow and blanket lay. Lovely insecure guy thought he would be occupying the couch again.
"And where do you think you're going," I chuckled. He instantly turned to look at me again with a bit of a confused look and pointed towards the cabinet.
I shook my head and pointed at my bedroom. There was no way that he would be sleeping on the couch again. I wanted to wake up next to him again. Oh, and snuggle a bit more before falling asleep of course. The look on his face when it finally sank in what I meant made my heart skip a beat. That fucking crooked smile of his was going to kill me one day, mark my words.
I had fallen asleep pretty quickly which didn't surprise me since it was already past five when we had gotten to bed and on top of that; Edward's chest was the perfect pillow. The rise and fall of his chest had lulled me to sleep within seconds.
The next morning, the ringtone of my cell phone woke me and I groaned because I already hated whoever called me now. It was only 10 AM for Christ's sake. Doesn't anyone sleep in on New Year's Day anymore?
I ignored the tone and closed my eyes, hoping that sleep would catch me again.
When my phone went off again I reached out for it, more annoyed than ever. I could let it ring but I didn't want to wake Edward so without checking the display I answered the call.
"What?" I snapped at whoever calling me.
"Bella, I need you and Edward ready to go in fifteen minutes," Jasper's voice was too enthusiastic for a morning like this. Something had happened but to be honest, I couldn't care less at the moment. I just wanted to sleep a bit more and most definitely didn't want to leave this bed before noon.
"Jasper, can we play one of your games another time please? I really don't want to get up already," I whined, hoping he would just leave it at this.
"No, Bella, this is important. Wake Edward and make sure you're all dressed when we arrive." I could hear the engine of a car being started.
"What's going on," I said, suddenly a bit scared. They were already on their way over here which meant that it must be something serious. If it would be one of his games he would wait to get in his car 'til I decided to co-operate. That's the way it always goes.
"I'll explain everything when I arrive at your place, or no, when we're on our way to Vancouver." Vancouver? What the hell was happening in Vancouver and why did I have to get up for it?
"Can you just get up already, Bella, please."
"O-kay!" I said, still annoyed but Jasper had managed to make me curious enough to agree to get up. "Thank you. We'll be there in about fifteen minutes," he said and ended the phone call. Dammit, Jasper, ruining my morning. It better be something really important or you'll never hear the end of this.
*grinning* Yeees, a cliff hanger :')
You are the loveliest people ever for reading this :D Thanks for all your support :)
Again; sneak peek for everyone who reviews :D (I still can't believe I have already 100 reviews :D :D)
Lots of love, Ellen
