Chapter 14 - The Perfect Tree

Songs for Chapter 14: All I ever wanted - Kelly Clarkson, Let me put my love into you - AC/DC

Alice's POV

We went hunting after our hike with Bella. We left Esme at camp with her and when we got back they were sitting around the fire. We had all been thru so much it was nice to see them look peaceful and happy.

We all sat around and talked. Bella had been snuggled into Emmett's lap in front the fire. Emmett jumped up and a vision hit. Bella was going to start a snowball fight. I loved it so I let it play out, but I warned him, as to keep her feelings from getting hurt.

"Emmett, Bella is going to throw a snowball at you. Don't dodge it. Trust me you'll like the way it ends," I said, low enough only vampires would hear. Jasper chuckled, I guess at his emotions.

After we interrupted them earlier today, he was feeling frustrated. Bella looked at me and I winked at her.

"Hey, McCarty," she yelled. "This is for earlier."

She threw the snowball and hit his arm. He glared at her with his evil grin. Bella took off running, like she had a chance to get away. He laughed as he ran after her dodging the snowballs we were throwing at him.

He grabbed her around the waist and threw her over his shoulder. "You are going to pay for that, Swan." He growled and slapped her ass. He ran her into the woods and I stopped looking.

" Alice, is everything alright out there? Are they... okay? "Esme asked, concerned.

"Yes, they are on the way back, actually, Emmett told her Carlisle would kick his ass if she got pneumonia." We were laughing when they came up.

"What's so funny?" Bella asked.

"Nothing, dear," Esme said. She stretched and yawned. Emmett poked her in the belly.

"You sleepy, baby?" he said.

"Yeah, I need a nap, come lay with me. I will see you guys in a little bit," she said, walking into their tent.

"Hey Emmett, I take it you gave her a good workout?" Jasper asked, chuckling as I slapped him.

"Jasper, don't make me come out there and kick your ass. I could use a good wrestling match," Emmett hissed, from the tent.

"Bring it on, lil' brother, I'd like a reason to stomp your over sexed ass into the ground," Jasper said, laughing still.

"Jasper Whitlock, don't be an ass!" I chided, fighting my own laughter.

"Children, please behave," Esme said, shaking her head at us.

Poor Bella, the girl had no clue of what a sex machine Emmett was before they started 'dating'. At least she wouldn't need to go to the gym. We all laughed at their antics. Bella missed it all as she slept.

Esme's POV

It was turning out to be great day. The kids were joking around and being their normal selves. Bella, my dear sweet Bella, she fit in with us like she had always been with us.

I loved just sitting around the fire in silence with her. She was relaxed and I believe truly happy for the first time in months. We all had to deal with so much.

After Bella's nap we set out to scout for a tree. This has been a family tradition for years. No matter where we are, we hunt for a tree as a family. Emmett had Bella on his back as we searched the forest. We came into a very spacious area covered in trees. There were a few nice ones.

"I want it to be at least ten-foot tall boys," I said, looking around.

Bella slid off of Emmett's back and was walking between two trees when she froze. Emmett was immediately at her side as were we all.

"Bell's, what is it, baby," he asked, concerned. Her eyes were wide and she had a huge grin across her face. She pointed up and said, "Look at that one."

Bella's POV

We made it into a clearing surrounded by trees. Esme wanted a big tree so while the boys looked around I slid off Emmett's back and was looking around. I went through two big pine trees and there it was. The most beautiful tree. It was perfect.

"Bells, what is it, baby," he asked. I pointed up and said. "Look at that one."

"It's perfect," Alice said, dancing around. "This is the one we want."

There was no arguing with that. Jasper, Emmett and Carlisle made light work of bringing it down and gently wrapping it so it would make it safely back to Forks. We made it back to camp, slowly. Mainly because of me, I was walking since Emmett and Jasper were carrying the tree.

They went on to where the jeeps were parked to secure it to Carlisle's jeep. One less thing to worry about later, I guess. Alice, Esme and Carlisle were a bit ahead of me as I was taking in the fresh air and my surroundings. I looked up into the sky and watched as the stars started to appear.

I felt like I was shaking and heard Alice yell. "Bella, be careful."

It was too late; I slipped on the snow and busted my ass. I had pushed my hands out to brace myself with out thinking, but seemed to be okay.

"Bella, honey, are you okay," Esme said, coming over to me with her face looking pained, with Alice and Carlisle on her heels.

"Yeah, nothing busted but my pride," I said, laughing until I lifted my hand up.

"Shit," I hissed.

I did not realize at the time that as I went down I hit something. I was mortified, I had only had the dreadful cast off for a week, now look at me. I was bleeding, not such a good thing for me to do with vampires in my immediate vicinity.

"Bella, really, what are we going to do with you?" Alice laughed, and helped me over to the tent where Carlisle's bag was.

"I guess it's a good thing you never leave home without this?" I said, giggling.

"Bella, with you I am always prepared. Does your hand hurt?" he asked, examining the cut.

"It burns like hell, but it's not too bad, I didn't even realize I hit it until Esme came over," I said, embarrassed.

Leave it to me. In the middle of no where and what do I do...

"Bella, it's fine, really. It will heal up in no time but it will need a few stitches. Alice can you hand me the bottle of alcohol and the swabs? Bella this is going to hurt. I have to clean it out, there's a piece of bark in it," he said, taking the alcohol from Alice and picking up a pair of tweezers.

I took a deep breath and waited.

"Okay, ready?" he asked.

"Yes, just get it over with," I mumbled.

I closed my eyes and took another deep breath. As the alcohol seeped into the cut I tensed. Then I felt the pain, it felt like my hand was tearing from the inside. I tried not to scream but, holy fuck it hurt. The tears ran down my cheeks until I couldn't breathe.

Emmett's POV

Jasper and I went ahead of the group so we could secure the tree to the jeep. I wanted to be able to get back to Bella before she missed me. On the way back Jasper tensed.

"What?" I asked, looking around for danger.

"Bella is hurt," he said.

Before he even had the full words out of his mouth, I headed for her. What in the world could have happened? We were only gone, what, five minutes. I hoped she was okay. When we hit camp Esme was by the fire and I could hear Carlisle talking to Bella.

"Emmett, stay out here, please, Bella is embarrassed enough. She'll be out in a few minutes," Esme said, looking at my pained face.

"Bella, this is going to hurt. I have to clean it out, there's a piece of bark in it," Carlisle said.

I heard her take a deep breath and the Carlisle talking to her again.

"Okay, ready?" he asked.

"Yes, just get it over with," she said, taking another deep breath. Then I could smell her tears. I ran into the tent and kissed her forehead. Her eyes popped opened and looked into mine. I leaned in and kissed each tear away.

"You'll do anything for attention, won't you Swan?" I whispered into her ear.

With that my loving little brat of a sister slapped me in the head and Bella laughed.

"Look who's talking, McCarty," she said, smiling. "Is it working?"

"You know it baby, you can never get rid of me," I said, leaning in to kiss her again.

"Emmett, please, I am trying to work here," Carlisle said, fighting his own chuckles.

"What?" I asked innocently. "I didn't do anything.

Everyone erupted into laughter. I went back out to the fire with Esme to keep from distracting Carlisle. When he finished with Bella, she came out and sat with me by the fire. Esme brought her a sandwich and made her some hot chocolate. A few hours later, she was asleep in my arms and I carried her to our tent. I laid her down and wrapped her up.

When the sun started coming up, she turned to me and smiled.

"Morning baby," I said, kissing her forehead. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, so what's the plan for today?"

As soon as the rest of them get back from their quick hunt we are going into town and look around. Esme loves the shops and you know Alice is always ready to shop.

"Okay, I will go get ready."

She got up, stretched and walked out of the tent. I leaned back and sighed. How in the world did I get so lucky? After a few minutes of my quiet reflections I heard Bella scream. I jumped up and took off out of the tent.

Chapter Notes: Bwahahaha... okay don't kill me the muse made me do it :) Just call me the cliffie queen *bows*

FYI Trees are evil.... so yes that can really happen, I have the scars to prove it!! And no it is not fun!!! and yes I did yell and curse and dance around like a damn fool. It was quite funny so I was told :)

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