Chapter 13 – Hiking

BPOV

Day 3 of 5

I was woken up early by the sound of a dying cat. I looked out the tent and saw the thing that was making the putrid noise.

Emmett.

Of course he would do something like this. I covered my ears and marched toward him.

"EMMETT SHUTUP!" I screamed to be heard over the noise.

But Emmett continued to march back and forth while screeching.

Finally he stopped. "Hey sis, how's it with you? Sleep good?" He asked smiling.

I was confused, but I nodded and laughed none the less.

We waited and everyone eventually came out.

Carlisle came out and stood in front of everyone. "Okay, today we're going to be hiking." I groaned causing Edward to look my way.

"We'll be splitting into groups, I guess to be fair we'll just hike with the person we are sharing our tent with. Everyone can come back whenever they please but each group must return together. Got it?"

Everyone nodded and stood up with their partner. I looked over to Edward and smiled nervously. "I hope you don't mind getting me." I said.

He looked shocked at the idea that someone could ever not want me. "Of course I'm happy with you Bella, why wouldn't I be. In fact I'm honored that we're a group."

I smiled as we walked into the forest. "Bella if you don't mind can I show you somewhere special?" He asked while looking at me.

"Of course." I laughed as he took my hand. I gasped because the shock never seemed to get old.

We were silent on the way up, but it was comfortable. I tripped a couple of time and on the twelfths time Edward stopped walking.

"Bella, you keep falling and you're going to get hurt." He said with sincere worry.

I laughed. "Well what else am I supposed to do? I can't become as graceful as you in the next five seconds.

He studied me carefully and turned back around. "Hop on Bella." He said as I stared at him like he was crazy.

"WH-what. I- I'm too heavy." He just laughed, the sound made my heart jump.

"Bella I've carried you before, you weigh absolutely nothing."

I was hesitant but I knew not to argue.

As I wrapped my arms around him I felt at peace. I leaned my head into his neck while we walked through the forest.

I breathed in his scent. So perfect, like him.

We got there sooner than I thought and it was…stunning. A perfect meadow with flowers surrounding it.

"What do you think?" He asked slowly.

I turned toward him, a smile playing at my lips. "It's absolutely… perfect." I breathed.

He smiled and took my hand as we sat down in the center.

"Edward?"

He looked over at me.

"Why do you call Carlisle and Esme by their first names and not mom and dad?

He looked sad for a moment and looked up at me. "Esme and Carlisle aren't me parents." He said slowly.

"What?" I gasped, shocked by this news.

"Want to hear the story?" He asked me.

I nodded and Edward turned to me.

"Well I've lived in Forks my whole life, my parents, Elizabeth and Edward sr. Masen, were good friends with the Cullen's. We were like family."

I looked into Edward's eyes, they were filled with sorrow and something else that I couldn't place, but the look was familiar.

"About a year and ½ ago they got into an accident. They didn't make it. The Cullen's were going to take me in, adopt me even. I moved in with them but I'm not their son. They call me their son and were like family but it's weird."

I looked at Edward and threw myself around him. He seemed shocked at first but hugged me back.

He spoke softly to me. "During the summer we would go this cottage out in the woods. It was very beautiful. I miss going there with them."

He stopped speaking and I looked at him. After a while he finally continued speaking.

"Sometimes, I'll go there to the cottage. It's technically mine. It's my favorite place in the whole world.

He smiled at me and I returned it.

After that we spent the whole day talking. It was just so great. I learned so much about Edward that I thought I would explode. We knew almost everything about each other.

The next thing I know I feel something wet on my nose, and again. I look up and I see rain. Where am I?

I try to sit up but I can't move. I see Edward next me and smile. "Edward?"

I shake him a little and he wakes up. "Edward we fell asleep in the meadow." I said. It's dark now and the rain is falling at a steady pace.

We got up and started walking back to the campsite. Everyone was waiting for us when we returned.

"FINALLY!" They all yell.

"We thought you guys got lost or we're mauled by a grizzly!"

I stared at Emmett. "Mauled by a grizzly. Seriously Emmet?" He shrugged.

"Well you guys were gone for a long time, we started at ten and figured you'd be back for lunch, well it's around midnight! OVER TWELVE HOURS!"

We smiled sheepishly. "Umm… Goodnight guys." Edward said as he made his way to the tent. I followed and soon I was back asleep.