A/N: Like always thanks to my reviewers and to PTB for betaing Sent From Heaven.
Hope you enjoy, please review!
Chapter 14 – Talented
Andria's PoV:
I blinked my eyes open and sighed. We were going home tomorrow.
"Alice has a big day planned for you, full of shopping." Edward chuckled as I groaned.
"Will you at least come with me?" I asked as I lifted my head to look at his eyes. They were not black with desire like they had been last night, but the dark ring that surrounded the amber had grown larger.
His hand was tracing random patterns across my back. He stopped and sat up, gathering me into his arms. "I was already planning on coming with you, darling. I have a few things I would like to get, also."
"Is everyone going?" I asked as I laid my head in the crook of his neck.
"No, Jasper is staying here with Emmett and Carlisle. Esme and Rosalie are going shopping and are going to meet up with you, Alice, and me later this afternoon," he said as he pushed my bangs from my face.
I smiled and muttered a soft "Oh." I turned in his arms and stretched my legs and arms out, arching my back against Edward. I leaned against Edward as Alice danced into the room.
"I heard Edward gave away my shopping adventure for today," Alice grumbled, miffed.
"Alice, I don't mind going shopping with you, as long as you don't go overboard." I pointed to the far wall that was lined with bags of clothes, shoes, and accessories. "Again."
"I will never wear all of that," I mumbled as I stood from Edward's lap. I moved over to my suitcase and took the clothes Alice had chosen from her hands.
I walked to the bathroom and climbed into the shower. When I was done, I dried my hair and dressed. I walked out to the living room and sat by Edward.
He had changed into a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved royal blue shirt. He placed his hand on my knee, and I leaned my head against his shoulder. Alice kissed Jasper and danced across the room to the front door.
"Ready?" she asked, looking at Edward and me.
"Born ready," I joked.
Edward and Jasper chuckled. Edward took my hand as we walked through the door and down to the lobby. Soon, the limo dropped us off in front of a large designer store. We walked in and Alice immediately began scanning through the racks of clothes, leaving me and Edward to wander through the store slowly.
I smiled at Edward as Alice came back with an armful of clothes and pulled me into a dressing room while Edward waited patiently outside the doors in a chair.
I was apparently moving too slowly for Alice because I felt her hands undo my jeans and pull them down to my ankles. She lifted my leg and slipped one foot out.
"Alice, jeepers, it's not a race." I laughed as I kicked off my pants and laid my sweater neatly on the bench.
She turned me around without saying anything and pulled a dress over my head. She zipped up the back, and I examined myself in the mirror.
The dress was tea length, falling just below my knees. It had off-the-shoulder straps that showed off my collarbones. The dress, a pale peach-colored cotton, hugged my chest and fell in a bell around my legs.
"You look wonderful in this dress," Alice said.
"Yes, but I don't have anywhere to wear it, Alice." I sighed as I twisted around to see the back of the dress.
"You can wear it in the summer when it is warm." She looked at me through the mirror. "It looks so pretty on you; you look so elegant."
I didn't feel like putting up a fight with Alice today on whether or not I should get the dress or if I would wear it or not. I sighed, and Alice giggled and quickly unzipped the dress and took it off of me.
"I knew you would agree with me," she giggled.
"I'm not agreeing with you. I just don't see the point in arguing with you. You'll buy it anyway."
I heard Edward laugh from outside the door. "It's not funny, Edward. She's your sister. Why don't you rein her in?"
"Have you ever tried to rein Alice in?" he asked. I could tell he had gotten up and walked closer to the door.
"No, but I'm sure one of you has tried," I joked as I stepped into another dress Alice had picked out.
"Yes, and we have all failed." He laughed, and Alice did too.
I smiled as I examined the new dress I had on. I liked this one better than the last. It was a creamy color with a green paisley print. It had two inch straps over my shoulders and a square neck. A sash, made from the same printed fabric, tied around my waist.
"What do you think?" Alice asked.
"I like this one better. It's more me, and I love the colors," I said as I smiled at Alice.
Alice opened the door, and Edward stepped in. "You look beautiful," he said as he placed his hands on my shoulders.
"Thanks," I said blushing.
He kissed my neck and then stepped out of the dressing room. Alice shut the door and we continued to try on the remaining dresses, skirts, and shirts.
We left that store with Edward carrying three bags of clothes. The limo driver had caught on to the Cullens' desire to shop and was waiting, trunk open, at the front of the store. I smiled.
"How did he know we were ready?" I asked as Edward handed him the bags.
"I called him while you and Alice were in the dressing room," he said.
The limo driver shut the trunk, and Alice instructed him to meet us three blocks down in two hours. I raised my eyebrow at Alice as she pulled my hand and began walking down the street. I drug Edward along beside me.
"Two hours, Alice? Don't you think I already have enough stuff? You all have spent well over five thousand dollars on me."
"Oh, it was much more than that, Andria, but you need a new wardrobe anyway, and I'm more than happy to help you find clothes."
"Yes, well, I don't think you should spend your money on me." I glared at her as she danced along beside me.
"I'm not spending my money. Edward is paying for all of your things."
I stopped dead in my tracks. They both took another step forward and then realized I had stopped. "Edward," I warned.
"Alexandria, it's my treat to you," he said calmly, sensing my anger.
"You don't think bringing me to New York, my dress, the coat, or the ballet, was enough? Edward I don't want you to do this," I grumbled.
"Andria," he whispered softly tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear, "I want to do this."
We started walking again, but I was still angry. He wants to do this. He wants to blow all of his money on clothes that I may never wear.
We made it to the next designer shop, and Edward kissed my lips softly. "I'm going to go do what I need to do now, darling. I'm leaving you and Alice to the shopping. She has one of my cards, so don't argue with her. You are still spending my money."
"Oh, don't worry. I'm not going to argue with her, but I do plan on having a heated discussion with you later."
He smiled and kissed my lips again before continuing down the street. I turned to Alice and we walked inside.
"Why is he letting you do this, Alice?" I asked as we began to look through the racks of clothes.
Alice held my arm in her hand, pulling me close to her, and whispered in my ear. "Bella wasn't a shopper, and she hated for Edward to spend any money on her, but he wanted to. You are more open to it, and Edward loves you and just wants to spoil you."
I smiled. "He's only letting me do this because he wants to be able to give you things, but he trusts me to pick out your clothes."
"Is he a bad judge of women's clothes?" I asked, laughing as she let go of my arm.
She laughed. "No, not at all, but it's more fun for girls to shop than for Edward to pick out something with you."
"Very true," I said as I grabbed a pale blue skirt off one of the racks. "This would match that white top you bought the other day."
She looked it over quickly and took it from me. "Good, we needed another option for that top."
We continued to search through the store and finally left with three skirts, five shirts, a pair of jeans, five pairs of shoes, and a dress.
We carried the bags down to the next store. Two hours, five stores, and seven grand later, we walked to the limo. Edward was there waiting for us and took the bags from me and Alice. The limo driver helped Edward put the bags into the now full trunk.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" I asked as we headed to the small Italian restaurant where we were meeting Esme and Rosalie for lunch and then more shopping.
"Yes, I did. I see you and Alice had another successful shopping event."
"Always," I muttered sarcastically.
I leaned into Edward's side, and his arm tightened around my shoulders. I breathed in his wonderful sent and sighed. His lips pressed against the top of my head as the limo pulled to a stop. Esme and Rosalie were already waiting for us outside the restaurant.
We all walked in and sat down to a wonderful lunch even though I was the only one who ate anything. After lunch, we continued to shop. Edward and I broke away from his sisters and mother to visit a very large bookstore. Edward found a few books he had been looking for and I found a few novels.
I thought we would be heading back to the hotel, but the limo stopped in front of Rockefeller Center. Edward smiled, and we walked into the building. It seemed strange as Edward guided me through the building with Alice, Rosalie, and Esme trailing behind us.
A man met us in from of a set of double doors and greeted Edward, who smiled and spoke to the man as if they had already met. I was beyond confused as Edward handed me over to Alice and told us that the man would lead us in the direction we needed to go.
I shot a questioning look at Edward, who just smiled. He was up to something, and it seemed to revolve around me. I walked with Alice and the strange man down a hallway and through a set of doors. He unlocked another door and stepped aside allowing Alice and me to enter a large dressing room.
Now, I was beyond confused, but I was starting to guess what might be going on. Alice thanked the man again and he only nodded. I was too distracted by the large rack of beautiful costumes to my left.
"Remember, any one that she wants," the man said to Alice before shutting the door.
"What does he mean, 'any one I want,' Alice?" I asked, looking between her and the rack of brightly colored ballet costumes.
"He means that you are to pick out a costume and follow me," she stated simply. "I like the green one."
I looked at the hunter green ballet costume and smiled. It had thin straps that held up a velour bodice and a lovely mass of forest green tulle. Small rhinestones were scattered across the velour. I smiled and pulled it from the rack.
Alice rummaged in her purse and handed me a pair of tights and pointe shoes. "Put them on," she instructed.
"Why?" I asked, more nervous now than confused.
"Just do it," she commanded, and I did as I was told like a child.
When I was finished, she led me out of the dressing room and into the hallway. "Ready for your big debut?" she asked, smiling as we walked together.
"What are you talking about, Alice? What is this all about? Why am I dressed like this?"
She stopped in front of the doors we had passed on our way through the hall earlier. "Edward wanted to fulfill your fantasy."
I gazed at her stupidly. What fantasy? Then it clicked- Rockefeller Center, Broadway. Edward had arranged for me to dance on a stage in New York.
"Alice I don't have a routine!" I was suddenly very nervous, and my hands were beginning to shake.
"You don't need a routine, Andria. Edward is going to play for you; listen to the music and follow your heart," she smiled and then opened the door.
She started to push me through it. "Where are you going?"
"To sit and watch. I'll be back when you are finished to help you." She noticed I was still worried. "Follow your heart; your feet will lead you the right way. You're a brilliant dancer, Andria."
With that, the door shut in my face, and I was left standing in the dark right wing off of the stage. I cautiously stepped forward and peered out onto the stage. I couldn't see the seats in the auditorium, but I could see the piano toward the front right corner of the stage.
Edward was waiting patiently on the piano bench. Alice must have taken her seat because Edward glanced quickly to where I was standing and nodded, and then his fingers gracefully stroked the piano keys. The soft notes of my lullaby began, and I felt my feet begin their elegant shuffle from behind the curtain and into the open.
Edward kept his eyes locked with mine as the music grew darker and solemn. I leapt into the air with the crescendo of the music and whirled around in a circle. Following the notes of my lullaby where easy; I didn't have to think about the routine. The movements just flowed together as Edward played. When the music ended, I tried to control my breathing as Edward stood from the piano and wrapped his arms around me.
The first thing I noticed was the loud roar of hands clapping, not just a set of three that would have belonged to Esme, Rosalie, and Alice. I squinted into the audience and saw, Jasper, Emmett, Carlisle, Renesmee, and Jacob had joined the other girls. But, I also saw other people behind them. They stood up and clapped. For me!
I couldn't keep the blush from my cheeks, and I dipped my head. Edward smiled and kissed my temple and softly whispered, "You're wonderful."
Alice met me at the door and escorted me back to the dressing room where I changed quickly. We then rushed back to our awaiting family. Everyone was all smiles as we left together for the hotel.
At the hotel, Jacob and I ordered Chinese, which was delivered quickly to the suite. I sat at the kitchen island with Jacob, and we ate ate a few bites but decided she would wait to hunt with her family when we got back to Forks.
Soon after we had gotten back, Edward and Carlisle sat together on the couch and started talking. "Andria, when you finish eating, will you please come here?" Edward called out.
I turned in my seat and nodded. He smiled back at me and continued talking with Carlisle.
Edward's PoV:
Most of my family had gathered in the living room listen to my discussion with Carlisle. Esme sat next to Carlisle on the loveseat, Alice and Jasper were in an oversized chair across from them, and Emmett and Rosalie were beside me on the couch. Everyone was interested in Andria's possible talent.
"So you think Andria controls some part of you when you are looking into each other's eyes?" Carlisle asked again. I had explained to him what had happened between Andria and me last night and the extra feeling of control she had given me.
I nodded. "Last night, when I looked into her eyes, I felt my desire to hurt her dissolve. It was as if she was aiding my control over myself."
"This is certainly something that I have never heard of before. It would be interesting to see how it would morph if she were changed."
Andria walked over to me and sat in front of me on the floor. I tried to pull her up into my arms, but she rested her head against my thigh, so I let her stay where she was.
"Andria, do you notice anything different about Edward when the two of you are looking in each other's eyes. Was there anything specific about last night that you noticed?"
Andria blushed as she remembered our intimacy from the night before. I brushed my hand across her shoulder in reassurance. She smiled back at me and then looked at Carlisle. "When we were … when Edward…" She took a deep breath and continued, "Edward's eyes seemed to fog over, and he didn't have to stop. It was like he didn't have his normal vampire desires."
"How did they fog over?" Carlisle asked her.
"They were already black, but as he looked into my eyes, it was like a fog drifted over them." She looked back at me. "Could you feel it, the fog?"
I shook my head. "No, I didn't feel them fog over, and they didn't feel clouded either. I did feel the desire to bite her lessen, and I didn't have to concentrate on controlling that part of me." I struggled to admit that in front of Andria but continued when it did not seem to faze her. "I could concentrate on pleasing her and not hurting her."
I squeezed her shoulders gently. I worried about her being embarrassed to speak about this with Carlisle, in front of everyone.
"I have never heard of anything like this before, Edward. I can only say that you seem lucky that you have Andria to help you control yourself. She seems to make it easier on you. I have only one question, and you may object to this."
I already knew, and I didn't like the idea, but I wasn't going to object. Andria wouldn't get hurt with so many of us here to protect her.
"Do you think it would work on someone else?" Carlisle asked me.
"How would you test that?" Andria asked, looking between me and Carlisle.
"Test it on someone who has had the least time with close human contact," Carlisle answered her, looking over at Jasper. "Would you be willing to test this, Jasper?"
Jasper nodded cautiously, and I helped Andria stand.
"What am I suppose to do?" Andria asked as I guided her closer to Jasper. Carlisle moved to Jasper's other side to help protect Andria. She was nervous as well, Jasper could feel it, and I could hear it in her thoughts.
Carlisle glanced at me, and I nodded. "Attempt to try and well … seduce him and keep Jasper's desire calm," he said slightly embarrassed for asking Andria to seduce Jasper in front of Alice and me.
Andria looked back at me, blushing furiously, and Jasper's thoughts ran through my mind.
"You want her to seduce me? Edward, this is absurd, and I think you are pushing this too far! Do you really think this is safe? We haven't been hunting in a week. I don't know if I can control myself. Please, don't let me hurt her!" He was pleading with me; he didn't like this idea any more than I did.
I nodded, and Jasper sighed. I wrapped my arms around Andria and kissed her lips. "It's okay, darling. It's just to see how this works."
Andria shot an apologetic glance to Alice and then stepped closer to Jasper. Andria placed her hands on Jasper's chest and leaned into him. It looked more like an awkward hug than anything else. Jasper glanced at me. "Sorry," he thought as his hands found Andria's waist.
"Let your thoughts concentrate on Andria, Jasper." I said, knowing he wasn't going to let himself go. He had to let himself go a little if we were going to see if Andria could affect him also.
Jasper's PoV:
This was beyond embarrassing for both Andria and me. I had never been the center of attention in the family, and I was fine with that. The only relief I felt was that Andria was just as nervous as I was.
I felt Andria's warm hands touch my chest, and my hands instinctively drifted to her waist. I was watching Edward, checking for any sign that he would object to a move I made with Andria- any sign that he would attack me. I wasn't afraid of him, but there was a small and very fragile human between us. Very small and very fragile, I repeated in my head.
I couldn't let go of my control. "Let your thoughts concentrate on Andria, Jasper." Edward's voice rang in my ears as I continued to watch him.
He nodded to me encouragingly. I looked at Alice; she smiled and titled her head.
"It's ok, Jazz. We are all here. I trust you; you aren't doing this because you are attracted to her. Let yourself go. I love you."
I sighed and looked down at Andria. She smiled up at me and brushed her body against mine. I drifted my hands lower and pulled her against me. I pushed her thick hair away from her face. I could feel her emotions, and she felt no fear, but as I trailed my fingers across the small of her back, I could feel a small trace of lust from her. I wished it was fear. This shouldn't be happening. But her scent was incredible.
I felt her hands drift across my chest to my biceps where she gripped my arms as she pushed her chest into mine. She titled her head away from me, opening her neck to me. I ran my nose along the sensitive skin over her vein, and a low rumble formed in my throat. She shivered, and the instinct to bite began to overwhelm me.
I stood straight, and Andria looked up into my eyes. I placed my hands around her delicate waist and pulled her tight against my body. She was trapped against me with my arms wrapped around her like this. I could feel my control slipping away as her breasts rubbed against my chest and her long legs pressed against mine.
Then, I locked eyes with Andria, and I felt a strange calm flow through me. I could still feel her embarrassment and her lust but I had no desire to bite Andria, or to harm her in any way.
"Incredible." I heard Carlisle whisper, and I wondered if my eyes had fogged over as Andria had described Edward's doing.
Andria tried to step away from me. I let my hands drop to my sides before retreating to stand next to Alice; Andria immediately rushed into Edward's arms.
Andria's PoV:
I wrapped my arms around Edward and buried my head into his chest. His arms encircled my waist, and he kissed the top of my head before whispering in my ear. "You did wonderful, darling."
I didn't feel wonderful. I felt awkward and very embarrassed for having to touch Jasper that way and be so intimately close to him. In front of everyone! Not to mention that he could feel what I was feeling.
"Andria," I looked over at Carlisle, "that was absolutely amazing! Jasper's eyes fogged over just as you described Edward's doing last night."
"So what does it mean? Do I have some sort of special ability like Edward, Jasper, and Alice? I don't understand how it works."
Edward answered my question. "You have an ability that protects you from harm. You can sway a potential predator's desire to harm you by looking into his eyes. The catch seems to be that he or she must maintain eye contact with you for this to work. When Jasper felt like he was about to lose his control, he looked into your eyes, and he thought a strange sense of control came over him that he was not causing."
I nodded against Edward's chest and then looked at Jasper. "Sorry for making you do that, but thanks."
Jasper nodded and smiled weakly. "My pleasure."
Emmett laughed. "I'm sure it was, having a pretty little thing rub against you like that."
Jasper punched Emmett's arm, and Edward growled; his arms tightening and turning me away from Emmett.
I giggled. "You are so overprotective and over-reactive," I told Edward as I wiggled out of his arms and walked to the kitchen to get a glass of water.
Edward followed me. "It's because I love you."
"Is it because you love me that you blew almost twenty grand on me this week?" I asked as I turned around and placed my hands on my hips.
Edward stared at me in shock, and the living room erupted in laughter. "Dude, she looks like she is going to rip your head off," Emmett roared from the couch in the living room.
I couldn't help but laugh, and Edward smiled crookedly. I took another drink of water and then headed toward the bedroom. As I passed him, I grabbed Edward's hand and pulled him along with me.
"Good-night!" I yelled out to everyone, and a chorus of good-nights echoed back to me from our family.
I jumped on the bed and pulled Edward with me. He followed willingly and wrapped his strong arms around me, pulling me close to his chest.
"You're amazing; you know that right?" I said as he kissed my hair. "But you're still in trouble for spending so much money on me. I may, however, let you off the hook for arranging for me to dance at the Rockefeller Center. Thank you, that was amazing."
"I only do it because I love you. I want you to have the best," he said as he slipped his hand into his pocket. He pulled it back out and laid his fist in front of me.
I looked back at him and then down at his fist. "I love you, Alexandria," he whispered in my ear as he turned over his fist and opened it.
In the palm of his hand sat a brilliant platinum band, engraved with something on the outside. "It says 'Forever, I promise,'" Edward said the words without reading them; they were from his heart.
I smiled through the blur of tears welling up in my eyes, and Edward slipped the band onto my left ring finger. "Edward…."
"Alexandria," I turned around to face him, "I've been thinking a lot about what you said the first day we were here." He paused, waiting for me to remember, and I did. I nodded slowly, and he continued. "And I have decided that I would give you anything you wanted. If you want to be changed, then you will be, but you must agree with my terms."
"Okay, what are they?" I asked.
"First, wear this ring on this finger," he touched my ring finger and the ring. "It is my promise to you that I will change you. Second you have to marry me, and I will give you a child. Then I will change you, not because I have too but because I can't live without you."
I looked at him and smiled. "Are you agreeing to my terms?"
"Yes," I said, "On one condition of my own."
"What?" he sounded worried that I was going to put up a fight. In fact, I was going to do the exact opposite. I wanted everything he mention and more. "You have to propose better than that and with an actual diamond."
He smiled his gorgeous smile and pulled me close to his chest, laughing. "I love you so very much, Alexandria," he whispered fervently in my ear.
"I love you too, Edward."
"Good, I would hate for you to tell me 'no' when I ask you to marry me."
"Any girl would be a fool to tell you 'no,' Edward," I whispered. I kissed his jaw and kissed up to his ear.
A growl rumbled in his chest, and his hands pulled my hips against his. I shifted over him feeling his erection press between my hips. I moaned as he kissed my neck and his hand ran across my side and up to cup my breast. He squeezed gently, and I pressed my hips into his.
"Edward…" I mumbled as he squeezed harder.
I kissed him, crushing my lips and body to his. I ran my tongue along his bottom lip, urging him to open his mouth.
Edward pulled away from me and shook his head. "You could get hurt."
"You always say that." I kissed his jaw. "You let me attempt to seduce Jasper, but you won't open your mouth?"
"Attempting to seduce him in a room full of witnesses is different than letting you possibly cut your tongue on my teeth."
"I'll be careful. You know you want to," I whispered.
"If I kiss you the way I want to kiss you, I would hurt you, Andria. You know that," he said sadly. "I don't know what I would do if I hurt you."
I smiled at him and ran my hands through his hair. "Why don't we just lay down then? That way you aren't tempted to hurt me, and I'm not tempted to kiss you in a way that would be potentially dangerous."
I smiled as he kissed my forehead. I sat up and grabbed a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and went to change in the bathroom.
After I had brushed my teeth, washed my face, and changed clothes, I crawled back into bed with Edward and fell asleep against his chest.