Chapter 14:
"I am NOT riding with him!" I whispered mad to Alice and stomped my foot down. I was acting like a misbehaved child, but I didn't care.
"Quit being a baby, Bella!" she scolded. "You're acting worse than he is." She added with a roll of her eyes.
"Beeeella!" Lizzy called from behind me. "You'll ride with us, right?" she asked and her pleading eyes were hard not to feel sorry for.
Agh! She knew that tone undid me. Hell, it probably undid the entire family except Alice, because she had mastered it too. I dropped my shoulders and nodded my answer. This would be the first time in my life that I didn't place bids on the shotgun position. Edward would probably shoot me if I sat there…
Carlisle arrived shortly after we had finished packing the food. Since they all came together in the van, now there was no space for me to ride in and I was going to ride with Lizzy; which would have been fine with me if it wasn't for the fact that her dad was the one driving. They had all changed into fresh clothes and looked like they hadn't been giving us girls a magnificent show back at my place. That didn't mean he looked less appealing. Every time wind blew our way I felt the delicious mixture of my shower gel and a spicy fresh scent that must have been 100% Edward. His hair was slightly damp and no professional barber or hair stylist would ever be able to replicate the perfection sexy disarray of his hair. It was as if every single thing he did, excluding the ones that included me, made me more attracted to him. And I hated him for it.
Yet, no matter how much I hated him and his prejudices I couldn't deny I had a crush on his body just after a few hours of him shirtless and heavy lifting. And that wasn't a good thing at all. I needed to be secure of my actions and act like he didn't catch my attention. One slip and he'd probably put a restraining order on me. Perhaps that was the answer. Cut him cold turkey. But how was I going to do that if I needed his family to not feel lonely and his daughter was my first friend in this place? More urgently, how could I avoid him right now, when I was about to be in a closed space with him? No matter how short the time. I know I wouldn't be able to stop ogling. I'd have to focus all of my attention on everything around me. What wouldn't I give to be easily distracted?
"So, we're all set, right?" Alice asked from the other car. NO! I wanted to shout. I am not 'all set'! I need earplugs and a bulletproof glass. Maybe my dad could get me one. I stopped there. I was overreacting. What was wrong with me? Bulletproof glass? Restriction order? I needed help. The guy hadn't said a word to me ever since the showdown at my apartment, and here I was seeking witness protection programs.
"Let's go already!" Lizzy shouted and I had to laugh. She was not patient.
"Are you excited, Lizzy?" I asked her while she got in the back seat.
"Yep!" she responded lightly and fastened her seatbelt. Edward came around the other side of where I stood and checked the clasps meticulously. Then he gave her the thumbs up and a bright smile. Lizzy smiled back at him and kicked her legs.
"Where is the park?" he asked from the front seat as the van with the rest of the family took off. He was talking to me, but he hadn't said my name, so I decided to push his buttons and ignore him to see what he'd do. I kept talking to Lizzy about nothing, just her clothes and she told me stories about when she got them, or times she wore them. I was surprised about how much she remembered of her life. Kids tend to forget unimportant details, but she remembered everything. I was sure that each of those experiences meant a lot to her and that was why she shared them with me. I felt lucky.
Edward's sigh brought me from my conversation and I bit the inside of my cheek to stop from laughing.
"Isabella?" he said in a grave tone, and I swear I had to take a deep breath. Damn him. "Where is the park?"
"Oh," I said mocking surprise, too fake so that he'd know I was playing him. Through the rear-view mirror I saw his glare. "It's four blocks down and then to the left. You won't miss it. Don't worry." I said waving my hand nonchalantly.
He started the car and I was aware of two things: the importance of seatbelts and the reason my dad was a police chief. He revved the engine and was in no time at all back on the street in a spin that was very movie-like. My eyes were wide and my pulse racing. I looked at him just to find him looking back at me with a smirk. It did nothing to my heart rate, which picked up and threatened to jump out, at the sight of his face. I could feel my heartbeat echo all over my body and towards my navel. Was I getting exited now? I had just been afraid not a second ago! This man was just impossible. I huffed and tried to ignore the goose bumps that now were all over my body. I swallowed hard and relaxed back on my seat of the next 30 seconds that was the only time remaining from the trip.
We got there at the same time the others did. Despite they had left first. Edward sighed again. He had sighed a lot this afternoon… I had no doubt that he was counting down the seconds until he would head back to his place. I knew I was, too. All this confusing emotions were giving me a headache. And with the impending shopping trip tomorrow I wanted to have a good night sleep.
He got out of the car while I fiddled with my seatbelt trying to get it open. He wasted no time at all in Lizzy's door and came around mine to open it for me. I got the clasp open right on time, and looked up at him. I think my mouth hung open. He was standing there like a god offering entrance to heaven. His hand extended towards me and he looked down with a blank expression. Anything was better than his cold stare, I thought to myself. I could have sworn there was a light behind him somewhere and soft music flowed on the background, but I couldn't be sure for I was still trapped in his gaze. Dazzled. That was the word. I was lulled into him just to have him act like it was nothing to turn me into a pool of feeling at his feet. I hated him! Stupid Cullen!
I took his hand and he helped me out of the car. How did he manage to dazzle me one second and be ready to rip his limbs apart the next one? God, I needed help!
In the short second we were linked I felt how soft, yet strong, his grip was. It wasn't as warm as my hand. It was a few degrees cooler, but it didn't bother me like John's cold hands bothered me when he got home from work. I closed my eyes for a second and tried to make it seem like a blink that lasted longer than usual. I gave into the feeling but I was too late, I was out of the car and his hand was gone and I heard Lizzy's laugh as he lifted her in his arms and swung her around.
I waved towards Alice and the rest of the family and proceeded to take out the front seat the two baskets of food I had brought with us.
"I'll take them." Edward's voice startled me.
"It's no bother," I said shrugging my shoulders.
"I'll take them." He said again and I knew there was no point on arguing with him. His tone made it clear.
"Atta boy." Esme complimented as we reached them.
"I think a far away spot is best for us to sit down." Rose was saying as we stood by them. "Less chance of people walking their dogs…" she said wrinkling her nose in disgust.
"Not that much of an animal lover, huh?" I teased her, bumping her hip.
"Only stuffed ones."
"Yeah, I like stuffed turkeys too." Emmet boomed from inside the van and I had to laugh. Trust him to link any conversation with food.
Lizzy reached for my hand and started pulling me away from everyone much like she had done with Edward earlier on today. I guess this time we would be exploring the park, not my apartment.
"What parts do you like best?" she asked.
"I don't really know." I told her truthfully. "I've been here once only, and I didn't get a chance to really walk because I was only passing by."
"Wanna look around?" she asked excited.
"Sure, let's ask your dad and the rest first." We moved back and they had already settled the baskets and a cloth on the ground.
"Guys! You're in the middle of the field." I laughed. "I thought you wanted to avoid people walking their pets."
"We are," Esme answered, "but I don't really want to cross paths with the fauna living in the trees."
"Oh, I see." I said looking to the trees bordering the field.
Lizzy pulled on my hand and gave me a pointed look. "Oh, right!" I said remembering the reason we came back, "Lizzy wants to go look around before sitting down to eat." I asked in general, although I knew the one to give permission would be Edward. They all turned to Edward and he stood up.
"I'll come, too." He said looking only at Lizzy
"O...Kay then." I said just to say something because I was at a loss of words on the subject that someone didn't consider me apt to look after their child for a few minutes.
I started walking back to where we were before and Lizzy called me back.
I turned around and saw her running towards me dragging Edward along. He looked …resigned? …Relaxed? I really couldn't tell. But I didn't pay much attention to it. He kept a constant mask on when he was around me.
"Where do you want to go?" I asked her.
"What do you want to do?" she asked back.
"I don't really know, Lizzy. It's as new for me as it is for you." I said looking around, "How about we just walk around and if there is something that calls our attention we'll make new plans?"
She took one my hands with her free one and started walking towards a curve in the field. I could hear voices from children front the other side of the trees and she heard them too.
"Let's go over there!" she said pointing towards the steep slope from where the laughs were coming from.
"Let's." I said and started leading the way. She looked up at me and then at Edward. Then back at me again but this time her smile was more obvious. She pulled both our hands in front of her and started walking again. The back of my hand was gazing the back of Edward's and I didn't want to pull away and make Lizzy wonder about my reaction, but I saw that Edward was having a hard time with having me this close.
We went around the curve and met a bunch of kids about Lizzy's age playing in a slightly steep slope. They were using picnic blankets. I looked down at Lizzy and guessed her reaction. I was right, I saw the spark in her eyes and she beamed with a smile. I didn't have to look at Edward to know that he didn't like this idea.
"Dad…" Lizzy started, but didn't finish. I looked at Edward and understood why. The look on his eyes was a very potent NO. "Pretty, pretty please…" she tried begging. The puppy eyes look plastered on her face. How could he stand it? Years of practice with her and Alice, I had no doubts. It wasn't the fact that she was asking so heartbreakingly. It was that she was making him want to go there too. Hell! Even I wanted to go now.
"It'll be so much fun!" she pleaded pulling on his hand. "Look, they are all laughing. Let's try it!"
"I don't think it'd be that good." He said kneeling between her and the view. "You could get scratches and bleed. You don't know what's on the ground, Lizzy."
"That's why they use blankets!" she argued.
"Which we don't"
"We could go get one from the rest. Maybe they'd even like to come! I bet Uncle Emmett would!" she was masterfully fighting her case, and I knew Edward had no reply for that one last point. If the little that I knew about Emmett was right, then he would come himself here if he knew about this.
"Yes, but we can't leave them without blankets. I doubt Rose and Alice would want to ruin their clothes, and what if you ruined yours?!" he had found a loophole. Lizzy's face grew thoughtful and I knew he had won the argument. He realized it too and let a small smile on his face. I bet he, right now, loved Alice's influence on his little girl.
"fine." She sighed and gave the kids a longing look. I wanted so badly to go, too. I didn't care about my jeans getting dirty. I knew I had to set a good example for her and try to get along with her father, but the laughter and screams of happiness were making it so difficult. I sighed and decided not to push it much father.
"Can we go to the swings then?" she asked a bit sad.
"sure." Edward replied and took her hand again. Lizzy took mine and pulled me along with her and Edward.
Past the kids there were swings and sliders. Lizzy let go of us and sat in one.
"Do you want me to push you, Lizzy?" I asked her trying to cheer her up.
"No. it's ok." She answered softly. She saw me look a bit sad and changed her expression. "Don't worry, I like doing it myself."
"Oh, ok." I liked her but I knew that some people, like me, didn't like the attention. So I decided to giver her some space and sat down in a bench.
"She likes you a lot, you know?" Edward's voice came from beside me. I hadn't felt him sit down.
"I know… but I did want to slide downhill." I said looking at her.
"What makes you think I didn't?" I just looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Just because I want to protect her doesn't mean I don't like to have fun. We do have fun. But with so many people there something could go wrong, and I'm not good with chances." He replied looking straight at me.
"So, you don't like giving life chances?" I asked surprised. How did someone who didn't take chances become as successful as he is? That didn't make sense. I knew he hadn't inherited anything from Carlisle because they weren't working in the same industry, and Carlisle never mentioned anything related to him having a second job.
"I try to be sure of the immediate future when it comes to Lizzy. I have had to take some risks in life, but I'm not about to take any with her." He said solemnly.
"But isn't her growing up just a risk?" I asked and I saw that my question could have been taken the wrong way. "What I mean is, what guarantees you that she'll grow up to be exactly what you want her to? What if she wants to do all the things that you wouldn't let her? Isn't it best that she tries them now while you can supervise her?"
"I know that." He answered my rhetorical questions. "But I can try to show her that there are risks that you don't necessarily need to take, and my goal in life is to give her everything I can so that she doesn't have to worry about it later. I don't want to loose her too."
'Too' I repeated to myself. Had Edward lost a child already? Lizzy did mention a brother, but she simply said he wasn't with them anymore. If she said so little respect it I doubt Edward would like to even mention it.
"So basically you don't want to give things the chance to not turn as you'd like them to when it concerns Lizzy. Not even people." I concluded looking into his eyes. The last part came sounding sad but I didn't care. I wanted to let him know that not everyone was on Earth to harm the little girl. I wanted to show him how much it upset me that he wouldn't trust me. I hated him for it, but I wish it wasn't so. Just like I hated him for being so attractive, and at the same time I wished he wouldn't seem so attractive to me so I could get over it. If he was any other people, like Tanya, I wouldn't give a damn if he liked me or not, but for some reason I cared too much about his opinion. It wasn't only for the fact that Lizzy was counting on me, although it was great part of it. There was something else, though; something I couldn't put my finger on, and it bothered me.
"It's not that I want to lock her in a crystal cage and keep the world away from her. It's just that… I haven't had people with the best intentions get close to her, aside from my family." He said looking at Lizzy throw her head back as she swung back and forth. "And, well... media people were the worst of them." He added looking at me.
He was explaining the reasons for his attitude, but he wasn't apologizing for it. I could see that it would take much more than this conversation to convince him that I wasn't going to harm in any way the little girl.
I, however, surprised that he took it upon himself to start a conversation. It was a step forward that I didn't expect this soon, given what happened in my apartment this morning.
"I could say that lawyers and stockbrokers were heartless bastards but I don't put you with them. I see how you are with your daughter and your family too, when you let your guard down." I told him truthfully.
He looked up at me a bit shocked; a bit mad, too. "I know that was harsh, but it's the truth of what I think." I told him turning red. I know that was more than harsh, and that my words were more offending than his, but I couldn't take them back. And I probably wouldn't if I had the chance.
"Thanks for the honesty, I guess?" he was still surprised at my bluntness. I hoped my explanation would tone down my words. "And I'm neither of those things. Although it's pretty close." He said laughing a bit. I was glad he seemed more relaxed and got over my words that quickly.
"well I'm not into the part of the media you fear, I barely know about celebrities and such, but you put me in with the rest." I accused.
"So did you, although you decided to not show your real feelings about the people that share my profession until now." He said with a smirk.
"Actually I hadn't said anything because you never gave me a chance to say anything, and I told you I didn't treat you like I would any of the others because you are not like them." I said shutting him up.
"Fine, whatever." He said looking pissed, "you're a better person than me. Are you happy now?"
"Yes," I said although I didn't feel happy. I felt anything but. That had been a long conversation that didn't end like I wanted it too. But it was a step forward. At least I knew we wouldn't be at each other's neck all the time now. The guy could actually hold a conversation and act like a normal person.
I looked back at Lizzy and saw that she was swinging dangerously high. Was this normal for her to do? Edward hadn't seen it yet because we had been looking at each other. Lizzy had her yes closed. And her smile was tranquil and relaxed. She was enjoying the speed, the thrill of the danger. I guess that was why she wasn't scared of Edward's maniac driving.
"Elizabeth Ma- Cullen! Stop that swing this instant!" I felt Edward roar from beside me. And then in a flash he was by the side of the swing. He didn't care apparently that he was in the path of the swing; or anything else around him, for that matter.
The scream had brought Lizzy from her reverie and now she was bending her legs to slow down the rocket-like swing.
"Dad! Why?!" She cried, "That was so much fun! Well, not as fun as sliding down the hill." She said with a mischievous grin and started gaining up speed again. Edward took a hold of the swing like it was nothing. He wasn't even affected by the momentum. He just held it like it hadn't been moving or that it came with the force of a grown 8 year old in it.
"Well, that's why I stopped you." He said more calm now and started to pull her off the seat.
"Why?" she asked mad. And hugged more forcefully the chains that held the swing.
"Because it was getting as dangerous as going downhill. Although this time you would have flown across the park."
"Why?" she was interested now in the possibility of flying. Even I saw that.
"Because you were swinging, on the air. Not sliding on the land." He explained trying to pull her delicately from the swing.
"Oh, that would have been fun." She said smiling and let him get her off the swing.
"I think we should head back." I said meeting them halfway, "we've left the others without their dose of Lizzy for the evening."
"Yeah, it's almost dark, too." She said looking at the sky.
"Wouldn't want to hold Emmett from eating, now would we." Edward added laughing.
We started back to where the others were, but the twilight colours brought a new lighting to the park, and everything looked more beautiful than when we left. It was mostly silent now; you could hear the noises of the street without the laughter of the children. A few barking dogs were there too, but you couldn't see them too well.
I looked in the direction we had left the others setting but the number of people there didn't math the number of people we had left. The darkness tends to fall pretty quickly when you aren't paying attention. One minute it's still clear outside, but the next one it's all black. I had read somewhere that the light from the Sun took 8 minutes to reach Earth. That meant that after the Sun had set we still had 8 minutes of light. It wasn't enough time to do anything you might need light for, gut it was an interesting fact. I guess our 8 minutes were up. I chuckled a bit and Edward and Lizzy turned to me interested.
"I was just thinking." I said with a smile, "that our eight minutes were up." Lizzy looked at me confused and Edward seemed to catch on in a minute.
"What eight minutes?" she asked interested. "Is it like that game eight minutes in heave?"
Edward's eyes flashed to her figure and he frowned, "where did you hear about that?" he asked almost mad. I guess he was mad, but was trying to give his daughter the benefit of the doubt.
"I heard it in one of mom's favourite MTV shows. How do you play that game?" he looked at me pleading for help. I immediately thought of a game that would seem lame to her, but couldn't come up with anything, but I couldn't rick her asking to play '8 minutes in heaven' with every kid in her class.
"It's like hide and seek," I said, "but grown ups think they're too cool to call it that." Edward relaxed and we reached the others. I was relieved; in truth there was some hiding and seeking in the 'Seven minutes in heaven' game. Just not the kind she was used to. I hoped she stuck with the regular name for her game and decided not to change it just because. Both way, this was one of the questions a father never wanted to answer his daughter; and I was still laughing internally at Edward's scared expression.
"Why don't they stick with the real name of the game?" Lizzy asked. I had forgotten she was in her 'Why…?' stage. She would ask the why's of everything because she now began to understand the world.
"What game?" Alice asked. I looked around and saw that Rose and Jasper were missing. I thought these couples were some kind of soul-Siamese-twins because they never left the other's company. I was surprised to see only half of the lovers here.
"We were talking about hide and seek." Edward said quickly, before Lizzy could add the new definition I had given her.
"Where are the others?" I asked trying to change the topic.
"Rose was called by Tanya because she needed her there. Jasper went get me a few things I need for tomorrow."
"Why didn't you call me?!" Edward turned mad to her.
"Because this is the first time since your daughter arrived that you've had any time with her that wasn't monitored by your employees or your clingy girlfriend." She snapped back without even thinking about it. Edward opened his mouth to answer her, and by the look on Lizzy's face he wasn't going to be gentle about it.
"Alice!" Esme reproached her and looked at me apologetically, cutting off Edward effectively. "Bella will think you were raised by wolves. Can't you put your differences aside for a few hours?"
"I was surprised it lasted this long." Carlisle murmured but cleared his throat when Esme glared at him. If I were him I would want to cross Esme just about now. She was looking pretty mad.
"Alice, I don't need your approval to date or make my life with. I will not ask you again to make an effort and get to know Tanya before you judge her. You've had plenty of time for that and I have seen that you can't behave yourself." He was calmer now, but the tone of his voice was threatening. "I expected you at least could call me and let me know when the woman that will be my future wife needed me…" he stopped short and looked at Lizzy's shocked expression.
"I guess it's out now. Huh?" Alice said smugly, "you're welcome. This was the perfect way to tell her."
"I think I should go." I said standing up quickly.
"Yeah, me too." Emmett said nervously rubbing the back of his neck.
"No, Bella!" Lizzy pleaded pulling my jeans. "You have to eat first."
"Hey, what about me?" Emmett asked her amused.
"You ate already, silly!" she giggled. "Bella stay. You can't leave if you haven't eaten."
"Is that what your mom and dad tell you?" I asked her trying to joke and relieve some of the tension that was flowing between Edward and Alice. Brothers and sisters never were the best of friends. But this case was way worse than any sibling fight I had seen in the past.
"I'm gonna go. Bye family!" Emmett said and started walking towards the street. "I'll grab a taxi and charge it to Edward since my wife took our car to pick up his future wife." He said laughing out loud.
"Actually I think we should leave." Edward said and started to pull Lizzy up to leave.
I heard Alice sigh and she stood up. "I'm sorry Edward. I was completely out of place. Can I talk to you alone? Mom and Dad haven't had much time with Lizzy and I don't think it'd be fair you take her home because of me. Can you consider talking to me before you leave?" she asked and she sounded truly sorry. She wasn't using the pout to get her way. She was asking for forgiveness.
"I think you've said enough." He replied still tense.
"Edward, go talk to your sister!" Carlisle ordered him in a severe tone that left no room for argument.
"Fine." He replied stubbornly and started walking at a fast pace toward the parking lot.
I sat back down staring at their retreating figures.
"I'm so sorry you had to see that, Bella." Esme apologized and fidgeted with her hands. There was very little left of the woman that had calmed the fight moments ago. I could see part of that woman return to her as she casted her eyes to where her daughter and son were talking. "I thought they would get over it, but it hasn't changed for the better, I'm afraid." She said leaning into Carlisle. "Would you like to eat something?" she asked hopeful.
"I'd love to, Esme." I wasn't really hungry but I didn't want to upset her. I was also thinking about Lizzy. About the look of shock on her face as Edward mentioned his future plans for Tanya. I knew they weren't engaged, but his words made me realize that maybe Lizzy didn't know he had future plans for them. Her shock made sense if Alice's word of Lizzy's dislike towards Tanya were true. Other than the weird glances she threw at me, Tanya had been nothing but polite with me. We did glare at each other when I was shopping with Alice, but at Esme's house she was ok. It was like the house was some kind of mutual space where they all behaved, except Emmett, of course. But I found his character very fresh, and he didn't seem to care much about other people's opinions. I could be contradicting what I said a few days ago, but from the bunch, right now he seemed the most normal one.
Let's count it off, shall we? Alice apparently had some kind of grudge against Tanya that didn't seem to ease off, and I was secretly afraid of ever doing something that might turn her wrath against me. Tanya apparently was well on her way of becoming anorexic and was hated by half of the family. Rosalie wasn't the best welcoming committee and Jasper was pretty shy. He had spoken two words if anything during dinner. That left Emmett, he was immature, sometimes said things he shouldn't and had respect for personal space. However, he had this vibe of good heart that made you forget of the things he did. Making him effectively the cute child that everyone loves.
"You should eat more." Lizzy's voice came softly bringing me from my thoughts.
I looked at her and saw her staring at the silhouettes of Edward and Alice. I could see the shorter figure waving her arms around like crazy and then placing one at her waist. Edward leaned back against the car and he seemed to be the calmer one as they spoke. I was curious about what could they be talking about. I mean, it wasn't as if Alice needed time alone to express what she thought about Tanya, because she did that straight to his face, but what else could be going on in her mind. Obviously Edward knew all the things she was saying about Tanya. If he still was with her, despite that, maybe there was something else to her: The reason why he put up with all of the hate and still loved her. I concluded he must love her, if he was going to marry her someday. You didn't plan on marrying a person just because you might fall in love with them one day. It wouldn't work that way. Take it from the woman with two divorces on her record.
"Yes, I should." I smiled at Lizzy and took more of the delicious tuna salad that Esme had bought. She smiled at me and took another piece of fruit. "Grandma, what are they talking about?" she asked turning to Esme.
"I don't know, honey. But I am sure your Aunt Alice is apologizing for her behaviour. She said things a lady should never say." She taught Lizzy.
Lizzy nodded and kept her eyes on the silent movie going on by the car. "Is dad really going to marry Tanya?" se asked quietly to no one in specific. I looked at Esme and saw hurt and fear in he eyes. Carlisle pulled Lizzy to him and spoke softly to her.
"Do you not want your dad to tell you about it himself?"
"But he didn't tell me." She whined to him.
"Oh, honey, I'm sure he was going to tell you really soon. But he didn't know how."
"He didn't know what?"
"Your dad loves you very much, Lizzy," Esme said, "he wanted to tell you at the right time. Why do you think people get married?"
"So they can live together and have babies?" she answered but it was more like a question. "But dad and Tanya already live together."
"Yes, but sometimes you want to let everyone know that you love someone." Carlisle said giving her a quick kiss on her forehead.
"Everybody knows my dad and Tanya are boyfriend and girlfriend." She countered.
"That's true, but marriage is more than that. Have you seen your mom how happy she is with James?" Carlisle asked her
"Yes." She said shortly. "But I don't know why. He is weird."
"Well, sometimes what you find weird in a person someone else loves it. You know how happy you dad is with Tanya." Esme explained.
"I don't know. She is never around when we're together." She said pulling her eyebrows together in meditation.
"When he tell you about Tanya and him, ask him. He'll tell you why he wants to marry her." Carlisle finally said as the two figures approached. I had been minding my food. Trying to give some space to the three of them to talk, but I did listen to the entire conversation, I couldn't block them out.
"Are you two done misbehaving?" Esme scolded Alice and Edward as they reached us.
"We are done talking about it today, but no one gave up." He answered calmly.
Lizzy looked as them with a question in her eyes.
"What your dad means is that he still thinks I'm being immature…"
"Which she is." Edward cut her off.
"…and I still think that Tanya is a go-…" she didn't finish her sentence because Esme threw her a warning glance.
"Fine." She huffed. "I will hold my opinion on the subject but I will not make any offending comments."
"Thank you." Edward sighed. "It'd still be better if we went home. It's getting late and cold here."
"No it's not!" Lizzy whined, "I'm not cold."
"But you do need to get to bed before it's too late or tomorrow you won't be awake for our day of fun." He negotiated. "And besides your mom is about to call and she won't like it if you're not in bed."
"Fine!" she said standing up, "what are you doing tomorrow, auntie?"
"I am going shopping with Bella in the morning…" oh, great! I had forgotten about the shopping. I guess I won't get to sleep in tomorrow either."… and then I'll help her and Angela get ready for their outing tonight."
"I wanna come!" she said jumping up and down looking at Edward. "Please, please! Please, dad!" she had the pout on and her eyes were getting big and watery. Edward wasn't going to stand a chance. I could see the internal battle of giving his little girl what she wanted and being selfish and keeping her to himself.
"Lizzy, honey," I said trying to help him out, "don't you want to spend a fun day with your dad? We can go shopping any day you'd like. But it's a Sunday and I'm sure your dad has missed you."
She looked at his face calculating. I could see that Edward had hurt in his eyes. He had just been replaced by a few hours of shopping. Surely the little girl couldn't understand how the simplest things could hurt a person. I'm sure in her mind she understood that she'd have the rest of the summer to be with him and delaying it one day couldn't hurt. But it did hurt.
"If you want to go, it's okay, Liz." He said kneeling down in front of her.
"But, you said…" she didn't finish.
"It's okay if you want to go have fun Lizzy." He said a bit louder now but hugged her in an attempt to not let her see his face.
I turned to Alice and her parent and saw the same pained expression in their faced.
"Edward, I…" Alice started but he interrupted her.
"No, it's okay, Alice. You girls have fun. I have work to catch up on, before vacation."
"Lizzy?" I tried making things better. "Can I tell you a secret?" I asked once she turned to me.
"What secret?"
"Come closer." I beckoned her. When she was by mi side I kneeled down and whispered in her ear. "I think your dad had something really special to start off the summer. We can go shopping everyday you want, like I promised, but his surprise might not be there when we come back. How about we make plans for an entire day of shopping and makeovers next week and you can tell me about all the fantastic things you and your dad did."
"But you guys will go shopping tomorrow! And we didn't have a lot of time shopping last time! Remember?"
"I remember, but you've spent even less time with your dad. And besides our shopping trip will be very short tomorrow. Alice said we had to get ready, and I have some work to do. But don't tell Alice I'm planning on cutting it short. Ok?"
"Ok, it'll be out secret." She said louder and looked fleetingly at Alice.
"What is going on down there?" Alice said looking from me to Lizzy.
"Nothing. So, Lizzy, I'll see you next week?" I asked her raising an eyebrow. This was it, if she whined again about wanting to go tomorrow I knew there was nothing else I could do.
"Ok!" she said happily and took her dad's hand, "Bye Bella!"
"Bye Miss Lizzy. Sweet dreams!" I waved my hand at her.
They walked towards their car and I realized I had to swallow my shyness and ask for a ride or grab a taxi like Emmett did. The difference was that I didn't grab my wallet. Maybe I could bribe the driver with food. I looked at the baskets but they were mostly empty. Damn!
"I think Emmett got ahead of you." Esme laughed.
"Actually I was thinking how much food I'd need to bribe someone to drive me home. Can you and Carlisle drop me by my street?"
"Actually Bella, I think Alice has other plans." She said looking at Alice who had a mischievous grin on her face. I would not like this.
"Well, we have talked about everything, but I really don't know much about you." She started. "And your apartment stinks right now, so it isn't safe to stay there tonight. I was hoping you'd want to stay over at my place tonight."
She was giving me the same pleading look that Lizzy had given Edward and I wasn't as practiced.
"Do I have a choice?" I asked her sarcastically.
"Well, just think about how heartbroken and lonely I will be if you don't come. I promise we will wake up late, there are stores closer to my place, and I have all these products that I won't have to carry to your place. And Angela lives closer to my side of town. You can decide what you want to do." She finished intertwining her hands and looking and her lap. Damn Pixie!
"I guess you'll have to wait at my place while I pack…" I sighed.
"Yes!" she said pumping her fist.
"I thought you were sad and lonely a minute ago." I said lifting an eyebrow.
"I was, but now I'm not. We'll have so much fun tonight. I know this great game and maybe I can convince Rose to stop by after she is done with Tanya. This will be great."
"But I do get to sleep in, right?" I checked that her promises were still on.
"Of course, silly! But we're going to bed late tonight."
"Then what's the point?" I asked her helping Esme pack everything as she was laughing at my attempts to get a fair deal with her daughter. Does this girl ever lose?
"Oh, stop complaining! I won't make you go out with bags under your eyes." She said waving me off.
We finished packing up and I started to think about the things I had to do today. I had promised to call Carrie; no doubt I'll have a message when I get home. I had to get curtains because I needed my sleep in my new life, too.
Carlisle took our bags and we got in the car. The short ride Alice was looking at me funny and when we reached my apartment she pulled out her phone.
"Mom, dad," she called to them, "you guys can go home. I think jasper should be done by now and he can drive us home."
"Are you sure sweetie?" Esme asked.
"Alice, we wouldn't mind driving you there. It's no bother." Carlisle told her honestly.
"Yeah, don't worry. You guys rest. I'll see you later."
"Okay then, I'll see you on Monday Bella." Carlisle said waving us goodbye.
"You will. Thanks again for everything Esme."
They drove off and I had Alice's hands pulling me into the building fast as lighting.
"So, what did you tell Lizzy to convince her of going with Edward? You know that won you major brownie points, right?" she said laughing as I pressed the UP button in the elevator. It was about 9PM only, but the building was silent. I wonder if aside from Creepy-Mike and Wilma anyone else lived here.
"I told her that our trip would be very short and that she hadn't spent much time with her dad." I explained shortly, not wanting to go into detail. "And I don't think an entire array of brownie points will help much with how much Edward trusts me."
"I don't think he'll be able to stop himself from trusting you for much longer." She muttered and I decided not to reply to that. First because it would turn into another round of questions and gossip; and second because deep down I wanted him to trust me. I wanted Libby to be able to hang out with me without having to deal with the stress that the moment her back was to us we would rip each other's throats out.
The smell of paint in the apartment was still strong and I was glad I didn't have to sleep here tonight, because my head would be killing me the next morning. The colour had changed a bit. Maybe it was the lights, maybe it had changed for real, and so far I was glad I had a professional working on it because I couldn't picture my modern furniture matching any of it.
"Let's get your overnight bag ready." Ali skipped down the hall towards my room. She started rattling through my drawers and I stood at the door looking at her. It was like a tornado; she went through each of my drawers in no time at all and pulled what she thought worthy dropping it on the bed.
"I thought I needed a bag, not a camping backpack." I laughed searching for a 'bag' big enough to put it all in. I had no fight left in me to ask her to be more rational about the things that I would use. I chose not to look at the lingerie and baby dolls that were in it. Was she expecting me to show them to anyone tomorrow? I certainly hoped not. I wasn't a prude per se, but I didn't do one night stands very well. I had a few in my life, I won't lie, but that wasn't what my new life was about.
"Do you mind if I make a phone call while you're packing my things?" I asked her. She nodded but didn't take her eyes off my closet.
"Hi, Care." I said as soon as she picked up the phone.
"Hey girl, I thought something went wrong." She sounded like she was half asleep, "why didn't you call me before?"
"Sorry to wake you up, I didn't call because it was a hectic day." I, then, proceeded to tell her the details of my day but not the details about Edward and our fight. I didn't think it'd be appropriate to do it while his sister was in the next room, despite whether or not they were on good terms at the moment.
"Sounds like you're doing okay up there." She said and she sounded glad.
"I am. How is the art collection a la Bella going?"
"Well, at least you came up with a name for it. I don't think I could take more of your remorse for my inspiration." She laughed, "It's doing pretty well, and I do need more drama from you so that I can finish the master piece."
"Well, you can dish on what you know about my ex and his new girl and I'll give you material to fill those canvases."
"I haven't heard much from Lily or him. He called you, right?"
"Yeah. But we didn't speak of anything. He didn't know what my intentions were by leaving, so he doesn't know how much it hurt." I sighed, "I hope that if he ever knew he'd understand why it hurt so much. I hope someday we can get our words out, but for now I am content with not having to face it."
"You do know that you'll come back someday and you'll have to see them, or at least the people that know them, right?"
"I know, but I am procrastinating." I smiled to myself; that was something I hadn't done in a long time.
"You should be getting some, not using big words." Carrie said laughing like the tomboy she was at times.
"Oh, my! Ii actually thought that we could have a conversation that wasn't shattered by your sexual comments."
"Well, I hope you're not forgetting me this soon."
"How're your dates going?" I asked trying to put the subject away for now.
"I went out with this guy who bought one of my pictures some time ago. It was nice and all, but I had the thought that maybe he just wanted a discount for his next one creeping back into my mind."
"I think you are over thinking things, Care; maybe the guy was interested in you for real, maybe he was attracted to you the same way he was attracted to your pictures."
"You mean he wanted to nail me to the wall?" she asked laughing like a maniac.
"You know what I mean." I said laughing and saw Alice coming back into the living room. "I have to go, Carrie. I'll talk to you soon. Stop being a Neanderthal and write me an e-mail. Will you?" maybe by e-mail I could give her more details and brag about the good views of the day.
"Fine, love ya."
"Back at'cha"
"Ugh, don't go all Chicagoan speech on me now. Ok?"
"'bye." I hung up still laughing.
"it sounds like you left a sister back in Pheonix." Alice commented and her eyes were a bit sad.
"I did." I said and looked around the room trying to find another topic that wasn't me leaving my home.
"why did you?" she asked, going straight to the point.
"why did I leave? I wanted some things that I couldn't have there." I explained looking straight at her, maybe if I faked that it was all that there was to the story she would let it at that.
"I hope you never leave us for a better job offer." She ventured. I saw that my words and actions could be misread.
"it wasn't a good job what I wanted. I wanted a chance to start a life, to make a family, Alice." I sighed giving up. I would have to tell her the story if I wanted some peace tonight. Alice got what she wanted, it was something I should get used to.
"and you couldn't there? Don't take me wrong, I love it that you came here, I got to meet you; but I don't think to start a family there is the need to move away from your family."
"actually I had moved away from my family before. Twice actually." I paused and sat down, motioning for her to do the same. "I first moved away when my mom remarried. I went to Washington State with my dad. Then I moved to Arizona for my university degree."
"I think Jasper got here. We can talk about our pasts later on, or tomorrow. He should be tired from today and I don't want to make him wait."
"yeah, let's not get the labour force angry. They could rebel." Is aid laughing turning off lights and heading to the door.
The car ride was quiet. I didn't miss the fact that Alice and Jasper not once stopped holding hands. I didn't miss how he brushed the back of her hand with his thumb in a soothing manner and I envied it. I envied the comfort and peace of having someone depending on you, not for economical reasons, but for emotional company. I missed being needed and needing someone. I sighed and rested my head back.
Alice's apartment was as different from mine as night ad day, mine being night. There were things that made mine home and there were things that made hers a palace. Everything was simply coordinated that the area looked like a finished symmetrical painting, yet it didn't look fake or plastic. It looked modern and sophisticated. This style didn't go together with my apartment very much. I hoped that Esme had other ideas for mine. The place looked like an IKEA commercial and I was awed by it. It was missing a few things I like to have at my place for comfort, but it screamed 'Alice' every way you looked.
"Welcome home!" Alice sang as she stood in the middle of the living room. I caught Jasper waving goodbye before he disappeared into a hallway on the other side of the room. The place was way bigger than I had thought.
"Wow, Alice! Your place is great!"
"I know!" she said happily and moved down a hallway. She stopped on a door and opened it, "this is your bedroom, it used to be Edward's so I won't blame you if you don't like it." I opened the door and couldn't imagine why I wouldn't like it. The place wasn't too big but had character. I could place Edward in it perfectly. The furniture was very simple, cream and black were the predominant colours in the furniture that adorned it. It had a desk and a armchair that looked pretty cozy for reading. I would have to get one of those for myself.
"You can go in, in a moment. Let me just show you the washroom and I'll head to bed. Jasper is pretty tired."
"Tell him I'm sorry."
"Don't worry; sex can't be the only means of exercise around here." She responded like it was a greeting
"Whoa! Direct much?" I asked her incredulous. She laughed and opened a door a few steps down the hallway. "This is it. You saw the kitchen already by the entrance, and if you need anything our bedroom is the on the other side of the living room."
"Thanks Alice! I didn't think I'd have someone to invite me to sleep over this soon in my new life." I said hugging her.
"I didn't think I'd meet someone that wasn't scared of my brother, either." She said laughing, "You've got them there."
"I'll take that as compliment." I said to her and turned to go to my bedroom.
The room was quiet, eerie even. You could hear the noises of the city but they were muted by the double glass windows and the distance. I opened the curtains and looked down. It was a funny feeling seeing everything at your feet. Empowering and snobbish. It was the way I perceived Edward, but if you cared enough you could see the details of all things going on down there, and that was also true. He was a good man; he just wouldn't let people in easily. Maybe he had been hurt too much and resolved to close himself in a hard shell. I knew I shouldn't care about his issues as long as they weren't with me, but I couldn't stop thinking about him. The way his eyes shined as he spoke of his daughter or the way they glistened with unshed tears as she gave up their special occasion for a shopping trip. She was a child still. She couldn't understand that no matter how strong her father was she had the power to turn him vulnerable with something as simple as a few words. I felt for him in that moment. I felt more than I had felt for him since the moment I met him. At that instant he was free of his mask, of the strength he used to push people away. In that instant his eyes reflected all he could be if he wanted to, and I saw the answer to my questions. I saw what Tanya and his family saw in him. I was only missing what he saw in Tanya. But secretly I didn't want to find it.
A/N: so, i know i haven't updated in a LOOOOOONG time. but i wasn't even in the country i didn't have a computer and i had a lot of work to catch up on. anyways, i am NOT dropping the story, no matter if i spen a month away or i die or i turn into a warewolf doings night shifts for my pack.... the story will continue and i'll finish it. i never stop thinking about the story. every thing that happens to me keeps giving me ideas for the things that could happen andi won't let them go to waste. i hope that the next update i can get it out sooner that it took me this time. but because i never had the time to actually sit to only write i didn't have a lot of inspiration.
anyways. tell me what you think. this chapter is EXTRA long and i wanted to write more in it but i had a goal to get it out this long weekend no matter what. lets hope i dont have to wait for the next long weekend or vacation to get another chappy out.