A/N: Writer's block, sorry. Plus I've been trying relentlessly to write this one-shot that's been in my head for like…ever. So I've figured out that I may not have to attend school for the last four days. I don't have to go the last two, at least. Thank God for perfect attendance exam exemption.
It's understandable that the ringing of a doorbell in the Cullen home is a rarity. How many people could possibly need to visit a house full of vampires, especially when Charlie's at work?
A number of people, err, beings, actually. Those Italian vampires Edward's always so worried about, suspecting townspeople, strawberry blonde sluts that want my man.
It was none of these people, though, that interrupted a perfectly peaceful spring day.
Edward and I were sitting in the library with Jasper. Edward was sitting in the corner, reading quietly. I, however, was watching Jasper partake in several illegal activities that were necessary to the existence the family upheld. He forged school records, changed the dates of Carlisle's medical certificates, reprinted new birth certificates, and so forth.
Alice and Rosalie had taken a 'girls' week' I'd rather die than participate in to Nevada. (They have my blessing as I sit in Washington.) I knew the dynamic duo would shop the malls barren, and possibly gamble the rest of the family savings, but I didn't realize upon their departure just how helpful Alice would've been.
Emmett was, no doubt, sitting in the family room, complaining to a cleaning Esme about how bored he was. I could imagine her sigh, tell him to do something productive, and return to dust-mopping the hardwood flooring. The thought alone had me stifling a smile.
Carlisle was out being the good citizen he is, saving lives and all that. He had been at the hospital non-stop once he trusted me to be left alone without his constantly wary gaze. I was beyond thankful for this new level of trust, as were his patients, I'm sure.
The sudden chirp of the doorbell had all of us stiffened in confusion. Edward and Jasper exchanged a brief look, followed by a slight nod on both parts.
"Wh—," I began before being cut off by Jasper tucking me into his chest and taking off down the stairs to the front door.
"Who is it, Edward?" I asked as he walked up behind me, half smiling, half grimacing.
"Let's just leave it at this: you will certainly be surprised. I, however, couldn't be happier with the appearance of our guest."
Before I could repeat my question, Edward was swinging the door open to a bouncing Renee in the doorway.
"Bella!" she squealed, pulling me into her arms for a tight embrace. "How are you doing, honey? Dr. Cullen called me last week and told me all about your progress."
"Yeah, I'm fine, mom. How are you? Is Phil doing ok?"
"Oh, don't you worry about us," she said dismissively, waving her hand. "I want to hear all about you. It's truly baffling that you're finally acting like you're not middle-aged."
"Gee, thanks, mom," I laughed softly, playfully hitting her arm. "I don't like acting like a kid. It's so…unlike me. I just hope things will get back to normal soon."
"Well, as long as you're happy." She patted my hand lovingly. A small giggle escaped her lips. "It's funny, really. Here I'm supposed to be the mother, yet I nearly encourage rebellious behavior." She shook her head. "It's a good thing you've always been so mature for your age, huh?"
"Well if it's encouraged, it's not really rebellious anymore, is it?" I mused. "And that means I've been right all along," I laughed, shooting Edward a soft look to let him know it was a mere joke.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, everyone. How rude of me! It's so very nice to see you all again. It's just too bad all our run-ins involve silly Bella here getting herself into trouble somehow. How've you been Edward?"
"I'm fine, thanks, Mrs. Dwyer." Edward smiled innocently at my mother.
"Esme! Oh, you look so lovely, dear. How are you?" Esme and Renee retreated to the kitchen, no doubt for Esme's cooking.
"So what do you propose we do while they catch up?" I asked the three boys, receiving a collective shrug as a response.
"I have to get back to work," Jasper muttered, moving past me and up the stairs to the library.
"Esme's teaching me how to make crepes," Emmett said excitedly, running off toward the kitchen.
"Guess that leaves us, love. Are you up to a trip to the meadow? It's not raining today," he proposed, breathing in my face to win his way, as always.
"Sure," I sighed. "I just need to go get a jacket. I'll be right back, ok?"
"I'll be waiting in the car. I can't exactly run off with you with Renee here."
I smiled at him before turning up the stairs for a light rain-resistant jacket. Sure, it may not be raining now, but this is Forks after all. I skipped down the second story hall to the guest room I hardly ever occupied. Turning on the light, I hurried to the closet, so not to keep Edward waiting. What I found there, though, was not the jacket I'd been searching for.
In the back corner of the small walk-in was a large black purse—the one I'd brought to the party.
Temptation is an odd thing. The sub-conscious can scream and scream to stop, yet the body will move toward its fateful destination on its own accord. Before I'd covered half the closet though, I dropped to the floor, shaking.
My addictions started because of Edward, and stopped because of Edward. But somewhere in between, my addiction was about me. How selfish I was! Here I was, crawling across soft white carpet for a cigarette and vodka, after Edward had put every bit of him into helping me get better. I stopped, my arm reaching toward my purse, and sat completely and utterly still. Before I could hurt everyone close to me again, I did the only thing my stock-still body was capable of at the moment: I screamed. The sound bubbling from my throat shocked me; who knew how loudly I could proclaim my emotion, or lack thereof?
Edward was lifting me and placing me on the bed in under a second. I was sobbing loudly now, the screams ceasing. He opened his mouth to ask what had happened, but the door burst open, the others flying into the room.
"Bella, honey, what's wrong?" Renee asked, shaking my shoulders gently. "What happened?"
"My purse," I choked out, pointing toward the closet shakily.
"Oh, my God," Edward muttered, pulling me closer against him. "Jasper, get it out of here."
Without another word, Jasper strolled into the closet, returning a few moments later with the offending black bag. He pulled out my white wallet, laying it beside me on his way out the door.
"Thanks, Jasper," I whispered, knowing he would hear me. "I'm sorry for scaring you all. I just didn't know what to do. I…I came so close…I couldn't just ruin everything like that."
"Honey," Esme murmured, sitting on my right side. "There's no need to apologize. We want to help you. Are you okay now?"
"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you." I hugged her, and dismissed everyone but Edward from the room.
"Bella," he murmured disbelievingly. "What happened? You were doing so well." His sad eyes stabbed at my chest.
"I'm sorry, Edward. I just…I wanted it so bad." I broke down crying again, and he tucked my head under his chin.
"Shh, it's alright now. Don't worry." He tilted my chin up and kissed my forehead. "I'm just glad you did the right thing by screaming. If you'd relapsed…" He trailed off, sighing sadly. "I love you, Isabella. Don't cry, please."
"I love you, too," I whispered. "Thank you for being here. This is certainly earning you some trust points."
He chuckled softly. "Oh, is it now? Well, how else could I earn some?" He looked down at me with wide, child-like eyes.
"I'd still like that trip to the meadow." I smiled.
He left me for a second, returning with the jacket I'd gone for earlier. "Anything you wish."
I shrugged into the jacket, and jumped into his arms. He carried me at a human pace to his car, and deposited me lithely in the passenger seat. After settling himself in the driver's side, the engine roared to life, and he backed carefully out of the driveway. The Volvo maneuvered through the trees and dirt back-roads all the way to the trail. Edward turned the car off, silencing Gershwin's second symphony, and strolled slowly to my door.
"May I?" he inquired, holding his arms out for me.
I rolled my eyes, giggling, and jumped toward him. He threw me easily, but carefully, onto his back. I secured my hold, and he was running.
A/N: It's short, sorry. Forgive me, loves. I just really wanted to get this posted. Read my new one-shot NOW. And review, please. I believe I'll go straighten my hair now, so make me happy! New chapter most likely next Tuesday. :( Maybe you'll get lucky. You know how. Hint: Reviews.