Chapter 20

To say the months after Emmett and Rosalie's return have flown by would be an understatement. We are now a week away from Bella's first birthday and it has been chaos ever since the planning began. It is supposed to be just a family affair but knowing the Denali's are coming has made everything a little bit more complicated that it should have been.

Bella of course was in bliss watching decorations been changed from Fairytales to Barbie to Harry Potter and back to Fairytales. She finally put her foot down when she wanted to have the meadow theme. She wanted everything to be mystical and green and flowers and if I didn't hunt soon, I will be forced to give up my man card.

It was like all the women were going crazy in the house and even Emmett started throwing suggestions. It was like that one scene from Friends where Joey has a new roommate and she teaches him about flower arrangements and potpourri.

Well that's what it looked like to me.

I believe Bella found it quite amusing dragging me around the house everywhere and making me witness the whole decoration process. It was like she was glued to my hand, I of course didn't mind being with her but all the talk about decorations was driving me mad.

This is why I am now on my knees pleading for her to let me go hunt and trying to make her at least come with me. At first she didn't want to hear any of it saying how important it is to plan for a birthday but I used my best weapon when I told her she can ride on my back when I run and she herself can go running as fast as she wants. That instantly got her attention.

But boy oh boy it wasn't easy, I might be able to get through to her because of our, closer bond, but we have yet to get through the other women in the house.

'Bro I'll distract them and then you two run, run and don't look back.' Ok yeah Emmett is taking this like it is some sort of mission. I rolled my eyes at my brother but I couldn't help but laugh at him. He has such a carefree way of living, he takes everyday in strides and never once have I heard him complain about what he is.

Ever since Bella came into our lives, I'm beginning to see life Emmett's way. Of course I dial it down a notch or five but nonetheless, I do no longer hate what I am as much as I used to.

We have started taking Bella out with us when we go hunting but she has yet to hunt herself. She told us she isn't ready yet and isn't quite sure of how to do it so she has been watching us. Her face goes into pure concentration when she watches and once again I'm left wishing I could see what goes on inside her head.

"Ok we can go Edward." With a final huff, she squared her shoulders and faced the three women who were currently busy with getting Bella's outfit sorted.

"We're off hunting." Her little voice spoke and the room turned dead silent. All three women turned to face Bella in slow motions and the panicked look on Emmett's face was priceless.

'Abort mission bro, they are gonna blow!' this time I didn't hold in my laughter and I think I gave poor Moo a heart attack because he jumped from his cosy sleeping spot and hissed at me.

I picked Bella up and ran out of the house with the women screaming behind us and Bella laughing at everything that just happened.

I received threats from both Rosalie and Alice, thank god Esme is now finding it funny. Having Esme on our side does make things easier for when we get back.

ooOoo

After draining my third Caribou, I hid away the remains of the animal and began trying to pinpoint where Bella was. She knew the dangers of being too close to us when we hunt so she would usually stand far away from us. It didn't take me long to notice the rustling in the tree right above me and her heartbeat gave her away too.

I heard her giggle as she watched me climb up the tree, once I balanced myself on a sturdy branch, I looked down to the spot where I just fed. This time she was a little too close but surprisingly I didn't even notice.

"When do you think you'll want to try hunting?" I spoke so quietly it was almost a whisper, I didn't want to disrupt the peace that surrounded the woods.

"Soon." Was her only response. Her one worded answers were always a telltale sign to me that something is bothering her.

I pulled on the end of her ponytail and she turned to face me, it looked like she didn't want to smile but she surrendered in the end.

"Come on, out with it little one." She scooted closer to me and looked like she was pondering on how to begin. It was such a grown up thing to do that it really dawned on me that she really is growing up and she will keep growing even faster than she already is after her birthday.

"I'm worried about the vampires coming here. What if they won't like me? What if they don't believe what we tell them? What will happen to me then?" if she was worried about all of this prior to today, I can't say I would have noticed.

She had been so happy to have everyone at home and I can't say I ever saw her looked upset or worried.

"No one is going to hurt you, not one person in our family will let harm come anywhere near you. You don't have to go out of your way to try and impress them Bella, just be who you are and they will love you, like we all do. They have no reason not to trust us, especially Carlisle so they will listen to what we have to say." She looked deep into my eyes and I believe she found what she was looking for because she finally smiled up at me.

"Come on, let's head home, we still have a birthday to organise." I winked at her and then got her to climb onto my back. As soon as she was secured safely on my back, I jumped out of the tree and lightly landed on the ground.

He sweet giggle sent warmth through me and I began running back home with a now very happy little girl.

AN - Just the one chapter this week guys, I do apologize. It's better than nothing right? :)