Ch 21 Sulpicia

Bella's POV

That stupid…little…ugh. My foot tapped the tiled floor as everyone talked amongst each other. Whatever Bella, it's just a kiss it wasn't like he had sex with her in front of your face.

Before leaving for the gathering, my eyes had fallen on Edward and his appearance. His suit jacket with casual slacks, and his bronze hair tamed to the side, making him appear polished and even more youthful.

Suddenly I was brought into a familiar background the moment I saw him. It was really fuzzy, almost as if someone put something to cloud my vision, but I made out a figure. It was a man with slicked hair, wearing a long elegant jacket with his white collared shirt poking through. He was bowing down in front of me, my hand in his own as his lips pressed softly against my knuckles, transpiring admiration from the mere action.

There was a soft chuckle from the male as he started to straighten up but I was pulled back into reality before I could see who the man was. Once Alice called to me, I felt that overwhelming longing feeling inside my chest and that pain from deep within that I managed to shut away a while ago.

I couldn't look nor talk to Edward and Jasper came to me in concern multiple times to ask what's wrong just to receive the same answer—I didn't know.

Edward was standing by Carlisle, the two of them looking when a wrinkle upset Edward's perfect marble complexion and I knew they were talking about me. Well, mind talking that is. Tanya impatiently threw glances at Edward who ignored her, his back to her. Her irritation grew and suddenly I felt the need to giggle. Half of that was by my desire; the other half was Jasper's influence.

"Hey," I complained and he patted my shoulder.

"You needed it."

"Thanks," I mumbled. But I still couldn't get over what I saw. What was that? Did it mean anything? Was that my imagination at work or a…memory? I mean, I know I'm creative but not that creative. The time era behind the male looked old and I don't have enough knowledge of the outside world during that time period to make up a scene. I bit the edge of my thumb, chewing on the hard skin as my brain continuously pondered coming to no valid conclusion. Whatever, I'll just stay with the fact that maybe I was that creative.

No you're definitely not.

Oh go to hell, I told my inner self.

Seeing that Tanya's futile attempts were starting to annoy the younger Cullens' myself included, Irina bid everyone goodbye. "Bella," Eleazor stopped as Carmen joined Kate.

"Yes?"

"Something's not right about you. Are you sure you're alright?" I nodded once but the look in his eyes told me he didn't believe me. "You wouldn't lie to an old friend, right?" My eyes met his handmade shoes, not able to give him a solid answer. How do I explain my feelings to him without sounding like a lunatic? "Aro found you."

"Carlisle told you?"

"Edward, actually." We looked over to see Edward trying to get rid of Tanya in a very kind way before losing his patience. "It's not over. You know that."

I sighed. "I know. I've received a letter from Sulpicia after I returned."

"Saying?"

"To return to her."

"Don't you miss her?" I bit my lip.

"I do, but at the same time, I don't miss what I used to be." He smiled warmly, nodding in understanding. That was the exact same reason that he left so long ago—to change his ways.

"Well, we better be off before Tanya rapes Edward." He shook his head. "After their one tryst she can't seem to get enough."

I heard a while ago he had a fling with her and giggled. "Don't see why." Edward turned to my voice, his expression challenging while I turned to hug Eleazor. "It was great to see you again, please let this happen more often."

"Of course, Bella, we'll see each other again." He rubbed my arm in a friendly way before taking a sulking and pouting Tanya away.

"Well that was the most sickening show she's ever put on." Emmett commented in disgust, placing his arms behind his head.

"It's because she feels threatened by Bella." An eyebrow shot up.

"By me?" Alice rolled her eyes, waving the pen in her hand.

"Don't tell me you haven't noticed."

"I mean I know she didn't like me and believed that I wanted to sleep with Edward, but not enough that because of me she swallowed his face!" His face snapped to me.

"She did not swa—"

"Shut it, Romeo." I growled and he looked at me in confusion. Quite frankly, I was baffled myself on why I sounded so mad. What the actual fuck?

"Well someone's mood seems to get better and better." Jasper mumbled. "I need to get away from this house and hunt something soon." Alice jumped onto her feet without making a noise and nodded.

"Hunting trip?" He nodded.

"Do you guys need to go?" The air whipping against my face sounded like a splendid idea. It'd distract me and make me feel completely rejuvenated.

The plans were set to leave first thing in the morning to the outer boundaries in order to catch a variety of animals. Carlisle didn't need to go and agreed to stay with Esme and at work, while we all went.

"Don't you dare destroy the forest." His eyes froze expectantly on Emmett who banged his palms against his thighs.

"Aw come on, Carlisle! That was one time!"

"One time's more than enough."

"You couldn't expect me to react so calmly at the sight of two bears racing off. Besides I was so thirsty." He shook his head, his curls skimming his forehead.

"Well now you know better,"

"Yeah, yeah, dad." Emmett only ever used dad to shut Carlisle up sarcastically in a non-disrespectful way. He gave him a reproachful look but other than that saw us on our way out. The sun was barely peeking out overhead while we ran away from any humans eyes. The faint glistening of our skin reflected off the ground.

When we reached the outer boundaries there was a small abandoned cabin in the far back. There were no reminiscent human scents around it so it had to be empty for some time. I cocked my head, before Alice explained it was a little house Carlisle kept just in case of anything. I shrugged but paid no mind to it. Edward and I still didn't speak the air sizzling with awkwardness from my small outburst from before. I inwardly sighed. Splendid.

Emmett dropped his arms from around Rosalie's waist, a sly smile spread on his face as he rubbed his palms together. His eyes glittered wickedly and his sharp features became sharper and more angular. He looked more menacing then before and I knew his senses had already picked out a prey and he was ready to attack. With a harsh chuckle he stormed off by the trees, the sound of a creature rustling in futile attempt to escape his grasp. Rosalie shook her head at her husband but took off right after him, her back arching to the highest peak of danger. She looked like a slinky feline.

Alice and Jasper followed suit as well, although they weren't as—overjoyed as Emmett. The smell of an animal whiffed past my nostrils, alerting my senses. I dug the bottom of my shoe in the ground giving the poor little thing a ten second head start, when someone's hand gripped my shoulder.

I whipped around to see Edward's blank stare on me. My thirst had a mind of its own at the moment and wanted to fling him to the other side of the world for stopping me right before my hunt, but I pushed that away and reluctantly straightened up.

"What." I snapped harsher than I intended to, but he didn't seem fazed by my tone.

"Want to stop the attitude for a mere moment?" His darkened eyes glared at me. My shoulders sagged and I nodded curtly. "What's been going on with you, Isabella?"

My eyebrow quirked up shocked at the formality of his tone. I don't think he's ever used my full name in the entire time I've been living with them. "Isabella?" I said distastefully, biting the urge to twist my mouth. "Not Bella?"

He ignored me, as expected. "What's wrong?" My eyes shifted to the tree and I shrugged. There was nothing to explain that he'd understand. No need going into that, when I myself understand what happened then I will be more willing to share it. Until then I won't. "Difficult as usual." He muttered.

"I was just feeling off, okay." That wasn't really a lie.

"Why?"

"Everyone has their days, Edward. Now please stop pressing, I came to enjoy this." I gestured to the forest around me as his eyes studied me. "It was something weird alright, but it's better now."

"Weird?" I nodded, his lips thinning into a line but surprisingly he didn't push for more information on that matter. "And your little outburst towards me?"

"Foul mood." His expression softened, his lips tugging at the corners, fighting a smile.

"Jealous?"

I snorted, blowing through my lips. "Don't flatter yourself, buster." He came up behind me, his long hands splayed against my arm. I suddenly felt nervous when his lips came into contact with my ear.

"Oh Ms. Swan," I bit my lip at his husky voice. "Your jealousy is showing." He pulled back but instead of turning back and throwing a comeback in his face, I followed where the earlier scent of the feline was. It was still fresh, meaning that in no time it'd be under my murderous grasp.

When everyone gathered up our eyes immediately locked onto Emmett's appearance. His hair was mussed and his shirt rumpled, while stained with dirt and some blood spots near the hem at the bottom. He wore a brilliant smile from ear to ear that made me question his sanity. My eyes danced between him and Rose, but unlike him her appearance was impeccable.

Clearly forest sex was out of the picture.

"Who needs a child with Emmett around?" Jasper remarked removing a twig from his 'brother's' hair. "He counts for two toddlers." Expecting Rosalie to become upset over the child comment I was stunned when she laughed mirthfully.

Emmett pulled her in by the waist puckering his lips, while she continued laughing, arching her back away from him. "Come on sugarcakes, gimmie a kiss." She squealed, unsuccessfully squirming to break free from his grasp.

I take it back. They do fit each other—total polar opposites who…complement each other. He brings out the teenage side of Rosalie that was buried under her cold exterior. It was clear his love healed her in many ways.

"You might want to pick your phone up in the next five seconds," Alice said pointing towards my pocket.

"Hu—" My phone vibrated and I understood. Oh, that's right she's psychic. "Hi Carlisle,"

"Hello Bella," His kind voice said over the phone. He rarely called me, so something must've happened.

"Is everything alright?" My voice was etched with concern.

"Everything is fine. You received a note from Volterra however." I shut my eyes and groaned. "You should probably read it."

"I'm returning now,"

I could picture him nodding at my response. "Very well, I'm sorry to cut your hunt short—"

"It's no problem, Carlisle. I had already had my fill."

"I'm afraid I'll be heading there tonight, Esme's thirsty and I wouldn't let her run up there by herself." I smiled to myself at his chivalry. It was nice to see an old gentleman still court his lady.

"We'll be here waiting Carlisle! Apparently Emmett's in the mood to tease the animals." Alice chimed staring at the PDA couple who paid no mind to her. Carlisle chuckled into the phone.

"When isn't he? But okay Alice I'll be there at latest midnight."

I clicked my phone and turned back to everyone. "I'm leaving. I'm going to see what they wrote to me."

"Let me go with you." Edward suggested but I shook my head. Alice tapped her foot impatiently and shoved him to me.

"It's called concern Bella, stop being a child and accept it. Edward's being nice." She shot him a smile before pointing in the direction we arrived from. "Bye bye."

Without words, we left back to the Cullens' house making it back before the stars were out. The house was empty, Carlisle and Esme's scent still present from their departure. I walked inside, the white envelope shining brightly against the dark table.

My finger ran over the red seal, breaking it to read the letter.

Bella,

Please come home to us. I miss you so. Last time things didn't go so well, but please come back.

Love eternally,

Sulpicia.

A feeling lurched at me at the words Sulpicia's old elegance wrote towards me. She really cared for me. I almost wrote back. Almost. I sighed, stuffing the letter back in the envelope when I felt a hard chest pressed against my back.

"What happened?"

"Sulpicia wants me back." Placing the letter aside I turned around, my chest near Edward's.