HELLO! SORRY, sorry, SORRY, sorry!!!! I know that I took really long this time round for another update. Please do forgive! It's the same mundane, boring reason about school.
I might have not replied to every single one of my reviews from the last chapter, but I definitely read ALL of them! They are so, so awesome! Thanks a bunch! Keep leaving them, you know I love them!
Picture of Bella's outfit is in my profile! (:
Characters are Steph's and I would most definitely beg her to give me Edward, if I could.
***
I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, wondering when was the next time I would be hanging out here with them.
***
I had planned an entire day for my packing to be done, but with three pairs of hands handling my small wardrobe and two others running around the house, rounding up items that I might want to take along on the trip, my new navy blue luggage, courtesy of Charlie and a pink suit case, proudly sponsored by Alice was all packed and ready to go within half a day.
After our teary reconciliation back at the Cullen's, Alice had break away from the group hugs and bounded up the stairs, reappearing again with a pink suit case. She plonked the suit case at my feet and looked up at me with her tear stained, determined eyes.
"You have to bring this along with you on the trip. That way, if you ever miss me, or if I ever want to feel like there's a part of me with you, it's there." She pointed to the pink suit case, her favorite one which was now sitting at my feet. I tried to decline her gift, but found it almost impossible to do so, hence that pink suit case was good and ready to go along for my journey as well.
***
The five of us took the suit case back to my house, and while Alice and Rosalie helped me to sort out the clothes I would need to bring along (which in their opinion was nothing from my cupboard but everything from theirs), Jasper and Emmett was left in charge by Alice to head to the grocery and buy laundry powder, soap and other necessities I had not thought of.
The pink suit case apparently came along with a couple of tops that Alice and Rosalie had gotten me during their last shopping sprees, and Alice had warned me not to be ungracious about them. Her explanation as to why I had to accept them was because she would not be able to do anymore shopping for me within the next couple of months. Her somber expression and low tone prevented me from denying her requests, but I stood my ground on packing my own clothes when they started sorting my clothes into piles of "Maybe" and "No at all".
Five hours and three groceries excursions later, the five of us collapsed on the couches in my den as we stared at the bags that were ready to go and brought down. I glanced at my bags and felt myself tearing a little. My friends were the best ever. I felt like there was a burden lifted off my shoulders as I turned and glanced at Rosalie getting a neck massage from Emmett and Alice who was seeping hot chocolate from the same mug as Jasper. The scene was heartwarming and I felt very thankful for their appearance in my life. Instead of the familiar stab of envy I felt when I glanced at them all coupled up, I felt an intimate bond, knowing that I could always count on them.
They left eventually after more harmless bickering like old times and Alice and Rosalie made plans for me to go over to the house for a makeover operation before my Christmas dinner with Charlie.
When I had tried to get myself out of "Operation Bella Barbie", Rose had reminded me that they would not be able to do so for the next EIGHT months, and Alice had pouted and told me I will not regret it. Between Gangster Rosalie and puppy-eyed Alice, I could not bring myself to say no… at all.
***
My sleep that night was restful and for once, those vivid dreams deserted me. It was a relatively quiet and peaceful night, and I awoke the next morning relax and at ease. To my surprise, Charlie was sitting at the table with his bowl of cereal when I came down, still in my pajamas. I figured that since Alice was probably going to have me scrubbed out as well, it was pointless taking a shower now when I would be having another at the huge bath tub over at the Cullen's later.
"Morning Dad!" I greeted him in a sing-song voice and sat down to pour myself some cereal as well. Charlie nodded at me, and mumbled an almost inaudible greeting while chewing. I smiled, and as I ate, I look once over at Charlie. His moustache was graying, signaling that age was catching up with him.
I blinked, and looked at my bowl intensely, already feeling the tightening knot and knowing how much I was going to miss the silent father figure in my life.
"…… So they need me down at the station in the afternoon for some investigation work, but I will be back at five to pick you up to go to dinner at the restaurant. Is that alright with you, Bells?"
My head whipped up at the sound of my name and I met Charlie's eyes, I forced a smile onto my face and nodded my head.
"Sure Dad, I'll see you later…" As Charlie turned to head out to work, I paused and called after him.
"Hey Dad? Be careful."
Charlie turned and smiled at me before nodding once and walking through the door. I smiled after his retreating figure, glad that we had a moment for silent bonding. Renee would be proud of us, I'm sure.
My breakfast was cut short when Alice and Rosalie came bursting through the back door and dancing into my kitchen.
"Are you ready for gorgeous Bella?" Alice was in high spirits as she tugged me out of my seat and dragged me with Rosalie in toll back to their house. I always wondered how that little pixie had so much energy in her.
***
I was right in my decision to skip my morning shower because Alice actually hired the professionals over to the house for an hour long massage. I cringed at the thought of busting Dr. Carlisle's credit card bill, but Alice just laughed and told me that it was Esme's idea and to relax and have fun.
I felt a swelling gratitude to Esme for being pampering me the way my mother would probably have. I did not have time to ponder over that because right after a quick soak in the Jacuzzi, the massage began. I felt the muscles in my body relax and the next thing I knew, I was hitting the sack.
I woke up to Debussy's Clair De Lune, and for awhile I felt slightly spaced out. The massage had ended and I could hear Alice humming in the bathroom. Just then Rosalie came into the room with a bath robe wrapped around her. She grinned when she saw me awake and came over to help pull me up.
"Ahhhh.. That was amazing!" The grin I flashed her was involuntary as I stretched my limbs. The professionals sure did a good job!
Rosalie chuckled at me humorously and chucked a towel and bath robe at me.
"Go on, take a nice soak in the shower and when you get back, Operation Bella begins!"
I stuck my tongue childishly at her back and made my way to the bathroom. The water was set out for me, and the familiar scent of my lavender and freesia bath overwhelmed me. Immediately, I felt that gratitude and fondness return whenever I thought of the people who loved and cared for me.
I stripped and step into the colossal tub, indulging in this pampering session before Alice and Rosalie had their fun with me. I closed my eyes, and let the scent engulfed me, shaking my head a couple of times to shoo away the memory of a velvety voice whispering to me that I smelled great. Not him again! A day more and I was going, no need to think about him!
When the hot water eventually started to cool, I climbed out and dried myself before heading out to see Alice and Rosalie in front of her dresser with tools in hand, prepared for their battle. I gulped slightly and made my way over to them.
***
"Surprisingly Bella, you're not making this hard for us. Usually it would take you at least ten minutes to calm down enough for me to start, but today you're such an obedient little lamb."
I glanced up at the talking pixie, and saw caught Rosalie's eyes in the mirror. She laughed and nodded her agreement.
"Well Alice, I decided that since I was going to be free of your clutches for the next eight months anyway, I might as well let you have your fun." I grinned as I saw the pout on her face.
"Don't remind me Bella! I just happened to forget that you're going to be gone tomorrow, and you go and remind. Forget, forget, forget…" Alice started to chant the words as she continued dusting my cheeks with all sorts of powder. I watched as Rosalie bit her lips slightly.
"What is it Rose?"
Rosalie looked at me from the mirror and smiled slightly. What she said next blew me away.
"I miss you already Bella. Eight months is going to be long."
I stared at her wordlessly as I let the impact of her words settle in. The next thing I knew, all three of us were cuddled together and hugging madly as I sat awkwardly perched on the stool before the dresser.
I felt a sob in my throat, but Alice stabbed me with her brush and told me to swallow back my tears and not waste her work. I swallowed rapidly and smiled capriciously. I had the most unique friends ever!
When I was ultimately done two and a half hours later, I was dressed in a dark blue sequined dress that fell to my mid thigh. The dress was paired with a pair of black leggings and a blue pair of pumps with the tiniest heels matched aptly with the dress. It was a gorgeous outfit, I had to admit. It might have been a little overdress for dinner with Charlie, but I figured why not since we were celebrating Christmas after all.
I was finally released to go home after Rosalie and Alice had completed their ogling and wooing. Making my way to my room, I could hear Charlie in his room. He was back earlier than I expected. Just as I was about to knock on his door, it swung open and revealed Charlie in a dark grey checkered shirt over a dark grey blazer. It had been awhile since I last saw my dad in a blazer and I could not help but grin at him.
Charlie cleared his throat nervously and when he finally spoke, I heard a slight crack in his voice.
"Hey Bells, you look.. Beautiful. Err, how do I look?"
My grin spread even wider at his compliment and I took a step forward to hug him. He smelled musky and fresh from the shower.
"Thanks Dad, and you look great too."
Charlie was silent, but the smile on his lips told me what I needed to know. He was happy.
He went downstairs to start the car while I quickly made a stop in my room to pick up everyone's presents. I figured I could drop by the Cullen's again later after dinner to hand them their Christmas presents.
Pausing slightly at the white paper bag, I glanced at the blue package inside and gave a sigh. There was no more room for regrets, and I was going to start looking ahead, instead of backwards.
I picked them all up and went downstairs to the porch to hop into the awaiting cruiser. I placed the bags carefully in the backseat and waited for Charlie to get in after locking the doors.
The ride to the restaurant that Charlie had booked a few days ago was quiet. Not the kind of silence that overwhelmed a person and makes them feel trapped, but the kind that was serene and comforting. I stared at my father's profile for a few minutes, and turned away to look out of the window at the scenery passing by. The neighborhood we stayed in was a beautiful one, and I failed to notice that before.
We finally got to the restaurant that was about half an hour's drive away, and I saw an all too familiar yellow Porsche parked outside. Shooting my dad a questioning glance, I watched as he grinned slightly and hummed under his breath. Charlie was humming!
As we pushed through the doors while asking for our reservation, I was picked up by a bear and spun around slightly.
"Surprise Bella! Merry Christmas!"
Emmett placed me back onto the ground and I stared at the beaming faces before me. The whole Cullen family was there with the exception of a certain man who owned a silver Volvo, but that was not something I was going to dwell into.
I turned to Charlie was shaking hands with Dr. Carlisle. Charlie had also planned a surprise dinner for me!
***
Dinner was an extravagant affair, in Charlie's terms. Esme had explained that there was no way she could let me leave without a proper "Bon Voyage dinner" as she puts it, and when she had approached Charlie, he very willingly allowed her to plan for the occasion.
I hugged Esme tightly and thanked her for the massage. She laughed and tucked her stray curl behind my ear.
"Sweetie, it's no problem. You will need it for all those travelling you are going to embark on. Now, now, remember to bundle up when it gets cold in the United Kingdom, and don't starve yourself…"
Carlisle stepped in at that moment and wrapped an arm around his wife.
"Esme dear, I'm sure Bella is a smart and careful child. She will be fine, won't you Bella?"
He smiled benevolently at me, and I laughed shyly, and nodded my head.
Our appetizers came, and as ate and drank our soups, I listened in to the chatters around me. Alice's plan for her fashion designing course, Rosalie's attachment to BMW, Emmett and soccer at college… Carlisle spoke about an ignorant patient at the hospital, Charlie discussing about the baseball game with Jasper. I had a fantastic family before me, and I never felt more blessed.
When the appetizers were cleared away and we were waiting for our main course, I got up and went outside to the cruiser, grabbing all the bags with the presents and returning to the restaurant again. The cold was settling in for the night.
I sat the bags down on my seat and stood to catch everyone's attention. They all turned to me with munificent eyes, and waited for what I have to say.
I cleared my throat nervously and was about to make my "Thank you" speech, when I saw them stared pass me.
Before I could turned around to see what it was that had gotten their attention, I felt the all too familiar arms wrapped themselves around my shoulders and a deep and velvety voice whisper into my ears.
"My beautiful Bella…"
His voice was so low that I thought this was another one of those memories tossed up again from the many we had shared. It had to be another one of those damned memories!
I shook my head to clear those memories away and felt a slight tightening of the arms around me. The cold that was exhaled near my ears found the sensitive spot, and I quivered slightly. I felt those muscles which had been pampered and massaged just this morning stiffening tremendously.
No, no, no! It can't be… It can't be…
Slowly and precariously, I lifted my head and my brown eyes clashed with deep green ones.
Edward. It was Edward. Edward was back. Edward was home. Edward… Edward… I was in Edward's arms again.
What did all this mean?
Why was I seeing him again?
Am I dreaming?
Where was Adeline?
And why did I have to see him again???
***
Don't beat me up. I have actually written the next chapter as well. The whole scene at dinner in fact, but it would be really tedious to edit them together, and I'm already slightly crossed-eyes, so I had to stop here. I PROMISE THAT THE NEXT ONE WILL BE UP LATEST THURSDAY! Or maybe even tomorrow if I can hurry! (:
Thanks everyone, and keep reviewing and those chocolate flowing! Happy summer days!