21
MY EIGHTEENTH BIRTHDAY, AGAIN?
In the morning Edward was still holding me when Alice arrived, time being of no consequence, he kissed me one last kiss as she dragged me into the shower; she wasn't angry with me because she knew what we had spoken about but I felt she also knew something more. When I came out of the shower, she was sitting on the edge of the bed having a silent conversation with Edward, as if she had seen something, they both looked at me and stopped their conversation, my fears mounted.
I totally flipped out and threw my wet body on Edward.
"You know something Alice; I know you do, it's something bad isn't it? You must tell me, please don't keep anything from me, I'm begging you." I buried my face into Edward's chest and started shaking.
"No," Edward said firmly, "that's not it at all," Alice and I were discussing your vision or whatever it was but on the contrary, she hasn't seen anything for you to worry about, there's no reason for you to be this upset."
He held me away from him and looked me straight in the eye.
"You're not lying to me, promise?" I couldn't stand the thought of them keeping something from me as they had in the past.
"I know I have kept things from you before, but look into my eyes and tell me I'm lying," he was sincere.
I put my arms around his neck, looking into his eyes and saw only truth, "I'm sorry," I repented, and "I guess I started this day off well," I said miserably.
"I guess you did," Alice said grimly, "You don't listen very well yet, do you?"
"Oh don't be too hard on her," Rosalie said as she came into the room, "We'll give her a good work over and if she thinks bad thoughts again we'll pinch her."
"You said it Rose, but I think she deserves a pinch already," Alice said and before I realized what happened she gave me a very hard pinch.
"Ouch!" I said and before I could complain, she threw me back in the shower to wet my hair again.
The morning passed in total luxury, I was given a full body massage, my nails were painted and my face made up, during that time, Edward would come and tease me constantly but he did play some soft music, which was relaxing. Alice and Rosalie worked out my worries and I became totally relaxed; I was almost in a hypnotic state, and all I heard them say was, "Relax, Bella."
Alice smiled at me, "If Edward were to make love to you now, you probably wouldn't even be aware,"
I laughed. "I would be aware but I wouldn't want to do anything about it," I closed my eyes, "I think I'll pretend that's exactly what he's doing."
He heard me, "Why do you have to pretend? I'm right here."
Alice laughed, "Go ahead take her and when you're done bring her over to the other house, Rose and I are leaving now.
Edward carried me into the bedroom and laid me on the bed, I was still completely relaxed but definitely aware of everything he was doing to me, "It's just exactly as I would have pretended, I said indulgently.
"Just stay as relaxed as possible and let me make you feel good. He came inside me and it was hard to relax as the passion started building and he kissed me; gently at first but then with fervor, he held down my arms so I couldn't move and I was forced to submit to his passion, after he was done, I still felt relaxed and he kissed me gently again; I sighed contentedly.
"I don't want to move," I said dreamily.
"You don't have to, we've got time," he said, and kissed me again.
"Aren't we in a hurry?" I asked.
"Are you worrying," he asked looking into my eyes.
"I guess not," I said as I put my arms around his neck, "We have all the time in the world."
We made love again and as we finished his phone rang,
"Are you ready?" Pause…, "she's very calm and still relaxed," I knew they were talking about me and suddenly I was suspicious.
"I think that pinch Alice gave me was more than a pinch, wasn't it?"
"She caught on," Edward was still talking on the phone, "Ok, we'll come over now," he said matter of fact and hung up.
He dressed himself and proceeded to dress me, I was too relaxed to care about anything. He carried me out to the Volvo and laid me down so my head was on his lap; I actually felt a little drunk.
When we arrived at Carlisle's home, Carlisle was waiting for me, this time I got a pinch in my arm, and before too long I was myself again.
"I think that sedative was a little too strong for you," Carlisle said smiling.
I started to ask a question but Carlisle put his hand up, "Alice said no questions, no worries remember."
I looked around and saw that this house was just as large as the one in Forks but different interior design, different furniture etc. The living room was set up for my party and large lettering hung up, said 'HAPPY EIGHTEENTH BIRTHDAY BELLA' there was a picture of a huge boat but the name was covered up. It wasn't a cruise ship or luxury liner or even a fishing boat but the crew was sitting by the ship waving at someone. I was still groggy and not trying to figure anything out and my eyes continued to observe, there were gifts wrapped up on a table; in fact many of them and I rolled my eyes.
Edward saw me and smiled, "Now Bella, you promised," I nodded.
"Let's go find Alice," he said.
Alice was upstairs with Rosalie, in her room, "So you're here, good, are you feeling better?" she asked smiling.
"I'm still a little groggy but not as drunk as before," I said.
"Groggy is good, she said, "Now let's finish you off."
"Did Edward make you feel good?" Rosalie asked.
"Yes, just like I was going to imagine," they laughed.
I submitted to more pampering and my hair was fixed in a fancy 'up' style. Sparkles were threaded through the curls and lots of spray to keep it in place. My makeup was touched up and diamond earrings and a necklace added to my look. Last of all I was undressed completely and a blue slinky gown was placed on me, It hugged my figure and yet was comfortable to wear, the neck line was low, barely covering my breasts at the front and down slightly below my shoulder blades at the back; my shoulders were bare, diamond studded, high heeled sandals were added to my feet.
"What do you think?" Alice pulled me in front of the mirror.
I gasped as I saw someone I didn't know standing in front of me, she was beautiful, just like a model, "She's beautiful," I said smiling.
"Bella, I think you're still drunk, that's you, don't you remember, you're beautiful too." Alice said laughing.
"I can't comprehend it to be me," I said in wonderment.
"This is who Edward sees every time he looks at you, even when you're not dressed up, silly," Rosalie explained.
"Well keep looking at you while we get dressed," Alice said.
"Shouldn't I wear underwear?" I asked, suddenly feeling naked,
"Are we going somewhere?" I saw my sisters dressing up too.
"You are asking far too many questions, but no, on the underwear it will destroy the line, as for the rest, you'll find out soon enough." Rosalie wore a figure hugging red dress and Alice seemed to prefer black; soon they were ready and we started to leave the room, I had one more question.
"Is this dress one of my gifts?" I asked.
"No Bella, I chose it from your closet, lets go now," Alice was impatient.
We walked down stairs to the admiring glances of all the men and Esme, Esme was dressed in a gown as well and all the men wore tuxedos.
We each traveled in our own cars, Edward helped me into the Volvo and I sat waiting for him to get in while he spoke to Alice for a few minutes. He got into the car and turned on the interior light for a minute looking at me.
"You're very beautiful Bella," he said smiling.
He pulled something from the back seat of the car and put it around my shoulders. It was white and furry and very warm feeling, "This is part of your birthday gift, my love,"
He kissed me on my neck and it felt good but I was still numb from the medication and from everything that was happening to me.
"Thank you Edward," was the most I could say.
He drove off to what looked like a hotel a few miles down the road, we stopped at the front and he helped me out of the car; a valet drove the car away as Edward and I went inside to meet with the rest of our family. Soon we were dancing and meeting people, I tried to tone down my smile as I was introduced and surprised myself as my comfort level increased, I held on to Edward and him to me. No one tried to pull me away from him even though they would have liked to but he was very possessive of me and that was obvious, he kissed me often but didn't embarrass me by being too forward with his advances and I could tell he was delighted with me; his golden eyes glowed with love for me and I loved him, Alice and Rosalie were also proud of their creation and smiled at me often.
The people here were university big wigs and business tycoons, people who knew Carlisle very well, I was the newcomer and everyone was eager to meet Edward's new wife; Emmett and Jasper were very much at home in this crowd, Edward was considered a prodigy to everyone and to everyone's surprise he was finally settling down. Many beautiful, wealthy women who were present looked daggers at me and seemed jealous that this beautiful angel was all mine, I felt smug but at the same time I asked myself why he had chosen me over them; I had no idea.
He constantly held my waist or my hand, never letting me go for one second and he finally pulled me away from the crowd taking me to a terrace.
He pulled me close to him his hand moving over the soft feel of the gown, "You're beautiful," he whispered again, his lips close to my ear, "And you dance very well." He added.
"Not as well as the one who taught me," I smiled.
"The blue goes well with your skin, I'm glad Alice chose this gown for you"
"I guess I'm destined to wear blue for the rest of my existence," I teased and he laughed.
"I know you're not used to keeping this kind of company and dressing this way, but when we're not pretending to be school children, this is our other life and you need to fit in; which, I might add, you do very well."
"I love this dress, it feels comfortable like a nightgown; but I feel naked," I said scrunching my face.
He felt over my hips and smiled, "You are naked underneath," he said, "All the less to take off," he said seductively and he pulled me closer.
His scent overwhelmed me and I looked up at him, putting my arms around his neck, he kissed me in a way to break down my defenses and I kissed him back, Alice and Jasper found us.
"I guess you're not groggy anymore," Alice remarked.
"No," I agreed.
Alice said, "I thought we'd change partners for a while.'
Jasper pulled me away from Edward as I looked fearful, not sure enough of me to dance with someone else, but Edward nodded.
"I think it will be good practice for you to dance with another partner," he said, "And Jasper understands."
Jasper whisked me away and soon we were dancing.
"You're very beautiful," he said as he whirled me around, "I'm so glad you are one of us now, I feel very comfortable around you."
I was pleased by his complement.
"Jasper, I never blamed you for you're reaction on my last birthday, I knew it was impossible for me to stay human in a vampire world and I can't live without Edward," I said.
"Nor he you," he said smiling, "You should have seen how miserable he was during the eight months you were both separated, he was a bear to live with; all of us were almost ready to drop him outside your door." We laughed.
Emmett and Rosalie danced by and we switched partners again.
"My turn to dance with one of the most beautiful women in the room," Emmett declared, "I haven't had much opportunity to congratulate you on your conquest, of all the women Edward has encountered during his existence, including Rosalie; you are the only one who has affected him, and he felt nothing for anyone else. We thought there was something wrong with him, he wouldn't even play the field," Emmett said.
"Actually it was the same for me, even though I didn't have as many years to look," I said, "I don't think I would have found anyone else if I'd had more time."
"Well I can't believe he even turned away from Rose but I'm very glad he did." Emmett said.
"You and Rosalie are perfect for each other and I'm so happy to be part of your family," I said smiling.
Emmett guided me skillfully away from anyone who even looked interested in dancing with me and as the music ended he walked me back to Edward who immediately held me tight.
The next dance was for him, it was a slow dance but he kissed me frequently and so we only moved around the floor instead of dancing and soon we were back on the terrace, he walked me around to the garden which was beautiful especially in the moonlight and we held hands.
"This is the nicest birthday party a girl could ever have, I've never had so much attention in my life and if anyone had told me I would be here with the elite, I would have laughed."
"This isn't the end my love, we have other plans later," he said.
He stopped walking and turned towards me, holding my face and looking deep into my eyes.
"I believe you truly are happy and content even here with all the rich folk milling around you," he said.
"I'm learning to accept things and I'm trying to be less stubborn, I know you'll get your way with me no matter what," I said smiling.
"All I have to do is kiss you and you're putty in my hands," he said seductively as his lips touched mine and my arms moved around his neck.
He pulled me to him his sweet breath enveloping my senses, in a moment he was kissing me hungrily and I kissed him back passionately.
Alice however was watching and we stopped kissing as she and Jasper came beside us.
Alice said, "Don't you dare mess up her hair Edward, we have to take a photograph of her to send to her mother, remember?"
Edward sighed, "Do you always have to watch her so closely when she's with me?"
"Even more so," Alice said and all of us laughed.
"We came by to see if you were ready to leave," Jasper said, "I think everyone else wants to leave now."
"I think maybe we should," Edward said looking longingly at me, "I don't think I can keep my hands off her much longer."
"That's what I was afraid of," Alice said, "So let's go."
We all laughed and made our way to where the others were waiting.
Carlisle was saying goodbye to some of his colleagues so we waited until he was done and then left, we took turns getting into our cars then drove away back to Carlisle's home.
The conversation at home was about the party, who was there, what they said, what they did; but then it turned towards me, how impressed everyone was with me, how beautiful I was and how well I handled myself.
Edward winked at me, "It looks like I'm not the only one impressed by you," he squeezed me around my waist.
Alice picked up a camera and Rosalie checked my hair and makeup, when they were satisfied with me, they took my picture just with my gown and then added the ermine stole, next they took a picture of Edward and I, then I took the camera away from them; taking a picture of my new family.
Finally we were going to change into something more comfortable but Edward insisted on taking me up stairs where he grabbed my clothes from Alice's room and took me to another room in the house; he locked the door and stood me up in front of him.
"No one will bother us in this room, it was mine, I wanted to do this all night and I'm determined no one, not even you will take this opportunity away from me," he said.
He removed his jacket and shirt and unfastened his pants; he then pulled me to him and unzipped my gown at the back, standing back to look at me. The gown slipped to the floor and I stepped out of it kicking off my sandals at the same time, his hands moved over me, stimulating my senses and soon we were on the floor making love.
When we were done and lay there, he laughed softly.
"I was just as I imagined it except for the carpet underneath us instead of grass."
I laughed, "You're so silly, is that all you thought about my dress, how you could remove it."
"It wasn't the dress but the naked girl inside that attracted me, I had to see her stepping out of the dress; if you ever wear the dress again I will expect the same thing,"
He kissed me and would have made love to me again but I stopped him.
"Don't we have to go down stairs to have more surprises, we don't want to make Alice mad at us," I said.
"I suppose so," he said sighing, "She's probably already mad at us anyway."