Twilight-Forever
Chapter Twenty-one
America's Clumsiest Teenager
By Cindra
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the original characters this is just because someone gave me a challenge and mostly for fun.
"A mountain lion cub and half-wolf puppy in the span of two days." Edward put his arm around her waist leading her towards their room. "Lady is in for quite a surprise."
He opened the door to room number one, expecting old-fashioned and garish, but was shocked to find it invitingly charming and large. An antique queen sized four-poster bed with furniture to match, a full bath with modern fixtures and jet tub, not the expected closet sized shower at all.
"Nice, someone put a great deal of work into this room." He opened an antique armoire, finding a flat screen with entertainment system inside.
"Lizzie says it's her Gran's baby, so her grandfather and Dad indulge her. She just finished remolding this Spring." Bella fell back against the ultra- comfy bed. "It's heaven. I love this little town."
"The Circle K Ranch. She's that Kramer. No wonder they can indulge her Gran, her family owns the biggest spread in Idaho and one in Montana. Carlisle knows her grandfather. Talk about a small world, they sent us the tea service for a wedding gift."
"Oh, I love that set and so does Ness. We have tea parties all the time." Bella sat up, eyes shining. "Will he recognize your name?"
"That's a big possibility. We own the Double C ranch in Wyoming. An old friend of Carlisle's runs it for him. We bought it as a tax shelter, but in truth all of us enjoying ride, and it's teaming with wildlife.
"This friend is he a…"
"Vampire? Hardly, immortal to be certain, but of the Pixie variety. He left to get away from the turmoil that was home. Aiden's always looking for places for us to lie low. This one he fell in love with. The owners had to sell. The spread is one of the biggest in Wyoming. We bought him out, paid off the back taxes, and let Aiden hire the best to run it. All immortal of course, he wouldn't take anything less."
"So that's where they're going to the Double C?"
"Correct. We have our own landing strip, as well as our own Lear jet."
"Yet we fly first-class on a commercial jetliner?"
"When necessary, yes we do."
"So do we own a manor too?"
"Bella, one acquires a great deal of real estate over nearly a century of life."
"So that's a yes to the manor. Does it have a moat?"
"Not the one in England…"
"England?"
"We own a small manor in Sussex."
"How big is small?"
"Only forty rooms or so."
"Go on, your lordship, this is fascinating."
"Only on my mother's side of the family tree…" Edward muttered under his breath.
"It shows. So what about France."
"A Chalet in the French Alps."
"Makes sense, anymore?"
"Bella, it's not a big deal."
"To you it's not, but for me it's eye-opening information."
"Look, I'll sit you down and we'll go over all of our holdings when we are back home. For now I'm going to go get our things out of the truck, and get you settled for then night." Edward placed a finger on her lips to shush her and she nipped him.
"Be nice, lioness. I'm still not happy with you, so behave." He tipped her chin up with his finger, kissing her hard on the mouth, before leaving to go unload the truck.
"Damn, he's in one of those moods. No matter, Lady will make the perfect buffer." Bella hugged a pillow to her middle, as he set an ice cooler on the tile floor of the bathroom. "Food?" She asked hopefully.
"Of course, my treasure." He took out a bottle of milk, tossed it to her. "For you and our sons. Caffeine isn't good for you."
"Good thing I love milk." Bella uncapped the bottle, taking a healthy swallow. "Anything else?"
"Patience, my angel. Let me get our bags and then I will fix you a sandwich. The service station was surprisingly well stocked, though their prices were armed robbery." He blew her a kiss before leaving to retrieve their bags.
"Perfect and he's all mine." She finished her milk.
"Sheriff Terry isn't perchance part of your Dad's annual Sheriff Convention is he?" He set their bags on the antique upholstered hope chest at the foot of the bed.
"Guess so," She unzipped the bags, flipping them open. "Pinch me."
"Why what's the matter? Did Alice pack badly again?" Edward called back, as he was in the bathroom fixing her dinner.
"No that's just it. I see jeans, shorts, camisole's, t-shirts, only two sundresses. I'm in bliss."
"Yellowstone isn't much for cocktail parties and designer dresses."
"This is Alice we're talking about. She'd find an event and crash it."
"True. Then again Alice is Alice."
Eyes dancing, she held up a sheer icy blue nighty. "I do like her taste in Lingerie. It's like the black one on Isle Esme."
"So it is," Edward grinned wickedly. "I bought controlling interest in the company. Anyone who can created those is worth the investment."
"You spoil me," Bella set the nighty aside to focus on the sandwich that he set in front of her.
"If only that were true. You rarely let me indulge myself in showering you with presents. Seriously, darling. Giving you jewelry is nearly impossible. You act as if I robbed Fort Knox, when they are simply heirlooms that I inherited from my mother." Edward said sulkily, between bites of his own sandwich.
"I love my charms." She jangled her bracelet, creating a rainbow of sparkles as they caught the light.
"The jewelry armoires in our closet are filled with dazzling sparklies, as Nessie fondly calls them. Yet all you wear are your charm bracelet and rings."
"I feel so not like me when I wear jewels. Every outfit in that closet comes with the accessories to match and that's intimidating enough, but these aren't just fancy baubles. They're special, your last link to your mom. I'm afraid I'll break one." Bella decided to confide her fears to him about why she didn't want to wear the hand-me-downs.
"Darling, jewelry back then was created to last, craftsmanship was everything back then. If a piece were to break then I'd simply have it repaired. Alice has the best of the best on speed dial. Please, at least try to wear some of it." Edward kissed the top of her head.
"I'll try. I do love it all. I mean, who wouldn't. It's so surreal knowing it's all mine." She curiously eyed the jewel case in his bags. "That one looks new."
"It's just something I've had running around in my head that Alice took the liberty of having a jeweler bring to fruition." He picked up the case.
"Gimme." She reached for it.
"You sure, because it's very sparkly." Edward held it out of reach.
"Edward, let me see it." She dove for it.
He held it up out of her reach and she landed sprawled across his lap.
"I should tan your behind is what I should do." He easily held her still with one arm across her legs. "You scared the life out of me."
"I was mad at you for ignoring me and then Dad arrived bring Ang into focus again. I had to clear my head, riding seemed the best way to do that. Then I had to see for myself that she was on the mend. I walked Alice's bike stealthy down our drive to the garage. Sprinted home to change and pack what I needed. Waited out our moms. The cake looked amazing when they loaded it into the hummer…"
"It still is."
"Really?" Bella asked confused. "You guys did eat didn't you?"
"Finish your story."
"Fine," She sulked. "You don't have to get testy. It was just a question…"
"Bella, everyone ate apart from me. I was searching the reservation for you. After an hour and a quiet conversation with five guilty looking family members, I went to the house in 'Grease Lightning," he paused his mind on the truck. "She's an amazing piece of machinery. Rose out did herself, the reservation to the garage in less than five minutes."
Bella tried to wriggle in his arms so she could gawk at him, but he had a firm hold on her.
"I then, seeing your bike missing, proceeded to go berserk." His palm rested on her denim clad derriere.
"Go ahead. I deserve it. I was a selfish brat for not telling you where I was going. I was just so pissed at you for banning me from diving."
"I know. Before you stalked off in a snit, you pushed me off the cliff."
"Oops…" She'd conveniently let that little factor slip her mind.
"You're darn right oops, even half-human that hurt. I gave you space, so I wouldn't give into the urge to paddle your behind. Contrary to what you thought, I'd only dove twice before you threw your tantrum. It took nearly two hours for the stinging sensation and redness to fade, as I landed face first in the water." He gave her five swats to the rear, before righting her in his arms. Hugging her fiercely, sending the jewelers case flying to the floor.
"Never take off on me like that again," He growled hoarsely, burying his face in her hair.
Bella peeked over his shoulder, tears instantly pooling in her eyes. He'd created a medallion 'The Lion King' Edward style. A bejeweled golden sapphire lion with alexandrite eyes was protecting his lioness and their cub. Those were done in shades of Cinnamon, cognac and champagne fancy diamonds with chocolate diamonds for their eyes. The jeweler had inlayed Australian Fire Opal for the sunset. There were demantoid and chocolate diamond trees and the lion family was lying on a bejeweled floral meadow.
"It's beautiful…this must've taken months…"
"A year…the jeweler in France wanted to hang me by my toes, as I was always sending it back, only perfection for my lioness. She's working on a charm bracelet, ring, and earrings to match. She's studied the art of Fabergé and is enchanted by this concept. I'd expect an egg for Christmas."
"She wriggled in his arms, trying to get to her sparkly. "Maybe, a locket for Nessie. Medallions for you and Jake…a wolf for him, a lion for you."
"Alice is one step ahead of you, my dove." He reached down to scoop up the box and medallion. "You truly like it?"
"I love it and you so much. This is from your heart." She rained kisses all over his face.
"You're so very welcome, darling." He put the medallion on her. "I'm over the moon that you like it." He chuckled when she made it sparkle in the light.
There was a light knock on their door.
"Sparkly. Has Nessie seen it yet?" She got up and danced happily to the door.
"Yes, she wants one too." Edward smiled, finally he'd given jewelry that she was ecstatically happy about.
"Wow, sugar, that's gorgeous." Lizzie, seeing her new medallion, squealed in delight. "Daddy was more than happy to give you Lady. Grandpa knows your hunky lion's Daddy, real close like. You didn't tell me Eddie's family owns the Double C Ranch."
"Yep, he's just full of surprises. All of his assets never really mattered to me, so I never asked." Bella shrugged.
"I knew it was truelove by the way you look at each other. It's so rare too. Like Romeo and Juliet."
"Terry's had to listen to a few of my Dad's rants, huh."
"Oh yeah, and then some." She nodded. "This summer he was totally on your lion's side, so Uncle Terry's willing to bring over Lady. I think he's itching to see Eddie myself." Lizzie winked at Edward.
"Charlie and I have bonded over this past year. I'd like to think we're friends now." He went into the bathroom to fix Lizzie a sandwich. Hot Pockets for a meal made his stomach roll.
"He went fishing with Dad to christen the new boat that we got him for his birthday. After that Dad was on Team Edward. He's the expert Sportsman. Aren't you, Lion." Bella teased.
"I've had years of practice with my brothers. Though, hunting big game is my specialty. Particularly, big cats. Though only where there are population explosions of course." He walked out of the bathroom with an 'Edward special' on a paper plate and a bottle of orange juice. "Much better than a Hot pocket."
"Thanks, Eddie…"
"Edward, please. Eddie makes me grind my teeth and you are very welcome." He handed her the food.
"Sorry. She's right. You are perfect." She took a bite of sandwich, closing her eyes in bliss.
"Hardly. She's just biased." Edward pulled Bella back against him, wrapping his arms around her, palms protectively over her tummy.
"Oh, I hope I find a guy like him." She sighed dreamily.
"You'll find your guy, Lizzie. Who knows you might know him already." Bella saw a handsome young man with striking blue eyes and a killer smile.
"Billy doesn't know I'm alive. He and my brother are always riding herd or practicing for the rodeo." She sulked.
"You'd be surprised. Trust me. I should know. You're also his best friend's sister, so that might be why he's staying clear." Bella gave her some food for thought.
"I was wary of Bella at first. She's so selfless and giving, and I wasn't until I found her." Edward hugged her closer, setting his chin on her head.
"Believe it or not, men aren't always forth coming around women that make them nervous or trigger a strong attraction in them. Especially when we know the woman is out of our league. But we do eventually weaken when they don't give up or confronts us."
"Really, cuz I've been in love with Billy since forever."
"He's living proof. You see, with us it was love at first smoldering glare across the high school cafeteria, so anything is possible."
"She was fearless while everyone else was terrified of me and she needed a protector in the worst way. This one is a regular trouble magnet." He playfully nuzzled her neck.
A sheriff's SUV pulled into the parking lot, in front of their room. Sheriff Terry was a blonde replica of Charlie.
"Oh that Terry," Bella's frowned. "He used to join Charlie in California, during my time with him. He's so much like Dad, it's scary."
"I know. I've seen the fishing videos." Lizzie smirked.
"Oh God…" Bella groaned.
"Uh-huh. He dubbed you the most accident prone teen in America."
"Well, at the time she was. Now the duckling is a graceful swan." Terry grinned, tipping his hat at Bella. "Hello, Bella, so this is the infamous Edward Cullen. Yeah, I can see how Charlie would call you trouble. Regular badass James Dean by the looks of you."
He offered his hand, "Terry Kramer. It's nice ta finally meet the kid who had Charlie pulling his hair bald."
"It's nice to meet you." Edward shook his hand firmly, but not enough to hurt him. "Nessie truly enjoyed her outing with you and Charlie. You have a way with kids, Sheriff Kramer."
The kid had one hell of a grip and impeccable manners. No wonder Charlie was outgunned. Darn kid was Prince Charming and James Dean rolled into one.
"Call me Terry, Edward." He grinned. "Nessie is one amazing little wonder. The two of you were given a miracle with her."
"Thank you, Terry. Yes, she's our little miracle in more ways than you will ever know." Edward smiled warmly.
"She's our ray of sunshine." Bella wasn't all smiles with Terry. He'd teased her when she'd have a klutz or shy attack. Vacation had been so overcrowded with Charlie's buddies that she'd given up vying for his attention. This man had been the bane of her summer.
"Uncle Terry submitted one of those fishing trip vacation videos to America's Funniest Videos and won the grand prize." Lizzie chimed in before leaving to go let out Fred.
"Oh he did, did he? Did you send Charlie a piece of the pie?" Bella's eyes narrowed to slits.
"We won twice and split the winnings towards our kids college funds. Didn't you know?" Terry wisely took a step back.
"No. It never came up. I thought he meant dipping into his retirement fund. Besides, my boyfriend was Bruce Wayne. And since he was going to marry me, already had my tuition covered."
She had the urge to strangle her father and his buddy was also on her hit list.
"Dad's loaded and he never said a word to me, not once about even appearing on that show. Let alone winning it twice."
"Now, darling, he had your best interest at heart." Edward kept a firm hold around her. Calm down. It's in the past. No harm was meant. Killing Terry would mean killing Lizzie. Besides, we can't harm humans anymore, so behave. All that trying to hurt him will do is give you a migraine from hell. I know. I very nearly strangled you father, but an instant headache had me thinking calmer thoughts.
"Dad can make a scholarship fund for underprivileged kids at Forks High." Bella had her mind set.
A sharp yip came from the SUV that had Fred pawing at the back passenger door. Lady wanted to meet the newcomers.
"Our little girl is anxious to meet her new Momma." Terry, tossing the keys to Lizzie, wisely changed the subject to a safer topic.
"Calm down, little lady. I'll let you out." Lizzie tried pushing the wall of fur out of her way, but was having no luck. "Fred, move so I can open the door."
"Allow me. Fred, come." Edward ordered in a quiet commanding tone.
Fred had no choice than to obey the tenor of an Alpha superior and obeyed.
"Sit." He pointed next to his side.
Fred sat.
"Good boy." Bella scratched his ears.
"Not bad, Edward." Terry was impressed.
"It's all in the tenor of ones voice." Edward absently scratched Fred's head, his other arm still firmly around his wife.
"That's incredible is what that was." Lizzie let Lady out, after clipping the lead to her collar. "Let's go meet your new parents."
Lady eagerly tried to run over to her Daddy, but her cumbersome paws were too much of a nuisance and she tumbled more than ran.
She was beyond adorable with soulful brown black eyes, a snout too big for a face that had yet to keep up with her body. Ears that were pointed, yet not strong enough to stand on their own and glorious russet brown fur to complement a lush awkward too big for her tail.
Edward let Bella go, so she could go greet her new baby.
"Oh sweetie, it's okay. I know just how you feel." Bella reached down and scooped her up into her arms. "But you are going to be gorgeous, yes you are, Little Lady." She was rewarded with puppy kisses.
"The rest of her gear is in the back. Trey set you up with just about everything." Terry handed him the papers in his back pocket. "Vet bill of health and what you'll need for her license, as she's got wolf in her. Then that's right up your alley, eh, son."
"You could say that. Fred, heel." Edward ordered and Fred meekly obeyed like an eager minion. "Sit and Stay." He eyed the back of the SUV loaded with supplies. He had everything efficiently unloaded and organized in a matter of a few minutes.
"Well, Bella, say hello to Charlie for me. Nice meeting you, Edward. You two drive safe in the morning. She loves riding in cars, so you'll do all right." He rounded the SUV to the drivers side door.
"Thanks for everything. We will."
"Tell Travis Carlisle says Hello."
"He was on the phone with him when I left, so that's a given. Lizzie. Billy Carson was asking for you. Trey took the message. The kid finally wised up, unless you don't wanna go to the Country Fair with him. Night all." Terry drove off.
"See. Right in front of your nose." Bella rubbed noses with her baby puppy.
Next
Chapter Twenty-two
Logan
Cindra © 2010