I do not own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.
CH. 25: Fruit
(BPOV)
I stepped out of the shower and dried off. I quickly got changed into new blue top Alice recently purchased and a pair of jeans. I left the bathroom and looked around for Edward. He still wasn't back yet. I took a seat on his bed and brushed my hair.
I was determined to have a good rest of the day. I wanted this morning as far from my mind as possible. I was still pissed the hell off that Jacob led Victoria right to us and set Edward up to be killed. Not to mention all the crap he tried to lay on me like he was stepping aside when really he was setting Edward up to be killed. I don't even know what to think or feel about how he actually did die in the end? The Jacob box could be buried along with him in his grave never to be open again.
I felt a hand stop me in mid-stroke. The brush was gently taken from me.
"Careful, love, you'll pull out all of your beautiful hair." Edward placed a soft kiss on the back of my head. He started to brush it softly, taking his time with each snarl. I closed my eyes and just enjoyed him taking care of me. I felt Edward divide the hair and start to braid it.
"You know how to braid?" I opened my eyes but didn't turn my head.
"In theory, however, this is technically my first time." He kissed the nape of my neck.
Once I felt him secure it with an elastic band, I turned to face him.
"Thank you," I stretched up to kiss him on the lips, placing my hand on the back of his neck. He met me halfway slipping his cool tongue into my warm mouth. I felt his hands on my waist and he pulled me onto his lap until I was straddling him.
We started to get more heated when my hips bucked against him he pulled back. He rested his forehead against mine as our breath calmed and breath slowed.
"If we continue we will never make it to the meadow," he looked regretful.
I nodded as I slid off his lap. He stood and held his hand to help me up. I straightened my clothes once on my feet.
"Whenever you are ready," he smiled at me.
"I'm ready. Do you think I will need this?" I held up the sweatshirt.
"I would bring it just in case. Am I running or did you want to hike it today?" he asked.
"We will get there sooner if you run." I tied the sweatshirt around my waist so I wouldn't lose it when he ran.
He pulled me on to his back and waited until I had my arms around his neck.
"Now is the time to close your eyes if you don't want to watch as we jump out of the window." He teased.
I placed my chin on his shoulder and held on as he jumped, then ran. My eyes remained open as we blurred through the forest coming to a stop moments later in the meadow. Edward helped me down and held on for a moment until I regained my balance.
"You've gotten much better at this." he chuckled, kissing my forehead before spreading out the blanket.
"I enjoy it now. I think running with you is why I like motorcycles so much." I grinned before sitting on the blanket.
"Should I buy you a motorcycle then, rather than a car," Edward asked as he placed the cooler next to me.
"I thought I got to choose?" I glared at him playfully. A motorcycle was out of the question anyways. For one thing Charlie would be less than pleased and for another, motorcycles were more of a bad memory now.
"You do," he promised still not sitting. I was starting to feel odd looking up at him.
"Are you going to sit?" I patted a spot next to me.
"In a moment. The girls packed you some brownies, fruit, and a sandwich." He informed me.
I wasn't very hungry but I pulled out a brownie and a water to drink. I started to nibble on it when I felt Edward sit down beside me.
He held out some wild flowers when I glanced up at him.
"Flowers for the beautiful lady," He gave me a shy smile.
"Thank you," I kissed his cheek before smelling the flowers. I placed them next to me and patted my lap looking up to Edward.
With a lopsided smile he laid down placing his head in my lap. He closed his eyes and had a peaceful smile on his face as I started to run my fingers through his hair. A sigh of contentment came from him.
"Just don't get crumbs in my hair," he teased. I playfully tugged on his hair. He chuckled as he caught my hand and brought it to his lips, kissing the finger tips before releasing my hand.
Once I had my hand back I started running it through his bronze lochs again.
"Fine, I will just add flowers to your hair." I giggled reaching for the flowers. With his eyes closed he captured my hand and returned it to his hair.
"Don't you dare," he grumbled sounding slightly distracted. "I'm going to miss this," he murmured.
"What do you mean?" my voice came out sharper than I intended in my confusion.
"Esme and Alice are going to insist I cut my hair for the wedding. Once it's cut it can't grow back." Edward's eyes opened as he eyed me with concern.
"No. No way, you're not allowed." I shook my head vigorously. I loved running my finger through his hair. My fingers tangled themselves in his hair as if I held on it would keep it on his head.
"Yes, ma'am." he promised. I leaned down and gave him an upside down kiss. It was a slightly awkward position, but the kiss was still breathtaking.
I pulled back when Edward started to sit up. He reached into the cooler and came out with the container of fruit. He pulled the lid off and tossed it on the blanket.
With his long fingers, he pulled out a grape and held it to my mouth.
"Open," he gave me a charming look.
"I can fe…" I was cut off as he pushed the grape in as I was talking. I gave him a dirty look as I chewed the sweet fruit.
"It's more fun this way," he said sweetly holding out a piece of melon. I leaned forward and took the piece into my mouth right off his fingers. Edward's eyes seemed to darken as my lips brushed his fingers.
He grabbed a slice of strawberry next. This time when I got the strawberry, I wrapped my tongue around his fingers and sucked on them gently while keeping eye contact with Edward. He was eyeing me intently with each fruit he offered. I didn't know that something like this could be so sensual.
"More," Edward's voice was rough. I nodded not trusting my voice. At some point I shifted and was almost sitting on top of him.
He selected a grape without looking. As he held it up he crushed it slightly, causing juice to run down his fingers. He started to put it down and I reached out to grab his wrist to stop him. I sucked the grape into my mouth and then licked the juices off his fingers. I heard a rumble from his chest. I closed my eyes and sucked on his index finger, listening as the rumble increased.
"You're right. This way is more fun." I glanced up at him through my eyelashes.
I found myself on my back with my sweatshirt acting as a pillow.
"My turn." Edward hovered over me and whispered into my ear. "May I try something new?"
I nodded not trusting to speak without my voice cracking. He placed a soft kiss behind my ear before returning to kiss me on the mouth. With one hand I felt him pop open my jean button. I was vaguely aware of my pants moving down my legs. I tensed slightly when I felt a finger enter me.
"Relax, baby." he cooed with his cool breath washing across my face. I relaxed as he started pumping in and out. At one point he added another finger. My breath became rapid and my heart pounded. My eyes closed as I lost myself in Edward's ministrations.
"Feel good," he softly growled in my ear.
"Yes. Please don't stop." I begged. My breath hitched when he added another finger.
"Open your eyes. Who do you belong to, baby?" his voice was thick like honey. I stared into his dark hooded eyes.
"You," I whispered unevenly as I reached the edge and was barely holding on.
"Louder, I want to hear that you are mine," he growled.
"Yours." I exclaimed out as I tumbled over the edge. As I tried to catch my breath my eyes flutter close.
BS&EC
When I opened my eyes the daylight was fading.
"Have a nice nap, sleeping beauty." Edward's lips brushed my forehead.
"I fell asleep? Edward, I'm sorry." I struggle to sit up, Edward helped me.
"Don't apologize, love. You needed your rest," Edward was looking very smug.
"You're pleased with yourself aren't you?" I accused shaking my head in amusement.
Before Edward could speak a phone went off.
Bad boys, bad boys whatcha gona Bad boys bad boys
Whatcha gonna do when sherrif John Brown
Come for you tell me whatcha gonna do.
Watcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do
When they come for you
Bad boys, bad boys
Watcha gonna do, watcha gonna do
When they come for you
"I believe that is your phone." Edward chuckled reaching for it on the blanket and tossed it to me.
I looked at the screen and discovered that it was Charlie calling me.
"I didn't program this for Charlie." I looked at the screen.
"One guess, who did," Edward smirked. Emmett. When did he get a hold of my phone?
The phone went off again.
"Hi, Dad," I answered this time. It has to be important for him to call me again.
"Bells, what are you up to?" Charlie's voice sounded somber.
"Edward and I are just hanging out?" I said nonchalantly.
"How soon can you get home? I need to tell you something rather urgent," he asked.
"Um, I guess I can come home now," I frowned that our time for solitude was over. I glanced up at Edward who was looking grim too. He mouthed 'fifteen minutes.' "I can get there in about fifteen-twenty minutes."
"Good…" he seemed to hesitate. "Ask Edward to come in with you." He added.
"Are we in trouble?" I furrowed my brow. Maybe word of our camping trip made it to him, thanks to Emmett's big mouth around Mike.
"No, not at all. But I think he needs to hear what I want to say."
"Alright. I will tell him." I glanced again at Edward. He just nodded to me in agreement. Charlie hung up after a brief 'bye'.
"I wonder what that was about. Do you know what he wants?" I put the phone into my pocket. Edward sighed and nodded, not quite meeting my eyes. I had a feeling he did know.
"I have a good idea. Alice warned me when you were getting ready." He admitted.
"Why were you hiding it from me," I huffed as I stood up to get my things ready.
"It wasn't my intention to hide it from you. I just wasn't sure how to bring up the subject. You seemed so intent on have a good time here. I didn't want to ruin it. Besides I was hoping Charlie would change his mind." Edward reached out for my hand giving it a gentle squeeze.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't take it out on you. What does he want?" I asked.
"He's probably going to tell you about Jacob. Alice saw he was going to try insist you go to the funeral." Edward tried to pull me back down on his lap. I stepped away crossing my arms in front of my chest.
"I'm not going. He can't make me go." I yelled in frustration.
"Love," Edward said cautiously.
"It would be wrong for me to go to his funeral. You go to them to say your good-byes and morn the lost. I can't do that. I'm happy that he's gone. Good riddance." I kept ranting. The lid on the box had flown open and my rage for Jacob came full out.
"Bella," Edward was starting to look concerned.
"No." I shook my head as tears started to fall in my anger. "He has really crossed the line this time. I hate him. Do you even know what he did?" I didn't wait for Edward to answer this time.
"He set you up to be killed. He led that bitch right to us, so she could kill you. Meanwhile the bastard thought he was going to get away with it. He wanted me to fucking believe that he was going to let himself be killed in the fight so he could clear that path for you. Who does that shit? He was never a choice." My body was shaking under my rage.
"The worse part is he's dead just like he wanted. And I don't say that because I will miss him. But because I wanted answers from him, answers that I will never get." I was near blinded by my tears. I couldn't see Edward any more. "After those answers I wanted to kill him myself, for even thinking about killing you. If he had…if you had…I could've…." I started hyperventilating as my sobs took over.
I felt Edward's strong arms encompass me. I buried my face into his chest sobbing. My body sagged and he held me up.
"I'm fine, love. I'm right here, holding you. They didn't succeed to even get a scratch on me. I did pick up on what they were up to in the end." He explained, but didn't sound as nearly as mad as I expected him to be.
"I still want to kill him for everything," I confessed. He stroked the back of my head tenderly.
"No, you don't."
"Yes, I do." I insisted.
"I wouldn't have let you. You would've hated yourself for it later. You are not a violent person." I looked up to him. My crying was under control now. He brushed the tears from my cheeks.
"He was trying to get you killed. I would kill to protect you." I insisted, I didn't care if I was human compared to a wolf and vampires, I would've found a way. He gave me a sad smile and kissed my forehead.
"I know you would, my love. I pray that you would never have to, though." He gave me a quick chaste kiss.
"I'm not going to his funeral," I said decisively.
"No one is going to make you go. I promise." He answered, but his demeanor said something else.
"Why do I feel a 'but' coming?" I frowned.
"Something Rose mentioned that I think you should think about. She believes you still need closure from Jacob." He explained.
"I can't forgive him for what he has done." I shook my head, my anger rising again.
"I'm not asking you to. No one is. Closure isn't about forgiveness as much letting go. So if you need to stand in front of his casket and scream at him to your heart's content, you should do it." I'm sure that would go over well at his funeral.
"Why aren't you mad at him?" I was confused to his attitude.
"Oh, make no mistake, I'm furious with the mutt. If Victoria hadn't killed him, I would've. However he's dead. Right now you need me more." He seemed sincere and so loving.
"But you just said you wouldn't let me kill him."
"I wouldn't because I wouldn't want you to carry that on your conscious for the rest of your life." I still didn't see the difference but I guess it didn't matter since he was dead.
"We need to get going or Charlie might get worried."
"Right, sorry." I took a step back from him.
"Don't be, love. If you need to vent again I'm here." He smiled softly.
"Thank you." I wiped my eyes. They felt itchy and swollen.
"You're more than welcome. Come on, beautiful." Edward scooped me up.
BS&EC
Edward ran us to the trail head where Alice and the Volvo were waiting. She placed these cooling eye patch things on my eye lids with the direct order not to remove them until I was back at the house.
Edward stopped around the corner from the house and changed one of his rear tires to a spare. He didn't explain before pulling up to the house. I saw the curtain move before Edward even shut off the engine.
"Ready," I sighed and shrugged. I hope I would stay calm enough and not yell at Charlie.
We approached the door hand in hand. Charlie opened the door before we could get there.
"Sorry, we're later than expected, Chief. I ended up getting a flat on the way over here." Edward apologized. I then realized his flat excuse gave us the extra time.
"Those things happen. Make sure you take care of it though. Driving on a spare isn't good long term." Charlie nodded looking behind us at the Volvo.
"Already on it. I called Rose from the road and asked her to order new tires." Edward lied well.
"Why don't you two take a seat on the couch." Charlie directed stepping aside so we could pass.
I took a seat and Edward sat beside me. I clung on to his hand for strength. Charlie sat in his chair looking older than he was.
"Bells, I have to tell you something that might be hard to understand." Charlie explained.
"Jacob died earlier today."
"How?" I asked because it seemed logical. Obviously I would have to hide my anger about what really happened. Charlie wouldn't understand and I didn't know the story he was told.
"Well, there isn't going to be an autopsy, but I have a strong suspicions." Charlie sighed heavily. "There's no easy way to explain this but I think Jacob has been on drugs. More specifically steroids. I'm sorry I didn't take your worries more serious earlier when you tried to tell me."
"What?" I was confused at first. Then I remembered that when Jacob first phased I thought he joined Sam's cult and he was being forced on drugs. That seemed a life time ago.
"I should have pressed the issue with Billy awhile back. If I had maybe Jacob would still be alive today." Charlie's eyes were filled with regret.
"Dad, it wasn't your fault." I whispered. "We don't even know if it was drugs." Well some of us did. I didn't want Charlie to blame himself for any of this.
"The signs were all there. Sudden growth spurt, the muscles and even his mood change. I think the way he has been acting towards you was roid rage."
I opened my mouth to argue but Edward squeezed my hand.
"I'm sorry for your loss, Charlie. Please pass on my condolences to Chief Black." Edward spoke smoothly.
"Thank you, Edward. I will." Charlie nodded. "Funeral is the day after tomorrow. If you like to join Bella and I, you are welcome to."
"I'm not going," I spoke up.
"Isabella Marie, you ought to pay your respects." Charlie's voice was in a do not argue with me tone. I knew Charlie felt that way since he knew Jacob was a young boy and was probably blaming himself for not getting Jacob 'help' for his drug problem.
"The problem with that is I don't have respect for Jacob right now. Drugs or not, it doesn't make what he did okay." I argued but tried to hold back my real temper.
Charlie rubbed both hand over his face and looked disgruntled.
"I know you have every right to hate him right now. But he, at one point, was a good friend before the drugs." He sighed heavily. "I won't force you, but I hope you'll reconsider."
"I'm not making any promises." I leaned into Edward. Charlie nodded before standing up.
"I'm going to La Push. Billy is a mess. I could only imagine if it was you I had to bury." I flinched and looked down. "I will probably spend the night. Will you be okay here alone?"
Edward answered for me.
"I'm sure the girls won't be disappointed if she spent the night again." Edward reassured Charlie.
"That's fine. Stay safe though. Don't go driving far without new tires, please." Charlie nodded.
He came over and gave me an awkward hug. He grabbed his jacket and headed out. I waited until I heard the cruiser start to close my eyes and lean into Edward.
It wasn't really until then I realized what it was going to do to Charlie for me to have 'die' soon.
A/N: Bella is too angry at Jacob to feel anything else at the moment. I had a review that thought she should instantly forgive Jacob when he saved her from Victoria costing his own life. It's more complicated than that. If he didn't lead her to them than her life wouldn't need saving. Plus, he tried to get Edward killed. Bella is going to care more about that than her own life. On top of it Jacob said he was going take himself out so she thinks he got what he wanted.
Right now she in a period of angry and avoidance. Which is why Edward and the Cullens are hoping she get closure.
Charlie is blaming himself thinking Jacob had a drug problem that he overlooked. When I said Bella went to him before I was talking about New Moon when Jake first phased and ignored Bella.
Thank You For All Reviews
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Preview Alert
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Preview:
"There is more. I want to go into La Push today." If they let me, that is. "I have thought about over the last few days. You are right; I want closure before we get married."
"I can bring you as far as the border and I will wait for you to get back." He had no visible reaction. He stilled my hand that still were lightly hitting the keys and laced our fingers together.
"Love, if you chose to forgive him, not saying you have to, I would understand." Edward told me calmly.
"How can I after he tried to have you killed?" I frowned. That was unforgivable in my book.
"Yes, but at the last moment he did safe you. To me that is commendable even if all prior actions were horrendous." He paused, and I remained silent. "I also would never hold it against you if you do miss the friend he once was."
"That person was long gone though." My voice stayed flat.