Ch. 25 Movie Night
By the time the four women returned to the house, the storm had picked up again. As agreed upon, Bella scuttled up the stairs and changed directly into the warmest set of pajamas she could find as the others dispersed throughout the house to get settled themselves. Making her way back down stairs, with a blanket in tow, Bella took over the couch and refused to move once her body made contact with the deliciously comfortable cushions. It was Bella's favorite place to lay since they got the new couch.
When Bella had first moved in with her father back in high school, hardly a thing had changed within the house. It had still looked, similar to her bedroom, the same as when she had lived there as a child. Honestly, she didn't mind in a nostalgic sort of way. But, some things needed updated, especially in the kitchen and the den. Although she was able to make some minor adjustments over the years, it wasn't until after she went away to college that Charlie finally caved and made a few major ones. One being the couch.
Older than her, Charlie's previous sofa had finally given away. When Bella returned home over her first spring break the couch had literally collapsed beneath her. Initially Charlie had argued about patching the couch, but Bella put her foot down about the matter. She had seen some inventive ideas on fixing furniture, such as placing a kitchen chair in place of the missing couch section, and she wasn't too enthusiastic to see what Charlie would come up with to save his beloved furniture.
Instead, Bella dragged her father to the store. She wasn't much for shopping herself, so she honestly couldn't blame her father, but she also realized he wouldn't go to the store on his own. By the time they had returned home from their excursion, they were both happy with the investment. Along with a new couch, Charlie found a laziboy recliner to go along with it as well. Since then, along with her being away at school, Bella discovered that Charlie spent even more time watching his favorite sports in front of the TV.
However, with her father still at work, Bella had the den to herself, and the silence was divine after listening to the howling storm outside. Stretching out, a moan slipped between Bella's lips as she felt her muscles tense from the movement before finally unlocking and molding to where she desired. The burn hurt and she knew she'd be feeling it in the morning, but the exhaustion of her muscles was overly pleasant for the time being. Rolling onto her back, she took over the entire couch, stretching out as much as her limbs permitted.
"If we didn't know better, we'd assume we were interrupting something," Tanya teased as her and her sisters came down the stairs and into the den.
Blushing, Bella pulled a pillow over her face. Hiding behind the fabric, she muttered her response. It wasn't until they asked another question that Bella peaked her head back out. "What was that?"
"We asked, are you going to share the couch?" Irina repeated, blue eyes dancing in amusement.
"Never!" Bella declared, flipping over to cling to the cushions.
"Then we'll just have to sit on you, too!" Kate practically sung before pouncing.
Forcing the air out of the brunette's lungs, Irina and Tanya followed suit, causing Bella to struggle as she attempted to maintain her claim to her lover.
"I saw it first!" Bella giggled only to squeak as she felt a set of hands begin to wander in a fluttering tickle down her sides.
"But, we are the guests, mila. It is polite to share," Tanya lectured, trying not to chuckle as her fingers joined in with Irina's.
"F-first my bed," Bella argued through staggered breaths, "n-n-now the c-couch. Then what?"
"Your heart, soul, body, blood?" Kate offered. With her face buried into the cushions, Bella missed the feral grin that snaked its way onto the blonde's face.
Snorting, Bella was unable to reply as Kate's fingers joined in, turning the stifled giggles into a roaring laughter. By the time Bella escaped, she found herself to be sprawled out on the floor with three blondes grinning smugly down at her from their perch on her couch.
"Jerks," Bella muttered. Too exhausted, Bella curled up in a ball at their feet while clutching her sides. She could finally breathe, but just the thought of their fingers sent tingles down her sides.
"I believe that is 'Jerketts,' thank you very much," Kate corrected.
Sticking her tongue out at Bella, Kate slid off the couch. Leaning down, she hoisted Bella up into her arms before settling back onto the couch. With a bit of maneuvering, Bella found herself settled between the three sisters, her blanket shared between them all.
"You could have just laid on me," Bella remarked even as she snuggled into their warm embraces.
"You are much too bony to be a comfortable sofa replacement, miláčku. It is better this way. Now we will not crush you beneath us," Irina countered.
"You're not heavy. I wouldn't have minded," Bella argued even as she snuggled into their warm embraces. She would have been warm with three bodies laying on top of her, however, she was unable to formulate a convincing argument against the alternative positions.
"Then, tonight when we go to bed, you may be on the bottom," Irina offered.
Opening her mouth to reply, Bella quickly closed and opened it thrice more before deciding she'd be better off changing the topic.
"So, what do we have planned for tonight since you dictated my day?" Bella inquired.
"Well, we were planning on going out, but with the storm rolling in and our previous promise, we figured you would prefer to stay in. Perhaps dinner and a movie?" Tanya offered.
"That sounds good," Bella mused. She had no quarrels to cuddling with the Denalis all night. Even with the nap, she knew she wouldn't stay awake throughout the night after how long they had spent skating.
"Fantastic! But, we're still going out later," Kate corrected Tanya while breaking free of their blanket huddle. "Now, on our list for movies tonight we have, drum roll, please: Hot Tub Time Machine, Super Troopers, Spaceballs, American Pie, Anchorman, Wayne's World, Year One, Freddy Got Fin-"
"Kate. I think that's enough," Tanya interrupted as Kate continued to rattle off her selections without taking a breath.
"Why must it always be a comedy that destroys brain cells?" Irina complained. "Why not a horror?"
"Because the chicks always run around for the first third of the movie screaming before getting knocked," Kate explained, crossing her arms over her chest. "Also, the blondes give us a bad name. I might be fun, but I'm not ditzy like them and go outside where the monster's obviously waiting for me. And you say comedies are brain killing."
"The last thing you need is more fuel," Irina countered. "At least you have suspense with the horrors. With the comedies you always pick we can tell the jokes and end before they're even made."
"Ladies, how about a romance then?" Tanya offered, a glint in her eye.
"No!" Irina and Kate yelled in unison. They might not agree on their preferences for movies, but the last thing they wanted was a romance option of Tanya's.
"How about an action-adventure then?" Bella offered, rubbing her ear where Irina had hollered in.
"But those aren't good to cuddle to!" Kate pouted.
"Which is why I suggested a horror."
"But I don- Oh. Oh! Horror it is!" Kate agreed before running upstairs.
"Horror? But," Bella blinked, unable to finish her statement as Kate disappeared.
"Are you afraid, miláčku?" Irina inquired.
"No. It's not that."
Cupping Bella's chin with her fingers, Irina turned the brunette's head so she could see her better. "Then?"
"Well, Kate's right in a sense. A lot of it's very unrealistic and the gore doesn't bother me. I just don't care for the suspense all that much. I mean, I know it's coming, but, well, it still gets me," Bella admitted sheepishly. "I'm fine with that, though, but afterwards I sometimes can't sleep."
"Don't worry, miláčku, you have us to protect you," Irina promised. Leaning in, she pressed a soft kiss to the tip of Bella's nose, breaking it as Kate tumbled back into the room, a stack of movies in her arms.
"What are those?" Bella inquired, noticing the large pile of movies in her grasp.
"Movies, silly. Horror movies. So, preferences?" Kate questioned while settling temporarily in front of the TV. Sorting the movies, Kate slipped a disc into the player before reclaiming her position next to Tanya. "We could just have a movie marathon since you'll be too afraid to sleep. Or, we can help tucker you out afterwards, Bella," Kate offered while wiggling her eyebrows at Bella.
Wishing she had kept her mouth shut, Bella declined both options. She wasn't afraid of horror movies per say. Her imagination just got the best of her at times. Averting her gaze from Kate's cerulean hues, Bella turned her attention to the screen as the title appeared. Much to Bella's surprise the selected film was a horror classic.
"Really, Kate? Dracula?" Irina arched an eyebrow at her sister.
"What? Bella has a twisted fascination with them. Have you not seen her book collection?" Kate defended her selection. "You'd swear she would be in love with one of them if they were alive."
"I would not," Bella muttered.
Kate and Irina continued to argue through the previews about a variety of topics, from Bella's vampire obsession to if classical or the newer horror films were better. It wasn't until the film actually started that Tanya interrupted the debate, causing both sisters to go silent and focus on the film. Settling into Irina, Bella relaxed as well. She was happy with the selection, especially since the other three didn't appear to mind the movie either.
About halfway through the film, Bella excused herself to answer the phone after assuring the Denalis it was okay to keep it playing before stepping into another room.
"Hello?"
"Bells?"
"Charlie?"
"Good, I'm glad you're home. Are your friends there, too?"
"Yes, we're all home. Why?"
"I just wanted to make sure you were safe," Charlie admitted. "Look, the storm's grown worse and some of the boys weren't able to make it into work. I'm going to stay to cover and wait out the storm. Listen, I don't want any of you going anywhere tonight."
"Don't worry, dad. We won't," Bella promised.
"Good. Good, well. Be safe."
"You, too, dad."
"Eat the pizza if you get hungry."
"Yes, Charlie. I love you. Stay safe."
"You, too, Bells."
Rolling her eyes, Bella smiled. As much as she loved her father and that he had opened up a bit more over the years, she felt as if he was making up for all the time he missed being a protective father. Even so, Charlie was still as awkward when it came to verbally expressing emotions. Hanging up the phone, Bella debated on going back into the room or making food for everyone since she was already up. Deciding on the second option, Bella made her way into the kitchen.
While stirring the broth, Bella jumped as she felt a pair of arms wrap around her from behind a while later.
"You never came back, mila. Everything okay?" Tanya questioned in concern while resting her chin on the girl's shoulder.
"Yes, everything's fine. Charlie called to let me know that he won't be home until the storm's passed, so we're on our own for dinner. I figured that while I was up I would make some stew. Unless you three want pizza again," Bella teased while settling into Tanya's grasp.
"That would have been fine. Do you need help?"
"No, I've got it. It's all prepped now, just needs to sit for a time and actually cook now."
"Good, then come back and watch the movie with us. We paused it when you first left so you haven't missed much." Without giving room for debate, Tanya tightened her grip on Bella and guided her out of the room, only pausing long enough to leave the spatula on the counter.
Settling back onto the couch, Bella quickly became trapped between Irina and Kate until the movie was over. Deciding that they had all night, and plenty of time to kill as the food cooked, the girls opted for a classic marathon. After Dracula ended, The Haunting was put into its place. Watching Kate's fingers instead of the film, Bella listened to the dialogue as slender digits dipped in and out of Tanya's strawberry blonde locks. It wasn't until her own hair was touched that Bella's concentration was broken.
"May I?" Irina whispered apologetically for causing Bella to jump. She hadn't wanted to interrupt the movie by asking originally.
Nodding in consent, Bella melted beneath the woman's touch. Closing her eyes, she concentrated as cool fingertips raked their way through her dark locks, filed nails dragging across her scalp. The sensation almost coaxed Bella into a second nap. If it wasn't for Kate insisting the same treatment, Bella probably would have and missed dinner entirely.
A/N: So, classes just began and I already want them to be over. It should be an interesting term. Anyways, here's more of a fluffy filler than an actual update. Yes, I'm procrastinating bringing Edward back, but he will return soon. Anyways. Vacation was awesome, got to roast in the desert. Remind me not to go camping in the desert in the middle of the summertime. More so not to go hiking up a mountain when it's over 100 degrees. It's hot out there. Anyways, thanks for the birthday wishes and hopefully I'll be able to update once a week from here on out. I'll try for more frequent, but no promises.