So were on the home stretch now with Englsih Vampires. only a few more chapters to go.

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Chapter Twenty Six: Party

My mouth fell open as I looked around the room. My parents and brother were stood next to Carlisle and Esme, laughing together at my surprise. Standing in a group was all of my friends. Laura, Jackson, Kelly, Mitchell, Kerry, Hannah, Dan, Chloe, Chloe, and Katy. There were some who I hadn't seen in weeks and was surprised to see at a party. People who had gone through the tragedy with me, and people who could only stand back and imagine what could have happened. It was quite mind boggling, particularly as these people were stood mixed in with Edward's family. I could see Jasper standing towards the back, with a pained look on his face. Obviously the proximity of so many humans was taxing on his strength. Even Rosalie and Emmett were stood in the room with us, smiling a little at the scene.

And stood right at the front with a professional looking camera was the most dangerous pixie ever to walk this earth. Alice Cullen. She smiled up at me and began snapping pictures of my shock and surprise, as well as everybody else's reactions. She danced around the room, looking at total odds with the massive piece of equipment in her hands. It was comical, the image of this dressed up woman jumping up and down with a camera which was almost as big as her head. I leant into Edward as I laughed at her, and he squeezed my side reassuringly.

"Wow," was all I could think of saying. They all got a good laugh out of that.

"Now, everyone!" Alice commanded as she walked towards the back of the room. "Now that Bex has arrived will everyone please follow me to the back garden?"

We all followed her like good little sheep and walked out of the house through the big French doors which led out onto a wooden deck. The whole garden was decked in lights and balloons, which all proclaimed a message of welcome to me. The garden was massive, bordered with tree's and even had a small stream running through one of the bottom corners of the lawn. It was immaculately presented, and I could see doted around the area were wooden seats and recliners, presumably for us all to sit on during the afternoon. One the far edge of the deck was a long table which was full of party food and nibbles.

Everybody stood awkwardly on the deck for a few minutes, before Emmett picked Rosalie up and ran down the garden, carrying her over his shoulder. I would have thought that the Ice Queen would not have been amused, but she surprised me by laughing. The tension in the air dissipated and people spread into smaller groups throughout the garden. I figured that as the "guest of honour" it would be my duty to go round and talk to everyone so I took hold of Edward's hand, pulling him to the nearest group, which happened to consist of my mother, father, brother and the two eldest Cullens.

"Hi mum, dad, why didn't you tell me about this?" I asked as I hugged both of them in turn. They both made non committal gestures and both Esme and Carlisle laugh.

"You know something," my dad said as he looked Edward up and down. He turned to Carlisle. "That daughter of yours is certainly a handful."

"Well she has to be kept occupied somehow," Carlisle laughed as he put his arm around Esme's shoulders. "I tell you, she is much more of a handful when she is trying to organise your clothing. She actually tried to tell me that the jumper I was wearing was not pristine enough for me to wear. To the supermarket." They all laughed, except for my brother who looked incredibly bored. He hated having to be around adult conversation. I ruffled his hair.

"Cheer up Matt, at least there is food," I chuckled. Edward looked down at my brother and smiled.

"You know what matt, I think that you should ask Emmett if he can find you a football," Edward said, glee twinkling in his eyes. My brother looked up at him in appreciation and ran to where Emmett was standing with Rosalie on the edge of the garden. As soon as Matt reached him Emmett let out a big yell of appreciation and disappeared into the house. He soon returned with a football and the two boys ran to the end of the garden laughing. I shook my head indulgently, then hugged Esme and Carlisle and thanked them for their hospitality.

"Believe me Bex, it would have been much worse if we had said no to Alice," Esme laughed and Edward and I began to walk to the next grouping.

For some time we drifted from group to group as we conversed with all my friends. I was very surprised to see how comfortable Edward was with all of my friends and close relations. It was a good feeling, knowing that the man I planned to spend the rest of my life with was comfortable with my nearest and dearest. I talked to everyone, whether they had been in the incident or not, and began reconnecting with my human friends. I asked about budding relationships, families and general life. It was good to touch base with everyone and remember the things about them which made them some of the best people to know and love.

After a while we drifted to the food table and I piled up a big plate of food. Edward picked at it almost negligently, whilst I practically inhaled the food. I could see that he wasn't actually eating anything, but was making a good job of pretending.

"Love, will you give me a minute?" Edward asked as he let go of my hand. I nodded. "I just have to go and tell Emmett to be a bit more careful."

I looked to where Edward was staring and sure enough, Emmett had managed to kick the ball into one of the large trees. He was preparing to jump up and get it down – a jump which would be beyond humans.

"Okay, go tell your brother off," I laughed as I kissed him on the cheek. Then I began walking towards the wooden deck, with the intention of sitting down.

I sat down on the wooden deck and took in the whole sight. Here were all my friends and family, all together and laughing, starting to heal from the wounds which had been inflicted because of me. I couldn't remember the last time I had laughed so much in one afternoon, let alone when I had heard so much laughter in one place. There was only one thing missing from the image, and that was someone who could never be part of this happy go lucky image ever again. I let myself dwell on Mary-Alice's fate for a few moments. At least she was still alive, I reflected. She could be dead and we could be burying her right this moment. She could go on and live a happy life, even if it was away from all of us. The only thing which soured the thought was the fact that everyone thought she was missing. Her family would never know what happened to her. And it was all my fault. If I had done, something, anything differently, then she could have been enjoying the day with us.

I shook my head to try and clear it of the negative thoughts. Mary-Alice was alive, and there was nothing I could do to change the circumstances. I leant back on the deck and watched everyone together. It was relaxing. I saw Rosalie out of the corner of my eye, walking purposefully towards me.

Rosalie looked stunning, as always, this time in a short grey dress, which had fabric floating down from her shoulders to cross over underneath her bust. Underneath I could see a thin black strappy top. Her pale legs were covered in dark black tights and on her feet were a pair of black high heeled pumps, which had two large straps covering the foot. She walked towards where I was sat by myself on the wooden deck. She slowly sat down beside me and looked out at the forest.

"I won't say that I am sorry for my past actions, because honestly, I'm not." She began speaking to me. "But I will say that I think that you were brave to do what you did for your friends, and to help save their human lives. I can't say that I would have taken that route if it were me." As she spoke she motioned to my cast and my

"Thank you Rosalie," I murmured as she turned to look me in the face.

"I still don't like you, but I will make an effort to be nicer to you. That's all I can offer at the moment," she said as she stood up. I smiled at her, genuinely, for the first time.

"I understand," I said. It was a start at least. Maybe sometime in the future we might become friends. "And Rosalie, thank you for looking after my family. They mean so much to me."

She nodded, and some of the ice thawed from her as she smiled. If she was beautiful when he was glaring, then she was breath taking when she smiled. It made her radiant. Family importance was something we could relate to each other with. She walked across the garden to where Jasper was stood talking to Jackson about god knows what. I was really wondering what to two of them could have in common when Edward came and sat down next to me on the patio. He wrapped an arm around me and pulled me close to him.

"Are you enjoying yourself love?" he asked as he sat there and watched our friends talking and laughing together.

"Yes, I am. It's good to see them all laughing again, to see them enjoying themselves." I said to him as I leant into his embrace, just enjoying being there with him, with no threats over our heads, nothing to worry about. Well, except for the fact that Emmett had just picked my brother up and was throwing him in the air. Honestly, Matt had only really just got out of his casts. It had taken everything from him to convince my parents that he could actually play football in the tournament, and he had spent most of it on the sidelines. Add to that the fact that I had just been in hospital and Emmett was just asking my mother to have a heart attack. Edward must have felt me stiffen in his arms because he rubbed his hand along my arm, tracing a pattern up my neck and softly massaged my neck muscles.

"Don't worry, Emmett will be careful with him. He knows how breakable people are, and Rosalie would kill him anyway – she has a very maternal side," Edward whispered in my ear as he continued to massage my neck. I relaxed further into his body and let out a contented sigh. This man was exactly what I needed to relax.

"It's a bit harder than you'd think Edward, I know exactly what will happen now," I said as I watched my brother race after Emmett into the trees on the edge of the garden. They were both laughing, carefree, Emmett's gleeful face perfectly reflecting my brother's considerably younger one. Emmett really was a child at heart. "My brother will think your brother is amazing, and bug the hell out of him!" I laughed.

"I doubt that very much," Edward laughed as he watched the two of them capering about. "It must be refreshing for Emmett to spend time with someone who has the same mental age as himself."

I heard Emmett laugh as he obviously heard Edward's comment. Only the presence of so many humans kept him from commenting back. I looked over to see my mother and Esme talking together as they watched their two boys laughing together. It was a heart warming sight.

"So, Bex, are you not going to kill me now," Alice giggled as she walked over and sat on the other side of me.

"Well, Alice I am still kind of considering it at the moment," I said, trying to feign seriousness, but it didn't work.

"Silly Bex, I knew that you would have fun if I got you here. That's why I didn't say!"

"Okay then Alice, I forgive you for going behind my back and arranging this," I murmured as I closed my eyes and settled back into Edward's arms. He held me close to his body on the steps as he hummed to me what I could only assume was a lullaby. It certainly sent me to sleep quickly enough.

I must have been asleep for a while, because when I became aware of my surroundings again it was dark and everyone was sat on comfortable chairs which had been moved out to the covered deck. Edward and I were sat on one of these together, with me wrapped in a warm blanket. My head was resting on Edward's lap and his hands were tenderly stroking my side and face. I sighed with contentment and relaxed back into the seat.

On the seat next to me was Jasper, who had a very chirpy Alice on his lap. They were laughing together over something that had been said between them. It was a private laugh which only concerned the two of them, and really showed the introverted nature of their relationship. Opposite them on the side of the deck nearest to the house was Rosalie and Emmett, who were showing off their very extroverted relationship. They were kissing, but it was very tender and caring, not passionate and brash which I normally associated with the two of them together. Esme, Carlisle and my parents were sat on a long sofa talking together. It was nice to see all of my family together – I considered the Cullens as much my family as anyone else.

"Where's Matt?" I asked groggily as I wiggled my way to a more vertical position, resting my head against Edward's chest. He pulled me into him and wrapped his arms around me.

"He's in the house," Esme answered as she smiled down at us. "All of his and Emmett's antics during the day really wore him out, and he is now sleeping. If only it were that easy to wear Emmett out!" she laughed as Carlisle put his arm around her.

"oh, believe me, when he wakes up he will be as active as ever," my mum laughed. I nodded my agreement and closed my eyes again.

"Hey, love, I think that you need to be getting to bed," Edward said as he sat up some more. I shook my head.

"I don't wanna, Edward. I don't wanna move," I protested. Edward laughed and pulled me up into his arms. I wrapped my cast and other arm around his neck as he put his under my back and knees, carrying me bridal style.

"I think that it is probably best if you stay here tonight," Carlisle said to my parents. "I want to make sure Bex, is alright in the morning and we have plenty of space. You are welcome to any of the rooms."

My parents thanked them as Edward carried me through the French doors into the house. I didn't pay much attention to the rooms we passed through as he took me through the house, up the stairs and into his bedroom. In the middle of the room was a giant bed with a beautiful wrought iron frame. Edward laid me down on it and then went to his wardrobe. He pulled out a long t-shirt and a pair of shorts with an elastic waistband and laid them on the bed beside me.

"There you go something for you to sleep in other than that dress." He was nervous as he spoke. "Unless, you want something else. I could get you something of Alice's or Rosalie's."

"No Edward, that's fine," I murmured as I sat up. Edward backed awkwardly towards the door.

"I will give you some privacy to get changed," Edward said as he went to open the door.

"Edward, wait," I said as I stood up. He paused and looked back at me. "Can you undo the zipper on this dress? I can't reach it with my cast on."

Edward swallowed nervously and walked back to me. I turned and Edward grabbed hold of the zipper. He pulled it down, ever so slowly, until it reached the base of my back and uncovered my whole pale back, and the lacy black bra Alice had made me wear. Edward took in a shocked breath and took a step back. I giggled as I pulled my arms out of the dress and held it up to my front as I reached for the top. It was a plain black t-shirt with a Beetles drum logo on the front. I laughed. He had probably seen The Beetles live to get this t-shirt. I pulled it over my head and let the dress drop to the floor. I reached with my good arm behind my back and unclasped my bra, letting it fall to the ground. I heard a sharp intake of breath from Edward as I put my free arm into the sleeve. I couldn't manage to pull my cast arm through the sleeve so I turned to Edward.

"Can you help me get my arm through the sleeve please," I asked as I took in his still form which was staring at the dress which was pooled at my feet on the floor. "Edward? Earth to Edward?"

He shook his head for a moment and then took a step forward to take hold of my wrist which was hanging out of the bottom of the t-shirt. He held open the sleeve with the other hand and gently moved my arm up my body. He slid it through the sleeve and then stepped back immediately. There was a look of shock on his face, almost as if he had been overwhelmed by that simple action. I turned and took hold of the shorts, although in all fairness I didn't really need them. Edward's top was more like a dress on me anyway, but I felt that I should wear the shorts to make him more comfortable. I slipped them on and twisted the waistband over a couple of times to make it stay up. Then I sat down on the bed and looked at Edward. He was still stood still, looking at me.

"Edward, are you going to come and lie down with me?" I asked as I made my way to the top of the bed and wormed my way under the covers. He walked over to me, his movements very disjointed. He sat and then brought his legs up beside me. Then he lay down next to me and put one arm around me.

"You will be the death of me," he said breathlessly and he stroked my hair. I giggled. "You have no idea how much I like you wearing my clothes."

I smiled up at him and rested my head on his chest.

"I like wearing your clothes too, Edward." I giggles again, tiredness making me not quite lucid. "I love you Edward," I said as I began to drift off.

"I love you too, Bex," he whispered back to me.

I woke up the next morning in Edward's arms, in his bed. It was a very gratifying feeling, knowing that he didn't have to rush away before my parents came into the room, or even woke up. I was content to lie in his arms and look at his beautiful face. He seemed content to do the same. No words were spoken, we just looked into each other's eyes. I could see in his face a promise of a life together, a commitment which would last eternity. Of course, that wouldn't happen unless I was like him, but I refused to dwell on anything. I only thought about the present.

I was content until....

"Edward!" a shrill voice shrieked and Edward grimaced. I snuggled down into his embrace.

"Ignore her, please," I begged. "I want to stay here!"

"I wish we could love. But unfortunately we have very little time until she comes in here," he said grudgingly as he held me tight to him "Five, four, three, two, one."

As Edward uttered the word one Alice burst through the door and jerked open the curtains to show a sun filled sky. Light burst into the room, and I half expected Edward and Alice to shy away from it. Instead they stayed perfectly normal. I watched as a sunbeam fell over Edward's face and onto the pillow beside him. It sparkled like diamonds and sent facets of light off in hundreds of different directions. I reached out a stroked his face, awestruck by the pure beauty of his inhuman side. He closed his eyes as my hand slid across his marble skin. It was wonderful.

"Oh shoot, I forgot about that!" Alice said grumpily. "Never mind, as you were." She stormed out of the room, yelling Jasper's name out as she did. The door swung close behind her, but neither of us paid any attention to it. Edward's eyes opened and I looked into their bronze depths.

"This doesn't bother you?" he asked hesitantly as he lifted one hand from my waist to my hand. His covered mine as I stroked his face softly.

"Not in the least." I murmured, still transfixed by his eyes. "I think it's kind of magical."

"You are one peculiar creature, my love," he said with wonderment in his voice.

"Says the vampire," I joked as I lifted my face to his. He smiled at the joke before covering my lips with his. Blissful.

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