A/N: This chapter is lighter than the last couple, and I hope you enjoy the break from the craziness… sort of. Also our favorite southern man makes an appearance. Thanks to Ginger Von- fixes all my mistakes- Diesel. Answers to questions at the bottom… enjoy.
LIL Chapter 26- The Moments You Remember
Alice's POV
I could hear for hours now, but it's like I was listening to a radio channel that wasn't dialed in properly.
Buzzy and staticy.
There was one constant.
The beeping.
It was driving me mad.
Maybe I was mad.
I knew who I was, the date of my birth, my family, my clothes, my pet peeves, but all the recent stuff was too blurry to focus on. Its as if someone had flipped back a hundred pages in my book of life.
So I did what I had been doing.
I slept and dreamed.
Dreamed of a man that looked amazing in my suites, a man that had the most beautiful smile on the planet, and a man that loved me.
Emmett's POV
"If you don't let me into that room I will rip your arms off and beat you to death, are we clear?" I huffed into the barricade of Edward, Jake, and Dad.
"Calm the fuck down you big ogre! Alice just woke up and needs doctors more than you need her. Back off… and if you touch a single hair on Edward's head, it will be your death!" It was Bella…being reasonable. When three days ago I had to almost physically restrain her from tracking down James.
But her words stopped me.
Alice needs doctors more than I needed her.
"Carlisle," I started trying to keep my voice calm, "what happened?"
"Nothing, I was… I was just reading to her… and then I heard her machines going crazy… and… and… when I looked up her eyes were open," my father stuttered.
"Was she… in pain?" I asked knowing that only one answer would keep me from tearing down the door and all those that stood in front of it.
"No she… smiled at me," he answered, and for the first time in a long time I breathed.
Doctors came out to update us and usher us back to the waiting room. Alice was conscious but a little shaky on the facts. She didn't know why she was in the hospital or what had happened to her. Thankfully she remembered all of us and we were going to be able to see her as soon as they had removed all of her tubes.
My parents were kind to allow me to see her first, because I honestly didn't know if I would make it another second.
She was sitting up looking quite perplexed as she stared down at the healing bandages around her stomach. When she heard me enter her big eyes flashed to my face and she smiled.
The smile I had loved almost my whole life.
"Em…" she breathed her voice scratchy and dry sounding. The tears ran down my cheek but I felt more like a man than I had ever felt… felt more alive in general.
"Allie…" I answered as my feet carried me to her side.
"How are you feeling?" I asked.
"Tired and confused."
"The doctor said that you don't remember a lot. Do you remember… me?" I asked praying that what we had still stood, but if she didn't I would woo her all over again.
"Silly Emmett. You… us… is something I remember with perfect clarity. I remember how you looked that night, how happy I was, how perfect… But that's it," she explained and it looked as if speaking was exhausting.
"It's all over… now," I said my hands finding her shallow face.
"Kiss me," she breathed and I could smell the mint of toothpaste and her natural alluring scent wash over me.
"Alice, you're still healing sweetheart," I reasoned while wanting nothing more than to taste her lips again.
"My face is fine," she argued, and I knew she had me. I was apparently hardwired to give this little Angel anything she wanted for the rest of our lives.
Bella's POV
2 Months later
It's strange how life continues even when hitting a train wreck head on. We were all back in the swing of things. My job was demanding but each night I went home to a wonderful man who was normally waiting on me with food, wine, and kisses as soon as I crossed the threshold of our apartment.
Alice was doing better than any of us considering the gaps in her memories. She cried the night she listened to Rose's story and even harder when she found out about the loss of Quil. Alice healed fine and was a hundred percent physically.
Quil's memorial was hard on us all, but Alice seemed to take it the worst. She felt guilty for not remembering his last minutes. She and Emmett were as good as living together but they never made a big fuss about it. They were as easy as breathing and their lives seemed to fit flawlessly together.
Rose was doing much better but still a little softer than she use to be. The baby was doing great, and she and Jake were nothing but smiles and planning. They had just finished moving to a small suburb outside of the city, half way between the Cullen's estate and the city. Her first trip back to the shop was a nightmare, but after about a week she slowly slid back into her position. Jake was too happy for words and treated Rose as if she were the most precious breakable thing in the world; it was sweet and sometime nauseating.
We were all moving on, and tonight would be just a small stepping-stone.
Tonight we were celebrating the engagement of one Rosalie Swan and one Jacob Black with a party that would rival some of the best Hollywood premiers. Phil was going all out and Renee and Esme were not helping the matter.
The Cullen Estate was probably going to look like the Ritz tonight and in the morning three very in love couples would be spending a long weekend at the Cullen country house.
The strangest addition of our small group is that Jasper had remerged into our lives, with no drama. He had shown up at the hospital a couple of days after Alice had woken up, I had found him in Rose's room. I tried to toss him out but Rose begged for him to stay. She says she likes talking to someone outside of the family about what happened, and that he was better than any therapist money could buy.
Edward wasn't thrilled and neither was I, but what Rose wanted Rose got.
Jazz would be there tonight and in all honesty I couldn't care less. I would be in the arms of the man who made me smile and who could actually put up with and love me through… me.
"Miss Swan… Mr. Edward Cullen is here to see you," Ang's voice called over the intercom.
Ang my resident lifesaver and resident girlfriend of Seth.
They had always felt like only an extension of the family but they were instrumental in handling everything in our absences.
"Send him in," I answered trying to mentally prepare myself for the onslaught of feelings that accompanied seeing Edward. I was still not immune to his beauty or charm and I prayed that I never would.
"Good morning Miss Swan," he greeted his voice slick and his suite gray.
"Good to see you Mr. Cullen," I answered standing to lightly press my lips to his awaiting mouth.
"Mmm, I cannot wait to have a weekend alone with you," he breathed as his lips descended to my collarbones.
"Alone, there will be four other people… doesn't really constitute alone," I tried to fight it but my hands found his hair on their own accord, tugging lightly.
"Isabella…" he growled walking me backwards towards my desk, "… I believe you are quite aware of the reaction that pulling on my hair raises."
The wood was hard against my backside, he was hard against the rest.
"Since, as you say, we will have no actual alone time this weekend… maybe I should just take you here," he whispered, his hands lifting me to sit on the very edge of my desk.
"Yes," I moaned as he rocked his hips into me and his hands skimmed over the tops of my thighs.
Desk fucking was a favorite of mine.
It's like a chocolate milkshake or filet… it never got old… it never got boring.
"Err… Miss Swan… Jacob Black is here to see you," Ang's worried voice carried out of my desk speaker. Ang is a smart girl, she knows what happens in the office.
"Fucking cockblocker," Edward hissed pushing himself away from me and trying to right his um… little… big problem.
"Send that asshole in," I answered before sitting my flushed self down behind my desk. Edward was on the couch with a magazine in his lap.
"Put that away," I whispered across the room.
"Quit talking about it and maybe I can, and quite biting that damn lip," he retorted and I giggled… before biting my lip. He groaned, and I was wet… wetter.
"Well hola other Cullens," Jake greeted stepping into the room before seeing the look on both of our faces.
"Jesus it's eight-forty-five in the morning, have some respect you fucking animals," Jake faux disgust.
Jealous much?
He should be.
We had been acting like animals for months now.
"How can I help you Jake?" I asked sidestepping my most fond discovery channel Edward Cullen escapades.
"I wanted you to look at something," he asked and he looked slightly nervous.
"Jake if you have a rash… just get some ointment and call the doctor," Edward interrupted.
"Fuck off Cullen, no rash and I said Bella's help not yours. Don't you have work to do?"
"That's what I was doing before you so rudely interrupted," Edward answered smoothly pointing towards his briefcase.
"Jake, I'm a real busy woman," I huffed.
"I got Rose something… and… well I know she said she didn't want one but…" he said sliding a black velvet box across my desk. I gave Edward one glance and I saw that he was smiling at his brother with pride.
Nestled against the black satin was the most beautiful Tacori diamond that I had ever seen and it was more than beautiful, it was Rose. A huge flawless oval surrounded by dainty pave diamonds and a band that was incrusted as well.
She would hate that he bought it.
She would love it.
"Jesus Jake… I mean… when you don't listen… you reeeaally don't listen," I breathed entranced by the beauty of the ring.
"You think she'll…." Jake started.
"Oh, Rose will want to cut you for buying it, but she'll love it… it's…"
"Perfect?" Jake asked.
"Yes Jake, it's perfect… for her," I answered and Edward walked up to the desk to examine the ring.
"Well done bro," Edward said holding the ring out from his body as if it would blind him.
"Well… you two can… get back to work… do not be late tonight!" Jake said eyeing us up. He knew us well, but we were both cutting out around lunch to go help with the party.
"We won't," Edward and I answered at the same time before Jake let him self out.
"So where were we…" Edward purred but I pushed him away.
"No diamond no love," I said playfully reclaiming my seat and trying to look very busy very fast.
"Hmmm…" he mused standing behind my chair and placing his hands flat against the desk surrounding me.
"If I tried to put something on this finger," he said lightly stroking the ring finger on my left hand, "you would flip the fuck out." His lips were all over my ear distracting me, he was the best distracter.
"However…" he said leaning his chin to rest on my shoulder, "maybe something for this one." And when I opened my eyes an all too familiar black velvet box was sitting in front of my right hand.
"When I was shopping with Jake I thought…I know how sisters are… one has something… the other one wants it. Simple science… and who am I to fight against science," Edward spoke as his strong fingers popped open the ring box.
I gasped.
Inside this box was something sparkly and gorgeous. A large oval covered in tiny diamonds and looked hand carved. I didn't speak as he slid it on my right ring finger, perfectly.
"It's so pretty," I breathed hating myself for not thinking of a better description than pretty.
Cats are pretty.
Babies are pretty.
This ring was luminous.
"Baby steps Isabella. If you can wear one on this hand then maybe you wouldn't mind one on the other," Edward said his lips pressing sweetly into my cheek.
"I would say yes you know," I reasoned still knowing it was too soon and there was no way in hell that I would steal any of Rose's thunder.
"I'll keep that in mind Miss Swan."
It's safe to say the desk will never be the same.
Bella with the pretty ring's POV
Cullen Estate 7p.m.
Rose was a vision. She was showing and she had never looked more radiant. Her white empire waist dress flowed out around her barely their baby bump and Jake was stunning in a black suit with white vest and tie.
The courtyard out back held a huge tent with a dance floor and tons of flowers.
Alice, Renee, and Esme had really out done themselves. The band I had booked was perfect and the southern sound of New Orleans jazz filled the space with a sexy slow beat.
"Incoming," Edward warned in my ear and I looked up to see Jasper making his way in our direction.
"Behave," I chided.
"If he does."
"Bells… Edward I was wondering if you would allow me to steal my old friend for just one dance?" Jasper asked.
"Of course," Edward answered his voice deep and full of warning.
"Thank you, Bells?" Jasper offered his hand outstretched. Turning I lifted myself up on my tiptoes to press my pink stained lips to Edward's clenched jaws.
The music was still slow and I allowed myself to embrace Jasper at the edge of the dance floor. He still smelt great, he still looked great, but none of it mattered.
He wasn't him. He wasn't the one. He wasn't Edward.
"You look beautiful, but you always do," Jasper complemented and part of me registered that this was our first and most likely our last dance.
"Thanks Jazz," I replied as he led me around the floor. He wasn't near the dancer Edward was, but in all fairness he wasn't near the man Edward was either.
"Rose seems to be doing great," Jasper said and I smiled up at him for that.
"Thank you, for helping her," I complimented and that silly southern smile graced his face.
"Weird how things turn out. That woman wanted to skin me alive since the moment we met, never saying more than two words to me… now I can't get her to shut up," he joked and it felt good to have him back in my life, even though the awkwardness was still present.
"How's Cosmo?" I asked. With a quick call I had gotten Jasper a job as an assistant editor. They wanted a man's point of view and he did have some good moments at Rizer plus he really had revived Rose.
"Good, lots of women and hormones but good… I owe you for that."
"With what you have done for Rose… I'd say we're even Jazz."
"Fair enough."
We didn't speak any more and it was Edward's voice that interrupted our dance.
"Sorry Jasper, Isabella its time."
The mic crackled as we turned to see Jake drag Rose up on the small stage. Alice was wrapped around Em's midsection just feet in front of us. We could see Rose fighting Jake a little and we all chuckled at her reaction.
"First, we would like to thank everyone for coming to our engagement dinner. I still can't believe that in five months that we will be graced with a little addition to our family. However, there's a problem with this engagement dinner though…" Jake paused for effect and I saw Rose's face become confused as whispers filled the tent.
"… see I never properly asked this amazing, beautiful, smart, perfect, future mother of my children to marry me."
The whispers turned into gasps and Rose's confusion turned into tears as Jake hit one knee on stage.
"Rosalie Swan, I promise to love you forever… every single day of forever… will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
I knew that there was probably a million ways of answering this question, but Rose kept it simple and powerful.
"Yes!"
As they embraced claps and cheers erupted and the light thuds of champagne bottles being opened spewed into the room.
Then I saw her.
Alice shook as if she was being electrocuted where she stood. Her head whipped around trying to fight against the sound. Em was clapping and didn't notice, but as I stepped forward Alice's knees buckled. I caught her and noticed that her eyes were glossed over and wet.
"Alice! Alice!" I spoke into her ear as Edward and Emmett flanked my sides.
"Baby? What's… are you okay?" Em asked his hands fluttering over her body as if to check for injury.
"I… I remember."
A/N: Yes, Alice is supposed to be very cannon in the chapter (not remembering the past, the vision at the end, the wonderfulness… you get it). We are closing down but there are a few more meaty chapters left.
No, Rose will not be digging up James to cut off his man berries (like where your heads are at though).
Yes lemons in basically every future chapter… ask and receive.
Yes pictures of both rings, and the girl's party outfits are on my blog (link on my profile)
Last chapter I req-ed a story Isabella After Dark… and now it has disappeared… sorry… it stinks.
Also I am about 20k deep in my new story that I will be posting at the end of Liars in Love… I need some art work done, if any of my beautiful, wonderful, perfect readers know a thing or two about photoshop and want to lend a hand that would be great (I'll write an outtake of your choice for the help… it's all I have to offer).
Loves.