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me!Chapter 32 Esme POV
I held
my breath. Was she ready? Was she really willing to join our family?
The answer was clear in her eyes- yes she was.
"Of course!" I
gasped and Bella smiled. I pried her out of the group hug, only to
grab her in my own embrace.
"Of course, of course, of course."
I sighed.
"Thank you … mom." I beamed. I swear I could
explode from happiness. How long I have waited to hear her say those
words… Now my dream could finally become reality.
"Esme, let
me embrace our daughter." Carlisle said amused and as soon as I
released her, his arms were around Bella.
"Welcome to the
family." He whispered then let her go. She was smiling
playfully.
"So what, is nobody else planning to crush me in a
hug?" She joked and of course Emmett had to go and scoop her
up.
"Let me down Emmett!" She squealed after he started
spinning her. He set her down carefully on her feet, but she stumbled
into Edward who wrapped his arm around her shoulders to steady her. I
smiled tenderly at them and Edward quickly dropped his arm.
"You
should have a different name though…" Alice mused and I knew why.
Alice has already seen Bella and Edward together; they couldn't
have the same name.
"How about Bob?" Emmett asked seriously.
Bella burst out laughing.
"A last name, dumbo!" Alice
protested.
"Oh…" Emmett looked slightly
embarrassed.
"Caine?" I suggested, it started with a
C…
"Molina"
"Taylor"
"Pierce"
"Sheldon"
"Jones"
"Bryant"
We
all shot random ideas and Bella remained silent.
"Why is it so
complicated?" She eventually asked. "Won't it make the adoption
messy to completely change my name?"
"We can manage it." My
husband assured her.
"Swan is fine." She whispered and I
looked at her concerned.
"Are you sure?" Edward asked
gently.
"Well, to be honest, it's better than all your names."
She smiled but then became pensive. "Besides, I never got to know
Charlie Swan." She looked up and then reached for the back
of her neck. "I have worse reminders anyway." She smiled sadly
and I nodded without a word. Bella was particularly sensitive about
that scar- not that I blame her.
Bella was convinced that she was going to be haunted for the rest of her life, but she still fought anyway. I don't think you could find any other mother in the world who is as proud of her daughter as I am of Bella.
Bella
POVI was thrilled that I was truly going to
become part of the family. I could see that they were too and it
seemed that Jasper was unintentionally giving off waves of
joy.
"Jasper, dude! If I smile any wider, my jaw is going to
break!" Emmett complained while smiling like an idiot- it was a
funny sight.
"Sorry." Jasper mumbled.
"No, keep going
Jazz. I want to see this." I teased.
"You'll regret this if
it actually happens." Emmett threatened.
"Nah, I'm good.
Besides, a broken jaw doesn't hurt that much." I joked. I
had blurted out the last part without thinking and saw their eyes
narrow minimally.
"Anyway,
what are we doing today?" I asked and Alice's face suddenly
brightened.
"Oh don't worry, the whole day is booked." She
said mischievously.
"Alice," I warned, suspicion colouring my
tone.
"Well first, we need to get your adoption papers signed
and then we are going to celebrate."
"Celebrate how?" I
asked- there was more to it.
"Oh you're really no fun!
Brighten up Bella, because we are going shopping!" She said
joyfully and I backed away a step, making me hit Edward's chest. I
shook my head in dread; there was more than one thing wrong with this
plan. First of all, just shopping with the pixie is dangerous, but
most importantly, I have been isolated ever since I have arrived from
the hospital. I met about four people and they were policemen! I
couldn't do this! I couldn't go in public with so many
strangers!
"Calm down Bella, you don't have to go."
Edward murmured.
"No Edward. She does have to go. I have seen
it- everything will be fine. You need to go out and buy new clothes!"
Alice said firmly and I turned around so that my face was in Edward's
chest.
"Fine." I mumbled against him. As long as I could stay
with Edward, I would be fine.
"You'll have fun, just wait and
see." Alice said reassuringly.
"When are we leaving?" Rose
asked.
"About an hour. Come on Bella, I'm choosing your outfit
today." I groaned and trailed behind Alice and Rose.
"Resistance
is futile." I muttered sarcastically and everybody chuckled except
Alice and Rose.
"Your damn right!" Emmett agreed.
"Carlisle,
if you set up the papers now, they will be ready by the time we
arrive. Go ahead, we will meet you there." Alice dismissed Carlisle
and I smirked at how she had the power over him sometimes.
"If I
were you, I would stop looking so smug and brace yourself for what is
to come." Jasper whispered in my ear. I looked at him
pleadingly.
"Oh no, I am not getting involved!" He said while
looking at a threatening Alice.
"Wimp." I muttered but then
gave a defeated pout.
"Edward, make sure it doesn't go over an
hour." I said seriously.
"Yes Ma'am." He chuckled and I
rolled my eyes before accepting my fate and heading towards the
torture chamber; Alice's room.
"Bella, I am happy to say that today you can wear jeans! No more skirts, because today, you can take your leg brace off!" Alice announced gleefully and I tried not to show enthusiasm- I really was happy to get it off.
Alice went to choose my outfit while Rose started on my hair and make-up. Rose curled my hair carefully, making sure to obtain even, flawless ringlets. She then tired up the first layer so that no hair would go in my face but some still hung on my shoulders. By this point, Alice exited the mall she calls closet with a pair of light grey jeans and a navy blue long sleeved blouse. It clung to my arms and shoulders but had a wide elastic at the empire line, letting the rest of the fabric flow elegantly to my hips. The jeans fit perfectly, highlighting the few curves I had. Alice was actually sensible as she chose a pair of blue flats- I would be ale to walk.
"There."
Alice said satisfied. "Okay, now close your eyes." I obediently
shut them. I was growing impatient as they applied light make-up to
my face.
"Edward, how long has it been?" I called.
"They
still have five minutes." Came an amused voice. I grumbled to
myself.
"Oh stop being grumpy, we're finished." Rose chided
playfully. I hopped up and headed towards the door, but Alice's
tiny hands held me back.
"Hey! You can at least look at our
creation." I sighed and turned around reluctantly to look in the
mirror. I was planning to catch a glance and walk away, but my
reflection caught me off-guard. I actually looked decent. The clothes
and hair hid all my scars and the make-up gave me a smooth
complexion. It was very natural with a hint of eyeliner and
lip-gloss. Rose and Alice looked smug at my dumbstruck
expression.
"It looks nice, thank you." I mumbled, not
wanting to give them too much satisfaction. I then slipped out of the
door without another word as I bumped into Edward. He laughed.
"I
was just coming to save-" He said while steadying me, but cut short
when he took in my appearance. He was staring at me as I had been
moments before. Why wouldn't he look away already? I flushed pink,
he seemed to notice and cleared his throat.
"Yes, um, I was
coming to pull you out of Alice's clutches."
"Oh, thanks."
My face was still stained pink.
"Ready to go?"
"Yes." I
said hurriedly, glad we had passed the awkward moment.
"We
will be taking my car while Rose and Alice go in the BMW."
"Why
two cars?"
"Shopping space." My face fell.
"Oh." He
started laughing.
"What?!"
"Your face! It's only
shopping." He reminded me.
"Shopping with Alice."
"Touché."
He smiled and I caught my breath.
"Come on, let's go." He
said pulling me towards the garage.
Once in the car, my knee
started bouncing nervously. After all, I was just about to fully
enter the Cullen family. I wasn't nervous about living in a house
full of vampires, I was worried of being left alone… again. I did
trust the Cullens, but this issue would not be swatted aside by a
simple promise, no matter how honest it was.
"There's no
reason to be nervous." Edward said softly.
"I thoughts Jasper
was the one who could read emotions."
"Well, it's fairly
obvious." He said while glancing at my tense posture.
"Oh."
"What
is it that worries you?" He asked, looking at me in the eyes and
ignoring the road.
"I am ready to join the family, and I
do want to, its just that, just that-" I sighed frustrated.
Edward waited patiently while I gathered my thoughts.
"Where
would I go if you left?" I finally blurted out and his eyes
hardened.
"We would never-" He began heatedly but I
interrupted him.
"I want to believe that, but I just can't."
I said sadly as I looked at my feet.
"Will you ever trust me?"
He asked just as sad and I whirled around to face him in shock.
"I
do trust you." I love you! I added in my thoughts.
"It's
different, I can't explain, but I can say that I trust you more
than anyone." I said, sincerity marking my words. Joy lit up his
eyes."
"I will never leave you Bella." I simply
nodded.
When we arrived, Edward flashed to my side to open the
door.
"Edward! Somebody could have seen!" I protested as he
helped me out.
"You look really beautiful Bella." He said with
a gentle smile, completely ignoring me. I gulped as my heart rate
picked up.
"Thank you. Now stop avoiding the subject. You could
have been caught!" I tried to blow off the compliment; I couldn't
let my heart hope.
"I'm not avoiding the subject." He
frowned slightly, then smiled once again. "Besides, you
didn't even see me." He smirked, smug.
"Why are you always
right?" I groaned.
"You wouldn't have me any other way."
No I wouldn't, he's perfect…
"Come on, we don't want to
be late." He took my hand and we headed to the building.
"There
you are!" Alice exclaimed when we entered. "The lawyer has been
waiting for ages!"
"Alice, I do not qualify five minuets as
'ages'." Edward said calmly.
"Wait, lawyer?" I asked
confused.
"Yes, just to confirm some things." She waved her
hand dismissively as she dragged me into another room.
"Ah,
Isabella Swan." A man said as he stood to shake my hand. I forced
my feet forward and tried not to wince at his firm, yet friendly
grip.
"Nice to meet you." I said in almost a whisper.
"You
too dear. Well, I am just here to tell you a few things and then you
may proceed with the adoption." He smiled. "So, about Charlie's
will," He started and I froze. Charlie had a will?
"He has a
will?" I asked shakily and Edward came to my side for support.
"No.
That's why I am here. As his only living relative, everything
lawfully goes to you. Although, the house is pretty much all that is
left."
"Oh." It didn't seem appropriate but I was just
shocked.
"Thank you." Edward spoke for me. The lawyer
nodded and gave a smile in my direction before walking out the door.
Carlisle came up to me,
"You ready to join the family? He
asked.
"Uh-huh" I muttered, still dazed. Everything was going
to fast, I faltered, but Edward caught me and kept me
upright.
"Bella?" Edward asked concerned.
"I need
to sit down." I whispered weakly and he lowered me gently to the
floor. Carlisle and Edward looked at me worried.
"Just
overwhelming." I assured them.
"Come on Bella! Sign the papers
and then we can go shopping!" Alice urged and Edward glared at her
but she came next to me with a pen in hand.
"That simple?" I
asked.
"Yep." I looked at the paper hesitantly before reaching
for the pen and slowly signing it.
"Welcome to the family!"
Alice squealed while everybody gave me 'welcome' hugs.
"Okay,
now shopping!" Rose and Alice said in unison.
"All good things
must come to an end." Edward whispered in my ear and I smiled.
At
first, it really wasn't that bad- I was surprised, pleasantly so.
We went to a few book stores and only about two clothing stores.
Edward stayed by my side and prevented anybody getting too close. We
then had lunch, or I had lunch. It was after eating that the
nightmare began.
"Okay, no boys for the rest of the day. Girl
time now." Rose smirked and I was terrified.
"I guess I'll
see you guys later then…" I trailed off uncertainly.
"Hopefully."
Emmett said seriously.
"Don't worry about it honey, Esme will
be there to control them." Jasper soothed but Esme looked
guilty.
"Actually, Carlisle and I are going to let you kids have
fun."
"Nooooo!" I wailed dramatically.
"Sorry." She
mouthed.
"We'll stay in the mall then, just in case." Edward
said.
"Come on guys, we're not that bad!" Alice pouted.
"You
can stay, but you better not follow us!" Rose
warned.
"Deal."
"Okay, okay, let's go!" I said
exasperated.
"Eager
are we?" Alice looked smug.
"Yes," Her face lit up "For it
to be over." I finished and the boys laughed while Alice scowled
and dragged me to the first of many shops.
Rose and Alice stayed by my side at all times which was both good and bad. Good, they were my bodyguard and stopped anybody from approaching me. Bad, I could never get a break from shopping. They were reasonable with what they were buying; most of the stuff hid my scars and the rest I would simply refuse to wear. However, I did not agree with how much they were buying; I now understood why we needed two cars.
After
a few hours, I finally decided to speak up.
"Guys. If you expect
the human to keep going, you must feed it." I reminded them. I
hadn't eaten much at lunch and there was a Krispy Kreme a few
stores away.
"But Bella!" Alice whined. "We were just about
to try these on!" She gestured to the items of clothing. Rose
looked at me and put hers down."
"I'll come." She offered
and I shook my head.
"It's fine, I don't mind going alone, I
saw some doughnuts a minute away."
"Are you sure?"
"Ye,
could I just borrow a bit of money?"
"Oh yes, here." Alice
handed me twenty dollars.
"Alice, I don't need twenty dollars
to buy a doughnut!" I exclaimed as if she was crazy.
"Buy a
few, we aren't finished here." I sighed defeated.
"I'll be
right back." I mumbled before exiting the shop.
I traced my
steps back to Krispy Kreme and walked up to the counter. I groaned,
why did it have to be a young male employee? I took a deep
breath.
"Hello, how may I help you?" The guy said, eyeing my
chest.
"Two original glazed." I said quickly, not worrying
about being polite since he obviously wasn't.
"Three dollars."
He said with a sleazy grin. I reached to hand him the bill and he
brushed my arm as he took the money, I snatched my arm back. Come on,
deep breaths Bella, deep breaths…
"Here you go." He said
while handing me the small bag. I turned to leave, but he ran around
the counter to stand in front of me.
"Hey, my name is Dan." He
said offering his hand.
"Sorry, I have to go." I mumbled and
tried to walk pass him but he blocked me. My heart rate started to
increase.
"Let me go."
"Not until you give me your
number." He flirted. Adrenaline was pulsing through me as I
side-stepped him. As I Passed, he grabbed my arm. It wasn't rough
and for any other teenager, it would be a simple touch, but I could
feel my mind reeling back to those terrible days.
"Let her go!"
An angry voice reached my ears as I drowned in flashbacks. The
presence on my arm vanished, but the memories didn't. Someone led
me out of the shop.
"Please don't hurt me." I
whimpered.
"Bella, it's Edward. He's gone." Edward shook
me slightly as I pushed back the images in my mind.
"Sorry." I
muttered after a minute.
"No, I'm sorry. I should have been
there earlier." He brought me to a bench and we sat together.
"I
am a freak! I can't even go out in public!" I
moaned.
"Bella, stop. This wasn't your fault. Anybody would
have felt uncomfortable with that- that" He said angrily.
"Boy?"
I offered.
"I was more going along the lines of jerk." He
smiles at me.
"Can we go home?" I pleaded and he
nodded.
"The girls already know." He said and brought me to
his Volvo which was already packed with shopping bags. I raised my
eyebrow at him and he shrugged.
"She can see the future
after all."
"I'm sorry you were left alone." He said
after a few moments of silence.
"Don't be, I chose to go
alone." I said calmly but he just shook his head in
frustration.
"Do you want to go out tonight?" He suddenly
asked. I looked at him carefully and he seemed nervous.
"Sure."
I said, a smile lighting up my face.
"Alice is going to dress
you again." He chuckled.
"What?! Twice in one day and
shopping! That's just unfair." I complained.
"Well, she
warned me there was nothing we could do to stop her." I
groaned.
"For once, I want to win a battle against her." I
moaned.
"You're lucky you didn't have to go shopping until
now."
"Not true! I was victim of online shopping!"
"I'm
sorry, but I really can't do anything."
"Fine." I seemed
to be giving in a lot today…
Surprisingly, everybody arrived
home before us.
"You actually let them beat you?" I asked
amazed.
"I was stalling your torture."
"Oh thanks." I
sighed and as soon as I opened the door, Alice grabbed me and carried
me upstairs.
"Boys, bring the bags in- thanks!" Alice called
before turning to me
"I'm sorry-" She began.
"No,
enough. It was my fault and I'm fine now." I sighed. "Can you
just forget it happened?" I begged and she appraised me for a
while.
"You took soooo long to het here!" She said, re-gaining
her energy.
"I wonder why." I muttered.
"I wouldn't be
mean if I were you. You are in her hands." Rose said
wisely.
"What?! You're not helping?" Usually she could
slightly tame the beast.
"Nope, spending some time with my
husband." She replied grinning.
"Darn you." She just giggled
before gracefully skipping out.
"Alice, only two conditions
and then I'll go quietly."
"Okay." She said warily.
"Promise?"
She hesitated.
"Yes, I promise." She finally said.
"Has
to hide my scars and no heels." She pursed her lips for a few
seconds.
"I can work with that." She concluded.
"Good."
I said and just let her work her magic. I closed my eyes while she
re-did my hair and make-up.
"Go get changed." She eventually
said while handing me a beautiful dress of the same colour of the
blouse I had been wearing.
"You can wear the same shoes as
before." I nodded and looked in awe at the dress. It was
knee-length and simple. Not revealing, yet breath-taking.
"Why
so fancy?" I asked.
"Oh, you'll see." She winked. I
shrugged and walked into the bathroom. My make-up was slightly more
pronounced now as Alice gave me a mixture of blue and white
eye-shadow. My hair was still curly, but Alice had fashioned it into
an intricate bun with a few strands of hair coming out at the neck to
cover my scar. I slipped on the dress followed by a black cardigan to
cover my shoulders and arms. I walked out and Alice looked
proud.
"Perfect." She said satisfied.
We walked
downstairs together and Edward was waiting at the bottom, looking
very handsome.
"You ready to go?" He asked and realisation
suddenly dawned on me.
"Aren't the others coming?" I
squeaked. He shook his head smiling. Alice smirked at me.
"Have
fun!" She exclaimed, pushing us out the door. I walked to Edward's
car slowly.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"It's a
surprise." I frowned slightly and he laughed, but honestly, I
couldn't be upset with him. I love him.
And for some unknown reason, it felt like change was in the air.
Wo! Okay, now this is the longest chapter so far =) I hope you enjoyed it! Next chapter will be in EPOV. So stay tuned!
