Hello lovelies! Sorry it took so long but complications arose and yada yada yada. Here's chapter 27. Enjoy! Must go to sleep now. . .
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Guarding Edward by katmom
Awesome story, you should definitely take some time to check it out!
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. . .or ABBA songs, but I do own the musical scene. :D
Edward POV
This is what I had been waiting for all my life. I was looking for something I did not know I needed and now that this angel had shown it to me there was no way I would ever let her go. I felt whole and without a care in the world that I may as well be floating on the clouds. Currently I had said angel on my back while I was running back to the house since it had gotten pretty late and they were bound to be worried especially after the way Bella and I had yelled at each other earlier. Yeah, that had made me feel like a total ass.
"Do you think your family will not like. . .us?" Bella asked her warm breath right next to my ear.
I couldn't help but laugh at her question.
"Why are you laughing, this is serious!" Bella held onto me tighter, I could feel the heat spreading across her cheeks through my shirt.
"Love, my family absolutely adores you," I answered, "and if that doesn't tell you anything then the fact that you have made me the happiest man alive will make them adore you even more."
"I'm sure Alice had a vision about this," said Bella.
"If she did, I hope kept it to herself," I muttered.
If anyone was to tell my family about us it would be Bella and I. I trusted Alice to keep silent while we got to the telling part. I heard her laugh softly and I pushed myself a little harder to get to the house faster so I could shout out the good news. Within minutes the house was in sight and I stopped letting Bella down gently and taking her hand in mine. She looked up at me with a bright smile on her face and squeezed my hand in reassurance, I did the same.
We walked up the stairs together and the door burst open revealing an overly eager Alice grinning at us. She grabbed us and pushed us inside roughly all the way to the living room where everyone was watching a movie. Emmett and Rosalie were doing a little something more than watching the movie but it looked like Jasper was keeping them in check, although there was a frustrated expression gleamed in his dark golden eyes. Carlisle had a confused look on his face, his thoughts didn't betray anything and I doubt it had to do with the movie. Little things actually confused Carlisle now a days. Esme on the other hand looked like another version of Alice, only she was more reserved and patient.
"Look who's back!" Alice shouted grabbing the attention of everyone.
The second they looked at us their eyes zeroed in on our intertwined hands. I heard a multitude of gasps before I was pulled apart from Bella and into various hugs. The same happened to Bella.
"I always knew that these two love birds would get together," Emmett said clapping my back, "Come here future sister-in-law!"
Bella's eyes snapped to mine and she blushed then was embraced by Emmett. I was more than a little embarrassed by Emmett's comment but on the inside I felt a spark at the thought of marrying her, even if it was way too early to think about that. I had barely told her how I felt.
"Emmett," Bella groaned when he let her go and buried her face in my chest.
"Stop embarrassing her," Rosalie came to the rescue, "Let me hug my future sister-in-law!" Or not.
"Guys leave Bella alone," I commanded, "It's not like we're getting married or anything of that sort."
Yet! Alice shouted at me through her thoughts.
"Edward's right, leave Bella be," Esme said shooing Alice, Jasper, Emmett, and Rosalie away from Bella.
I'm really happy for you and Bella, sweetheart, thought Esme. At least she had the discretion to not make a big deal out of all this.
"Because it's my turn to hug her," she burst out. When things couldn't seem get worse my parents decided to go step in and make it worse.
She's getting a little overwhelmed, Edward, Jasper had the thought to tell me.
"Okay, okay, I think Bella is quite exhausted from-"
Smooching, touching, feeling
"-having to link all our minds to her," I finished ignoring Emmett.
"Oh, how unthoughtful of us," Esme gasped and turned to Bella, "Are you hungry Bella?"
"Yeah, a little," she answered shyly.
"Let me," I smiled and led Bella to our rarely used kitchen.
I cooked up something simple, scrambled eggs and ham, for her all the while there was a comfortable silence between us. The thoughts of my family were quiet for once; it was almost like they were giving me privacy by not bombarding me with their musings and for that I was grateful. Again, I sat opposite of my love and watched her with unmasked adoration.
"Finished," she declared after a while and looked up to me, her eyes narrowed, "Were you watching me the entire time?"
"Um. . .I. . .no?" Smooth Edward, real smooth.
"You're too cute," Bella suddenly smiled and placed her warm hands on mine. In the instant she did, a semi bright white glow began surrounding her just like earlier. I might have gasped because Bella retracted her hands, the glow disappearing, and hurt expression crossed her eyes. "Sorry."
"Oh, no Bella, I'm sorry I gasped it's just that when you touched me a white glow surrounded you," I explained quickly wanting to see that feeling gone from her eyes. I placed a kiss on each of her hands and let out a smile to reassure her. Her heart sped up and a glazed look passed through her eyes. "Bella?"
She snapped out of whatever trance she had been in and her face turned red, "Must you dazzle me?"
I stared at her confused and she rolled her eyes smiling.
"You have to know the affect you have on people when you smile like that," she pointed out.
"I never noticed," I said truthfully, a sly smile replaced my dazzling one, "Do I dazzle you?"
Bella groaned, "Yes, quite frequently in fact."
"I guess it's only fair for me to tell you that you dazzle me quite frequently too," I chuckled, "No lie."
"Right," Bella rolled her eyes, "Come on, I still have to gain the rest of my energy so I can accompany all of you hunting."
What!?
"No Bella, you are not going hunting with us!" I told her.
"Well, I'm not letting you guys go alone after what happened not long ago," she said crossing her arms in front of her chest, "It is my job to protect you and I know you're vampires and all but I cannot let you go so far away from me even with our connection."
I pinched the bridge of my nose and took a deep breath. "Can we talk about this another time?"
"Look Edward, I know I look like I'm the one that needs protecting but so do you," Bella said in a soothing tone, "and now that I have you I am not taking any risks regarding you and your family's safety, please understand me."
I understood her completely and where she came from because I would be doing the same thing but I don't think I could allow this. A thousand things could go wrong on both sides. One look in her eyes told me that I wouldn't be able to dissuade her from her decision and may as well not even try. She was a stubborn one.
"I do," I sighed, "but what if something goes wrong?"
"Nothing is going to wrong," Bella assured me, "If it makes you feel better we can talk about this as a group tomorrow."
Sorry Edward, I see Bella going with us so you might as well give it up, Alice informed me.
I sighed in defeat, "Okay okay, let's just go do something."
A mischievous smile crept up on Bella's pink lips and my dead heart stuttered. "I think I can come up with something."
Oh this little devil.
______________________________________________________________________
Alice POV
Finally I had convinced Bella to come shopping with Rosalie and me. I don't know how I lasted so long without a mall and now that I'm here there would be no stopping me until they threw us out of here, which they would never do because I'm their number one client. I had a small vision of us coming shopping after school, not quite sure which day so I just decided to bring Rose and Bella right after school. As soon as we entered the mall all heads turned to us. Bella's eyes widened and scooted closer to us, she wasn't one for attention I guess unlike Rosalie who thrived on the attention she could get. I, on the other hand, stood in the middle.
"I feel like I'm a freak on display," groaned Bella, "Can't they look away?"
"Why would they," laughed Rosalie, "Three gorgeous women have just entered the premises and you expect people to look away."
"I agree with Rose, besides you're the one getting their attention," I said as a matter of fact.
"Me?"
"Yep," I popped the 'p', "You're in your Angel form which naturally attracts the ever curious humans."
"Ugh, how could I let you talk me into this," sighed Bella.
"Because you need clothes, Rose needs clothes and guess what I need clothes too!" I giggled.
"Not just clothes Alice," Rose said in a suggestive tone.
"Right," I smiled, "We need some Victoria's Secret."
"Don't even want to know," Bella said. I could see her trying to fight off a smile.
"Not just us silly, you too!" exclaimed Rosalie.
"No way!"
"Way," said Rose then linked her arm through Bella's and did the same with me.
Before she could protest Rose and I were already pulling her along to the first store. The managers here already knew us and rushed to our side greeting us. They followed me around the store in case I needed something, not that I minded but I sent them away when I saw Bella's uncomfortable expression.
"Here Bella, I got these for you to try on," I passed her about ten cute and flirty tops. She opened her mouth, to protest no doubt, and then closed it again.
"Fine," she huffed in defeat. I beamed at her and followed to the changing room where Rose was also trying on some tops.
"Hey Alice, do you think this looks good with this?" asked Rosalie in front of the mirror.
Before I could respond the fitting room disappeared and another familiar room replaced it. I managed to grip the edge of a chair before this room complete vanished.
Vision Time.
"Carlisle?" a woman peeked through the door with a wide smile on her face.
"Helen, please, come in, "Carlisle looked up from his desk smiling.
That was the desk from his office at the Hospital, and that's the receptionist. Too bad he had to go smiling at her like that, now she'd never go away. I laughed quietly at the thought of yet another potential receptionist stalker. At least it wasn't another nurse.
"I was just going through the RSVP's for next weekend and saw yours missing," Helen said walking into the office, "Aren't you going?"
"Oh, yes, next weekend," coughed Carlisle fidgeting in his chair, "I'm not sure if my family and I are going to be there."
Where? What?
"If I didn't know any better I'd say you were trying to avoid us," Helen joked.
Carlisle tensed before letting out a few nervous chuckles. Where did the calm Carlisle go?
"It won't be that bad, Doctor," insisted Helen, "So, what do you say?"
Carlisle paused hesitantly then nodded in defeat, "Okay."
"Seven spots then," said Helen lifting the clipboard in her hands and writing something on it.
"Actually, no, eight spots," Carlisle corrected her, "We have a new addition to our family."
"Really?" asked Helen with wide eyes. Well, someone looked ready for gossip.
"Yes," smiled Carlisle, then muttered under his breath, "A new baby girl."
"I'll go turn this in then," Helen said excitedly, "Oh, I almost forgot, it's a formal event."
"Thank you Helen," nodded Carlisle.
Helen smiled and walked out of the office scribbling away on her clipboard.
"This kids are not going to like this," Carlisle sighed, "but it's for appearances."
"Alice?" Bella and Rosalie's distant voices helped me bring back the present.
The vision faded and the dressing room snapped back into color. I was still standing gripping the chair with Bella and Rosalie in front of me. I waited for the vision to sink in before I tried to make sense of it all and tell them.
"What'd you see?" asked Bella. The tone of her voice was hesitant and a little fearful.
"Um, Carlisle at the Hospital," I answered getting my bearings once again, "He was talking to the receptionist about something happening next weekend."
"Good? Bad? Details, Pixie," Rose exclaimed. I'll let that tone of voice slide.
"Well apparently Carlisle hadn't RSVP'd, which you know can really tick off a lot of people who are planning important events-"
"Then Alice," Bella cut me off.
"Oh right, well Helen came in to see why he hadn't and he eventually gave in and said yes," I rushed through explaining, "Now we have to go to this event and Carlisle said he doesn't think we're going to like it."
"Okay, no more sugar for you Alice," Bella laughed a few seconds after I stopped talking.
"Vampires can't consume sugar Bella," I told her, "Our metabolism rejects it before it can even take affect plus it taste nasty."
"And Alice would know," giggled Rosalie.
"Rosalie that was one time and it was on a dare," I huffed, "You lost, I win, get over it."
"Oh I'm over it," said Rose, "besides it fun to replay it over and over again when I want a good laugh."
"I knew I should have beaten the crap out of Edward when I had the chance," I groaned.
"What's this I hear about you beating my love?" Bella asked cutting into the conversation.
"No need to get defensive," I teased her.
"We left little Eddie alone," Rose added in.
"Moving on," Bella rolled her eyes at our teasing, "Can we go now?"
"Someone's a little eager to get home," I grinned.
"Alice I think you mean a little eager to get smooching," Rose grinned too.
"You guys have been hanging with Emmett for too long," said Bella.
"Alright, sorry, let's finish up here so we can get home and interrogate Carlisle on where he plans on taking us next weekend," I proposed.
"Finally."
"You know this means we'll just have to come back another day right?"
"Bella, Alice, Rose!" Emmett's booming voice was the first thing that greeted us as soon as stepped out of Rose's car. That and an impatient Edward pacing on the stairs. "You're back!"
He pulled all of us into a huge hug which resulted in all of us yelling at him that Bella needed to breathe. He apologized of course and Edward swept Bella off her feet, literally. Emmett and Rosalie went off into their own little world of making out and other stuff which left me to find my wonderful husband since Carlisle wasn't home yet.
I ran up to my room looking for Jasper and found him waiting for me on the bed. A knowing look on his face that had me giggling. I plopped down next to him and we lay down in silence for a couple of minutes. He ran his fingers through my short spiky hair while I drew lazy patterns across his chest. We were in a state of serenity when I started to itch for something to do.
"Alice," Jasper said interrupting the silence around us.
"Yeah," I responded.
"I can feel you want to do it," he said. My excitement built up and I nodded my head in anticipation.
"Can we?" I asked sitting up.
"Of course," he chuckled sitting up also, "If you're up for it then so am I."
I jumped off the bed and went to lock the door; we didn't want any interruptions and risk anyone finding us in the middle of our act of fun. Jasper grabbed my hand and led me to our closet then closed the door behind us. Thank God my huge walk in closet served another purpose than just storing amazing designer clothing. Jasper slid his shirts hanging on the wall to the side revealing a Plasma built inside the wall. He turned it on and slipped in a DVD.
Immediately a menu screen popped up and I let out a few excited squeals. As soon as Jasper pressed the Play button I snatched the wireless microphones from a shelf and handed one to him.
"Ready darling?" asked Jasper grinning.
"You know it," I answered.
Music began to fill up the room and I smiled getting into the 'zone'. Another good thing about my closet was that it was sound proof meaning our family would not be able to hear us although Edward might read our minds but I bet he's rather tied up at the moment. This had to be one of mine and Jasper's favorite guilty pleasure. Oh, here I go!
Honey honey, how you thrill me, ah-hah, honey honey
Honey honey, nearly kill me, ah-hah, honey honey
I'd heard about you before
I wanted to know some more
And now I know what they mean, you're a love machine
Oh, you make me dizzy.
Honey honey, let me feel it, ah-hah, honey honey
Honey honey, don't conceal it, ah-hah, honey honey
The way that you kiss goodnight.
(The way that you kiss goodnight)
The way that you hold me tight
(The way that you're holding me tight)
feel like I wanna sing when you do your thing.
I sang my part with Jasper weaving in with my voice at certain intervals, balancing the melody between us. At one point I started swaying on my feet while I was singing and took Jasper's hand.
I don't wanna hurt you, baby, I don't wanna see you cry
So stay on the ground, girl, you better not get too high
But I'm gonna stick to you, boy, you'll never get rid of me
There's no other place in this world where I rather would be.
I almost swooned as Jasper sang to me, my knees went weak but I was holding on to him for support. He gave me a dazzling smile because he knew exactly what he was doing.
Honey honey, touch me, baby, ah-hah, honey honey
Honey honey, hold me, baby, ah-hah, honey honey
You look like a movie star
(You look like a movie star)
But I know just who you are
(I know just who you are)
And, honey, to say the least, you're a doggone beast.
So stay on the ground, girl, you better not get too high
There's no other place in this world where I would rather be.
Jasper twirled me with one hand and threw in a surprise dip before I even finished singing my part. He then pulled me into his arms swinging us in time to the music.
Honey honey, how you thrill me, ah-hah, honey honey
Honey honey, nearly kill me, ah-hah, honey honey
I heard about you before
I wanted to know some more
And now I know what they mean, you're a love machine.
My voice faded and the words echoed off the walls. I locked my gaze with Jasper's and let him feel exactly what I felt in this moment. No more words were uttered and our lips crashed together.
Oh honey honey.
______________________________________________________________________
Bella POV
Edward and I had been in his room for a couple of hours just being together and of course a few other things too. Mostly we listened to music, I even got my homework done, and talked about a wide range of topics all the while I was cuddled comfortably in his lap. I mentioned the vision Alice had during our shopping spree and agreed we should talk to Carlisle as soon as he got home, about that and the really necessary hunting trip this weekend. In some of our moments of silence he would pull me in closer and I caught him breathing in my scent more than once. I was doing the same thing.
"Love, Carlisle just pulling up the driveway," Edward whispered while I was playing with his fingers.
"I'm rather curious to see what Carlisle has gotten you guys into," I admitted.
"Ah ah, don't forget you're part of this family too," Edward corrected me, "and from Alice's vision it seems as though Carlisle has reserved a spot for you as well."
"Okay okay, I'm curious to see what Carlisle has gotten us into," I restated myself.
"Well, Carlisle's thoughts aren't betraying anything," sighed Edward, "but he is hiding something."
"Let's go downstairs then," I said, getting off Edward's lap begrudgingly. He complied silently and slid off the couch gracefully. Our hands intertwined automatically but before he opened the door I stopped him, "I love you Edward."
"Me too Bella," he said, "I love you too."
My heart fluttered at his words and I don't think I'd ever get used to him saying them to me. I was pretty sure were both smiling like idiots when we walked downstairs to the kitchen. Emmett, Rosalie, Esme, and Carlisle were barely getting settled in; Rose was filling in Carlisle on Alice's vision. Speaking of Alice, where is she? And Jasper?
"They'll be down in a minute," Edward whispered in my ear.
"Are you sure you can't read my mind?" I asked jokingly.
"I'm sure," answered Edward smiling, "or else I would be asking what you're thinking all the time."
"True," I laughed.
Just as Edward said Alice and Jasper made an appearance and took a seat. Alice quickly explained what she had seen and waited for Carlisle to start 'fessing up. Her words not mine.
"There's a dinner hosted by the Hospital and the Board of Directors up in Seattle," explained Carlisle, "Everyone goes and they usually give awards and presentations even a few scholarships to the interns working at the time."
"What does that have to do with us?" Emmett asked.
"Well, I know how much these appearances are annoying to you kids so I don't really bother but this time Helen caught up with me and I had no choice but to reserve spots for us," finished Carlisle.
"So we're going to be forced to. . ." Rosalie trailed off.
"Go, yes I'm afraid," nodded Carlisle.
"No, eat human food?"
"Unfortunately yes, again," answered Carlisle.
Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper, Alice, and Edward all shuddered while Esme seemed cool with the idea of eating human food. Then again she probably has been to these types of events with Carlisle for a while now.
"On the bright side, Alice," he turned to Alice, "you get to shop for clothes."
"Already chose them," grinned Alice, "I just need to pick them up at the store."
Great. Another shopping day.
"They rent a hotel for the entire weekend, even though the event itself is just for one night," said Carlisle, "It's preferred but not required to stay for the entire thing."
"I can see that we're already staying for the entire thing," Alice added in.
"That settles is then," Carlisle said, "One more thing, this means we'll need to go hunting this weekend."
"As I told Edward," I shot him a gentle expression and turned back to everyone else, "I'm coming with you for your protection."
"As I told Bella," Edward did the same with me, "It's too dangerous."
"Nothing is too dangerous when I have to do my job and it's not like I'll be right there," I tried reasoning with him, "I'll be far but close enough so if something happens I can get to you quicker, you won't hear or smell me."
"You'll be keeping guard then," Emmett said, "That's cool with me."
"Of course, you'll feel I'm nearby but I don't think you'll be prone to come and find me," I reassured them.
"If you think this is necessary then I won't try to argue against your decision," approved Carlisle.
"Are you sure we won't come and attack you?" Jasper asked worriedly.
"I'm sure Jasper," I replied, "I'll be on the lookout for that if it makes you feel better."
He nodded in appreciation and threw Edward a hard look. By the look on his face he was without a doubt sending Edward calming waves.
"If that's all, Rose and I will be leaving," Emmett spoke up, "There's a car with my name that's calling."
The grin on his face was all suggestive as he took Rosalie's hand and they both went through the garage door. I hope they were going to work on the cars. Jasper and Alice retreated to their room once more, Alice wiggling her eyebrows at me before they disappeared. Carlisle and Esme wished us a goodnight and left us alone too. I felt exhausted and decided to sleep tonight instead of meditating.
"Edward?" I called out, snapping him out of his silent trance.
"What is it Bella."
"Could you lay down with me while I sleep?" I asked rapidly before I lost the courage.
"My pleasure," he smiled.
I went through a quick human moment and got under the covers. Edward rested on top but he was too far away for my liking so I scooted closer and curled into a ball at his side. He moved to his side and wrapped both arms around me in a secure manner. Sleep came over me within seconds and Edward humming my lullaby just helped it along. My eyes snapped open one last time.
"Love you," I murmured sleepily.
"Love you, my Bella," Edward murmured back placing a soft kiss on my forehead.
Everything was perfect.
Soo? What'd you think? You know I do love hearing it. Got any questions, feel free to ask or PM me at any time.
Shout out to all those anonymous reviewers, and all those other reviewers. *You know I read every single one and reply back. *
Quick shout out to Rose!
Until next chapter where things start turning around (Not saying anything),
~*~Mimi-Love-4Ever
