Cameras
I was awoken by a loud crash from downstairs. Thankfully Bella hadn't woken so I held her to me as she snored lightly. Looking round at the clock, I saw it was four o'clock. I started to comb through Bella's hair again as she started to move about. When she started to trace patterns on my chest, I rubbed soothing circles into her back.
"You feeling a bit better now angel?"
"Yes."
"We need to leave in twenty minutes so you can get to work."
"Show me what he meant by the news."
"Okay. Let me get my laptop; it's downstairs."
"Thank you."
She kissed my chest before moving off me. I ran downstairs and grabbed my laptop.
"Edward, have you seen the news?"
"Yes. Gavin, he came to school today. That's why we came home early. He saw the news and came to see Bella. I saw the news clip but Bella hasn't yet."
"Are you going to show her?"
"Yes. She needs to know even if I don't want her to."
"Just remind her that it doesn't matter what they say, their just looking for a story."
"I will."
I ran upstairs and into my room. Sitting next to her, I pecked her lips and wrapped my arm around her shoulders.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I want to know what they're saying."
"Okay but remember that these people are just looking for a story."
"I know."
Pressing play, she watched the video clip in silence before pulling herself closer to me.
"How do they know so much?"
"They pay people for information and send reporters out to watch people. It's okay my angel, I've got you. They'll make up stories but as long as you know the truth and I know the truth then that's all that matters."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
She pecked my lips and leaned her head against my shoulder.
"I was thinking, you've got your ring but I don't have one. If you get ready and we leave in ten minutes then we can go look at a ring for me."
"Really?"
"Really. Come on my angel."
"Come on then."
I pecked her lips and climbed out of the bed, closing my laptop down. She went into our closet and came out with a pair of shorts and dark blue top on.
"I'm glad it's getting warmer."
"Why?"
"You can wear shorts to show off your beautiful legs."
"I told you, you like my legs. Everyone does."
"And I'm the only one that can claim them now. They're mine."
Bringing my lips to hers, I placed my hands over her bottom, pulling her to me.
"Go find a shirt. I want to get a ring on your finger."
"Okay. Grab something to eat and I'll meet you downstairs."
"Don't be too long."
"I won't."
She pecked my lips before grabbing her bag and leaving the room. I threw on a black button down shirt and grabbed my extra $10,000 I'd saved up. I put it in my wallet and ran down the stairs.
"You ready to go angel?"
"Yeah. Who's driving?"
"I will. I know the perfect place to go."
"Why are you two going so early?"
"We're going shopping for a bit."
"What for?"
"Just something small."
I pulled Bella into my arms and brought her lips to mine. She pulled away from me and walked to the door.
"You in a rush?"
"Definitely."
Turning to the others, I waved goodbye.
"See you guys later."
"Bye Edward."
I ran out to the car to see Bella sitting ready to go. I drove quickly to the large shopping mall in Port Angeles and helped Bella out of the car and into my arms.
"Don't look at the prices, just find one you like and I'll pay."
"I have got some money you know."
"But I'm paying for it."
"I want to though."
"Please, let me pay. You keep your money Bella; you've worked hard for it. Save it for yourself."
"No. I want to buy this. You gave me mine so I'm going to give you yours. I have $7,500 dollars that I've saved up. Please let me pay for this. Please. For me."
"Fine. Only for you. Come here angel."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
I brought her lips to mine, as I wrapped my arms around her waist. There was a slight flash from the corner of my eye and I looked over to see a man with a camera hiding in the bushes.
"Come on, let's go inside."
"What's wrong?"
"It's not important."
"Tell me."
"There's a man over there. Don't look. Just walk inside."
"Okay."
Wrapping her arms around my waist, I led her inside, keeping an eye out for the photographer.
"He's gone. Don't worry."
"Good. What was he doing?"
"Taking pictures."
"He saw us didn't he?"
"Yes but don't worry. He's just looking for a story. He's gone now though. Let's forget about him."
"Come on then. I want to find the perfect ring for you."
We walked through the mall to the jewellers. After looking at lots of different rings we agreed on one simple, band with straight sides and a slightly raised middle. It was $3,750 so I reluctantly let her pay for it. We left the ring with one of the workers as he was going to resize it for my finger. We'd agreed to come back once Bella's shift was over. When we got near the restaurant Bella worked at, we got stopped in a line of traffic, the road blocked. I pulled into a space on the side of the road and helped Bella out of the car.
"I guess we're walking."
"I wonder what's blocking the road."
"I don't know."
Taking Bella's hand in mine, we made our way down the road. When we turned the corner, we saw the problem. There were loads of people with cameras and microphones. They all turned round and started shouting our way. I pulled Bella into my chest and helped her through the crowd, holding her to me.
"Bella, tell me about your father?"
"What was it like living with a man who raped you every day?"
"Why didn't you speak out sooner?"
"Tell us how you really feel Bella."
Covering her ears, I held her closer to me, wrapping my arms around her waist.
"Keep going Bella, just ignore them."
As soon as we got to the restaurant I pulled Bella inside and closed the door over behind her.
"We're safe now."
"Bella?"
She turned round to see Lily, standing in the door way of the kitchen.
"Oh my god Bella. I saw the news. You should have told me. I would have helped."
Bella left my arms and walked into Lily's.
"I didn't want anyone to know. I was scared Lily. Please just leave it."
"Okay. Next time just tell me though."
"I will."
Lily pulled away from Bella, smiling at her.
"You still have to work though."
"That's why I'm here."
"I'm putting you on kitchen duty, there's a load of photographers outside and a news crew. You are not going out there."
"Thank you Lily."
"No problem Bella. You're still like my sister."
I leaned against the wall as Bella walked back into my arms.
"Lily, I have something to ask you."
"What is it Bella? Are you sick?"
"No. Nothing like that. It's just that, Edward and I are getting married at the beginning of August as you know and I want you to be my maid of honour."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Who else would I ask?"
"Thank you Bella. I'll definitely be there."
She pulled us both into a hug before going into the kitchens. I pecked Bella's lips and let her go into the locker room as I sat down in the kitchen. At the end of her shift she ran into the locker room and came out in her shorts and top.
"Let's go get your ring."
"Come on then angel."
Grabbing my hand, she pulled me outside into the swarm of photographers.
"Just keep walking. Don't stop until you get to the car. I've got you."
"Don't let go."
I wrapped my arms around her, shielding her from the flashes until we got to the car. I pulled the door open and waited till she had climbed in as I blocked the cameras before getting in myself and starting the car up.
"What are we going to do Edward? They're going to follow me until they get what they want."
"Then you have to give them what they want. On Sunday, during the court session you need to tell the truth. Tell everyone the whole story and they'll spend a while as they reveal that information that they'll leave you alone for a while. Until then, we need to ignore them. Don't say a word to them no matter what they say. They'll try to provoke you into telling them something and that's what they want. If you want I'll stay by your side every time you go out."
"Will you?"
"Of course. Anything for my angel."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
I took her hand in mine, rubbing circles on the back of her hand. As soon as I parked, I ran round to her side and pulled her into my arms.
"There's no one here."
"Good. Can I have a kiss?"
"Always."
I lowered my lips to hers as she placed her hands on my chest. We made our way inside to the jewellers and collected my ring. Before we left, Bella took the ring from my hand and closed her hand over. She wrapped her other hand into my hair, pulling me down to her.
"Since you asked me, I want to ask you something."
"What is it?"
"You've promised that you'll love me and look after me no matter what. You've spent money on me even when I told you not to. I know you're going to spend a whole lot more money on me and take me places I hadn't dreamed of going to. By accepting this ring you will be agreeing to let me love you and give you the love you deserve. No matter what I will tell you what's on my mind when I'm feeling down. I'll be honest with you like I know you'll be honest with me. Will you accept this ring as a sign of your love to me?"
"Yes."
She brought her lips to mine as she slipped the ring onto my finger.
"Thank you."
"I love you Bella."
"I love you Edward."
I held her to me as I she wrapped her other hand round my neck; she pulled my lips back to hers. I placed my hands on her hips, pulling her closer to me.
"Let's go home."
"Okay."
With my arms wrapped around her waist, we left the mall without interruption and arrived home in half an hour.
"Hey mom."
"Hey Son. How are you doing Bella?"
"I'm fine thanks Esme."
I smiled down at her giving her a gentle squeeze.
"Do you want something to eat?"
"Yes please. I need to make a few calls first but I'll be back in ten minutes."
"Okay. Take your time angel."
"I love you."
"I love you too my angel."
She pecked my lips before running upstairs.