DISCLAIMER: The characters do not belong to me…they are all the creations of the wonderful Stephenie Meyer.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Bella and Edward celebrate Valentine's Day together.
Be Mine – Part 3
"Esme was kind enough to send a video of the wedding. It was a lovely ceremony," Carmen remarked.
"All thanks to Alice," I said happily. We had been chatting for over an hour now and I had finally relaxed. I figured Jasper probably had something to do with it, but I wasn't going to complain.
"You were a beautiful bride, Bella!" Kate was very nearly as cheery a person as Alice.
"And our Edward looked quite fetching," Tanya added. "I'm sure the two of you had a time keeping your hands off each other."
I was extremely glad I could no longer blush. I would never have gotten rid of the red! I decided to skip the last part and only focus on the first. "Again thanks to Alice. She found all of the dresses and tuxes." I laughed heartily. "The only thing she refused to buy was Emmett's outfit!"
"She was opposed to you performing the service?" Eleazar asked Emmett.
"Down to the last possible second!" Emmett chuckled. "She was worried for nothing, anyway! I behaved perfectly."
"Ha!" I scoffed. "It only took a bet, a bribe, and God only knows how many death threats!"
"Hush it, Picky!" Emmett teased. "You know you loved my sermon."
"Yes, I did!" I chuckled, kicking Emmett's leg.
"Picky?" Irina asked with a smirk.
"Um … yeah," I replied softly. "It's kind of my nickname."
"Do tell!" Tanya said excitedly.
"Our Bella doesn't suffer from the thirst as we do. She is able to quench herself with a very small amount," Carlisle explained.
"So I started calling her a Picky Eater," Emmett added proudly.
"And Edward didn't rip your head from your shoulders?" Irina asked my brother in amazement.
"Not for a lack of trying," Edward chuckled. "Bella begged for his life and I find myself unable to deny her anything." I looked up to smile at my husband and he met me with a glorious kiss. I was so enthralled that I nearly forget where we were. I stopped my hands from opening his shirt at the last second.
The sharp intake of many breaths all around me startled me. I pulled away from Edward to see what was wrong. Tanya, Irina and Kate were staring at us with their mouths wide open. Carmen and Eleazar were smiling sweetly at us.
"Wow!" Kate breathed. "I never thought I would see the day!" She started giggling and rolling around on the floor. "And I thought getting kissed on the hand was something! Wow!"
I was very confused by all of this and Edward must have noticed. He grabbed my hand and nodded his head. I opened up to him. 'Edward?'
'Kate once tried to trap me into kissing her. She said she would release me with just one kiss. I kissed her hand and ran for it.'
I laughed loudly at the picture that made in my mind. My big, brave vampire husband running from an Alice-like vampire! I noticed everyone was staring oddly at me. I shook my hands in front of me, unable to stop myself from laughing.
Edward came to my rescue. "Bella is familiar with the story. She is just picturing my flight from you, Kate."
"Did you share all of our stories with her?" Irina asked with a calculating look.
"I saw no point," Edward said coldly. "They are of no consequence." I could feel the tension in his body. I didn't like that and I wanted it to stop.
"Surely Bella would like to know why you are such a great catch," Irina teased.
"Actually, I already know all about that," I interrupted. I only meant the part about him being a great catch, but they didn't need to know that. "I would much rather explore your beautiful home. Kate, would you mind giving a tour?"
Kate smiled brightly and jumped to her feet. "I'd love to."
I stood and pulled Edward up with me. He held me close to his side while Kate showed us all around the beautiful home. We eventually made our way back to the main room where everyone was still talking. I kept Edward with me against the far wall. I figured it would be easier to stay out of the conversation if we were out of sight a bit. Edward didn't seem to mind. He would lean down and sneak a kiss against my neck every so often. It was getting close to Twilight before everyone was thoroughly caught up with each other. Tanya invited everyone out to hunt. Carlisle accepted on behalf of us all.
As I ran with Edward, I reached out to him. 'Edward?'
'Yes, love?'
'Will they find me strange? I don't think I will be able to drink much tonight.'
'You don't have to at all as long as you feel you're okay.'
'No. I know it makes you more comfortable when I have a little something.'
'You are really truly amazing, Bella.'
'I love you, Edward.'
'I love you, Isabella.'
"They are so cute together!" Kate cried, staring at us and clapping her hands. "They can't take their eyes off each other."
I pulled away from Edward's thoughts and looked around to see everyone had stopped and was watching us.
"Is her mind still closed to you, Edward?" Tanya asked.
"Very much so," Edward replied. "It's only her heart that she's opened for me." I smiled brightly at his loving comment. I wondered why it was okay to talk about my nickname, but not my power. I shrugged it off, figuring Edward knew best.
Everyone separated into pairs or individually and searched for their preferred meal. I led Edward to a small herd of elk. I drank my fill and Edward finished the rest for me. He then took his own elk down. I frowned, feeling slightly guilty that he was settling because of my grounding.
He must have realized what I was thinking. He took me in his arms and kissed me deeply. When he pulled away, he softly said, "Bella! Why do you still feel so guilty about this?"
"Because you sacrificed so much for me when I was human. I couldn't wait to be your equal so that you would never have to do it again," I whispered, not wanting to look at him.
Edward lifted my chin and brushed his lips against mine. "Silly, Bella! As if the lure of a mountain lion could come close to the temptation that is you!"
I laughed as I pressed myself to his chest. "I'm feeling more spoiled with each passing minute."
"That was my plan for today," Edward chuckled.
"So when does the part with just the two of us start?" I asked, tugging at the collar of his shirt and kissing right under his chin.
"Right about now," he whispered against my neck. He kissed me until we were both breathing heavily. He rested his head on my shoulder, tickling my cheek with his hair. I ran my hand through his soft bronze hair, causing him to purr. I smiled to myself, pleased to have such a reaction for something so small.
Not to be outdone, Edward nibbled my earlobe, receiving a purr from me in response. I chuckled and said, "Is this it? I was expecting something more from you. We could have done this at home."
Edward chuckled, "You only wish this was it." My favorite crooked smile appeared as Edward grabbed my hand and set us running further into the forest. We ran for what seemed like a long time before the trees broke into a small clearing at the base of a mountain.
Edward pulled me down onto the ground with him and kissed me sweetly. "Bella, look up."
I turned, laying my head on his chest and looked up. I gasped at the sight. "Northern Lights!" I cried, sitting up immediately.
Edward leaned up on his elbow. "Do you like it?"
"Oh, Edward!" I said, cupping his face in my hands. "It's perfect!" I kissed him on his nose then hurried to get comfortable so I could see more. It only lasted about ten minutes, but it was breathtaking! I turned to my wonderful husband and hugged him tightly. "Thank You."
"I'm glad you liked it," Edward said. He wrapped me up in his arms and hugged me tightly. "We should head back now. We'll spend a little more time with our friends and then head for home."
We ran back to the house, enjoying a peaceful silence. Edward had certainly spoiled me today. A massage, a make-over, a new outfit, a car ride, meeting nice vampires for a change, and the beautiful Northern Lights. I had been so right that one morning in my room when I told him I didn't need heaven if I had him. Edward made every place special just by being there with me.
Tanya greeted us as we reached the porch. "Did the young lovers enjoy the lights?"
I smiled at Edward, waiting for his answer. He smiled back at me and kissed my forehead. "Bella was very impressed with them."
"And what about you, our dear Edward?" Tanya asked, trying not to smile.
Edward continued to stare at me, "I had something much more beautiful to watch."
Tanya laughed heartily as she waved us into the house. We found seats on the sofas again with the rest of our friends and family. "Edward, it pleases us greatly to have lived long enough to see you find your mate."
"Thank you, Tanya," Edward said, nodding to her. I was sure that nod was for the thoughts that accompanied her sentence.
Alice suddenly appeared next to me, hugging me tightly. "I knew you would love it!"
I returned my pixie-like sister's hug, knocking her across Edward and me. "Of course you knew!" I playfully shoved her away and she poked her tongue at me.
"Alice, I'm so glad your vision of Bella on that cliff was wrong!" Carmen remarked with a smile.
Crap! I grimaced, Edward held his breath, Alice frowned, Rosalie gasped, Emmett sat still for once, Esme looked ready to cry, Carlisle smiled sadly, and Jasper sent a huge wave of calm out.
"Little too much," I sighed to Jasper. He had accidentally made us feel more lethargic than calm.
"Sorry," he mumbled as he sent out some happiness.
"Oh, dear!" Carmen said. "I'm so sorry. I didn't think…"
"It's fine," I replied as cheerily as I could. "It's all in the past and we've all forgiven each other and ourselves. Right guys?" I glanced around at every member of my family, especially Edward, and dared them to disagree.
"You seem to have a lot of your human memories," Irina remarked.
"Not really," I replied with a shrug. "I just have some of the strongest ones. I don't really remember the cliff or the diving. But I do remember the scolding from Alice and Edward both," I chuckled. Edward squeezed my hand, letting me know I had done well. I would have to ask him about all the secrecy among friends once we left here. For now, I was content to sit curled up in his lap, listening to everyone else talk.
At some point, I had closed my eyes and tuned out everything except the vibrations that would roll through Edward's chest each time he talked. I let my mind wander around my place, not really looking for any memories in particular. I just wanted a moment to myself. I ended up looking at my memory of my visit with Renee in Jacksonville. I sighed, wondering how much longer it would be before I could safely visit with Charlie and Renee. I knew Edward wasn't really worried about my control. He was worried about Jacob and the pack. I was worried about them too, but I also wanted to see my parents at least once before I disappeared for good.
"Is she asleep?" Eleazar asked from somewhere close.
"No," Edward chuckled. "She's just daydreaming. Bella enjoys that very human habit."
"You be quiet," I mumbled. Everyone chuckled lightly at us.
"We really should start heading back," Carlisle said as he stood. "I have an early shift at the hospital."
"Thank you all so much for coming to visit us. It was most pleasurable," Tanya said.
Edward stood and pulled me up with him. We took turns telling each member of the Denali coven goodbye and thank you. We ran back to the cars together. I squeezed Edward's hand. He knew what I wanted and nodded.
'Edward.'
'Yes, love?'
'Can Carlisle drive? I would really like to snuggle with you in the car.'
'Are you okay?'
'Yes. It's just been so long since I spent a day in your arms and I don't want it to end yet.'
'Okay, Bella.' He smiled brightly at me as we took off our parkas and put them in the back of Rose's X5. "Carlisle," he called, holding up the keys. "Would you mind driving?"
Carlisle was ecstatic. These vampires and their love of fast cars! I chuckled a little at my thought. Edward slid into the back with me while Carlisle and Esme climbed into the front.
I climbed back into Edward's lap and snuggled my face against his neck. I let myself into my husband's thoughts, but made sure he could still hear the others. Their voices were a low humming sound while his would be so much clearer once he sent a thought to me. 'Edward.'
'Bella.'
'I love you so very much. Thank you for today. It's been wonderful.'
'It's not over yet, love. Remember, we don't need sleep.'
'You sound awfully sure that I'll let you continue spoiling me even though Valentine's Day ended eight minutes ago.' Edward slipped his hand under my shirt and ran it across my stomach. 'Our parents are right there!' I screamed in my thoughts.
'They are not paying any attention to us. They are thinking of their love for each other and that today was a wonderful day.'
'And what are you thinking of?'
'The beautiful woman that is my wife. Her seductive body and how much I can't wait to see the gift I bought for her. What are you thinking of, love?'
'You. How much I want to kiss you right now. How I wish we were in the Volvo, just the two of us, and could pull over somewhere secluded for just a few hours.'
'Hours, Isabella?'
'Hours, Edward. It will take me a while to properly show you just how much I love you and how much I've enjoyed my spoiling.' I looked into Edward's eyes, seeing my own barely controlled desire reflected in his smoldering eyes. Edward suddenly moved me to sit next to him.
"So, Bella!" Esme said happily, turning her head to see us. "Did you enjoy meeting our friends?"
I pulled out of Edward's thoughts and sat up, leaning against him. "Very much! It was great to meet some vampires who didn't want to eat me!"
Esme and I laughed, Carlisle snickered and Edward groaned. My phone started ringing and I pulled it out. It was Alice. I flipped open the phone and the laughter of my siblings filled the car.
I could hear the phone being fought over and then I heard Emmett's booming voice. "Picky! That was great! Didn't want to eat me!"
"Give me my phone, Emmett!" Alice roared. I heard the phone drop as they fought over it.
"Bella, you should have used that one with our friends," Rosalie teased. "I would have loved to see Tanya's face at that one!"
There was more struggling for the phone. "That's almost as good as the biting you comment you put in my Christmas letter," Jasper chuckled.
I heard an exasperated sigh and then Alice's twinkling voice. "Bella, you are so riding with us next time! Jasper keeps calming me down every two seconds. He's hidden your Ipod too!"
"Shame on you, Alice!" I teased. "What do you need an Ipod for? You and Em know all the words!"
"Oh, this is going to be good!" Alice cried. She hung up the phone, but not before I heard Jasper begging for mercy.
Edward hugged me tightly against him. "You are getting as devious as my sisters."
"You say that like it's a bad thing!" I teased, playing with the collar of his shirt. "Don't worry, Edward. You're safe for now."
"For now?" he questioned, lifting an eyebrow.
"As long as you don't give me a reason to turn my devious mind towards you, you're perfectly safe." I pulled his face to mine and kissed him deeply. As soon as the car stopped in the driveway, Edward swept me from the back and ran me straight into our room. "Edward!" I laughed. "We didn't even tell everyone goodnight yet."
Edward set me on the bed, ran to the door, opened it wide and yelled, "Bella says goodnight! See you in the morning." He closed the door and locked it and turned to me with my favorite crooked smile. He pounced and knocked me down into the middle of the bed. "I'm ready to see my gift, Bella," he whispered seductively.
"Go ahead and unwrap it then," I replied with a grin. Edward growled softly and leaned in to kiss my neck.
"Bella." His voice was husky as he breathed my name into my face. I sighed happily. In one swift movement, my shirt was gone and he was staring at one part of his gift to me. "It's unbearable the way everything looks so perfect on you," he growled playfully.
"Careful there, my horny little vampire," I teased. "You haven't even seen the rest of it yet and you look like you're about to go out of your mind."
He smiled wickedly at me and removed the rest of my clothing, except his gift, at vampire speed. I was curious about this selection of his. There didn't seem to be much of a point. It was black lace, nearly completely see-thru. He wasn't really covering anything up. That's what had tickled me so much this morning. He'd gone from being deathly afraid to touch me to having trouble letting me even put clothing on. And he actually thought I would regret becoming his equal! Silly Vampire!
I wondered if he was planning to leave this set in one piece as I watched him remove his own clothes. My first valentine's day with my husband had been spectacular and wasn't even close to being over yet. I truly was in heaven with an angel. I could definitely live like this for eternity.